MMA News
Bellator women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg added to the undercard of Terence Crawford vs. David Avanesyan
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2022
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg will make her return to the boxing ring next month. The Brazilian has been out of the cage since her rematch with Arlene Blencowe in April. In the main event of Bellator 279, ‘Angerfist’ put forth a great fight, and showed a lot of heart. However, Cyborg retained her title after five hard-fought rounds.
Anthony Smith reflects on loss to Jon Jones, believes former champion is very beatable: "He's not that good"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2022
UFC light-heavyweight contender Anthony Smith feels he should’ve performed better against Jon Jones. ‘Lionheart’ and ‘Bones’ faced off in March 2019 at UFC 235. The bout was the biggest of Smith’s career. While he was previously an unranked gatekeeper at 185 pounds, his move to light-heavyweight the prior year had him positioned as one of the best in the weight class.
Judge allows Cain Velasquez to participate in upcoming Lucha Libre wrestling event in Arizona, can take GPS tracker off
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2022
Cain Velasquez will be able to wrestle professionally in Arizona next month. Velasquez was officially released from bail on November 8 after spending months in jail following his attempted murder charge among others. His bail was set at $1 million and would have to wear GPS tracking. He must also comply with a protective order 300 yards away from the victims in the case and had trave restrictions.
UFC eye potential bout between Jon Jones and Curtis Blaydes if Francis Ngannou fails to resign
Lewis Simpson - November 22, 2022
The UFC is looking into a potential bout between Jon Jones and Curtis Blaydes if Francis Ngannou fails to resign with the company. Questions about when Jones would make his highly anticipated heavyweight debut have been asked. After numerous rumoured dates and opponents being thrown in the hat, the UFC have finally pencilled in a date, an opponent, and even a backup fighter.
Paddy Pimblett reveals the secret to his extreme weight cutting and shares bold prediction for his upcoming fight at UFC 282: “Jared Gordon’s getting finished in the first”
Harry Kettle - November 22, 2022
Paddy Pimblett has revealed the secret behind his extreme weight cutting as he prepares to battle Jared Gordon. With a 3-0 record since entering the UFC, Paddy Pimblett is understandably on top of the world. He’s looked sharp in every performance, he continues to improve, and he has his sights set on the big time.
Official main card lineup announced for UFC 282: ‘Prochazka vs. Teixeira 2’
Harry Kettle - November 22, 2022
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has announced the main card for UFC 282, headlined by Jiri Prochazka vs Glover Teixeira 2. The final UFC pay-per-view of 2022 is almost upon us as the company signs off on another great year. From a financial standpoint, it was impressive – and when you look at the quality of the fights, it’s equally as memorable.
Weili Zhang was surprised that fight fans booed “poor” Carla Esparza at UFC 281 in New York: “I don’t know why. Maybe more fans like my fight style”
Harry Kettle - November 22, 2022
Weili Zhang has admitted that she was surprised to hear fans booing Carla Esparza during their showdown at UFC 281. Earlier this month at UFC 281, Weili Zhang regained the UFC strawweight championship. After a competitive first round, the Chinese sensation submitted Carla Esparza to become a two-time champ.
ONE Championship's Chatri Sityodtong hits out at Bellator: “Our champions would steamroll Bellator guys”
Harry Kettle - November 22, 2022
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong has taken a shot at Bellator by comparing their respective success. In recent years, ONE Championship and Bellator have widely been viewed as two of the biggest promotions in MMA. Of course, the UFC leads the way by quite some distance, but Bellator and ONE certainly have great products in their own right.
Darren Till reveals the request he made to the UFC ahead of UFC 282 fight against Dricus Du Plessis
Cole Shelton - November 21, 2022
Darren Till doesn’t think there is any pressure on him ahead of his return fight at UFC 282 against Dricus Du Plessis. Till is set to return to the Octagon in Las Vegas against Du Plessis in his first fight in over a year since he suffered a submission loss to Derek Brunson. The Brit is on a two-fight losing skid and has lost four of his last five overall.
Jiri Prochazka determined to put on "best performance" against Glover Teixeira at UFC 282: "I don't want to repeat those mistakes"
Josh Evanoff - November 21, 2022
UFC light-heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka is determined to put forth a better showing against Glover Teixeira. In June in a clash in Singapore, the two 205-pound contenders went to war. In the main event of UFC 275, Prochazka and Teixeira put forth one of the best fights of the year. For five rounds, it was back-and-forth action, with each man having success.
After being pulled from coaching at UFC Vegas 65, New Jersey Gaming Enforcement bans any betting involving James Krause
Josh Evanoff - November 21, 2022
UFC fighter-turned-coach James Krause continues to be embroiled in controversy. The Missouri native was an active UFC roster member from 2013 to 2022. The former welterweight contender faced names such as Jorge Masvidal and Bobby Green. He ultimately retired earlier this year, having been out of the octagon since a 2020 win over Claudio Silva.
Michael Chandler hits back at accusations of being a dirty fighter in Dustin Poirier fight: "You're just in there trying to survive"
Josh Evanoff - November 21, 2022
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler wants to make it clear that he’s not a dirty fighter. ‘Iron’ returned to action at UFC 281 earlier this month in New York City. Standing opposite the former Bellator champion was Dustin Poirier. ‘The Diamond’ was also looking to break back into title contention, having been out of action for nearly a year.
Cain Velasquez requests permission to compete in Lucha Libre wrestling event while on bail
Cole Shelton - November 21, 2022
Cain Velasquez is looking to compete at a Lucha Libre wrestling match on December 3 in Tempe, Arizona. On November 8, Velasquez was officially released on bail. The judge indicated he understood Velasquez’s danger but views it as an isolated incident. Due to Velasquez’s previous criminal history (none), his status as a father with children, his flight risk status (low), and his previously proposed set of stipulations.
Conor McGregor responds to Khabib Nurmagomedov's latest diss: "You quit and ran, brother. God bless. I’m still here if you wanna go again"
Lewis Simpson - November 21, 2022
Conor McGregor has responded to the latest diss from his long-time rival Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov took part in a public speaking event in Toronto. The former lightweight champion discussed the recent success of coaching and his newly crowned champions, Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov. Makhachev attained UFC gold at UFC 280 by submitting Charles Oliveira. At the same time, his younger relative Usman picked up gold on Friday past at Bellator 288 over Patricky Pitbull. Two lightweight champions under two organisations.
Khamzat Chimaev looks absolutely massive in latest social media post (Photo)
Lewis Simpson - November 21, 2022
At this rate, judging by Khamzat Chimaev’s most-recent Instagram post, the rising star will be heading to heavyweight, never mind middleweight. The image of the bulked-up Chechen has fans wondering what weight division we may see him compete at next. The welterweight contender’s last fight was fought at 180lbs, and after missing weight against his scheduled bout with Nate Diaz at UFC 279 and the muscle mass he’s gained, 170lbs could be a thing of the past.
Ben Askren says it is “obvious” that Jorge Masvidal is ducking Gilbert Burns: “Obviously he is declining”
Harry Kettle - November 21, 2022
Ben Askren believes that Jorge Masvidal is ducking Gilbert Burns due to an ongoing decline in his abilities. Back in 2019, Jorge Masvidal was the biggest thing going in mixed martial arts. With Conor McGregor being on the shelf and Khabib Nurmagomedov only fighting once, Masvidal stepped up to the plate with three fights in an incredible twelve-month period.
Leon Edwards refuses to “let go” of Jorge Masvidal altercation at UFC London: “I have to get it back in the octagon or in the street”
Harry Kettle - November 21, 2022
Leon Edwards has admitted he can’t let go of his 2019 interaction with Jorge Masvidal at UFC London. At this moment in time, Leon Edwards is on top of the world. He’s the UFC welterweight champion and with a trilogy fight against Kamaru Usman on the horizon, we’d say he’s almost certainly set for the biggest payday of his career.
Khamzat Chimaev strongly rejects Francis Ngannou’s fighter pay gripe: “He was speaking about living outside before”
Harry Kettle - November 21, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev has hit out at Francis Ngannou for criticising the Ultimate Fighting Championship over fighter pay. For the last few years, fighter pay has been a big issue in the UFC. From champions to contenders and beyond, many have had a thing or two to say on the matter.