MMA News
Gilbert Burns to face Neil Magny at UFC 283 in Brazil after Jorge Masvidal allegedly turned him down
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2022
Gilbert Burns will be getting the chance to fight in Brazil. When the UFC announced they would be returning to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Burns immediately called to be on the card. He has since called out Jorge Masvidal for the event and revealed that ‘Gamebred’ turned him down multiple times.
Curtis Blaydes reacts to potentially being the opponent for Jon Jones’ heavyweight debut: “I’ll be ready for 5 rounds of war”
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2022
Curtis Blaydes is excited that he could potentially be the man to welcome Jon Jones to the UFC heavyweight division. Jones has hinted at a move to heavyweight for quite some time but has still yet to make the move. However, Dana White has confirmed Jones will fight in 2023 and they are targeting March as his return date.
Olivier Aubin-Mercier says PFL lightweight title fight against Stevie Ray may be his retirement bout: "I don't know if I have one more year in me"
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2022
Olivier Aubin-Mercier could be fighting for the final time on Friday. Aubin-Mercier is set to face Stevie Ray for the PFL lightweight title in the championship event from the Hulu Theater in New York City. To get to the final, the Canadian beat Natan Schulte and Alex Martinez in the regular season. In the semifinals, he defeated Martinez again to set up the showdown with Ray.
Taila Santos bashes Valentina Shevchenko for supposedly turning down a rematch: "I showed she was no big deal"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2022
UFC women’s flyweight contender Talia Santos isn’t happy with Valentina Shevchenko turning down a rematch. At UFC 275 in June, the two-faced off in the co-main event. The Brazilian headed into the fight as a massive underdog, and it was understandable. Prior to the event, Shevchenko had lost just two rounds total during her time at 125 pounds.
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.