MMA News
Video | Greg Hardy, Hasim Rahman Jr. have an intense faceoff, forced to be separated ahead of their fight
Cole Shelton - November 17, 2022
Greg Hardy and Hasim Rahman Jr. went face-to-face ahead of their boxing match on Saturday. Hardy and Rahman Jr. are set to meet on KSI’s Misfits 003 card in Austin, Texas. Originally, Rahman Jr. was supposed to headline the event against Vitor Belfort but the former UFC fighter was forced out of the matchup after testing positive for COVID-19. Another former UFC fighter then stepped in as Hardy took the fight on less than a week’s notice.
Israel Adesanya says he'll fight Alex Pereira next, even if the Brazilian loses the belt in the meantime: "I know I can beat him"
Cole Shelton - November 17, 2022
Israel Adesanya wants to fight Alex Pereira, even if the Brazilian isn’t the middleweight champion. Adesanya suffered a fifth-round TKO loss to Pereira at UFC 281 to lose his middleweight title. The setback marked his third loss to the Brazilian, as he lost twice to ‘Poatan’ in kickboxing. Since the loss, Adesanya has said he will take care of some health issues.
Patricky Freire relishing in underdog status against Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 288: "It motivates me a lot"
Josh Evanoff - November 17, 2022
Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire is fine with being the underdog against Usman Nurmagomedov. The Brazilian is set to make his first title defense tomorrow night at Bellator 288. Freire famously captured the belt in his rematch with Peter Queally last November. In that outing, he won by second-round knockout, finally winning gold after a decade in the promotion.
Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov reflects on 2015 loss to UFC champion Jiri Prochazka: "Maybe one day we'll cross paths and fight again"
Josh Evanoff - November 17, 2022
Bellator light-heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov could go for a rematch with UFC light-heavyweight titleholder Jiri Prochazka. The Russian is set to return tomorrow night at Bellator 288 against Corey Anderson. The bout will be a rematch of their first encounter from April, in the finals of Bellator’s light-heavyweight Grand Prix. In their first bout, ‘Overtime’ was dominating en route to a no-contest after a third-round headbutt.
Joe Rogan praises Israel Adesanya's response to loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 281: "The way he responded to that loss is better than anybody ever"
Josh Evanoff - November 17, 2022
Joe Rogan has praised Israel Adesanya‘s response following his loss at UFC 281. Last Saturday night, ‘The Last Stylebender’ returned to the octagon for yet another title defense. Standing opposite Adesanya was former kickboxing champion, Alex Pereira. In kickboxing, the two men already faced off twice, with the Brazilian winning both times.
Aljamain Sterling confident he can outwrestle Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo: “He’s just so much smaller”
Lewis Simpson - November 17, 2022
Despite Henry Cejudo being a credentialled wrestler, Aljamain Sterling fancies his chances in beating the Olympic gold medallist in a freestyle match. Sterling recently made the second defence of his bantamweight title at UFC 280 by stopping TJ Dillashaw in the second round. The victory marked the 33-year-olds eighth consecutive win in the division. The bantamweight division is arguably the most stacked in the UFC at the moment, which leaves fans wondering who will embark as the next contender for the 135-pound strap.
Jorge Masvidal responds to ducking accusations from Gilbert Burns
Lewis Simpson - November 17, 2022
Jorge Masvidal has broken his silence after recent accusations thrown his direction by Gilbert Burns. The former two-time welterweight title challenger responded in a big way after receiving multiple callouts and accusations from Burns. Burns has publicly stated that Masvidal has turned him down on numerous occasions.
Brady Hiestand plans to be "the first person to finish" Fernie Garcia at UFC Vegas 65: "It will be a good win on my résumé"
Cole Shelton - November 17, 2022
Brady Hiestand is vieweing his UFC Vegas 65 fight against Fernie Garcia as his official UFC debut. Hiestand is coming off a split-decision loss to Ricky Turcios in August of 2021 in the TUF 29 finale. It was a very close fight and after the loss, Hiestand went under the knife for his knee as he was fighting through an ACL tear.
Sean O’Malley explains why he “liked” referee stoppage in Alex Pereira's TKO win over Israel Adesanya: “Dude, that was trending in a bad way”
Harry Kettle - November 17, 2022
Sean O’Malley has explained why he was a fan of the referee’s stoppage during the closing moments of Alex Pereira vs Israel Adesanya. In the main event of UFC 281, Alex Pereira shook up the middleweight division.
Dustin Poirier reveals he got even with Michael Chandler by committing his own foul at UFC 281: “I bit the s**t out of his fingers”
Harry Kettle - November 17, 2022
Dustin Poirier has revealed that he bit Michael Chandler during their now-controversial exchange at UFC 281. Last weekend at UFC 281, Dustin Poirier submitted Michael Chandler after a three-round war at Madison Square Garden. In the midst of their battle, Chandler appeared to put his fingers in Poirier’s mouth in order to secure a choke.
Anthony Smith shoots down the idea of a rematch with Ryan Spann: “He’s my b*tch forever and he knows it”
Harry Kettle - November 17, 2022
Anthony Smith has dismissed the idea of a rematch against Ryan Spann following his big win at UFC 281. While he may serve as a great pundit, many forget that Anthony Smith is still an elite level light heavyweight. He lost to Magomed Ankalaev in his last outing, but in reality, there’s no shame in that.
Nevada Athletic Commission chair tells UFC exec to "make sure no one dies" in Power Slap
Cole Shelton - November 16, 2022
Dana White officially announced his new venture Power Slap last week, and now the Nevada State Athletic Commission has granted them its promoters license. On Wednesday, the Commission met to discuss Power Slap when NSAC Chairman Stephen Cloobeck asked UFC exec, Hunter Campbell, to make sure no one dies.
Vince Morales excited for Miles Johns fight, plans to "do something spectacular" at UFC Vegas 65: "We will both meet in the middle and find right hands"
Cole Shelton - November 16, 2022
Vince Morales was happy when Miles Johns stepped up on short notice to fight him. Morales was supposed to face Jose Johnson, which is a fight Morales didn’t want. He and Johnson have trained in the past and have become close which also includes them playing video games with one another. So, when he pulled out and Johns replaced him at UFC Vegas 65, Morales was excited.
Gilbert Burns willing to face "anyone" after Jorge Masvidal turns down UFC 283 showdown: "I don't care"
Josh Evanoff - November 16, 2022
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns just wants a fight at this point. ‘Durinho’ has been out of action since his loss to Khamzat Chimaev in April. Although he lost by unanimous decision, Burns’ stock went up in defeat. The Brazilian is the only fighter to challenge ‘Borz’ to any reasonable degree in the UFC so far.
Renato Moicano suggests himself as Conor McGregor's comeback opponent: "Moicano wants the money, McGregor has the money"
Josh Evanoff - November 16, 2022
UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano would love to welcome back Conor McGregor. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of action since his loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. During the defeat to ‘The Diamond’, McGregor broke his leg. Due to the devastating injury, he’s been forced to spend well over a year on the sidelines.
Daniel Cormier gives emotional tribute to former opponent Anthony Johnson: "For the fear he struck in people, he was as sweet as they came"
Josh Evanoff - November 16, 2022
Despite being opponents in the cage, Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson were friends out of it. Over the weekend, the MMA world lost an icon of the sport. ‘Rumble’ was one of the hardest-hitting fighters to ever step into the octagon. His highlight-reel knockouts over names such as Alexander Gustafsson, Glover Teixeira, and more will be shown for years to come.
Dustin Poirier shoots down clash with Beneil Dariush next: "That one's not super exciting"
Josh Evanoff - November 16, 2022
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier isn’t very high on a clash with Beneil Dariush. ‘The Diamond’ returned to action last weekend at UFC 281 in Madison Square Garden. Standing opposite the former interim champion was Michael Chandler. ‘Iron’ was fresh off his knockout win over Tony Ferguson in May and was again on the hunt for gold.
Weili Zhang gets shout for next UFC opponent from Mark Zuckerberg
Andrew Whitelaw - November 16, 2022
Mark Zuckerberg has been getting more involved in Mixed Martial Arts in recent months. The Meta CEO went viral in September when he posted a video of his MMA training alongside Bellator veteran Khai Wu. ‘Zuck’ escalated his interest in the sport when he rented out the APEX Arena for a small group of his friends to watch UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan. Having Witnessed Yan bag the unanimous decision on the night, Zuckerberg reached out to her countrywoman Weili Zhang this week following her title win at UFC 281.