MMA News
Pros react after Clay Collard defeats Anthony Pettis at PFL 1
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2021
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) returned this evening for their first event of 2021 with PFL 1. The fight card featured featherweights and lightweights and in the main event, Anthony Pettis battled Clay Collard.
PFL 1 Results: Clay Collard defeats Anthony Pettis (Highlights)
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2021
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) returns for their first event of 2021 with PFL 1. The fight card features the featherweights and lightweights and in the main event, Anthony Pettis battled Clay Collard. Anthony Pettis (24-10) is riding a two-fight winning streak and signed with the PFL after fighting out his UFC contract. The former UFC lightweight champ earned decision wins over Alex Morono and Donald Cerrone after being submitted by Diego Ferreira and losing a decision to Nate Diaz.
PFL 1: 'Pettis vs. Collard' Live Results and Highlights
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2021
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) returns for their first event of 2021 with PFL 1. The fight card features the featherweights and lightweights and in the main event, Anthony Pettis battles Clay Collard. Anthony Pettis (24-10) is riding a two-fight winning streak and signed with the PFL after fighting out his UFC contract. The former UFC lightweight champ earned decision wins over Alex Morono and Donald Cerrone after being submitted by Diego Ferreira and losing a decision to Nate Diaz. In his career, “Showtime” holds notable wins over Stephen Thompson, Michael Chiesa, Charles Oliveira, Benson Henderson, and Gilbert Melendez.
Watch | Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal get into heated staredown ahead of UFC 261 rematch
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2021
Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal had one final staredown before their welterweight title fight rematch at UFC 261. In the main event of the pay-per-view card in front of a full capacity crowd in Jacksonville, Florida, Usman and Masvidal are running it back. The two met last July at UFC 251 where Usman won a clear-cut decision, but ‘Gamebred’ took the fight on six days’ notice.
Report | Israel Adesanya set to defend middleweight title at UFC 263 against Marvin Vettori
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2021
Israel Adesanya will run things back with Marvin Vettori in the main event of UFC 263 on June 12. After Robert Whittaker defeated Kelvin Gastelum on April 17, many expected the former middleweight champ to get the next title shot. However, June was reportedly too quick of a turnaround for him so the promotion decided to book Adesanya vs. Vettori 2, according to Combate.
Tyron Woodley removed from UFC rankings
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2021
Tyron Woodley was removed from the UFC rankings, likely signaling the end of his time in the promotion. Just recently, the UFC removed Junior dos Santos and Alistair Overeem from the rankings, and shortly after it was confirmed they were released from the promotion. The same could be happening here to Woodley as he is not available on the fan rankings, or listed on the UFC roster on their website.
Kamaru Usman on comparisons to Georges St-Pierre: "We’re both great in our own light"
Adam D Martin - April 23, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman doesn’t necessarily like being compared to Georges St-Pierre, saying they are both great fighters. When Usman beat Gilbert Burns at UFC 258 in February, it gave him a 13-fight win streak at welterweight, which is one more than the legendary GSP achieved. That led to UFC president Dana White recently remarking that Usman has taken over from GSP as the “GOAT” at welterweight. It’s a title that Usman will take, but in the end he believes that both he and GSP are great fighters from two differently times in the sport’s history.
UFC 261 fighter salaries will not be disclosed due to "trade secret"
Adam D Martin - April 23, 2021
The salaries for the fighters competing on Saturday’s UFC 261 pay-per-view card in Jacksonville, Florida will not be revealed to the public. Nolan King of MMAjunkie.com spoke to Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations Patrick Fargason, who said that salaries will not be made available publicly.
Jon Jones wants $30 million to fight Francis Ngannou, says Dana White
Adam D Martin - April 23, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed that promotional superstar Jon Jones is hoping to make $30 million to fight heavyweight Francis Ngannou. After Ngannou defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 to become the new UFC heavyweight champion, White mentioned that Derrick Lewis would likely be next in line to fight for the belt. That confused a lot of fans who assumed that Jones would be the next man in line to fight the winner of Jones vs. Miocic for the title. Jones later took to his social media to say that the UFC was lowballing him and that their offer of $10 million was not enough to take the fight. Now we have a better idea of the number that Jones is looking at.
Wonderboy tells Joe Rogan that the will of Jorge Masvidal cannot be broken
Andrew Whitelaw - April 23, 2021
Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson knows exactly what it takes to beat Jorge Masvidal – He did just that when he scored the unanimous decision over ‘Gamebred’ at UFC 217. Masvidal (35-14) is a different beast nowadays, and will have his second crack at winning the UFC welterweight title when he takes on Kamaru Usman (18-1) in the rematch at UFC 261 this weekend.
Marvin Vettori vs. Israel Adesanya could be next, confirms Dana White
Adam D Martin - April 23, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed that Marvin Vettori could be next in line to fight UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. After beating Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Vegas 24 last weekend for his third straight win, it was widely assumed that Robert Whittaker, the No. 1 contender at 185lbs, would be the next in line to fight Adesanya. However, while speaking on the Bill Simmons podcast, White said that the UFC is now looking at Vettori for the next title shot. The reason that’s the case is becuase the UFC is hoping Adesanya returns on June 12 at UFC 263. Right now, that event is headlined by UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno, so another title fight taking place on the card could be beneficial for PPV sales.
Jeff Molina says he will earn a "dominant finish in the second round" over Aoriqileng
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2021
Jeff Molina is excited to finally make his UFC debut after a few canceled fights. Molina was supposed to fight Zarrukh Adashev in November but his opponent tested positive for COVID-19, they were then rebooked for January, but Molina tested positive for the virus. The fight was then scrapped, but Molina will face Aoriqileng on Saturday night at UFC 261 in front of fans, which “El Jefe” is excited about.
Colby Covington reacts to news that he will fight the winner of Jorge Masvidal vs. Kamaru Usman 2
Adam D Martin - April 23, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington reacted to the news that he will fight the winner of Jorge Masvidal vs. Kamaru Usman 2 next. Covington has not fought since last September when he defeated Tyron Woodley via fifth-round TKO to re-emerge as one of the top title contenders at 170lbs. When the UFC booked Usman agianst Masvidal in a rematch at UFC 261, many were surprised that Covington didn’t get the title shot first. But UFC president Dana White recently confirmed that Covington will be next in line for the belt against the winner of Usman vs. Masvidal 2, and so he will be watching very intently when the title is defended this Saturday at UFC 261.
Kamaru Usman blasts Jorge Masvidal for bringing BMF belt to presser: “There's 3 shiny belts here, that's what's important, not that piece of s*it”
Adam D Martin - April 23, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman blasted Jorge Masvidal for bringing BMF belt to the UFC 261 pre-fight press conference on Friday. Usman takes on Masvidal in the main event on Saturday’s UFC 261 event. For Usman, it’s a chance to get another win over “Gamebred” after the two first met last summer at UFC 251 on Fight Island, while for Masvidal it’s a chance to get revenge. Almost a year later and they meet again on this weekend’s stacked pay-per-view card, one that features three title fights. In addition to Usman defending his belt against Masvidal, we also have UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang defending her belt against Rose Namajunas, and UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko takes on Jessica Andrade.
Oscar De La Hoya apologizes for Triller commentary disaster: "I got a little over carried away"
Christopher Taylor - April 22, 2021
Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya has apologized after his commentary during last Saturday’s Triller: Askren vs. Paul event in Atlanta. De La Hoya joined the Triller commentary booth during Saturday’s pay-per-view and appeared to be under the influence. Oscar’s commentary was actually so outlandish that it began to overshadow the actually boxing matches.
Kamaru Usman says Jorge Masvidal is only fighting for the belt because he "chose" him, expects to "break his will"
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2021
Kamaru Usman says Jorge Masvidal is only fighting for the belt because he chose him. Usman and Masvidal fought back at UFC 251 in July, in a fight, “Gamebred” took on six days’ notice. Usman ended up winning a clear-cut decision, but after the champ scored a TKO win over Gilbert Burns, he called for the rematch with Masvidal as he wanted to finish him this time around.
Conor McGregor buys the pub where he notoriously punched an elderly man back in 2019
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2021
Conor McGregor has bought the Marble Arch Pub in Dublin 12. Although to many, the name of the pub might not sound familiar, it’s the spot where McGregor notoriously punched the elderly man in 2019. The Irishman was then charged for the incident and according to The Currency, McGregor bought the pub for €1.5 million and €2 million.
Khamzat Chimaev says he can fight at light heavyweight, confident he would beat Jan Blachowicz
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev believes he can compete at light heavyweight and beat the current champ in Jan Blachowicz. Chimaev took the MMA world by storm in 2020 as he fought twice in 10 days and earned wins at welterweight and middleweight. He followed that up with a one-punch KO over Gerald Meerschaert and was then booked to face Leon Edwards. Unfortunately, he has been dealing with lingering effects of COVID-19 but is eyeing a July or August return.