MMA News
Leon Edwards shares prediction for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal rematch at UFC 261
Christopher Taylor - April 5, 2021
Leon Edwards has shared his prediction for this months highly anticipated title fight rematch between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. Usman (18-1 MMA) and Masvidal (35-14 MMA) are set to throw down for a second time in the headliner of UFC 261 on April 24. The pair initially collided at UFC 251 in July of 2020, with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ retaining his welterweight title by way of unanimous decision.
Pedro Rizzo shares his take on the "worst matchup" for UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou
Christopher Taylor - April 5, 2021
MMA legend Pedro Rizzo recently shared his take on who is the “worst matchup” for newly crowned UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Ngannou (16-3 MMA) captured the title of “baddest man on the planet” last month at UFC 260 when he defeated Stipe Miocic by way of second round knockout. The victory marked Ngannou’s fifth in a row, as he had previously scored first round stoppage wins over Junior dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, Curtis Blaydes and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
BKFC to begin creating pension accounts for fighters
Drake Riggs - April 5, 2021
The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) has powered on as a dominant force in the bare-knuckle boxing world. To give back to the athletes, they’re now working on pension plans. “Our fighters are the most important asset of the company.” ‘We want to ensure that they are compensated not only on the night of the fight but also looked after in retirement. For each BKFC fight, money will be placed in a pension account for them to draw on upon retirement.” pic.twitter.com/1F91VZpx3J
Cat Zingano reveals that ONE Championship approached her about grappling match vs. Miesha Tate
Drake Riggs - April 5, 2021
Cat Zingano and Miesha Tate are key pieces to the start of the UFC’s introduction to the women. Nearly a decade later and they’re both still competing – just under different roofs. While Zingano prepares to compete this Friday night, Tate is set to return to the UFC in July after a five-year retirement. In that time, Tate took up a position as a ONE Championship Vice President and according to Zingano, a potential grappler.
Marvin Vettori blasts media for paying attention to Jake Paul, says he will beat him up for free
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Marvin Vettori is not a fan of Jake Paul. Paul, the brash YouTube star, has turned to combat sports and is 2-0 as a professional boxer. He is set for a big fight against Ben Askren on April 17, which has the combat sports world very intrigued, but Vettori doesn’t like how much attention the media is giving him.
Leon Edwards plans to "put away" Nate Diaz and prove he's "levels above these guys" at UFC 262
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Leon Edwards is confident he will finish Nate Diaz at UFC 262. The two are set for the first-ever non-title fight five-round co-main event on May 15 and it’s a very intriguing matchup. Edwards is looking to cement himself as the next title challenger as well as become a bigger name if he beats Diaz. Although some were critical of the fight, Edwards is confident he will dominate the Stockton native and finish him.
Conor McGregor going back to his old approach of training when he became UFC featherweight champ
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Conor McGregor is going back to his roots ahead of his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. At UFC 257, McGregor suffered a second-round TKO loss to Dustin Poirier. Given they are 1-1 against one another, they both called for the trilogy to happen, which will happen in July.
Francis Ngannou opens up as huge betting favorite for potential rematch with Derrick Lewis
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has opened up as a massive betting favorite for a potential rematch against Derrick Lewis. Ngannou is currently involved in a very public fight negotiation with the UFC and former light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones. Both Jones and Ngannou want the fight, but the UFC is having trouble coming to financial terms with Jones. Instead, the promotion is now floating a potential rematch between Ngannou and Lewis instead. On Monday, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC has offered Ngannou the rematch with Lewis for UFC 263 in June, but the heavyweight champion turned it down due to issues with timing. It also seems likely that he wants to see if the UFC can get the fight with Jones done first, as well.
Leon Edwards believes he's a tough matchup for Nate Diaz but expects it to be "an entertaining fight"
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Leon Edwards knows he is a tough stylistic matchup for Nate Diaz. At UFC 262 on May 15, Edwards and Diaz will fight in the first-ever five-round, non-title fight co-main event. It’s an intriguing matchup where the winner seems to be in line for a title shot.
Khabib Nurmagomedov dubs Zabit Magomedsharipov "the best featherweight in the world"
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov dubbed fellow Russian Zabit Magomedsharipov as “the best featherweight in the world.” Nurmagomedov recently retired from mixed martial arts, giving up the UFC’s 155lbs belt in the process. Still, he’s one of the greatest fighters in the world, and his opinion matters a lot. When it comes to the best featherweights in the world, right now UFC champion Alex Volkanovski is at the top of the list and Max Holloway is right behind him. But if you ask “The Eagle,” it’s actually Magomedsharipov who is the best featherweight in the sport.
Aljamain Sterling says Sean O'Malley is "the real deal"
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling praised fellow divisional rival Sean O’Malley, suggesting that “Suga” is “the real deal.” Sterling is coming off of his title fight DQ win over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259 last month, a victory that saw him crowned the new champion at 135lbs. While Sterling appears poised for a rematch with his rival Petr Yan sometime later this year, he’s obviously still very aware of what else is going on in his division, and one of the fighters he’s keeping a close eye on is O’Malley. Coming off of an incredible KO win over Thomas Almeida at UFC 260, O’Malley appears poised to breakout in 2021 provided he can stay healthy. What O’Malley did against Almeida hasn’t gone unnoticed by anyone, namely the champion himself.
Demetrious Johnson praises Jon Jones: "I don't see anyone beating him anytime soon"
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
ONE Championship flyweight Demetrious Johnson praised UFC superstar Jon Jones, saying that he doesn’t see anyone beating him anytime soon. Johnson is considered by many fans and analysts to be one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, and Jones is in the same conversation. Though Johnson is now fighting overseas for ONE Championship, Jones continues to fight in the Octagon. After 10 years plus of being the kingpin of the UFC light heavyweight division, Jones is planning on moving up to heavyweight later this year. Jones already has one of the best resumes you will ever see in the sport of mixed martial arts and he will be looking to add to it with his heavyweight run.
Vicente Luque believes he "sent a message to the division" with his "decisive" win over Tyron Woodley
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Vicente Luque was pleased with his win over Tyron Woodley at UFC 260. In the co-main event of the pay-per-view card, Luque knew he had to beat Woodley in order to prove he’s a future title challenger. Although the former champ was on a three-fight losing streak and wasn’t throwing many punches, Luque expected a very aggressive Woodley and that is exactly what he got.
UFC offers Francis Ngannou a rematch with Derrick Lewis for June 12, ‘The Predator’ declines
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
The UFC has offered heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou a rematch with Derrick Lewis for June 12, but ‘The Predator’ has declined it. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported on Monday that the UFC would like to add Ngannou vs. Lewis 2 to the UFC 263 pay-per-view card in June. This makes sense considering that card is a bit light on star power right now as the main event is a rematch between UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno. That’s a great fight but the promotion would be wise to add another big title fight to the card to beef it up, and it doesn’t get any beefier than Ngannou vs. Lewis. However, according to Helwani’s report, Ngannou is not interested in taking the fight at this time as the timing doesn’t necessarily work for him.
Dan Hooker wants to fight Rafael dos Anjos next
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker is targeting a matchup against former champion Rafael dos Anjos the next time he steps into the Octagon. Hooker hasn’t fought since January when he suffered a first-round KO loss to Michael Chandler at UFC 257. It was a tough loss for Hooker, who prior to that had lost a unanimous decision to Dustin Poirier in a 2020 “Fight of the Year” candidate. Prior to those two defeats, Hooker had won three straight fights including wins over Paul Felder, Al Iaquinta, and James Vick. Despite dropping his last two bouts, the Kiwi has proven time and time again that he’s one of the best lightweights in the world, and even though he hasn’t got his hand raised in over a year, he’s still a top-10 ranked lightweight in the UFC.
NFL Icon Ray Lewis narrates 2021 PFL season campaign entitled “MMA’s League Is Back”
Tom Taylor - April 5, 2021
Two-time SuperBowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Lewis lends his distinct and intense voice as he narrates the 60-second promo video for Professional Fighters League or PFL’s kick-off campaign for their 2021 season entitled “MMA’s League Is Back.”
Alyse Anderson backs Johnson, Alvarez at ONE on TNT
bjpenndotcom - April 5, 2021
Alyse Anderson grew up watching the likes of Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez build legendary careers and establish themselves at the pinnacle of the sport. Fast forward to now and the 26-year-old atomweight from Mason, Michigan feels ecstatic to be under the same umbrella with the aforementioned greats in ONE Championship.
Scott Coker details Bellator’s decision to part ways with Mike Goldberg
Harry Kettle - April 5, 2021
Bellator president Scott Coker has explained the decision behind Mike Goldberg no longer being part of Bellator broadcasts on Showtime. Mike Goldberg has been one of the most consistent and recognizable voices in all of mixed martial arts across the last few decades and as we look ahead to the future, it’s hard to imagine a world where he’s not on the call for a big promotion.