MMA News
Thiago Santos cities pay dispute as reason for sudden UFC departure to PFL: "The purse is financially better for me"
Josh Evanoff - October 5, 2022
Former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos has explained his sudden departure from the promotion. ‘Marreta’ has been out of action since his bout main event with Jamahal Hill in August. In that showdown, the Brazilian suffered a fourth-round TKO defeat. For his efforts in the ‘Fight of the Night’ outing, Santos received a $50,000 bonus.
Justin Gaethje says he hopes Charles Oliveira "beats up" Islam Makhachev at UFC 280
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2022
Justin Gaethje hopes Charles Oliveira beats up Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 to become the lightweight champ again. Gaethje is coming off a submission loss to Oliveira at UFC 274. ‘Do Bronx’ had narrowly missed weight for that contest and was thus stripped of the promotions 155lbs title. He’s now set to face Makhachev for the vacant title in a highly-anticipated scrap and a fight many are torn on who will win.
Justin Gaethje discusses a potential fight with steroid using Conor McGregor: “He picked ‘Cowboy,’ so whatever”
Susan Cox - October 5, 2022
Justin Gaethje is discussing a potential fight with Conor McGregor, who he believes is currently using steroids. Gaethje (23-4 MMA) last fought in May of this year at UFC 274 where he was defeated by submission in round 1 by Charles Oliveira (33-8 MMA).
Conor McGregor says he would KO Charles Oliveira in a potential fight: “I’ve KO’d every Brazilian I’ve fought”
Susan Cox - October 5, 2022
Conor McGregor is saying he would KO Charles Oliveira in a potential fight. Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA) has been out of commission since his fight with Dustin Poirier (28-7 MMA) in July of 2021 at UFC 264. The 34 year old, no only lost that lightweight bout but also broke his leg in the process. The Irishman has been recuperating, rehabilitating and training ever since. The current speculation is that ‘Notorious’ will make his return to the Octagon in the 1st quarter of 2023.
Sike! Conor McGregor runs back Michael Bisping trash talk: "I was simply acting"
Ryan Harkness - October 5, 2022
Conor McGregor has just revealed that his latest outburst directed at former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping was nothing more than an impressive display of his acting prowess. McGregor recently got his first taste of proper Hollywood acting when he starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the upcoming Road House remake set to drop on Amazon Prime sometime in 2023. ‘The Notorious’ spent several weeks in the Dominican Republic working with director Doug Liman, best known for his work on Swingers, The Bourne Identity, and Edge of Tomorrow.
Kevin Holland ends 'retirement,' will fight Stephen Thompson in December: "I'm not f***ing retired any more"
Ryan Harkness - October 5, 2022
Kevin Holland’s surprise retirement has ended before it even got a chance to begin. The charismatic welterweight shocked the MMA world when he followed up on a quick loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279 by announcing he was done fighting.
Shavkat Rakhmonov bumps Jorge Masvidal from the welterweight top 10 in latest UFC rankings update
Harry Kettle - October 5, 2022
Jorge Masvidal has fallen out of the UFC’s welterweight top 10 rankings, being replaced by Shavkat Rakhmonov. Over the course of the last few years, Jorge Masvidal hasn’t quite enjoyed the success he did upon breaking out into the mainstream in 2019. He lost consecutive title bouts to Kamaru Usman and, most recently, was handily beaten by rival Colby Covington in what proved to be a fairly one-sided affair.
Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen appears to be angling for a fight with John Cena
Harry Kettle - October 5, 2022
Former UFC star Chael Sonnen has decided to go after John Cena in a string of strange tweets on social media. One thing we all know and love Chael Sonnen for is his trash talking ability. In addition to being one of the best middleweight contenders of his generation, ‘The American Gangster‘ was also incredibly talented when it came to selling a feud and a fight.
Henry Cejudo takes issue with Dustin Poirier being added to the men’s pound-for-pound rankings: “There is no way you can put guys that have been knocked out and submitted”
Harry Kettle - October 5, 2022
Henry Cejudo has taken exception to Dustin Poirier featuring in the UFC’s pound for pound rankings. While he may not currently be an active member of the roster, the fact that Henry Cejudo is back in the USADA testing pool indicates that he’ll be ready to return to action sooner rather than later. Even if he wasn’t, though, the man known as ‘Triple C’ is still able to offer a fascinating insight on mixed martial arts, as he’s been doing ever since he retired.
Bo Nickal walks back on previous comments about never fighting on the UFC prelims
Jeffrey Walter - October 4, 2022
Bo Nickal is walking back on his previous comments about never fighting on the UFC prelims. Nickal has gone a perfect 3-0 to start his mixed martial arts journey with all three wins coming by first round finishes. ‘The Allen Assassin’ most recently competed at last month’s Dana White Contender Series 56 event, submitting Donovan Beard with a triangle choke in just 52 seconds (see that here).
Conor McGregor confirms welterweight is “definitely” next, shares prediction for Oliveira vs. Makhachev
Cole Shelton - October 4, 2022
Conor McGregor will be focusing on fighting at welterweight when he returns to the UFC. McGregor hasn’t fought since July of 2021 when he suffered a broken leg during his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. Since then, he has been rehabbing his leg and training for his “legendary comeback”. When he does return the Irish star says he will “definitely” be competing at welterweight.
Sean O'Malley explains why Conor McGregor is the MMA GOAT: "It’s crazy to look back on him"
Cole Shelton - October 4, 2022
Sean O’Malley has declared Conor McGregor the MMA GOAT. The GOAT is a topic many fans and fighters like to debate, although there is no clear-cut answer to the question. The names often listed are Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre, Demetrious Johnson, and Anderson Silva among others, but O’Malley believes McGregor is the GOAT due to his fighting skills as well as making MMA mainstream.
Bellator's Scott Coker provides update on Fedor Emelianenko retirement fight, reveals hope for Ryan Bader rematch: "He wants a revenge fight"
Josh Evanoff - October 4, 2022
Bellator president Scott Coker has revealed who Fedor Emelianenko could fight next. ‘The Last Emperor’ has been out of action since his knockout victory over Tim Johnson in October 2021. The bout moved Emelianenko to a two-fight winning streak, as he had previously finished Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in Japan in December 2019.
Tito Ortiz predicts former foe Anderson Silva will easily defeat Jake Paul: "he thinks him being 47 is going to make a difference?"
Josh Evanoff - October 4, 2022
Tito Ortiz believes that Jake Paul is in for a rude awakening against Anderson Silva. ‘The Problem Child’ has been out of action since his rematch with Tyron Woodley last December. In that outing, Paul scored a highlight-reel knockout victory over the former UFC welterweight champion. Since that time, the YouTuber has had two canceled returns against Tommy Fury and Hasim Rahman Jr.
Brendan Schaub hits back at Joe Rogan after stating he needs a handler over Dana White feud: "I'm not the one playing grab a*s with Mark Zuckerberg"
Josh Evanoff - October 4, 2022
Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub has hit back at commentator Joe Rogan. Last month, the card of UFC 279 saw a dramatic last-second change. After Khamzat Chimaev badly missed weight for the main event, the promotion got creative. The UFC decided to evaluate Tony Ferguson as the headliner for a bout with Nate Diaz.
Beneil Dariush on Michael Chandler potentially receiving another UFC title shot with a win over Dustin Poirier: “That's basically a clown show”
Cole Shelton - October 4, 2022
Beneil Dariush doesn’t think Michael Chandler should get a title shot if he defeats Dustin Poirier. Chandler received a UFC title shot after knocking out Dan Hooker in his Octagon debut. After losing to Charles Oliveira for the vacant title, ‘Iron’ then dropped a unanimous decision to Justin Gaethje. He most recently got back into the win column with a nasty knockout over Tony Ferguson.
Anthony Smith reveals health complications following leg surgery have postponed his UFC return
Susan Cox - October 4, 2022
Anthony Smith is revealing health complications he suffered following leg surgery. Smith, (36-17 MMA) last fought in July of this year at UFC 277 where he went down to defeat against Magomed Ankalaev (17-1 MMA).
Joe Rogan discusses what "changed everything" for Charles Oliveira and turned him into a "ferocious assassin"
Susan Cox - October 4, 2022
Joe Rogan is discussing what ‘changed everything’ for Charles Oliveira and turned him into a ‘ferocious assassin’. It will be Charles Oliveira (33-8 MMA) vs Islam Makhachev (22-1 MMA) battling it out at UFC 280 for the vacant lightweight throne. UFC 280 takes place on Saturday, October 22nd at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.