MMA News
Opening odds released for Gilbert Burns vs. Stephen Thompson and Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
Adam D Martin - April 4, 2021
The opening betting odds have been released for two future fights UFC: Gilbert Burns vs. Stephen Thompson and Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov. Burns vs. Thompson is set to take place at UFC 264 on July 10 as a three-round bout, while Gane vs. Volkov will go down on June 26 in a five-round main event. The sportsbooks wasted no time getting the opening odds out for both of these fights. Take a look at the opening odds for both Burns vs. Thompson and Gane vs. Volkov below (via BestFightOdds).
Patricio Pitbull and AJ McKee get into heated verbal exchange at Bellator 255 (Video)
Adam D Martin - April 4, 2021
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull and No. 1 contender AJ McKee got into a heated verbal exchange following Bellator 255. Pitbull finished Emmanuel Sanchez on Friday in the main event of Bellator 255 to advance to the finals of the Bellator World Featherweight Grand Prix. The Brazilian is the reigning and defending Bellator featherweight champion — not to mention the Bellator lightweight champion — and he will put his belt on the line once again in the finals against McKee, the top prospect who is the son of former UFC fighter Antonio McKee. The younger McKee looked absolutely sensational on his way to the finals and the undefeated fighter is arguably Pitbull’s toughest test to date. This should be an incredible finale at 145lbs.
Leon Edwards reacts after booking fight with Nate Diaz at UFC 262
Adam D Martin - April 4, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards reacted after the promotion booked his five-round, co-main event fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 262. The UFC announced this week that Edwards vs. Diaz will take place on May 15 in Houston, Texas. In a UFC first, the fight will be a five-round co-main event, with the winner surely being in the mix to fight the winner of the UFC 261 main event between Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman. With Edwards vs. Diaz now official, “Rocky” took to his social media over the last couple of days to share his initial reactions to what is arguably the biggest fight of his career to date. Take a look at what Edwards has been sharing lately on his Instagram.
Submission ace Demian Maia set to return at UFC 263 for a welterweight fight with Belal Muhammad
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2021
Former two-division title challenger Demian Maia will make his return to the Octagon at UFC 263 for a welterweight bout with Belal Muhammad. That news comes courtesy of ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, who shared the following information on Twitter.
Henry Cejudo roasts "Oscar winner" Aljamain Sterling following recent jab
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2021
Henry Cejudo did not hold back on Aljamain Sterling after the current UFC bantamweight champion took a shot at him on social media. Sterling had recently commented on a photo shared by Cejudo, where he insinuated that the “ex-champ” had something in his teeth.
Colby Covington questions the UFC's decision to "reward" Jorge Masvidal with a title shot: "He ran from me for 6 months and was scared to fight me"
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2021
Colby Covington can’t wrap his head around the UFC’s decision to give Jorge Masvidal another welterweight title shot against Kamaru Usman. Masvidal (35-14 MMA) and Usman (18-1 MMA) originally collided at UFC 251 in July of 2020. That evening in Las Vegas, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ earned a dominant decision victory over ‘Gamebred’ to retain his welterweight world title.
Photo | Marvin Vettori is absolutely shredded for his UFC on ABC 2 fight with Kevin Holland
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2021
Perennial middleweight contender Marvin Vettori is looking absolutely shredded ahead of his UFC on ABC 2 fight with Kevin Holland. Vettori (16-4-1 MMA) and Holland (21-6 MMA) are set to square off in the headliner of next weekend’s UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas.
Rafael dos Anjos responds after Ali Abdelaziz suggests everyone is "running" from Justin Gaethje
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos had made it clear that he is interested in fighting Justin Gaethje his next time out. Dos Anjos (30-13 MMA) returned to the promotions lightweight division back in November, where he picked up a thrilling ‘fight of the night’ split-decision victory over Paul Felder.
Jorge Masvidal responds after Ben Askren claims he made him famous with "lucky" knee at UFC 239
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2021
Jorge Masvidal has responded to Ben Askren’s recent claims that he “made him famous” with his “lucky” knee in their fight at UFC 239. Masvidal and Askren had previously squared off in a highly anticipated welterweight bout on July 6 in 2019.
Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier react after trilogy is made official for UFC 264
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2021
Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier have shared their respective reactions after their trilogy bout was made official for UFC 264. Poirier and McGregor are set to have their rubber match at 155-pounds on July 10, likely in Las Vegas. The pair split their first two encounters, with Conor earning a first round knockout at UFC 178, and then Dustin most recently earning a second round KO victory at UFC 257.
UFC adds two massive fights to June lineup including The Korean Zombie vs. Dan Ige
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2021
The UFC has added two huge fights to their upcoming June lineup, including a featherweight bout between The Korean Zombie and Dan Ige. Ige (15-3 MMA) had called out Chan Sung Jung immediately following his sensational first-round knockout victory over Gavin Tucker at UFC Vegas 21.
Khamzat Chimaev issues bold statement ahead of UFC return: "I'm the champ here"
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev has issued a bold statement ahead of his proposed UFC return, this while taking a shot at reigning welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. Chimaev (9-0 MMA) has been one of the many unfortunate victims of the global pandemic and due to lingering symptoms, has been unable to compete since the fall of 2020.
Triller announces official lineup for Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren fight card
Chris Taylor - April 2, 2021
Triller has announced the official lineup for this month’s Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren boxing event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Paul, a YouTube star turned boxer, and Askren, a former MMA champion, are slated to meet in an eight-round pro boxing match on April 17.
UFC 264 adds dynamic welterweight bout between former title challengers Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns
Chris Taylor - April 2, 2021
A huge welterweight bout has been added to UFC 264, as ESPN is reporting that former title challengers Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns will collide on July 10. Thompson (16-4-1 MMA) is coming off of back-to-back unanimous decision victories over perennial division contenders Geoff Neal and Vicente Luque in his most recent Octagon appearances. ‘Wonderboy’ has gone 3-3 over his past six fight overall.
Patricio Pitbull submits Emmanuel Sanchez in Round 1 at Bellator 255 (Highlights)
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
In the main event of Bellator 255, Patricio Pitbull and Emmanuel Sanchez were set for a rematch three years in the making. The fight also served as the semifinals of the featherweight grand prix. Patricio Pitbull (31-4) is riding a six-fight winning streak and coming off a vicious KO win over Pedro Carvalho last November. Before that, he beat Juan Archuleta by decision and knocked out Michael Chandler in 61 seconds to claim the lightweight title and become a champ-champ. He also beat Sanchez back in November of 2018.
Alexander Volkanovski, Brian Ortega set to coach TUF 29, featherweight title fight at conclusion of season
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
The TUF coaches for season 29 have been revealed and it will be Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega. Ever since UFC president, Dana White announced TUF would be coming back, many were interested in seeing who the coaches would be. It was rumored to be Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, but “Gamebred” got a title shot so that was off. Now, according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Volkanovski and Ortega will coach the return season of TUF. The show will feature bantamweights and middleweights.
Video | Dustin Poirier grapples with 4x World's Strongest Man Brian Shaw
Chris Taylor - April 2, 2021
Dustin Poirier is doing some training with 4x World’s Strongest Man Brian Shaw ahead of his trilogy fight with Conor McGregor at UFC 264. Poirier and McGregor are set to have their rubber match at 155-pounds on July 10 in Las Vegas. The pair split their first two encounters, with Conor earning a first round knockout at UFC 178, and then Dustin most recently earning a second round KO victory at UFC 257.
Mike Goldberg no longer commentating Bellator events, reveals Scott Coker: "I think we had a great run"
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
Mike Goldberg will no longer be the play-by-play voice of Bellator. With Bellator set to move to Showtime, Scott Coker revealed they decided to undergo some changes and Goldberg will not be with the promotion anymore. The longtime UFC commentator joined Bellator in 2017 after parting ways with the UFC.