MMA News
Darren Till believes he has the tools to defeat Bo Nickal: “Drive the left hand through his skull”
Zain Bando - September 28, 2022
Darren Till was glued to Dana White’s Contender Series, like many UFC fans. With that being said, Bo Nickal was the star of the season finale, as he only needed 52 seconds to finish Donovan Beard via triangle choke in the night’s featured attraction. This left White no choice but to sign the 26-year-old phenomenon. Nickal (3-0) was an All-American wrestler and NCAA standout at Penn State. He has only competed in professional MMA since June and has already made a name for himself in such a short period. It’s safe to assume that he is one of the most sought-after UFC prospects ever, as he competes in the middleweight division and trains out of one of American Top Team’s gyms in Happy Valley, PA.
Joe Rogan says Brendan Schaub "needs a handler" after his conspiracy theory about UFC 279: "It's so dumb"
Cole Shelton - September 28, 2022
Joe Rogan didn’t agree with Brendan Schaub’s conspiracy theory about UFC 279. After Khamzat Chimaev missed weight for his main event scrap against Nate Diaz, the promotion had to re-arrange the card and made Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson as the new main event. However, Schaub claimed this was all part of the UFC’s plan because the card was not trending well.
Yan Xiaonan prepared to head to the mat with Mackenzie Dern at UFC Vegas 60: "That is the only way she can win this fight"
Josh Evanoff - September 28, 2022
UFC women’s strawweight contender Yan Xiaonan is ready to do whatever it takes to defeat Mackenzie Dern. The Chinese fighter is fresh off her bout with Marina Rodriguez at UFC 272 in March. In that outing, Xiaonan lost by a contentious split decision. The defeat was her second in a row, as she was previously finished by Carla Esparza in May 2021.
Mackenzie Dern claims Mark Zuckerberg has rented out the entire UFC Apex to watch UFC Vegas 61
Cole Shelton - September 28, 2022
Mackenzie Dern knows why the UFC Apex will be closed to the public and media on Saturday. Dern is set to headline UFC Vegas 61 against Yan Xiaonan in a pivotal strawweight bout. However, it was revealed this week that the event was closed off, and on Tuesday after the Contender Series, Dana White didn’t give a reason as to why.
Chris Avila rips "piece of s*it" Khamzat Chimaev for missing weight against Nate Diaz at UFC 279: "That was 2-0 for Nate"
Josh Evanoff - September 28, 2022
Chris Avila has taken aim at UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev. Earlier this month, ‘Borz’ was set to headline UFC 279 in his first pay-per-view headlining role. Opposite Chimaev was a longtime fan favorite, Nate Diaz. The Stockton slugger was on the last fight of his UFC contract, and the Chechen was given the task of dispatching of him.
Scott Coker announces Bellator lightweight Grand Prix for 2023: "It's going to be amazing"
Josh Evanoff - September 28, 2022
Scott Coker has announced that Bellator has some big plans for 2023. Last weekend, Bellator lightweight stars Benson Henderson and Peter Queally faced off in Dublin. The former UFC champion wound up picking up the victory by decision. This weekend, Bellator 286 features former champion A.J. McKee taking on Spike Carlyle.
Dana White believes it's "too soon" for Kevin Holland to retire from MMA: "I think the emotions got the best of him"
Cole Shelton - September 28, 2022
Dana White thinks Kevin Holland was too emotional when he announced his retirement from MMA. After Holland suffered a first-round submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279, he took to Instagram a few days later to say he was retiring. He said he got in, got paid, and got out, but many didn’t think his retirement was true. Although it has yet to be announced that he isn’t retired, Dana White isn’t sure if ‘Trailblazer’ truly is done.
USADA issues statement on why Conor McGregor hasn’t been tested in 2022
Susan Cox - September 28, 2022
USADA has issued a statement on why Conor McGregor hasn’t been tested in 2022. The USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) can’t comment on any specific athlete’s participation in the UFC’s anti-doping program or on those who have been removed from the testing pool.
Ben Rothwell plans to make Bobo O'Bannon "regret" wanting to fight him at BKFC 30: "I know I'm one of the best fighters in the world"
Cole Shelton - September 28, 2022
Ben Rothwell is finally set to make his BKFC debut on Saturday in the co-main event of BKFC 30 in Monroe, Louisana. Earlier this year, Rothwell asked for his UFC release and later signed with BKFC. Once he signed with BKFC, he expected to get a fight relatively soon but that didn’t happen and he will now fight Bobo O’Bannon on Saturday.
Dana White reacts to Aspen Ladd’s UFC release: “It had to happen”
Susan Cox - September 28, 2022
Dana White is reacting to Aspen Ladd’s UFC release. Aspen Ladd, 27, (9-3 MMA) a bantamweight division fighter with the UFC, was released from the promotion as of Tuesday, September 27th.
Video | Alex Pereira spars on a hoverboard to mock Israel Adesanya
Ryan Harkness - September 28, 2022
Alex Pereira is not impressed with Israel Adesanya’s flashy preparations for their UFC 281 championship fight. Adesanya has been sharing all sorts of footage from his daily life and training sessions on his YouTube channel and social media accounts. One of the more recent (and eyebrow raising) clips shows ‘The Last Stylebender’ working his movement by dodging tennis balls.
Bo Nickal wants to fight Khamzat Chimaev or Logan Paul in his UFC debut
Harry Kettle - September 28, 2022
Bo Nickal has called out Khamzat Chimaev and Logan Paul after earning a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. Last night on the final episode of this season’s Contender Series, Bo Nickal tore through Donovan Beard with ruthless efficiency to earn himself a UFC contract. It served as the third win of his blossoming pro career, coming just three months after he made his pro mixed martial arts debut with iKON FC – and one month after his first appearance on DWCS.
Bo Nickal takes less than a minute to dispose of Donovan Beard on DWCS (Video)
Harry Kettle - September 28, 2022
UFC newcomer Bo Nickal earned his contract in a big way last night by disposing of Donovan Beard in style on Dana White’s Contender Series. Upon making his first Contender Series appearance against Zachary Borrego on August 9, it was immediately clear for all to see that Bo Nickal was special. The 26-year-old wrestling sensation earned a developmental deal with the UFC after seeing off the challenge of Borrego with ease, before going on to dismantle Donovan Beard last night in ruthless fashion.
Edson Barboza forced out of UFC Vegas 63 fight with Ilia Topuria
Harry Kettle - September 28, 2022
Edson Barboza has been forced out of his scheduled UFC Vegas 63 clash with Ilia Topuria, as per a report from MMA Fighting. Within the context of entertaining fighters in mixed martial arts, there are very few warriors out there who have made as big of an impact as Edson Barboza. The Brazilian sensation has faced some of the best the UFC has had to offer over the years and through it all, he’s picked up some truly incredible wins to go alongside some unbelievably fun bouts.
Nate Diaz shares footage of Dana White congratulating him after UFC 279 win: "This is always your f*****g house"
Cole Shelton - September 27, 2022
Nate Diaz shared a video of Dana White being in his locker room after his UFC 279 submission win over Tony Ferguson. It was made clear that Diaz was fighting out his UFC contract when he took on Ferguson. Nate ended things on a high note as he got a fourth-round submission victory. After the win, Diaz said he would likely be leaving the UFC, but left the door open for a return down the road.
Mackenzie Dern confident she'll submit Yan Xiaonan, eyes Rose Namajunas or the loser of Esparza-Weili next: "It definitely won't be an easy fight"
Cole Shelton - September 27, 2022
Mackenzie Dern is excited to headline another card. Dern is set to headline UFC Vegas 61 against Yan Xiaonan in a crucial fight for the strawweight division. Although Xiaonan is coming off two straight losses, Dern knows she is a tough test and after she defeated Tecia Torres last time out, the American expected this fight to be next.
Henry Cejudo believes Conor McGregor is on steroids, but doesn't believe it'll help in his return: "The dude needs to stay away from coke"
Josh Evanoff - September 27, 2022
Former dual-weight champion Henry Cejudo believes Conor McGregor is on steroids ahead of his return. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of action since his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in July 2021. In that outing, McGregor lost by first-round TKO after breaking his leg. Due to his injury against ‘The Diamond’, the former champion has been on the sidelines for over a year.
The UFC parts ways with Aspen Ladd following latest weight miss
Josh Evanoff - September 27, 2022
Women’s bantamweight contender Aspen Ladd has been released from the UFC. The 27-year-old has been out of action since her bout with Raquel Pennington in April. At UFC 273, ‘Rocky’ scored a unanimous decision victory. The loss was the second in a row for Ladd, who previously lost to Norma Dumont up at 145-pounds.