MMA News
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.
Eddie Alvarez reveals he's open to UFC or Bellator return after leaving ONE Championship: "Keep my options open"
Josh Evanoff - September 28, 2022
Lightweight star Eddie Alvarez is open to anything next. ‘The Underground King’ has been out of action since his decision loss to Ok Rae Yoon at ONE on TNT 4 last April. The bout set Alvarez back to 1-2 (1 NC) in the ONE Championship cage. As it turns out, that was the last time he would fight in the promotion.
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.
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.
Dana White shares his thoughts on Bo Nickal’s callout of Khamzat Chimaev: “Let’s not get crazy here”
Susan Cox - September 28, 2022
Dana White is sharing his thoughts on Bo Nickal’s callout of Khamzat Chimaev. Former Penn State wrestling star Bo Nickal (3-0 MMA) earned a UFC contract Tuesday night, September 27th, with a dominating win over Donovan Beard (7-2 MMA) in a middleweight bout in Dana White’s Contender Series Week 10 at the UFC Apex. Nickal submitted Beard just 52 seconds into the fight.
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.
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.
Mike Perry throws hands with Magomed Ismailov at press conference in Moscow (Video)
Harry Kettle - September 28, 2022
Mike Perry continues to make waves in the combat sports sphere, this time by throwing hands with Magomed Ismailov in Russia. If there’s one thing we all know to be true about combat sports, it’s that there are some truly unique personalities residing in the sport. From the UFC to bare-knuckle boxing and beyond, there are plenty of guys and girls out there who are trailblazers in their own special way.
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.
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.
Luke Rockhold explains why Alex Pereira being the middleweight champ would make him unretire: "Let's get the free belt"
Cole Shelton - September 27, 2022
Luke Rockhold says Alex Pereira becoming the middleweight champ would make him unretire. After Rockhold lost a decision to Paulo Costa at UFC 278, he announced his retirement from the sport. The fight marked his return to the sport after his knockout loss to Jan Blachowicz at UFC 239 in his light heavyweight debut. Although he has now officially retired, Rockhold isn’t fully ruling out a return to the sport.
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.
Josh Thomson warns Khamzat Chimaev about "The guy you keep away from" Robert Whittaker
Andrew Whitelaw - September 27, 2022
Josh Thomson has picked out Robert Whittaker as the man who give Khamzat Chimaev serious trouble at 185lb. ‘Borz’ has become one of the most devastating fighters in the organisation and has showcased his savagery at both welterweight and middleweight. But following on from his highly-publicised weight miss at UFC 279, the Swede teased that his focus has shifted to 185lb.
Dustin Poirier reveals he hoped for five-rounds against Michael Chandler at UFC 281: "The better fighter usually wins in the distance"
Josh Evanoff - September 27, 2022
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier wanted his UFC 281 return to be five rounds. ‘The Diamond’ has been out of action since his clash with Charles Oliveira last December. In the lightweight title bout, Poirier lost by third-round submission. The defeat snapped a three-fight winning streak which comprised of wins over Conor McGregor and Dan Hooker.