MMA News
UFC asked Li Jingliang to fight Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 three hours before announcing bout
Ryan Harkness - September 7, 2022
UFC 279 featuring Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz got a much-needed boost to its undercard when the UFC announced that Tony Ferguson would be moving up to welterweight to fight Li Jingliang in the new co-main event. It was something of a last-minute addition, as the bout was announced at UFC 278 on August 20, just 22 days before UFC 279 takes place on September 10. And according to Li Jingliang, the matchmaking occurred just hours before the UFC revealed the fight on-air.
UFC President Dana White responds to rumors that he and Nate Diaz nearly went at it in a nightclub years ago: “We were drinking”
Susan Cox - September 7, 2022
UFC President Dana White is responding to rumors that he and Nate Diaz nearly went at it in a nightclub years ago. It was during an interview with ESPN that Nate Diaz revealed there was an incident which occurred between the UFC President and the fighter way back in 2014. Laughing, Diaz said he ‘almost beat up’ White during the altercation:
Paulo Costa believes verbal altercation with Khamzat Chimaev "was just for show": "He's a fake gangster"
Ryan Harkness - September 7, 2022
Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev got into a heated argument at the UFC Performance Institute earlier this week that almost turned into an all-out brawl. If you believe Chimaev, a fight was only avoided because his training partners held him back. According to Costa, the whole thing was just a show for the cameras. In an interview with Full Send MMA’s Shawny Mack, the popular Brazilian middleweight described how ‘Borz’ and his team withdrew quickly after it looked like Costa was willing to throw down.
Henry Cejudo explains why Ciryl Gane is a “bigger threat” to Jon Jones than current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou
Harry Kettle - September 7, 2022
Henry Cejudo has explained why he believes Ciryl Gane is a bigger threat to Jon Jones than reigning champion Francis Ngannou. Last Saturday night at UFC Paris, Ciryl Gane got himself back into the win column as he managed to knock Tai Tuivasa out in the third round of their blockbuster heavyweight main event.
Canelo Alvarez reacts to Kamaru Usman’s title loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 278
Harry Kettle - September 7, 2022
Canelo Alvarez has given his thoughts on Kamaru Usman‘s recent title loss at the hands of Leon Edwards at UFC 278. While he may be best known as one of boxing’s biggest stars, Canelo Alvarez has certainly been making some waves in the mixed martial arts world over the course of the last few months – largely because Kamaru Usman couldn’t stop talking about the possibility of landing a fight with him.
Nate Diaz reveals four opponents that the UFC wouldn’t allow him to fight in his swan song
Harry Kettle - September 7, 2022
Nate Diaz has revealed the names of four potential opponents that he has suggested the UFC didn’t let him fight. This Saturday night in the main event of UFC 279, Nate Diaz will make the walk to the Octagon for what could well be the final time. He’ll be going head to head with rising star Khamzat Chimaev and while many are counting him out, we all know that if anyone is capable of springing a surprise, it’s going to be Nate Diaz.
Julian Erosa believes he has to make it a "dirty" and "crazy" fight against Hakeem Dawodu at UFC 279: "I'm a bonus chaser"
Cole Shelton - September 6, 2022
Julian Erosa is expecting a very fun fight at UFC 279 against Hakeem Dawodu. After Erosa beat Steven Peterson back in February, in a ‘Fight of the Night’ performance, he called out Dawodu and Alex Caceres. Erosa wanted a bigger step-up in competition and got his wish as he will face Dawodu this weekend at UFC 279. Although he got the matchup he wanted, Erosa says his return was pushed back a couple of times.
Darren Till booked for return at UFC 282 against Dricus Du Plessis
Cole Shelton - September 6, 2022
Darren Till will be making the walk to the Octagon for the first time in 2022 on December 10 at UFC 282. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Till will fight Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 282, with the bout being verbally agreed to. The event is expected to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with the main event TBD.
Brendan Schaub laughs off UFC fighters praising Mark Zuckerberg's MMA technique: "Guys have a little respect for yourselves"
Josh Evanoff - September 6, 2022
Former heavyweight Brendan Schaub isn’t a fan of UFC fighters praising Mark Zuckerberg. The CEO of Facebook is a noted MMA fan. Zuckerberg became a fan of the UFC years ago and soon decided to begin training himself. The 38-year-old began training jiu-jitsu, then full-blown MMA, including sparring.
Nate Diaz says the UFC is acting like he called for the Khamzat Chimaev fight: “I didn't call for, and I don't want, didn't want and still don't want”
Josh Evanoff - September 6, 2022
UFC welterweight star Nate Diaz didn’t want to fight Khamzat Chimaev this weekend. The two welterweights are set to face off in the main event of UFC 279 on Saturday. The bout is a rare non-title pay-per-view headliner. Diaz has been out of action since his decision loss to Leon Edwards last June.
Jake Paul uses prior Dana White comments to promote Anderson Silva fight: "Conor McGregor's dad is promoting the fight for me"
Josh Evanoff - September 6, 2022
Jake Paul has UFC president Dana White to thank for promoting his fight with Anderson Silva. ‘The Problem Child’ has been out of action since his knockout win over Tyron Woodley last December. On that night in Florida, Paul was originally set to face Tommy Fury, but ‘TNT’ withdrew. As it would turn out, that became a theme for the YouTuber.
Nate Diaz believes Jon Jones should be excluded from GOAT conversation due to steroid use: "That whole legacy's gone and done with"
Josh Evanoff - September 6, 2022
Nate Diaz believes former UFC champion Jon Jones shouldn’t be named one of the greatest ever. ‘Bones’ has been out of the octagon since his win over Dominick Reyes in February 2020. Despite his inactivity, Jones is still highly-regarded as one of the best fighters on the planet. He’s currently targeting a showdown with Stipe Miocic in the winter.
Nate Diaz says Conor McGregor trilogy is "for sure going to happen at some point"
Cole Shelton - September 6, 2022
Nate Diaz believes a trilogy with Conor McGregor will indeed happen. Diaz and McGregor originally fought at UFC 196, as the Stockton native replaced Rafael dos Anjos on short notice. Diaz went on to shock the world as he submitted the Irishman. The pair would later have their rematch at UFC 202, with McGregor winning a decision in a back-and-forth war.
Jake Paul reacts after boxing match with Anderson Silva is made official for October 29th: “I respect the legend, but he must be exterminated”
Susan Cox - September 6, 2022
Jake Paul is reacting after the boxing match with Anderson Silva is made official for October 29th. Yes, it’s confirmed that former UFC champion Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva will enter the ring to compete with Jake Paul at the Gila River Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
Khamzat Chimaev discusses who he would like to see Nate Diaz fight next after UFC 279
Susan Cox - September 6, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev is discussing who he would like to see Nate Diaz fight next after UFC 279. It will be Khamzat Chimaev (11-0 MMA) vs Nate Diaz (21-13 MMA) in the welterweight main event this Saturday, September 10th at UFC 279.
Daniel Cormier explains why he has an issue with Tony Ferguson moving up to welterweight and fighting Li Jingliang at UFC 279
Susan Cox - September 6, 2022
Daniel Cormier, UFC commentator, is explaining why he has an issue with Tony Ferguson moving up to welterweight. It will be Tony Ferguson (25-7 MMA) vs Li Jingliang (19-7 MMA) this coming Saturday, September 10th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The co-main welterweight bout will see Ferguson, 38, attempting to recover from a four fight losing streak. ‘El Cucuy’s’ latest knockout loss came in May of this year against Michael Chandler (23-7 MMA) in a lightweight bout.
Johnny Walker believes the "only chance" Ion Cutelaba beats him is if he "does something really different" at UFC 279, says he will retire at 35 if he's not the champ
Cole Shelton - September 6, 2022
Johnny Walker is confident he will not just beat Ion Cutelaba at UFC 279 but will put on a very good performance. Walker is coming off a KO loss to Jamahal Hill back in February and since then he says he has been working a lot on his striking defense. He spent time in Thailand working on his striking and he’s confident it will all pay off at UFC 279.
Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa forced to be separated at the UFC PI (Video)
Susan Cox - September 6, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa were forced to be separated at the UFC PI. Paulo Costa shared a video on his YouTube channel of the altercation he had with Khamzat Chimaev at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas.