MMA News
UFC 259: ‘Blachowicz vs Adesanya’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - March 4, 2021
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to pay-per-view this weekend with an absolutely electric UFC 259 card featuring three huge title fights – headlined by Jan Blachowicz vs Israel Adesanya for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Event: UFC 259: Blachowicz vs Adesanya Date: Saturday, 6th March 2021 Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Broadcast: ESPN+ – 6pm/8pm/10pm EST
Video | Dana White shares incredible preview for Saturday’s UFC 259 pay-per-view event
Harry Kettle - March 4, 2021
UFC president Dana White has shared the fantastic cold open for UFC 259 as we get closer and closer to fight night in Las Vegas. There’s no way of getting around it – the event White has put together this weekend is absolutely stacked. From the early prelims all the way up to the three title fights, it’s easy to understand why people are getting just a little bit excited about what’s to come.
Anthony Smith sympathizes with Khamzat Chimaev’s emotional struggles: “He’s used to being a f*cking killer”
Christopher Taylor - March 3, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith can relate to the recent emotional struggles of Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev (9-0 MMA) recently shocked fight fans by announcing his retirement from the sport of mixed martial arts. ‘Borz’ was one of many people to fall victim to the global pandemic and lingering symptoms from the virus have kept him out of the Octagon.
Israel Adesanya shares extremely bold prediction for Jan Blachowicz title bout: “I’m not getting touched in this fight”
Cole Shelton - March 3, 2021
Israel Adesanya is confident he will hear “And New” on Saturday night. In the main event of UFC 259, Adesanya is moving up to light heavyweight to face Jan Blachowicz in search of becoming a champ-champ. It’s a very intriguing matchup with many believing “The Last Stylebender” gets the job done. However, the Kiwi is not only confident he gets his hand raised but says he won’t get hit in the process.
UFC parts ways with Alistair Overeem
Cole Shelton - March 3, 2021
Alistair Overeem is no longer a UFC fighter. On Wednesday, it was revealed both Junior dos Santos and Alistair Overeem were removed from the rankings. Now, according to Combate, the UFC has parted ways with Overeem.
Junior dos Santos issues statement confirming UFC release
Adam Martin - March 3, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos issued a statement confirming that he was released by the world’s leading MMA promotion. Dos Santos and his former rival Alistair Overeem were both removed from the UFC rankings on Wednesday, which indicated they were released by the promotion. Not long after word broke on social media that “Cigano” and “Ubereem” were cut, the Brazilian took to his social media to confirm the news. Check out the statement JDS posted on Instagram.
Casey Kenney believes Dominick Cruz looked "slow" in his return fight, expects to "put him away"
Cole Shelton - March 3, 2021
Casey Kenney was surprised to see Dominick Cruz’s name on his contract. On the prelims of UFC 259, Kenney is set to face the former bantamweight champion in a very intriguing matchup. Kenney is looking to take a big step up the bantamweight ranks while Cruz is looking to snap his two-fight losing skid. For Kenney, he believes the fight makes sense for that reason.
Alistair Overeem and Junior dos Santos have been removed from the UFC rankings
Cole Shelton - March 3, 2021
Alistair Overeem and Junior dos Santos have been removed from the UFC heavyweight ranks. With the rankings being updated every Tuesday, fans were waiting to see if any major changes would take place. Although UFC Vegas 20 shouldn’t have changed up much of the ranks, the heavyweight division saw some notable change as Alistair Overeem and Junior dos Santos were removed from the rankings.
Israel Adesanya facing the "hardest fight" fight of his career at UFC 259, says head coach
Tom Taylor - March 3, 2021
Israel Adesanya is days out from the toughest fight of his career, according to his head coach, Eugene Bareman. Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion, is slated to move up to light heavyweight to challenge Jan Blachowicz in a bid for a second-title at UFC 259 this Saturday.
UFC 259: Blachowicz vs. Adesanya full betting odds
Adam Martin - March 3, 2021
Check out the complete betting odds for this Saturday’s UFC 259 PPV card featuring Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya in the main event. The stacked card features three title fights, with the marquee headliner featuring UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya moving up to 205lbs in an attempt to challenge light heavyweight kingpin Jan Blachowicz. Adesanya is a perfect 20-0 in MMA and 9-0 in the UFC alone, so he’s a big favorite here at the sportsbooks to win a second UFC title. Blachowicz, meanwhile, is the underdog yet again, a role he has played in 12 UFC fights thus far in his career. Incredibly, he’s won eight fights as an underdog in the Octagon. Can he pull off his ninth underdog win at UFC 259 this weekend? We’ll find out on Saturday.
Petr Yan believes Aljamain Sterling will run from him at UFC 259: "It's gameplan of a mouse, yeah?"
Adam Martin - March 3, 2021
UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan believes Aljamain Sterling will run from him at UFC 259, suggesting he will have the gameplan of a mouse. Yan vs. Sterling is one of three title fights featured on this Saturday’s stacked UFC 259 card. Yan is coming off of a successful TKO victory over Jose Aldo to capture the vacant belt back at UFC 251 on Fight Island, while Sterling is coming off of a first-round submission over top contender Cory Sandhagen in his last fight. This matchup is very much a clash of styles, as Yan prefers to stand and trade on the feet, where he can unleash his wicked KO power, while Sterling prefers to go to the ground and submit his opponents. It makes this weekend’s 135lbs title fight a fascinating matchup and a tough one to predict.
Photo | Anthony Johnson looking seriously slimmed-down ahead of Bellator debut
Tom Taylor - March 3, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson is looking seriously slimmed-down ahead of his upcoming debut with Bellator MMA. Johnson retired after a loss to Daniel Cormier in 2017, but has since teased a comeback on numerous occasions. That comeback finally became official earlier this year, when he signed with Bellator to much fanfare.
Jan Blachowicz reveals massive weight advantage for Israel Adesanya superfight at UFC 259
Adam Martin - March 3, 2021
UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz says he expects to weigh between 215lbs and 220lbs when he fights Israel Adesanya at UFC 259. Adesanya is moving up to the UFC light heavyweight division for the first time in an attempt to become a rare double champion. “The Last Stylebender” has said that he plans on weighing around 193lbs come fight night, which would obviously make him one of the lightest light heavyweights in the division. Standing across from him on Saturday night will be Blachowicz, the reigning and defending UFC light heavyweight champion. And while Adesanya is two inches taller than him, there is going to be a major difference in weight.
Joe Rogan returns to commentary duties at UFC 259
Tom Taylor - March 3, 2021
Joe Rogan will be back at the commentary desk for UFC 259, alongside play-by-play man Jon Anik and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier. UFC 259 goes down this Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card will be headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between champion Jan Blachowicz and challenger Israel Adesanya, who is the promotion’s middleweight champion. The card will also feature a featherweight title fight between Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson, a bantamweight title fight between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling, and a host of other high-profile matchups.
UFC rankings update: Ciryl Gane, Magomed Ankalaev make huge climbs
Tom Taylor - March 3, 2021
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 20 card, and as always, there have been so big changes. Most notably, Ciryl Gane is now a top-5 heavyweight after beating Jairzinho Rozenstruik by decision in the card’s main event. Magomed Ankalaev also made a big climb in the light heavyweight rankings after he defeated Nikita Krylov by decision in the card’s co-main event.
Thiago Santos admits he struggled with "anxiety mixed with doubt, fear" before Glover Teixeira loss
Tom Taylor - March 3, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender Thiago Santos says he was not in a good head space ahead of his recent loss to Glover Teixeira. Santos met Teixeira in November. After sustaining some significant damage in rounds one and two, he was submitted by his fellow Brazilian in round three.
MMA veterans Jim Miller and Roxanne Modafferi book their next UFC appearances
Harry Kettle - March 3, 2021
MMA fan favorites Jim Miller and Roxanne Modafferi are both booked in for their next UFC appearances, as per MMA Junkie and Combate. Both of these veterans are coming off the back of defeats with Miller losing to Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision last August. Modafferi, on the other hand, was defeated by Viviane Araújo back in January.
Report | Conor McGregor potentially bought out of Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey
Harry Kettle - March 3, 2021
A recent press release has indicated Conor McGregor could be on the verge of being bought out of his Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey brand. It’s been a few years now since McGregor introduced the world to his new whiskey and ever since then, it’s taken off in more ways than one in countries all across the globe. However, a recent press release from Becle stated: “On February 23, 2021, the Company provided notice of the exercise of its call option to acquire 51% of the equity interests of EBS.”