MMA News
Dana White says the UFC has talked about five-round co-main events
Adam Martin - December 11, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed the promotion’s top executives have talked about the possibility of booking five-round co-main events. This weekend at UFC 256, the co-main event is an incredible lightweight matchup between Tony Ferguson and Charles Oliveira that could very well determine who fights for the UFC lightweight title next. However, despite the high stakes for the bout, it’s only set at three rounds, something which has left fans unsatisfied. Had Ferguson vs. Oliveira headlined its own Fight Night card it would have been five rounds, but being the co-main event behind Deivieson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno means it’s three.
Conor McGregor will KO Dustin Poirier in the first round again, according to Artem Lobov
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2020
Artem Lobov believes Conor McGregor will beat Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 the same way he did at UFC 178. Back in 2014, McGregor was making his rise up the featherweight division and scored a first-round KO over Poirier. The Irishman said he would do exactly that, but at UFC 257 they are rematching at lightweight with many believing it will be a more competitive fight.
Dana White estimates current market value of the UFC is "probably nine or ten" billion
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2020
UFC President Dana White claims the UFC is now worth nine or ten billion dollars—a massive increase from the amount the promotion sold for in 2016. The UFC was sold by Zuffa LLC to WME-IMG in 2016 for a heaping $4 billion. Since then, the promotion has staged a long list of blockbuster events, many of which have sold more than a million pay-per-views. The promotion also signed a lucrative broadcast deal with ESPN, which commenced in 2018, and has many other sources of income.
Islam Makhachev targeted for UFC 259 return against rising contender Drew Dober
Adam Martin - December 11, 2020
A highly-intriguing lightweight bout between top-15 ranked fighters Islam Makhachev and Drew Dober has been added to UFC 259. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto confirmed the fight between Makhachev and Dober, which is likely to take place at UFC 259 on March 6. There is no main event for that card currently set, but UFC president Dana White previously said the UFC is targeting a heavyweight title rematch between Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou for the March PPV event.
UFC 256 weigh-in results: Main, co-main events official
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2020
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens with its final pay-per-view card of the year: The staked UFC 256 out of the Apex facility in Las Vegas. UFC 256 will be headlined by a short-notice flyweight title fight between champion Deiveson Figueiredo and challenger Brandon Moreno, both of whom picked up victories at UFC 255 last month, defeating Alex Perez and Brandon Royval respectively.
Dana White heaps praise on "absolute monster" Deiveson Figueiredo
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2020
UFC President Dana White has some high praise for the promotion’s undisputed flyweight champion, Brazilian finisher Deiveson Figueiredo. Figueiredo will return to the MMA limelight this weekend, as he takes on top flyweight contender Brandon Moreno in the main event of UFC 256.
Tony Ferguson slams MMA media: "You guys are watching me get f**ked over left and right"
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2020
Top UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson has a bone to pick with the media covering mixed martial arts. Ferguson will return to the cage this weekend, in the co-main event of UFC 256, where he’ll take on surging submission specialist Charles Oliveira. The bout will mark his opportunity to rebound from a May stoppage loss to Justin Gaethje, which derailed a fantastic, 12-fight unbeaten streak.
Dana White outlines massive cost of UFC's COVID-19 testing in 2020
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2020
UFC President Dana White has been able to promote dozens of UFC cards in 2020 despite the pandemic, but it hasn’t been easy—or cheap. Speaking to TSN on Thursday, White opened up on the sheer volume of COVID-19 tests the promotion has facilitated this year, and on the massive cost of those tests.
Henry Cejudo trades shots with “sidechicks” Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling
Harry Kettle - December 11, 2020
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo has taken a shot at bantamweight rivals Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling. While he may officially be retired from mixed martial arts, Cejudo is never too far away from the news cycle and is quite clearly interested in a return to the UFC one day. Whether or not that takes place at bantamweight, flyweight or featherweight, though, remains to be seen.
Report | Paulo Costa vs. Robert Whittaker targeted for March, interim title possible says Wallid Ismail
Adam Martin - December 10, 2020
MMA manager Wallid Ismail says the UFC is targeting an important middleweight matchup between Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker for March. Ismail told Portal Do Vale Tudo that the UFC has already offered the fight to Costa and Whittaker for March. The manager said that Costa has agreed to the fight and now they are just waiting on Whittaker to sign off on his end of the deal. Ismail also said there is the possibility that the fight could be for the interim middleweight belt.
Dana White open to Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler as backup fight for UFC 257 main event
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
Dana White is looking to book another lightweight fight to serve as a backup for UFC 257. In the main event of the first pay-per-view of 2021, McGregor is set to return to the sport in a highly-anticipated rematch against Poirier. It is obviously a very important fight for the lightweight division so White is hoping to add another lightweight fight to the card.
Dana White takes a shot at Bellator MMA: "There's much better promotions all over the world"
Adam Martin - December 10, 2020
UFC president Dana White took a shot at Bellator MMA, saying “there’s much better promotions all over the world” when it comes to talent. Bellator is, by all accounts and purposes, the UFC’s main rival, especially when it comes to the North American MMA scene. The UFC is still the top dog and has been for many years, but that hasn’t stopped Bellator from trying to compete and stay the course as the No. 2 promotion. Bellator, in fact, signed former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson this week, indicating once again it means business.
Dana White says UFC had Anthony Johnson under contract, but it was "in his best interest" to go to Bellator
Adam Martin - December 10, 2020
UFC president Dana White says he had Anthony Johnson under contract, but that it was “in his best interest” to go to Bellator. When news broke this week that Johnson was making a comeback to MMA with Bellator and not with the UFC, it surprised a lot of fans and media, who assumed that Johnson would want to make another title run in the Octagon. “Rumble” has been testing a comeback to the game for a little while now, and with Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones leaving the UFC’s 205lbs weight class, it seemed like a prime opportunity for Johnson to make a run for the UFC light heavyweight title in 2021.
Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev targeted to headline January event on Fight Island
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev are expected to headline a Fight Night card on Fight Island. Originally, Edwards and Chimaev were expected to headline the final event of 2020 on December 19 in Las Vegas. However, the fight was postponed after Edwards tested positive for COVID-19 but it appears the promotion is moving quickly to rebook it.
Daniel Pineda on Cub Swanson fight: "He will either knock my ass out or I will finish him"
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
Daniel Pineda doesn’t think the judges will be needed for his UFC 256 fight against Cub Swanson. After Pineda finished Herbert Burns at UFC 252, the hope for the 35-year-old was to get a ranked opponent or someone near the rankings. And, he ended up getting his wish as he was offered perennial contender, Cub Swanson.
Artem Lobov open to boxing Jake and Logan Paul if the money is right
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
Artem Lobov is open to boxing either of the Paul brothers. After Jake Paul knocked out Nate Robinson on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard, the 23-year-old called out the likes of Dillon Danis and Conor McGregor. Given those are his teammates, Artem Lobov says if those fights don’t come to fruition, he would take the fight and beat up Paul if he is paid accordingly.
Vitor Belfort wants to fight Yoel Romero: "That would be a great fight"
Adam Martin - December 10, 2020
MMA legend Vitor Belfort says he wants to fight free agent Yoel Romero, promising that it would be a “great fight” for the fans. Belfort has yet to make his debut for ONE Championship and is eager to get back into the cage in 2021. Belfort called out Wanderlei Silva in the past, and he recently called for ONE to sign former UFC legends Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen to fight because at this point he just wants big fights against top-shelf opponents. One of those high-profile opponents just became available on the free-agent market when the UFC cut Romero. If ONE can get a deal done with Romero, then Belfort would take that fight.
Tyler McGuire plans to put friendship with Agilan Thani aside to earn statement win
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2020
This Friday, at ONE: Big Bang II, Tyler McGuire will make his long awaited return to the ONE Circle when he takes on Agilan Thani. The bout will be McGuire’s first since he came up short in a welterweight title fight with Zebaztian Kadestam in late 2018—his first taste of defeat as a pro mixed martial artist.