MMA News
Paulo Filho explains what fighting after losing your father feels like in wake of Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254
Adam Martin - October 27, 2020
Veteran middleweight Paulo Filho explained what fighting after losing your father feels like in the wake of Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254. Filho, the former WEC middleweight champion, recently spoke to Marcelo Alonso of Sherdog.com. The 42-year-old Filho said that he himself fought days after the death of his own father, and he said he was moved by what Nurmagomedov did at UFC 252, defeating Justin Gaethje in the wake of his father Abdulmanap’s death from COVID-19.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts to earning No. 1 pound-for-pound ranking
Tom Taylor - October 27, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov has reacted to the news that he’s now the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the official UFC rankings. Nurmagomedov returned to the cage in the main event of UFC 254 last weekend, where he defeated Justin Gaethje, a man widely considered his toughest foe to date, by second-round submission. After the fight, Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA, and shared his hope that he’d leave the sport as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
UFC rankings update: Khabib Nurmagomedov steals top P4P spot
Tom Taylor - October 27, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of UFC 254, and as widely expected, Khabib Nurmagomedov has gotten what he wanted. After Nurmagomedov defeated Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 254, and announced his retirement from MMA immediately immediately thereafter, he shared his hopes that he’d steal the top spot in the updated UFC’s men pound-for-pound rankings.
Anderson Silva explains how "UFC changed" when it was sold
Tom Taylor - October 27, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva says the “UFC changed” when it was sold by Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta. The Fertitta brothers sold their majority stakes in the company to WME-IMG in 2016 for a massive $4 billion.
Video | Dana White hails car commercial starring Bryce Mitchell as "greatest ever"
Andrew Whitelaw - October 27, 2020
Bryce Mitchell may have just starred in one of the most glorious commercials ever. Dana White certainly thinks so. This is the greatest commercial EVER made. Congrats @ThugnastyMMA pic.twitter.com/Im9iXzVJTd
Khabib Nurmagomedov shares X-ray of broken foot sustained before UFC 254
Tom Taylor - October 27, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov didn’t just beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, he did so with a broken foot. Nurmagomedov defeated Gaethje by second-round submission, putting his challenger to sleep with a triangle choke. As if that feat wasn’t impressive enough on it’s own, he pulled it off with a broken foot.
Brian Ortega addresses questions about massive cup in "Korean Zombie" fight
Tom Taylor - October 27, 2020
Brian Ortega gave fans a lot to talk about during his UFC Fight Island 6 scrap with fan favorite featherweight contender “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. While many fans were impressed by the improvements he made in the striking department, others couldn’t help but notice that he seemed to be wearing a truly gargantuan protective cup.
Edson Barboza calls for top-six featherweight opponent in final fight of UFC deal
Adam Martin - October 27, 2020
Top featherweight contender Edson Barboza said he wants a top-six opponent in what will be the final fight of his current deal with the UFC. One of the most exciting fighters in MMA, Barboza has been in the UFC for a decade now, with his promotional debut coming back in November 2010 when he defeated Mike Lullo via leg kick TKO at UFC 123. For the past 10 years, Barboza has been a staple of the UFC roster, becoming a top contender at lightweight for many years before moving down to featherweight in 2020 and becoming a top-15 fighter in a second weight class this year.
Magomed Ankalaev has two names in mind following impressive KO win over Ion Cutelaba
Harry Kettle - October 27, 2020
Magomed Ankalaev has two names in mind for his next fight after his big win over Ion Cutelaba at UFC 254. After their first fight back in February ended in controversy, Ankalaev made sure that the result was beyond doubt during their rematch as he viciously knocked Cutelaba out to take his current win streak in the Ultimate Fighting Championship to five.
Michael Chandler sets his sights on Justin Gaethje following UFC 254
Harry Kettle - October 27, 2020
UFC newcomer Michael Chandler has his sights set on a potential showdown with fellow lightweight contender Justin Gaethje. “The Highlight” failed in his attempt to capture the UFC Lightweight Championship on Saturday night as he was beaten by Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC 254. Chandler, on the other hand, simply sat back and watched the action unfold after serving as the back-up fighter for the title bout.
Charles Oliveira calls for UFC lightweight title shot: "I am ready"
Adam Martin - October 26, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira is calling for a title shot in the wake of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement, saying he is “ready.” Oliveira is currently the No. 6 ranked lightweight in the UFC and is one of the hottest fighters in the division at the moment as he currently rides a seven-fight win streak with all seven wins by stoppage. A member of the UFC roster since 2010, Oliveira has a 29-8, 1 NC record in MMA including a 17-8, 1 NC record in the UFC alone. Despite that impressive record, Oliveira is rarely considered as a title contender at 155lbs.
Robert Whittaker calls rematch with Israel Adesanya "a hard fight"
Adam Martin - October 26, 2020
Top contender Robert Whittaker called a potential rematch against UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya “a hard fight.” After defeating Jared Cannonier in the co-main event of UFC 254, UFC president Dana White said that Whittaker would likely be the next opponent for Adesanya. Of course, these two previously met at UFC 243 in October 2019. Whittaker was the champion heading into that fight but he lost his belt to Adesanya by knockout. Since then, Whittaker has won two straight fights against Cannonier and Darren Till to jump back into title contention, while Adesanya defended his belt against Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa.
Jon Jones says Khabib Nurmagomedov "just recently started fighting elite-level competition," slams fans for saying "The Eagle" is the GOAT
Cole Shelton - October 26, 2020
Jon Jones says there is no way Khabib Nurmagomedov can be considered the GOAT of MMA. After Nurmagomedov defeated Justin Gaethje by second-round submission to defend his lightweight title at UFC 254, he announced his retirement from the sport. He rode off into the sunset at 29-0 and many are now putting him in the conversation as the greatest ever. However, longtime UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, isn’t having any of that.
Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2 targeted for March, says Dana White
Adam Martin - October 26, 2020
UFC president Dana White says the UFC is targeting the rematch between heavyweights Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou to take place in March. Miocic defended the UFC heavyweight championship in August at UFC 252 when he won a unanimous decision over rival Daniel Cormier in the pair’s trilogy bout. White confirmed that Ngannou — who has won four straight fights by knockout — would be next in line to fight Miocic for the belt. But after Jon Jones made the announcement he would be pursuing a title shot at heavyweight as well, some thought Jones might skip by Ngannou.
Khabib Nurmagomedov had amazing reason for finishing Justin Gaethje with triangle choke instead of armbar
Adam Martin - October 26, 2020
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has a reason why he switched from an armbar to a triangle choke on Justin Gaethje in the UFC 254 main event. Nurmagomeov had a stunning performance as he tapped Gaethje out cold with a second-round submission that sent his opponent to sleep. Nurmagomedov improved to 29-0 with the win including a 13-0 mark in the Octagon alone. But of course, what everyone was talking about the day after the fight was Nurmagomedov’s shocking retirement, with his incredible win over Gaethje being pushed to the side in favor of the GOAT discussion.
Video | Watch fans in Dagestan react to Khabib Nurmagomedov defeating Justin Gaethje
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov impressed fight fans everywhere when he defeated Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 254, but the reaction of fans in his native Dagestan was something special. Nurmagomedov is a massive superstar in Dagestan and across Russia, and that’s clearer than ever when you watch the footage of fan reactions to his second-round submission win over Gaethje.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says he's retired, but you can still bet on his next opponent
Adam Martin - October 26, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement after UFC 254, but you can still bet on who he’ll fight next. Nurmagomedov submitted Justin Gaethje with a second-round triangle choke in the main event of this past Saturday’s UFC 254. “The Eagle” then shocked the MMA community when he announced his immediate retirement from the sport, hanging up his gloves after achieving a perfect 29-0 record in MMA and 13-0 in the UFC. Nurmagomedov cited family reasons as the reason why he’s retired, but the sportsbooks aren’t necessarily buying it.
Matchmaking the lightweight division's top-10 after Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement at UFC 254
Cole Shelton - October 26, 2020
The UFC’s lightweight title will soon be vacant after the champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Justin Gaethje to defend his belt and then retired. Immediately after the champion announced his retirement, many were thinking what fight the UFC will book for the vacant belt. Newly signed lightweight, Michael Chandler called for there to be a tournament, but the appears unlikely. So, here is what we think should be next for the lightweight division.