MMA News
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.
Video | Conor McGregor drills southpaw boxing defense ahead of rumoured Dustin Poirier fight
Tom Taylor - October 27, 2020
The rumoured rematch between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier is not yet official, but the Irishman seems to be preparing for the challenge as if it is. McGregor and Poirier first fought in the featherweight division in 2014, with the former winning by first-round knockout. Over the last few weeks, they’ve been linked to a rematch.
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
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.
Javier Mendez shocked Khabib Nurmagomedov retired, confirms the champ "is done"
Cole Shelton - October 26, 2020
Javier Mendez didn’t know Khabib Nurmagomedov was going to retire after he defeated Justin Gaethje. All the talk for Nurmagomedov has been he will retire at 30-0. Yet, after he defeated Gaethje to improve to 29-0 he announced his retirement from MMA. He said he could not continue without his father and for Mendez, he said you have to respect the champ’s decision to do that.
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.
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.
Conor McGregor vows he's "still committed" as lightweight division opens up
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
Former two-division champion Conor McGregor has achieved a lot in MMA, but vows that he’s “still committed” to his goals in the sport. In terms of competitive achievements, McGregor is one of the most successful fighters in UFC history. In terms of financial achievements, he’s the most successful by a huge margin. Despite all that he’s done as a pro fighter, the Irishman says he’s “still committed.”
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.
How to watch ONE: Inside the Matrix in the US
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
ONE Championship is headed back to Singapore with its biggest event of the year. ONE: Inside the Matrix happens on Friday, October 30, broadcasting live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium. It will feature four championship fights, for a total of six compelling martial arts bouts. In the main event, reigning ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang of Myanmar will defend his middleweight world title against undefeated top contender Reinier “The Dutch Knight” de Ridder of The Netherlands.
Joe Rogan declares Khabib Nurmagomedov "the GOAT"
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
Long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan has proclaimed the unbeaten Khabib Nurmagomedov as the Greatest of all Time in mixed martial arts. Nurmagomedov returned to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 254 on Saturday night, when he defended the UFC lightweight title with a second-round submission victory over Justin Gaethje, who was widely touted as his toughest test to date. In the moments after this win, Nurmagomedov shocked the world by announcing his retirement from MMA, riding off into the sunset with a flawless 29-0 MMA record and reputation as one of the best fighters ever.
Mike Perry vs. Robbie Lawler bout no longer listed as part of UFC 255 main card
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
A welterweight fight between “Platinum” Mike Perry and “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler is no longer listed as part of the UFC 255 main card. UFC 255 is scheduled to go down on November 21 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card will be headlined by a men’s flyweight title fight between Deiveson Figueiredo and Alex Perez, and co-headlined by a women’s flyweight title fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Jennifer Maia. Until recently, it was also expected to feature a welterweight scrap between Perry and Lawler, who is the division’s former champion.
Ali Abdelaziz lives out personal "dream" as Khabib Nurmagomedov meets Sheik Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz lived out a personal dream this week when his star client Khabib Nurmagomedov met Sheik Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the United Arab Emirates. Nurmagomedov returned to the cage in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 254 card in Abu Dhabi, where he defended the UFC lightweight title with a second-round submission defeat of Justin Gaethje—a man many considered his toughest test to date.
Jeremy Stephens forced out of November 7 UFC fight with Arnold Allen
Harry Kettle - October 26, 2020
UFC featherweight Jeremy Stephens has been forced out of his November 7 fight against Arnold Allen, MMA Junkie reports. Stephens has been pulled from the fight due to an injury but the problem isn’t expected to take long for him to recover from, and the veteran is expected to return in late 2020 or early 2021. The fight would’ve given “Lil Heathen” the opportunity to bounce back from a run of five fights without a win dating all the way back to February 2018.
Josh Thomson roasts Nate Diaz for claiming Khabib Nurmagomedov is actually 29-1
Harry Kettle - October 26, 2020
Josh Thomson has taken a shot at Nate Diaz after he seemed to poke fun at Khabib Nurmagomedov after UFC 254. The mixed martial arts world was quick to praise Khabib after his phenomenal win over Justin Gaethje on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi. Alas, while many were happy for the Russian, Nate Diaz wasn’t quite as friendly by putting up a tweet that simply said “29 and 1”.