MMA News
Ciryl Gane explains his decision to go for a leg lock in the final round against Francis Ngannou
Harry Kettle - February 17, 2022
UFC heavyweight Ciryl Gane has explained why he decided to go for a leg lock in the final round of his title fight against Francis Ngannou. In the main event of UFC 270 last month, Ciryl Gane fell short in his pursuit of the UFC heavyweight championship. For many fans, pundits and judges alike, he did enough to win the first two rounds of his bout with Francis Ngannou – only to lose the final three to leave him on the wrong end of a decision defeat.
Daniel Cormier refutes Henry Cejudo’s claim that Khamzat Chimaev would easily defeat Israel Adesanya: “He’s gonna get himself into trouble”
Harry Kettle - February 17, 2022
Daniel Cormier has hit back at Henry Cejudo’s suggestion that Khamzat Chimaev could easily defeat Israel Adesanya. Following his win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 271, many fans have been wondering whether or not anyone in the middleweight division is capable of beating Israel Adesanya. Henry Cejudo, a former two-weight UFC champion himself, recently offered up Chimaev as a suggestion.
Alex Hernandez reflects on tough loss to Renato Moicano at UFC 271: “May the Charles Oliveira Gods grant me wisdom”
Harry Kettle - February 17, 2022
UFC lightweight Alex Hernandez has taken the time to reflect on a tough loss to Renato Moicano at UFC 271. In the lead-up to fight night on Saturday, the biggest concern for Alex Hernandez was his placement on the card. Then, when the second round of his bout with Renato Moicano got underway, he had a whole host of other problems to deal with as he was beaten from pillar to post by the Brazilian before being submitted.
Anthony Smith names the middleweight who “probably has the best chance” to beat Israel Adesanya
Harry Kettle - February 17, 2022
Anthony Smith has given his thoughts on which UFC middleweight could dethrone current champion Israel Adesanya. At UFC 271, Israel Adesanya continued his dominant reign as the 185-pound king with a decision win over Robert Whittaker. While some disagreed with him getting the nod, the evidence for Whittaker winning simply wasn’t decisive enough to warrant it being called a robbery.
Beneil Dariush forced out of UFC Vegas 49 main event against Islam Makhachev
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2022
Islam Makhachev and Beneil Dariush will not be fighting next Saturday night after all. According to MMA reporter, Ariel Helwani and later confirmed by sources to BJPENN, Dariush suffered an injury and has been forced out of the fight. It’s uncertain if Makhachev will remain on the card or if another fight will headline next Saturday’s event.
A.J. McKee vs. Patricio Pitbull rematch set for Bellator 277 in April
Josh Evanoff - February 16, 2022
Bellator 277 has officially been announced for April 15th. The event is packing heat and has two of their biggest title fights of the year scheduled for it. The main event of the card will be the second chapter in the rivalry between A.J. McKee and Patricio Pitbull. The two first met at Bellator 263, where ‘Mercenary’ defeated the champion via first-round submission to claim featherweight gold. The bout was the finals of Bellator’s 2020 featherweight Grand Prix.
Henry Cejudo offers advice to Cody Garbrandt amid recent slump: "Fighting emotional has cost him"
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2022
Henry Cejudo says he reached out to Cody Garbrandt to give him some advice amid his recent skid. Garbrandt is coming off a KO loss to Kai Kara-France at UFC 269 in his UFC flyweight debut. It was his second loss in a row and he is now just 1-5 since winning the bantamweight title back at UFC 207 in December of 2016. Out of those five losses, he has also been knocked out in four of them, so for Cejudo, he believes Garbrandt needs to get back to his technical self that he was against Dominick Cruz.
Israel Adesanya teases potential crossover into WWE: "You never know"
Josh Evanoff - February 16, 2022
Israel Adesanya has teased that he will one-day crossover into the world of professional wrestling. ‘The Last Stylebender’ has made a reputation in the UFC for being a bit of a showman. He’s since admitted that a lot of his style he gets from the WWF’s Attitude Era period of entertainment. That era was the most fruitful for professional wrestling, and it seemed that Adesanya has pulled some material from it.
Khamzat Chimaev says Gilbert Burns isn't a "real challenge," wants Covington-Masvidal winner
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t think Gilbert Burns is a real challenge. Chimaev is coming off a dominant first-round submission over Li Jingliang and has been rumored to face Burns. However, the fight has not been booked but if it does, Chimaev doesn’t think it would last very long as he says the Brazilian isn’t a challenge.
Khabib Nurmagomedov shares his thoughts on Francis Ngannou’s contract dispute with the UFC: “If someone pays you more money then go and take”
Susan Cox - February 16, 2022
Khabib Nurmagomedov recently shared his thoughts concerning Francis Ngannou and his ongoing dispute with the UFC over contract negotiations. Ngannou (17-3 MMA), reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion, last fought Ciryl Gane (10-1 MMA) at UFC 270 in January.
Parker Porter plans to take Alan Baudot into "deep waters" to get the finish, eyes rematch with Chris Daukaus in the future
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2022
Parker Porter thought about retiring before getting a call from the UFC and now he’s focused on entering the rankings. Porter made his UFC debut on just days’ notice at UFC 252 and suffered a first-round TKO loss to Chris Daukaus. Since then, however, he beat Josh Parisian and Chase Sherman by decision. He will now return at UFC Vegas 48 against Alan Baudot who’s 0-1 with one No-Contest in the UFC. Despite Baudot being on a skid, Porter says he isn’t surprised they are matched up with one another. He also likes the matchup for him.
Kevin Holland makes a second internet troll eat his words in the gym (Video)
Susan Cox - February 16, 2022
Kevin Holland (21-7 MMA) has already taken down one troll who wanted to mix it up with him in the gym. Holland had been getting tweets from a Jayden Draper, calling him out online and talking smack for a matchup with the middleweight fighter. Holland subsequently shared messages from the keyboard troll on Instagram and invited Draper to spar with him in the cage.
Chael Sonnen questions why “fearless” Israel Adesanya allowed callout from Khamzat Chimaev to slide
Susan Cox - February 16, 2022
Chael Sonnen spoke on his podcast ‘Bad Guy Inc.’ questioning why Israel Adesanya would allow a callout from Khamzat Chimaev to slide. Adesanya, defeated Robert Whittaker this past weekend at UFC 271 by unanimous decision to retain his title and maintain control of the middleweight division.
Darren Till goes off on Uriah Hall for suggesting he blocked him on Instagram: “Go back to sleep Uriah”
Harry Kettle - February 16, 2022
UFC middleweight Darren Till has hit back at Uriah Hall as their war of words over social media continues. Darren Till and Uriah Hall are, respectively, coming off the back of notable losses to Derek Brunson and Sean Strickland. While they’re both still capable of stringing together a nice win streak, the popular opinion amongst many is that neither fighter will be challenging for the UFC middleweight championship anytime soon.
Jorge Masvidal explains where things first went wrong in friendship with Colby Covington: “I would see signs in the way he treated his family”
Harry Kettle - February 16, 2022
Jorge Masvidal has spoken about the origin of his rivalry with former friend Colby Covington ahead of their UFC 272 showdown. On March 5, Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington will aim to finally settle their feud that seems to have been ongoing for a few years now. The two top welterweights, both of whom have now lost twice to Kamaru Usman, will be hoping that a main event win in Las Vegas next month can send them surging back into contention for a trilogy fight against “The Nigerian Nightmare”.
Julianna Pena responds to Amanda Nunes’ claim that she fought injured at UFC 269
Harry Kettle - February 16, 2022
Julianna Pena has given her thoughts on Amanda Nunes saying she fought injured back at UFC 269 in December. On that night in Las Vegas, Julianna Pena shocked the world by submitting Amanda Nunes to become the new UFC women’s bantamweight champion. It brought an end to Nunes’ reign of dominance and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest upsets in the history of the UFC.
Henry Cejudo explains decision to coach Korean Zombie for UFC 273 title fight: "If you're not going to give me Volkanovski's head on a plate, I'll get someone to do it for me"
Josh Evanoff - February 15, 2022
Henry Cejudo has explained his decision to coach the Korean Zombie. The longtime fan-favorite fights Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 273 in April. ‘Triple C’ notably was in the running to fight ‘The Great’ as well. Following Max Holloway withdrawing from his trilogy bout with Volkanovski, Henry Cejudo put his name forth to fight for featherweight gold.
Logan Paul rips "f*****g broke" Floyd Mayweather for not paying him for their boxing match, confirms he will sue
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2022
Logan Paul says he will be suing Floyd Mayweather as he hasn’t been paid for their boxing match. Back in June, Paul and Mayweather had a highly-anticipated exhibition match that went all eight rounds and the YouTuber did better than expected. The fight was also a massive success as it did over one million pay-per-view buys. But, even with that, Logan Paul was not paid. Jake Paul later revealed that his brother was going to sue Mayweather over the debacle.