MMA News
No hard feelings. Dan Lambert supports Amanda Nunes departure from ATT
Susan Cox - February 17, 2022
Dan Lambert, who founded American Top Team back in 2001, says there‘s no hard feelings with Amanda Nunes departing the gym. Lamberts’ goal was to provide MMA fighters with world class training facilities all under one roof. Over the past 20 years, ATT has been home to some of the best fighters in the world.
Israel Adesanya confirms he’s fighting Jared Cannonier next, says he has “other plans” for Sean Strickland
Susan Cox - February 17, 2022
The confirmation of who Israel Adesanya will fight next has arrived. ‘The Last Stylebender’, reigning middleweight champion (22-1 MMA) is going to take on Jared Cannonier (15-5 MMA) for his next matchup. Speaking on the ‘MMA Hour’, Adesanya confirmed that Cannonier is next.
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.
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.
Bobby Green set to replace Beneil Dariush against Islam Makhachev, likely at a catchweight
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2022
Bobby Green will be fighting for the second time in two weeks. On Wednesday evening, it was reported that Beneil Dariush was forced out of his UFC Vegas 49 main event fight against Islam Makhachev due to an injury. Now, according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Green has agreed to step up on 10 days’ notice.
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.
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.
Conor McGregor claims he has the best ground and pound in the game: “I don’t miss g’n’p”
Josh Evanoff - February 16, 2022
Ahead of his UFC return, Conor McGregor has proclaimed that he has the best ground and pound in the sport. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of the cage since July 2021, where he lost to Dustin Poirier in their trilogy bout. McGregor has been out of action due to a leg injury he sustained in the fight. Despite the absence, he’s remained in the news cycle thanks to his social media posts.
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.
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.
Sean O’Malley on UFC fighter pay: “I learned not to say anything negative about it”
Susan Cox - February 16, 2022
Sean O’Malley spoke once again on UFC fighter pay during his podcast ‘The Timbo Sugar Show’. O’Malley, who has a huge following on social media, believes fighters should be better compensated for actively promoting themselves on social media.
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.
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.
Kayla Harrison on her relationship with former roommate Ronda Rousey: “I don’t think we’re friends anymore”
Harry Kettle - February 16, 2022
Kayla Harrison has spoken about her previous friendship with fellow judoka Ronda Rousey and why it may be over. While they may be in very different places in their careers now, with Harrison in mixed martial arts and Rousey transitioning over into professional wrestling, there was once a time when the two were close friends. They both won medals at the Olympic Games, they’ve both found success at the elite level in MMA, and judo was their first love.