MMA News
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.
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.
Kyle Daukaus expects to finish Jamie Pickett early and earn a ranked opponent next: "I don't see him lasting very long"
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2022
Kyle Daukaus is glad he will still be fighting on Saturday at UFC Vegas 48. Daukaus was originally set to face Julian Marquez but less than two weeks out, he was forced to withdraw from the fight. After hearing of the news, Daukaus asked the UFC to find him a replacement and they did just that as he will now take on Jamie Pickett at UFC Vegas 48, but the bout will be a 195lbs catchweight.
Brendan Schaub pleads with Robert Whittaker to fight at welterweight following Israel Adesanya loss
Josh Evanoff - February 15, 2022
Following Robert Whittaker’s second loss to Israel Adesanya, Brendan Schaub has stated his case why ‘The Reaper’ should look downward. The former middleweight champion faced off with ‘The Last Stylebender’ again this past weekend at UFC 271. Their first encounter in 2019 saw Robert Whittaker get brutally knocked out in the second round.