MMA News
The UFC parts ways with four more fighters
Susan Cox - January 12, 2022
Official announcements have yet to be made but sources recently informed MMA Junkie that the UFC has parted ways with another four fighters. While these sources wish to remain anonymous, it should also be noted that it has not been confirmed if these moves were outright releases or contracts which were not renewed.
Javier Mendez confident that both Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov would “dominate” Charles Oliveira
Susan Cox - January 12, 2022
Javier Mendez, speaking on his YouTube channel has suggested that both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev would ‘dominate’ Charles Oliveira: “I know they both would beat Charles, in my opinion because look, they’re both my fighters,” Mendez said (h/t MMAJunkie). “Stylistically-wise, Islam could strike, he can kick. Khabib wasn’t a great kicker. Khabib would have to go straight to the grappling with Charles and probably dominate him there. As a matter of fact, I know he would. I know Khabib would dominate him there, and I kind of feel, my personal opinion, as great as Charles is, I think Islam would dominate him there. too.”
Anthony Smith recalls hearing stories about Khamzat Chimaev long before his UFC debut
Susan Cox - January 12, 2022
Anthony Smith claims he heard the name Khamzat Chimaev long before ‘Borz’ ever made his debut in the UFC. The former UFC light heavyweight title challenger, Smith (36-16 MMA), made an appearance on Michael Bisping’s ‘Believe You Me’ podcast where he recalled being told stories about Chimaev:
Daniel Cormier believes Conor McGregor could “skip the line” and fight Charles Oliveira next: “There are different rules in regards to Conor”
Susan Cox - January 12, 2022
Daniel Cormier believes fellow former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor could “skip the line” and fight Charles Oliveira next. In a YouTube interview, the Schmo speaking to Daniel Cormier about the possibility of a McGregor vs Oliveira lightweight match this summer commented:
Colby Covington opens as big betting favorite in UFC 272 fight with Jorge Masvidal
Harry Kettle - January 12, 2022
Colby Covington has opened as a big betting favorite over Jorge Masvidal ahead of their UFC 272 main event. It was announced earlier this week that Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal will finally settle their rivalry at UFC 272 when the two meet in an enticing Las Vegas main event. The pair have been circling one another for a while now and it appears as if their collision will indeed take place in Sin City this March.
Michel Pereira will no longer be competing at Saturday’s UFC Vegas 46 event
Harry Kettle - January 12, 2022
UFC welterweight Michel Pereira will no longer be fighting on the UFC Vegas 46 card this weekend due to COVID-19 protocols. Michel Pereira has been working hard to try and fight this weekend but after great uncertainty, it’s now been confirmed that he’ll next appear at UFC 270 – seven days after he was initially scheduled to compete.
John McCarthy slams Francis Ngannou’s former coach for breaking “code” and leaking sparring footage: “Shame on you”
Harry Kettle - January 12, 2022
John McCarthy has slammed Fernand Lopez for threatening to release sparring footage between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane. Later this month at UFC 270, Francis Ngannou will defend his UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in one of the most highly-anticipated heavyweight bouts in years. The two men were formerly teammates under the guidance of Fernand Lopez, until Ngannou left the gym in search of pastures new.
Petr Yan on Aljamain Sterling rematch being pushed back to UFC 273: “UFC simply doesn't want fake champion to headline”
Harry Kettle - January 12, 2022
Petr Yan has given his thoughts on why his rematch with Aljamain Sterling was moved back to UFC 273 from UFC 272. This April, Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling will collide with the UFC bantamweight championship on the line. They had initially been scheduled to meet at UFC 272 one month prior as the co-main event behind Alexander Volkanovski vs Max Holloway. Alas, after Holloway had to pull out through injury, UFC opted to change things up by booking Volkanovski vs Korean Zombie and Sterling vs Yan for UFC 273.
Charles Oliveira should "go for the money" and fight Conor McGregor next, says Khabib and Islam's coach
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2022
Javier Mendez, the head coach of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, says he would advise Charles Oliveira to fight Conor McGregor next. After Oliveira submitted Dustin Poirier to defend his belt at UFC 269, many expected him to face Justin Gaethje next time out. However, he has recently called out McGregor and the Irishman expressed his mutual interest. Although “Notorious” is on a two-fight losing streak, Mendez believes the Brazilian should try and make the McGregor fight happen for a simple reason.
Coach: Calvin Kattar "has the option" to wrestle Giga Chikadze at UFC Vegas 46: "This isn't Glory kickboxing, it's an MMA fight"
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2022
Calvin Kattar will finally make his return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC Vegas 46. Kattar last fought back in January of 2021 on the first card of the year and suffered a decision loss to Max Holloway. In the fight, Kattar absorbed 445 significant strikes and after the fight, his head coach, Tyson Chartier said they wanted him to take a full year off which is what happened.
Brandon Royval believes he's "a nightmare matchup" for Rogerio Bontorin, wants the loser of Moreno-Figueiredo 3 next
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2022
Brandon Royval knows the pressure is on him to get back into the win column. Royval is coming off a submission loss to Alexandre Pantoja back in August which served as his second setback in a row. He had previously suffered a dislocated shoulder in a fight against Brandon Moreno. Although he’s had a hectic start to his UFC career, Brandon admits he wanted a quick turnaround after his last loss.
Colby Covington sends Jorge Masvidal a message after their UFC 272 fight is confirmed
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2022
Colby Covington has sent a message to Jorge Masvidal. On Tuesday, it was revealed the grudge match between Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington is set to headline UFC 272 on March 5. It’s a highly-anticipated bout as the two are former training partners and roommates but are now bitter rivals. After the fight was announced, Covington was quick to send a message to Masvidal.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Korean Zombie set for UFC 273, Sterling-Yan 2 added as co-headliner
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2022
Alexander Volkanovski has his next title fight set. Volkanovski was supposed to fight Max Holloway at UFC 272 on March 5 in Las Vegas, in their highly-anticipated trilogy match. Yet, it was reported the Hawaiian was forced out of the bout due to an injury.
Jorge Masvidal vs. Colby Covington set to headline UFC 272
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2022
Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington will finally be settling their differences. Masvidal and Covington used to be training partners and even lived together for a brief time. Yet, over the years, as both men began to climb the welterweight ranks, they had a falling out which ended up forcing “Chaos” to leave American Top Team.
Brendan Schaub believes Dana White feels threatened by Jake Paul: "He's a cheat code in this fight game"
Susan Cox - January 11, 2022
Brendan Schaub in a recent episode of ‘The Schaub Show’ commented that UFC President Dana White is feeling threatened by Jake Paul. According to Schaub, Paul has completely flipped the game by enticing UFC fighters to take up boxing.
Aljamain Sterling says rematch with Petr Yan could be delayed: “They’re talking about pushing my fight back to April”
Susan Cox - January 11, 2022
Aljamain Sterling took to Twitter this morning to confirm reports that his upcoming rematch with Petr Yan at UFC 272 may be postponed until April: “Yes, they’re talking about pushing my fight back to April,” Sterling said. “Not because of me. This is what I was told: “Yan isn’t vaccinated so he can’t fight in March”.
Sean O’Malley reacts to the Dillon Danis - Ariel Helwani beef: “I didn't think I could see a murder on Twitter”
Susan Cox - January 11, 2022
UFC star Sean O’Malley has shared his thoughts on the ongoing beef between Dillon Danis and Ariel Helwani. The Bellator fighter and the longtime MMA journalist have been exchanging blows on Twitter ever since Danis called Helwani a “b*tch” for his support of boxer Jake Paul.
Photos | Cheyanne Vlismas' overseas 'acne facial treatment' did not go so well: "I look like Freddy Krueger"
Harry Kettle - January 11, 2022
UFC fighter Cheyanne Vlismas has confirmed that her overseas acne facial treatment didn’t go as she had planned. 2021 was a mixed bag of a year for Cheyanne Vlismas, formerly known as Cheyanne Buys, as she began her UFC journey after appearing on Dana White’s Contender Series. Her unanimous decision loss to Montserrat Ruiz dropped her pro mixed martial arts record to 5-2, but she was able to bounce back in style with nice wins over Gloria de Paula and Mallory Martin.