MMA News
Gilbert Burns slams "pillow hands" Colby Covington
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2020
Gilbert Burns doesn’t think Colby Covington switching to orthodox will change his power. For his entire career, Covington has been fighting as a southpaw. He has been known as a volume striker but wasn’t someone who was scoring one-punch knockouts. When Covington left ATT and started to train at MMA Masters, his coaches realized he is orthodox and believes that will help his power.
Colby Covington is not underestimating Tyron Woodley, says fight won't "be a cakewalk"
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2020
Colby Covington knows he can’t underestimate Tyron Woodley ahead of their UFC Vegas 11 main event. Entering the fight, Covington is a sizeable favorite. Many pundits also believe he will be able to beat Woodley with ease. Yet, “Chaos” isn’t so sure that will be the case.
Randy Costa ecstatic to be fighting Journey Newson: "I’m expecting this to be a fan-friendly fight"
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2020
Randy Costa couldn’t be more excited when he found out he was fighting Journey Newson. Costa was set to fight in March but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the loyal Massachusetts native packed up and headed to Florida to train at American Top Team due to the restrictions Massachusetts had.
Ben Askren not sold on Khamzat Chimaev
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
Former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight champ Ben Askren isn’t sold on red-hot UFC welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev just yet. Chimaev was the breakout star of the UFC’s four-even stint on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi in July. The Chechen-Swede won two fights in a 10-day span, submitting John Phillips at middleweight and Rhys McKee by TKO at welterweight—both in the first round.
Ryan Garcia says he wants to "beat the sh*t" out of Henry Cejudo
Adam Martin - September 16, 2020
Undefeated lightweight boxing star Ryan Garcia says that he wants to “beat the sh*t” out of former UFC double champion Henry Cejudo. Cejudo recently retired from MMA following a TKO win over Dominick Cruz at UFC 249, but he has been active in his retirement calling out MMA fighters and boxers, including Garcia. Both Cejudo and Garcia have been going back-and-forth in interviews over the last few months, making their feelings known about each other. Both men do not like one another, and both men are interested in a potential MMA fight or boxing match.
Michael Chandler in consideration for UFC fight with Tony Ferguson
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is reportedly being considered as a potential opponent for former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson. After knocking out Benson Henderson at Bellator 243, Chandler entered in a period of free agency. Buzz about his potential move to the UFC was immediate.
Coach says Paulo Costa wants to fight Jon Jones: "He can’t hide"
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
Eric Albarracin says his star pupil, upcoming UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa, still wants to fight Jon Jones in the future. Costa is set to challenge Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title in the main event of UFC 253 on September 26. Speaking to ESPN recently, Albarracin expressed his confidence that Costa will win that title fight, and also suggested that Costa could move up to the light heavyweight division in search of a fight with Jones thereafter.
Michael Chiesa welcomes fight with Leon Edwards: "I like that fight a lot"
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
Rising UFC welterweight contender Michael Chiesa is willing to step into the Octagon with the division’s No. 3-ranked fighter, Leon Edwards. Edwards is currently on a fantastic eight-fight win-streak, but has not fought in over a year, and has struggled greatly to find a willing dance partner for his next fight.
Ben Askren explains what Tyron Woodley needs to do to "knock Colby out"
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
Ben Askren believes he knows what Tyron Woodley needs to do in order to knock out Colby Covington in the main event of UFC on ESPN 11 this weekend. Woodley will enter his fight with Covington on a two-fight skid, having given up back-to-back decisions to Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. Askren believes that, in order to return to his old habit of knocking his opponents out, Woodley needs to get out of his own head and let his hands fly.
Full betting odds released for UFC on ESPN+ 36: Covington vs. Woodley
Adam Martin - September 16, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the 13 fights scheduled to take place Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 36: Covington vs. Woodley event. In the main event, it’s a five-round UFC welterweight grudge match between rivals Colby Covington and Tyron Woodley. Covington is coming off of a fifth-round TKO loss to Kamaru Usman in his last fight while Woodley is coming off of back-to-back decision losses to Usman and Gilbert Burns. Both men are ranked in the top-five at 170lbs so it’s important for both Covington and Woodley to win if they want to stay in title contention.
Dana White signs three more Contender Series fighters to UFC deals, including 1-0 fighter
Adam Martin - September 16, 2020
UFC president Dana White signed three more fighters to UFC contracts following the conclusion of Tuesday night’s Contender Series 33. White has been busy handing out contracts during the fourth season of the Contender Series. With the UFC doing a show every weekend and with so many fights falling out at the last minute, the promotion has had no problem giving out contracts to Contender Series talent, and this Tuesday’s edition of the popular show was no different.
Ben Askren shares some advice for Leon Edwards
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
Ben Askren has some advice for UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards, who is struggling to get a big opportunity despite an eight-fight win-streak. Edwards, who currently holds the No. 3 spot in the UFC welterweight rankings, has gone over a year without a fight, and has grown increasingly bellicose during that time.
Renato Moicano forced to withdraw from planned Magomed Mustafaev bout on Fight Island
Harry Kettle - September 16, 2020
Renato Moicano has been forced to pull out of his planned Fight Island bout against Magomed Mustafaev, Ag Fight reports. Moicano made a successful transition up to lightweight back in March when he was able to submit Damir Hadžović in just 44 seconds over in Brazil. He was initially set to square off with Mustafaev on October 17, who has won three of his five UFC bouts thus far, but it now appears as if that’s no longer happening.
Dustin Poirier receives message from Bellator's Patricky Freire following failed UFC negotiations
Harry Kettle - September 16, 2020
Bellator star Patricky Freire has sent a clear message to Dustin Poirier after his recent negotiation troubles with the UFC. Fans have been anticipating the proposed showdown between Poirier and Tony Ferguson for months now, but after “The Diamond” recently confirmed that he was not able to come to terms on a deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, fans have started to question why the promotion isn’t giving Poirier the kind of offer that they believe he deserves.
Dana White suggests Dustin Poirier negotiated himself out of Tony Ferguson fight, 'The Diamond' responds
Christopher Taylor - September 15, 2020
UFC President Dana White suggested on Tuesday that Dustin Poirier had negotiated himself out of a fight with Tony Ferguson. Earlier this month it was reported that a massive lightweight fight between Poirier and Ferguson would serve as the co-headliner of October’s UFC 254 pay-per-view event.
Donald Cerrone expects to finish Niko Price but is focused on "having fun"
Cole Shelton - September 15, 2020
Donald Cerrone is looking to snap his losing streak while having some fun in the process. In the co-main event of UFC Vegas 11, Cerrone is remaining at welterweight to battle Niko Price. Many are expecting this fight to be the Fight of the Night or for one of them to get a Performance of the Night. Both Cerrone and Price like to strike and are always in entertaining fights, but for “Cowboy” he is confident he will get the stoppage win.
Tyron Woodley says he won't shake Colby Covington's hand after he knocks him out
Cole Shelton - September 15, 2020
Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington have had a heated rivalry in the lead up to their UFC Vegas 11 fight and it appears their feud will last longer than that. Woodley and Covington have trashed talked one another for years. Nearly two years to the date they were supposed to fight. Yet, the UFC could not come to an agreement with “Chaos” and “The Chosen One” went on to defend his belt against Darren Till.
Thiago Santos has been forced out of October 3 fight with Glover Teixeira
Adam Martin - September 15, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Thiago Santos has been forced out of his upcoming October 3 fight against Glover Teixeira. According to a report from Globo’s Marcelo Barone, Santos tested positive for COVID-19 and his fight against Teixeira set for the October 3 card on Fight Island has been scrapped. Ironically, Santos and Teixeira were supposed to meet at UFC on ESPN+ 35 this past weekend, but Teixeira tested positive for COVID-19 and the fight had to be rescheduled. Unfortunately, the other half of the fight in Santos has also tested positive.