MMA News
Stephen Thompson has no plans of retiring after back-to-back losses: 'I feel better than I was five years ago'
Cole Shelton - December 27, 2021
Stephen Thompson has no plans of retiring anytime soon. Thompson suffered a lopsided decision loss to Belal Muhammad at UFC Vegas 45 on December 18. He entered the fight as the betting favorite but Thompson was taken down seven times and controlled on the ground for nearly 12 minutes. The loss was his second in a row, as back in July he suffered a decision loss to Gilbert Burns in a fight where “Wonderboy” once again fell victim to the grappling of his opponent.
Francis Ngannou says he's 'the man that's gonna stop the hype' of Ciryl Gane at UFC 270
Cole Shelton - December 27, 2021
Francis Ngannou is confident he will be the one to derail Ciryl Gane’s hype. Ngannou is set to defend his heavyweight title for the first time in the main event of UFC 270 against the interim champ in Gane. It’s a fascinating fight due to the fact the two used to train with one another and sparring footage has been leaked. Gane also enters the fight undefeated with a ton of hype on him, yet for Ngannou, he believes Ciryl is overhyped and will prove that on January 22.
Michael Bisping believes Ricky Simon tried to make him “look silly” during post-fight interview at UFC Vegas 45
Susan Cox - December 27, 2021
Michael Bisping was not impressed with the attitude and remarks of Ricky Simon during their post-fight interview at UFC Vegas 45. The former UFC middleweight champion, Bisping, entered the Octagon to interview Simon immediately following the latter’s impressive knockout win over Raphael Assuncao.
Katie Taylor doesn’t believe Conor McGregor gets the respect he deserves in Ireland
Susan Cox - December 27, 2021
Katie Taylor doesn’t believe Conor McGregor gets the respect he deserves in Ireland and made her opinions known in a recent appearance on ‘The MMA Hour’: “I messaged him after the Dustin Poirier fight, just to offer some words of encouragement really,” Taylor said (h/t MMAFighting). “He’s always been a fantastic support to me, but I think he’s just someone who’s actually transcended the sport. He’s like, for me, the Muhammad Ali of the UFC. He’s just a fantastic athlete. A great businessman as well. But what he’s done in the sport and the UFC has been absolutely incredible, and I don’t think he’s celebrated as much as he should be here in Ireland. I think he is an absolute global superstar and just a phenomenal athlete, and he’s always been a complete gentleman towards me.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Dustin Poirier has lost his competitive fire: “If this switch clicks once, he will never go back. I think his switch clicked.”
Susan Cox - December 27, 2021
Former UFC lightweight kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Dustin Poirier has lost his competitive fire. After Poirier’s loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269, Khabib commented at a recent press conference:
Petr Yan promises to destroy “little whiner” Aljamain Sterling in rematch, ‘Funk Master’ responds
Harry Kettle - December 27, 2021
UFC interim bantamweight champion Petr Yan has promised to “destroy” Aljamain Sterling in their imminent rematch. Earlier this year at UFC 259, Aljamain Sterling captured the 135-pound title from Petr Yan via disqualification in one of the most controversial finishes of the year thus far. It was the kind of result that reminded us all of one key fact: anything can happen in mixed martial arts.
Dan Hooker fires back at Jon Jones: “I was triggered by your disingenuous attempt to bring attention to Chael’s situation”
Harry Kettle - December 27, 2021
UFC featherweight newcomer Dan Hooker continues to take shots at Jon Jones as their social media rivalry over Chael Sonnen goes on. Over the course of the last few months we’ve seen the rivalry between Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen, which many believed to be dead and buried, intensify. It was initially centred around Jones and his recent run-in with the law but after Sonnen was also charged with five counts of battery, “Bones” couldn’t help but throw shade in the direction of his former Octagon foe.
Joe Rogan reacts to Conor McGregor’s new 190lbs frame: “USADA’s gonna visit him very soon”
Harry Kettle - December 27, 2021
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has given his thoughts on the new physique of Conor McGregor. While he may be coming off the back of consecutive defeats to Dustin Poirier, there’s no denying that Conor McGregor is still in great shape as he continues to prepare for his UFC return. The plan appears to be for him to challenge Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight title and while that may be a controversial move, it highlights just how much of a needle-mover the Irishman really is.
Dan Hooker landed on the naughty list of Jon Jones this Christmas
Christopher Taylor - December 25, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones shared some choice words for Dan Hooker on Christmas morning. Three days ago, Hooker took to Twitter where blasted ‘Bones’ for the comments he made regarding Chael Sonnen’s recent battery citations.
Chael Sonnen recounts the night Jon Jones mooned his mother: "Jon’s a pretty funny guy"
Christopher Taylor - December 24, 2021
Chael Sonnen and Jon Jones have a long and storied history dating back to their light heavyweight title fight in 2013. Sonnen (31-17-1 MMA) and Jones (26-1 MMA) collided in the headliner of UFC 159, with ‘Bones’ successfully defending his 205lbs title with a first round TKO.
Justin Gaethje responds after being dubbed a fraud by Charles Oliveira: "My respect that night was just as real as my intention to take everything from you in your country"
Christopher Taylor - December 24, 2021
Justin Gaethje has issued a fiery response after being dubbed a fraud by reigning UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. Oliveira (32-8 MMA) successfully defended his 155lbs title for the first time earlier this month at UFC 269 when he submitted Dustin Poirier with a rear-naked choke in round three (see that here).
Kevin Lee vs. Diego Sanchez set for March 11 in Miami
Christopher Taylor - December 24, 2021
Former UFC standouts Kevin Lee and Diego Sanchez will collide under the Eagle FC banner on March 11 in Miami, Florida. The former interim lightweight title challenger, Lee (18-7 MMA), was recently let go by Dana White and company after suffering setbacks in four of his final five Octagon appearances.
Michel Prazeres rips USADA for punishment over fertility treatment: “This is not a steroid, this is a medication”
Harry Kettle - December 24, 2021
Former UFC fighter Michel Prazeres has heavily criticized USADA for handing him a four-year suspension, which initially led to his retirement. Prazeres will not be able to compete until summer 2025 after testing positive for “the banned substances clomiphene and its metabolites (desethyl-clomiphene, clomiphene M1, and clomiphene M2), oxandrolone metabolites, and the exogenous administration of testosterone”.
Hector Lombard wants to fight “'fake f*ck” Tyron Woodley for attempting to pick up his girl: “You know, he likes the smell of other people’s..”
Harry Kettle - December 24, 2021
Former UFC fighter Hector Lombard has torn into Tyron Woodley and confirmed that he wants to fight the ex-champion. Lombard, 43, hasn’t fought in mixed martial arts since his defeat to Thales Leites in September 2018. What he has done, though, is make the transition over to bare-knuckle boxing. He’s currently got a 3-1 record, although he did lose the BKFC cruiserweight championship to Lorenzo Hunt last month.
Joe Rogan responds to criticism of biased UFC commentary: “I try to be very fair, always, with my commentary”
Harry Kettle - December 24, 2021
Joe Rogan has responded to accusations suggesting he sometimes engages in bias commentary in the UFC. While he may not be in the commentary booth every single weekend anymore, Joe Rogan is still the most familiar face on the call whenever he’s in the mix. He’s known for being the enthusiastic member of the group, whether it be a two-man team or the more common three-man team.
Nate Diaz sends a message to the 'Paul sisters', claims Jake and Logan hired security to make sure he wouldn’t get them
Cole Shelton - December 23, 2021
Nate Diaz has sent a message to the ‘Paul sisters’ after Jake Paul’s most recent boxing win over Tyron Woodley. Last Saturday, Diaz was in attendance for the ‘Paul vs. Woodley 2’ card due to the fact his teammate, Chris Avila was fighting on the undercard. To no surprise, after Paul knocked out Woodley he called out the Stockton native and now, Diaz took to Instagram to send a message to him and his brother, Logan. As seen below, Nate claims the Paul’s hired security to keep him away from them.
Jorge Masvidal says he's off the injured list but 'these little b*****s don’t want to sign the contract', Belal Muhammad responds
Cole Shelton - December 23, 2021
Jorge Masvidal says he is now healthy and looking to fight again soon. Masvidal was slated to fight Leon Edwards earlier this month at UFC 269, but an injury forced “Gamebred” out of the contest. Now finally back to full health, Jorge Masvidal is looking to return to the Octagon, but unfortunately, no fighters are signing the contract.
UFC veteran Michel Prazeres retires after receiving 4-year suspension from USADA
Susan Cox - December 23, 2021
UFC welterweight veteran Michel Prazeres has been handed a four-year suspension from the USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) following a second violation of the UFC’s anti-doping policy. On Thursday USADA officials announced: