MMA News
Dustin Poirier updates on rumored Tony Ferguson fight
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Dustin Poirier has provided an update on his rumored scrap with fellow top-5 UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson. While most fight fans are dying to see this matchup, Poirier says he hasn’t received an offer yet. However, he added that he’s ready to accept the fight when the offer comes, and he believes the UFC is keen to make it happen at UFC 254 in October, which will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between undisputed champ Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champ Justin Gaethje.
Dominick Reyes recounts "running around the streets of New York" with Israel Adesanya
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Dominick Reyes, who will battle Jan Blachowicz for the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 253 this September, has some fond memories with Israel Adesanya. Reyes was asked about Adesanya, who is scheduled to defend the UFC middleweight title against Paulo Costa in the UFC 253 main event, on the latest episode of Submission Radio.
Daniel Cormier sees Jones vs. Miocic fight going one of two ways
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier believes a Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight will end one of two ways. Cormier has fought both Jones and Miocic multiple times before—Jones twice and Miocic on three occasions—and is therefore uniquely positioned to weigh in a potential fight between them. That potential fight suddenly seems quite likely, after Jones vacated the UFC light heavyweight title with ambitions to steal the heavyweight strap from Miocic.
Opening betting odds released for Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2
Adam Martin - September 2, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for the rematch between welterweight contenders Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. UFC president Dana White revealed this week to TMZ that he is working on a rematch between Masvidal and Diaz to headline a pay-per-view card in January. The two fan favorites met last year at UFC 244 with the BMF title on the line. Following the third round, the doctor stopped the fight due to cuts on Diaz’s face, handing Masvidal a TKO victory.
Dominick Reyes "grateful" for Jon Jones saga, but admits "it's over"
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Dominick Reyes is grateful for his rivalry with former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, but concedes that their rivalry has reached its conclusion. Reyes challenged Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title in February, and ultimately lost a hotly debated unanimous decision. After this controversial outcome, he was adamant that he deserved a second crack at the champion. In the end, however, Jones vacated the light heavyweight title to move up to the heavyweight division, and Reyes was booked for a fight with Poland’s Jan Blachowicz, which will crown the new light heavyweight champ.
Ben Askren roasts UFC 256 title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2020
Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren isn’t a fan of the UFC 256 title showdown between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. It’s safe to say that “Funky” is one of the most outspoken figures in recent MMA history, and while his time with the Ultimate Fighting Championship didn’t quite go to plan, he still knows how to rile people up on social media.
Vitor Belfort challenges "fraud" Brock Lesnar to "bare hands" showdown
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
ONE Championship star Vitor Belfort is hoping to get his hands on former WWE and UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. Belfort, who spent many years as one of the UFC’s top middleweights, recently made the jump over to ONE Championship. While he was briefly linked to a special-rules fight with Alain Ngalani, that plan hit a snag due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Anthony Smith "not doing well" following loss to Aleksandar Rakic
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith says he’s having a tough time recovering from his recent decision loss to Aleksandar Rakic. Smith and Rakic collided in the main event of UFC Vegas 8 last Saturday, with Rakic ultimately winning a clear-cut unanimous decision. In defeat, Smith fell onto a two-fight skid, having also come up short against Glover Teixeira earlier this year.
Video | Post-op Ben Askren takes aim at Sean O’Malley: “Toughen up a little bit, son”
Natasha Hooper - September 2, 2020
As soon as he exited the operating theatre, Ben Askren took aim at Sean O’Malley, encouraging him to “toughen up a little bit.” Askren has long been suffering from a hip injury which ultimately impacted his fights against Demian Maia, Jorge Masvidal, and his decision to retire in November 2019. His affliction is the collateral damage of his accomplished wrestling and MMA career which saw him climb through the ranks of Bellator and ONE Championship and perform in the Olympics.
Dana White says Jon Jones "can't jump over" Francis Ngannou for the next title shot against Stipe Miocic
Adam Martin - September 1, 2020
UFC president Dana White says Jon Jones “can’t jump over” Francis Ngannou for the next heavyweight title shot against Stipe Miocic. Jones recently vacated the UFC light heavyweight title and announced his move up to heavyweight. “Bones” has been lifting weights in an effort to put on more mass before making the move up a weight class, where he hopes to land an immediate title shot against Miocic. However, the No. 1 contender for Miocic’s belt is Ngannou, who has won his last four fights by knockout, meaning Jones may have to wait a while to get his title shot.
Dana White says Brock Lesnar would be a "good introduction" for Jon Jones at heavyweight
Adam Martin - September 1, 2020
UFC president Dana White says a fight against Brock Lesnar would be a “good introduction” for Jon Jones at heavyweight. Reports surfaced this week that Lesnar, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is a free agent after his contract with the WWE wrapped up. Already Lesnar has been connected to a return to MMA, with Jones calling for a fight against him, as well as Bellator president Scott Coker admitting interest in a money fight against heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko.
From drug dealer, robber to MMA fighter: the incredible story of Walter Pugliesi
Alfredo Zullino - September 1, 2020
Who are mixed martial artists? A group of men and women punching each other for money. But who are they once they get home, or who were they before? They might have been a math teacher, a real estate agent, a model, an office worker. They also might be a drug dealer. That’s the story of Walter Pugliesi.
Video | Tyron Woodley reveals he is training with Jorge Masvidal ahead of Colby Covington fight
Cole Shelton - September 1, 2020
Tyron Woodley has brought in Jorge Masvidal to train with him ahead of his UFC Vegas 11 main event scrap against Colby Covington. Woodley used to train at American Top Team alongside Masvidal and Covington, yet over the past couple of years, he and Covington started to dislike one another. During that same stretch, Masvidal and Covington also had a falling out so “Gamebred” has decided to train with Woodley.
After moving to Team Elevation, Montana De La Rosa looking for "a dominant win" over Viviane Araujo
Cole Shelton - September 1, 2020
Montana De La Rosa made a big career change ahead of her UFC Vegas 9 fight against Viviane Araujo. For the majority of her career, Montana and her husband, Mark, were training in a small gym in Fort Worth, Texas. Yet, ahead of her UFC Vegas 9 fight, Montana decided she needed a change. That change was going to Colorado to train at Team Elevation.
Leon Edwards reacts to Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2: "Two journeymen go at it again"
Cole Shelton - September 1, 2020
Leon Edwards is not a fan of Jorge Masvidal rematching Nate Diaz. Earlier on Tuesday, news came out that Masvidal and Diaz would be having their rematch in December or January with the BMF title on the line. It is obviously a massive fight, but many fans wanted to see Masvidal-Edwards especially after the rivalry they have.
Josh Barnett believes Brock Lesnar is using MMA as leverage to re-sign with the WWE
Adam Martin - September 1, 2020
MMA heavyweight legend Josh Barnett believes that Brock Lesnar is using mixed martial arts as leverage to re-sign with the WWE. Reports emerged this week that Lesnar is now a free agent after his contract with the WWE expired, and he has already been connected to a return to MMA. The former UFC heavyweight champion Lesnar has already been called out by Jon Jones on social media and Bellator president Scott Coker has admitted he is interested in matching up Lesnar against Fedor Emelianenko. But Barnett isn’t having any of the rumors.
Jessica Eye in "sad and lonely place" as she recovers from surgery: "I am in need of help"
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
UFC flyweight contender Jessica Eye has found herself in a tough spot as she recovers from a Staph infection and a recent surgery. Speaking on Twitter on Tuesday, Eye opened up to her followers about her “desperate” situation, and conceded that she’s “begging” for help.
Tony Ferguson offers to help Brock Lesnar train for Jon Jones heavyweight fight
Adam Martin - September 1, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson offered to help Brock Lesnar train for a potential heavyweight fight against Jon Jones. Reports emerged this week that Lesnar is currently a free agent after his contract with the WWE expired, and already there are rumors that Lesnar could make a return to mixed martial arts. He has already been connected to a fight in the UFC against Jon Jones — who says he will beat Lesnar — and a fight in Bellator against the great Fedor Emelianenko. If he does return, then he has a training partner ready and willing in Ferguson.