MMA News
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.
Cris Cyborg accuses Daniel Cormier of being "paid to shill" for UFC
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
Bellator featherweight champion Cris Cyborg believes retired two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is a “shill” for the Las Vegas-based promotion. Speaking on a recent episode of ESPN’s DC and Helwani show, Cormier divulged that he was paid a $1M bonus after his 2015 decision loss to Jon Jones. He also revealed that he received a $400,000 bonus after he defeated Anthony “Rumble” Johnson in 2015.
Opening betting odds released for Brock Lesnar vs. Jon Jones, Fedor Emelianenko
Adam Martin - September 1, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for potential heavyweight matchups between Brock Lesnar versus Jon Jones and Fedor Emelianenko. Reports surfaced on Monday that Lesnar is currently a free agent after his contract with WWE expired. Rumors have already popped up that Lesnar could make a return to MMA, where he starred as the UFC heavyweight champion from 2008 to 2010. If Lesnar does return to MMA, he could potentially fight again in the UFC or possibly in Bellator, whose president Scott Coker has already admitted he’s interested in bringing Lesnar aboard.
Joe Rogan praises Aleksandar Rakic, Neil Magny after UFC Vegas 8 wins
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
Eddie Alvarez has no interest in Michael Chandler trilogy
Andrew Whitelaw - September 1, 2020
Eddie Alvarez has shot down talk of a trilogy against former Bellator rival Michael Chandler. The pair first met in 2011 in a bout that is now considered a classic.
Daniel Cormier concedes Stipe Miocic deserved judges' decision in trilogy fight
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
Daniel Cormier believes Stipe Miocic deserved the judges’ decision in their UFC 252 trilogy fight for the promotion’s heavyweight championship. On the latest episode of DC and Helwani on ESPN, Cormier opened up on his loss to Miocic—the final fight of his career—for the first time.
UFC's Joe Rogan brought to tears by death of Chadwick Boseman
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan is one of countless people to be rocked by the tragic death of actor Chadwick Boseman, who is best known for the starring role in the film Black Panther. Boseman, who was only 43 years old, died last week after a private battle with colon cancer, sending a shockwave through the entertainment world.
Nicco Montano dealing with "hardships" after latest fight cancelation
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
Former UFC flyweight champion Nicco Montano is dealing with some hardships after being forced out of her fight with Julia Avila with COVID-19. Montano was expected to fight Avila on September 5, but had to withdraw from the matchup when she tested positive for COVID-19. Unfortunately, this is far from the first fight she’s been forced to withdraw from of late, and the stresses of going so long without a payday are starting to pile up.
Jeff Monson wants Gordon Ryan superfight
Andrew Whitelaw - August 31, 2020
Jeff Monson would like a grappling super fight against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu superstar, Gordon Ryan. Monson is one of the most highly-decorated grapplers in MMA.
Daniel Cormier explains why he is retiring from MMA: "You can't fight father time"
Adam Martin - August 31, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier explained why he’s retiring from MMA, saying “you can’t fight father time.” Cormier lost a unanimous decision to Stipe Miocic in their trilogy fight at UFC 252, and all signs were pointing to him retiring after the fight. The 41-year-old Cormier left the door slightly open at the time when he said that he would potentially still compete in a title fight, but after a couple of weeks of thinking it over, Cormier has decided he is done with MMA.