MMA News
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.
Daniel Cormier has asked UFC to remove him from the USADA testing pool and official rankings, says Dana White
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2020
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Daniel Cormier has asked to be removed from the USADA testing pool & UFC rankings. Cormier’s mixed martial arts career seemingly came to an end at UFC 252 last month as he was beaten by Stipe Miocic in their third and final fight for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
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.
Dana White says he will book Jon Jones vs. Brock Lesnar if both guys are "seriously interested"
Cole Shelton - September 1, 2020
Dana White is interested in making a Jon Jones vs. Brock Lesnar fight. It was recently reported that Lesnar is a free agent after his WWE contract expired and he did not re-sign. Immediately, MMA fans wanted to see Lesnar back in the UFC to fight the likes of Jon Jones or go to Bellator to make the Fedor Emelianenko fight.
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.
Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns set for UFC 256, BMF title fight in the works
Tom Taylor - September 1, 2020
UFC 256 could feature two welterweight title fights. Yes, that’s right two. According to a report from TMZ, undisputed welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is set defend his title against Gilbert Burns on the card, and a BMF title rematch between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz is also in the works for the event. Usman was originally expected to defend his title against Burns in July. Regrettably, Burns, who is riding a huge win over Tyron Woodley, was forced out of the fight when he tested positive for COVID-19. He was then replaced by Masvidal, who Usman defeated by unanimous decision.
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
UFC commentator Joe Rogan was very impressed by the handiwork of Aleksandar Rakic and Neil Magny at last weekend’s UFC Vegas 8 card. Rakic had a starring role in the card, defeating former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith in the main event. Magny, meanwhile, picked up a decision victory over the former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler in the evening’s co-headliner.
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.