MMA News
Chael Sonnen claims the UFC is targeting a Nick Diaz vs Kevin Holland matchup for 2022
Harry Kettle - December 2, 2021
Chael Sonnen has claimed that the UFC wants to book Nick Diaz vs Kevin Holland at welterweight next year. It’s been an interesting year for both Nick Diaz and Kevin Holland with regards to their mixed martial arts careers, but it hasn’t necessarily been all too successful for either of them. Holland went from 5-0 in 2020 to 0-2 with one no contest to his name in 2021, cementing a fairly dramatic fall from grace. Diaz, on the other hand, made his long-awaited return to action after six years away in an entertaining defeat to Robbie Lawler.
Alexander Volkanovski on Dan Hooker back at featherweight: 'If we have to meet, we have to meet'
Drake Riggs - December 1, 2021
Dan Hooker may be returning to his old division of 145-pounds where his teammate, Alexander Volkanovski, reigns supreme as champion. This wouldn’t be the first time Hooker fights at featherweight if it does happen. Entering the UFC in June 2014, Hooker returned to the class after a lightweight stint and went 3-3 before moving back up in 2017.
Jon Jones unloads on former coach Mike Winklejohn: “We literally had a convicted rapist training on the team for years”
Christopher Taylor - December 1, 2021
Jon Jones took to social media this evening where he absolutely unloaded on his former coach Mike Winklejohn. The former UFC light heavyweight kingpin, Jones (26-1 MMA), was suspended by his longtime gym of JacksonWink MMA in the wake of his recent domestic violence case.
Dana White reveals he and his family have tested positive for COVID-19
Drake Riggs - December 1, 2021
UFC President Dana White has been openly against succumbing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately for White, he and his family are now dealing with the virus directly after a recent visit up north.
Former UFC flyweight champ Nicco Montano hospitalized following attack
Susan Cox - December 1, 2021
Former UFC women’s flyweight champion Nicco Montano has been hospitalized after being attacked. Montano (4-3 MMA), was released by the UFC back in August after she missed weight for her scheduled fight with Wu Yanan on July 31.
New Thrill and The Agony video shows what Colby Covington said to Kamaru Usman after UFC 268
Susan Cox - December 1, 2021
Colby Covington dropped his notorious shtick for a few brief seconds following his rematch with Kamaru Usman at UFC 268. Covington (16-3 MMA) and Usman (20-1 MMA) collided for a second time at last months event in New York City with the promotions undisputed welterweight title once again on the line.
Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker 2 reportedly in jeopardy for UFC 271: "They're panicking"
Susan Cox - December 1, 2021
A highly anticipated rematch between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker is apparently in jeopardy for UFC 271. Adesanya (21-1 MMA) and Whittaker (23-5 MMA) had originally squared off for the promotions undisputed middleweight title in October of 2019, with ‘Stylebender’ emerging victorious by way of a second round knockout.
Sean O'Malley on 'Munhoz vs Cruz' being part of the UFC 269 prelims: "It just goes to show I'm the unranked champ."
Susan Cox - December 1, 2021
Sean O’Malley believes that Pedro Munhoz vs Dominick Cruz being on the UFC 269 prelims just goes to show that he’s the unranked champ. O’Malley (14-1 MMA), is scheduled to return to the Octagon at next Saturday’s pay-per-view event for a bantamweight bout with Raulian Paiva (21-3 MMA).
Anthony Smith explains why “it would suck” to see Aleksandar Rakic rewarded with a fight against Jan Blachowicz
Harry Kettle - December 1, 2021
Anthony Smith has explained why he’d be upset to see Aleksandar Rakic get a fight against former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. Last year, Aleksandar Rakic defeated Anthony Smith via unanimous decision to edge one step closer towards a shot at the light heavyweight crown. Since then he’s also beaten Thiago Santos whereas Smith has gone on a strong run of finishing Devin Clark, Jimmy Crute and Ryan Spann to vault back into title contention.
Prosecutors provided additional time to file criminal complaint against UFC star Jon Jones
Harry Kettle - December 1, 2021
Earlier this week, prosecutors were given additional time to file a criminal complaint against UFC fighter Jon Jones. Back in September, in the hours following his induction into the UFC Hall of Fame, Jones was arrested after his fiancée spoke to the police and said that Jon had been “a little bit” physical with her in their hotel room. She reportedly had blood around her lips and chin with Jones being put under arrest for misdemeanor domestic violence charges – before later becoming agitated and headbutting a police car.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why he told Justin Gaethje to 'shut up' about a UFC title shot
Harry Kettle - December 1, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has explained his recent outburst towards Justin Gaethje on social media. While the pair have known each other for many years, they were forced to put their friendship aside last year when they battled it out over the UFC lightweight championship at UFC 254. Khabib won the fight via submission before retiring from mixed martial arts in his post-fight interview.
Photo | Julian Lane gets huge 'Let Me Bang' tattoo to commemorate infamous TUF moment
Drake Riggs - November 30, 2021
The Ultimate Fighter season 16 and 25 contestant Julian Lane has taken his gimmick to the next level. Forever solidified in infamy, the 12-9-1 “Nitrane” Lane is commonly known for a viral moment that happened on his first season of The Ultimate Fighter. Already eliminated from the tournament, Lane got comfortably boozed up and felt the urge to let fists fly – whether into flesh or drywall.
Kevin Lee released by UFC officials, Eagle FC ready to provide a new home
Christopher Taylor - November 30, 2021
Kevin Lee has been released by the UFC following a seven-year run with the world’s leading mixed martial arts organization. The former UFC interim lightweight title challenger, Lee (18-7 MMA), was let go after suffering setbacks in four of his past five Octagon appearances.
Jose Aldo open to fighting TJ Dillashaw next: "It's a great fight for both of us"
Adam D Martin - November 30, 2021
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is open to fighting TJ Dillashaw next, saying that “it’s a great fight for both of us.” Aldo takes on Rob Font this Saturday in the main event of UFC Vegas 44. The fight could potentially earn the winner a title shot at the UFC bantamweight belt sometime in 2022, but the timing might be an issue. The problem is, UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is currently injured, and when he does come back, he needs to unify his belt against interim champ Petr Yan first. In the meantime, former champion TJ Dillashaw is also out there and also hoping to get a title shot sometime in 2022. It is a complicated situation right now, but Aldo isn’t sweating it as he is open to taking another fight.
Jan Blachowicz open to fighting Aleksandar Rakic next
Adam D Martin - November 30, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz says that he is open to fighting Aleksandar Rakic in his next fight inside the Octagon. Blachowicz lost his belt last month at UFC 267 when he was submitted in the first round by Glover Teixeira in what was a big upset. It was a disappointing loss for Blachowicz, who was coming off of a huge win over Israel Adesanya in his last fight. But he is already looking to get back into the cage and get back on track. Although losing that fight to Teixeira was one of the low points of Blachowicz’s UFC career, he often bounces back well from losses, and the Pole is confident that he can make it back to the top of the mountain.
Kayla Harrison on a potential Amanda Nunes fight: "It's just business"
Adam D Martin - November 30, 2021
PFL women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison spoke on a potential Amanda Nunes fight, suggesting that “it’s just business.” Harrison is currently a free agent and she has spoken to several MMA promotions including the UFC, Bellator, and PFL about fighting there in 2022. If Harrison ends up in the UFC, she would likely be next to fight the UFC women’s featherweight champion Nunes, who is her teammate at American Top Team. Despite being teammates, though, this is the fight game, and as Harrison told MMAjunkie.com in a recent interview, “it’s just business.”
Khamzat Chimaev calls out Colby Covington: "Call the cops I'm coming for you"
Adam D Martin - November 30, 2021
Rising UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev called out top-raked Colby Covington, saying to “call the cops I’m coming for you.” Chimaev took to his social media early on Tuesday morning to go after Covington and make several tweets about him calling him out. Check out what Chimaev wrote on his Twitter.
Beneil Dariush breaks down upcoming UFC fight with Islam Makhachev
Adam D Martin - November 30, 2021
Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush broke down his upcoming UFC fight with divisional rival Islam Makhachev. Dariush vs. Makhachev was recently announced to be the headliner of the UFC Fight Night card that is set to take place on February 26. By all accounts, this will be a No. 1 contender fight at 155lbs, with the winner getting a title shot later in 2022 after Justin Gaethje gets his. On paper, this fight between Dariush and Makhachev looks like it has the chance to be a lot of fun, especially if it goes to the ground where both men are among the best.