MMA News
Jose Aldo criticizes Paulo Costa over recent weight miss: "It's a lack of respect"
Adam D Martin - November 11, 2021
Former UFC featherweight champion and current bantamweight contender Jose Aldo criticized Paulo Costa over his recent weight miss. Costa was supposed to fight Marvin Vettori last month in a middleweight bout that headlined UFC Vegas 41, but Costa showed up to fight week heavy. The fight was later turned into a light heavyweight contest, while Vettori won by decision. Although it was an awesome fight, the fact that Costa missed weight put a bit of a damper on his performance. Speaking to MMAFighting.com’s Guilherme Cruz in a recent interview, Aldo panned his fellow Brazilian for showing up to fight Vettori heavy and off weight.
UFC 268 rankings update: Marlon Vera and Nassourdine Imavov make big leap up rankings
Adam D Martin - November 11, 2021
The UFC’s official rankings have been updated following this past Saturday’s UFC 268 card, and Marlon Vera was one of the biggest winners. Vera was one of the stars of the night as he knocked out Frankie Edgar in the third round of their main card bantamweight bout for the biggest win of his MMA career. Not only did Vera get the biggest win of his career and score a $50,000 bonus for “Performance of the Night,” but he also saw himself make a big leap in the UFC rankings. Following his win over Edgar, Vera moved from No. 13 at bantamweight up to No. 11. That might not seem like a huge move, but when you look at how deep and stacked the UFC bantamweight division is, the fact Vera is this close to the top-10 now is actually extremely impressive. As for Edgar, he dropped down all the way to No. 12 in the division with the defeat.
Hector Lombard and Lorenzo Hunt get into shouting match at BKFC 22 presser (Video)
Adam D Martin - November 11, 2021
Former UFC fighter Hector Lombard, who is now a bare-knuckle boxer, and Lorenzo Hunt got into a shouting match at the BKFC 22 presser. Hunt and Lombard are set to square off for Lombard’s BKFC cruiserweight belt this weekend when they meet Friday in the main event of BKFC 22 in Miami, Florida. Ahead of their grudge match, the press conference took place on Wednesday, and things got heated between the two rivals. At one point during the press conference, Hunt interrupted Lombard while he was answering questions from reporters, and then a shouting match ensued between the two rivals. That led to Hunt storming up to the table that Lombard was sitting at, flipping it over, and stealing his BKFC championship belt. You can then see Hunt taking the belt and slamming it on the ground before security moved him away.
Alexander Volkanovski shares prediction for Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez
Adam D Martin - November 11, 2021
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski shared his prediction for Saturday’s main event between Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez. Volkanovski has spent 50 minutes total in the Octagon with Holloway, defeating him two times via decision, so he has a very good feel of how Holloway fights. As for Rodriguez, the champ hasn’t fought him yet, but with Rodriguez being one of the top fighters in the division, Volkanovski is very well aware of who he is, too. So when Volkanovski shared his prediction for this fight, you have to listen and respect his opinion as the 145lbs champ.
Valerie Loureda reflects on first loss: 'She's not better than me'
Drake Riggs - November 10, 2021
Valerie Loureda looks to rebound off her first career defeat this Friday at Bellator 271 in Hollywood, Florida. Previously 3-0 to kick off her MMA career as part of the Bellator flyweight roster, Loureda ran into Hannah Guy this Summer at Bellator 259 in May. As a result, Guy bested “The Master” via split decision.
Nate Diaz trashes Jorge Masvidal for pulling out of UFC 269 fight with Leon Edwards
Christopher Taylor - November 10, 2021
Nate Diaz was not impressed to learn that Jorge Masvidal had pulled out of his upcoming fight with Leon Edwards at UFC 269. Masvidal (35-15 MMA) and Edwards (19-3 MMA) were slated to collide on the main card of next month’s pay-per-view event in Las Vegas. However, earlier this afternoon news broke that ‘Gamebred’ had withdrawn from the contest due to an undisclosed injury.
Justin Gaethje critiques Mike Beltran's refereeing at UFC 268: 'That’s $1 million, if I lose'
Drake Riggs - November 10, 2021
Justin Gaethje walked away from his war with Michael Chandler at UFC 268 with his hand raised. It wasn’t quite smooth sailing for “The Highlight”, however – not only in the form of fist meeting face but regarding officiating as well. A miscommunication in the second round following an eye poke to Gaethje led to referee Mike Beltran having a quick exchange with the former interim lightweight champ as Beltran believed it was a punch.
Carla Esparza responds after Dana White suggests the UFC has another "option" at strawweight
Christopher Taylor - November 10, 2021
Carla Esparza has responded after Dana White suggested that the UFC has another “option” for Rose Namajunas at strawweight. After Namajunas (11-4 MMA) defeated Zhang Weili (21-3 MMA) for a second time in the co-headliner of last Saturday’s UFC 268 event, many assumed that former champ Carla Esparza would be next to challenge ‘Thug Rose’.
Ciryl Gane reacts after receiving the cold shoulder from Francis Ngannou at UFC 268
Christopher Taylor - November 10, 2021
Ciryl Gane has reacted after receiving the cold shoulder from former teammate and fellow heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou at UFC 268. Gane (10-0 MMA) and Ngannou (16-3 MMA) are set to collide in a title unification bout this January at UFC 270, with the winner earning ‘baddest man on the planet’ status.
Colby Covington reacts to Jorge Masvidal pulling out of Leon Edwards fight
Cole Shelton - November 10, 2021
Colby Covington isn’t too surprised Jorge Masvidal pulled out of his fight against Leon Edwards. Masvidal and Edwards were supposed to settle their grudge at UFC 269 on December 11 in a highly-anticipated bout. However, on Wednesday, it was revealed that “Gamebred” is out of the fight with an injury, and to no surprise, Covington has given his thoughts on it.
Leon Edwards blasts 'fraud' Jorge Masvidal for pulling out of their fight, tells Kamaru Usman 'I will see you soon'
Cole Shelton - November 10, 2021
Leon Edwards isn’t too surprised Jorge Masvidal pulled out of their fight at UFC 269. Masvidal and Edwards were supposed to have their grudge match on December 11 in Las Vegas at UFC 269. It was a highly-anticipated fight but on Wednesday, it was revealed “Gamebred” was out of the fight due to an injury and now Edwards says he’s going to wait for the title shot.
Khamzat Chimaev calls out Leon Edwards to replace Jorge Masvidal at UFC 269
Cole Shelton - November 10, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev is looking to replace Jorge Masvidal to fight Leon Edwards at UFC 269. Masvidal and Edwards were supposed to have their grudge match on December 11 in Las Vegas at UFC 269. It was a highly-anticipated fight but on Wednesday, it was revealed “Gamebred” was out of the fight due to an injury, and Chimaev is looking to step in.
Belal Muhammad open to fighting Khamzat Chimaev
Adam D Martin - November 10, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad says he is open to fighting Khamzat Chimaev, who he says has impressed him during his UFC run. Muhammad is currently the No. 9 ranked welterweight in the UFC, and one spot below him at No. 10 is Chimaev, who has taken the UFC by storm through his first four fights in the promotion. Chimaev smashed three foes on Fight Island last year and then, after taking a year off due to health issues stemming from COVID-19, he returned at UFC 267 last month and he smashed Li Jingliang in his return to the sport. It was a phenomenal victory by Chimaev and it got everyone connected to the sport talking about him, including his fellow divisional rivals such as Muhammad, who noticed what Chimaev did.
Chris Curtis already in talks to return in December after TKO win over Phil Hawes at UFC 268
Cole Shelton - November 10, 2021
Chris Curtis is already looking to get back into action. Curtis made his long-awaited UFC debut at UFC 268 as he took on Phil Hawes. Curtis was a sizeable underdog heading into the fight but he pulled off the upset with a first-round TKO.
Nate Diaz slams Conor McGregor after former teammate gets tapped out under the Bellator banner
Adam D Martin - November 10, 2021
UFC welterweight fan-favorite Nate Diaz slammed Conor McGregor after his former teammate got tapped out under the Bellator banner. Former SBG Ireland fighter James Gallagher took on Patchy Mix at this past weekend’s Bellator 271 went in Dublin, Ireland. Diaz was evidently watching the event, and after Gallagher was submitted by Mix with a guillotine choke in the third round of their bantamweight bout, Diaz took to his social media to take a shot at the “McGregors.”
Jose Aldo reveals planned 2016 superfight against Khabib Nurmagomedov that fell apart
Adam D Martin - November 10, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Jose Aldo revealed a planned 2016 superfight against former lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov that fell apart. Aldo spoke to MMAFighting.com in a recent interview and said that in 2016, the UFC came to him and offered a fight against Nurmagomedov. According to Aldo, however, “The Eagle” turned down the fight, and Aldo says he has no idea why he didn’t want it.
Conor McGregor slams the UFC for “garbage” promo highlighting his losses to Dustin Poirier
Adam D Martin - November 10, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor slammed the UFC for a “garbage” promo highlighting his losses to Dustin Poirier ahead of December’s UFC 269. McGregor knocked out Poirier at their first meeting at UFC 178 back in September 2014, but in 2021, he lost twice to his rival. In January at UFC 257, Poirier knocked out McGregor in what was an incredible upset. Then at UFC 264 in July, it was Poirier who once again defeated McGregor to win the trilogy by a score of 2-1. However, the trilogy fight ended with McGregor losing via broken leg. In the months since then, McGregor has made it clear that he does not believe Poirier’s second victory was legitimate. So when the promo video for UFC 269 came out and showed Poirier beating up McGregor, the Irish superstar was not happy about it, and he made sure to let the UFC know just that.
Wife of Frankie Edgar reacts after husband suffers KO loss to Marlon Vera at UFC 268
Adam D Martin - November 10, 2021
The wife of former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar reacted following his brutal KO loss to Marlon Vera at UFC 268. Edgar was knocked out in the third round of his bantamweight fight against Vera on Saturday night at UFC 268. For Edgar, this was his second straight loss by knockout following a flying knee KO to Cory Sandhagen earlier this year. Given that he is now 40 years old and appears to be less durable than he once was, there have been suggestions that Edgar could even opt to hang up his gloves and retire following this latest KO loss to Vera. After all, it was a tough loss for Edgar, and a tough one for his family to witness.