MMA News
Jorge Masvidal reacts after receiving callout from Colby Covington following UFC 268
Chris Taylor - November 7, 2021
Jorge Masvidal clearly tuned in to watch his former friend turned bitter enemy Colby Covington rematch Kamaru Usman at UFC 268. Usman (20-1 MMA) and Covington (16-3 MMA) originally collided back at UFC 245 in December of 2019, with the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ emerging victorious by way of a thrilling fifth round TKO.
Henry Cejudo praises Weili Zhang following hard-fought loss at UFC 268
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
Former UFC double champion Henry Cejudo praised Weili Zhang following her hard-fought loss in the main event at UFC 268 on Saturday night. Zhang had been training with Cejudo and the gang at Fight Ready MMA ahead of her UFC women’s strawweight title rematch against Rose Namajunas, which co-headlined UFC 268. One of the reasons Zhang switched her camp for this fight was because of the disastrous result of the first fight with Namajunas at UFC 261 that saw her lose via head kick KO.
Jon Jones says he "definitely won't be going back" to Team Jackson-Wink after recent ban from gym
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones says he “definitely won’t be going back” to Team Jackson-Wink after his recent ban from the gym. Jones was involved in a domestic battery incident in Las Vegas in September, and last month, his former coach Mike Winkeljohn admitted that he kicked Jones out of the gym. The reason Winkeljohn gave Jones the boot from his longtime gym is twofold. One, because Winkeljohn is a husband and father of daughters himself and he felt conflicted continuing to train Jones while the domestic issue is looming over him. And two, Jones’ issues with alcohol. Jones has admitted that he has a problem with alcohol, and Winkeljohn wants him to get the help he needed before coming back to the gym.
Francis Ngannou completely ignores Ciryl Gane backstage at UFC 268 (Video)
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou completely ignored interim champion Ciryl Gane when they encountered each other backstage at UFC 268. Gane won the interim heavyweight title back at UFC 265 in August when he knocked out Derrick Lewis in the third round of the fight. Remember, the UFC had originally booked Ngannou against Lewis in that fight, but the promotion created an interim title after Ngannou was not able to defend his title in August. Instead of Ngannou facing Lewis for the undisputed heavyweight title, it was Gane who went in there and beat Lewis.
Khamzat Chimaev wants December return, takes aim at UFC welterweight top-10
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev says he wants to make a December return, and he is taking aim at the UFC welterweight top-10. Chimaev is one of the hottest fighters in the sport right now after winning his first four UFC fights by stoppage, including a vicious submission win over Li Jingliang at UFC 267. It was the type of quality victory that moved Chimaev into the top-15 rankings in the stacked UFC welterweight division, and now he is hoping that he gets a step up in competition for his next fight. That may or may not include a title shot against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, which is what he wants more than anything, but even if he doesn’t get the title shot against Usman, he figures to get a top-10 opponent.
Sean Strickland takes a shot at Luke Rockhold after teammate Chris Curtis pulls off upset at UFC 268
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland took a shot at rival Luke Rockhold after his teammate Chris Curtis pulled off an upset at UFC 268. Strickland was originally set to take on Rockhold in a high-profile middleweight bout on the UFC 268 pay-per-view card. However, Rockhold was forced to pull out of the fight with an injury, and the UFC decided against booking Strickland against another opponent on the same card. Instead, the promotion had an open slot on the card, and, crazy enough, the open slot was given to Strickland’s teammate Curtis, who took on Phil Hawes. Hawes vs. Curtis was supposed to happen last month in Las Vegas, but Hawes wanted more time to prepare for his opponent. With Strickland/Rockhold off, there was a spot open at UFC 268, and so Strickland decided to make the trip to New York and support Curtis.
Chris Barnett reacts after landing incredible spinning wheel kick KO on Gian Villante at UFC 268
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC heavyweight Chris Barnett reacted after landing an incredible spinning wheel kick KO on Gian Villante at Saturday’s UFC 268 event. Barnett was making his second UFC appearance after losing by submission to Ben Rothwell earlier this year. At 5’9″ and weighing in around the 265lbs heavyweight limit, Barnett is far from the most physically-imposing heavyweight on the UFC roster. But just because someone doesn’t have a six-pack doesn’t mean that they can’t fight. On Saturday night at UFC 268, Barnett picked up the first win of his UFC career when he landed an absolutely astonishing spinning wheel kick KO on Villante. It was an absolutely insane knockout and the fact that Barnett of all people landed the kick was beyond incredible.
Justin Gaethje reacts following Fight of the Night war with Michael Chandler at UFC 268
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje reacted following his Fight of the Night war with Michael Chandler at Saturday’s UFC 268 card. Gaethje and Chandler went to war for 15 minutes in what was the best fight of the night at UFC 268. Both Gaethje and Chandler stool in the center of the Octagon and traded punches and kicks for three full rounds. Incredibly, both men had the toughness and durability to actually make it the distance even despite throwing everything including the kitchen sink at each other’s heads. It was an absolutely phenomenal fight, but at the end of the three rounds, it was Gaethje who got his hand raised by unanimous decision.
Rose Namajunas wants Carla Esparza next following win over Weili Zhang at UFC 268
Adam D Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas wants to fight Carla Esparza next following her big win over Weili Zhang at UFC 268. Namajunas edged out a split decision over Zhang in a razor-thin fight that served as the co-main event of UFC 268. It was another fantastic performance by Namajunas, who overcame a slow start to turn it on late and steal the decision on the judges’ scorecards. Namajunas is now 2-0 over Zhang and it seems unlikely that the UFC will run back an immediate trilogy fight, so it seems likely that Namajunas will get a new opponent next.
Dillon Danis reportedly removed from UFC 268 after being slapped by Ali Abdelaziz
Adam D Martin - November 7, 2021
Bellator fighter Dillon Danis was reportedly removed from Saturday’s UFC 268 event after being slapped by MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz. According to MMAjunkie.com’s John Morgan, Danis and Abdelaziz met backstage at UFC 268, and apparently, Abdelaziz slapped Danis in the face, which was seen by several witnesses. However, even though it was Danis who was the one who was reportedly slapped in the face, it was actually Danis who was the one who was removed from the arena. Abdelaziz also declined to comment on what exactly happened between them.
Colby Covington tells Jorge Masvidal to pull out of his fight with Leon Edwards: “Let’s run in the first quarter of the first part of the year”
Adam D Martin - November 7, 2021
Colby Covington told Jorge Masvidal to pull out of his fight with Leon Edwards: “Let’s run in the first quarter of the first part of (2022).” Covington fought his archrival, Kamaru Usman, in the main event of UFC 268 and came away on the losing end of a unanimous decision at the end of the 25 minutes. Although Covington had his moments in the fight, he wasn’t able to do enough damage to the champ, and he didn’t utilize enough effective wrestling to win the decision. While it was a close fight and Covington proved that he’s an elite welterweight by taking Usman to the brink of defeat, once again it was the champ who pulled off the victory over Covington.
Rose Namajunas discusses the trash talking that was taking place during her rematch with Zhang Weili at UFC 268
Adam D Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC women’s strawweight champ Rose Namajunas discussed the trash-talking that was taking place during her rematch with Zhang Weili at UFC 268. Namajunas and Zhang met in the co-main event of UFC 268 in what was a highly-anticipated rematch between the current 115lbs women’s champ and the former champion. These two previously met back at UFC 261 in April, and it was Namajunas who landed a perfect head kick on Zhang and finished her with strikes. The rematch this time around was a much closer fight as both women had their moments in the bout. But ultimately it was the judges who sided with Namajunas winning the fight unanimously.
Dana White shoots down the idea of Kamaru Usman boxing Canelo Alvarez: “He don't want to fight Canelo”
Adam D Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC president Dana White shot down the idea of Kamaru Usman boxing Canelo Alvarez, saying that “he don’t want to fight Canelo.” Usman had been saying all throughout fight week that, with a win over Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 268, he wants to face the boxing pound-for-pound great Alvarez next. On Saturday night, both Usman and Alvarez competed in their respective sports. Usman defeated Covington via unanimous decision, while Alvarez defeated Caleb Plant via knockout. It’s only natural, then, that Usman will continue to chase this matchup against Alvarez, especially since both fighters just fought and don’t have their next match booked.
Colby Covington reacts following loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC 268: “He’s a cheating coward. I have no respect for that guy”
Adam D Martin - November 7, 2021
Colby Covington reacted following his loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC 268, saying that “he’s a cheating coward. I have no respect for that guy.” Usman and Covington went five hard rounds in the main event of UFC 268. It was an incredible fight between both men as they showed they are the best two welterweights on the planet. However, just like in their first meeting two years ago at UFC 245, it was Usman who once again got his hand raised, this time by unanimous decision. However, Covington doesn’t think it was a legitimate win and complained about Usman after it.
Nate Diaz throws shade at UFC 268’s Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington main event
Adam D Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC welterweight Nate Diaz threw shade at UFC 268’s main event headliners Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington following last night’s PPV card. Diaz was watching Saturday’s UFC 268 card along with the rest of the MMA community. In the main event, it was Usman who defended the UFC welterweight championship with a unanimous decision over Covington. It was a razor-close fight, but Usman did more damage in the early rounds and it ended up giving him the victory at the end of the five rounds. But Diaz used the fight as an opportunity to take a shot at Usman and Covington.
Colby Covington's sister Candace reacts following his loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC 268
Christopher Taylor - November 7, 2021
Colby Covington’s sister Candace was in attendance at Madison Square Garden to watch her brother fight Kamaru Usman for a second time. Covington (16-3 MMA) and Usman (20-1 MMA) had originally collided back at UFC 245 in December of 2019, with the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ emerging victorious via a thrilling fifth round TKO.
Zhang Weili reacts following second straight loss to Rose Namajunas at UFC 268
Christopher Taylor - November 7, 2021
Zhang Weili was hoping to reclaim the strawweight title when she squared off with Rose Namajunas tonight at Madison Square Garden. Zhang (21-2 MMA) and Namajunas (11-4 MMA) had originally clashed back at April’s UFC 261 event, with ‘Thug’ emerging victorious by way of knockout.
Michael Chandler reacts following loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 268
Christopher Taylor - November 6, 2021
Michael Chandler has reacted after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Justin Gaethje at tonight’s UFC 268 event in New York City. Chandler (22-7 MMA) had entered Saturday’s pay-per-view fight card with hopes of rebounding from his recent loss to Charles Oliveira. Prior to that setback, ‘Iron Mike’ was coming off a first round knockout victory over Dan Hooker in his Octagon debut.