MMA News
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.
Marlon Vera reacts after knocking out Frankie Edgar at UFC 268: "This is a dream come true"
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera reacted after knocking out MMA legend Frankie Edgar at UFC 268, saying “this is a dream come true.” Vera knocked out Edgar with a front kick late in the third round of their UFC 268 main card bantamweight fight. It was a phenomenal victory by Vera, who is now poised to enter the top-10 rankings in the stacked UFC 135lbs weight class. For Vera, this knockout over Edgar represents by far the biggest win of his career on paper, and he did it in style, too, winning a $50,000 bonus for “Performance of the Night” for his incredible knockout.
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.
Weili Zhang issues statement following split decision loss to Rose Namajunas at UFC 268
Adam D Martin - November 7, 2021
Weili Zhang issued a statement following her split decision loss to UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas at UFC 268. Zhang fought as hard as she could over the course of 25 minutes, but ultimately it was Namajunas who edged out a narrow split decision on the judges’ scorecards. For Zhang, it is her second straight defeat to Namajunas after losing via head kick KO earlier this year at UFC 261. This second fight was much closer, and some fans even thought that Zhang deserved to win, but ultimately it was Namajunas who edged out the split decision win.
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.
Dana White shares his thoughts on Usman vs Covington 2: "If Kamaru Usman doesn’t exist, Colby Covington is the Welterweight Champion"
Christopher Taylor - November 7, 2021
Dana White shared his thoughts on Saturday’s Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington rematch during tonight’s UFC 268 post-fight presser. Usman (20-1 MMA) and Covington (16-3 MMA) collided for a second time this evening at MSG. The pair had originally squared off back at UFC 245 in December of 2019, with the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ emerging victorious via a thrilling fifth round TKO.
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.
Jon Jones reacts after Kamaru Usman defeats Colby Covington at UFC 268
Christopher Taylor - November 6, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones tuned in to watch his former college roommate Colby Covington rematch Kamaru Usman. Usman (20-1 MMA) and Covington (16-3 MMA) had originally collided back at UFC 245 in December of 2019, with the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ emerging victorious via a thrilling fifth round TKO. Since that first encounter, Kamaru went on to defend his welterweight title on three occasions, stopping Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns in his most recent efforts.
UFC 268 Bonus Report: Gaethje vs. Chandler get FOTN
Chris Taylor - November 6, 2021
The Octagon returned to MSG for tonight’s UFC 268 event, a 14-bout fight card headlined by a rematch between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington. The highly anticipated welterweight title fight rematch proved to be another thrilling war. Kamaru Usman was able to get off to a strong start in the fight and wound up dropping Colby Covington on two occasions in the second round. However, ‘Chaos’ stormed back in rounds three and four, leaving many to believe the fight was 2-2 after twenty minutes. The final five minutes resulted in another competitive round and following the final buzzer Usman and Covington couldn’t help but show each other some respect.
Pros react after Kamaru Usman defeats Colby Covington at UFC 268
Chris Taylor - November 6, 2021
Tonight’s UFC 268 event was headlined by a welterweight title fight rematch featuring Kamaru Usman taking on Colby Covington. Usman (20-1 MMA) and Covington (16-3 MMA) had originally collided back at UFC 245 in December of 2019, with the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ emerging victorious via a thrilling fifth round TKO.
Pros react after Rose Namajunas defeats Zhang Weili at UFC 268
Chris Taylor - November 6, 2021
Tonight’s UFC 268 event was co-headlined by a women’s strawweight title fight rematch between Rose Namajunas and Weili Zhang. Namajunas (11-4 MMA) and Zhang (21-2 MMA) had originally clashed back at April’s UFC 261 event, with ‘Thug’ emerging victorious by way of knockout.
UFC 268 Results: Rose Namajunas defeats Zhang Weili (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - November 6, 2021
Tonight’s UFC 268 event is co-headlined by a women’s strawweight title fight rematch between Rose Namajunas and Weili Zhang. Namajunas (10-4 MMA) and Zhang (21-2 MMA) initially squared off back at April’s UFC 261 event, with ‘Thug’ emerging victorious by way of knockout.