MMA News

Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020

You can count long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan among those riding the Arman Tsarukyan hype train. Tsarukyan, who is now 15-2 as a pro mixed martial artist, came up short in his UFC debut, losing a decision to Khabib Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev. Since then, however, the Russia-based Armenian has rebounded with a pair of impressive decision wins over Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Davi Ramos, the latter of which occured at UFC on ESPN+ 30 last Saturday night in Abu Dhabi.

Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020

Darren Till and Mike Perry have had an interesting relationship over the course of their time in the UFC. Initially, the pair were rivals in the welterweight division, and were seemingly destined to clash in the Octagon. Then, they seemed to form something of a friendship, and even partook in a sparring session together. More recently, however, their relationship has regressed, and Perry is now chomping at the bit for the chance to fight Till—despite the fact that the Brit has moved up to the middleweight division.

Harry Kettle - July 20, 2020

According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, bantamweight contender Cody Garbrandt may be interested in dropping down to flyweight in order to challenge Deiveson Figueiredo for the 125-pound title. “No Love” has been on quite the journey throughout his first five years in the UFC, starting off with a 6-0 run that saw him capture the Bantamweight Championship. From there, however, he lost the belt to TJ Dillashaw in the midst of a three-fight skid before eventually returning to winning ways in stunning fashion against Raphael Assuncao last month.

Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020

Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje, says the pair will fight by the end of the year. Nurmagomedov, the undisputed UFC lightweight champ has been expected to defend his title against Gaethje, the interim champ, for some time. However, doubt was cast on the bout when Nurmagomedov’s father and trainer Abdulmanap died this summer.

Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020

UFC middleweight contender Jack Hermansson has issued a classy statement after submitting Kelvin Gastelum at UFC on ESPN+30 last weekend. Hermansson battled Gastelum in the card’s co-main event, and with massive implications for the middleweight top-10 on the line.The Swedish-Norwegian ended up picking up one of his biggest wins to date, tapping Gastelum with a heel hook just over a minute into the first round.

Natasha Hooper - July 20, 2020

The former UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo, has backed Mike Perry following his alleged bar fight in Texas, as the pair shrugged off any negativity in a video posted to social media. Perry, a welterweight, allegedly punched an older gentleman in a bar during an outing with his girlfriend earlier this month.

Natasha Hooper - July 20, 2020

Khabib Nurmagomedov is taking some time away from fighting according to UFC President Dana White. It has been an unfortunate year for the undisputed lightweight champion. He was scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson in an eagerly-anticipated matchup at UFC 249 in May earlier this year. However, due to the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent travel restrictions, he was forced to withdraw from the upcoming title defence.

Adam Martin - July 19, 2020

UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes believes he should be next in line to fight new UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan. Fans and media believed that Aljamain Sterling was next in line to fight for the belt after tapping out Cory Sandhagen in the first round at UFC 250. However, UFC president Dana White has not committed to giving Sterling the next title shot again Yan. Every time the media at Fight Island has asked White about Sterling getting the next title shot, he has said he isn’t sure, potentially opening up the next title shot against Yan for someone else.

Adam Martin - July 19, 2020

MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz laid out the path for what it would take for UFC superstar Conor McGregor to get a lightweight title shot. Abdelaziz is the manager of not only UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, but also interim champ Justin Gaethje. The plan was originally set for Nurmagomedov to fight Gaethje at UFC 243 in September, but following the passing of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, that fight is on hold right now. Instead, the UFC plans to have Israel Adesanya take on Paulo Costa in the main event of UFC 243 for the middleweight belt.

Adam Martin - July 19, 2020

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman ripped superstar Conor McGregor for fighting lightweights with double-digit losses at 170lbs. Usman, fresh off of a dominant decision win over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251, spoke to TMZ Sports and was asked about a potential fight with McGregor. According to the champ, he offered McGregor a title shot but never heard back from him. Instead, Usman says McGregor is too busy picking off lightweight at 170lbs so he doesn’t have to cut weight.

Adam Martin - July 19, 2020

UFC welterweight Khamzat Chimaev will soon get the chance to break a modern-day UFC record for the shortest amount of time to get two wins in the Octagon. Chimaev made his UFC debut this past Wednesday when he submitted John Phillips in one of the most dominant UFC debuts we have ever seen. From the opening bell of the first round until the round was over, Chimaev beat down Phillips so badly that one judge even scored the round 10-7 in his favor. In the second round, Chimaev locked up a D’arce choke to defeat Phillips and earn himself a $50,000 bonus for “Performance of the Night.”

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020

Former UFC welterweight champion Pat Miletich lost a split decision to Michael Nunn in a kickboxing bout that took place on Saturday in Davenport, Iowa. Miletich, the first-ever UFC welterweight champion, retired from MMA in 2008 after a knockout win over Thomas Denny, and for the last 12 years, he has stayed in the game primarily as a commentator. But the desire to compete was always still there for Miletich, and he wanted to step into the ring one more time. His long time promoter Monte Cox liked the idea and booked Miletich against Nunn in a straight kickboxing match.

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020

New UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo warned former long-time flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson about making a return to the UFC. Figueiredo won the vacant flyweight belt when he dominated Joseph Benavidez in the main event of UFC Fight Island 2. After knocking Benavidez down three times and then nearly finishing the fight three times with rear-naked chokes, he finally was able to get the RNC late in the first when he choked Benavidez out cold in an incredible title-winning victory.

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020

UFC lightweight Rafael Fiziev reacted to the news that he was one of the lucky winners of a $50,000 bonus award at UFC Fight Island 2. Along with Ariane Lipski and Deiveson Figueiredo, who won $50,000 each for “Performance of the Night,” Fiziev and fellow lightweight Marc Diakiese won bonuses for “Fight of the Night” for their incredible striking battle on the UFC Fight Island 2 main card. Following the event, a video was posted of Fiziev reacting to the incredible news that he won a bonus.

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman appears to be in phenomenal shape ahead of his middleweight return against Omari Akhmedov. Weidman takes on Akhmedov on August 8 at a UFC event that is set for the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Weidman was originally set to take on Jack Hermansson at UFC Oklahoma City in May, but that card fell apart due to the coronavirus pandemic. Weidman instead will now take on Akhmedov in what is essentially a must-win fight this August.

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020

Retired UFC superstar Conor McGregor lit up a massive joint in an Instagram Live video while responding to football star Sergio Ramos. McGregor was responding to a post that Ramos tagged him on via Instagram, and he showed what he’s been up to during his retirement. In the video, McGregor lights up a massive joint while relaxing on a pool chair. Take a look at the video below.

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020

The bonus awards have been handed out for UFC Fight Island 2, and Ariane Lipski won $50,000 for her incredible kneebar submission win over Luana Carolina. The women’s flyweight contender Lipski was one of four fighters who earned the coveted $50,000 bonuses following the event. In addition to Lipski, new UFC men’s flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo won a bonus for his insane first-round stoppage win over Joseph Benavidez. As well, lightweights Rafael Fiziev and Marc Diakiese won $50,000 each for “Fight of the Night” for their incredible striking battle on the main card.

Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020

UFC President Dana White was very impressed by Deiveson Figueiredo’s title-earning victory over Joseph Benavidez this evening. In the main event of UFC Fight Island 2, Figueiredo and Benavidez collided for a second time with the promotions vacant flyweight title on the line.