MMA News
Urijah Faber explains why he would like to fight Pedro Munhoz
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2020
Urijah Faber is interested in continuing his legendary MMA career and has a name in mind. The UFC Hall of Famer came out of retirement last summer where he scored a first-round TKO win over Ricky Simon. He then fought again at UFC 245 where he suffered a KO loss to Petr Yan.
Deiveson Figueiredo confident he will make weight, promises to KO Joseph Benavidez again
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2020
Deiveson Figueiredo is confident he will beat Joseph Benavidez again and make weight in the process. In the main event of UFC Fight Island 2, Figueiredo and Benavidez are running it back for the vacant flyweight title. The two fought back at UFC Norfolk where it was the Brazilian in Figueiredo who won by second-round knockout. Yet, he missed weight leaving the title to still be vacant.
Jack Hermansson asked for Kelvin Gastelum fight, eyes future matchups with Till and Adesanya
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2020
When Jack Hermansson lost his fight against Chris Weidman due to COVID-19, he was distraught. Yet, that ended quickly when the UFC offered him a scrap against Kelvin Gastelum. Even before the Weidman fight was booked, Hermansson and Gastelum were calling each other out on Twitter. After that, they went to the UFC to make the fight which is what happened as the two will be the co-main event on July 18.
Bellator planning comeback events with Cris Cyborg and Ryan Bader title fights
Adam Martin - July 16, 2020
Bellator is planning on returning to action this fall with four events over the next two months including title fights featuring Cris Cyborg and Ryan Bader. Bellator officially announced this week it will be returning on July 24 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and according to British MMA journalist Gareth Davies, the promotion will in fact hold four events at the Mohegan Sun from July to September. Davies spoke to the organization’s president Scott Coker, who confirmed to him that Bellator is planning to hold four events for its comeback, with fights featuring Cyborg and Bader.
Rose Namajunas previews Weili Zhang matchup: "She’s a master; I’m a master"
Tom Taylor - July 16, 2020
Former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas believes she’s the next woman in line for the reigning champion Weili Zhang. Whenever the matchup happens, she expects it to be a beautiful display of martial arts. Namajunas discussed this compelling strawweight matchup in a recent interview with MMA Junkie. She says she believes that’s what’s next for her, but concedes that it’s far from official just yet.
Tyron Woodley responds to "hemorrhoid" Colby Covington's signed bout agreement
Tom Taylor - July 16, 2020
Tyron Woodley has issued a response after Colby Covington claimed the former champ ducked him, and provided a signed bout agreement as proof. Covington made this claim about Woodley on Instagram on Wednesday.
Miesha Tate on controversial Yan vs. Aldo stoppage: “I’d have that man ref my fight any day of the week”
Harry Kettle - July 16, 2020
Former MMA fighter Miesha Tate has given her thoughts on the controversial stoppage in the Bantamweight Championship fight between Petr Yan and Jose Aldo at UFC 251. While the majority of fans can admit that Aldo put up a valiant effort against Yan in their title showdown last weekend, everyone could see that the Russian was on the verge of victory in the final round. After Aldo took a plethora of unprotected shots to the head during some ground and pound, many wondered why the fight wasn’t stopped earlier by referee Leon Roberts.
Kenny Florian: Judges 'got it wrong' with Alex Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway 2
Fernando Quiles - July 16, 2020
Add Kenny Florian to the long list of individuals who believe Max Holloway should’ve been given the nod in his rematch with Alex Volkanovski. Holloway looked to avenge his Dec. 2019 UFC featherweight title loss to Volkanovski. “Blessed” and “The Great” collided a second time in the co-main event of UFC 251 on July 11. After five rounds of action, Holloway fell short via split decision. It was a controversial decision that even UFC president Dana White didn’t agree with.
Leon Edwards says he would "smoke" Jorge Masvidal in potential grudge match
Adam Martin - July 16, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards says his beef with Jorge Masvidal is real and that he would “smoke” his rival if they fight inside the Octagon. The rivalry between Edwards and Masvidal dates back to March 2019, the night Edwards defeated Gunnar Nelson and Masvidal knocked out Darren Till in London. Following the event, the two engaged in a back-stage brawl that saw Edwards wind up with a cut on his face. The two fighters have never seen eye-to-eye ever since, though they haven’t had a chance just yet to settle their beef with each other inside the cage.
Alexander Gustafsson and Fabricio Werdum have different recollections of past sparring session
Tom Taylor - July 16, 2020
Alexander Gustafsson and Fabricio Werdum, who will meet in a heavyweight fight on July 25, have differing recollections of their past sparring session. Gustafsson and Werdum only trained together briefly, many years ago at Mark Munoz’s gym.
Calvin Kattar sends message to Alexander Volkanovski
Tom Taylor - July 16, 2020
Streaking featherweight contender Calvin Kattar has a message for UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Last night, in the main event of UFC on ESPN 13, Kattar picked up an impressive decision win over fellow contender Dan Ige. With the win, he built on the momentum of a thrilling knockout defeat of Jeremy Stephens, and further separated himself from a decision loss to red-hot contender Zabit Magomedsharipov.
Dana White boasts UFC has "never been bigger" despite pandemic
Tom Taylor - July 16, 2020
UFC President Dana White claims the UFC has never been bigger, despite the numerous challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. White says the recent UFC 251 card, which went down as the most successful pay-per-view since UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor in 2018, was a key indicator of the UFC’s success.
Mike Tyson will fight a great white shark during Shark Week
Tom Taylor - July 16, 2020
Yes, you read that headline correctly. On Wednesday, Discovery announced that its popular Shark Week programming will be headlined by a battle between boxing legend Mike Tyson and a great white shark. Who you got in @MikeTyson vs. Jaws?
Colby Covington shares signed bout agreement, claims Tyron Woodley pulled out again
Natasha Hooper - July 16, 2020
Colby Covington claims that Tyron Woodley has pulled out of a potential fight, and he has the paperwork to prove it. The eagerly anticipated matchup between the former teammates was expected to take place at a UFC event on August 22, but according to “Chaos” the bout will no longer happen.
Pros react to Calvin Kattar defeating Dan Ige at UFC Fight Island
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2020
Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige were making a quick turnaround in hopes of becoming a top-five featherweight in the main event of UFC Fight Island. Kattar (21-4) was riding high after a very impressive knockout win over Jeremy Stephens at UFC 249. He is currently 5-2 inside the Octagon with notable wins over Shane Burgos, Andre Fili, and Ricardo Lamas. His lone UFC losses came to Renato Moicano and Zabit Magomedsharipov, where many thought if the fight was five rounds, Kattar would’ve won.
UFC Fight Island Results: Calvin Kattar defeats Dan Ige (Highlights)
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2020
A pivotal featherweight bout between Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige headlined a rare Wednesday night UFC event on Fight Island. Kattar (21-4) is looking to extend his winning streak to two following his very impressive knockout win over Jeremy Stephens at UFC 249. He is currently 5-2 inside the Octagon with notable wins over Shane Burgos, Andre Fili, and Ricardo Lamas.
It wasn’t pretty, but Kamaru Usman proved he’s the best welterweight since Georges St-Pierre
Jordy McElroy - July 15, 2020
Not even Fight Island can compare to the sort of isolated distance UFC champion Kamaru Usman is putting between himself and the rest of the welterweight division. He didn’t leave UFC 251 as the people’s champ, but through his lopsided win over Jorge Masvidal, the reigning welterweight king did manage to prove, unequivocally, that he’s the best the division has seen since Georges St-Pierre. There’s no denying the boo birds would have been in full force if the UFC allowed fans to attend its sundered tropical island event, which looked like a crossbreed of “Mortal Kombat” and David Fincher’s “Fight Club.” The Twitter birds have already been chirping unrelentingly with complaints.
Dana White has a backup plan if Nevada enters lockdown
Tom Taylor - July 15, 2020
The UFC has been able to promote multiple events in Las Vegas since the coronavirus pandemic took hold, but the organization’s president Dana White recognizes that future events in the state of Nevada can’t be guaranteed. As COVID-19 cases spike in many states, there’s widespread concern that a second wave of lockdowns might be necessary. If such a lockdown were to occur in Nevada, even audience-free events at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas could become impossible.