MMA News
Dan Hooker offers to go five rounds with Islam Makhachev at UFC 267
Harry Kettle - October 22, 2021
Dan Hooker has sensationally offered to take his fight against Islam Makhachev up to five rounds at UFC 267. MMA fans were quick to praise Dan Hooker when, on short notice, he decided to take on the challenge of facing Islam Makhachev at UFC 267. It’s a risky move for “Hangman” but in many ways, it’s a win-win. If he gets his hand raised then he’s one step closer to the belt and if he loses, that’s what was expected to happen anyway.
Paulo Costa vs. Marvin Vettori now bumped up to light heavyweight bout
Drake Riggs - October 21, 2021
It’s been a wild ride for Paulo Costa since his loss to Israel Adesanya in September 2020. Midway through UFC Vegas 41 fight week, the 30-year old Brazilian made it clear that he wasn’t going to make the 185-pound middleweight limit for Saturday’s main event opposite Marvin Vettori. Thus leading to the bout’s move to a 195-pound catchweight.
Sean O'Connell doesn't see other promotions paying Kayla Harrison what PFL does
Drake Riggs - October 21, 2021
Sean O’Connell has firsthand experience when it comes to how much the PFL can offer – as does the current active dominator, Kayla Harrison. O’Connell (21-10), a former UFC light heavyweight, joined the promotion for their first season in 2018 and won his way to the million-dollar prize – leading to his retirement where he now acts as play-by-play commentary.
Jon Jones: "Even on my worst days i'm still winning"
Andrew Whitelaw - October 21, 2021
Jon Jones has never been shy about giving his opinion on social media. The former UFC light heavyweight champion was embroiled in more controversy earlier this month after getting arrested in Las Vegas. Jones was subsequently told he couldn’t train at Jackson Wink MMA. The setbacks have not stopped Jones from getting the work in, and the 34 year old appears to be hitting the weights hard as he continues his journey towards a potential heavyweight fight. But after posting a video of himself doing pulldowns with a full stack on instagram, one commenter called with the handle ‘bsack1’ wrote,
Henry Cejudo dares Conor McGregor to punch Khabib
Andrew Whitelaw - October 21, 2021
Henry Cejudo believes that Conor McGregor should see what happens if he tried to sucker punch someone like Khabib Nurmagomedov. McGregor has been back in the headlines this past week for allegedly punching an Italian DJ on a recent visit to Rome. As yet, UFC president Dana White has not shared his full thoughts on the situation. When asked about it during the Contender Series press conference, White said “I honestly don’t know enough about it to comment on it.”
Kamaru Usman explains why Leon Edwards didn't get the next title shot: 'You s**t the bed'
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2021
Kamaru Usman shared the reason why Leon Edwards didn’t get the next title shot. After Edwards beat Diaz at UFC 263, he said his next fight would be for the belt. Yet, Usman will instead defend his title against Colby Covington at UFC 268 and Edwards will fight Jorge Masvidal at UFC 269. For Usman, he says Edwards getting rocked in the final minute against Diaz cost him the title shot.
Tony Ferguson calls out Conor McGregor, says they have 'unfinished business'
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2021
Tony Ferguson is looking to fight Conor McGregor his next time out. Ferguson took to social media on Thursday to seemingly call out the Irishman as he says he and McGregor have unfinished business. Of course, this is not the first time “El Cucuy” has called him out as he had campaigned for a fight when the Irishman was the lightweight champ.
Modestas Bukauskas promises he will fight in the UFC again after being released: "I'll be back"
Adam D Martin - October 21, 2021
Light heavyweight fighter Modestas Bukauskas promised that he will fight in the UFC again after being released, saying that “I’ll be back.” Bukauskas was released by the UFC this week after going 1-3 in the promotion through his first four fights with the company. Following his latest loss, a TKO defeat to Khalil Rountree Jr. where he saw his knee get damaged, the UFC decided to cut Bukauskas from its roster. Taking to his social media to react to the news, Bukauskas sent a message to UFC matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard that he will work hard and be back one day.
Petr Yan has no plans to retire by age 30, confirms agent
Adam D Martin - October 21, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan has no plans to retire by age 30, confirmed his agent Sayat Abdrakhmanov. Yan returns to the Octagon next weekend at UFC 267 when he takes on Cory Sandhagen for the interim UFC bantamweight title. Yan was originally set to fight rival Aljamain Sterling in a rematch, but after Sterling was forced out of the fight due to a neck injury, it was Sandhagen who got the call on short notice. For Yan, it’s a tremendous opportunity to win back the interim 135lbs belt and set himself up for a rematch with Sterling next year.
Dan Hooker believes win over Islam Makhachev at UFC 267 puts him one win away from lightweight title shot
Adam D Martin - October 21, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker believes a win over Islam Makhachev at UFC 267 will put him one win away from a lightweight title shot. Hooker took the fight against Makhachev on short notice after former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos was forced to withdraw due to an injury. It’s a risky fight for Hooker, who will have to go to Abu Dhabi and fight one of the best lightweights in the world with less notice than ideal. But for Hooker, it’s a risk that is well worth the reward, because he knows that if he beats Makhachev, he would inch one step closer to the title shot at 155.
Brent Primus 'happy' with win over Benson Henderson, confident he'll win the 'belt back' in his next fight
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2021
Brent Primus knows his next fight will be for the Bellator’s lightweight title. Primus picked up a massive win last Saturday at Bellator 267 as he beat Benson Henderson by decision. In the fight, Primus was close to finishing it a couple of times, and despite not finishing the fight, he’s pleased with his performance.
Ike Villanueva confident he will KO Nick Negumereanu to prove he's 'no stepping stone'
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2021
Ike Villanueva wanted to fight again this year and he gets his wish as he will face Nick Negumereanu at UFC Vegas 41 on Saturday. Villanueva is coming off a TKO loss to Marcin Prachnio back in June. He will now face Negumereanu who picked up his first UFC win last time out. For Villanueva, he’s eager to get back in there and show off his improvements.
Conor McGregor "is dangerous" and "needs to be stopped," says Italian DJ Francesco Facchinetti
Adam D Martin - October 21, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor “is dangerous” and “needs to be stopped,” says Italian DJ Francesco Facchinetti following their recent incident. McGregor allegedly attacked Facchinetti during a party in Rome, Italy over the weekend. According to Facchinetti, he was having a good time at the party with McGregor when the Irishman attacked him out of nowhere, breaking his nose. Facchinetti says that McGregor decided to attack him when he and his group of friends told him they wanted to leave.
Jessica-Rose Clark blasts Dominick Cruz following Hans Molenkamp callout: "I nearly lost my job"
Adam D Martin - October 21, 2021
UFC women’s bantamweight Jessica-Rose Clark blasted Dominick Cruz following his Hans Molenkamp callout, saying that “I nearly lost my job.” Following his win over Casey Kenney at UFC 259 earlier this year, Cruz called out Monster Energy’s Molenkamp for a charity fight. According to Cruz, Molenkamp was not doing the best job that he could for his fighters and so Cruz challenged him to a fight. That charity match never happened, and it feels like the Cruz vs. Molenkamp feud has softened now. However, it appears that other Monster fighters are not happy with the way that Cruz spoke about Molenkamp, which put their own sponsorship with the energy drink at risk.
Modestas Bukauskas receives UFC walking papers just weeks after suffering severe knee injury
Harry Kettle - October 21, 2021
Former Cage Warriors champion Modestas Bukauskas has been released by the promotion, just weeks after suffering a nasty knee injury. Bukauskas came into the UFC with a great deal of momentum and an 11-2 record but within the span of just one year, that’s dropped to 11-5 after defeats to Jimmy Crute, Michał Oleksiejczuk and Khalil Rountree Jr.
UFC officials confirm Paulo Costa vs Marvin Vettori will go down as a catchweight contest
Harry Kettle - October 21, 2021
UFC has confirmed plans for Paulo Costa vs Marvin Vettori to go ahead at a catchweight instead of middleweight. For the last few months we’ve seen fans foaming at the mouth over the prospect of seeing Paulo Costa clash with Marvin Vettori. Then, yesterday, a spanner was thrown into the works when Costa admitted he wouldn’t be able to make the middleweight limit and would be requesting a catchweight.
VIDEO | 4-foot-11 Kyra Batara shocks Chael Sonnen with takedown
Drake Riggs - October 20, 2021
Kyra Batara may be small in stature, but she isn’t afraid of the “American Gangster” Chael Sonnen. Standing tall at just 4-foot-11, “Mogwai” recently recalled the time she ran into former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight challenger Chael Sonnen – only to try and take down the great wrestler himself.
Paulo Costa reveals he won't make middleweight, says if fight doesn't happen it's because Marvin Vettori 'don’t want to fight me'
Cole Shelton - October 20, 2021
Paulo Costa has made it known he won’t be making weight for his UFC Vegas 41 middleweight main event. At media day on Thursday, Marvin Vettori revealed the Brazilian came into fight week heavy and has been asking to change the weight. When Costa had his turn at media day, he confirmed it and said his manager has been in contact with Ali Abdelaziz to try and make it a catchweight.