MMA News
Georges St-Pierre explains how training martial arts changed his life
Adam D Martin - September 13, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre, the former welterweight and middleweight champion, explained how training martial arts changed his life. St-Pierre is, of course, considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. But for GSP, it’s not something he was born with, but rather something he learned. Speaking to Burt Watson on the latest “Legend 2 Legend” podcast, St-Pierre explained how finding martial arts changed his life. According to GSP, he was a very shy and unconfident child, but after finding karate, he says he could see he was gaining more a lot more confidence.
Michael Bisping would “love to tee off on Jake Paul” if he can find a commission that will let him fight
Adam D Martin - September 13, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping says he would “love to tee off on Jake Paul” if he can find a commission that will let him fight. Bisping confirmed earlier this year that Team Paul had made contact with him about a potential boxing match, but that never ended up happening. Instead, Paul fought former UFC fighters Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley this year instead, and he beat both of them. The sky is now the limit for Paul in regards to what potential opponent he could face. By beating Askren and Woodley, there is a chance Paul could lure in a bigger-name rival.
Transgender fighter Alana McLaughlin responds to critics after winning pro MMA debut
Harry Kettle - September 13, 2021
Alana McLaughlin has responded to critics after becoming just the second transgender fighter to compete in professional mixed martial arts this past weekend. Following in the footsteps of Fallon Fox, McLaughlin took part in her first pro MMA fight with Combate Global where she secured a second round submission over Celine Provost after a fascinating back and forth bout in the first round.
Preliminary estimate released for Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley pay-per-view buys
Harry Kettle - September 13, 2021
As per Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley boxing event drew an estimated 480,000-500,000 buys. The report indicates that other sources are suggesting the final figure could be slightly lower than that but ultimately, it’s going to be around the half a million range. Some will opt to see this as a decent outcome whereas others are of the belief that given the build it received, Paul vs Woodley probably should’ve done better in the long run.
Conor McGregor, Machine Gun Kelly get into a scuffle on red carpet at VMA's (Video)
Cole Shelton - September 12, 2021
Conor McGregor and rapper, Machine Gun Kelly got into it on the red carpet at the VMA’s on Sunday. A video emerged showing the two getting into a scuffle on the red carpet. According to TMZ, McGregor asked MGK for a photo, which the rapper declined and reportedly shoved the Irishman which caused him to spill his drink. McGregor then threw his drink at Kelly and the two then got into an altercation and they were forced to be separated.
Sean Gannon, UFC veteran who once fought Kimbo Slice, passes away
Adam Martin - September 12, 2021
Sean Gannon, a former Boston police officer and a UFC veteran who once fought Kimbo Slice in a street fight, has passed away. Gannon’s death was first reported on social media as friends and family confirmed the sad news. MMA reporter Marcel Dorff also confirmed that Gannon has passed away. His age is unknown as is the cause of death, which has not been made available to the public yet.
Jim Miller forced to withdraw from UFC Vegas 37 due to COVID-19
Adam Martin - September 12, 2021
Longtime UFC lightweight veteran Jim Miller has been forced to withdraw from next Saturday’s UFC Vegas 37 due to contracting COVID-19. Miller made the announcement on his social media that he is out of next weekend’s lightweight bout against Nikolas Motta. According to reports on social media, Motta already has a short-notice replacement opponent lined up for him in Cameron VanCamp, so it appears he will stay on the card next Saturday, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Miller, unfortunately, wasn’t so lucky as he has been forced to withdraw.
Local promoter Abdul Wasi Sharifi hopes to flee Afghanistan after Taliban outlaws MMA
Adam D Martin - September 12, 2021
Local promoter Abdul Wasi Sharifi of Truly Grand Fighting Championship says he hopes to flee Afghanistan after the Taliban outlawed MMA. The Taliban recently took back control of Afghanistan, and one of their rules is that “face-punching” has been outlawed, meaning no MMA fights are allowed. Sharifi, who heads the Truly Grand FC, recently spoke to MMAFighting.com and explained what issues he and his promotion are facing right now. According to Sharifi, MMA is banned under Taliban rule.
Tito Ortiz issues statement following KO loss to Anderson Silva in boxing
Adam D Martin - September 12, 2021
Former UFC champion Tito Ortiz issued a statement following his KO loss to fellow MMA legend Anderson Silva in their boxing match. Ortiz suffered a first-round KO defeat to Silva during their boxing match which took place on Saturday night for Triller Fight Club. As part of his contract to take the fight with Silva, Ortiz was required to make 195lbs or less, but he missed weight during the weigh-ins, coming in heavy at 200lbs. Unfortunately for Ortiz, that weight miss was a foreshadowing of what was to come the next day for him, as he suffered a brutal KO loss to Silva in what was Ortiz’s pro boxing debut. Following the fight, “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” took to his social media to issue a statement about his latest loss. Check out what he wrote below.
Dana White slammed by Triller promoter Ryan Kavanaugh for UFC's ironclad contracts
Adam D Martin - September 12, 2021
UFC president Dana White was slammed by Triller promoter Ryan Kavanaugh for the UFC’s ironclad contracts that blocked a GSP boxing match. Triller had hoped to book the UFC legend Georges St-Pierre against the boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya in the boxing ring, but White blocked the fight from happening. Even though GSP hasn’t fought for the UFC since 2017 and has made it clear he has no plans on continuing his MMA career, White still blocked him from the boxing match with De La Hoya.
Donald Trump praises "great patriot" Vitor Belfort following TKO win over Evander Holyfield
Adam D Martin - September 12, 2021
Former United States President Donald Trump praised “great patriot” Vitor Belfort following his first-round TKO win over Evander Holyfield. Trump was a special guest at Saturday night’s Triller Fight Club boxing event, providing commentary for the fans and also answering a number of questions. Following the event, which saw Belfort knock out Holyfield in the first round with punches, Trump had nothing but good things to say about the Brazilian-born Belfort. Check out his comments below.
Vitor Belfort wants to “mix the rules” of MMA and boxing following win over Evander Holyfield
Adam D Martin - September 12, 2021
Former UFC champion Vitor Belfort says he wants to “mix the rules” of MMA and boxing following his big win over Evander Holyfield. Belfort finished the boxing legend, Holyfield, with punches in the first round of their pro boxing match at the Triller Fight Club event on Saturday night. Following the event, Belfort was asked what is next for him following the big KO win. As far as Belfort goes, he plans on continuing to box now that he’s gotten the big win over Holyfield in his back pocket. But it’s Belfort’s goal to create a hybrid sport that combines both the aspects of MMA and boxing, primarily in the clinch, where Belfort says he hopes to continue his fighting career.
Tito Ortiz praises Anderson Silva following knockout: “Even Liddell didn't clip me that bad. That was a good punch.”
Adam D Martin - September 12, 2021
Tito Ortiz praised Anderson Silva following his knockout loss, saying that “even Liddell didn’t clip me that bad. That was a good punch.” Ortiz made his professional boxing debut against Silva on Saturday night at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida, and the fight did not go well for the former UFC light heavyweight champion. Ortiz looked slow from the opening bell, and after trying to hurt Silva with punches near the corner of the ring, “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” was clipped right on the chin with a short punch by Silva and then dropped by another.
Evander Holyfield says referee made a bad call in Vitor Belfort stoppage, still wants to fight Mike Tyson
Christopher Taylor - September 11, 2021
Boxing legend Evander Holyfield returned to the squared circle this evening for a heavyweight bout with MMA superstar Vitor Belfort. Holyfield, who is now 58-years-old, had not competed since 2011 where he scored a TKO victory over Brian Nielsen. Although many people, including members of his family, voiced their respective concerns about ‘The Real Deal’ returning to action, Evander remained confident that he would perform well this evening.
Anderson Silva challenges the Paul brothers to fight him and Vitor Belfort
Christopher Taylor - September 11, 2021
Anderson Silva has issued a challenge to the Paul brothers, requesting that Logan and Jake fight him and Vitor Belfort. Silva, a former UFC middleweight champion, improved his professional boxing record to 3-1 this evening after scoring a nasty knockout victory over Tito Ortiz. ‘The Spider’ was able to dodge an early flurry from ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy‘ before stunning Tito with a right hand (see that here). Anderson would then unleash a pair of left hands that put Ortiz down for good.
Vitor Belfort challenges Jake Paul following TKO win over Evander Holyfield: "Stop running from me!"
Christopher Taylor - September 11, 2021
Former UFC champion Vitor Belfort returned to the square circle this evening for a heavyweight bout with boxing legend Evander Holyfield. Belfort (2-0 Boxing) was initially slated to square off with Oscar De La Hoya at tonight’s “Triller: Legends 2” event. However, ‘The Golden Boy’ was forced to withdraw from the contest due to injury. With that, 58-year-old Evander Holyfield stepped in on short-notice to fill the void.
Pros react after Vitor Belfort TKO's Evander Holyfield
Chris Taylor - September 11, 2021
Triller Fight Club returned tonight with ‘Legends 2’, a fight card headlined by boxing heavyweights Evander Holyfield and Vitor Belfort. The event was originally slated to take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. However, the fight card was moved after original headliner Oscar De La Hoya was forced to withdraw due to illness, and Holyfield was booked as the short-notice replacement. California would not sanction the Holyfield vs Belfort fight to take place in the state which resulted in the event being shifted to Florida.
Vitor Belfort stops Evander Holyfield in Round 1 (Video)
Chris Taylor - September 11, 2021
Triller Fight Club is back tonight with ‘Legends 2’, a fight card headlined by boxing heavyweights Evander Holyfield and Vitor Belfort. The event was originally slated to take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. However, the fight card was moved after original headliner Oscar De La Hoya was forced to withdraw due to illness, and Holyfield was booked as the short-notice replacement. California would not sanction the Holyfield vs Belfort fight to take place in the state which resulted in the event being moved to Florida.