MMA News
Dana White confirms Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 targeted for January
Adam D Martin - September 17, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the rematch between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker is being targeted for January. Adesanya defeated Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision back in June at UFC 263, and the hope was that the UFC would be able to get the middleweight champ back in the cage one more time before 2021 was up. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the travel and quarantine rules for fighters in Australia and New Zealand, it has become difficult for the UFC to get this fight booked. In fact, as White told The Daily Telegraph in a recent interview, he is now targeting the Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 fight to take place next year.
Dana White explains why Jake Paul should fight Anderson Silva next, not Jorge Masvidal
Adam D Martin - September 17, 2021
UFC president Dana White explained why YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul should fight Anderson Silva next, and not Jorge Masvidal. White and Paul have not seen eye to eye, especially in regards to the topic of fighter pay, as Paul has said numerous negative comments to White regarding what he pays UFC fighters. After recently beating former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, Paul is now busy trying to figure out who his next opponent will be. He recently came out and called out Masvidal for a fight, but White blocked that opportunity since “Gamebred” is under contract with the UFC. Instead, White suggested that Paul take on the UFC legend Silva instead.
Sean O’Malley shares his thoughts on transgender MMA fighter Alana McLaughlin: “I just don’t think that’s okay”
Harry Kettle - September 17, 2021
UFC fighter Sean O’Malley has voiced his criticism over transgender Alana McLaughlin competing in women’s MMA. This topic has been a source of great controversy over the course of the last few weeks ever since McLaughlin made her professional mixed martial arts debut for Combate Global. After a back and forth encounter McLaughlin managed to secure the win, beginning a conversation about whether or not she should have been permitted to compete in the first place.
Anthony Smith on potential greatest of all time Jon Jones: “We’re really not that far off and especially now”
Harry Kettle - September 17, 2021
Anthony Smith believes that the current crop of UFC light heavyweights have pretty much caught up to 205-pound great Jon Jones. While “Lionheart” may have failed in his attempt to capture the strap from Jones two years ago, he’s still managed to shine through ever since as a big fan favourite in the division. From his personality to his fight style, it’s hard not to enjoy what Anthony Smith does for the UFC.
Robbie Lawler explains why a fight with Jorge Masvidal "doesn’t excite" him to get training
Christopher Taylor - September 16, 2021
Former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler is set to make his return to the Octagon at next weekend’s UFC 266 event opposite Nick Diaz. Lawler and Diaz initially collided seventeen years ago at UFC 47, with the Stockton prospect emerging victorious by way of second round knockout. Since then both men have gone on to have extremely successful MMA careers.
Jorge Masvidal unloads on "clout chasing" Leon Edwards: "If you not gonna fight then keep my name out your p**sy a*s mouth"
Christopher Taylor - September 16, 2021
Jorge Masvidal was not at all happy with the recent criticism he received from fellow UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards. Edwards (19-3 MMA) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Nate Diaz in his most recent effort at UFC 263 this past June. The win extended the Birmingham natives current unbeaten streak to nine in a row.
Dan Hooker potentially out of UFC 266, makes desperate plea with acting US Ambassador to New Zealand Kevin Covert
Christopher Taylor - September 16, 2021
Dan Hooker is in jeopardy of having his UFC 266 fight canceled and has made a desperate plea to US Ambassador Kevin Covert for help. Hooker (20-10 MMA) is scheduled to fight Nasrat Haqparast (13-3 MMA) at UFC 266 in Las Vegas. However, ‘The Hangman’ recently discovered that his travel visa will not be ready until next week, a delay which would result in his upcoming fight being scratched.
Jose Aldo shoots down Dominick Cruz matchup, wants number one contender bout against TJ Dillashaw
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2021
Jose Aldo isn’t interested in fighting Dominick Cruz next. After Aldo beat Pedro Munhoz at UFC 265 many fans called for him to fight ‘The Dominator’. Both men were champions in WEC and the UFC and it easily could’ve been a ‘champ vs. champ’ super-fight, but it never happened. Now, as both fighters are competing at bantamweight the possibility remains, but for Aldo, he isn’t interested in the scrap.
Gilbert Burns accuses Leon Edwards of ducking Jorge Masvidal: "You are scared!"
Adam D Martin - September 16, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns accused Leon Edwards of ducking Jorge Masvidal, telling him on social media that “you are scared!” Edwards took to his Twitter this week to announce that he will not fight Masvidal next, and instead, he confirmed that he will wait to fight the winner of UFC 268’s main event welterweight title fight rematch between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington. That is leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of one of the division’s top contenders in Burns. The Brazilian took to his social media following Edwards’ proclamation that he will not fight Masvidal to suggest that the Brit is scared of facing “Gamebred” inside the Octagon.
Triller Fight Club Legends 2 reportedly 'a massive money loser' as pay-per-view buys fall way short of expectations
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2021
Triller Fight Club put on their second legends event but this time around, the pay-per-view buys were not good. In the main event of Triller Fight Club Legends 2, 58-year-old Evander Holyfield stepped up on short notice to take on Vitor Belfort. The co-main event saw Anderson Silva box Tito Ortiz while David Haye also took on Joe Fournier. Despite the fact, the event had a bunch of well-known fighters, the pay-per-view bombed as it only did around 150,000 buys, according to boxing journalist, Dan Rafael.
Former UFC fighter Luke Sanders announces retirement from MMA
Adam D Martin - September 16, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight fighter Luke Sanders announced retirement from MMA after being recently released by the UFC. Sanders was in the UFC between 2016 and 2021, racking up a 3-5 record during that time with his wins coming against Renan Barao, Maximo Blanco, and Patrick Williams. However, after Sanders lost his last two fights in a row against Felipe Colares and Nate Maness, the UFC decided to release the 35-year-old veteran after his contract expired. Just a few months after the UFC decided to move on from Sanders, he has officially decided to hang up his gloves. “Cool Hand” took to his Instagram this week to officially confirm the news.
Yoel Romero reveals he was in talks to box Jake Paul but Paul's team canceled the fight: 'They don’t want to face a real fighter'
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2021
Yoel Romero was close to boxing Jake Paul but the YouTuber’s team didn’t want it. When Romero was released from the UFC, he was looking at options and one fight that was offered was to box Paul. At the time, Paul just knocked out Nate Robinson and was looking to fight a real fighter, yet when Romero showed interest in the bout, Paul and his team decided to cancel the fight and went with Ben Askren instead.
Justin Gaethje blasts "quitter" Charles Oliveira ahead of Dustin Poirier title fight at UFC 269
Adam D Martin - September 16, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje blasted “quitter” Charles Oliveira ahead of the Dustin Poirier title fight at UFC 269. Oliveira knocked out Michael Chandler at UFC 262 to become the new UFC lightweight champion, and he will put his belt on the line against Poirier at UFC 269 in December. Gaethje has been critical of Oliveira since he won the belt, as he didn’t believe that Michael Chandler should have been the one fighting for the vacant belt. With Gaethje now fighting Chandler at UFC 268, a win there could very well earn him a title shot against the winner of the Oliveira vs. Poirier fight. And if you ask Gaethje, that will be Poirier getting the win.
Demian Maia says "it's absurd for you to put a person who was born a man to fight a woman"
Adam D Martin - September 16, 2021
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Demian Maia says “it’s absurd for you to put a person who was born a man to fight a woman.” Alana McLaughlin won her fight for Combate Global last weekend, which ignited a whole slew of controversy in the MMA space because she is a transgender fighter who was born a man. The MMA community dealt with this issue once in the past with Fallon Fox, but now that McLaughlin is competing as well, there are more fighters who say they don’t agree with it, including former UFC champion Michael Bisping, who had some choice words to say.
Yoel Romero hopes to follow in the footsteps of Bernard Hopkins and fight into his 50s
Adam D Martin - September 16, 2021
Bellator light heavyweight contender Yoel Romero says that he hopes to follow in the footsteps of Bernard Hopkins and fight into his 50s. Hopkins last competed in 2016 when he was 51 years old, and Romero hopes to follow in his footsteps. Now 44 years old, Romero will be making his debut for Bellator this Saturday night when he takes on fellow former UFC fighter Phil Davis. Romero has not fought in over a year since a loss to UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and given that he is already 44 and has battled health problems that delayed his Bellator debut, one would think that he maybe doesn’t have much time left in this sport. However, as far as Romero goes, he still has several good years left in him. In fact, he believes he can fight in his 50s.
Deiveson Figueiredo pays tribute to former opponent Joseph Benavidez following retirement
Adam D Martin - September 16, 2021
UFC flyweight contender Deiveson Figueiredo paid tribute to former opponent Joseph Benavidez following his retirement from MMA. Figueiredo and Benavidez fought twice in 2020, with Figueiredo winning both of the fights. In the first fight in February 2020, Figueiredo knocked Benavidez out with punches after a headbutt led to the finish. In addition, Figueiredo had missed weight for that fight and was not able to win the title. The UFC then re-booked the rematch due to the controversial ending, but this time around, the Brazilian proved he was the better fighter with a dominant first-round submission win. It was in the second fight that Figueiredo won the vacant flyweight belt. Overall, the pair had a very memorable pair of UFC title fights.
Dana White reacts after Joseph Benavidez retires from the UFC
Adam D Martin - September 16, 2021
UFC president Dana White reacted after former flyweight title contender Joseph Benavidez announced that he has retired from the UFC. Benavidez announced on Wednesday that he is stepping away from MMA. Now 37 years old, Benavidez lost his last three fights against Askar Askarov and Deiveson Figueiredo twice, and after taking so much damage in those fights, he decided that it’s time to walk away. As such, the Xtreme Couture-based product revealed that he is done with fighting.
Leon Edwards has zero interest in fighting Jorge Masvidal next: “I don’t want to hear nothing about a guy coming off 2 fight skid”
Harry Kettle - September 16, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards has said he has “no interest” in fighting Jorge Masvidal with his eyes firmly fixed on the title. Ever since his unanimous decision win over Nate Diaz earlier this year, fans have been questioning what the next step forward will be for Edwards. Some feel as if he needs to fight one more time before getting a crack at Kamaru Usman whereas others are of the belief that he’s done enough to sit out and wait for his moment to shine in a title fight.