MMA News
Valentina Shevchenko praises Antonina following sister's loss to Chookagian
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
UFC flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko has sent a warm message to her older sister, Antonina, who was defeated by Katlyn Chookagian at UFC on ESPN 9 last weekend. In her message, Valentina called Antonina her inspiration, and apologized for not being in her corner on fight night.
UFC on ESPN 9 salaries: Tyron Woodley out-earns Gilbert Burns
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
Gilbert Burns was the picture of dominance in his unanimous decision victory over Tyron Woodley at UFC on ESPN 9, but he earned less than his vanquished foe. The UFC on ESPN 9 card went down this past Saturday at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card marked the promotion’s return to its Sin City headquarters after three consecutive events in Jacksonville, Florida.
Following historic submission win Mackenzie Dern says her next goal is to become mom champ
Harry Kettle - June 1, 2020
Following her big win at UFC on ESPN 9 this weekend, Mackenzie Dern has set her sights on becoming a “mom champ” in the promotion. Dern put in an incredibly impressive showing on Saturday night as she secured a kneebar submission win over Hannah Cifers. The first round triumph earned Dern a Performance of the Night bonus, and it also got her back in the win column after her loss to Amanda Ribas back in October 2019.
What's next for Gilbert Burns and Tyron Woodley after UFC on ESPN 9?
Cole Shelton - June 1, 2020
In the main event of UFC on ESPN 9, Gilbert Burns was looking for the biggest win of his career as he was welcoming Tyron Woodley back to the Octagon. It was the first time Woodley would be fighting since his dominant decision loss to Kamaru Usman to lose his belt. In the lead up to the fight, he said he was motivated once again and would take Burns into deep waters. Yet, that is far from what happened as the Brazilian won every single round to take a decision win.
Georges St-Pierre names the UFC fighters he enjoys watching most
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre is now retired, but he still enjoys watching the sport that made him a star. Speaking to Mathew Scott of the South China Morning Post recently, St-Pierre named the UFC fighters that have been capturing his attention of late.
Gilbert Burns wants to stay busy, eyes three potential opponents for June return
Harry Kettle - June 1, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns has named three possible opponents for a quick return to action in June. Burns dominated Tyron Woodley at the UFC Apex facility on Saturday night, registering a decisive unanimous decision victory to take his winning streak up to six.
Ben Askren thinks Jon Jones is likely worth more than the UFC is paying him
Natasha Hooper - June 1, 2020
Ben Askren backs Jon Jones as he suspects the UFC is not paying him what he is worth. Jon Jones’ relationship with the UFC and its president, Dana White, has been tainted over a possible clash against Francis Ngannou. The light heavyweight champion has shared his interest in moving up a weight division to face the heavy-hitter. Ngannou has also shown mutual interest in the blockbuster bout.
Georges St-Pierre explains decision to retire from MMA: “I stopped because of the stress”
Natasha Hooper - June 1, 2020
Georges St-Pierre revealed his reasons for hanging up his gloves in MMA, and discussed whether he could ever return to the Octagon. The widely regarded G.O.A.T officially retired from MMA in February 2019. He is often praised for retiring whilst still on top, as he was riding a 13-fight win streak and had already claimed welterweight and middleweight belts.
Tito Ortiz shares unfounded George Floyd conspiracy theory
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz recently shared a conspiracy theory about the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by a police offer in Minneapolis, Minnesota in late May. Ortiz voiced this conspiracy theory, which is equal parts baseless and toxic, on social media. In short, he suggested the killing of George Floyd is part of some elaborate scheme by the Joe Biden presidential campaign, rather than the result of deep-rooted and institutionalized racism in the United States.
Ryan Bader tells Jon Jones he would "love to run it back" in Bellator
Adam Martin - May 31, 2020
Bellator double champion Ryan Bader told UFC light heavyweight Jon Jones that he would “love to run it back” under the Bellator banner. Bader and Jones fought back at UFC 126 in 2011 when both were still rising contenders in the UFC light heavyweight division. In a battle between the two top prospects in the division, Jones came away with the victory when he submitted Bader with a guillotine choke. Jones would then take on Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128 and win the UFC light heavyweight title. The rest, they say, is history.
Dominick Reyes reacts after Jon Jones announces plans to vacate belt
Adam Martin - May 31, 2020
Dominick Reyes expressed his disappointment following the news that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones plans on vacating his belt. Jones said on Sunday that he will vacate the light heavyweight belt after getting into a public contractual disagreement with the UFC about a potential Francis Ngannou superfight. Jones was looking to be compensated for what he feels to be fair value for the bout, but UFC president Dana White said Jones is asking for too much money, which is why the Ngannou fight fell apart.
Jon Jones says he is vacating UFC light heavyweight title, calls for Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz vacant title fight
Adam Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones says he’s vacating his belt and is proposing the UFC match up Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz for the title. Jones has been in a contract squabble with the UFC after a superfight with heavyweight Francis Ngannou felt through due to financial issues. UFC president Dana White suggested that Jones asked for an “obscene” amount of money for the fight, and Jones has since said that White is lying to be fans about how much money he’s asking for to fight Ngannou.
Photo | Antonina Shevchenko releases statement following “tough” loss to Katlyn Chookagian
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC women’s flyweight Antonina Shevchenko has released a statement following a “tough” loss to Katlyn Chookagian at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Burns. Despite entering the fight as the betting favorite, Shevchenko was dominated by Chookagian for 15 minutes, getting taken down at will and beat up on the ground. It was the best performance of Chookagian’s UFC career to date, and she needed it after losing in devastating fashion to UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in his last fight, Antonina’s sister.
Former UFC fighter Jimi Manuwa offers to meet Jon Jones in the squared circle
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
Former UFC fighter Jimi Manuwa has offered to meet UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the squared circle if Jones transitions into boxing. Manuwa retired from MMA last year following a head kick KO loss to Aleksandar Rakic at UFC Sweden. Manuwa suffered four consecutive losses to end his UFC career but overall had a .500 record inside the Octagon with a 6-6 mark, including five wins by way of knockout. Some of his notable wins in the UFC include victories over Jan Blachowicz, Corey Anderson, and Ovince Saint Preux, the latter two via KO.
Dana White reacts to Gilbert Burns' dominant win over Tyron Woodley
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC president Dana White said he was impressed by welterweight standout Gilbert Burns’ win over Tyson Woodley at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Burns picked up the biggest win of his career when he earned a unanimous decision win over Woodley in the main event of the evening. It was the sixth win in a row for Burns, who moved to a perfect 4-0 since moving up to welterweight in 2019, with previous victories over Demian Maia, Gunnar Nelson, and Alexey Kunchenko. After the event, his boss White praised his performance against Woodley.
Triple H confirms WWE interested in Daniel Cormier and Conor McGregor
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
WWE executive Triple H has confirmed the pro wrestling giant is interested in the services of UFC stars Daniel Cormier and Conor McGregor. The WWE legend Triple H told TMZ Sports that the WWE has held conversations with Cormier about a potential job, but said he respects UFC president Dana White and would only bring in DC to the WWE if the UFC cleared it.
Joe Rogan reacts to the riots in LA: The country is "haywire" right now
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan reacted to the riots in Los Angeles, writing on his social media that the United States is “haywire” right now. The entire world is on fire right now due to the murder of George Floyd, and riots have emerged in several cities in the U.S. because of it including Rogan’s home base of LA. Rogan is one of the most influential podcasters in the world right now and what he thinks about the Floyd incident is an opinion that is heard by millions of his fans.
Leon Edwards take a jab at Tyron Woodley following loss to Gilbert Burns
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards took a jab at Tyron Woodley following his unanimous decision loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC Fight Night Las Vegas. Edwards was originally set to fight Woodley at UFC London before that card was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Burns ended up getting the fight against Woodley two months later and made the most of his opportunity when he won a lopsided unanimous decision over the former UFC welterweight champion.