MMA News
Brian Kelleher wants Sean O'Malley next: "He says he doesn’t want to fight ranked guys. I’m not ranked right now"
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
UFC bantamweight Brian Kelleher wants Sean O’Malley next, saying “he says he doesn’t want to fight ranked guys. I’m not ranked right now.” Kelleher defeated Domingo Pilarte via dominant unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 34 this past weekend. Since joining the UFC back in 2017, Kelleher is 7-5 overall in the Octagon. While he has yet to break through and become a top-15 ranked fighter, he has proven himself to be quite the gatekeeper into the rankings, and with O’Malley recently suggesting he has no interest in fighting ranked opponents for the same pay, Kelleher called him out.
Demian Maia and Jimmie Rivera are no longer under contract with the UFC
Harry Kettle - August 24, 2021
Demian Maia and Jimmie Rivera are reportedly no longer under contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Both men have had solid stints in the promotion with Rivera being a former bantamweight contender and Maia challenging for both the middleweight and welterweight titles, often being recognized as one of the most elite submission artists of his generation.
Artem Lobov set to compete in charity wheelchair boxing match opposite Paddy Holohan
Harry Kettle - August 24, 2021
Artem Lobov is set to take on Paddy Holohan in a charity wheelchair boxing match in Dublin, Ireland. It’s safe to say that “The Russian Hammer” is easily one of the most popular cult hero fighters in recent memory. From his never say die attitude to how he carries himself, it was always exciting when Lobov got into the cage or ring – regardless of whether it was for mixed martial arts or boxing.
Dan Hardy keen to face Eddie Alvarez & Shinya Aoki after John Wayne Parr fight in ONE Championship
Andrew Whitelaw - August 23, 2021
Dan Hardy has been itching to lace up the gloves again for a long time. Having been released from his UFC contract earlier this year, it looks like ‘the Outlaw’ may be about to get his wish in ONE Championship. Having last competed in MMA in 2012, the 39 year old is looking to make a comeback out in Asia – starting with a caged Muay Thai bout against John Wayne Parr. The Brit says that he and JWP have been exchanging messages and that the fight is ‘verbally agreed.’
Volkan Oezdemir returns after year-long layoff to face Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 267
Drake Riggs - August 23, 2021
Volkan Oezdemir is ready to make up for some lost time. On Monday, MMA DNA’s Marcel Dorff revealed that a bout between top light heavyweight contenders in the No. 8 ranked Oezdemir and No. 7 Magomed Ankalaev is on. The two are set to compete in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 30 at UFC 267.
Alistair Overeem weighs in on the pro wrestling returns of Brock Lesnar and CM Punk: 'It’s fake. It’s lame. It’s stupid. It’s gay'
Drake Riggs - August 23, 2021
Alistair Overeem is not a fan of professional wrestling. On Monday, the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion and UFC title challenger shared his thoughts on the pro wrestling returns of crossover stars Phil “CM Punk” Brooks and past opponent, Brock Lesnar.
Dan Hooker explains why he isn't fighting "dumbass" Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 266
Adam D Martin - August 23, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker explained why he isn’t fighting “dumbass” Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 266 despite rumblings of a fight. Hooker takes on Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266, which is set for September 25 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. While he is a good fighter in his own right, Haqparast is an unranked fighter at 155lbs, while Tsarukyan is at least ranked No. 15. Hooker is ranked No. 8 in the UFC, so it is understandable why he wanted to fight someone who was ranked, but he ended up accepting the fight with Haqparast because he wants to scrap.
Paddy Pimblett calls for future fight against Conor McGregor at Anfield Stadium
Adam D Martin - August 23, 2021
New UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett called for a future fight against promotional superstar Conor McGregor at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool. Pimblett, a native of Liverpool himself, makes his UFC debut on September 4 when he takes on Luigi Vendramini in a lightweight contest. Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors champion, signed with the UFC earlier this year and his debut is highly-anticipaed. While he still has to step into the Octagon and beat Vendramini before he makes any sort of callouts, it’s clear that Pimblett is already looking far ahead, and wants to fight Ireland’s McGregor.
Pedro Munhoz open to move down to UFC flyweight division
Adam D Martin - August 23, 2021
Longtime UFC bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz admitted that he is open to a move down to the flyweight division following his latest loss. Munhoz lost a unanimous decision to former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo in the co-main event of UFC 265 last month. That fight took place at 135lbs, the weight class that Munhoz has fought at exclusively in his UFC career, but following his lastest defeat to Aldo, the Brazilian says that he is now considering moving down to the UFC flyweight division.
Giga Chikadze expects to finish Edson Barboza in "spectacular fashion" and become backup fighter for UFC 266 title fight
Cole Shelton - August 23, 2021
Giga Chikadze is excited to headline his first UFC show and knows his fight against Edson Barboza will be a fan-friendly one. Chikadze is coming off the biggest win of his career as he scored a first-round TKO over Cub Swanson. After that, he began calling for top-five opponents, but that didn’t happen, however, he did get a main event against Barboza which he is eager about.
What's next for Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum after UFC Vegas 34?
Cole Shelton - August 23, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 34, a battle of top-10 middleweights took place as Jared Cannonier took on Kelvin Gastelum. Cannonier entered the fight coming off a decision loss to Robert Whittaker last October at UFC 254 in a fight he broke his arm. He then needed two surgeries to repair it and finally was able to return. Gastelum, meanwhile, was also coming off a decision loss to Whittaker and was just 1-4 in his last five.
Kevin Lee says he would beat Tony Ferguson "so bad" in a rematch: "He's too far over the hill"
Adam D Martin - August 23, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Kevin Lee says that he would beat Tony Ferguson “so bad” in a rematch, suggesting “he’s too far over the hill.” Ferguson and Lee first met at UFC 216 in October 2018 in an interim UFC lightweight title bout, which “El Cucuy” ended up winning via third-round submission (triangle choke). Since that fight, Ferguson has gone into a decline, having lost his last three fights in a row and not appearing competitive in any of them. Lee, too, has struggled as of late, but given Lee is just 28 and Ferguson is 37, it stands to reason that if one of these two fighters is going to bounce back in their career, it is more likely going to be “The Motown Phenom.”
Georges St-Pierre stumps for Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz trilogy fight: "Dustin Poirier probably has his number right now"
Adam D Martin - August 23, 2021
Georges St-Pierre stumped for a Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz trilogy fight, saying that “Dustin Poirier probably has his number right now.” The UFC legend St-Pierre was recently a guest on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour and he was asked what he thinks about McGregor’s recent downfall, which includes two TKO losses to Poirier, the latter resulting in him shattering his leg at UFC 264. When asked if McGregor should go after the fourth fight with Poirier if and when he returns to the Octagon next year, GSP suggested that it would be a bad idea and that Diaz is a better choice for him.
Nate Diaz explains how his rematch with Conor McGregor kicked off “The start of the superfight era”
Harry Kettle - August 23, 2021
Nate Diaz has given his thoughts on how the second fight between him and Conor McGregor “started” the superfight era. Five years ago at UFC 202, Diaz and McGregor went to war in a fight many still consider to be one of the greatest of all-time. It came just a few months on from their dramatic meeting at UFC 196 that saw Diaz submit McGregor in a short notice bout.
Former UFC fighter Ramsey Nijem reacts after hearing #3 ranked middleweight Jared Cannonier is broke: “Makes me greatful to be retired”
Harry Kettle - August 23, 2021
Former UFC fighter Ramsey Nijem has reacted to the news that Jared Cannonier is “broke” despite being a top middleweight contender. Ten years ago, Ramsey Nijem fought his way to the final of The Ultimate Fighter where was he was ultimately knocked out by none other than UFC lightweight star Tony Ferguson. Following that defeat he went on a three-fight winning streak before slipping into inconsistency, eventually opting to retire from mixed martial arts earlier this month after a loss in PFL brought his record to 10-9.
Conor McGregor unloads on Dustin Poirier for sharing unflattering photo: "I bounced your head off the canvas like a basketball. Your wife bro. The dm’s."
Christopher Taylor - August 22, 2021
Conor McGregor unloaded on Dustin Poirier Sunday evening, this after ‘The Diamond’ shared an unflattering photo of the Irishman on social media. McGregor (22-6 MMA) and Poirier (28-6 MMA) have been at each others throats ever since their trilogy fight at UFC 264 ended due to doctors stoppage after ‘Notorious’ suffered a broken leg.
Israel Adesanya says he will fight for the UFC light heavyweight title again: "The story’s not finished yet"
Cole Shelton - August 22, 2021
Israel Adesanya is focused on defending his middleweight title but he is open to fighting for light heavyweight gold again. At UFC 259 in March, Adesanya moved up in weight to face Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title in a try to become a champ-champ. Unfortnately, the fight did not go his way and he lost a decision for his first professional MMA loss.
Jake Paul says he will hunt down Tyron Woodley and earn KO win to prove he's "a real killer in there"
Cole Shelton - August 22, 2021
Jake Paul believes Tyron Woodley will come out slow to try and extend their boxing match to the later rounds. Paul and Woodley are set to headline a Showtime pay-per-view on Sunday, August 29 in a highly-anticipated bout. Paul has taken the combat sports world by storm since transitioning to boxing and is just 3-0 and coming off a KO win over Ben Askren in April.