MMA News
Olympic gold medalist wrestler Gable Steveson favored over Derrick Lewis in hypothetical UFC matchup
Drake Riggs - August 12, 2021
Gable Steveson hasn’t even committed to an MMA career yet and he’s already having fight odds made in his favor. Bovada released odds for hypothetical UFC bouts featuring the recent Team USA Olympic gold medalist wrestler against some of the heavyweight division’s best. One of which sees him as the very slight favorite against “The Black Beast” Derrick Lewis.
Dustin Poirier responds after Nate Diaz suggests he turned down potential fight "They're lying and you're getting played"
Joe McDonagh - August 12, 2021
Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier continued to trade barbs on social media this evening, with ‘The Stockton Slugger’ accusing ‘The Diamond’ of ducking a potential fight. The two stars have exchanged some heated words as of late but both appear interested in a future matchup.
Yoel Romero medically cleared to make Bellator debut
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2021
Yoel Romero can resume his fighting career. Romero was supposed to fight Anthony Johnson in the light heavyweight grand prix but he was removed after failing his physical. The hope for Bellator was he would get cleared in a few months and that ended up being the case.
Jon Jones poses the most "problems" for Ciryl Gane at heavyweight, says Daniel Cormier
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2021
Ciryl Gane just recently claimed the interim heavyweight title and will face Francis Ngannou next, yet for Daniel Cormier, he believes Jon Jones poses the biggest problem for him. Gane is a perfect 10-0 in MMA and has dominated everyone he has fought. Against Lewis, he didn’t let the hometown fighter get going and just picked him apart en route to a third-round stoppage. It was a dominant performance but for Cormier, he believes Jones has all the tools to pose problems for the Frenchman.
Stevie Ray details the "shady" tactics the UFC used which forced him to retire
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2021
Stevie Ray announced his retirement from MMA in September 2020, which many thought was due to his knee injuries. However, there is much more to the story, which Ray has never spoken publicly about. Ray competed in the UFC from 2015 and had a 7-4 record where in his last fight, he picked up what he calls the biggest win of his career as he defeated Michael Johnson. He also fought the likes of Paul Felder, and Leonardo Santos as well as defeating Joe Lauzon and Ross Pearson among others. Yet, for quite some time, Ray had heard rumblings the UFC wanted him out of the organization, and that finally happened when they released him, but he covered it up with him announcing his retirement.
Alexander Volkanovski pranked with giant snake by Brian Ortega on TUF 29 (Video)
Adam D Martin - August 12, 2021
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski was pranked with a giant snake by Brian Ortega on TUF 29, and you can watch the video of it. Volkanovski and Ortega are the two head coaches on the latest installment on TUF, and they will meet inside the Octagon for Volkanovski’s 145lbs title in September at UFC 266. The current season of the show still has one more episode to still air, but in the penultimate episode of the show, Ortega decided to prank his rival in a hilarious fashion.
Ciryl Gane wants Francis Ngannou fight in Paris in December or January: "It will be a really big fight"
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2021
Ciryl Gane is hoping his heavyweight title unification fight against Francis Ngannou happens in Paris, France. Gane claimed the interim heavyweight title at UFC 265 with a TKO victory over Derrick Lewis. It was the Frenchman’s fourth fight since December of 2020 and now with his wife set to give birth, he is looking to take some time off but is interested in the fight happening late this year or early next.
Dan Hardy praised as “true martial artist” by Kenny Florian ahead of comeback against John Wayne Parr
Adam D Martin - August 12, 2021
Former UFC welterweight Dan Hardy was praised as a “true martial artist” by Kenny Florian ahead of his comeback against John Wayne Parr. Hardy has not fought since September 2012 when he defeated Amir Sadollah in the UFC. Since then, the Brit has dealt with a heart issue that has left him unable to compete for the UFC. However, he has always wanted to make a comeback to combat sports and was recently given his full release by the UFC. Now that he’s a free agent and free to fight anywhere around the world, “The Outlaw” has zeroed in on a potential Muay Thai bout against Parr in ONE Championship. That fight is not yet official, but there appears to be a good chance of it going down, and if that’s the case, Hardy’s friend Florian will be watching.
Tito Ortiz reacts to boxing match with Anderson Silva: "I’ve been working extensively on my boxing over the past 10 years"
Adam D Martin - August 12, 2021
Tito Ortiz reacted to his boxing match with Anderson Silva, saying that “I’ve been working extensively on my boxing over the past 10 years.” Coming out of left field, the Ortiz vs. Silva boxing match was officially announced on Wednesday by Triller. It will take place on September 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, and will be a 195lbs professional boxing match set for eight rounds or less. The main event of the card features former UFC champion Vitor Belfort against Oscar de la Hoya. With the addition of Ortiz vs. Silva, this is expected to be one of Triller’s biggest boxing events to date, one that features a number of combat sports legends.
Chad Mendes reveals UFC gave him permission to make comeback in BKFC
Adam D Martin - August 12, 2021
Former UFC featherweight title contender Chad Mendes revealed that his former organization gave him permission to make a comeback in BKFC. Mendes recently signed a contract with BKFC to make his return to combat sports in bare-knuckle boxing. Now 36 years old, Mendes hasn’t competed in MMA since December 2018 when he was knocked out by current UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Mendes struggled on his way out of the UFC, losing three of his last four bouts, but to be fair to him, those losses came against Volkanovski, Conor McGregor, and Frankie Edgar.
Claressa Shields returns to the cage in PFL against promoter newcomer
Adam D Martin - August 12, 2021
Boxer-turned-MMA fighter Claressa Shields will make her second walk to the PFL cage later this year when she faces a promotional newcomer. The Washington Post revealed that Shields will take on Abigail Montes at the PFL Championship on Wednesday, October 27. Montes is 2-0 as a professional MMA fighter and is just 21 years old. She has previously competed in the Combate Americas and iFF organizations in her native Mexico, where she has defeated both of her opponents.
Gegard Mousasi open to fighting Yoel Romero in Bellator
Adam D Martin - August 12, 2021
Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi says he is open to fighting former UFC standout Yoel Romero in the Bellator cage. Mousasi returns to the Bellator cage on Friday night when he takes on John Salter for the Bellator middleweight title. While “The Dream Catcher” knows he can’t look too far ahead, when the media asked him who he wants to fight next, he had to give them a name. That name would be Romero, the former UFC middleweight title challenger who recently signed with Bellator. “The Soldier of God” was supposed to take part in the promotion’s 205lbs tournament, but he was forced out of the tournament due to a medical issue. Once he’s healthy, Mousasi says that he is open to fighting the man that no one else wants to fight.
Jake Paul on Dana White: 'You would think Jake Paul’s the No. 1 fighter in the UFC the way he promotes me'
Drake Riggs - August 11, 2021
Jake Paul and Dana White aren’t exactly each other’s biggest fans. The UFC boss hasn’t been shy to share his critique of Paul and his endeavors whenever asked. Recently he shared the belief that this current era of the Paul brothers and celebrity boxing will fade away sooner rather than later.
Conor McGregor absolutely unloads on "fat mess" Daniel Cormier: "Congrats Jon on his head kick KO anniversary over you"
Christopher Taylor - August 11, 2021
Conor McGregor went scorched earth on Daniel Cormier tonight, this after ‘DC’ told the Irishman to “worry about the dudes” who keep beating his ass. The beef between McGregor and Cormier started after ‘Notorious’ appeared to mock the death of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father on Twitter.
Daniel Cormier fires back at Conor McGregor: “Worry about the dudes that keep beating your ass”
Cole Shelton - August 11, 2021
Daniel Cormier has responded to Conor McGregor. McGregor has taken some shots at Cormier on social media recently, this after ‘DC’ labelled some of his posts as being “a cry for help”. He also criticized Cormier for suggesting Dustin Poirier was checking his kicks in their trilogy fight at UFC 264.
Nate Diaz responds following callout from Dustin Poirier: "Let’s fight don’t be scared this time tho"
Christopher Taylor - August 11, 2021
Nate Diaz has responded after receiving a callout from fellow UFC superstar Dustin Poirier on Wednesday afternoon. Poirier (28-6 MMA) was originally challenged to a middleweight fight by Diaz (20-13 MMA) immediately after winning his rubber match with Conor McGregor at UFC 264.
Dustin Poirier appears to callout Nate Diaz on social media
Cole Shelton - August 11, 2021
Dustin Poirier seemingly has his eyes on Nate Diaz. Although Poirier is likely to get the next title shot against Charles Oliveira, he has made it clear he is after big paydays and that’s exactly what Diaz is. Poirier and Diaz also have had a rivalry as they were supposed to fight at UFC 230 and both men accuse one another of pulling out of the contest.
Ciryl Gane pleased with TKO victory over Derrick Lewis at UFC 265: "It was a really great performance"
Cole Shelton - August 11, 2021
Ciryl Gane never expected he would be fighting for UFC gold in just his 10th professional MMA fight. Gane signed to the UFC at 3-0 and quickly rose up the heavyweight ranks. In his 10th professional fight, he headlined UFC 265 against Derrick Lewis for the interim heavyweight title. For the Frenchman, he says he always knew he would fight for UFC gold but didn’t think it would happen this quickly.