MMA News
Chris Daukaus tells the UFC to "pull him from the rankings" after Shamil Abdurakhimov withdraws from fight
Adam D Martin - July 29, 2021
UFC heavyweight Chris Daukaus told the UFC to “pull him from the rankings” after Shamil Abdurakhimov withdrew from their upcoming fight. The heavyweight matchup pitting Daukaus vs. Abdurakhimov was expected to be the co-main event of this weekend’s UFC Vegas 33 card, but the fight was canceled when Abdurakhimov was forced out due to COVID-19 protocols with his camp. For Abdurakhimov, this was yet another canceled fight for the Russian, who hasn’t fought since a TKO loss to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 242: Nurmagomedov vs. Poirier in September 2019. Since then, Abdurakhimov’s last five fights have all be canceled. But despite having not fought in nearly two years, for some reason, Abdurakhimov is still ranked in the top-10.
Gilbert Burns admits he's a fan of Nate Diaz despite trash talk: "I like him. He's freaking funny"
Adam D Martin - July 29, 2021
Despite their back-and-forth trash talk, Gilbert Burns admitted that he’s a fan of Nate Diaz, saying “I like him. He’s freaking funny.” Burns was critical of Leon Edwards’ performance against Diaz at UFC 263 in June, which led to Diaz taking a direct shot at Burns, referencing his prior KO loss to Dan Hooker in it.
Aspen Ladd vs. Macy Chiasson rescheduled following last-minute scratch at UFC Vegas 32
Adam D Martin - July 29, 2021
A women’s bantamweight bout pitting Aspen Ladd vs. Macy Chiasson has been rescheduled following its last-minute scratch at UFC Vegas 32. Ladd vs. Chiasson was scheduled to be the co-main event at last weekend’s TJ Dillashaw vs. Cory Sandhagen card, but the fight was scratched at the last minute after Chiasson suffered an injury prior to her final weight cut. With no time to find a replacement opponent, the UFC was forced to pull Ladd from the card as well, which was a major disappointment for a fighter who hasn’t fought in the Octagon since December 2019.
UFC Vegas 32 medical suspensions: TJ Dillashaw and Adrian Yanez facing potential 6-month sits
Harry Kettle - July 29, 2021
TJ Dillashaw and Adrian Yanez are both facing the possibility of six-month medical suspensions after UFC Vegas 32. We saw a series of entertaining fights take place last weekend in Las Vegas with TJ Dillashaw‘s win over Cory Sandhagen being the biggest headline of them all. The former UFC bantamweight champion fought through adversity and just about managed to overcome Sandhagen, cementing himself as a real contender at the top of the division.
Daniel Cormier condemns Conor McGregor for crossing the line with deleted tweet: "I immediately called Khabib"
Christopher Taylor - July 28, 2021
Daniel Cormier was quick to pick up the phone and check in on his longtime friend Khabib Nurmagomedov following a recent post by Conor McGregor. Earlier this week McGregor took to Twitter with a number of tweets that have since been deleted. During the online rampage, the Irishman not only took aim at Dustin Poirier and his wife Jolie, but also sent out a cryptic message that appeared to be aimed at his longtime nemesis Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Holly Holm to make featherweight return vs. Norma Dumont in October
Drake Riggs - July 28, 2021
Holly Holm has her next fight booked — but it won’t be at her usual weight of 135-pounds. MMA Fighting reported Wednesday that “The Preacher’s Daughter” has her next bout lined up and it will act as a return to the 145-pound featherweight division. Standing in Holm’s way on Oct. 16 will be Brazil’s Norma Dumont. The location for the event along with the headlining bout remains to be determined.
Nominees released for World MMA Awards
Andrew Whitelaw - July 28, 2021
Fighters Only have announced the nominees for the 2021 World MMA Awards. This will be the 13th edition of the annual ceremony and the official voting website is live at worldmmaawards.com.
Jorge Masvidal weighs in on a possible Poirier vs. Covington fight: “Colby will call the cops cause history always repeats itself”
Cole Shelton - July 28, 2021
Jorge Masvidal has weighed in on a potential fight between Dustin Poirier and Colby Covington. For over a year now, Poirier and Covington have taken shots at one another and ‘The Diamond’ event said it was “on sight” when they saw each other next. However, nothing has happened as of yet and if Covington defeats Kamaru Usman at UFC 268 he says he wants his next fight to be against Poirier.
Chris Weidman announces his broken leg has not healed properly, set for second surgery
Cole Shelton - July 28, 2021
Chris Weidman will be going back under the knife. At UFC 261 in April, Weidman was rematching Uriah Hall in an anticipated fight. Unfortnately, on the first kick he threw, he broke his leg in a gruesome fashion. Weidman was rushed to the hospital and had emergency surgery.
PFL signs Marina Mokhnatkina and Martina Jindrova ahead of 2022 season
Drake Riggs - July 28, 2021
The PFL has added to their 155-pound weight class as they begin looking ahead to the 2022 season. Made official on Wednesday, the promotion announced that they have signed the likes of former 145-pound featherweight competitors Marina Mokhnatkina and Martina Jindrova.
Cory Sandhagen predicts how a rematch with TJ Dillashaw would go: "He'll probably get finished"
Adam D Martin - July 28, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen predicted how a rematch with TJ Dillashaw would go, saying that “he’ll probably get finished.” Sandhagen lost a disputed split decision to his former teammate Dillashaw in the main event of last weekend’s UFC Vegas 32 card. The fight was very competitive and each round was decided on razor-thing margins, but the judges ultimately decided to go with Dillashaw for his control over Sandhagen’s striking advantage. While Sandhagen admitted it was a close fight, he has no doubt that if he gets the chance to fight Dillashaw again, it won’t be.
Colby Covington opens as big underdog to Kamaru Usman for rematch at UFC 268
Adam D Martin - July 28, 2021
No. 1 contender Colby Covington opened as a big underdog to UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman for their upcoming rematch at UFC 268. Covington and Usman previously met at UFC 245 in December 2019, with Usman winning the fight by fifth-round TKO to defend the UFC welterweight title. Nearly two years later, and these two heated rivals will meet for the second time later this year when they clash in the main event of UFC 268, which is set to take place on November 6 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. It’s one of the most highly-anticipated fights of 2021.
Adrian Yanez says he's "not happy" with his TKO win performance against Randy Costa, hopes a top-15 opponent is next
Cole Shelton - July 28, 2021
Adrian Yanez wasn’t happy with his TKO win over Randy Costa at UFC Vegas 32. Yanez and Costa opened up the main card in a highly-anticipated bout between two of the brightest prospects at bantamweight. In the first round, it appeared Costa would be the one getting his hand raised as he was jabbing Yanez and landing heavy shots. For the Texan, he says the way Costa fought the first round threw him off.
Aljamain Sterling trashes TJ Dillashaw following successful comeback: "You didn't come clean, you idiot"
Adam D Martin - July 28, 2021
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling trashed TJ Dillashaw following his successful comeback, saying “you didn’t come clean you idiot.” Sterling is expected to rematch his rival, Petr Yan, later this year for the UFC bantamweight title, with Dillashaw fighting the winner following his split decision win over Cory Sandhagen at last weekend’s UFC Vegas 32 card. Speaking to Sirius XM’s Fight Nation following the Dillashaw vs. Sandhagen fight, Sterling said that he would be open to fighting Dillashaw in the future. But the one thing that is bothering Sterling is that Dillashaw has said that he came clean about his past use of performance-enhancing drugs, when “Funk Master” says the reality of the situation is he only came clean after he was caught.
Maycee Barber explains why she called out "legend" Jessica Eye after beating Miranda Maverick
Cole Shelton - July 28, 2021
Maycee Barber has never been shy to call out her next opponent and that is exactly what happened after her win at UFC Vegas 32 on Saturday. After Barber earned a controversial split decision over Miranda Maverick, “The Future” got onto the mic to call out Jessica Eye. It’s an opponent she has talked about before so Barber wasn’t surprised Eye responded to the callout, so she hopes that means the UFC will make the fight.
Khamzat Chimaev praised by Sean Strickland after "good f*cking wars" in sparring
Adam D Martin - July 28, 2021
UFC welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev was praised by middleweight fighter Sean Strickland after they had “good f*cking wars” in sparring. Chimaev hasn’t fought since last year when he knocked out Gerald Meerschaert in just 17 seconds due to a number of health issues. However, he is now ready to go and is set to make his return to the Octagon this fall, when he takes on top-15 ranked welterweight Li Jingliang in his comeback fight. Ahead of his return to the cage, Chimaev spent time at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas doing some training, and as part of his time there he got to spar with Strickland, who fights Uriah Hall this weekend in the headliner of UFC Vegas 33.
Fedor Emelianenko interested in boxing Roy Jones Jr.
Adam D Martin - July 28, 2021
Mixed martial arts legend and current Bellator heavyweight fighter Fedor Emelianenko said that he is interested in boxing Roy Jones Jr. Emelianenko, generally regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters who ever lived, is now 44 years old and he is expected to make his return to the Bellator cage this fall when he fights in Moscow, Russia. However, while “The Last Emperor” is committed to fighting in MMA his next time out, he can’t help but admit there is the possibility of a boxing match.
Ronda Rousey blasts those criticizing Simone Biles for Olympic departure
Drake Riggs - July 27, 2021
Before Ronda Rousey ever made the move to MMA and professional wrestling, she was collecting medals in Judo — including an Olympic bronze. The Olympics are finally back in 2021 after last year’s delay due to COVID-19 shutting down the world. With the games officially underway, drama has already unfolded as legendary American gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from the competition this week. As a result, she’s received mixed reactions.