MMA News
Islam Makhachev calls out Michael Chandler: “You come from Bellator, I want to check your skills"
Adam D Martin - July 18, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev called out Michael Chandler, saying that “you come from Bellator, I want to check your skills.” Makhachev defeated Thiago Moises in the main event of UFC Vegas 31 via fourth-round submission, and it was the type of statement win that should earn the No. 9 ranked lightweight in the UFC a step up in competition. Following his win over Moises, Makhachev took the mic and called out Rafael dos Anjos, the former UFC lightweight champion. But in his post-event interview with reporter Heidi Androl, Makhachev used it as an opportunity to call out Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion turned UFC fighter and analyst.
Khabib Nurmagomedov outlines plan for Islam Makhachev to be named 2021 fighter of the year
Adam D Martin - July 18, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov outlined the plan for Islam Makhachev to be named the 2021 fighter of the year in MMA. Makhachev defeated Thiago Moises via fourth-round submission at UFC Vegas 31 on Saturday in what was arguably his coming-out party. Makhachev now has a 9-1 record in the UFC with an eight-fight win streak and he is quickly emerging as one of the best fighters in the division in the post-Nurmagomedov world. In fact, his longtime friend and training partner is so confident in Makhachev’s abilities that he believes he has what it takes to be the fighter of the year in 2021, although he knows it will be an uphill battle.
Drakkar Klose trashes Jeremy Stephens following his fifth straight loss at UFC Vegas 31
Adam D Martin - July 18, 2021
UFC lightweight Drakkar Klose trashed his former rival Jeremy Stephens following his fifth straight loss at UFC Vegas 31. Stephens was submitted in the first round by Mateusz Gamrot when he was taken down to the mat and tapped out with a kimura. For Stephens, this was his fifth straight loss in the UFC. With a No Contest mixed in the losing skid, Stephens is officially on a six-fight winless skid. It’s a bad look for a fighter who has been a mainstay of the UFC roster for nearly the past 15 years, and for the first time in his UFC career it seems like there is a chance that Stephens could be at risk of losing his job, and Klose made sure that he knows just that.
Miesha Tate responds to rematch request from Holly Holm
Adam D Martin - July 18, 2021
Miesha Tate responded to the rematch request from former rival Holly Holm following her win over Marion Reneau at UFC Vegas 31. Tate got back into the win column for the first time in over five years on Saturday night when she defeated Reneau via third-round TKO. For Tate, this was a fantastic win after such a long layoff over a quality opponent in Reneau who was ranked in the top-15 of the UFC women’s bantamweight division. For Tate, the former champion, this is the type of big win she needs in order to start drawing the attention of the other big names in the division, including Holm, who apparently would like the chance to step in the cage with Tate again.
UFC Vegas 31 Bonus Report: Six fighters take home an extra $50k
Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021
The Octagon remained in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event, a 10-bout fight card headline by Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises. The highly anticipated lightweight main event resulted in Makhachev’s eighth win in a row, as the Russian standout was able to finish Moises with a submission in round four.
Jeremy Stephens issues statement following 65-second loss to Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Vegas 31
Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021
UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens squared off with Mateusz Gamrot in a lightweight contest on the main card of tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event. Stephens (28-19 MMA) was returning to the promotions 155lbs division in hopes of ending a four-fight losing skid. During that rough stretch, ‘Lil Heathen’ had suffered featherweight losses to Jose Aldo, Zabit Magomedsharipov, Yair Rodriguez and Calvin Kattar.
Pros react after Islam Makhachev submits Thiago Moises at UFC Vegas 31
Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event was headlined by a key lightweight bout between perennial division contenders Islam Makhachev and Thiago Moises. Makhachev (20-1 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since UFC 259, where he had scored a third round submission victory over Drew Dober. The Russian standout was riding a seven fight unbeaten streak into tonight’s headliner.
UFC Vegas 31 Results: Islam Makhachev stops Thiago Moises (Video)
Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event is headlined by a key lightweight bout between perennial division contenders Islam Makhachev and Thiago Moises. Makhachev (19-1 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since UFC 259, where he scored a third round submission victory over Drew Dober. The Russian standout has gone a perfect 7-0 since suffering his first career loss back at UFC 192 in October of 2015.
UFC Vegas 31 Results: Miesha Tate TKO's Marion Reneau (Video)
Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 co-headliner sees former women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate return against fellow veteran Marion Reneau. Tate (18-7 MMA) will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since UFC 205 in November of 2016, where she dropped a unanimous decision loss to Raquel Pennington. ‘Cupcake’ earned her most recent victory in March of 2016, when she submitted Holly Holm at UFC 196 to capture the promotions 135lbs title.
Pros react after Mateusz Gamrot finishes Jeremy Stephens at UFC Vegas 31
Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021
A lightweight bout featuring Jeremy Stephens squaring off with Mateusz Gamrot took place on tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 main card. Stephens (28-19 MMA) was returning to the promotions 155lbs division in hopes of ending a four-fight losing skid. During that rough stretch, ‘Lil Heathen’ suffered losses to Jose Aldo, Zabit Magomedsharipov, Yair Rodriguez and Calvin Kattar.
UFC Vegas 31 Results: Mateusz Gamrot stops Jeremy Stephens (Video)
Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021
A lightweight bout featuring Jeremy Stephens squaring off with Mateusz Gamrot takes place on tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 main card. Stephens (28-18 MMA) will be returning to the promotions 155lbs division in hopes of ending his current four-fight losing skid. During the rough stretch, ‘Lil Heathen’ has suffered losses to Jose Aldo, Zabit Magomedsharipov, Yair Rodriguez and most recently Calvin Kattar.
UFC Vegas 31: ‘Makhachev vs. Moises’ Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021
The Octagon remains in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event, a ten-bout fight card headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises. Makhachev (19-1 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since UFC 259, where he scored a third round submission victory over Drew Dober. The Russian standout has gone a perfect 7-0 since suffering his first career loss back at UFC 192 in October of 2015.
NSAC shoots down Conor McGregor’s claim that they had knowledge of his apparent leg injury prior to UFC 264
Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021
The Nevada State Athletic Commission is refuting Conor McGregor’s claim that they were aware he had a leg injury ahead of UFC 264. McGregor (22-6 MMA) squared off with Dustin Poirier (28-6 MMA) for a third time last weekend in Nevada, this after splitting their first two encounters.
UFC Vegas 31 is down to 10 bouts following a last minute cancellation
Chris Taylor - July 17, 2021
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 31 event is down to a total of 10 contests following a last minute fight cancellation. Men’s bantamweight fighters Miles Johns and Anderson Dos Santos were expected to collide on today’s fight night prelims. However, due to a positive Covid test in the Brazilians camp, the fight has been called off for precautionary reasons.
Jake Paul says he will expose "the UFC" striking with win over Tyron Woodley
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2021
Jake Paul plans to expose the UFC striking when he boxes Tyron Woodley on August 29. Back in April, Paul scored a first-round KO win over Ben Askren who was his first former MMA fighter he boxed. Now, ahead of his bout against Woodley, he believes a win here exposes UFC fighters for their striking capabilities.
Justin Gaethje should get the next UFC lightweight title shot against Charles Oliveira, says manager
Adam D Martin - July 16, 2021
Fan-favorite Justin Gaethje should get the next UFC lightweight title shot against champion Charles Oliveira, says his manager Ali Abdelaziz. Gaethje hasn’t fought since last October when he suffered a second-round submission loss to former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, another Abdelaziz client. For Gaethje, he has spent the last year on the sidelines waiting for a big fight, but so far nothing has been booked yet. There have been rumblings that the UFC is hoping to book Gaethje against Michael Chandler in what would be a phenomenal fight between two of the best lightweights in the world, but if you ask Gaethje’s manager Abdelaziz, he should be next in line to fight for the belt despite the fact Dustin Poirier is out there next in line.
UFC Vegas 31 weigh-in results: Islam Makhachev and Thiago Moises on point for headliner
Adam D Martin - July 16, 2021
The official weigh-ins for UFC Vegas 31 took place on Friday in Las Vegas, Nevada, and all 22 fighters scheduled to compete have made weight. In the main event of the evening, No. 9 ranked UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev puts his seven-fight win streak on the line when he takes on the No. 14 ranked Thiago Moises. Makhachev and Moises both successfully made weight on Friday, with each man coming in at 155.5lbs and 156lbs, respectively. This will be the first five-round fight for each fighter during their UFC careers and the winner should get a top-10 opponent. Keep in mind the original main event for UFC Vegas 31 was supposed to be Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez, but that fight fell off and Makhachev and Moises got bumped up.
Miesha Tate excited to start second title run at UFC Vegas 31: "I will take them out one at a time until I'm the world champion"
Adam D Martin - July 16, 2021
Miesha Tate is excited to start her title run at UFC Vegas 31, saying that “I will take them out one at a time until I’m the world champion.” At age 34, Tate is returning to mixed martial arts following a five-year retirement that saw her become a mom for the first time. Even after taking several years off the sport following back-to-back losses to Amanda Nunes and Raquel Pennington in 2016, Tate is confident she can get back to where she was once before, and that’s at the top of 135lbs as champ.