MMA News
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.
Michel Pereira wants five-round fight against "crazy guy" Nate Diaz: "Fans will gain a lot from this"
Adam D Martin - July 16, 2021
UFC welterweight Michel Pereira wants a five-round fight against “crazy guy” Nate Diaz, suggesting that the “fans will gain a lot from this.” Pereira is coming off of an absolute war against Niko Price at UFC 264 in a fight he won via back-and-forth unanimous decision. Pereira has now won three straight fights overall following previous wins over Zelim Imadaev and Khaos Williams, and he improved to 4-2 overall in the UFC with the win over Price. With momentum in tow, Pereira had a name in mind, and following his win at UFC 264, Pereira took the mic and called out Diaz once again. Pereira has called out Diaz in the past and he did so once again after beating Price.
Tyron Woodley excited for new boxing career: "This is your first and everybody else's first chance to watch me box"
Adam D Martin - July 16, 2021
Tyron Woodley is excited for his new boxing career, saying that “this is your first and everybody else’s first chance to watch me box.” Woodley is the former UFC welterweight champion but he was let go by the world’s leading MMA promotion following a fourth straight loss to Vicente Luque earlier this year. Instead of trying to re-up with the UFC on a new contract, Woodley instead became a free agent and he decided to take his talents to the boxing ring, as he will take on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on August 29 in what will be Woodley’s first professional boxing match.
Conor McGregor criticized by Firas Zahabi following death threat comments: "I was really grossed out... he's going after kids now"
Adam D Martin - July 16, 2021
Conor McGregor was criticized by Firas Zahabi following his death threats, saying that “I was really grossed out… he’s going after kids now.” McGregor was finished by Dustin Poirier via first-round TKO in their trilogy fight at UFC 264 last weekend. But what a lot of fans and media are talking about still is the death threats that McGregor made towards Poirier, his wife Jolie, and their child. Speaking on the Tristar Gym YouTube channel, Zahabi criticized McGregor for his “horrible” comments.
Islam Makhachev plans on smashing Thiago Moises at UFC Vegas 31, fight for UFC lightweight title in 2022
Adam D Martin - July 16, 2021
Top contender Islam Makhachev says he plans on smashing Thiago Moises at UFC Vegas 31 and then fight for the UFC lightweight title in 2022. Makhachev is the No. 9 ranked lightweight on the UFC roster and this Saturday night he takes on the No. 14 ranked Moises in the main event of the UFC Vegas 31 event. Makhachev is 8-1 overall in the UFC and currently riding a seven-fight win streak, so a victory over Moises would give him a very impressive resume and some will argue that he deserves to fight for the belt. With Makhachev’s longtime friend, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, now retired, Makhachev has a clear path to the belt.
Justin Balboa files lawsuit against Joe Schilling in excess of the $30k following viral bar KO
Harry Kettle - July 16, 2021
Justin Balboa has filed a lawsuit in excess of $30,000 after being knocked out by former kickboxing star Joe Schilling. A few weeks ago video footage emerged of Balboa, who was clearly intoxicated, being knocked out cold by Schilling – a former GLORY and Bellator fighter. It had been rumored that Balboa was planning on pursuing legal proceedings regarding the case and now, as per MMA Fighting, that appears to have come to fruition.
Dana White explains why former US President Donald Trump did not make the UFC 264 broadcast: “Massive f–k up by my production team”
Harry Kettle - July 16, 2021
UFC president Dana White has explained why former US President Donald Trump did not make it onto the UFC 264 broadcast. It’s been well documented for many years now that White and Trump are close friends. The former leader of the free world did a lot to help the Ultimate Fighting Championship in its early days and in return, Dana has taken part in numerous rallies and events en-route to Trump winning the keys to the White House.
Kris Moutinho says Sean O'Malley is 'as nice as can be' when not on camera
Drake Riggs - July 15, 2021
Kris Moutinho made a name for himself with the opportunity given against Sean O’Malley at UFC 264. Despite his best efforts and the very minor trash talk in the short build-up to the short notice fight, Moutinho walked away with a loss.
Priscila Cachoeira presses charges against ex-girlfriend for defamation after assault allegations
Drake Riggs - July 15, 2021
UFC flyweight Priscila Cachoeira has found herself embroiled in a legal battle with a former partner after allegations of assault have been made. MMA Fighting revealed on Thursday that the 32-year old Brazilian is now pressing charges against her ex-girlfriend, Marcelle Nunes. Filing for defamation, Cachoeira believes that Nunes is “trying to harm” her career “as a UFC fighter and public figure” with claims of being a “drug addict” and claims of leaving Nunes “assaulted constantly.” The police report showed that Cachoeira isn’t ruling out the possibility of filing a lawsuit against her ex.
Photos | Conor McGregor blasts injury doubters: “All you pull out merchants wouldn’t last 13 seconds in my world”
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2021
Conor McGregor has taken to social media to blast all his critics after he broke his leg at UFC 264. McGregor and Poirier had their highly-anticipated match in the main event of the pay-per-view card. It was a very intriguing matchup due to the fact they had just fought in January and already had a big rivalry. However, at the end of the first round, the Irishman took a step back and broke his leg.
Dustin Poirier responds to middleweight challenge from Nate Diaz
Chris Taylor - July 15, 2021
Dustin Poirier has responded after receiving a middleweight challenge from fellow UFC superstar Nate Diaz. Poirier (28-6 MMA) emerged victorious in his rubber match against Conor McGregor at last Saturday’s UFC 264 event and is now expected to be the first man to challenge newly crowned lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.
Nate Diaz reacts after Dustin Poirier defeats Conor McGregor at UFC 264
Chris Taylor - July 15, 2021
Conor McGregor nearly head kicked a security guard during his warmup for UFC 264 (Video)
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2021
Conor McGregor nearly landed a head kick on a security guard while Dustin Poirier was walking to the Octagon at UFC 264. While McGregor was in the cage and awaiting Poirier, he was staying loose throwing punches and kicks. Unfortunately, a security guard was standing in the middle of the Octagon and nearly got kicked in the face.
Exclusive: ONE Championship featherweight king Thanh Le wants Tonon, Nguyen or Lee next
Andrew Whitelaw - July 15, 2021
Thanh Le became the ONE Championship featherweight champion when he scored an impressive third round TKO against Martin Nguyen in October last year. The TUF 22 alumni is currently riding a streak of four straight finishes since he signed with the Singapore-based promotion back in 2019.
Islam Makhachev wants to "help" Tony Ferguson retire after UFC Vegas 31
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2021
Islam Makhachev is hoping to fight Tony Ferguson after UFC Vegas 31. Makhachev is set to headline the Fight Night card on Saturday against Thiago Moises. If the Dagestani native wins, it’s likely he will get a top-ranked opponent and he’s hoping to face Ferguson next time out so he can finally retire him.
Jake Paul sends Dustin Poirier the "Sleepy McGregor" necklace along with a hand-written message: "Good always beats evil"
Adam D Martin - July 15, 2021
Jake Paul sent Dustin Poirier the “Sleepy McGregor” necklace along with a hand-written message, writing to Poirier “good always beats evil.” Paul offered up Poirier the $100,000 necklace after he defeated McGregor via first-round TKO (doctor stoppage) at UFC 264 last Saturday night. “The Diamond” replied to Paul on social media affirmatively that he wanted the necklace, and it appears as though “The Problem Child” is now making good on his word and sending Poirier the chain. Taking to his social media on Thursday, Paul shared an image of the necklace along with a hand-written note to Poirier and his wife Jolie following their big victory over McGregor last weekend.
Miles Johns expects to finish Anderson dos Santos in a "fan-favorite fight" at UFC Vegas 31
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2021
Miles Johns has a ton of confidence in himself coming off a highlight-reel KO win in his last fight. Johns last fought back on Halloween night where he knocked out Kevin Natividad. Following that, many thought he would get a quick turnaround, but nine months later, Johns will return which he says is later than he thought but still is good timing.
Joe Rogan comments on recent trend of injuries in the UFC: "People are getting good at breaking people's bones"
Adam D Martin - July 15, 2021
MMA analyst Joe Rogan commented on the recent trend of injuries in the UFC, saying that “people are getting good at breaking people’s bones.” UFC superstar Conor McGregor was stopped by rival Dustin Poirier in their trilogy match at this past Saturday’s UFC 264 pay-per-view card, and we later found out that the Irishman broke his leg in the fight. Back in April at UFC 261, former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman broke his leg when it snapped on a checked kick by Uriah Hall. And at UFC 262 in May, veteran Jacare Souza had his arm snapped by Andre Muniz in their fight.