MMA News
Belal Muhammad puts Colby Covington on blast: 'The hatred I have for that guy is levels above Leon Edwards'
Drake Riggs - June 21, 2021
Belal Muhammad is not at all a fan of former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington. UFC President Dana White has let it be known that “Chaos” is next in line to rematch current champion, Kamaru Usman. After seeing Covington lose via fifth-round TKO in their December 2019 clash, Muhammad believes he should be next for Covington instead.
Orlando Sanchez explains his side of the Sean Strickland scuffle
Drake Riggs - June 21, 2021
Rising UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland got into a bit of an altercation with BJJ world champion Orlando Sanchez this past week. Strickland and Sanchez were caught on video at RVCA in California practicing some grappling. Ultimately, it ended in less than a friendly manner as Strickland threw a spinning back fist and teep kick to Sanchez after Sanchez attempted an alleged “dirty” arm crank.
Sean O'Malley unimpressed by Marlon Vera's win over Davey Grant: "He looked so slow"
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2021
Sean O’Malley didn’t think Marlon Vera looked all that good on Saturday night against Davey Grant. Vera returned at UFC Vegas 29 on the main card to rematch Grant in an anticipated bout. Ultimately, it was “Chito” who got his hand raised winning a clear-cut decision as he battered Grant for the final two rounds. Yet, for O’Malley, he says he didn’t think Vera looked that impressive.
UFC 263 salaries revealed with Israel Adesanya leading the way and Nate Diaz pocketing $250k
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2021
The UFC 263 salaries have been revealed with Israel Adesanya making the most amount of money. UFC 263 took place in Glendale, Arizona on June 12 and the Arizona Department of Gaming was able to reveal the payouts for the fighters to MMAJunkie. To no surprise, Adesanya, who defeated Marvin Vettori in the main event to defend his middleweight belt made the most money as he cashed $500,000. Vettori, meanwhile, made $350,000 which was the second-highest on the card.
Jiri Prochazka wants to get back into the Octagon as soon as possible: "Ready to jump in"
Adam D Martin - June 21, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender Jiri Prochazka says he wants to get back into the Octagon soon to continue his quest towards the 205lbs belt. Prochazka is coming off of back-to-back knockout wins over Dominick Reyes and Volkan Oezdemir to kick off his UFC career. The Czech Republic native has looked absolutely phenomenal so far in the UFC and it’s possible that he could even fight for the title in his next fight. But instead of sitting around and waiting for a title shot, it looks like Prochazka is hoping to get back into the cage soon so he can continue to solidify his UFC resume.
Vitor Belfort hoping for rematch with Anderson Silva in boxing
Adam D Martin - June 21, 2021
Former UFC champion Vitor Belfort is hoping for a rematch with fellow MMA legend Anderson Silva in boxing 10 years after they met in the UFC. It was at UFC 126 in February 2011 that Silva pulled off one of the greatest knockouts in UFC history when he knocked Belfort out with a brutal front kick to the face and punches. For the past decade, these two pillars of Brazilian combat sports have been going back and forth with each other and a rematch has always been something that the fans have wanted to see. But with both men no longer in the UFC, a rematch in MMA doesn’t seem likely anytime soon. However, now that both men are back in the world of boxing, it seems possible that a rematch between the two legends of the sport could take place in boxing.
Anderson Silva praises boxing star Canelo Alvarez following win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.: "I can't believe Canelo spoke to me"
Adam D Martin - June 21, 2021
Anderson Silva praised boxing star Canelo Alvarez following his win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., saying “I can’t believe Canelo spoke to me.” Silva won a split decision over Chavez Jr. in his return to the boxing ring for the first time in 16 years. “The Spider” looked fast and elusive in the fight and showed off his trademark striking skills, leading him to pick up the upset win. Though Chavez Jr. is a Mexican-based fighter and Alvarez is as well, following the fight the boxing superstar entered the Octagon and gave his respects to Silva for picking up the biggest win of his boxing career. You can tell there is a lot of mutual respect between these two. Check out the video below.
What's next for Korean Zombie and Dan Ige after UFC Vegas 29?
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 29, Korean Zombie was looking to get back into the win column against streaking contender, Dan Ige. Zombie entered the scrap coming off a decision loss to Brian Ortega that had he won, he likely would’ve gotten a title shot. Ige, meanwhile, got back into the win column last time as he knocked out Gavin Tucker in 22-seconds.
Sean Sherk says UFC should be "extremely embarrassed" about fighter pay: "The fighters need to unionize"
Adam D Martin - June 21, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk says the UFC should be “extremely embarrassed” about fighter pay, suggesting a union is important. Sherk was one of the top fighters in MMA from 1999 to 2010, racking up a 36-4-1 record in the sport during that time period, including a win over Kenny Florian at UFC 64 in 2006 that saw Sherk claim the vacant UFC lightweight title. “The Muscle Shark” has been retired ever since an upset win over Evan Dunham in 2010 and he is now 47 years old, but he keeps up to date with what’s going on with the UFC and he’s not happy with the climate.
Jose Aldo shows off his new nine-bedroom home in Orlando (Video)
Adam D Martin - June 21, 2021
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo showed off his new, nine-bedroom home in Orlando, Florida in a new video posted to YouTube. Aldo is coming off of a unanimous decision win over Marlon Vera last December, and he steps back into the Octagon this summer at UFC 265 when he takes on fellow Brazilian Pedro Munhoz in a key fight in the UFC bantamweight division title picture. Ahead of his upcoming fight, Aldo’s family posted a video of them showing off their new house in Orlando. Aldo is currently in Rio de Janeiro training with Team Nova Uniao ahead of the Munhoz fight, but his wife and daughter, along with their interior designer, showed off the house. The house is just as big as you can imagine and there are many bells and whistles.
Jake Paul sends Father’s Day wishes to his five “sons”, including Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier and Kamaru Usman
Adam D Martin - June 21, 2021
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul sent Father’s Day wishes to his five “sons”, including Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, and Kamaru Usman. Sunday was Father’s Day and Paul took to his social media to wish several UFC fighters all the best, only he trolled them hard. The YouTuber sensation Paul posted a collage of photos that included Usman getting choked out by Jose Caceres (with Paul photoshopped into the picture), McGregor sleeping after Dustin Poirier knocked him out at UFC 257, Daniel Cormier crying after Jon Jones knocked him out, Ben Askren just before Paul dropped him, and then Tyron Woodly, who Paul will be fighting next. Check it out below.
Giga Chikadze says the UFC called him to replace Max Holloway but “pussy” Yair Rodriguez has not accepted the bout
Harry Kettle - June 21, 2021
UFC featherweight Giga Chikadze has claimed the UFC has offered him the chance to replace Max Holloway against Yair Rodriguez. The fight between Holloway and Rodriguez was initially scheduled to take place on July 17 but after Holloway pulled out due to an undisclosed injury, Rodriguez was left without an opponent for his July showdown.
Gleison Tibau admits it was a "big surprise" to defeat Rory MacDonald in PFL
Adam Martin - June 20, 2021
Former UFC lightweight contender Gleison Tibau admitted that it was a “big surprise” for him that he defeated Rory MacDonald in PFL. Tibau earned one of the biggest upsets of the year so far in MMA when he won a controversial split decision over MacDonald at PFL 5 last Thursday in New Jersey. The decision was extremely controversial, with many fans and media declaring it a “robbery” after two of the three judges scored the bout in favor of the Brazilian. Most thought that MacDonald did enough to win at least two of the three rounds and earn the decision, but the judges had other plans as they awarded the longtime UFC veteran Tibau the decision.
Marlon Vera finds Dominick Cruz backstage with his pants down following UFC Vegas 29 (Video)
Adam Martin - June 20, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera called out Dominick Cruz backstage following UFC Vegas 29, after catching Cruz with his pants down. Vera defeated Davey Grant via unanimous decision in the “Fight of the Night” at UFC Vegas 29 on Saturday night. After losing the first round to Grant, who was busier with his striking, Vera really came on in the second and third rounds with his work from the clinch especially, as he cut open Grant with elbows that sliced the Brit’s face open. Although Grant was tough enough to survive until the final bell, Vera did all the damage in the fight and deserved to earn the unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards following the bout.
Aleksandar Rakic believes he matches up well stylistically with Jan Blachowicz: "It's going to be a very good fight"
Adam Martin - June 20, 2021
Aleksandar Rakic believes he matches up well stylistically with UFC 205lbs champ Jan Blachowicz, saying “it’s going to be a very good fight.” Rakic is coming off of a decision win over Thiago Santos at UFC 259, the same night that Blachowicz defeated Israel Adesanya to defend the UFC light heavyweight title. Blachowicz takes on No. 1 contender Glover Teixeira in his next title defense at UFC 266 in September, but Rakic and Jiri Prochazka are right behind Teixeira in the title picture, and Blachowicz is well aware that both of these young fighters are quickly moving up the ladder for his belt.
Anderson Silva issues statement following win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in boxing: "No one but you can dictate the rules of your journey"
Adam Martin - June 20, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva issued a statement following his split decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in boxing. Silva made his return to the squared circled for the first time since 2005 against Chavez Jr. in Mexico. The oddsmakers pegged Silva as a sizeable underdog to beat Chavez Jr., who has nearly 60 boxing matches to his credit compared to just two for Silva, but it was “The Spider” who got the upper hand throughout the majority of the bout, and two of the three judges scored the fight in his favor. It was an exceptional win for Silva, and one made all the sweeter after he was unceremoniously cut by UFC president Dana White last year.
Anderson Silva open to working with Jake Paul and Logan Paul in boxing
Adam D Martin - June 20, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva says he would be open to working with Jake Paul and Logan Paul in the world of boxing. Silva won a split decision over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on Saturday night in Mexico. Considering Silva is now 46 years old and was facing an opponent a decade younger than him in a sport in which he hasn’t competed in 16 years, it was impressive to see “The Spider” turn back the clock and win the fight against Chavez Jr. Now that he’s back in the win column, there is expected to be a ton of interest in working with the Paul brothers.
Matt Brown says he would love to be Demian Maia's retirement fight
Adam D Martin - June 20, 2021
UFC welterweight veteran Matt Brown said he would love to be Demian Maia’s retirement fight after his KO over Dhiego Lima at UFC Vegas 29. The 40-year-old Brown scored a thunderous KO when he landed a brutal straight right on the chin of Lima, knocking his opponent out cold. For Brown, this was a big win for him after losing his last two fights to Carlos Condit and Miguel Baeza. He needed to get his hand raised in this fight and he got the job done with yet another highlight-reel KO.