MMA News
Marcelo Rojo, cornerman of Brandon Moreno, issues apology for monkey posts aimed at Deiveson Figueiredo ahead of UFC 263
Chris Taylor - June 12, 2021
Marcelo Rojo, a UFC featherweight and cornerman of Brandon Moreno, has issued an apology for making monkey posts aimed at Deiveson Figueiredo. Moreno (18-5-2 MMA) and Figueiredo (20-1-1 MMA) are set to collide for a second time in tonight’s UFC 263 co-main event.
Jon Jones sends a daunting message to UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou: "Remember you’re not a champ until you defend that title"
Christopher Taylor - June 11, 2021
Jon Jones has sent Francis Ngannou a message after catching word that the reigning UFC heavyweight champion is still holding out for a fight. After Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic in their rematch at UFC 260 to claim the promotions heavyweight strap, it was expected that his first title defense would come against Jones.
Jorge Masvidal shares his predictions for UFC 263, including a Nate Diaz win over Leon Edwards
Christopher Taylor - June 11, 2021
Jorge Masvidal has shared his predictions for tomorrow night’s UFC 263 event, including a Nate Diaz victory over Leon Edwards. Masvidal (35-15 MMA), the promotions inaugural BMF champion, is coming off back-to-back title fight losses to reigning UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in his most recent efforts.
UFC 263: ‘Adesanya vs Vettori 2’ Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - June 11, 2021
The Octagon returns to Arizona for tonight’s UFC 263 event, a fourteen-bout fight card headlined by a rematch between Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori. Adesanya (20-1 MMA) and Vettori (17-4-1 MMA) originally collided in April of 2018, with the promotions reigning middleweight champion emerging victorious by way of split decision.
Andre Fili returns against Daniel Pineda at Fight Night card on June 26
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2021
UFC 266: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira gets new date, Jessica Andrade vs. Cynthia Calvillo added to card
Adam D Martin - June 11, 2021
The upcoming UFC 266: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira PPV card has a new date, and Jessica Andrade vs. Cynthia Calvillo has been added to the event. UFC 266 was originally targeted for September 4, but the event has now been moved to September 25. No location or venue was announced. Carlos Contreras Legaspi of ESPN Deportes was the first to report the date, as well as the addition of the Andrade vs. Calvillo fight to the card. In addition to the Blachowicz vs. Texeira UFC light heavyweight title fight in the main event, there have been whispers the UFC featherweight title fight between TUF 29 coaches Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega may also be added to this card.
UFC 263 weigh-in results: Israel Adesanya and Deiveson Figueiredo both on weight, title fights official
Adam D Martin - June 11, 2021
The official weigh-ins for UFC 263 took place on Friday in Glendale, Arizona, and 27 of the 28 fighters scheduled to compete made weight. In the main event of the evening, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya puts his belt on the line when he takes on rival Marvin Vettori in a rematch. Adesanya came in at 183.5 while Vettori came in at 185 and this title fight is now official for Saturday night.
Colby Covington trashes Leon Edwards for fighting Nate Diaz: "He likes to pick these easy fights with these guys that aren’t even relevant to the division"
Adam D Martin - June 11, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington trashed Leon Edwards for fighting Nate Diaz on Saturday at UFC 263, saying he picks “easy fights.” Edwards and Diaz meet for five rounds or less in the first non-title, non-main event five-round fight in UFC history. UFC president Dana White has already confirmed this matchup has high stakes, with the winner of the bout being next in line to fight for the UFC welterweight title, but only after Covington gets his shot at the champ Kamaru Usman first.
Brian Maxwell believes he would've beat Chad Johnson if it was judged, says he plans on training with 'Ochocino' ahead of BKFC return
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2021
Brian Maxwell didn’t really believe he was fighting Chad Johnson until fight week came along. Maxwell, a combat sports veteran, was messaged out of the blue to box the NFL Pro Bowler of the Mayweather-Paul undercard. It was surreal for Maxwell, but he says even though it was a massive fight, he wasn’t nervous.
Chris Weidman says he is back in the gym following leg break at UFC 261: "It felt so good to be back in the gym"
Adam D Martin - June 11, 2021
Chris Weidman says he is back in the gym following the leg break incident at UFC 261, saying that “it felt so good to be back in the gym.” Weidman broke his leg on a Uriah Hall checked kick at UFC 261 in April in one of the nastiest injuries we have ever seen inside the Octagon. Amazingly, Weidman is now back in the gym and he even says he’s doing some boxing. Speaking to Michael Bisping on the “Believe You Me” podcast, Weidman said that he got back in the gym to move around and said that he ended up doing some boxing play sparring with some of the other guys there.
Marvin Vettori blasts "fake" Israel Adesanya ahead of UFC 263 rematch: "I get to beat his ass and get his belt"
Adam D Martin - June 11, 2021
Marvin Vettori blasted “fake” Israel Adesanya ahead of their UFC 263 rematch, saying he’s excited “to beat his ass and get his belt.” Vettori and Adesanya meet on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 263 with Adesanya’s middleweight title on the line. Ahead of the fight, the two got into an altercation at the fighter hotel earlier this week. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Vettori shed more like on his run-in with Adesanya, explaining why the champ is “fake” for the cameras.
Francis Ngannou wants Jon Jones next, not Derrick Lewis: "I love that fight"
Adam D Martin - June 11, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is still holding out hope that he will fight Jon Jones next and not Derrick Lewis. Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic in March at UFC 260 to become the new heavyweight champion of the world. For his first title defense he was fully expected to fight Jones, but the UFC and Jones have not been able to come to terms on a new contract for this heavyweight superfight. With Jones temporarily out of the picture, UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Lewis will be next in line for a belt coming off of a KO win over Curtis Blaydes. The plan is for them to headline UFC 265 in August in Houston, Texas.
Leon Edwards sounds off on Covington vs Usman 2: “I don’t know how Dana's justifying giving Colby the title shot next”
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards has questioned the logic of Colby Covington getting the next shot at Kamaru Usman. Ever since losing to Usman back in December 2015, Edwards has gone on a phenomenal run that saw him win eight fights in a row prior to his unfortunate no contest against Belal Muhammad. On the flip side, Covington bounced back from a brutal loss to Usman at UFC 245 with a TKO victory over rival Tyron Woodley.
Nate Diaz smokes a joint at UFC 263 press conference, offers Brandon Moreno a hit (Video)
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
Nate Diaz was up to his usual tricks at the UFC 263 press conference. While most of the questions were towards Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori, Diaz sat back in his seat and started to smoke a joint. Of course, with the Arizona commission, you can smoke marijuana all you want as long as you don’t show up to the fight impaired so Diaz took full advantage of it.
Nate Diaz says UFC 263 scrap against Leon Edwards is "the title" fight
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
Nate Diaz says he feels like he’s fighting for the title on Saturday night at UFC 263. Diaz will return to the Octagon in a five-round welterweight scrap against Leon Edwards. It’s an intriguing matchup and one that was a surprise for many as Edwards isn’t the type of big name draw that Diaz is used to fighting. However, for the Stockton native, he says he wanted to fight the best fighter and that is what Edwards is.
Marvin Vettori suggests he's a “superior fighter”, Israel Adesanya responds with bold prediction
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
Marvin Vettori believes he’s a much better fighter than Israel Adesanya. In the main event of UFC 263, Adesanya and Vettori will rematch in the same arena where they fought back in 2018 with ‘Stylebender’ winning a split decision. It was a close fight which makes the rematch intriguing and ahead of the scrap, Vettori wants it known that he is the much better fighter.
Israel Adesanya says Kamaru Usman "inspired" him to beat Marvin Vettori again, plans to "shut him down"
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
Israel Adesanya admits he wasn’t too interested in fighting Marvin Vettori again. Adesanya and Vettori fought back in 2018 with Adesanya winning a split decision win. Since then, Vettori claimed he won the scrap and was eager for the rematch. Now that they are set to meet in the main event of UFC 263 the rivalry between the two have gotten intense including a hotel run-in. Yet, according to “The Last Stylebender” he says Vettori wasn’t as loud as he was in person.
Joe Rogan praises the boxing skills of Jake Paul: "Jake throws things straight and hard"
Adam D Martin - June 10, 2021
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan praised of Jake Paul, saying that “Jake throws things straight and hard.” Paul takes on former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley on August 28 in a professional boxing match. Paul is coming off of a huge TKO win over Ben Askren which earned him this big opportunity against Woodley, who was recently released from the UFC following the end of his last contract. Paul vs. Woodley is expected to be one of the biggest combat sports events of the summer and it should be a very exciting fight regardless of what happens. And if you ask Rogan, it’s going to be a very competitive boxing match.
Steven Peterson expects to KO Chase Hooper in the first round: "Just totally beat him down with violence"
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
Steven Peterson asked for Chase Hooper and he got his wish. Back in January, Peterson revealed to BJPENN.com he was out of his February 6 fight against Seung Woo Choi due to an injury. However, during the interview, he called out Hooper, yet, he didn’t expect the UFC to give him that fight. But, he got his wish as he’ll face the grappling ace at UFC 263.