MMA News
Gregor Gillespie open to Islam Makhachev fight down the road: "That's a guy that's probably ranked lower than he's capable of competing at"
Adam Martin - May 30, 2021
UFC lightweight Gregor Gillespie is open to fighting Islam Makhachev fight down the road, suggesting the Russian could be ranked even higher. Gillespie is currently the No. 10 ranked lightweight in the UFC after going 7-1 overall in the promotion, including a stoppage win over Diego Ferreira that recently won him $100,000 in bonuses. One of the top grapplers in the UFC lightweight division, Gillespie is now looking for his next opponent, and one of the suggestions from fans has been Makhachev, who is ranked one spot ahead of Gillespie at No. 9 in the UFC. Makhachev is slated to fight Thiago Moises in July in his next fight, but Gillespie is keeping an eye on him for the future.
Bigfoot Silva excited for MMA comeback after four years away: "Pezao from 10 years ago will return"
Adam D Martin - May 30, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight Bigfoot Silva is excited for his MMA comeback after four years away, saying “Pezao from 10 years ago will return.” Bigfoot hasn’t fought in MMA since June 2017, when he was knocked out by Vitaly Minakov in Russia. He has competed in Glory Kickboxing and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship since then but he lost to Rico Verhoeven and Gabriel Gonzaga by brutal knockout. Overall, Bigfoot has lost his last five MMA fights dating back to 2015, with his last victory coming against Soa Palelei all the way back at UFC 190: Rousey vs. Correia in August 2015.
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Dustin Poirier will be UFC lightweight champion within the year
Adam D Martin - May 30, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov believes that former rival Dustin Poirier will be crowned the new champion within a year. Nurmagomedov was the best lightweight fighter in the sport before officially announcing his retirement from MMA earlier this year. As part of his retirement, Nurmagomedov vacated the UFC’s 155lbs belt, which Oliveira won when he knocked out Michael Chandler at UFC 262. Speaking to Sport 24, Nurmagomedov praised the new champion Oliveira for his victory, but cautioned that he won’t be champion for long. As far as “The Eagle” is concerned, Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier will take Oliveira’s belt from him.
Dana White explains why Nate Diaz vs. Leon Edwards was scheduled for five rounds
Adam D Martin - May 30, 2021
UFC president Dana White explained why the upcoming Nate Diaz vs. Leon Edwards welterweight bout at UFC 263 was scheduled for five rounds. For the first time in UFC history, a fight other than a title bout or main event will be scheduled for 25 minutes when Diaz takes on Edwards on June 12 at UFC 263. The fight was originally slated as the co-main event for UFC 262 and was set for five rounds, but even after the fight was moved to UFC 263, which already has two five-round title fights set to take place, the fight between Edwards and Diaz was kept for the five rounds.
Carla Esparza hopes UFC gives her next title shot against Rose Namajunas: "Come on Dana"
Adam D Martin - May 30, 2021
UFC women’s strawweight contender Carla Esparza hopes the UFC gives her the next title shot against Rose Namajunas, saying “Come on Dana.” Esparza is coming off of an incredible TKO win over Yan Xiaonan at UFC Vegas 27 last weekend that was the statement she needed to make in order to earn a title shot with Namajunas. Esparza has now won her last five fights in a row, including notable victories over the likes of Marina Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson during that stretch, and she’s hoping that the win over Yan in such devastating fashion will earn her the next title shot.
Sylvester Stallone believes Dustin Poirier has "big-time advantage" over Conor McGregor at UFC 264
Adam D Martin - May 30, 2021
Movie star Sylvester Stallone believes that Dustin Poirier has a “big-time advantage” over Conor McGregor in their trilogy fight at UFC 264. Stallone, the star of “Rocky,” spoke to TMZ Sports and was asked about who he believes will take the trilogy fight between Poirier and McGregor at UFC 264 in July. The two rivals are 1-1 so far in their first two fights, with McGregor knocking out Poirier at UFC 178 in September 2014, and Poirier returning the favor at UFC 257 with a knockout of his own. The two will now meet for the third and final time for all the marbles, but if you ask Stallone, one of the two fighters in this particular matchup has the upper hand in the fight.
Colby Covington says George St-Pierre would have been an "extremely easy fight" for him
Adam D Martin - May 30, 2021
UFC welterweight Colby Covington says that a potential matchup against George St-Pierre would have been an “extremely easy fight” for him. Covington is one of the best welterweight fighters in the UFC right now and GSP is, of course, one of the all-time greats ever in the 170lbs division. Although GSP is now 40 years old and retired, there have been rumors about him potentially fighting again for the last several years, with the most recent rumblings suggesting a matchup with former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at a 165lbs catchweight.
Video | Chris Weidman walks on own for first time since breaking leg at UFC 261
Adam D Martin - May 30, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman shared a video of himself walking on his own for the first time since breaking his leg. Weidman suffered one of the most brutal injuries we’ve ever seen in the Octagon when he shattered his right leg on the first kick he threw against Uriah Hall at UFC 261 in April. Immediately after breaking his leg, Weidman was rushed to the hospital and he had surgery on his leg. It was a terrible injury for “The All-American” but he has been working hard during his rehab and recovery in order to not only walk again but return to the UFC.
Chuck Liddell does not think Jake Paul will accept his challenge: "He’s going to risk getting hurt like that?"
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell does not expect that YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will respond his recent callout. Earlier this month, Liddell responded to a fan who had suggested that he should be the next man to square off with the younger Paul brother.
Colby Covington claims Jon Jones is trying to get one final cash grab with Francis Ngannou fight: "He’s done, he doesn’t have the right scientist, the right juice to do anymore."
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
Colby Covington believes Jon Jones as trying to get one final “cash grab” by securing a fight with current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Jones (26-1 MMA) vacated his light heavyweight title last summer in hopes of making a run at the promotions heavyweight championship. It was initially thought that ‘Bones’ would fight the winner of March’s rematch between Francis Ngannou and Stipe Miocic.
Brandon Moreno knows he can "support the damage" and "be more aggressive" in UFC 263 rematch with Deiveson Figueiredo
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
It is hard to imagine that June’s UFC 263 flyweight title fight rematch between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno could be any crazier than their first fight. Figueiredo (20-1-1 MMA) and Moreno (18-5-2 MMA) originally collided at December’s UFC 256 event, where the pair produced a fight for the ages.
Alex Volkanovski trashes Colby Covington over his TUF 29 coaching remarks: "You literally play a character to stay relevant."
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski did not hold back while responding to Colby Covington’s remarks about his TUF 29 coaching gig. Prior to Volkanovski and Brian Ortega being announced as the coaches of the new season of The Ultimate Fighter, rumors were swirling that Colby Covington could be a part of TUF 29.
Previously quiet Israel Adesanya trolls Marvin Vettori ahead of UFC 263 rematch
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has been relatively quiet ahead of his UFC 263 rematch with Italian standout 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.
Alex Volkanovski dubs Brian Ortega "fake" and "awkward" following filming of TUF 29
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski has dubbed his upcoming opponent Brian Ortega “fake” and “awkward” following their filming of TUF 29. Volkanovski (22-1 MMA) and Ortega (15-1 MMA) just spent weeks in each others presence while serving as coaches of Season 29 of The Ultimate Fighter.
Brian Ortega responds after Colby Covington trashes his TUF 29 coaching gig: "I’m glad you ain’t get it B*tch."
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
Brian Ortega has responded after former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington trashed his TUF 29 coaching gig. Prior to Ortega and Volkanovski being announced as the coaches of the new season of The Ultimate Fighter, rumors were swirling that Colby Covington could be a part of TUF 29.
Floyd Mayweather says he just has to show up to beat Logan Paul: "If I want it to go one round, it'll go one round"
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2021
Floyd Mayweather is confident he will beat Logan Paul with ease on June 6. Mayweather is set to face the YouTuber turned boxer in Paul in an exhibition bout in Miami next Sunday. Entering the fight, the undefeated boxer is a massive -1300 favorite and he doesn’t have much of a strategy for the bout. Instead, he says when he wants the fight to end it will end.
Shamil Abdurakhimov returns to action on July 24, faces Chris Daukaus
Alfredo Zullino - May 28, 2021
Charles Oliveira open to moving back to 145lbs, but only for title shot: "I would do well"
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira says he open to moving back to 145lbs, but only for a title shot, saying that he “would do well.” Oliveira knocked out Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 262 in Houston two weeks ago to become the new UFC lightweight champion. He has won his last nine fights in a row at 155lbs and overall looks like one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world while fighting in this division. However, “Do Bronx” admits a move back to 145lbs is possible.
TJ Dillashaw had spies in Cory Sandhagen's camp, says teammate
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
A teammate of Cory Sandhagen at Elevation Fight Team accused TJ Dillashaw of having spies in his rival’s training camp ahead of their fight. Justin Wetzell, a featherweight prospect who competes in LFA, recently spoke to James Lynch and spoke about his teammate Sandhagen’s training camp for the Dillashaw fight this summer. According to Wetzell, it was a peculiar training camp because he said that Dillashaw had Duane “Bang” Ludwig striking students come into the gym and spy on them.