MMA News
Carla Esparza sends respectful challenge to Rose Namajunas: “We started this division together... Round 2?”
Harry Kettle - May 25, 2021
Carla Esparza has issued a challenge to Rose Namajunas as she closes in on another shot at the UFC Strawweight Championship. Last Saturday night, Esparza firmly cemented her place as one of the division’s top contenders with a dominant TKO victory over Yan Xiaonan. It marked her fifth straight win and, in the eyes of many, has taken her to the doorstep of a title opportunity.
Eddie Alvarez explains why Justin Gaethje would be a 'terrible' matchup for Michael Chandler
Drake Riggs - May 24, 2021
Eddie Alvarez has gone to war on numerous occasions throughout his legendary career. It now looks like two of his most notable opponents could square off next. Both of Alvarez’s encounters with fellow former Bellator lightweight king Michael Chandler were instant classics. The same can be said for his UFC 218 bout against Justin Gaethje. Now that both have suffered losses in their most recent title opportunities, UFC President Dana White seemingly still likes the idea of matching the two together.
Video | Valerie Loureda shares health update, provides booty shake for her haters
Chris Taylor - May 24, 2021
Valerie Loureda has shared an injury update following her first career loss at Bellator 259, this while providing her haters with a booty shake. Loureda (3-1 MMA) had entered Friday’s bout with Hannah Guy (3-1 MMA) looking to build off her impressive knockout victory over Tara Graff from Bellator 243.
Daniel Cormier on a potential Georges St-Pierre vs. Oscar De La Hoya boxing match: 'It’s too risky for us as a community'
Drake Riggs - May 24, 2021
Daniel Cormier doesn’t like the idea of Georges St-Pierre getting into the boxing scene for a match with Oscar De La Hoya. Unfortunately for St-Pierre, the UFC has put an end to any of those hopes of making the match happen – at least for the time being. The former UFC dual-division champion in Cormier ultimately views that as a good thing as he believes the risk outweighs the reward when it comes to the Canadian icon’s legacy.
Kevin Lee reacts after comeback fight against Sean Brady announced for UFC 264: "Making a run for my title July 10th"
Adam D Martin - May 24, 2021
UFC fan-favorite Kevin Lee reacted after his comeback fight against Sean Brady in the welterweight division was announced for UFC 264. Lee hasn’t fought since March 2020, when he was submitted by current UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC Brasilia. For the past year, he has been out of action while healing up injuries, but he’s now ready to return to the Octagon this summer. Overall, Lee has lost three of his last four fights and he needs to get back in the win column, but the UFC matchmakers have done him no favors by matching him up with a very tough opponent in Brady in what should be an exciting fight that is set for UFC 264.
Jack Hermansson wants Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, or the winner of Derek Brunson vs. Darren Till next
Adam D Martin - May 24, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Jack Hermansson wants to fight Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, or the winner of Derek Brunson vs. Darren Till next. Hermansson is coming off of a big win over Edmen Shahbazyan at UFC Vegas 27. After a tough start in the first round, Hermansson dominated the fight with his grappling in the second and third rounds to win unanimously on the judges’ scorecards with 29-27 scorecards (the last round was a 10-8). It was a tremendous performance by Hermansson and a much-needed victory for the Swede after losing to Marvin Vettori in his last outing.
What's next for Rob Font and Cody Garbrandt after UFC Vegas 27?
Cole Shelton - May 24, 2021
The UFC was back at the Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night for UFC Vegas 27. In the main event, top-five bantamweight collided as Rob Font took on former champion, Cody Garbrandt. Font entered the fight coming off the biggest win of his career as he knocked out Marlon Moraes in the first round back in December. Garbrandt, meanwhile, returned to the win column with a highlight-reel KO over Raphael Assuncao.
Felicia Spencer reacts following loss to Norma Dumont at UFC Vegas 27: "I didn't turn the switch on"
Adam D Martin - May 24, 2021
UFC women’s featherweight Felicia Spencer reacted following her loss to Norma Dumont at UFC Vegas 27, saying “I didn’t turn the switch on.” Spencer lost a split decision to Dumont on the UFC Vegas 27 main card, with the judges scoring the bout 30-27, 28-29, and 29-28 in favor of the Brazilian. For Spencer, the loss to Dumont gives her the first two-fight losing skid of her career after getting smashed by Amanda Nunes in her previous outing at UFC 250. Overall, Spencer is 2-3 in the UFC now, and with the future of the promotion’s 145lbs division very much in the air, it will be interesting to see what’s next for “The FeeNom” following what was a very tough loss.
Cris Cyborg wants to fight Cat Zingano in Bellator next, but Scott Coker unsure
Adam D Martin - May 24, 2021
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg wants to fight Cat Zingano next, but the promotion’s top executive Scott Coker is unsure. Cyborg picked up a fifth-round TKO win over Leslie Smith in the main event of Bellator 259 last Friday night to improve to a perfect 3-0 under the Bellator banner. Following the win, Cyborg requested that she fight Zingano next in a battle of former UFC fighters. Zingano is 2-0 in Bellator so far and has overall looked solid in the promotion, and it would be a fresh matchup for Cyborg if Bellator makes it. But at this point, it’s not a guarantee it’s booked.
Conor McGregor congratulates former rival Paul Felder on his MMA retirement
Adam D Martin - May 24, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor congratulated former lightweight divisional rival Paul Felder on the recent announcement of his MMA retirement. Felder broke the news during the UFC Vegas 27 card that he is officially stepping away from the sport and retiring at age 36. Fans, media, and fighters soon took to their social media to say kind words about “The Irish Dragon,” and McGregor was among them. Taking to his Twitter on Sunday, McGregor congratulated Felder on his fantastic UFC career.
City Kickboxing fighter Fau Vake dies due to injuries suffered in assault
Harry Kettle - May 24, 2021
City Kickboxing has released a statement confirming the death of amateur MMA fighter Fau Vake after a week in critical condition. Vake was admitted to hospital due to injuries suffered from an assault last Sunday morning in Auckland, with his teammates and coaches all being by his side in the days since – including Eugene Bareman and Israel Adesanya.
Paul Felder elaborates on his decision to retire, says recent losses by ‘Cowboy’ and ‘Jacare’ played a factor
Harry Kettle - May 24, 2021
Paul Felder has gone into more detail regarding his decision to retire from mixed martial arts, as he announced on Saturday night. Felder made the revelation during the UFC Vegas 27 broadcast, insisting that while it was a tough decision to make, it was the right thing for him and his family. The 37-year-old walks away from the sport with a 17-6 record, with his last Octagon appearance being a split decision loss to Rafael dos Anjos back in November.
Video | Tyron Woodley gets spooked while entering shark-infested waters
Christopher Taylor - May 23, 2021
The camera was rolling as former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley attempted to enter shark-infested waters off the coast of Hawaii. Woodley (19-7-1 MMA) was on vacation earlier this month in the Aloha State and decided to get adventurous under the watchful eye of Ocean Outfitters Hawaii.
Amanda Ribas vs. Angela Hill scratched from UFC Vegas 28 along with two other fights
Adam Martin - May 23, 2021
A women’s strawweight battle between Amanda Ribas and Angela Hill has been scratched from UFC Vegas 28 along with two other scheduled fights. Marcel Dorff of MMA DNA was the first to report the changes. According to the report, Ribas vs. Hill has been taken off of the UFC Vegas 28 card that is set to take place on June 5. Additionally, a featherweight bout between Nate Landwehr and Makwan Amirkhani is off after Landwehr withdrew from the fight. Similarly, a middleweight bout between Dusko Todorovic and Maki Pitolo is also off after Pitolo was forced to pull out of the matchup. The UFC announced during the UFC Vegas 27 broadcast on Saturday that Pitolo was out.
Conor McGregor suggests Diego Sanchez vs. Joshua Fabia in McGregor Sports and Entertainment
Adam Martin - May 23, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor suggested that Diego Sanchez fight Joshua Fabia under the McGregor Sports and Entertainment banner. Sanchez this week revealed that he has officially split with Fabia, just a few weeks after the former Ultimate Fighter winner was cut by the UFC. Part of the reason he was cut was because of an argument that Fabia had with UFC executives on Fight Island last year. The UFC was also not happy that Fabia was asking about Sanchez’s medical records. Ultimately, the decision was made for the UFC to cut Sanchez. And now, not long after a bizarre video emerged of Fabia “training” with Sanchez was released, Sanchez has cut ties with Fabia.
Dana White views Tatiana Suarez as potential title contender at 125lbs, but believes she will be "a little rusty"
Adam Martin - May 23, 2021
UFC president Dana White says he views Tatiana Suarez as a potential title contender at 125lbs but he believes she will be “a little rusty.” Suarez announced this week that she plans on returning to the Octagon later this year as a flyweight. The former Ultimate Fighter winner was viewed by many as a future title contender at 115lbs, but she has missed the last two years of action due to a neck injury and other issues. Now that she’s ready to fight again, Suarez likes the idea of moving up to 125lbs, where she would be chasing the belt held by UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. There are fewer contenders at 125lbs and it’s conceivable that even just one big win for Suarez could be enough to earn her a title shot against Shevchenko.
Logan Paul confirms he plans on fighting in MMA at least once: "It's harder than boxing"
Adam D Martin - May 23, 2021
YouTuber-turned-boxer Logan Paul, the brother of boxing superstar Jake Paul, says that he wants to compete in an MMA fight at least once. Paul returns to the boxing ring next month when he takes on Floyd Mayweather Jr. in an exhibition boxing match. Paul has fought once as a professional, dropping a split decision to KSI in November 2019. Since then, he has been supporting his brother Jake as he makes his own run up the ladder in boxing. But when the opportunity to fight Mayweather came up it was easy for Paul to say yes to the match because he stands to make big bucks.
Photo | Conor McGregor appears to be in prime form seven weeks out of his UFC 264 trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier
Adam D Martin - May 23, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor appears to be in prime form seven weeks out of his UFC 264 trilogy fight with his rival Dustin Poirier. McGregor and Poirier will meet for the third time this summer at UFC 264 in Las Vegas. The two have fought twice in the past, with McGregor knocking Poirier out at UFC 178 in September 2014 in a featherweight bout, and then Poirier returning the favor with a second-round knockout over McGregor in the rematch at UFC 257 earlier this year. The two will now meet for the third and final time with all the marbles on the line, as the winner is expected to be next in line to fight new UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira next.