MMA News
Amanda Ribas still dealing with COVID-19 symptoms after Angela Hill fight cancelation
Adam D Martin - May 14, 2021
UFC women’s strawweight contender Amanda Ribas is still dealing with COVID-19 symptoms after the Angela Hill fight cancelation. Ribas and Hill were supposed to meet at UFC Vegas 26 last weekend at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, but the fight was canceled on fight day after Ribas and her father tested positive for the coronavirus. The UFC was forced to cancel the fight out of an abundance of caution but was able to work quickly to re-book the bout for June 5. However, it’s possible that the re-booking between Ribas and Hill might not take place as planned, either.
Conor McGregor issues statement after being named highest-paid athlete of 2021 by Forbes: “Baby we did it!”
Harry Kettle - May 14, 2021
UFC star Conor McGregor has reacted to being named the highest-paid athlete in the world over the last year by Forbes. Over the course of the last few years it’s been clear to see that one of Conor McGregor’s last remaining goals has been to reach the top of the Forbes rich list. While he’s come close in the past, this year seems to have been the moment that really saw him strike gold in a big way.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk targets late August return, 'not interested' in Marina Rodriguez
Drake Riggs - May 13, 2021
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is excited to get back in the Octagon now that crowds are a reality once again. The UFC brought back full capacity events for UFC 261 on April 24. In the card’s co-main event, MMA fans around the globe saw the strawweight title once held by Jedrzejczyk (16-4) change hands once again.
Video | San Diego Padres fans KOs Colorado Rockies supporter
Adam Martin - May 13, 2021
A San Diego Padres fan landed a vicious right hand that knocked out a Colorado Rockies supporter at a baseball game on Wednesday night. Apparently, a verbal argument between two fans turned violent, and it saw a Padres fan land a right hand out of hell that knocked the Rockies fan out almost instantly. As soon as the Rockies fan was knocked out, there was a brawl that ensued among the fans.
Former NFL star Chad Johnson set to face BKFC veteran on Mayweather-Paul undercard
Cole Shelton - May 13, 2021
Chad Johnson now has an opponent for his boxing debut on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul undercard. The former NFL wide receiver recently announced he would be boxing on the undercard and many were eager to see who Johnson would face.
Tony Ferguson blasts Michael Chandler for dodging him, says he got handed title shot: "You got Dana White privilege"
Cole Shelton - May 13, 2021
Tony Ferguson had some harsh words for Michael Chandler and believes he was handed a UFC title shot. After Chandler signed with the UFC, he was linked to fights with Dustin Poirier and Tony Ferguson. The latter of which was supposed to take place in October at UFC 254, but due to contract negotiations, the fight never took place. According to “El Cucuy” he says it was on Chandler’s side.
Dan Hardy confirms he has been officially released from the UFC
Adam D Martin - May 13, 2021
Former UFC welterweight contender Dan Hardy has confirmed that he has been officially released from the UFC after requesting his dismissal. Hardy earlier this week posted a Tweet that suggested he had been ‘freed’ from his UFC contract. On Thursday, “The Outlaw” confirmed with MMAFighting.com that he has indeed been officially let go by the UFC at his own request. Hardy said that he received his release letter on Tuesday, which means that he is now a free agent and free to sign with any promotion. He has already hinted that he could be in talks with RIZIN in Japan and has suggested that he could fight Nick Diaz there, though Diaz is still under UFC contract.
Chuck Liddell will be special guest referee for Lamar Odom vs. Aaron Carter celebrity boxing match
Adam D Martin - May 13, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell will be the special guest referee for the upcoming Lamar Odom vs. Aaron Carter celebrity boxing match. Odom, the former NBA star, and Carter, the former pop singer, will fight each other on June 11 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. FITE TV made the announcement on Thursday that Liddell, the longtime UFC light heavyweight champion and one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, will be the special guest referee for the fight. Check out the announcement.
Alan Jouban says he turned down short-notice fight with Carlos Condit before announcing retirement
Adam D Martin - May 13, 2021
UFC welterweight Alan Jouban says he turned down a short-notice fight against Carlos Condit before announcing his retirement from MMA. Jouban announced earlier this week that he is retiring from competing in mixed martial arts and will instead be all-in on his career as a UFC broadcaster. Speaking to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Jouban opened up about his decision to retire from the sport. He said it was a difficult call, but ultimately one he had to make. However, he admits that recently turning down a fight against Carlos Condit — a dream matchup for him — wasn’t easy to do.
Edmen Shahbazyan wanted Jack Hermansson fight, eyes stoppage win: "I think stylistically this is a great matchup for me"
Cole Shelton - May 13, 2021
Edmen Shahbazyan had his eyes on Jack Hermansson after their recent fights. In August, Shahbazyan headlined his first UFC show but came up short against Derek Brunson. After the loss, the now 23-year-old wanted some time off to work on his skills, and after Hermansson lost to Marvin Vettori, he said to his team that is who he wants to fight next.
Jeremy Stephens returns this summer at UFC Fight night card against Mateusz Gamrot
Adam D Martin - May 13, 2021
An exciting UFC lightweight bout between veteran knockout artist Jeremy Stephens and rising contender Mateusz Gamrot takes place this summer. MMAjunkie.com was the first to report the Stephens vs. Gazmrot bout, which will take place at the UFC Fight Night card scheduled to take place on July 17. That card currently does not have the main event set for it, and there is no venue or location set, either. However, the promotion has been quickly announcing a number of fights for this event, including another lightweight bout between Islam Makhachev and Thiago Moises.
Tito Ortiz angrily refutes claims that he filed for “fraudulent” welfare aid
Adam D Martin - May 13, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz has angrily refuted the claims that he filed for “fraudulent” welfare aid during the coronavirus pandemic. According to Daily Mail, Ortiz has collected $179-per-week checks from the United States government after applying for COVID-19 relief. Ortiz has reportedly been collecting the relief checks since July 2020 despite the fact that he has been the Huntington Beach pro tem mayor since November 2020, a position that pays him $1400 a month.
Bi Nguyen to Ritu Phogat: "I’m nobody’s stepping stone"
Tom Taylor - May 13, 2021
ONE Championship women’s atomweight star Bi Nguyen is all fired up and motivated ahead of her showdown with Indian wrestling champion Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat. Nguyen and Phogat lock horns at the tape-delayed ONE: DANGAL, a tape-delayed event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore that airs on Saturday, 15 May, just weeks before Phogat is scheduled to enter action against No. 2-ranked atomweight contender Meng Bo.
Mike Perry slams J’Leon Love for suggesting he’s about to lose his UFC contract: “My day will come. Your day has past”
Harry Kettle - May 13, 2021
UFC fighter Mike Perry has lashed out at J’Leon Love for suggesting that he could be about to lose his place on the UFC roster. Perry is in the midst of a notable skid in his UFC run, going 3-7 in his last 10 fights including two back-to-back defeats. In addition to that, Perry has also been embroiled in the Jake Paul-MMA saga after his recent sparring session with the YouTuber turned pro boxer.
Daniel Cormier weighs in on Stipe Miocic’s plan to bulk up for a Francis Ngannou trilogy
Harry Kettle - May 13, 2021
Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on the idea of Stipe Miocic bulking up for a potential trilogy fight against Francis Ngannou. Earlier this year, Ngannou finally made his way to the top of the heavyweight division by knocking out Stipe Miocic to claim the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Now, the expectation is that he’ll defend his belt against Derrick Lewis with Jon Jones not too far behind him.
Islam Makhachev has next fight lined up for UFC summer Fight Night card, takes on Thiago Moises
Adam D Martin - May 13, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev is set to return to the Octagon at a summer Fight Night card when he takes on Thiago Moises. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was the first to break the news of the Makhachev vs. Moises fight. It will take place on the July 17 UFC Fight Night card and will be a three-round fight. The card currently does not have the main event lined up for it, but other fights on this card include Aspen Ladd vs. Macy Chiasson, Miranda Maverick vs. Maycee Barber, and Raphael Assuncao vs. Kyler Phillips. Expect the UFC to announce the main event for the card soon.
Derek Brunson vs. Darren Till targeted for August main event
Drake Riggs - May 12, 2021
August is looking to be the month of middleweights in the UFC. Derek Brunson and Darren Till are targeted to lock horns. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto revealed on Wednesday that the UFC is aiming to make the matchup between top 10 middleweights as the main event of the August 14 fight night, according to Dana White. The event had yet to be officially announced as part of the UFC schedule but it would take place just a week ahead of another pivotal 185-pound bout between Paulo Costa and Jared Cannonier.
Paulo Costa set to return in August main event opposite Jared Cannonier
Drake Riggs - May 12, 2021
Two of the middleweight division’s top contenders are set to rebound off of recent losses against one another. It’s Paulo Costa vs. Jared Cannonier. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto confirmed the fight through UFC President Dana White on Wednesday. The tandem of top 5 ranked UFC middleweights will do battle in a five-round main event taking place on August 21. The fight night event’s location has yet to be determined.