MMA News

Adam D Martin - May 7, 2021

PFL heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum talked about the phantom tap by Renan Ferreira, saying he didn’t want to pull a Rousimar Palhares. Werdum lost via a first-round TKO after Ferreira landed a number of hammer fists on him from top position and finished him with ground and pound. However, replays after the fight showed that a triangle choke that Werdum had locked in moments earlier had caused Ferreira to tap out. The referee didn’t see the tapout and the fight continued, with Werdum losing by knockout. Considering what it means to win and lose in the tournament for the $1 million dollars, this is a big loss for Werdum and he is filing an appeal with the commission.

Adam D Martin - May 7, 2021

The UFC has removed six more fighters from its roster including bantamweight Luke Sanders, who just fought at last weekend’s event. TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter reported that the following six athletes have been removed from the UFC roster: Sanders, fellow bantamweight Anthony Birchak, featherweight Jordan Griffin, lightweight Aalon Cruz, and middleweights Bartosz Fabinski and KB Bhullar.

Harry Kettle - May 7, 2021

Kayla Harrison took her professional MMA record to 9-0 and began her 2021 PFL campaign with a decisive win over Mariana Morais last night. The finish came less than 90 seconds into the first round of their contest with Harrison, who won the 2019 PFL Women’s Lightweight Championship, hoping to repeat as champion this season.

Adam D Martin - May 7, 2021

Former UFC light heavyweight Anthony Johnson is excited about his return to MMA at Bellator 258, saying that he wants to have “fun” fights. Johnson returns from a four-year layoff when he takes on Jose Augusto Azevedo this Friday night at Bellator 258 as part of the Bellator World Light Heavyweight Grand Prix. Johnson was originally targeted to fight Yoel Romero, but after Romero was removed due to a medical issue, Azevedo stepped up on short notice. For Johnson, it’s disappointing because he was really looking forward to throwing down and banging with Romero. But going in there and getting to mix it up with someone like Azevedo is also exciting for him.

Adam D Martin - May 7, 2021

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says he would consider moving up to middleweight if Marvin Vettori beats Israel Adesanya at UFC 263. Usman is coming off of an amazing KO win over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261 to pick up his 14th straight UFC win and come within two victories of tying Anderson Silva’s promotional record for most consecutive victories. He has been talking about making a quick turnaround for this summer and taking on Michael Chiesa or Colby Covington next, but as of right now we are still waiting for the UFC to announce Usman’s next fight. He took no damage against Masvidal and seems destined for another fight in the coming months.

Adam D Martin - May 7, 2021

Fabricio Werdum released a statement following his controversial loss at PFL 3, saying that “when your opponent gives up we have to respect.” Werdum took on Renan Ferreira in the main event of Thursday’s PFL 3 event. In the first round of the fight, Werdum was able to get a takedown and get the fight to the floor. He began searching for submissions and appeared to have a triangle choke locked in. On replay, it appeared as though Ferreira tapped, and Werdum slightly loosened the grip, but the referee did not see any tap and the fight continued on. A few seconds later and Werdum was being stopped with strikes as Ferreira smashed him with hammerfists from the top as he picked up a massive upset win in the PFL 3 heavyweight regular season.

Harry Kettle - May 7, 2021

Michael Bisping has taken a shot at several current and former fighters for turning combat sports into what he calls a “circus act”. Many MMA and boxing fans have been split on whether or not they actually like the direction of travel with respect to the “celebrity boxing” that we’ve seen in the last few years. There’s a morbid curiosity amongst some, whereas others want to kill it before it can go even further.

Christopher Taylor - May 6, 2021

Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum has already filed an appeal following his controversial loss to Renan Ferreira at PFL 3. Werdum (24-10-1 MMA) was making his PFL debut in tonight’s event headliner against a fellow Brazilian in Ferreira (7-2 MMA).

Christopher Taylor - May 6, 2021

A heavyweight bout between Fabricio Werdum and Renan Ferreira headlined tonight’s PFL 3 event from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Werdum (24-9-1 MMA), a former UFC heavyweight champion, was returning to action for the first time since July of 2020 where he had scored a first round victory over Alexander Gustafsson. That win had snapped a two-fight losing skid for Frabricio, as ‘Vai Cavalo’ had previously suffered losses to Alexander Volkov and Alexei Oleinik respectively.

Christopher Taylor - May 6, 2021

A heavyweight bout between Mohammed Usman and Brandon Sayles took place on the main card of tonight’s PFL 3 event. Mohammed, the younger brother of UFC welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman, entered tonight’s PFL Tournament sporting a 7-1 record, with five of those seven victories coming by way of stoppage.

Cole Shelton - May 6, 2021

Michael Page says he isn’t happy with Bellator and wants a sit-down meeting to vent his frustration. Page is set to return on Friday night at Bellator 258 against Derek Anderson. It will be Page’s first fight of 2021 and a win could put him back into title contention. However, he is just focused on his fight and wanting a sit-down meeting with the promotion.

Christopher Taylor - May 6, 2021

Conor McGregor has shared his thoughts on the upcoming boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul. Mayweather (50-0), who is considered one of the greatest boxers to ever grace the squared circle, will take on Paul (0-1) on June 6.

Cole Shelton - May 6, 2021

Jake Paul is continuing to cause waves in the combat sports world. On Thursday, Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather were set for their first faceoff and press conference to promote their June 6th bout. Many fans were excited about it but the most memorable moment of the event was Jake Paul starting a brawl after stealing Mayweather’s hat.

Tom Taylor - May 6, 2021

MMA fighter Phoe Thaw, who competes in the ONE Championship featherweight division, was seriously injured by a bomb blast in Yangon, Myanmar on Wednesday. Myanmar, known as Burma until 1989, is currently in crisis.

Adam D Martin - May 6, 2021

Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed that his promotion does not have any interest in signing free agent UFC veteran Diego Sanchez. Sanchez was released by the UFC last week following a disagreement over the release of medical information. UFC president Dana White let him go and he is now a free agent. While Speaking to Mick Heck ahead of Bellator 258, Coker was asked if Bellator has any interest in signing “The Nightmare,” which the organization’s leader said no to.

Adam D Martin - May 6, 2021

Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has vowed to fight again after breaking his leg against Uriah Hall at UFC 261. In one of the most brutal injuries we have ever seen in the Octagon, Weidman’s right leg broke on the very first kick he threw against Hall. Weidman had surgery on the leg and he is expected to make a full recovery in six-to-12 months. Despite suffering such a horrible injury, Weidman is promising that he will defy the odds and fight again one day.

Adam D Martin - May 6, 2021

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping confirmed that Team Jake Paul previously made him an offer for a boxing match. Bisping, who is one of the UFC’s regular color commentators during its Fight Night broadcasts, has been retired from MMA for a few years now after suffering an eye injury that ended his career. Since then, we have heard no indications that he would even consider stepping back into the cage or into the boxing ring. But then again, money talks, and right now, whoever fights Paul is in line to make a lot of money.

Adam D Martin - May 6, 2021

UFC women’s strawweight contender Marina Rodriguez is hoping that she earns a title shot against Rose Namajunas with a win at UFC Vegas 26. Rodriguez fights for the first time this weekend since her upset KO win over Amanda Ribas earlier this year at UFC 257 on Fight Island. She takes on Waterson in a five-round main event that could have title implications at strawweight, though the fight takes place at flyweight since it was booked on short notice. With Rodriguez coming off of a great win over Ribas, another big knockout over Waterson would certainly catapult her closer to the top of the division, which currently sees Namajunas as the top fighter in the weight class.