MMA News
Patrick Mix expects to finish Albert Morales, blasts James Gallagher: "I put together an amazing camp to whoop his ass and he didn't show up"
Cole Shelton - May 5, 2021
Patrick Mix had a feeling James Gallagher wouldn’t end up fighting him. At Bellator 258, Mix and Gallagher were booked to fight one another. Yet, just over a week before the fight, it was revealed the Irishman was out of the fight. For Mix, he wasn’t surprised when he got the news.
Kamaru Usman sends a message to Jake Paul: "I can change your life in the worst way"
Adam D Martin - May 5, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman sent a message to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, saying “I can change your life in the worst way.” Usman is coming off of arguably the biggest win of his career to date when he finished Jorge Masvidal in the second round of their rematch at UFC 261. Not only did Usman beat Masvidal for the second straight fight, but he did so in an extra-impressive fashion this time. Now, Usman seems targeted for a matchup against either Colby Covington or Michael Chiesa next as he looks to continue breaking UFC records in the welterweight division. But he’s a prizefighter for his profession, and like all fighters, Usman wants to make money. Enter Paul, the YouTuber who has turned heads with his three knockout wins in boxing.
Jack Hermansson says he's the hardest matchup for Israel Adesanya at 185lbs: "His bottom game is definitely not the best"
Adam D Martin - May 5, 2021
Jack Hermansson says he’s the hardest matchup for UFC champion Israel Adesanya at 185lbs, saying “His bottom game is definitely not the best.” Hermansson returns to the Octagon next Saturday at UFC 262 against Edmen Shahbazyan in a fight between two top-15 middleweights coming off of tough losses. Hermansson dropped a decision to Marvin Vettori back in December, and Vettori is now fighting for the belt. As for Shahbazyan, he lost to top contender Derek Brunson the last time we saw him. This matchup next weekend at UFC 262 is an important one for both men in the stacked UFC middleweight division, especially if they continue to have title aspirations at 185lbs.
Diego Ferreira expects to finish Gregor Gillespie "impressively" at UFC Vegas 26, wants Dan Hooker or Paul Felder next
Cole Shelton - May 5, 2021
Diego Ferreira wanted a quick turnaround after his loss to Beneil Dariush in February and he got his wish. On the main card of UFC Vegas 26, Ferreira took a short notice fight against Gregor Gillepsie on a month’s notice. Although it is a tough matchup, Ferreira says it was an immediate yes to accept the fight.
Chuck Liddell tells hilarious story about punching nightclub DJ in the body
Adam D Martin - May 5, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell told a hilarious story about punching a nightclub DJ in the body after he requested to get hit. Liddell, one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, recently spoke to MMAFighting.com’s Damon Martin and told a story about being in Kentucky in 2009 for the derby. “The Iceman” was out at a nightclub when the DJ asked him to punch him in the body. Here’s how Liddell told the story in a way that only a true legend of the game can tell it.
Alex Morono eyes third-round KO of Donald Cerrone, says a win will be "bittersweet" for him: "I'm ready to throw down"
Cole Shelton - May 5, 2021
Alex Morono was staying ready for a short-notice opportunity and he got his wish this week. When Donald Cerrone and Diego Sanchez were booked to fight one another on May 8, Morono called his coach, Sayif Saud, to tell the UFC he will be ready in case either of them pull out. Then, late last week, it was revealed Sanchez was out of the fight and Morono got the call asking if he was still open to filing in and he jumped at the chance to fight a legend in “Cowboy.”
Manager says Kamaru Usman vs. Jake Paul would sell 3 or 4 million pay-per-views
Adam D Martin - May 5, 2021
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz says that a fight between his client Kamaru Usman and Jake Paul would sell 3 or 4 million pay-per-views. Usman is coming off of one of the best wins of his UFC career when he knocked out Jorge Masvidal in the main event of UFC 261. As for Paul, he is one of the biggest PPV draws in boxing right now after winning his first three pro fights, including a knockout win over former UFC fighter Ben Askren in his last fight. Although Paul is not highly respected in the combat sports community, he is undoubtedly a big draw. It’s no wonder, then, that several MMA fighters have suggested that they be the next to meet him inside the boxing ring. Usman, in particular, was the biggest name to call out Paul for a future fight.
UFC 263: ‘Adesanya vs Vettori 2’ is absolutely stacked with the addition of Nate Diaz vs Leon Edwards
Harry Kettle - May 5, 2021
The UFC 263 card looks more stacked than ever after it was confirmed that Nate Diaz vs Leon Edwards has been moved to this event. Diaz and Edwards were initially set to square off at UFC 262 which will take place next weekend. However, it’s now been confirmed that an undisclosed minor injury has forced it to be moved back a month to UFC 263 in Glendale.
Diego Sanchez says he is scared the UFC might kill him and frame it as a suicide
Adam D Martin - May 5, 2021
Former UFC fighter Diego Sanchez says that he is scared the UFC might kill him and frame it as a suicide in the next two years. Sanchez was recently released by the UFC due to a disagreement about medical records between his coach Joshua Fabia and UFC lawyer Hunter Campbell. It was an unfortunate ending for Sanchez’s UFC career considering he has been with the company since 2015 and was the longest-tenured fighter on the roster. But as far as Sanchez is concerned, it’s all for the best, because his perception of what the UFC is today has changed over the years.
Michael Bisping explains how the introduction of a cruiserweight division would benefit numerous UFC fighters
Harry Kettle - May 5, 2021
UFC legend Michael Bisping has explained why adding a cruiserweight division to the promotion could help multiple fighters. “The Count” is well known for his iconic run with the UFC that crossed over from light heavyweight to middleweight. Eventually, Bisping was able to rise up and capture the 185-pound title.
Diego Sanchez sends emotional message to Dana White: 'You can't meet with your boy?'
Drake Riggs - May 4, 2021
Diego Sanchez has seen his lengthy run in the UFC come to an abrupt and unceremonious end ahead of what was to be a bout with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone this Saturday. After being released from the promotion following a 16-year tenure, Sanchez began leaking some footage of and audio from his current coach, Joshua Fabia. Ultimately, the problematic nature of the entire scenario was seemingly too much for the UFC to continue having “The Nightmare” on the roster.
UFC vet John Lewis assisting in 'Zero-G' MMA space fights as part of 'Galactic Combat'
Drake Riggs - May 4, 2021
Have you ever wanted to see MMA fights in space? Well, move over UFC because Galactic Combat is taking things to new heights… literally. Hollywood producer Andrea Iervolino’s latest entertainment company Space 11 is dedicated to creating products based in—you guessed it—space. With the help of Elon Musk’s SpaceX and former UFC veteran John Lewis, Space 11 will first be tackling the reality TV show to be titled Galactic Combat. The show will have 40 MMA fighters from around the globe training and preparing to do battle without gravity.
Cory Sandhagen says he turned down a short-notice fight against Pedro Munhoz after TJ Dillashaw withdrew
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2021
Cory Sandhagen was offered the chance to still headline UFC Vegas 26 this Saturday but opted not to. Sandhagen was originally supposed to fight TJ Dillashaw in a fight many fans were looking forward to. The winner was likely going to get a title shot, but Dillashaw was forced out of the fight due to a cut above the eye.
Anthony Johnson believes new Bellator 258 opponent Jose Augusto is "more dangerous" than Yoel Romero
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2021
Anthony Johnson was supposed to fight Yoel Romero in the quarterfinals of the light heavyweight grand prix on Friday but that is no longer the case. Last week, it was revealed Romero failed his pre-fight medical and was out of the fight against Johnson. The hope was to get a replacement opponent and that ended up being the case as Johnson will face Jose Augusto in the co-main event.
Billy Joe Saunders says the ring issue for his fight against Canelo Alvarez has been "resolved"
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2021
Billy Joe Saunders says the issue with the ring size for his fight against Canelo Alvarez on Saturday has been resolved. Saunders and Alvarez were set to fight at AT&T Stadium in a unification bout of the super-middleweight titles. It was a fight many fans were eager for as it would be a tough test for the Mexican. Yet, on Tuesday, it was revealed the size of the ring was an issue as an 18-foot ring was installed, not the 24-foot ring expected. That forced Saunders’ dad, Tom, and team to say they are out of the fight.
UFC Vegas 26 rankings update: Jiri Prochazka officially the No. 2 ranked light heavyweight
Adam D Martin - May 4, 2021
The latest UFC rankings updates are in, and Jiri Prochazka has officially broken into the top-three rankings in the light heavyweight division. Jiri Prochazka’s knockout win over Dominick Reyes at UFC Vegas 26 earned him not only $100,000 in bonus awards, but also the No. 2 ranking in the world at 205lbs. It’s an incredible accomplishment for the Czech Republic native, who wasn’t even in the UFC a year ago. But he absolutely deserves it after beating Reyes and Volkan Oezdemir by knockout in his first two UFC appearances. As well, he is riding a 12-fight win streak. With Prochazka moving into the No. 2 spot at 205lbs, Reyes dropped all the way to No. 5. It’s also worth noting that Aleksandar Rakic also dropped one spot in the rankings to No. 3.
Canelo Alvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders off due to ring size dispute, says Team Saunders
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2021
Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders will no longer be fighting on Saturday night according to Tom Saunders, the father of Billy Joe. Alvarez and Saunders were set to fight at AT&T Stadium in a unification bout of the super-middleweight titles. It was a highly-anticipated fight as Saunders was considered to be Alvarez’s toughest test, but unfortunately, just days away it has been revealed the fight is off. It is due to a ring size dispute as Alvarez put in an 18-foot ring, while most fights are in a 24-foot ring which was a problem for Saunders.
Giga Chikadze hoping for quick turnaround fight against Jeremy Stephens
Adam D Martin - May 4, 2021
UFC featherweight contender Giga Chikadze is hoping to return to the Octagon for a quick turnaround fight against veteran Jeremy Stephens. Chikadze is coming off of the best win of his UFC career, a body kick TKO over Cub Swanson at this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 25 card. It was the best performance of the Georgian’s career to date, and it improved his UFC record to a perfect 6-0. Chikadze is one of the hottest fighters in the division at the moment and after beating Swanson in short order, he has been hanging around in Las Vegas hoping to get another fight booked.