MMA News
Diego Sanchez opens up on UFC release: "Dana White won’t answer my calls now, I’m never gonna get sh*t from them"
Chris Taylor - May 1, 2021
TUF 1 winner Diego Sanchez has opened up on his UFC release claiming that promotional President Dana White will no longer answer his calls. Earlier this week it was announced that Sanchez (30-13 MMA) had been pulled from his scheduled May 8 bout with Donald Cerrone. That news was followed by the rather shocking announcement that ‘The Nightmare’ had received his walking papers from UFC officials.
UFC Vegas 25: 'Reyes vs. Prochazka' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - May 1, 2021
The Octagon returns to Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 25 event, an eleven-bout fight card headlined by Dominick Reyes vs. Jiri Prochazka. Reyes (12-2 MMA) will be looking to snap his two-fight losing skid when he squares off with Prochazka this evening. ‘The Devastator’ is coming off back-to-back title fight losses to Jan Blachowicz and Jon Jones in his most recent efforts. Prior to those setbacks, Dominick Reyes had gone a perfect 12-0 in his MMA career, including a nasty knockout win over Chris Weidman.
Video | Dana White drops the ball during Ion Cutelaba and Dustin Jacoby faceoff
Chris Taylor - May 1, 2021
Dana White seemingly dropped the ball during Friday’s UFC Vegas 25 faceoff between light heavyweight fighters Ion Cutelaba and Dustin Jacoby. Just two weeks after blaming matchmaker Sean Shelby for allowing “wild man” Jeremy Stephens to push and injure Drakker Klose at the UFC Vegas 24 weigh-ins, the promotional President found himself standing in similar shoes on Friday afternoon.
Diaz manager on Khamzat Chimaev: “He’s a good prospect, respectfully, but he hasn’t earned the right to a mega-fight vs. Nick Diaz”
Chris Taylor - May 1, 2021
Nick Diaz will not be making his highly anticipated Octagon return against Khamzat Chimaev according to his manager Kevin Mubenga. Earlier this week, Chris Taylor of BJPENN.com reported that the eldest Diaz brother had been formally offered a fight with Chimaev for later this summer.
Anthony Johnson receives new opponent for Bellator 258, set to face Jose Augusto Azevedo Barros
Alfredo Zullino - May 1, 2021
With Yoel Romero out of his fight against Anthony Johnson, the latter has found a new opponent in Jose Augusto Azevedo Barros for the upcoming Bellator light heavyweight grand prix. The news was originally reported by ESPN journalist Ariel Helwani on Friday.
Jon Jones issues warning to UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou: "Pray you knock me out because if you don’t I’m going to break you"
Chris Taylor - April 30, 2021
The online sparring between former light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones and reigning UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou continued this evening. Earlier today Jones (26-1 MMA) taunted Ngannou (16-3 MMA) by telling him to “motivate me more” in reference to a proposed super-fight.
Joshua Fabia leaks phone call with UFC’s chief legal officer Hunter Campbell regarding Diego Sanchez's medicals
Christopher Taylor - April 30, 2021
Diego Sanchez may have parted ways with the UFC but that is not stopping his coach Joshua Fabia from creating some final drama. The former TUF 1 winner, Sanchez (30-13 MMA), was slated to make his final Octagon appearance on May 8 against former training partner Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.
Francis Ngannou responds to Jon Jones "motivate me more" request: "I shouldn’t have to motivate you Jonny... if it’s not in you already you’ve already lost."
Christopher Taylor - April 30, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has responded to Jon Jones, this after ‘Bones’ requested ‘The Predator’ motivate him more for a potential fight. The promotions former light heavyweight kingpin, Jones (26-1 MMA), was expected to face the winner of UFC 260’s Francis Ngannou and Stipe Miocic rematch.
UFC Vegas 25 weigh-in results: Jiri Prochazka and Dominick Reyes on point, but two fighters miss
Adam D Martin - April 30, 2021
The UFC Vegas 25: Reyes vs. Prochazka weigh-ins took place on Friday and 22 of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete made weigh for the event. The main event of UFC Vegas 25 features Jiri Prochazka and Dominick Reyes going at it for 25 minutes or less in a light heavyweight headliner. Prochazka has won 11 straight fights entering this bout, including a knockout win over Volkan Oezdemir in his UFC debut. Reyes, on the other hand, rides into this fight on the first two-fight losing streak of his career, having dropped back-to-back fights against Jon Jones and Jan Blachowicz. Both Reyes and Prochazka made weight and the UFC Vegas 25 headliner is now official for Saturday night.
Kamaru Usman wants to face Michael Chiesa at UFC 263 in June, says Ali Abdelaziz
Cole Shelton - April 30, 2021
Kamaru Usman is hoping to be active in 2021 and eyes his next title defense against Michael Chiesa, his manager, Ali Abdelaziz revealed. After Usman knocked out Jorge Masvidal in the second round at UFC 261, Dana White confirmed Colby Covington would be next. However, according to Abdelaziz, he and Usman don’t know why Covington is so special and believe he needs to get another win. Instead, they are hoping they can fight again in June against Michael Chiesa.
Diego Sanchez paid full show and win money for canceled Donald Cerrone fight after being released from the UFC
Cole Shelton - April 30, 2021
Diego Sanchez was released from the UFC on Thursday night, but he was paid his show and win money. Sanchez was supposed to have his retirement fight on May 8 against Donald Cerrone in a very intriguing bout. However, it was revealed he was out of the fight, and shortly thereafter, it was announced he was released from the promotion.
Anthony Johnson issues statement after Yoel Romero pulled from Bellator light heavyweight tournament
Adam D Martin - April 30, 2021
Anthony Johnson issued a statement after Yoel Romero was pulled from the upcoming Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament. Johnson vs. Romero was one of four scheduled quarterfinal bouts in the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix and it was set to go down next Friday, May 7 for five rounds or less. Unfortunately for both men, the fight will not go on as planned after Romero failed a pre-fight medical scan and was removed from the tournament entirely. That means Johnson currently is without an opponent, though Bellator is expected to name a replacement soon, with Julius Anglickas the favorite to take Romero’s spot in the tourney.
Chris Weidman details the emotions he felt when he realized his leg broke at UFC 261
Adam D Martin - April 30, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman detailed the emotions he felt when he realized his leg broke against Uriah Hall at UFC 261. The first kick that Weidman threw against Hall resulted in him seeing his right leg break in half in one of the most gruesome injuries we have ever seen in the UFC. It was a horrific injury that no one wishes upon their opponents, and it stands to reason that Weidman will be on the shelf for a long time now while he tries to mend his leg. Taking to his Instagram live in the days following the brutal injury, Weidman took fans through his headspace of when the finish happened and what exactly was going through his head at the time.
Jon Jones "will dominate the heavyweight division" once he gets Ngannou fight, says teammate Devin Clark
Cole Shelton - April 30, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender, Devin Clark has seen Jon Jones training for his heavyweight move and has sky-high expectations for him. After Jones beat Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 to defend his light heavyweight title, he vacated the belt as the plan was to move up to heavyweight. However, a deal is not done and Dana White has said Jones has priced himself out of the negotiations.
Francis Ngannou responds to callout from Tyson Fury: “I’ll take care of Jon Jones first”
Harry Kettle - April 30, 2021
Francis Ngannou has suggested he would welcome the opportunity to fight Tyson Fury – but only after he’s done with Jon Jones. Ngannou is on top of the world right now after beating Stipe Miocic to become UFC heavyweight champion. Many believe he could be a dominant champion for years to come, but right now, it feels as if the UFC are taking things one step at a time.
Zabit Magomedsharipov reportedly considering walking away from the UFC
Adam D Martin - April 30, 2021
UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov is reportedly considering walking away from the world’s leading MMA promotion. Magomedsharipov was recently removed from the UFC rankings due to inactivity, as his last fight in the Octagon took place in November 2019 when he defeated Calvin Kattar by decision in Russia. Since then, Magomedsharipov has had difficulty getting a fight. He was supposed to face off against rival Yair Rodriguez on multiple occasions, but his opponent withdrew from the fight every time. That leaves Magomedsharipov in a frustrating situation as he does not have a fight booked and there doesn’t appear to be anything coming to fruition anytime soon. With nothing booked, he is considering walking away from MMA.
Dana White reacts after the UFC parts ways with former TUF 1 winner Diego Sanchez
Harry Kettle - April 30, 2021
UFC president Dana White has reacted to the news that the promotion has parted ways with MMA legend Diego Sanchez. It was revealed overnight that Sanchez, who has been with the UFC for 16 years, has now left after what appeared to be a mutual agreement between the two parties. The move came despite Sanchez winning three of his last five fights with his final appearance being a decision loss to Jake Matthews last September.
UFC Owner calls Zhang Weili 'Li Na' when discussing promotion going public
Drake Riggs - April 29, 2021
China’s first-ever UFC champion was the strawweight division’s Zhang Weili (21-2). After performing in the UFC 261 co-main event, the promotion’s owner, Ari Emanuel, didn’t appear to know who she was. On Thursday, the UFC went public as an organization. To discuss the news, Emanuel got in front of the cameras for a change just days removed from the huge UFC 261 event in Jacksonville, Florida.