MMA News
Walt Harris vs. Alistair Overeem betting odds released
Adam Martin - February 24, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for the main event of UFC Portland between heavyweight contenders Walt Harris and Alistair Overeem. Harris vs. Overeem headlines UFC on ESPN+ 30, which takes place on April 11 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The two were previously scheduled to headline UFC on ESPN 7, but Harris was forced to withdraw after this shocking murder of his daughter Aniah Blanchard. Overeem ended up fighting Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the main event, losing the fight via vicious KO with just four seconds left in the fifth round.
Conor McGregor linked to summertime scrap with Justin Gaethje
Tom Taylor - February 24, 2020
Conor McGregor may have his next opponent. According to Ariel Helwani of ESPN, preliminary discussions have begun for a summertime showdown between the Irish superstar and former World Series of Fighting Champion Justin Gaethje.
The Korean Zombie addresses potential Yair Rodriguez rematch
Tom Taylor - February 24, 2020
In late 2018, “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung collided with Yair Rodriguez in one of the most memorable fights in UFC history. The bout ended in the final second, when the Korean Zombie — who was clearly ahead on the scorecards — was shut off by a highlight-reel Rodriguez elbow. Given the nature of that first fight, many fans are keen to see Rodriguez and the undead Korean go at it again. Because the featherweight division’s reigning champ Alexander Volkanovski is expected to rematch the former champ Max Holloway, and that top contenders Brian Ortega and Zabit Magomedsharipov are rumored to be fighting this spring, the rematch also makes sense from a logistics standpoint.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway 2 betting odds released
Adam Martin - February 24, 2020
The sportsbooks have opened up the odds for the rematch between UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and former champion Max Holloway. Volkanovski and Holloway met back in December at UFC 245, with Volkanovski pulling off an upset by winning a unanimous decision to take home the belt. After the fight, UFC president Dana White admitted interest in a rematch. The rematch is not yet official but seems likely to happen sometime this summer once Volkanovski heals up from a broken hand suffered against Holloway.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk eyes potential first title defense against Rose Namajunas: 'I want that one'
Cole Shelton - February 24, 2020
Joanna Jedrzejczyk wants her potential first title defense to be a big money fight and she believes that is the trilogy against Rose Namajunas. In the co-main event of UFC 248, Jedrzejczyk will take on Weili Zhang in the Chinese champion’s first title defense. It is a fight the Pole is confident she will win as she knows she’s the better fighter and will reclaim her throne on March 7.
Joe Rogan wants Jon Jones vs. Dominick Reyes rematch
Tom Taylor - February 24, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan wants to see a rematch between UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and recent title challenger Dominick Reyes. Jones and Reyes collided in the main event of UFC 247 earlier this month. After five competitive rounds, Jones retained his title with a unanimous decision, though many fans and pundits believe Reyes did enough to earn the judges’ nod — and the belt.
Geoff Neal calls for a fight with welterweight contender Michael Chiesa
Harry Kettle - February 24, 2020
UFC welterweight star Geoff Neal has called out Michael Chiesa for a potential welterweight showdown with both men riding win streaks in the division. While the debate regarding the best division in the UFC tends to be won by lightweight, it certainly seems as if the 170-pounders are starting to creep their way into the conversation. From the title contenders to the rest of the top15 and beyond, welterweight seems to be as legitimate as they come.
Eddie Bravo believes Tony Ferguson has more weapons than all of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s previous opponents
Natasha Hooper - February 24, 2020
Eddie Bravo believes that Tony Ferguson’s MMA arsenal will provide a greater challenge than Khabib Nurmagomedov has ever faced before. On April 18, the lightweight champion Nurmagomedov is set to defend his title against Ferguson in the UFC 249 main event. It is one of the most anticipated matchups in MMA history, as the two fighters have been scheduled to meet four times previously to no avail.
Israel Adesanya issues apology for controversial “twin towers” comment
Christopher Taylor - February 23, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has issued an apology for his controversial comment involving the twin towers. During the UFC 248 press conference call, ‘Stylebender’ suggested that he would make his next opponent Yoel Romero crumble like the “twin towers” next month in Las Vegas.
Justin Gaethje says he’s waiting for Conor McGregor to “punch him in the face”
Adam Martin - February 23, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje says he’s waiting for superstar Conor McGregor to “punch him in the face” inside the Octagon. Gaethje has been extremely vocal in interviews and on social media about his desire to fight McGregor in a No. 1 contender fight to determine who should fight the winner of UFC 249’s main event between UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. But so far McGregor hasn’t taken the bait and continues to wait for a title shot.
Floyd Mayweather would rematch Conor McGregor if the money’s right
Adam Martin - February 23, 2020
Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather says he is open to a rematch against UFC superstar Conor McGregor provided the money’s right. Mayweather and McGregor first met in the summer of 2017 for a boxing superfight that shattered all sorts of financial records. Though Mayweather totally outclassed McGregor in that fight and finished him via 10th-round TKO, there have always been rumors that a rematch could eventually happen due to the sheer amount of money that is potentially available for both men to make.
Justin Gaethje called out by Dan Hooker following UFC Auckland
Adam Martin - February 23, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje was called out by Dan Hooker following his split decision win over Paul Felder in the main event of UFC Auckland. Hooker was asked by UFC commentator Dan Hardy who he wants next after beating Felder, and he didn’t hesitate to say that he wants to fight Gaethje.
Karolina Kowalkiewicz forced to undergo eye operation following loss at UFC Auckland
Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight Karolina Kowalkiewicz says she will undergo an eye operation after suffering a broken facial bone at UFC Auckland. Kowalkiewicz lost a lopsided unanimous decision to Yan Xiaonan on the main card of UFC Auckland. It’s her fourth straight loss following defeats to Alexa Grasso, Jessica Andrade, and Michelle Waterson. Kowalkiewicz was beaten to the punch nearly the entire fight by Xiaonan and was really wearing it at the end of 15 minutes.
VIDEO | Watch Curtis Blaydes wrestle with Anthony Johnson in a sumo match
Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes and former light heavyweight star Anthony Johnson wrestled each other in a sumo match. Blaydes and Johnson met on Friday at the SubStars grappling event in Miami, Florida in an exhibition sumo match for fun. During the match, Johnson was able to win the first round but Blaydes came back in the second to tie things up. In the third round, Blaydes was able to land a trip takedown and earn the victory over Johnson.
Paul Felder not set on retirement just yet, says coach and manager
Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020
The coach and manager for UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder say he is not set on retirement despite his post-fight comments at UFC Auckland. After Felder lost a contentious split decision to Dan Hooker in the main event of the evening, he told UFC commentator Dan Hardy that he was considering retirement, citing his young four-year-old child missing him when he goes away for fight camps.
Paul Felder considering retirement following UFC Auckland loss to Dan Hooker
Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder said he is considering retirement following a split decision loss to Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Auckland. Felder lost a razor-thin split decision in a battle between the No. 6 and No. 7 ranked lightweights on the UFC roster. In his post-fight interview with UFC commentator Dan Hardy, Felder hinted that retirement could be looming for the 35-year-old “Irish Dragon.”
Photo | Dan Hooker vs. Paul Felder scorecards revealed
Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020
The official scorecards have been revealed for the main event of UFC Auckland between lightweight contenders Dan Hooker and Paul Felder. Hooker and Felder went back-and-forth for the full 25 minutes in an absolute war that later sent both men to the hospital. It was an extremely close fight that ultimately went to the judges’ scorecards, where Hooker eeked out a razor-thin split decision.
Photo | Dan Hooker and Paul Felder reunite in hospital following UFC Auckland
Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020
UFC lightweight warriors Dan Hooker and Paul Felder reunited in the hospital following their main event at UFC Auckland for a memorable photo together. Hooker and Felder went to war for 25 minutes in the headliner of UFC Auckland, with Hooker emerging as the winner via split decision in a close, back-and-forth battle that won “Fight of the Night.” Both men inflicted tons of punishment on each other during the fight so it’s not surprising each fighter was sent to the hospital after the bout as each man needed to be checked out for any potential injuries.