MMA News
Photo | Anthony Pettis looks absolutely shredded ahead of PFL debut
Adam D Martin - April 22, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis looks absolutely shredded ahead of his debut with PFL, the Professional Fighters League. Pettis left the UFC following a decision win over Alex Morono and in free agency, it was PFL who made the best offer to him. With the allure of a $1 million grand prize, it was an offer that Pettis couldn’t refuse and so he signed with the PFL. In his first fight with the promotion, he takes on former UFC featherweight Clay Collard on Friday night.
Ben Askren receives apology from Michael Buffer for having name said wrong
Adam D Martin - April 22, 2021
Veteran ring announcement Michael Buffer apologized for saying Ben Askren wrong when he introduced him this past Saturday night. Askren fought Jake Paul in the main event of the Triller Fight Club boxing event this past Saturday night. When Buffer introduced Askren, he mispronounced his last name, calling him “Ben Askew,” to which Askren could be seen looking confused when his name was read. Buffer is ne of the top ring announcers in the game, but anyone can make a mistake with a name and it just so happens that he did so in front of millions of live viewers. It was am embarassing error and one that fans made sure they noticed by tweeting about it.
Video | John Lineker scores another thunderous KO at ONE on TNT 3
Harry Kettle - April 22, 2021
John Lineker scored another vicious knockout last night as he put Troy Worthen to sleep in the very first round of their ONE on TNT 3 showdown. Lineker has been part of the ONE Championship family since back in 2019 and while it may not seem like that’s the case, he’s certainly made the most of his opportunities ever since arriving on the scene.
Former UFC fighter Rob Broughton jailed for involvement in cocaine enterprise
Harry Kettle - April 22, 2021
Former UFC fighter Rob Broughton has been jailed for eight years for his role in a cocaine enterprise that saw him move around £30 million in cash. As reported by Liverpool Echo, Broughton served as the enforcer or “muscle” for Liverpool brothers Alan and John Tobin. The pair supplied Class A drugs to gangs around the Merseyside area and even stretched out to other parts of England and the United Kingdom.
Jorge Masvidal shares brief prediction for Kamaru Usman rematch: "Don't blink"
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2021
Jorge Masvidal is confident he will not only beat but finish Kamaru Usman at UFC 261. At UFC 251 in July on Fight Island, Masvidal stepped up on six day’s notice to fight Usman for the welterweight title. Unfortunately for “Gamebred”, the fight did not go his way as he suffered a decision loss.
Chris Weidman says he knows he's a "bad matchup" for Israel Adesanya, expects to earn title shot with two more wins
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2021
Chris Weidman knows he is a bad style matchup for Israel Adesanya and is excited for the chance to prove it. Weidman returned to the win column in August with a hard-fought decision over Omari Akhmedov. After that fight, he said he was chasing another title shot as he knows he’s a bad style matchup for Adesanya and believes Jan Blachowicz’s win proves that.
Kamaru Usman says he's lapping the field right now, but walking away in the future an option
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says he’s lapping the field right now, but he admitted walking away in the future is an option. With a perfect 13-0 record in the Octagon, Usman has been smoking everyone in the UFC welterweight division ever since winning TUF. Usman has shown exceptional skills in all areas of the game, especially with his trademark wrestling and improved striking. When he takes on Jorge Masvidal this weekend at UFC 261, Usman will look to continue making records in the promotion’s trademark division. Ever since Georges St-Pierre retired, Usman has been a tremendous heir replacement to the throne. But at some point, there comes a time when everyone walks away. GSP did it, and Usman knows he will one day, too.
Tristan Connelly ecstatic to finally make return and featherweight drop at UFC 261, expects a "three-round war" against Pat Sabatini
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2021
Tristan Connelly will finally make the walk to the Octagon at UFC 261 and will do so two weight classes lower than his debut fight. Connelly made his UFC debut on short notice against Michel Pereira at UFC Vancouver in 2019, he also moved up to welterweight for the fight. Connelly ended up pulling off a big upset and earned a decision win.
Drakkar Klose given show, but not win money, following canceled fight with Jeremy Stephens
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC lightweight Drakkar Klose has been given his show money, but not his win bonus, after his recent fight with Jeremy Stephens was canceled. Last Friday at the UFC Vegas 24 weigh-ins, Klose was shoved by Stephens. The shove came out of nowhere and startled Klose, who was already dehydrated from cutting weight. The next day, the fight was canceled just hours before the fighters were supposed to step into the cage. Klose later released a statement saying that he was injured from the shove and that he was dealing with whiplash-like symptoms. UFC president Dana White responded by saying that UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby was the one to blame since he should have prevented the shove from ever occurring between Klose and Stephens.
Lorenz Larkin returns to the Bellator cage in May in middleweight bout against Costello Van Steenis
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
Former UFC welterweight Lorenz Larkin will move up to middleweight when he takes on Costello Van Steenis at Bellator 258 next month. Many fans have been wondering what Larkin has been up to. When Bellator released its inaugural promotional rankings last week, Larkin was nowhere to be found in the 170lbs rankings because he had a 15-month layoff. Still, it made fans wonder where “Da Monsoon” was. Now we know, as the striker just had next his MMA fight announced.
Conor McGregor reacts to UFC 264 being sold out
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor shared his reaction to UFC 264, which goes down this July in Las Vegas, being completely sold out. McGregor meets his rival Dustin Poirier for the third time on July 10 when he meets him in the main event of UFC 264. The two lightweights have previously met twice in the Octagon. The first meeting took place at UFC 178 in September 2014, with McGregor winning that fight via first-round TKO. Seven years later and they met again at UFC 257 in January 2021, with Poirier returning the favor with a second-round knockout of his own. Instead of booking Poirier for a title shot, the UFC decided to give him this money fight with McGregor. The two will now meet with a full arena of fans at the T-Mobile Arena in July.
Ronda Rousey announces pregnancy
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey has publicly announced that she is pregnant and she will have a child with Travis Browne in September. Rousey made the announcement in a YouTube video posted to her channel on Wednesday that she and her husband, Browne, are having a baby this fall. The UFC Hall of Famer said that she and Browne found out they were having a baby in January and the baby is due in September. Check out the official announcement that Rousey and Browne made below.
Cody Garbrandt unloads on Jake Paul for callout of Daniel Cormier, spawns beef with J’Leon Love
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC bantamweight Cody Garbrandt unloaded on Jake Paul for his callout of Daniel Cormier and he spawned a beef with pro boxer J’Leon Love. Paul knocked out Ben Askren at this past Saturday night’s Triller Fight Club event, and ever since then, he has been taking to social media to talk trash about a number of MMA fighters, including Cormier. As well, there was an incident backstage between Team Paul and former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, where J’Leon Love — a pro boxer who is part of Paul’s squad — was seen talking some smack to “The Chosen One.”
Michael Chandler explains why he has been targeting Dustin Poirier, not Conor McGregor, in lead-up to UFC 262
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler explained why he has been targeting Dustin Poirier, not Conor McGregor, in the lead-up to UFC 262. Chandler turned heads at his UFC debut earlier this year when he knocked out Dan Hooker. The win was good enough for the promotion to give him a vacant UFC lightweight title shot against Charles Oliveira at UFC 262 in May. And while Chandler is fully focused on that fight, it hasn’t stopped him from taking to social media and interviews to take shots at Poirier. There is a reason for that, according to Chandler.
UFC 261: ‘Usman vs Masvidal 2’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - April 21, 2021
The UFC returns to pay-per-view once again this weekend with an arena full of fans in Jacksonville at UFC 261, headlined by Kamaru Usman vs Jorge Masvidal 2. Event: UFC 261: Usman vs Masvidal 2 Date: Saturday, 24th April 2021 Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida Broadcast: ESPN+ – 5.45pm/8pm/10pm EST
Jake Paul no longer following through on wrestling match with Ben Askren: "I'm choosing not to do it anymore because he’s a f*cking loser"
Christopher Taylor - April 21, 2021
Jake Paul is no longer interested in having a pay-per-view wrestling match with his recent boxing opponent Ben Askren. Askren (19-2 MMA), a former MMA champion, made his boxing debut against Paul this past Saturday night in Atlanta. The fight itself did not last long, as the YouTuber turned boxer dropped ‘Funky’ with a big right hand early in round one. When Askren got to his feet he was still noticeably wobbled so the referee waved off the fight.
Corey Anderson claims his two fights with Bellator have paid him double what he made in 15 fights with the UFC
Christopher Taylor - April 20, 2021
Corey Anderson claims that six months of work with his new employer Bellator has resulted in double the money he made in 15 fights with the UFC. The light heavyweight standout, Anderson (15-5 MMA), earned his second consecutive finish under the Bellator banner this past Friday in Uncasville, stopping Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov with elbows in the third round.
Khamzat Chimaev believes he will be the Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali of MMA: "I'm going to show everybody"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev claims he will be the Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali of MMA, now that he’s able to continue his career. After a severe case with COVID-19, Chimaev seemingly announced his retirement from the sport. It was disappointing news for many MMA fans as Chimaev was a top prospect who looked like a future star in the sport.