MMA News
Dana White discusses mask protocol for UFC 261: “You can wear a mask. Or not wear a mask. It's up to you.”
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed fans will be allowed to make their own decision about whether or not they want to wear a mask at UFC 261. The world’s leading MMA promotion returns to a full crowd of fans this Saturday night at UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Florida. The UFC is bringing a huge card with it, including the main event rematch between rivals UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. As well, UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko fights Jessica Andrade, and UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang takes on Rose Namajunas. It is a great card on paper and the fact that fans will be in attendance makes it better.
Dana White confirms that if Kamaru Usman defeats Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261, a rematch with Colby Covington is next
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed that Colby Covington will face the winner of UFC 261’s main event between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. Usman and Masvidal meet this Saturday night in the main event of the UFC 261 pay-per-view card. Some were surprised that Masvidal got the rematch considering he just lost to Usman in his last fight at UFC 251 last summer on Fight Island, as many thought Covington would get the rematch with Usman since he just defeated Tyron Woodley via TKO. But the UFC decided to give Masvidal the rematch, which leaves Covington without an opponent.
Marlon Vera set for Davey Grant rematch at UFC Fight Night on June 19
Andrew Whitelaw - April 20, 2021
Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera has been booked to fight Davey Grant at UFC Fight Night 190 on June 19. It’s a card that could well deliver fireworks with all-action featherweights Chan Sung Jung and Dan Ige going head-to-head in the main event. Vera is pleased to be back in the Octagon. The outspoken South American was pleading for a fight just last week, tweeting: “May June July Just give me paperwork to sign the sooner the better.”
Dana White addresses the UFC middleweight title picture following Robert Whittaker’s beatdown of Kelvin Gastelum
Harry Kettle - April 20, 2021
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that he believes Robert Whittaker should be next in line to face Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title. Whittaker is coming off the back of an impressive win over Kelvin Gastelum this past weekend with many believing it’s the best he’s ever looked in the UFC. The victory goes nicely alongside his recent successes against Darren Till and Jared Cannonier with many believing he’s the natural No. 1 contender at 185 pounds.
Former UFC champion Robbie Lawler is ready to return, not “picky” about next opponent
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
Former UFC champion Robbie Lawler says he is ready to return to the Octagon, and he says he will not “picky” about who his next opponent is. Lawler hasn’t fought since last summer when he dropped a unanimous decision to Neil Magny. “Ruthless” has actually lost his last four fights and five of his last six, which is a far cry from the championship form he displayed back in 2014 to 2016. Despite being on a losing skid, however, Lawler is not thinking about retirement anytime soon. In fact, the team Sanford MMA product says he is excited to return to the Octagon in short order.
Ben Askren reveals Nate Robinson reached out to him following KO loss to Jake Paul
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
Former MMA fighter-turned-boxer Ben Askren revealed that former NBA star Nate Robinson reached out to him following his KO loss to Jake Paul. Robinson, of course, was knocked out by Paul last November in Paul’s second professional boxing match. Robinson became a bit of an Internet meme following that loss, which was a devastating second-round KO, something that Askren himself is facing now that he’s been knocked out by Paul, too, having been finished by “The Problem Child” this past weekend.
UFC president Dana White says a rematch with Derrick Lewis is “probably” next for Francis Ngannou
Harry Kettle - April 20, 2021
UFC president Dana White believes a rematch against Derrick Lewis is “probably” next for UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Ngannou has been riding high ever since knocking out Stipe Miocic to finally win the title – three years on from his first shot at the strap. It was easily one of the most impressive championship-level performances we’ve seen in years in the UFC, and it’s put Ngannou on the map as one of the most dangerous men on the planet.
Dana White reacts after Jake Paul KO's Ben Askren in the opening round: "Good for him"
Christopher Taylor - April 19, 2021
UFC President Dana White has shared his thoughts on Jake Paul after the YouTube sensation knocked out Ben Askren on Saturday night. Paul (3-0) returned to the squared circle on Saturday night in Atlanta for a scheduled eight-round boxing match with former MMA champion Ben Askren (19-2 MMA).
Dana White reacts after push delivered by Jeremy Stephens to Drakkar Klose results in UFC fight cancellation
Christopher Taylor - April 19, 2021
Dana White has reacted after a push delivered by Jeremy Stephens to Drakkar Klose resulted in the UFC Vegas 24 co-main event being called off. Klose and Stephens were expected to collide in a highly anticipated lightweight bout this past Saturday in Nevada. Unfortunately for fight fans, just minutes prior to the commencement of the event, Dana White and promotional officials announced that the scheduled co-headliner had been called off due to an injury suffered by the Michigan native in Klose.
Ben Askren says loss to Jake Paul is “equally embarrassing” as Masvidal defeat, has no regrets of taking fight
Cole Shelton - April 19, 2021
Ben Askren has no regrets about taking the boxing fight against Jake Paul, but says the loss is still embarrassing. Askren was far from a boxer and admitted if Paul was actually good he would lose. However, he didn’t get to show much as the YouTuber turned boxer landed an overhand right that connected and dropped him and the ref waived the fight off.
Conor McGregor responds after Justin Gaethje claims his gloves are garbage: “I’d smoke you and your coach at the same time in these”
Cole Shelton - April 19, 2021
Conor McGregor has made it clear he would beat up Justin Gaethje after “The Highlight” took a shot at him on social media. After McGregor took to social media to release a new glove design, many including Gaethje thought they looked very similar to his coach, Trevor Wittman’s. Wittman has been vocal about his glove design and trying to sell it to the UFC to limit eye pokes.
Manager: Conor McGregor gets a title shot with a win over Dustin Poirier, says he's "one of the greatest of all time"
Cole Shelton - April 19, 2021
Conor McGregor is on the verge of a lightweight title shot, according to his manager, Audie Attar. McGregor is the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion and is set to return to the Octagon on July 10 against Dustin Poirier. The fight serves as the trilogy between them after Poirier scored a second-round TKO win back in January.
Tyron Woodley claims Jake Paul wants to fight everyone but him, releases video: "You want real smoke?"
Cole Shelton - April 19, 2021
Tyron Woodley is looking to box Jake Paul. On Saturday night, Paul scored a first-round TKO over Ben Askren in just his third professional boxing match. It was a hyped-up fight but after the win, many wondered who would be next for Paul. Several MMA fighters have called him out and one of them is Tyron Woodley who makes it clear he wants the fight, as he was in Askren’s corner on Saturday.
Photo | Check out the poster for UFC 262: Oliveira vs. Chandler
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2021
With UFC 262: Oliveira vs. Chandler now less than a month away from taking place, take a look at the new poster for the event. UFC 262 takes place on May 15 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The main event features the vacant UFC lightweight title on the line as Charles Oliveira takes on Michael Chandler. Oliveira has won his last eight fights in a row and has been absolutely running through everyone on his path with relative ease. Chandler, meanwhile, knocked out Dan Hooker in his UFC debut earlier this year and overall has won his last three fights in a row by knockout. Both Oliveira and Chandler are two of the best lightweight in the world and this should be a fantastic matchup to determine the heir to Khabib Nurmagomedov.
AJ McKee confident he will KO Patricio Pitbull to claim featherweight title: "I will be too much for him"
Cole Shelton - April 19, 2021
AJ McKee has known it would be him and Patricio Pitbull in the finals of the featherweight grand prix. McKee made quick work of Georgi Karakhanyan and then submitted Derek Camps and Darrion Caldwell to reach the finals. Pitbull, meanwhile, beat Juan Archuleta and then KO’d Pedro Carvalho and submitted Emmanuel Sanchez to reach the finals.
After Jake Paul knocked out Ben Askren, who might be next for him?
Cole Shelton - April 19, 2021
Jake Paul picked up the biggest win of his boxing career as he scored a first-round TKO over Ben Askren on Saturday night. Entering the highly-anticipated fight, many were interested to see how Paul would fare against a legit combat sports athlete. Just like his other two fights, the YouTuber made quick work of his opponent as he scored a first-round TKO win.
Marvin Vettori sends a message to Israel Adesanya: "Can't hide forever"
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori sent a message to divisional champion Israel Adesanya, telling him that he can’t hide forever. Vettori is coming off of a one-sided beating over Kevin Holland at UFC Vegas 23, and immediately after the fight was over, he made it clear that he’s targeting a rematch with Adesanya, the man who defeated him via split decision in 2018. To this date, this was the closest fight that the champ has had at 185lbs, and Vettori makes sure to let him know that on a daily basis. While it seems like Adesanya will be fighting Robert Whittaker next in another rematch, Vettori is still remaining optimistic that he will be the next man in line.
Amanda Nunes opens as big betting favorite over Julianna Pena
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2021
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes opened up as a big betting favorite for her upcoming title defense against Julianna Pena. It was revealed last week that Nunes will move back down to 135lbs for her next fight and put her belt on the line against Pena at UFC 265, which takes place on August 7 at a location that has yet to be determined. Pena was extremely vocal in the media about wanting to get the title shot and, in a division where there are very few other fresh contenders, UFC president Dana White eventually gave in and gave her the title shot.