MMA News
Photos | Jon Jones is looking like an absolute monster ahead of his proposed heavyweight debut
Adam D Martin - April 6, 2021
UFC superstar Jon Jones posted new photos of himself in his heavyweight form, and he looks absolutely massive ahead of his potential return. After dropping the UFC light heavyweight title last summer, Jones has spent the better part of the last year bulking up for his UFC heavyweight debut. The original plan was for Jones to take on the winner of Francis Ngannou vs. Stipe Miocic, which Ngannou ended up winning when he brutally knocked the former champion out at UFC 260. However, Jones and the UFC are now embroiled in a very public financial dispute relating to how much money “Bones” will get to fight Ngannou. At this point, we have no idea if the UFC and Jones will be able to come to a deal, as the two sides appear to be very far apart in money.
Anthony Pettis weighs in on his upcoming debut with PFL: “I’ve got a target on my back, I’ve already seen it”
Harry Kettle - April 6, 2021
Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis knows that there is a target on his back as he prepares for his big debut with PFL. Pettis is set to battle Clay Collard on April 23 in his season opener as his quest to win the promotion’s lightweight tournament begins. We all know “Showtime” to be one of the most exciting lightweights in the history of mixed martial arts, but at this stage of his career, he still needs to prove to the masses that he has what it takes to succeed.
Leon Edwards shares prediction for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal rematch at UFC 261
Christopher Taylor - April 5, 2021
Leon Edwards has shared his prediction for this months highly anticipated title fight rematch between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. Usman (18-1 MMA) and Masvidal (35-14 MMA) are set to throw down for a second time in the headliner of UFC 261 on April 24. The pair initially collided at UFC 251 in July of 2020, with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ retaining his welterweight title by way of unanimous decision.
Pedro Rizzo shares his take on the "worst matchup" for UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou
Christopher Taylor - April 5, 2021
MMA legend Pedro Rizzo recently shared his take on who is the “worst matchup” for newly crowned UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Ngannou (16-3 MMA) captured the title of “baddest man on the planet” last month at UFC 260 when he defeated Stipe Miocic by way of second round knockout. The victory marked Ngannou’s fifth in a row, as he had previously scored first round stoppage wins over Junior dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, Curtis Blaydes and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Cat Zingano reveals that ONE Championship approached her about grappling match vs. Miesha Tate
Drake Riggs - April 5, 2021
Cat Zingano and Miesha Tate are key pieces to the start of the UFC’s introduction to the women. Nearly a decade later and they’re both still competing – just under different roofs. While Zingano prepares to compete this Friday night, Tate is set to return to the UFC in July after a five-year retirement. In that time, Tate took up a position as a ONE Championship Vice President and according to Zingano, a potential grappler.
Kevin Holland says after he does something "special" against Marvin Vettori, a rematch with Derek Brunson is "inevitable"
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Kevin Holland is looking to rematch Derek Brunson. At UFC Vegas 22 on March 20, Holland had his first UFC main event against Brunson. Right when the fight was booked, and up until the final horn, “Trailblazer” was trash-talking Brunson. However, unfortunately for Holland, the fight did not go his way and he lost a clear-cut decision in a very lackluster fight.
Marvin Vettori blasts media for paying attention to Jake Paul, says he will beat him up for free
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Marvin Vettori is not a fan of Jake Paul. Paul, the brash YouTube star, has turned to combat sports and is 2-0 as a professional boxer. He is set for a big fight against Ben Askren on April 17, which has the combat sports world very intrigued, but Vettori doesn’t like how much attention the media is giving him.
Leon Edwards plans to "put away" Nate Diaz and prove he's "levels above these guys" at UFC 262
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Leon Edwards is confident he will finish Nate Diaz at UFC 262. The two are set for the first-ever non-title fight five-round co-main event on May 15 and it’s a very intriguing matchup. Edwards is looking to cement himself as the next title challenger as well as become a bigger name if he beats Diaz. Although some were critical of the fight, Edwards is confident he will dominate the Stockton native and finish him.
Francis Ngannou opens up as huge betting favorite for potential rematch with Derrick Lewis
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has opened up as a massive betting favorite for a potential rematch against Derrick Lewis. Ngannou is currently involved in a very public fight negotiation with the UFC and former light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones. Both Jones and Ngannou want the fight, but the UFC is having trouble coming to financial terms with Jones. Instead, the promotion is now floating a potential rematch between Ngannou and Lewis instead. On Monday, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC has offered Ngannou the rematch with Lewis for UFC 263 in June, but the heavyweight champion turned it down due to issues with timing. It also seems likely that he wants to see if the UFC can get the fight with Jones done first, as well.
Amanda Ribas returns to the Octagon this spring against Angela Hill
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
UFC women’s strawweight contenders will collide this spring when Brazil’s Amanda Ribas locks horns with American Angela Hill. Ribas and Hill are set to meet on May 8 when they clash on the undercard of the upcoming TJ Dillashaw vs. Cory Sandhagen bantamweight No. 1 contender fight. The event currently does not have a location or a venue finalized. MMAFighting.com was the first to report the Ribas vs. Hill bout. It seems likely that this fight will take place on the event’s main card.
Leon Edwards believes he's a tough matchup for Nate Diaz but expects it to be "an entertaining fight"
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Leon Edwards knows he is a tough stylistic matchup for Nate Diaz. At UFC 262 on May 15, Edwards and Diaz will fight in the first-ever five-round, non-title fight co-main event. It’s an intriguing matchup where the winner seems to be in line for a title shot.
Khabib Nurmagomedov dubs Zabit Magomedsharipov "the best featherweight in the world"
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov dubbed fellow Russian Zabit Magomedsharipov as “the best featherweight in the world.” Nurmagomedov recently retired from mixed martial arts, giving up the UFC’s 155lbs belt in the process. Still, he’s one of the greatest fighters in the world, and his opinion matters a lot. When it comes to the best featherweights in the world, right now UFC champion Alex Volkanovski is at the top of the list and Max Holloway is right behind him. But if you ask “The Eagle,” it’s actually Magomedsharipov who is the best featherweight in the sport.
Demetrious Johnson praises Jon Jones: "I don't see anyone beating him anytime soon"
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
ONE Championship flyweight Demetrious Johnson praised UFC superstar Jon Jones, saying that he doesn’t see anyone beating him anytime soon. Johnson is considered by many fans and analysts to be one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, and Jones is in the same conversation. Though Johnson is now fighting overseas for ONE Championship, Jones continues to fight in the Octagon. After 10 years plus of being the kingpin of the UFC light heavyweight division, Jones is planning on moving up to heavyweight later this year. Jones already has one of the best resumes you will ever see in the sport of mixed martial arts and he will be looking to add to it with his heavyweight run.
Francis Ngannou "absolutely" open to Tyson Fury boxing match
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
New UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou says he is open to meeting boxing superstar Tyson Fury in the ring at some point. Ngannou is coming off of a massive knockout win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 to become the new heavyweight champion of the world in mixed martial arts. “The Predator” is currently in talks to fight former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones or potentially even Derrick Lewis if that fight doesn’t work out. He knows that his calling right now is in the Octagon and Ngannou is fully prepared and ready to take on all comers in MMA. However, he came up as a boxer and he still has aspirations to competing in boxing again.
Vicente Luque believes he "sent a message to the division" with his "decisive" win over Tyron Woodley
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Vicente Luque was pleased with his win over Tyron Woodley at UFC 260. In the co-main event of the pay-per-view card, Luque knew he had to beat Woodley in order to prove he’s a future title challenger. Although the former champ was on a three-fight losing streak and wasn’t throwing many punches, Luque expected a very aggressive Woodley and that is exactly what he got.
UFC offers Francis Ngannou a rematch with Derrick Lewis for June 12, ‘The Predator’ declines
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
The UFC has offered heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou a rematch with Derrick Lewis for June 12, but ‘The Predator’ has declined it. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported on Monday that the UFC would like to add Ngannou vs. Lewis 2 to the UFC 263 pay-per-view card in June. This makes sense considering that card is a bit light on star power right now as the main event is a rematch between UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno. That’s a great fight but the promotion would be wise to add another big title fight to the card to beef it up, and it doesn’t get any beefier than Ngannou vs. Lewis. However, according to Helwani’s report, Ngannou is not interested in taking the fight at this time as the timing doesn’t necessarily work for him.
NFL Icon Ray Lewis narrates 2021 PFL season campaign entitled “MMA’s League Is Back”
Tom Taylor - April 5, 2021
Two-time SuperBowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Lewis lends his distinct and intense voice as he narrates the 60-second promo video for Professional Fighters League or PFL’s kick-off campaign for their 2021 season entitled “MMA’s League Is Back.”
Why Demetrious Johnson vs. Adriano Moraes is one of the best flyweight matchups ever
bjpenndotcom - April 5, 2021
It’s easy to consider the monumental main event match between reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes and ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion Demetrious Johnson at ONE on TNT 1 as a war between the East against the West. One is an absolute legend, considered by many as one of the all-time greats, who is looking to fortify his lore in a new realm after leaving a warpath in his past stops, most notably in UFC. The other, meanwhile, is a dominant champion who is seeking to cement his status as one of the greats by knocking off his greatest challenger yet and reminding everyone who the top dog is in ONE Championship.