MMA News
UFC adds two massive fights to June lineup including The Korean Zombie vs. Dan Ige
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2021
The UFC has added two huge fights to their upcoming June lineup, including a featherweight bout between The Korean Zombie and Dan Ige. Ige (15-3 MMA) had called out Chan Sung Jung immediately following his sensational first-round knockout victory over Gavin Tucker at UFC Vegas 21.
Khamzat Chimaev issues bold statement ahead of UFC return: "I'm the champ here"
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev has issued a bold statement ahead of his proposed UFC return, this while taking a shot at reigning welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. Chimaev (9-0 MMA) has been one of the many unfortunate victims of the global pandemic and due to lingering symptoms, has been unable to compete since the fall of 2020.
Video | Jon Jones changes up his training style, tells fight fans to "be ready for something different in this next fight"
Christopher Taylor - April 2, 2021
Despite struggling in his recent negotiations with the UFC, Jon Jones is still clearly focused on fighting Francis Ngannou for the heavyweight title next. The UFC’s longtime light heavyweight kingpin, Jones (26-1 MMA), vacated the promotions 205lbs title back in 2020, this in order to make a run at heavyweight.
Triller announces official lineup for Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren fight card
Chris Taylor - April 2, 2021
Triller has announced the official lineup for this month’s Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren boxing event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Paul, a YouTube star turned boxer, and Askren, a former MMA champion, are slated to meet in an eight-round pro boxing match on April 17.
Patricio Pitbull submits Emmanuel Sanchez in Round 1 at Bellator 255 (Highlights)
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
In the main event of Bellator 255, Patricio Pitbull and Emmanuel Sanchez were set for a rematch three years in the making. The fight also served as the semifinals of the featherweight grand prix. Patricio Pitbull (31-4) is riding a six-fight winning streak and coming off a vicious KO win over Pedro Carvalho last November. Before that, he beat Juan Archuleta by decision and knocked out Michael Chandler in 61 seconds to claim the lightweight title and become a champ-champ. He also beat Sanchez back in November of 2018.
Alexander Volkanovski, Brian Ortega set to coach TUF 29, featherweight title fight at conclusion of season
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
The TUF coaches for season 29 have been revealed and it will be Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega. Ever since UFC president, Dana White announced TUF would be coming back, many were interested in seeing who the coaches would be. It was rumored to be Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, but “Gamebred” got a title shot so that was off. Now, according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Volkanovski and Ortega will coach the return season of TUF. The show will feature bantamweights and middleweights.
Anthony Johnson shares prediction for potential Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou fight
Chris Taylor - April 2, 2021
Former UFC title challenger Anthony Johnson has shared his thoughts on a potential heavyweight bout between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. Ever since Ngannou (16-3 MMA) dethroned Stipe Miocic to become “The Baddest Man on the Planet” at UFC 260, all the talk has been of a potential super-fight with Jones.
Video | Dustin Poirier grapples with 4x World's Strongest Man Brian Shaw
Chris Taylor - April 2, 2021
Dustin Poirier is doing some training with 4x World’s Strongest Man Brian Shaw ahead of his trilogy fight with Conor McGregor at UFC 264. Poirier and McGregor are set to have their rubber match at 155-pounds on July 10 in Las Vegas. The pair split their first two encounters, with Conor earning a first round knockout at UFC 178, and then Dustin most recently earning a second round KO victory at UFC 257.
Jon Jones blasts Jan Blachowicz over recent trash talk: “How about you build your own legacy”
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
Jon Jones isn’t a fan of Jan Blachowicz continuing to call him out. After Blachowicz TKO’d Dominik Reyes to win the vacant light heavyweight title he mentioned how he wanted to fight Jones. The two were supposed to fight after Blachowicz knocked out Anderson but “Bones” vacated the belt for a move to heavyweight.
Khetag Pliev issues statement after losing finger at CFFC fight
Adam D Martin - April 2, 2021
MMA fighter Khetag Pliev has issued a statement after losing one of his fingers at a Cage Fury Fighting Championships fight on Thursday night. It almost seemed like it couldn’t be real when Pliev lost his finger during his fight against Devin Goodale at CFFC 94. But he in fact did lose his finger during the fight. The photos are not for a weak stomach. It was an absolutely bizarre injury and one that happened apparently as a result of his opponent grabbing into his gloves and causing the injury. Fortunately, the finger was located in a quick fashion and the fighter was able to have it reattached at a hospital. The fighter took to his social media afterward and told fans that he is feeling better, not to worry, and he specifically thanked the doctor for her good work.
Dustin Poirier officially signs contract for Conor McGregor trilogy at UFC 264
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor 3 will happen at UFC 264 on July 10. For quite some time, reports have circulated that the fight would happen on that date, however, nothing had been signed. Poirier had even turned down a title shot in order to pursue the trilogy fight.
Alonzo Menifield knew he would submit Fabio Cherant, eyes June return
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
Alonzo Menifield knew there was a lot of pressure on him entering his UFC 260 fight. Originally, Menifield was set to face William Knight but just three days before Knight was out of the fight due to testing positive for COVID-19. When Menifield found out the news, he was disappointed as he thought he wouldn’t get the chance to fight.
Kevin Holland promises to step it up against Marvin Vettori at UFC on ABC 2
Adam D Martin - April 2, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland is promising to step it up against divisional rival Marvin Vettori next weekend at UFC on ABC 2. Holland is filling in on short notice for the injured Darren Till, who withdrew from the fight due to a broken collarbone. He’s a big underdog at the sportsbooks right now, and it makes sense given his poor showing against Derek Brunson last month. Though Holland was favored to defeat Brunson at the sportsbooks, he lost that fight via unanimous decision when he was unable to stop the takedowns and got planted on his back for five rounds. In addition to being outwrestled, Holland showed no sense of urgency at any time throughout that fight, and he seemed to be more focused on talking rather than actually fighting.
Aleksandar Rakic believes Jon Jones should get paid more money to fight Francis Ngannou
Adam D Martin - April 2, 2021
UFC light heavyweight Aleksandar Rakic believes that former divisional rival Jon Jones should get paid more money to fight Francis Ngannou. Rakic, one of the best fighters in the UFC at 205lbs currently, is coming off of a decision win over Thiago Santos in his last fight, and he is widely expected to be just one or two fights away now from taking on UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. Jones, of course, was the kingpin of the UFC’s 205lbs division for the last decade, but he is planning on moving up to heavyweight this summer. The plan was for him to fight Ngannou in a mega-fight, but Jones is currently involved in a public financial despite with the UFC.
Colby Covington says he will be the unofficial backup for UFC 261, plans to be in attendance
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
Colby Covington says he will be in attendance for UFC 261 which sees Kamaru Usman defend his welterweight title against Jorge Masvidal. For months now, the talk was Covington would face Masvidal and the two would coach The Ultimate Fighter. Yet, with the UFC having a full capacity crowd in Jacksonville, the promotion decided to book the rematch with left Covington on the outside looking in.
Jan Blachowicz open to fighting Francis Ngannou at heavyweight
Adam D Martin - April 2, 2021
UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz says he is open to moving up to heavyweight and taking on champion Francis Ngannou. Blachowicz is coming off of his first successful title defense of the UFC’s 205lbs title when he defeated middleweight champion Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision at UFC 259. For his next fight, Blachowicz is expected to take on No. 1 contender Glover Teixeira. Having said that, Blachowicz is open to taking on another challenge if the UFC wants him to. Should Jon Jones not take the fight with Ngannou, then Blachowicz is open to taking it.
Jon Jones reaffirms UFC release request, wants to be the face of another promotion
Adam D Martin - April 2, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones reaffirms his release request, saying he wants to be the face of another promotion. Jones is currently involved in a very public contractual battle with UFC president Dana White over how much he will get paid to fight Francis Ngannou. Jones this week said that he turned down the UFC’s initial offer of $8 to $10 million, saying that would be “way too low” for a fight of this magnitude. He then took to his social media to request he would be released from the UFC. Speaking on the “Steve-O’s Wild Ride!” podcast,” Jones once again reaffirmed his desire to be released and explained why he wants to find a new home.
Women's flyweight prospect Erin Blanchfield issues statement after signing with the UFC
Adam D Martin - April 2, 2021
Women’s flyweight prospect Erin Blanchfield has issued a statement after signing with the UFC and having her fight booked on short notice. Blanchfield is just 21 years old and she has already racked up a 6-1 record in mixed martial arts since making her professional debut in 2018. After starting off her MMA career with a TKO win in CFFC, Blanchfield was quickly scooped up by the all-women MMA promotion Invicta FC and she picked up two wins, including a majority decision victory over current UFC fighter Kay Hansen. After dropping a controversial split decision loss to Tracy Cortez, another current UFC fighter, Blanchfield returned to CFFC and picked up another stoppage win, before re-joining Invicta FC and picking up two more victories in that organization.