MMA News
Cris Cyborg reacts after Dustin Poirier opts for McGregor trilogy over UFC title shot: "A fight with Conor just became more prestigious than the promotional belt"
Chris Taylor - March 27, 2021
Cris Cyborg was one of many pro fighters who took notice when Dustin Poirier opted for a trilogy bout with Conor McGregor over a UFC title shot. After Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his official retirement from fighting, Dana White and company needed to put together a fight for the promotions vacant lightweight title.
Daniel Cormier shares required strategy for Francis Ngannou to defeat Stipe Miocic at UFC 260
Chris Taylor - March 27, 2021
Former UFC ‘champ champ’ Daniel Cormier knows a thing or two when it comes to fighting reigning heavyweight kingpin Stipe Miocic. Cormier (22-3 MMA) and Miocic (20-3 MMA) have met three times for UFC heavyweight title, with Stipe emerging victorious in their rubber match at UFC 252 by way of decision.
Colby Covington shares his prediction for Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2
Chris Taylor - March 27, 2021
Colby Covington has shared a bold prediction for tonight’s UFC 260 main event rematch between Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou. Miocic (20-3 MMA) will be looking to earn his third straight victory and second career win over Ngannou this evening. The pair first collided at UFC 220, with Stipe emerging victorious by way of unanimous decision. Since then, the “baddest man on the planet” has engaged in three straight fights with Daniel Cormier, winning their two most recent contests.
Jake Paul fires back at Daniel Cormier for suggesting that Ben Askren "smashes" him in their upcoming fight
Chris Taylor - March 27, 2021
Jake Paul has fired back at Daniel Cormier this after the former UFC ‘champ champ’ suggested that Ben Askren will smash him next month. 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.
Michael Bisping opens up on his recent run-in with Luke Rockhold
Chris Taylor - March 26, 2021
Michael Bisping has opened up on his recent run-in with former middleweight rival Luke Rockhold, this after the two crossed paths at the RVCA gym. Bisping and Rockhold fought twice in the UFC and for many years their rivalry was arguably the most heated in all of mixed martial arts.
Ben Askren explains why Usman vs. Covington 2 makes a lot more sense compared to the current UFC 261 main event
Chris Taylor - March 26, 2021
Ben Askren believes a rematch between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington makes a lot more sense when compared to the current UFC 261 main event. The promotions reigning welterweight kingpin, Usman, is set to collide with Jorge Masvidal for a second time on April 24 exclusively on pay-per-view.
Dana White reacts to Justin Gaethje's recent frustrations: "Gaethje couldn’t be in a better position"
Christopher Taylor - March 26, 2021
Dana White has shared his thoughts on the recent frustrations vented by former UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. Gaethje (22-3 MMA) was expecting to make his Octagon return at May’s UFC 262 event, this for a top contender fight with Michael Chandler. However, after Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his official retirement from fighting, the promotion decided to book Chandler in a vacant lightweight title fight opposite Charles Oliveira.
Ben Askren reacts after Jorge Masvidal makes surprise appearance during Triller Fight Club press conference
Christopher Taylor - March 26, 2021
Ben Askren was not impressed that his former opponent Jorge Masvidal decided to team up with Jake Paul at today’s Triller Fight Club press conference. 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.
Jake Paul: 'I will become the biggest prize-fighter in boxing'
Drake Riggs - March 26, 2021
Despite the circus-like nature of his fight career to this point, Jake Paul will tell you that he’s taking things very seriously. In November, the YouTube star knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson in the second round. Now, he’s set to do battle with former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight titleholder Ben Askren.
Sean O'Malley says Thomas Almeida will be "going to Bellator" after their fight at UFC 260
Cole Shelton - March 26, 2021
Sean O’Malley believes UFC 260 will be the last time Thomas Almeida competes in the UFC. On the main card of the pay-per-view event on Saturday, O’Malley is set to return to the Octagon against Almeida who is on a three-fight losing streak and is just 1-4 in his last five. Given he is on a losing skid, O’Malley says he is sorry he will be sending him to Bellator after Saturday night.
Watch | Jake Paul and Ben Askren get physical at pre-fight face off
Cole Shelton - March 26, 2021
Jake Paul and Ben Askren came face-to-face for the first time, and to no surprise, the two got physical with one another. Paul and Askren are set to box on April 17 in a very intriguing fight given Paul will face a real fighter for the first time, while Askren will make his boxing debut. In the lead-up to the fight, Triller put on a press conference on Friday and had a face off between the two which ended in Askren shoving Paul and the YouTube star shoving him right back.
Aljamain Sterling doesn't understand why Petr Yan is getting "rewarded with a rematch"
Cole Shelton - March 26, 2021
Aljamain Sterling doesn’t understand why Petr Yan is getting a rematch. At UFC 259, Sterling fought Yan for the bantamweight title and it was a high-action fight. However, entering the championship rounds, Yan was starting to take over but in the fourth round, Yan landed an illegal knee and the fight was over and Sterling became the new champ by DQ.
Aljamain Sterling responds to criticism from veteran referee John McCarthy
Adam D Martin - March 26, 2021
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling responded to criticism from veteran referee John McCarthy about the Petr Yan illegal knee. Sterling won the UFC’s 135lbs belt at UFC 259 earlier this month in controversial fashion after Yan landed a knee to the head of a downed opponent and was disqualified. Referee Mark Smith deemed the knee intentional and gave Yan the DQ when Sterling was unable to continue. Afterward, Sterling came under heavy criticism online from fans, media, fellow fighters, and even officials when McCarthy questioned his desire not to continue. Of course, McCarthy is a podcast host these days, but he is arguably the most notable MMA referee of all time. So when he criticized Sterling for the knee incident, people listened to him.
Adrian Yanez hopes he can fight at UFC 262 to make childhood dream come true, calls out Davey Grant
Cole Shelton - March 26, 2021
Adrian Yanez has put the bantamweight division on notice. Yanez entered his UFC Vegas 22 fight against Gustavo Lopez coming off a highlight reel KO in his UFC debut. The goal for Yanez was to get another viral KO, which he did, but it also came in the third round, which was a bonus for the surging contender.
Ticket holders warned that attending UFC 261 could result in severe and permanent damage to their health
Adam D Martin - March 26, 2021
Ticket holders have warned that attending UFC 261 could result in severe and permanent damage to their health, according to the disclaimer. The UFC will have fans back in the crowd for the first time in over a year when the promotion heads to Jacksonville, Florida on April 24 for UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2. The card is stacked with three title fights. In the main event, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman puts his belt on the line for a second time when he faces rival Jorge Masvidal. The two met last summer on Fight Island, with Usman winning a unanimous decision in a short-notice fight. Nine months later and they are running the fight back.
UFC 260 weigh-in results: Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou make weight, two fighter miss
Adam D Martin - March 26, 2021
The official weigh-ins for UFC 260 took place on Friday, and both Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou made weight for their title fight. In the main event of the evening, UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic puts his title on the line for the second time against Francis Ngannou in a high-profile fight between two elite talents. Miocic is coming off of back-to-back wins over Daniel Cormier to win their trilogy 2-1, while Ngannou is riding into this fight off the strength of four straight victories by first-round knockout. Both Miocic and Ngannou successfully made weight for the fight, with Miocic coming in at 234lbs, and with Ngannou coming in at 263lbs.
UFC 261 sells out in minutes, breaks arena gate record in Jacksonville
Cole Shelton - March 26, 2021
UFC 261 will be the first event since the pandemic began with a sold-out crowd. Dana White recently revealed the promotion is heading back to Jacksonville for the stacked UFC 261 card and will have full capacity. To no surprise, the event sold out in minutes and White revealed it was one of the fastest sellouts in UFC history. The event will also set the gate record for the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville.
Itsuki Hirata inspired by Shinya Aoki ahead of Grand Prix spot
bjpenndotcom - March 26, 2021
Without question, Itsuki Hirata is coming in as one of the favorites to come out victorious in the upcoming ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix. The Japanese grappler is set to take on American bet Alyse “Lil’ Savage” Anderson as they clash in the quarterfinals at ONE: Empower on May 28 in Singapore.