MMA News
Watch Stipe Miocic work his last shift at the firehouse before fighting Francis Ngannou at UFC 260
Adam D Martin - March 23, 2021
In the latest episode of “Embedded” ahead of UFC 260, watch UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic work his last shift at the firehouse. Miocic is one of the best MMA fighters in the world, but the entire time he’s been fighting in the Octagon, he’s also been working as a firefighter and paramedic at the Valley View Fire Department in Cleveland. Ahead of his upcoming rematch with rival Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 this Saturday night, the UFC “Embedded” crew followed the champ around at work at the fire hall for a day. Watch the champion put in his last shift before the fight.
Vicente Luque expecting a "dangerous" Tyron Woodley, but expects to finish him at UFC 260
Cole Shelton - March 23, 2021
Vicente Luque is eager to share the Octagon with Tyron Woodley. On the main card of this Saturday’s UFC 260 pay-per-view, Luque is set to face another top-10 opponent as he looks to climb the welterweight ranks. After he came up short against Stephen Thompson, he rallied off back-to-back wins over Niko Price and Randy Brown, and after his last win over Brown, Luque thought the Woodley fight made sense.
Conor McGregor re-enters UFC pound for pound rankings following Khabib Nurmagomedov’s official retirement
Adam D Martin - March 23, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor has re-entered the UFC pound-for-pound rankings following Khabib Nurmagomedov making his retirement official. The former UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov announced last week that he was stepping away from the Octagon for good, six months after first suggesting he would retire following his win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. With Nurmagomedov stepping away from MMA, he not only vacated the UFC lightweight title but also his spot atop the UFC pound-for-pound rankings. And with an open spot in the top-15 now that Nurmagomedov is out, McGregor — his longtime rival in the sport — is coincidentally the fighter who replaced him. Take a look at the latest UFC pound-for-pound rankings (via Jed I. Goodman).
Islam Makhachev says Michael Chandler doesn't deserve UFC lightweight title shot
Adam D Martin - March 23, 2021
Islam Makhachev says that divisional rival Michael Chandler doesn’t deserve to fight Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title. Last week, Makhachev’s good friend, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, announced his retirement from MMA. That means the 155lbs belt is now vacated, and the promotion quickly moved to book Chandler vs. Oliveira in the main event of UFC 262 in Houston for the vacant title. It’s a great fight on paper between two of the top-five ranked lightweights in the UFC, but some believe it wasn’t the right fight to make.
Hector Lombard shares video of gunshots during amateur MMA fight night in Florida
Adam D Martin - March 23, 2021
Former UFC middleweight and current BKFC fighter Hector Lombard shared a video of gunshots during an amateur MMA fight night in Florida. Lombard was in attendance at a RIZE Fighting Championship this past Saturday at the Bamboo Room in Lake Worth Beach. According to TMZ Sports, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, one that was shocking and caught on camera. According to the report, a fight broke out in the stands between fans, and at some point, one of the men pulled a gun out and fired shots into the air, turning the room into a frenzy. Lombard was cage side and can be seen capturing the gunshots on his cell phone video.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 33 with Vicente Luque, Khama Worthy, Gillian Robertson, and Modestas Bukauskas
Cole Shelton - March 23, 2021
The 33rd episode of Just Scrap Radio with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 260. We’re first joined by the 10th-ranked UFC welterweight contender, Vicente Luque (2:28). Next, UFC lightweight, Khama Worthy (20:56) comes on. 15th-ranked UFC flyweight, Gillian Robertson (35:02) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas (43:57).
Derek Brunson explains why he didn’t talk back to Kevin Holland during their fight at UFC Vegas 22
Harry Kettle - March 23, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson explained why he didn’t talk back to Kevin Holland during their bizarre UFC Vegas 22 main event. There was a lot of expectation heading into Brunson vs Holland this past weekend, with the latter being tipped for stardom with a big victory. In the end, though, it was Brunson who was able to impress with a unanimous decision win that takes his current win streak up to four. The veteran utilized his wrestling advantage in the contest to get his hand raised.
Watch the corner advice from James Krause that inspired Grant Dawson’s last second KO over Leonardo Santos
Adam D Martin - March 23, 2021
UFC welterweight James Krause gave his pupil, lightweight prospect Grant Dawson, an incredible pep talk before he KOed Leonardo Santos. Krause, the head trainer at Glory MMA & Fitness, has been getting lots of attention in the past year or so, not for his fighting skills, but for his coaching skills. The head trainer for numerous UFC fighters including Tim Elliott, Darrick Minner, and Kevin Croom, Krause has shown an incredible ability to be a teacher and a motivator. We saw that on display first hand once again this weekend when he was in the corner of the top prospect Dawson.
Former UFC title challengers Liz Carmouche and Cat Zingano set to make MMA returns at Bellator 256
Drake Riggs - March 22, 2021
As Bellator gets set to kick off 2021 on Showtime, Cat Zingano and Liz Carmouche are ready to make their sophomore appearances in the promotion. Monday, it was revealed via ESPN that former UFC bantamweight title challenger turned Bellator featherweight, Cat Zingano, will be welcoming Olivia Parker to the promotion at Bellator 256 on April 9. Also taking place in the Mohegan Sun Arena that night will be the long-awaited debut of former Invicta FC flyweight champion, Vanessa Porto, who is welcomed by Liz Carmouche, reported FanSided.
Sean O’Malley warns fans not to bet on him at UFC 260
Christopher Taylor - March 22, 2021
Sean O’Malley doesn’t wants fans to bet on him in his upcoming fight with Thomas Almeida at UFC 260. O’Malley (12-1 MMA) will return to the Octagon on the main card of Saturday’s pay-per-view event for a bantamweight showdown with Almeida ( MMA).
Jim Miller reveals UFC paid him "a fraction" of his purse for canceled UFC 258 fight: "I made a couple thousand dollars"
Cole Shelton - March 22, 2021
Jim Miller was disappointed he ended up not getting to fight at UFC 258 after making weight. But, what was worse is the fact he went home without his full paycheck. Miller was set to face Bobby Green in the prelim headliner of UFC 258 in February. However, at weigh-ins, Green fainted and the fight was called off. For Miller, he says it sucked for him to not fight given he took the fight on a week’s notice and cut a ton of weight.
Myron Molotky looking to build XFC into top-tier MMA promotion: "We are not a feeder league for anybody"
Cole Shelton - March 22, 2021
XFC MMA is set for its first Young Guns event on March 27 and president, Myron Molotky couldn’t be more excited. When XFC re-launched last year, the first event was a success with the promotion airing on NBC as well. However, as the company was in the stages of re-launching, Molotky made it known he wanted to find the next superstar. To do that, he launched Young Guns, where he will have several fighters making their debuts or only a handful of fights into their career compete on the card as they look to get an official XFC contract.
Curtis Blaydes on Derrick Lewis loss: "Nine out of ten times I think I smash him"
Cole Shelton - March 22, 2021
Curtis Blaydes has opened up on his loss to Derrick Lewis. Back on February 20, Blaydes and Lewis were finally set to fight after years of trash-talking one another. In the lead-up to the fight, many expected Blaydes to use his wrestling to control the fight. However, that was far from the case as the first-round was a kickboxing fight which Blaydes won. Yet, in the second round, as Blaydes went for a takedown, Lewis landed a perfectly timed uppercut that KO’d Blaydes.
Tito Ortiz pleads with parents to take off their kids' masks
Adam Martin - March 22, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer and Huntington Beach Mayor Pro Tem Tito Ortiz pleaded with parents to take off their kids’ masks during a recent interview. Ortiz has been very outspoken about COVID-19 in general ever since he took over the role of Mayor Pro Tem in his native Huntington Beach near the end of 2020. Ortiz said in December that he was anti-mask and he allegedly didn’t wear a mask at city hall, which led to complaints from employees there. A few months later and Ortiz is still nothing but critical about the masks, going so far as to tell parents not to let their kids wear them.
Conor McGregor says beating Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 was his "best performance"
Adam D Martin - March 22, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor says that beating Eddie Alvarez by knockout at UFC 205 was the “best performance” of his MMA career. McGregor — then the UFC featherweight champion — moved to 155lbs for the Alvarez fight, and he finished him in breathtaking fashion in the second round with punches to capture the UFC lightweight championship. That was in November 2016, when McGregor truly was in the prime of his career. Nearly five years later, McGregor agrees the Alvarez fight was the best he’s ever looked in the Octagon, calling it the “best performance” of his career.
Derek Brunson trolls Kevin Holland after collecting two paychecks at UFC Vegas 22
Cole Shelton - March 22, 2021
Derek Brunson is continuing to troll Kevin Holland. In the lead-up to UFC Vegas 22, Holland was vocal about the fact he didn’t like Brunson and wanted to knock him out. He was trash-talking throughout fight week and during the fight, he was still talking to Brunson. However, the Strikeforce veteran Brunson got the last laugh as he scored a dominant decision win to extend his winning streak to four straight.
Stipe Miocic not thinking about Jon Jones superfight until he beats Francis Ngannou at UFC 260
Adam D Martin - March 22, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic says he’s not thinking about a Jon Jones superfight until he beats Francis Ngannou at UFC 260. Miocic puts the heavyweight title on the line this Saturday night when he fights Ngannou in a rematch in the UFC 260 main event. These two rivals met three years ago at UFC 220 and Miocic dominated Ngannou with his wrestling to take home the decision. Since that first encounter, Miocic went 2-1 in his trilogy against Daniel Cormier, while Ngannou is 4-1 since the first Miocic fight, with his last four wins coming by way of first-round knockout.
What's next for Derek Brunson and Kevin Holland after UFC Vegas 22?
Cole Shelton - March 22, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 22, a key middleweight bout headlined the card as Derek Brunson took on the streaking Kevin Holland. Holland entered the fight riding a ton of momentum after going 5-0 in 2020 but in the fight, Brunson proved why he should still be considered among the best at middleweight. The veteran used his wrestling to control the fight and win a clear-cut decision.