MMA News
Antonio Tarver out of Frank Mir boxing fight due to Georgia commission not clearing him
Cole Shelton - March 23, 2021
Antonio Tarver will not be boxing Frank Mir on April 17. Tarver, the former light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion, was set to fight for the first time since 2015. However, according to ESPN, Tarver, 52, did not meet the requirements to compete put forth by the Georgia Athletic & Entertainment Commission, per commission executive director Matt Woodruff.
Daniel Cormier believes Francis Ngannou is on the cusp of "global superstardom"
Cole Shelton - March 23, 2021
Daniel Cormier believes Francis Ngannou can become the UFC’s next big superstar. In the main event of UFC 260, Ngannou is set to rematch Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title. In the first fight, Ngannou came up short as he said he was too young and inexperienced for the fight.
Charles Oliveira expects to KO Michael Chandler to win the lightweight title: "I'll catch him"
Cole Shelton - March 23, 2021
Charles Oliveira is confident he will become the new lightweight champion at UFC 262. After Dana White confirmed Khabib Nurmagomedov was retired, the promotion was quick to book Oliveira vs. Chandler for the lightweight title. In the fight, ‘Do Bronx’ doesn’t expect Chandler to take him down, nor does he plan to back down as Dan Hooker did in Chandler’s debut.
Islam Makhachev would "love to fight" Justin Gaethje next if RDA bout doesn't come to fruition
Cole Shelton - March 23, 2021
Islam Makhachev believes he will face a top-10 opponent next time out. At UFC 259, Makhachev dominated Drew Dober en route to a third-round submission win. The victory extended his winning streak to seven in a row and is looking to fight a top-ranked opponent. The goal was to rebook the Rafael dos Anjos fight this summer in the main event spot, but he is also open to fighting anyone in the top-10.
Khamzat Chimaev says he's "coming back to smash everybody"
Cole Shelton - March 23, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev is ready to return. After Chimaev was forced out of his March 13 main event fight against Leon Edwards, he announced his retirement from MMA. He was dealing with lingering effects of COVID-19 and couldn’t train properly, forcing him to retire.
Kenny Florian joins PFL commentary team
Adam D Martin - March 23, 2021
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Kenny Florian is taking his talents to the PFL commentary booth for the promotion’s third season. Florian, arguably one of the most popular fighters in UFC history, formerly called fights in the Octagon but left the UFC commentary booth a few years ago. He has continued to host the “Anik and Florian” podcast alongside current UFC mic man Jon Anik, as well as provide commentary for the BattleBots television show. But Florian’s calling has always been the fight game, and ahead of PFL’s third season, the promotion has brought him on to call fights. He will do so alongside UFC Hall of Fame Randy Couture and Sean O’Connell.
Khama Worthy believes he will pick apart Jamie Mullarkey, confident he has "a few ways to finish"
Cole Shelton - March 23, 2021
Khama Worthy is confident he will return to the win column on the main card of UFC 260. Worthy is coming off a first-round knockout loss to Ottman Azaitar last September and he was hoping to return to the Octagon much sooner. However, the UFC had different plans and was offered to fight Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 260, who is 0-2 in the UFC.
Boulder shooting suspect Ahmad Alissa was two-time gold medalist in NAGA grappling tournaments
Adam D Martin - March 23, 2021
Boulder shooting suspect Ahmad Alissa was a two-time gold medalist in North American Grappling Association (NAGA) grappling tournaments. On Monday, a suspect allegedly shot and killed 10 people in a Boulder, Colorado grocery store in what can only be described as another tragic mass shooting in the United States. On Tuesday, police identified the shooter as Ahmad Alissa, a 21-year-old man who has since been charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder in connection with the shootings.
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).