MMA News
Jack Hermansson shares interesting theory on Kevin Holland’s in-cage trash talking: “It feels like it’s some kind of self-therapy”
Harry Kettle - March 24, 2021
UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson has given his thoughts on Kevin Holland’s in-cage trash talking after the latter’s loss to Derek Brunson. Holland left plenty of fans feeling pretty confused last weekend during his showdown with Brunson as his main focus seemed to be on maintaining his reputation of “Big Mouth.” Alas, while some found it funny, others felt as if he wasn’t taking the fight seriously at all.
Francis Ngannou shares story of eating from garbage cans and spending time in Spanish jail
Adam D Martin - March 24, 2021
Ahead of UFC 260, heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou shared the story about eating from garbage cans and spending time at a Spanish jail. Ngannou takes on UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic next Saturday night in what should be an incredible rematch between the two best heavyweights in the sport today. Ngannou has won his last four fights in a row by a first-round knockout, while Miocic is coming off of back-to-back wins over Daniel Cormier to capture their trilogy 2-1.
Marvin Vettori blasts "joke" UFC rankings after Derek Brunson shoots up the ladder
Adam D Martin - March 24, 2021
UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori blasted the “joke” UFC rankings after Derek Brunson shot up the 185lbs ladder in the latest rankings update. In the latest update of the middleweight rankings, Brunson moved all the way up to No. 4 in the world after defeating No. 10 Kevin Holland at UFC Vegas 22 this past Saturday. Brunson is a great fighter and deserves his top-10 ranking, but there has been criticism that beating the No. 10-ranked fighter in Holland would shoot him so far up the rankings. Not only did Brunson move up three spots, but it also meant Darren Till, Vettori, and Jack Hermansson all dropped a spot in the rankings, and “The Italian Dream” is not happy.
Junior dos Santos open to joining Bellator, interested in fighting Fedor Emelianenko
Adam D Martin - March 24, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos says he is open to joining Bellator, admitting an interest in fighting Fedor Emelianenko. “Cigano” was recently released from the UFC, alongside divisional stalwart Alistair Overeem, as the world’s leading MMA promotion continues to cut fighters from the roster. JDS has admitted he wasn’t a fan of the “cold” way UFC president Dana White let him go, but he’s now ready to move on with his career. Although he has admitted he’s open to competing in boxing, it appears JDS isn’t ready to hang up his MMA gloves just yet.
Tsuyoshi Sudario fined for continuing to punch opponent after 8-second knockout at RIZIN 27
Drake Riggs - March 23, 2021
Tsuyoshi Sudario made some history during RIZIN’s first event of 2021. Unfortunately, the aftermath of the bout could overshadow his win. Entering into his matchup with 42-year old professional wrestler Kazushi Miyamoto, the former Sumo wrestling sensation, Tsuyoshi Sudario, was 2-0 in MMA. Coming in off of a big win over the iconic Ikuhisa “Minowaman” Minowa at RIZIN 26 on New Year’s Eve 2020, Sudario was back to facing a pro wrestler making their MMA debut just like he did when he debuted at RIZIN 24 vs. Dylan James.
Khama Worthy: 'I'd knock Michael Chandler's f*cking head off'
Drake Riggs - March 23, 2021
Lightweight finisher Khama Worthy (16-7) is back in action at UFC 260 this Saturday. And during his fight camp, his division’s next title bout was announced. At UFC 262 on May 15, former three-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler takes on Charles Oliveira. After dominant champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s official retirement and relinquishing of the title, it led the promotion to make these top two lightweights fight for the vacant crown – something that doesn’t sit all too well with Worthy.
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.
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.
Report | Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier 3 targeted for July 10
Alfredo Zullino - March 23, 2021
A highly anticipated trilogy bout between lightweight standouts Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier is in the works for later this summer. The news was originally reported on Tuesday by Georgian journalist Giorgi Kokiashvili, lead MMA reporter for Adjarasport TV, the official Ultimate Fighting Championship partner in Georgia.
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.
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.
Tai Tuivasa shuts down “veteran” label following KO at UFC Vegas 22: “I feel I’m just learning MMA”
Harry Kettle - March 23, 2021
UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa has dismissed the idea that he’s a “veteran” in the promotion after his big win at UFC Vegas 22 last weekend. Tuivasa has been a member of the UFC roster since back in late 2017 and ever since then, he’s had quite the rollercoaster ride in the promotion. After winning his first three bouts in the Octagon, he proceeded to lose three straight after that, with one of those being a main event TKO defeat at the hands of Junior dos Santos.
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.
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.
Jon Jones shares a message for individuals who pull out cell phones instead of helping during emergency situations
Adam D Martin - March 23, 2021
UFC superstar Jon Jones shared a harsh message for individuals who pull out cell phones instead of helping out during emergency situations. Jones played the “tweet and delete” game on Tuesday morning when the former UFC light heavyweight champion put out a tweet criticizing those who pull out their cell phones instead of helping others. It’s unclear exactly what prompted Jones to make the tweet but he sent it out and then decided that he wanted to remove it and deleted it. See it below.