MMA News
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw set to return on May 8 for five-round main event against Cory Sandhagen
Christopher Taylor - March 18, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has booked a five-round main event for his highly anticipated return to the Octagon. Dillashaw (16-4 MMA) has not stepped foot in the cage since January of 2019 where he suffered a first round knockout loss to then flyweight title holder Henry Cejudo in his bid to become a two-division champion.
Cody Garbrandt staying at bantamweight, faces Rob Font in May main event
Drake Riggs - March 18, 2021
Former UFC champion Cody Garbrandt is set to return after his long battle with COVID-19. For his next time out, he’ll be back in the main event. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto broke the news Thursday that Garbrandt will remain at bantamweight. This is after he was previously looking to make the move to 125-pounds in pursuit of Deiveson Figueiredo’s flyweight crown. Now, he draws Rob Font on May 22 as the UFC fight night event’s headliner. The location has yet to be determined.
Georges St-Pierre believes the UFC doesn't want Khabib Nurmagomedov to go out on top, 'they want a guy to beat him'
Drake Riggs - March 18, 2021
Georges St-Pierre is one of the few fighters in MMA to go out atop the peak of the mountain. Khabib Nurmagomedov recently did the same. Despite the known interest that Nurmagomedov had to reach 30-0 in his career with a victory over the legendary St-Pierre, “The Eagle” instead called it quits at 29-0. With all things considered, the iconic Canada native believes he knows why UFC President Dana White is so reluctant to let Nurmagomedov ride off into the sunset.
Khama Worthy says Ottman Azaitar had steroids in his bag on Fight Island: "He and his brother are like buddy-buddy up in the sauna sticking needles in their butts"
Adam Martin - March 18, 2021
UFC lightweight Khama Worthy says Ottman Azaitar had steroids in his bag on Fight Island and accused him and brother Abu Azaitar of juicing. There was a bizarre incident on Fight Island in January right before UFC 257, where Azaitar allegedly cut off his wristband and gave them to someone outside the bubble. This person apparently got into the fighter hotel and dropped off a bag before being caught by UFC security. Afterward, UFC president Dana White released Azaitar from the promotion for violating COVID-19 protocols, though the fighter was reinstated to the organization a month later. Per Azaitar’s manager Ali Abdelaziz, there were potatoes in the bag.
Kamaru Usman says he won’t grant Colby Covington a rematch until he fights a top contender first
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2021
Colby Covington will need to fight and beat someone in the top-five before getting a title shot, according to Kamaru Usman. Usman, who is the current welterweight champion, is set to defend his belt against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261. With those two fighting, Covington is now on the outside looking in. But, according to Ali Abdelaziz, “Chaos” needs to get another win if he wants a title shot.
Jon Jones fires back at Israel Adesanya over his recent comments: “I love it when opponents realize they can’t hold my jockstrap”
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Jon Jones fired back at Israel Adesanya over his recent comments, saying “I love it when opponents realize they can’t hold my jockstrap.” Adesanya was a guest on Ariel Helwani’s ESPN show on Wednesday and said that he is still pursuing a matchup against Jones despite the fact he just lost to Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259. The fight with Blachowicz exposed Adesanya, who struggled with being able to stop the takedowns from a bigger man. Despite the loss, Adesanya said that he still wants to fight Jones, to which the former UFC light heavyweight champion responded on Twitter.
UFC parent company Endeavor files for IPO
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
UFC parent company Endeavor has reportedly filed for an IPO (initial public offering) with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Endeavor Group Holdings (EDR) is an entertainment conglomerate that owns a number of businesses, including the UFC, the talent agencies IMG and William Morris, and content production for a number of events including Premier League Soccer and the Miss Universe competition, and movies and television shows including “La La Land” and “Killing Eve.” The company’s CEO is Ari Emanuel and its executive chairman is Patrick Whitesell.
Grant Dawson expects to submit BJJ black belt Leonardo Santos, plans to call out Clay Guida
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2021
Grant Dawson is finally making the move to lightweight. After Dawson missed the featherweight mark by 3.5 pounds against Darrick Minner and barely made weight for a 150-pound catchweight against Nad Narimani in July, he knew he needed to move up to 155lbs. The goal for Dawson was to make a quick turnaround but that was not the case. Finally, at Saturday’s UFC Vegas 22 event, Dawson will make his official UFC lightweight debut against Leonardo Santos.
Junior dos Santos files appeal regarding TKO loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC 256
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos has officially filed an appeal regarding his TKO loss to Ciryl Gane back at UFC 256. Dos Santos was recently cut by the UFC after losing four straight fights, the last which came against Gane at UFC 256. In that fight, Gane hit JDS with an elbow that appeared to potentially land on the back of his head. However, referee Jerin Valel did not call a foul and the fight was declared a TKO win for Gane. JDS was not happy about the loss and vented about his frustrations with the result of the fight immediately following the contest, but it wasn’t enough to save his job. After 13 years of being with the world’s leading MMA promotion, JDS was released, and he’s not thrilled the cut came after the loss to Gane.
Patricio Pitbull trashes Tapology for ranking him 21st at featherweight: "You're awful"
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Two-division Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull trashed Tapology for ranking him as the 21st-best featherweight in the sport. Tapology is one of the top resources in the world of mixed martial arts. The website has an incredible record-keeping system in MMA and is generally regarded as the top MMA database going right now. However, Pitbull has a bone to pick with them about the site’s ranking systems. Tapology has its own rankings system where it ranks the best fighters in the world by division regardless of promotion. It’s worth noting that registered users submit their rankings, so it’s not Tapology itself that is doing the rankings, but MMA fans.
Jan Blachowicz knows he is better everywhere than Glover Teixeira, eyes heavyweight move after two or three more title defenses
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2021
Jan Blachowicz knows his next opponent will be Glover Teixeira. After Blachowicz beat Israel Adesanya at UFC 259 to defend his belt for the first time, he knew that Teixeira would be his next opponent. Blachowicz knows the Brazilian deserves the next title shot based on the strength of his five straight wins in the UFC, but when the two rivals do meet, the champ is confident he will be better everywhere than Teixeira.
Dana White welcomed to Jacksonville by Mayor Lenny Curry for UFC 261: "We are proud to welcome you back"
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
UFC president Dana White was welcomed back to Jacksonville by Mayor Lenny Curry for UFC 261, who said “we are proud to welcome you back.” White announced this week that the world’s leading MMA promotion is set to return with a full crowd of fans when UFC 261 takes place on April 24 in Jacksonville, Florida. The card features Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal 2 in the main event, along with two other title fights. The announcement was met with excitement by some fans, who are looking forward to attending a UFC event live again, but also with some concern by some fans and media who believe the event could be risky given the realities of COVID-19, especially in Florida.
Eddie Alvarez shares advice with Conor McGregor ahead of Dustin Poirier trilogy: "He needs to harden himself as a man"
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez shared advice with MMA superstar Conor McGregor, saying “he needs to harden himself as a man.” Alvarez was actually McGregor’s last and only win in the UFC as a lightweight. The two met in the main event of UFC 205 in November 2016, with McGregor knocking Alvarez out to become the new UFC lightweight champion. Since that time, Alvarez has taken his talents to ONE Championship, while McGregor continues to be one of the UFC’s biggest stars. However, McGregor is coming off of a second-round TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, and it was the kind of loss that has led to a number of his peers giving advice to him.
Michael Chandler has a sneaky suspicion that Khabib Nurmagomedov will retire with a record of "29-and-Chandler"
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Michael Chandler has a sneaky suspicion that UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will retire with a record of “29-and-Chandler.” Chandler is one of the top lightweights in the world who is currently vying for a chance to win the UFC’s 155lbs belt, one that is currently held by Nurmagomedov. However, the Russian has said for the last six months now that he is planning on hanging up his gloves. That hasn’t stopped UFC president Dana White from trying his best to convince Nurmagomedov to fight again, but so far we haven’t heard one way or another his plans.
Jon Jones reveals new 245lbs frame following cardio training at heavyweight
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
UFC superstar Jon Jones revealed his new 245lbs frame following cardio training at heavyweight with his coaches at Jackson Wink MMA. Jones vacated the UFC light heavyweight title last summer after nearly a decade at the top of the weight class, with an eye on a move to the heavyweight division in 2020. For the last six months, we have seen videos of Jones bulking up in anticipation of his move to the UFC’s heaviest weight class. “Bones” recently showed a video of him living the 252lbs life and doing some striking training with coach Mike Winkeljohn. Some fans were critical of Jones in that video, saying that the former light heavyweight champ looked too slow. Well, it appears as though Jones has lost a little bit of weight sign then, as he’s 245lbs now. All the hard work and training are paying off as the legend appears to be in fantastic shape.
Gregor Gillespie says KO loss to Kevin Lee was "easier to accept" than decision
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2021
UFC lightweight Gregor Gillespie says that his knockout defeat to Kevin Lee was easier to accept than if he’d have lost via decision. Gillespie is set to get back into the Octagon this weekend at UFC Vegas 22 when he takes on fellow rising contender Brad Riddell. When he does, it’ll be the first time since UFC 244 that he’s fought, a card that took place in November 2019.
Israel Adesanya confirms Darren Till will be next if he can defeat Marvin Vettori at UFC on ABC 2
Christopher Taylor - March 17, 2021
Israel Adesanya has confirmed he will be fighting Darren Till next if the Liverpool native can defeat Marvin Vettori at next month’s UFC on ABC 2 event. The UFC’s reigning middleweight champion, Adesanya (20-1 MMA), suffered that first loss of his mixed martial arts career earlier this month to Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259. ‘Stylebender’ had jumped up a weight class in order to challenge the Polish champion, but ultimately fell victim to a unanimous decision loss.
Rampage Jackson speaks out in support of Hans Molenkamp: 'He can't just cancel your contract'
Drake Riggs - March 17, 2021
Since Dominick Cruz alleged that Hans Molenkamp has been enforcing some questionable antics regarding his dealings with Monster Energy sponsorships, he’s gained support from many in the community. However, light heavyweight legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson doesn’t feel it’s warranted. A longtime Monster-sponsored athlete, Rampage shared his thoughts on the recent claims surrounding the company executive.