MMA News
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.
Kevin Holland says he might "have fun" and fight Jake Paul after he gets a "devastating win" over Derek Brunson
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2021
Kevin Holland is open to fighting Jake Paul. Paul, who is 2-0 as a pro boxer and set to face Ben Askren on April 17, has taken the combat sports world by storm. He has called out several stars like Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz among others. If he beats Askren and wants to face another MMA fighter, Holland is interested in fighting him.
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.
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.
Brian Ortega won't feel like a UFC champion until he beats Max Holloway in a rematch
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
UFC featherweight title contender Brian Ortega says that he won’t feel like a UFC champion until he beats Max Holloway in a rematch. Ortega and Holloway previously met at UFC 231 in December 2018. At the time, Ortega was an undefeated fighter who many thought would give then-featherweight champion Holloway problems. However, that didn’t prove to be the case at all as Holloway absolutely pieced apart Ortega with his striking attack before finally forcing a doctor stoppage at the end of the fourth round. It was an incredible win by Holloway, while for Ortega it was one of those eye-opening types of fights that led him to realize he needed to make changes.
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.
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.
Justin Bieber, Ice Cube and more to perform at Triller’s ‘Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul event
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2021
Justin Bieber and Ice Cube are amongst the names scheduled to perform at the Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul event on Triller next month. The boxing showdown between the YouTuber and MMA star has been gaining a lot of traction in recent months and now, it appears as if the four-hour spectacle is being turned into quite the concert.
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.
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.
Photo | Stipe Miocic is looking lean and mean ahead of UFC 260 rematch with Francis Ngannou
Christopher Taylor - March 18, 2021
Heavyweight kingpin Stipe Miocic is looking lean and mean ahead of his highly anticipated rematch with Francis Ngannou at UFC 260. Miocic and Ngannou are set to square off for the UFC heavyweight title for a second time on March 27 in Las Vegas.
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.
Israel Adesanya responds to criticism from Jon Jones over UFC 259 loss to Jan Blachowicz
Christopher Taylor - March 17, 2021
Israel Adesanya has responded to the criticism he received from rival Jon Jones following his unanimous decision loss to Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259. Earlier this month the UFC’s reigning middleweight champion in Adesanya moved up a weight class to challenge Blachowicz for the promotions light heavyweight title. While ‘Stylebender’ had predicted that he would avoid being touched by Jan’s legendary “Polish power” that did not prove to be the case. Instead, Jan Blachowicz went on to handle Israel Adesanya in the grappling department on route to a unanimous decision victory.
Alexander Volkanovski says no one gets "spoiled" like Max Holloway does, wants to get paid big money for trilogy
Cole Shelton - March 17, 2021
Alexander Volkanovski believes the UFC spoils Max Holloway like no one else on the roster. After Holloway earned a dominant decision win over Calvin Kattar, Dana White said the Hawaiian would get the next title shot against the winner of Volkanovski and Brian Ortega. However, Volkanovski believes Holloway is getting spoiled by getting a third crack at him.