MMA News
Frank Mir issues bold win-or-lose prediction for boxing match with Antonio Tarver: “He’s leaving on a stretcher”
Adam D Martin - March 19, 2021
Frank Mir issued a bold win-or-lose prediction for his upcoming boxing match with Antonio Tarver, saying that “he’s leaving on a stretcher.” Mir makes his professional boxing debut on April 17 on the undercard of the Triller boxing PPV featuring Jake Paul and Ben Askren in the main event. The former UFC heavyweight champion will take on Tarver, the former boxing great who will be returning from a six-year layoff to take on Mir. It’s a big fight between the former UFC champion and the former boxing world champion, and now Mir is issuing a bold prediction about what will happen.
Max Holloway tells Khabib Nurmagomedov he wants to "visit Dagestan"
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2021
UFC featherweight contender Max Holloway has told Khabib Nurmagomedov he wants to visit Dagestan one day soon after the latter confirmed his retirement. The MMA world has known it to be true for quite some time, but now it seems to be official that Khabib Nurmagomedov is staying retired. That’ll come as quite the blow for both his fans and for fans of the sport in, general, not to mention some fighters on the UFC roster.
Kamaru Usman reveals it was his idea to have the Jorge Masvidal rematch at UFC 261
Adam D Martin - March 19, 2021
UFC welterweight Kamaru Usman revealed that it was his idea to have the rematch with rival Jorge Masvidal take place at UFC 261. Usman and Masvidal met back at UFC 251 on Fight Island last July. Masvidal filled in on one weeks’ notice for Gilbert Burns, who withdrew from the fight due to COVID-19. Though “Gamebred” was able to go the full five rounds with Masvidal, he lost a unanimous decision that night. However, the pay-per-view did big numbers, selling 1.3 million PPVs, and so there was always going to be talks of a rematch. Once Usman knocked out Burns at UFC 258 and was able to turnaround quickly, the UFC decided to give Masvidal the rematch. The pair now headline UFC 261, which is set to take place April 24 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Pros react to Khabib Nurmagomedov retirement, Chandler vs. Oliveira at UFC 262
Christopher Taylor - March 18, 2021
Social media was full of fighter reactions following news that Khabib Nurmagomedov has officially retired and Chandler vs. Oliveira is set for UFC 262. Earlier this evening UFC President Dana White confirmed that despite his best efforts he could not convince ‘The Eagle’ to return for one last fight.
Khabib Nurmagomedov issues statement following official retirement
Christopher Taylor - March 18, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov has issued a statement after news broke this evening that he was officially retiring and vacating his UFC lightweight title. Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA) had announced his retirement from fighting immediately following his submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
Vacant UFC lightweight title fight set for UFC 262 featuring Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira
Drake Riggs - March 18, 2021
It’s official, Khabib Nurmagomedov has retired and vacated his lightweight crown. Now the UFC moves on to Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira. Late Thursday night a wave of news broke from the UFC. Perhaps the most notable of the bunch being UFC President Dana White conceding defeat to Nurmagomedov insisting on calling it a career at 29-0 after a meeting in Las Vegas.
Dana White makes it official, Khabib Nurmagomedov has retired 29-0
Christopher Taylor - March 18, 2021
UFC President Dana White made the official announcement this evening that Khabib Nurmagomedov has retired from MMA with a record of 29-0. Nurmagomedov had announced his retirement from fighting immediately following his submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.