MMA News
Derrick Lewis wants to stay active following KO of Curtis Blaydes: “I know my window of time is closing to make money"
Chris Taylor - March 13, 2021
Heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis is looking to stay active following his sensational knockout victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC Vegas 19. Lewis (25-7 MMA) squared off with Blaydes (14-3 MMA) on February 20 in a highly anticipated heavyweight bout. The result was a knockout victory for ‘The Black Beast’, who was able to put ‘Razor’ to sleep early in the second round after landing a nasty uppercut.
Jason Witt admits he never heard of Matthew Semelsberger, expects to earn second-round TKO
Cole Shelton - March 12, 2021
Jason Witt didn’t know who he would be fighting next but didn’t expect it to be Matthew Semelsberger. After Witt dominated Cole Williams to get his first UFC win, he was looking to return quickly. Although it is now five months later, Witt was just excited to get back in there despite not knowing who his opponent was.
Alexis Davis relieved to snap losing streak, knows rematch with Amanda Nunes makes sense down the line
Cole Shelton - March 12, 2021
Alexis Davis didn’t know if she would remain a UFC fighter. After the Canadian lost to Viviane Araujo at UFC 240, which was her third loss in a row, she wondered if she would be released. The UFC ended up deciding to keep her on, but a shoulder injury kept her out until 2021 where she fought Sabina Mazo.
Megan Anderson issues statement after conclusion of UFC contract: "Stay tuned!"
Tom Taylor - March 12, 2021
Recent UFC featherweight title challenger Megan Anderson has issued a statement after her contract with the promotion concluded. Anderson returned to the cage in the co-main event of UFC 259 last Saturday in Las Vegas, challenging featherweight champion Amanda Nunes for the division’s ultimate prize. Regrettably for the Aussie and her fans, she was submitted by Nunes in the fight’s opening round.
Valentina Shevchenko in no rush for Weili Zhang superfight, predicts Rose Namajunas wins title UFC 261
Adam Martin - March 12, 2021
UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko says she’s in no rush for a superfight against women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang. Shevchenko takes on top contender Jessica Andrade in the co-main event of UFC 261, which takes place on April 24 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. On the same card, Zhang takes on Rose Namajunas in the main event.
UFC Vegas 21 weigh-in results: Edwards, Muhammad hit marks
Tom Taylor - March 12, 2021
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens with the anticipated UFC Vegas 21 card out of the promotion’s Apex facility. UFC Vegas 21 will be headlined by a dynamite welterweight scrap between the division’s No. 3-ranked contender, Leon Edwards, and its No. 13 contender, Belal Muhammad. Edwards was originally slated to fight the unranked Khamzat Chimaev in the card’s headliner, but accepted a short-notice fight with Muhammad when Chimaev was forced off the card with health issues.
Ilir Latifi vs. Tanner Boser targeted for June UFC Fight Night card
Adam Martin - March 12, 2021
A battle between heavyweights will take place at a UFC Fight Night event in June when Ilir Latifi meets Tanner Boser inside the Octagon. MMA Empire Canada first reported that Boser vs. Latifi will take place on the June 5 card that currently does not have a venue or location set for it.
Khabib Nurmagomedov congratulates Jan Blachowicz on UFC 259 victory: "You know why you won?"
Tom Taylor - March 12, 2021
UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz received some warm words from Khabib Nurmagomedov after his decision victory over Israel Adesanya. Blachowicz defended the light heavyweight belt against Adesanya, the promotion’s middleweight champion, in the main event of UFC 259 last weekend.
Dominick Cruz updates on desired charity fight with Monster's Hans Molenkamp
Tom Taylor - March 12, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz has provided an update on his feud with Monster Energy executive Hans Molenkamp. Cruz returned to action on the UFC 259 undercard last weekend, picking up a decision victory over Casey Kenney. In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, he set his sights on a charity fight with Molenkamp, claiming that the Monster executive has a habit of making unreasonable demands of fighters.
Joseph Benavidez opens up on future after UFC 259 loss
Tom Taylor - March 12, 2021
Joseph Benavidez has opened up on his fighting future after a tough loss to Askar Askarov at last weekend’s UFC 259 card. Benavidez’s loss to Askarov, a unanimous decision, marked his third setback in a row, as he was also recently beaten in a pair of fights with Deiveson Figueiredo.
Anthony Smith believes Yan vs. Sterling outcome proves "referees need to take more responsibility”
Harry Kettle - March 12, 2021
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has called out referees for needing to take more responsibility after the Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling fight at UFC 259 last weekend. As most of us know by now the Yan vs. Sterling fight ended in controversial fashion when “Funk Master” won the UFC Bantamweight Championship due to Yan being disqualified. Sterling was clearly unable to continue and the knee was deemed to be intentional, which is why the decision was made.
UFC continues roster cuts, two more fighters released
Harry Kettle - March 12, 2021
The UFC has continued to make cuts to their roster with Jordan Espinosa and Shana Dobson both being released from the promotion, MMA Fighting reports. The Ultimate Fighting Championship has never been shy when it comes to releasing fighters from the roster and as we continue on through what has been a successful 2021 for the company thus far, it seems as if they aren’t slowing down.
Video | Henry Cejudo and Canelo Alvarez get into exchange of words over Ryan Garcia
Christopher Taylor - March 11, 2021
Former UFC ‘champ champ’ Henry Cejudo and boxing great Canelo Alvarez got into exchange of words over Ryan Garcia. Canelo (55-1-2) put his WBA and WBC super middleweight world titles on the line last month when he squared off with Avni Yildiri. The result was a one sided beatdown for Alvarez, who emerged victorious by way of third round TKO.
Cub Swanson explains comments saying MMA media should have '3 amateur fights'
Drake Riggs - March 11, 2021
Cub Swanson started one hell of a talking point this past month. Sharing his thoughts that MMA media should have “3 amateur fights,” the featherweight icon recently explained what he was getting at with his tweet.
ONE: Empower set as all-women's event, will kick off atomweight world grand prix
Drake Riggs - March 11, 2021
ONE Championship’s atomweight world grand prix is official. And to kick it off, ONE: Empower will be an all-women’s card. Announced on Thursday via ESPN, ONE: Empower goes down on May 28, and currently hosts five fights featuring some of the promotion’s best female competitors. Additionally, one more “major” bout will be added as well as tournament alternate bouts.
Former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao signs with EMC
Adam Martin - March 11, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao has decided to take his talents to German-based MMA promotion Elite MMA Championship (EMC). The 34-year-old Brazilian, who has a 34-9, 1 NC overall record in MMA, is now the latest member of EMC, a German-based promotion who made the announcement official on Thursday. Barao is now a member of the Elite MMA Championship bantamweight roster.
Ottman Azaitar issues statement regarding bag incident on UFC Fight Island
Adam Martin - March 11, 2021
UFC lightweight Ottman Azaitar issued a statement regarding the bag incident on UFC Fight Island that temporarily saw him cut from the UFC. Speaking to Mark Bergmann of Fighting.de, Azaitar spoke about the infamous bag incident on UFC Fight Island. Azaitar was scheduled to fight Matt Frevola but at the last minute, he was removed from the card. UFC president Dana White later said that Azaitar was cut because he broke COVID-19 protocols by allegedly handing his wristband to someone from outside the bubble, and that person reportedly dropped a bag in Azaitar’s room, a bag that has become MMA’s own version of the ‘briefcase from Pulp Fiction.’ White later changed his mind and reinstated Azaitar to the UFC, but the whole incident has left fans wondering what really happened. Here’s what Azaitar himself said about the infamous bag.
Petr Yan claims Aljamain Sterling is "the real paper champ" after UFC 259
Cole Shelton - March 11, 2021
Petr Yan believes Aljamain Sterling is the real paper champion. In the lead-up to UFC 259 and Yan’s first title defense, Sterling was calling the Russian a paper champion. He didn’t think Yan had earned his way to the title as he did, and he planned on proving that inside the Octagon.