MMA News
John McCarthy explains what Khabib Nurmagomedov needs to do to beat Tony Ferguson
Cole Shelton - December 6, 2019
John McCarthy believes Tony Ferguson is going to be a tough opponent for Khabib Nurmagomedov. The two have been booked to fight each other on April 18 in Brooklyn, New York. McCarthy believes Nurmagomedov won’t be able to mentally or physically break Ferguson, so he has to adjust his gameplan.
Conor McGregor outlines the appeal of fighting in multiple weight classes
Adam Martin - December 6, 2019
UFC superstar Conor McGregor knows a thing or two about fighting in multiple weight classes at the sport’s highest level. On Friday, McGregor responded to a tweet by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani showing concern for Jose Aldo’s weight cut to 135lbs. The pictures floating around of Aldo cutting down to make the bantamweight limit do not look good, and have generated concern by the media as well as fellow fighters such as Darren Till.
UFC DC weigh-in results: Two fighters miss weight
Adam Martin - December 6, 2019
The UFC DC weigh-ins took place Friday morning and two fighters scheduled to compete on Saturday night’s card missed weight. In the headlining fight, UFC heavyweight star Alistair Overeem came in at 248lbs. His opponent, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, tipped the scales at 250.5lbs. Rozenstruik filled in on short notice for Walt Harris, who was forced to withdraw due to the disappearance and eventual murder of his daughter Aniah Blanchard. Despite taking the fight on short notice, Rozenstruik comfortably made weight, and the UFC Washington DC headliner is official.
Darren Till worried about Jose Aldo ahead of bantamweight debut
Tom Taylor - December 6, 2019
Darren Till is one of many members of the MMA community that is worried about former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo’s imminent move down to bantamweight. Till, like many fans, is particularly worried after photos of a slimmed-down and rather emaciated-looking Aldo surfaced on social media yesterday.
Dana White: Stipe Miocic, Daniel Cormier have agreed to third fight
Tom Taylor - December 6, 2019
The heavyweight trilogy fight we’ve all been waiting for is apparently nearing fruition. According to UFC President Dana White, reigning champion Stipe Miocic and former champion Daniel Cormier have agreed to a high-stakes third fight. It’s just a question of when Miocic is healthy enough for the UFC to schedule the fight.
Frankie Edgar vs. The Korean Zombie: opening betting odds revealed
Adam Martin - December 6, 2019
The opening betting odds have been revealed for the featherweight main event at UFC Busan between Frankie Edgar and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. The UFC announced yesterday that with Brian Ortega injured and unable to compete, Edgar will now take on The Korean Zombie in the headlining fight at UFC Fight Night 165, the last UFC event of 2019. The card takes place on December 21 at Sajik Arena in Busan, South Korea.
Joe Rogan believes feud with Jon Jones benefits Israel Adesanya
Natasha Hooper - December 6, 2019
The newfound feud against Jon Jones will only benefit Israel Adesanya, according to Joe Rogan. The new middleweight champion began challenging the light heavyweight champion as part of his hunt for the official GOAT status. The pair have been butting heads, only adding to notoriety of each fighter and anticipation of a possible super fight. The MMA commentator Rogan believes Adesanya has all the necessary building blocks to become the UFC’s next major superstar:
Frankie Edgar reacts after booking short-notice fight with The Korean Zombie
Natasha Hooper - December 6, 2019
Frankie Edgar released a statement after it was confirmed he will replace Brian Ortega and fight Chan Sung Jung on Saturday December 21 at UFC Fight Night 165. Ortega was scheduled to face “The Korean Zombie” in the main event of UFC Busan. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that the Californian was out of the fight due to an undisclosed injury.
Dana White says Tyson Fury is interested in fighting in the UFC
Adam Martin - December 5, 2019
UFC president Dana White said Thursday in a radio interview that boxing heavyweight superstar Tyson Fury is interested in fighting in the Octagon. There have been videos of Fury training mixed martial arts alongside Darren Till in England that have surfaced lately. Many assumed that was just a publicity stunt for Fury, but it appears as though there is a genuine interest in “The Gypsy King” to try his hand at MMA.
Dana White says Conor McGregor wants Jorge Masvidal next
Adam Martin - December 5, 2019
UFC president Dana White said in a radio interview on Thursday that superstar Conor McGregor is eyeing a fight against Jorge Masvidal next. McGregor was recently booked for his comeback fight against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 on January 18 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported shortly afterward that McGregor’s plan is to fight either Masvidal or Nate Diaz next, and then get a rematch against UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov near the next of 2020.
Dana White says two things need to happen before he books McGregor vs. Khabib rematch
Cole Shelton - December 5, 2019
UFC president, Dana White has laid out the plan for Conor McGregor to get his rematch against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Ever since McGregor lost to Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in the fourth-round by submission he has been clamoring for a rematch against the Russian. Yet, he won’t get an immediate rematch, but the groundwork is there for it to happen.
Frankie Edgar vs. 'The Korean Zombie' set as UFC Busan main event
Cole Shelton - December 5, 2019
The UFC has found a replacement for Brian Ortega to battle Chan Sung Jung in the main event of UFC Busan. MMA Junkie was first to report that Frankie Edgar has agreed to battle ‘The Korean Zombie’ in the main event. BJPENN.com has since confirmed that news with sources close to the situation.
Uriah Hall explains why so many middleweights have called out Darren Till
Natasha Hooper - December 5, 2019
Uriah Hall has a message for new UFC middleweight contender Darren Till. England’s Till has is making some waves in the middleweight division. He stepped up from the welterweight division after suffering back-to-back losses against Tyron Woodley and BMF title winner Jorge Masvidal.
Aniah Blanchard shooting suspect says she 'went for the gun'
Adam Martin - December 5, 2019
The shooting suspect in the death of Aniah Blanchard, the daughter of UFC heavyweight Walt Harris, says Blanchard “went for the gun” which is why he shot her. Ibraheem Yazeed was charged with capital murder for the abduction and shooting of the 19-year-old Blanchard, whose remains were found last week after a month-long investigation into her disappearance. Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes is seeking the death penalty to Yazeed for his alleged crimes.
Joe Rogan wants Jorge Masvidal to fight winner of Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington
Fernando Quiles - December 5, 2019
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan hopes to see Jorge Masvidal challenge for the welterweight gold after UFC 245. The 170-pound champion, Kamaru Usman, will put his title on the line against Colby Covington on Dec. 14. The two will collide inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. While Masvidal appears to be in prime position for a title shot afterward, “Gamebred” has expressed more interest in bouts with Nick Diaz and Conor McGregor.
Kelvin Gastelum calls out Robert Whittaker
Tom Taylor - December 5, 2019
Kelvin Gastelum has lost his last two fights, and is ready for the opportunity to get back on track. He’s hoping to do so with a fight that eluded him previously: a matchup with former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Gastelum and Whittaker were scheduled to fight for the middleweight title in Australia in early 2019, when Whittaker still held the belt. Unfortunately, after a gruelling training for both parties, the fight was derailed at the last minute when Whittaker withdrew from the fight with a severe abdominal hernia that required emergency surgery.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik doubles down on Francis Ngannou callout: 'He's the boogeyman of the division'
Adam Martin - December 5, 2019
UFC heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik doubled down on his callout of Francis Ngannou, calling him “the boogeyman of the (heavyweight) division.” Rozenstruik recently said on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show that he plans on calling out Ngannou should he get by Alistair Overeem in the main event of this weekend’s UFC Washington, D.C. card.
Cory Sandhagen reacts to potentially losing Frankie Edgar matchup: 'Not cool'
Tom Taylor - December 5, 2019
Brian Ortega is out of the UFC Busan main event, and Frankie Edgar has been named as the man who could replace him against “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. That’s bad news for Cory Sandhagen, who was expected to welcome Edgar to bantamweight division at UFC Raleigh in January. While ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC is hoping Edgar can fight The Korean Zombie on December 21, and then fight Sandhagen at bantamweight as planned on January 25, that seems extremely unlikely.