MMA News
Pros react after Magomed Ankalaev defeats Nikita Krylov at UFC Vegas 20
Chris Taylor - February 27, 2021
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 20 event was co-headlined by a key light heavyweight bout featuring Magomed Ankalaev taking on Nikita Krylov. Ankalaev (14-1 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since earning a first round knockout over Ion Cutelaba at UFC 254 in October. That victory had marked the Russian’s fifth in a row and third straight stoppage win.
UFC Vegas 20 Result: Magomed Ankalaev defeats Nikita Krylov (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - February 27, 2021
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 20 event is co-headlined by a key light heavyweight bout featuring Magomed Ankalaev taking on Nikita Krylov. Ankalaev (14-1 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since earning a first round knockout over Ion Cutelaba at UFC 254 in October. The victory marked the Russian’s fifth in a row and third straight stoppage win.
Michael Bisping goes off after fan suggests he was knocked out by Anderson Silva 5 years ago today
Chris Taylor - February 27, 2021
Michael Bisping showed off his ability to multitask during tonight’s UFC Vegas 20: ‘Rozenstruik vs. Gane’ event broadcast on ESPN. The former UFC middleweight champion, Bisping (30-9 MMA), is on commentary duties for the promotion this evening in Nevada. Despite that, ‘The Count’ was still able to find time to unload on a fight fan who suggested he was knocked out by Anderson Silva 5 years ago today.
Khabib Nurmagomedov returns to the United States, reflects on the past twelve months he's been away
Chris Taylor - February 27, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov is back in the United States of America and has issued a statement on the past twelve months he’s spent abroad. Over the past year ‘The Eagle’ has experienced both highs and lows. Khabib tragically lost his father Abdulmanap in July of 2020 due to complications spawning from the global pandemic.
Video | Gordon Ryan slaps Andre Galvao in backstage scuffle
Chris Taylor - February 27, 2021
Gordon Ryan slapped long-time rival Andre Galvao backstage shortly following his match at last night’s “Who’s number one” event. Ryan returned to action in last night’s co-main event for a match with Roberto Jimenez. Moments prior to his walkout, Gordon took to social media where he shared the following bold prediction for the contest.
Video | Dana White accidentally dubs Israel Adesanya "The Greatest Female Fighter of All-Time"
Chris Taylor - February 27, 2021
UFC President Dana White had a brain fart during a recent interview with Laura Sanko dubbing Israel Adesanya “The Greatest Female Fighter of All-Time”. The UFC’s reigning and undefeated middleweight champion, Adesanya (20-0 MMA), will be making the jump to light heavyweight for his next Octagon appearance. ‘Stylebender’ is set to challenge the promotions newly crowned 205lbs champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259 on March 6.
Khamzat Chimaev targets June return, eyes new opponent for UFC comeback
Chris Taylor - February 27, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev is on the road back to good health and already has an opponent in mind for his planned UFC comeback this June. Chimaev (9-0 MMA) has not competed since scoring a sensational 17-second knockout over middleweight Gerald Meerschaert this past September. ‘Borz’ has since been scheduled to fight top ranked welterweight Leon Edwards on a three different occasions. However, none of those proposed contests have come to fruition due to Chimaev’s lingering health issues from the coronavirus.
UFC Vegas 20 loses Angela Hill vs. Ashley Yoder fight on just hours notice
Chris Taylor - February 27, 2021
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 20: ‘Rozenstruik vs. Gane’ has taken a late hit as a slated strawweight bout between Angela Hill and Ashley Yoder has been called off. Hill and Yoder were set to collide on today’s preliminary card but the bout was unfortunately called off due to a member of Ashley’s camp testing positive for Covid (per MMAJunkie).
Mike Perry responds after Daniel Rodriguez suggests he will hit the unemployment line following their UFC fight on April 10
Chris Taylor - February 26, 2021
UFC welterweight Mike Perry has responded after his upcoming opponent Daniel Rodriguez suggested he will hit the unemployment line on April 11. Perry (14-7 MMA) and Rodriguez (13-2 MMA) are set to collide at an upcoming UFC Fight Night event slated for April 10.
Dustin Poirier willing to move up to welterweight for a fight with Nate Diaz: “Yeah, I’ll go up to 170 to fight Nate.”
Christopher Taylor - February 26, 2021
Dustin Poirier is willing to move up to welterweight in order to get his hands on former UFC lightweight title challenger Nate Diaz. Poirier and Diaz have been going back and forth on social media ever since ‘The Diamond’ defeated Conor McGregor by knockout in the main event of UFC 257.
WWE’s Triple H has a message for UFC star Conor McGregor: "Just say when"
Adam Martin - February 26, 2021
WWE executive Triple H has a message for UFC superstar Conor McGregor, telling the Irishman to “just say when” he wants to move to pro wrestling. Triple H has long conveyed his interest in bringing McGregor to the world of professional wrestling. Triple H has said that McGregor is someone who is a natural for wrestling due to his charisma, personality, and athleticism. However, McGregor has stayed busy in the world of combat sports with mixed martial arts and boxing, so he hasn’t had the opportunity to go to the WWE. But a move has long been rumored for McGregor to go the WWE route, particularly once he is done with his MMA career, just as Ronda Rousey did.
John Castaneda says fighting and knocking out "legend" Eddie Winleand was "surreal"
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2021
John Castaneda was honored to fight Eddie Wineland. At UFC Vegas 19, Castaneda was set for his second UFC fight, and on the other end of his contract was Eddie Wineland. For Castaneda, he says it was surreal to get the chance to fight the former WEC champion.
Weili Zhang to defend strawweight title at UFC 261 against Rose Namajunas
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2021
Weili Zhang will look to defend her strawweight title for a second time against Rose Namajunas. For months now, many have been wondering when Zhang would fight again and who she would face. She had options of fighting Namajunas or Carla Esparza or even rematching Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Yet, according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Zhang is set to defend her belt against Namajunas on April 24 at UFC 261.
UFC Vegas 20 card down to 10 fights after losing Alex Oliveira vs. Ramazan Kuramagomedov
Adam Martin - February 26, 2021
Saturday’s UFC Vegas 20 card is down to just 10 fights now after losing a welterweight bout between Alex Oliveira and Ramazan Kuramagomedov. Oliveira vs. Kuramagomedov was itself a replacement bout, as the Russian filled in on just four days’ notice after Randy Brown pulled out of the fight at the start of fight week. Oliveira wanted to remain on the card and the UFC found him a very tough opponent in the UFC newcomer Kuramagomedov, but unfortunately, the fight was just not meant to be. It was scratched on weigh-ins day after Kuramagomedov was not cleared to fight due to an illness. With no time left to find a replacement opponent, Oliveira was also removed from the card. It’s unknown if the UFC plans on rescheduling this bout (h/t MMAFighting.com). We do not have news if either fighter was paid their show money.
Ben Askren makes fans a promise ahead of boxing match: "You will witness the humiliation of Jake Paul"
Tom Taylor - February 26, 2021
Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren is promising a humiliating loss for YouTube star Jake Paul in their upcoming boxing match. Askren, who went 1-2 in the UFC welterweight division and is also the former ONE and Bellator welterweight champ, is slated to battle Paul for a maximum of eight rounds on April 17.
UFC Vegas 20 weigh-in results: One fighter misses weight, one fight scrapped
Tom Taylor - February 26, 2021
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens with the under-the-radar UFC Vegas 20 card out of the promotion’s Apex facility. The UFC Vegas 20 card will be headlined by a cage-shaking heavyweight showdown, as striking specialists Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Ciryl Gane collide in a bout that’s rife with title implications. Suriname’s Rozenstruik will enter the fight with the No. 4 spot in the heavyweight rankings, while France’s Gane is ranked at No. 7. Both men have extensive kickboxing and Muay Thai backgrounds, while Gane his the former TKO heavyweight champion.
Charles Oliveira says he's ready to "move on" from Dustin Poirier fight, "The Diamond" responds
Tom Taylor - February 26, 2021
Charles Oliveira says he’s ready to “move on” from a potential fight with Dustin Poirier—and Poirier isn’t losing any sleep over that remark. Earlier this week, UFC commentator Joe Rogan called for a lightweight title fight between Oliveira and Poirier, with the division’s reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov retiring.
Former UFC fighter Jonathan Goulet opens up on battle with depression: "I wanted to die"
Adam Martin - February 26, 2021
Former UFC welterweight Jonathan Goulet opened up about his lifelong battle with depression, saying at times he wishes he would die. Goulet is a pioneer of mixed martial arts in Canada. The 41-year-old native of Victoria, Quebec, racked up a 13-5 MMA record between 2001 and 2005 while fighting for promotions such as UCC, TKO, SuperBrawl, and Extreme Challenge.