MMA News
Max Holloway on a potential rematch with Conor McGregor: “It’s on a very short list for the UFC”
Harry Kettle - February 26, 2021
Max Holloway has given his thoughts on a potential rematch with Conor McGregor as speculation grows over the next move for both men. The two titans of the Ultimate Fighting Championship met at featherweight back in August 2013. On that night in Boston, McGregor managed to edge out the unanimous decision win in what proved to be Holloway’s last loss for almost six years until he ran into Dustin Poirier at lightweight.
Eddie Alvarez responds after Christian Lee claims to be the best lightweight in the entire world
Harry Kettle - February 26, 2021
ONE Championship’s Eddie Alvarez has taken issue with Christian Lee saying he’s the best lightweight in the world. Alvarez is set to return to the cage for the first time since August 2019 when he locks horns with Iuri Lapicus at ONE on TNT 1. A victory over Lapicus, who Lee beat back in October to retain the ONE Lightweight Championship, would take Alvarez to 2-1 with the promotion.
John Lineker set to return as part of ONE Championship's April TNT events, faces Stephen Loman
Drake Riggs - February 25, 2021
The man with the “Hands of Stone,” John Lineker (33-9), is back and looks to continue his reign of terror in ONE Championship come this April. MMA Fighting confirmed Thursday that the former UFC flyweight hopeful now has his third fight in ONE booked. It will take place on April 28 at ONE on TNT 4 as Lineker faces off with the Philippines’ Stephen Loman (14-2).
If Gilbert Burns doesn't get Colby Covington next, he wants Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson
Drake Riggs - February 25, 2021
After recently falling short to ex-teammate Kamaru Usman, Gilbert Burns has already put together his path back to a title shot. With the always outspoken former interim champ Colby Covington in his sights, “Durinho” knows exactly who he wants if he doesn’t get that matchup next.
Dan Hooker explains how his new "ugly-ass record" will allow him to take risks other guys aren't willing to take
Christopher Taylor - February 25, 2021
Perennial UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker believes his new “ugly-ass record” will allow him to take risks other guys aren’t willing to take. Hooker (20-10 MMA) suffered his second straight loss at January’s UFC 257 event, this after being knocked out by Michael Chandler in the very first round.
Watch 252lbs Jon Jones hit the pads with Mike Winkeljohn
Adam Martin - February 25, 2021
UFC superstar Jon Jones says he weighs 252lbs and he posted a video of himself hitting pads and moving around with coach Mike Winkeljohn. Jones is set to move up to heavyweight for the first time in his MMA career later this year. The former UFC light heavyweight champion has been bulking up in preparation for the move up in weight for the past year. Jones’s move up to heavyweight is sure to be one of the most talked-about storylines for the rest of 2021. We have seen some videos of him lifting weights and putting on some muscle, but we haven’t seen any footage of him actually moving around the Octagon with his heavyweight frame, until now that is.
Dustin Jacoby admits he didn't know who Maxim Grishin was, confident he will KO him
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2021
Dustin Jacoby was surprised to see Maxim Grishin’s name on the other side of his bout agreement. Jacoby made his return to the Octagon on Halloween night and scored a first-round TKO win over Justin Ledet. After the win, Jacoby figured he would get a known name but was offered Grishin who fought in PFL and is 1-1 in the UFC. Although the Factory X fighter wanted a known name, he just wants to get back in there and string together some wins.
Julian Erosa has no issue with ref stoppage in TKO win over Nate Landwehr: "People saying it was an early stoppage are just upset they lost money"
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2021
Julian Erosa knows Nate Landwehr went out for a second. At UFC Vegas 19, Erosa pulled off another upset win as he scored a first-round TKO win via flying knee. However, when the ref stopped the fight, Landwehr immediately complained about the stoppage. For Erosa, he says Landwehr went out and the only people that are still mad over the stoppage are people who bet on Landwehr to win.
Frank Mir set to make boxing debut on Paul-Askren undercard against former world champion boxer Antonio Tarver
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2021
Frank Mir is set to make his boxing debut on April 17. Mir, the former UFC heavyweight champion, has not competed in MMA since October of 2019 when he beat Roy Nelson by decision in Bellator. Mir then became a free agent and there was some talk of him joining BKFC.
Photo | Andrei Arlovski shows off nasty foot injury following submission loss to Tom Aspinall
Adam Martin - February 25, 2021
UFC heavyweight veteran Andrei Arlovski showed off a nasty foot injury that happened in his last fight at UFC Vegas 19 against Tom Aspinall. Arlovski was submitted in the second round by Aspinall when the young British prospect caught the former UFC heavyweight champion in a second-round rear-naked choke. It was a tough loss for “The Pitbull,” who had looked sharp as of late with a two-fight winning streak over Tanner Boser and Philipe Lins heading into the fight with Aspinall. Unfortunately for Arlovski, the fight did not go as planned for the veteran when he was finished. To make matters worse for Arlovski, he also hurt his foot in the fight.
Joe Rogan campaigns for UFC lightweight title fight between Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira
Tom Taylor - February 25, 2021
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan wants to see a lightweight title fight between top contenders Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira. The lightweight title will seemingly soon be up for grabs with the division’s longtime champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, poised to ride off into the sunset. If that’s indeed the way things shake out, the UFC will need to crown a new champ in Nurmagomedov’s stead.
Tyson Fury believes UFC's Conor McGregor would win trilogy fight Dustin Poirier
Tom Taylor - February 25, 2021
Heavyweight boxing superstar Tyson Fury is backing Conor McGregor to beat Dustin Poirier if the pair meet in the UFC’s Octagon for a third time. McGregor and Poirier first met at featherweight in 2014, with McGregor winning by first-round knockout. They then met in a rematch at UFC 257 last month, this time in the lightweight division. Poirier won that rematch by second-round knockout.
Eryk Anders praises Henry Cejudo: "He's a totally different person in real life"
Adam Martin - February 25, 2021
UFC middleweight Eryk Anders praised Henry Cejudo for their recent training together, saying he’s a completely different person in real life. Anders returns to the Octagon on March 13 when he meets Darren Stewart at UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad. As part of his training camp for the fight, he got some work in with Cejudo and his coach Eric Albarracin. Speaking to James Lynch of MMA News, Anders praised Cejudo for his coaching abilities and also said that he’s a completely different person in real life than the ‘king of cringe’ he portrays himself on social media.
Team Edson Barboza confirms the fan-favorite has signed a new deal with the UFC
Adam Martin - February 25, 2021
Team Edson Barboza confirmed the fan-favorite signed a new, multi-year deal with the UFC, keeping him with the world’s leading MMA promotion. Barboza only had one fight left on his current UFC contract following his last outing, a unanimous decision victory over Makwan Amirkhani at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen. The 35-year-old Brazilian expressed interest in re-signing on a new contract with the promotion following the conclusion of his current contract, but until now a deal had not been reached. Now that Barboza and the UFC have agreed on a new deal, he plans on making a run for the featherweight title. Barboza’s long-time agent Alex Davis first confirmed the news of him re-signing with the UFC to MMAFighting.com.
Video | Get to know PFL's Ray Sefo
Tom Taylor - February 25, 2021
Ray Sefo is both a legend of the kickboxing ring, and a key executive at The Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno flyweight title rematch set for June 12
Tom Taylor - February 25, 2021
A rematch between UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and top contender Brandon Moreno is set for June 12, according to Ariel Helwani of ESPN. The UFC flyweight title rematch between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno is set for June 12, per multiple sources.
Kevin Holland: Khamzat Chimaev is "very smart" for only taking "fights that make the most sense"
Tom Taylor - February 25, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland believes rising star Khamzat Chimaev has only been accepting matchups that “make sense” for him. Holland and Chimaev are two of the hottest young prospects in the UFC at present, both having enjoyed massive success in 2020.
UFC's Karolina Kowalkiewicz opens up on struggles with depression, suicidal ideation
Tom Taylor - February 25, 2021
Former UFC strawweight title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz says she has struggled with depression and suicidal ideation in the past. Kowalkiewicz, a native of Poland, is a member of the UFC strawweight roster. Speaking on Instagram on February 23, Poland’s Day of Combatting Depression, Kowalkiewicz opened up on her mental health struggles, and revealed that she’s battled depression and suicidal ideation previously.