MMA News
Israel Adesanya hypes up his ground game: 'Khabib isn't the only one who can maul people'
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2019
Israel Adesanya says his ground game is one of the best in mixed martial arts although no one has really seen it. Adesanya, who is the current UFC middleweight champion, came from a kickboxing background and says he takes offense to boxers saying they are the best fighters out there. He says MMA fighters are the top because of the fact they have to work the ground game as well as other martial arts.
Paul Felder signs new contract with UFC ahead of Dan Hooker fight
Adam Martin - December 3, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder has signed a new contract with the UFC ahead of his fight against Dan Hooker in New Zealand. It was revealed this week that Felder will be taking on Hooker in the main event of UFC Fight Night 169. The event is set to take place on February 22 at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. According to a new report from MMAFighting.com’s Damon Martin, Felder has officially signed a new contract with the UFC as part of taking the fight with Hooker.
Cynthia Calvillo rips former teammate Paige VanZant for 'bullcrap' Instagram callout
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2019
Cynthia Calvillo was one of many strawweight and flyweight fighters to be called out in a recent Instagram post from Paige VanZant. She didn’t appreciate this move from her former Team Alpha Male teammate — especially when VanZant deleted her replies. “Normally when it comes to Paige, I feel like I just roll my eyes because it’s like whatever,” Calvillo explained when speaking to MMA Fighting. “I know her, I know who she is, I know what she’s all about. We actually lived together for a little bit. I know her very, very well. For me, I personally do not care. I don’t care what she does. We’re on two different paths when it comes to fighting but she did put me in that list of fighters.
Tony Ferguson scolds fans who think Khabib Nurmagomedov fight is cursed: 'Go watch Bellator'
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2019
The UFC has attempted to book a fight between UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov and streaking contender Tony Ferguson four times. Shockingly — and to a degree that has caused some fight fans to label the matchup as cursed — the pair have never actually made it into the cage together. The UFC is now attempting to make this fight happen for a fifth time, having scheduled a title fight between the pair for UFC 249 in Brooklyn, New York this April.
Mike Winkeljohn hopes atomweight division happens for Michelle Waterson; also want Namajunas rematch
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2019
Michelle Waterson had a chance to earn a strawweight title shot with a win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the main event of UFC Tampa. Yet she lost by decision which sent her back to the drawing board. Her coach Mike Winkeljohn knows Waterson can be a top-fighter at 115-pounds but hopes the UFC starts an atomweight division. If that happens, he is confident Waterson would become a UFC champion.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says he's more motivated to fight Tony Ferguson than any of his last four opponents
Adam Martin - December 3, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says that he’s more motivated to fight Tony Ferguson than any of his last four opponents. Nurmagomedov defeated highly-skilled and elite opponents in Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor, Al Iaquinta and Edson Barboza in his last four fights. All four of those opponents are extremely talented and dangerous in their own rights, but Nurmagomedov feels that Ferguson presents a far more threatening challenge.
UFC 245: 'Usman vs. Covington' fight card and start time
Natasha Hooper - December 3, 2019
UFC 245 promises to be a star-studded fight card. The event will take place in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on the December 14. In the UFC 245 main event, the current welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, will look to defend his title for the first time against Colby Covington. “The Nigerian Nightmare” claimed the belt from Tyron Woodley in their UFC 235 bout by unanimous decision. Likewise, Covington has been riding high on an impressive streak victories. Most recently, “Chaos” dominated former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler throughout five rounds to take the unanimous decision victory.
Tito Ortiz stopped managing 'Cyborg' after butting heads with her boyfriend
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2019
Tito Ortiz was the long-time manager of Cris Cyborg, but ended his working relationship with the Brazilian MMA legend shortly after she lost to Amanda Nunes in late 2018. Speaking to James Lynch of the Score, Ortiz explained why he decided to cease managing Cyborg. According to the former UFC light heavyweight champion Cyborg’s boyfriend Ray Elbe — who also handles some of her management — was making “bad decisions” for her career.
Tony Ferguson discusses 'unpleasant' negotiations for Khabib Nurmagomedov fight
Harry Kettle - December 3, 2019
UFC star Tony Ferguson has provided details on the negotiations that led to his Lightweight Championship fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov being booked. For years now fans have been truly desperate to see these two men square off in the Octagon – but on four separate occasions, fate stepped in the way. Alas, now, the hope is that the fifth time will be the charm as Ferguson and Nurmagomedov prepare to go head to head on April 18 in Brooklyn, New York.
Kamaru Usman says welterweight is the most exciting division in the UFC
Adam Martin - December 2, 2019
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says that the 170lbs weight class is the most exciting division right now in the UFC. Usman won the UFC welterweight championship earlier this year when he dominated Tyron Woodley en route to a lopsided decision at UFC 235. He is set to make his first title defense when he takes on arch-rival Colby Covington at UFC 245 next weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tony Ferguson sends a warning to "nervous" Khabib Nurmagomedov
Christopher Taylor - December 2, 2019
Tony Ferguson will challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov for the promotions undisputed lightweight title in the main event of UFC 249 on April 18 in Brooklyn, New York. The highly anticipated bout was made official on Friday evening, this after ‘El Cucuy’ signed his half of the title fight contract.
Aniah Blanchard, daughter of Walt Harris, was shot to death, prosecutors seeking death penalty
Adam Martin - December 2, 2019
Aniah Blanchard, the daughter of UFC heavyweight contender Walt Harris, was shot to death, according to the medical examiner. The man accused of the murder of Blanchard, 29-year-old Ibraheem Yazeed, is being charged with capital murder, and prosecutors in Alabama are seeking the death penalty.
Corey Anderson vs. Jan Blachowicz headlines UFC New Mexico
Adam Martin - December 2, 2019
A light heavyweight bout between top contenders Corey Anderson and Jan Blachowicz is set to headline UFC Mexico City next February. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto broke the news of the Anderson vs. Blachowicz bout on his Twitter account. This UFC Fight Night card is set to take place on February 15, 2020, at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
Tony Ferguson wants Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone to end in a double knockout
Cole Shelton - December 2, 2019
Conor McGregor will make his highly-anticipated return to the Octagon on Jan. 18 when he battles Donald Cerrone at welterweight. It is a very interesting fight, that many people are torn on. Yet, for Tony Ferguson, he believes Cerrone may very well knock McGregor out. But, he hopes the fight ends in a double knockout.
Chael Sonnen believes Conor McGregor is 'coming after' Jorge Masvidal
Cole Shelton - December 2, 2019
Conor McGregor is fighting again at welterweight as he is set to take on Donald Cerrone in the main event of UFC 246. When the fight was announced, many were surprised the scrap if at 170-pounds. For Chael Sonnen, he believes the extra 15-pounds is actually a disadvantage for the Irishman. He thinks it will be tough for McGregor to knock out Cerrone at that weight.
Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk targeted for UFC 248
Adam Martin - December 2, 2019
The UFC women’s strawweight title will be on the line when champion Weili Zhang takes on challenger Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248. The card is set to take place on March 7, 2020, though no location or venue has officially been decided on yet. There have been rumors that this event may take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a main event of UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya taking on rival Yoel Romero.
Tyron Woodley says losing UFC welterweight title to Kamaru Usman humbled him
Fernando Quiles - December 2, 2019
Tyron Woodley is able to see the positives in his defeat to Kamaru Usman. Back in March, Woodley put the UFC welterweight championship on the line against Usman. While “The Chosen One” had looked unstoppable at 170 pounds, Usman had the style and pressure to dethrone Woodley after five rounds of one-sided action. “The Nigerian Nightmare” was the new welterweight king and Woodley suffered his first loss since June 2014.
Henry Cejudo takes another shot at Jose Aldo, declares himself 'The Real King of Rio'
Adam Martin - December 2, 2019
UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo took another shot at Jose Aldo on social media, declaring himself “The Real King of Rio.” Ever since Aldo announced that he is dropping down to 135lbs and fighting Marlon Moraes at UFC 245, there has been speculation that Aldo could be Cejudo’s next opponent. The two have spent the last few months taking shots at each other on social media, including Aldo posting a picture of Cejudo dressed as a gnome.