MMA News
Itsuki Hirata hopes win over Miku Nakamura will set up future bouts with Meng Bo, Angela Lee
Tom Taylor - February 19, 2021
Itsuki Hirata, one of the brightest prospects on the ONE Championship roster, is days out from a potentially career-altering fight. The 21-year-old will collide with Miku Nakamura in the main event of Road to ONE on February 22 in her native Tokyo. A win in this matchup could launch her into the anticipated ONE Atomweight World Grand Prix, and open the door to fights with some of the promotion’s fiercest fighters.
Jake Paul sparring partner says Ben Askren is "going down"
Tom Taylor - February 19, 2021
MMA fighter Raush Manfio says Ben Askren has “no chance” in his upcoming boxing match with YouTube celebrity Jake Paul. Paul and Askren are slated to collide in an eight-round pro boxing match on April 17. Ahead of the fight, Paul enlisted the help of Manfio to help him prepare for Askren, who went 1-2 in the UFC and is the former ONE and Bellator welterweight champion.
Curtis Blaydes comfortable with being third in the UFC heavyweight title queue behind Jon Jones
Harry Kettle - February 19, 2021
UFC heavyweight Curtis Blaydes has said that he understands why Jon Jones will be receiving an immediate title shot ahead of him – even if he beats Derrick Lewis this weekend. Blaydes is hoping to take a big step forward in the race to challenge for the Heavyweight Championship when he takes on fellow contender Derrick Lewis in a highly anticipated bout on Saturday night.
UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis reacts to Ted Cruz’s Cancun trip: “I actually took a selfie with him at the airport”
Harry Kettle - February 19, 2021
UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis offered up a typically entertaining response when asked about Ted Cruz’s recent trip to Cancun. While Lewis may be focusing on his huge fight against Curtis Blaydes this weekend, it’s also hard to ignore the ongoing power grid and weather issues in the state of Texas — where Lewis lives.
Derrick Lewis hopes to send Curtis Blaydes to the ICU at UFC Vegas 19
Adam Martin - February 18, 2021
UFC heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis said that he hopes to send Curtis Blaydes to the ICU following their main event bout at UFC Vegas 19. Lewis faces off with Blaydes in the main event of this Saturday’s UFC card. The two were previously scheduled to fight in November but Blaydes was forced out of the bout due to a case of COVID-19. The pair needed three months to be rescheduled, so there will be plenty of frustrations to be let out when the two heavyweights fight this weekend. Blaydes has promised that he will revert to his world-class wrestling to get the job done as always, while Lewis says he will get the KO. It should be fascinating to watch the fight unfold.
Julian Marquez reveals he's still talking to Miley Cyrus by DM: "She knows who I am, she follows me"
Adam Martin - February 18, 2021
UFC middleweight Julian Marquez revealed that he’s still talking to Miley Cyrus by DM, saying that “she knows who I am (and) she follows me.” Marquez had an unbelievable comeback at UFC 258 last weekend when he submitted Maki Pitolo in the third round of a fight he was bound to lose via unanimous decision. Not only did he have a great finish and earn a $50,000 bonus for his troubles, but he also became a bit of an overnight sensation when he asked out singer and songwriter Miley Cyrus. Marquez asked Cyrus to be his valentine and she responded on social media with a request for him to shave the letters “MC” into his chest hair. In turn, Marquez asked Cyrus to put a henna tattoo of his name on her chest, which led to online criticism for Marquez’s game.
Paige VanZant releases scorching hot "bang" video, Tyron Woodley issues hilarious response
Christopher Taylor - February 18, 2021
Former UFC standout turned Bare Knuckle boxer Paige VanZant electrified social media Thursday, drawing a hilarious reaction from former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. VanZant made her BKFC debut earlier this month at the promotions KnuckleMania event. Unfortunately for ’12 Gauge’, she wound up suffering a unanimous decision loss to Britain Hart that evening.
Andrei Arlovski still believes he can become UFC champion but won't stick around "to be a punching bag"
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2021
Andrei Arlovski is confident he can become UFC champion again but is uncertain how much longer he has left to compete. Arlovski has quietly turned back the clock as he enters UFC Vegas 19 on a two-fight winning streak. He beat Tanner Boser and Philipe Lins by decision and now faces Tom Aspinall. For the former UFC heavyweight champion, he says becoming champion again is driving him.
Derrick Lewis says he "wants a piece" of Alistair Overeem before he retires
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2021
Derrick Lewis still hopes he gets the chance to fight Alistair Overeem. For years now, it appeared Lewis and Overeem were on a collision course, leading to the two trash-talking one another. However, for whatever reasons, the fight was never made and with Overeem’s fighting future uncertain, Lewis makes it clear he wants that fight to happen.
Fighter admits to taking dive after being approached by gunman
Alfredo Zullino - February 18, 2021
Unfortunately, MMA is not always only punches, kicks, and grappling between a fighter and his or her opponent. Some events can get pretty extreme and even have a gunman involved too. It’s the story of Brazilian fighter Leonardo Barbosa who competed at Truly Grand Fighting Championship 11 on February 11 in Afghanistan, against home favorite Ahmed Wali Hotak. The latter stopped Barbosa with a knee and punches during the second round, in a controversial ending.
Leon Edwards opens as big favorite open Belal Muhammad
Adam Martin - February 18, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards opened up as a big betting favorite to defeat Belal Muhammad when the two clash on March 13. The No. 13 ranked welterweight Muhammad is filling in on short notice for No. 14 ranked Khamzat Chimaev, who was forced out of his March 13 main event with Edwards due to COVID-19 related issues. The UFC was hoping to book No. 3 Edwards against No. 2 Colby Covington in a No. 1 contender fight, but Covington passed on taking the matchup with Edwards. Though Edwards was hoping to land a top-five opponent, there wasn’t anyone else available for him to fight on short notice that was ranked that highly. Looking up and down the rankings, the one fighter who was available to fight in March was Muhammad.
Stefan Struve promises his retirement from the UFC is final: "I'm not going to fight anymore"
Adam Martin - February 18, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight contender Stefan Struve promised that his retirement from MMA is final, vowing that he’s “not going to fight anymore.” Struve announced this week that he is stepping away from the sport immediately, officially confirming he is hanging up his gloves after making the decision with his team and family. Struve cited numerous health and injury issues as the reason for his retirement, though his recent form no doubt played a role in him deciding to retire. Prior to announcing that he is walking away from MMA, Struve had lost five of his last six fights. His last loss to Tai Tuivasa was especially brutal as he was knocked out at the end of the first round.
Leon Edwards gets new opponent for March 13, will now meet Belal Muhammad in five-round main event
Tom Taylor - February 18, 2021
Leon Edwards has accepted a new opponent for March 13. According to ESPN‘s Brett Okamoto, the long-absent welterweight star will now take on Belal Muhammad. Five days removed from a win last weekend, Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) has agreed to replace Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round main event against Leon Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) on March 13 per sources … And if Edwards wins this, it’s gotta be a title shot next, right? Gotta be. pic.twitter.com/tFM7KdhdAQ
Gilbert Burns returns to the gym, receives "the best advice" from Robbie Lawler
Tom Taylor - February 18, 2021
Gilbert Burns is already back in the gym and receiving comeback advice from former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler. Burns was in action in the main event of UFC 258 last weekend, when he challenged Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title. Burns managed to drop Usman in the fight’s opening round, but Usman surged back in round two and ultimately stopped burns in round three.
Jared Gordon glad Charles Oliveira loss happened, expects to finish Danny Chavez
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2021
Jared Gordon is set for his second fight at featherweight when he takes on Danny Chavez at UFC Vegas 19. Why Gordon made the drop down to featherweight was simple. After he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Charles Oliveira in Brazil, he knew he no longer belonged at lightweight. He then made the drop down to featherweight and beat Chris Fishgold in the summer. Without the loss, to Oliveira, Gordon admits his move back down to 145lbs wouldn’t have happened so he’s glad the loss took place.
Chael Sonnen slams top UFC welterweights for being "scared" of Khamzat Chimaev
Tom Taylor - February 18, 2021
Former fighter and MMA analyst Chael Sonnen believes the UFC’s top welterweights are all “scared” of rising prospect Khamzat Chimaev. The UFC welterweight top 5 is currently jam-packed with elite talent like champ Kamaru Usman, and top contenders Colby Covington, Gilbert Burns, Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal. Unfortunately, the division’s top fighters haven’t been particularly active of late, and Sonnen believes that’s due in part to the arrival of Chimaev.
Kevin Lee returns to training after double knee surgery: "My love for the game is back"
Tom Taylor - February 18, 2021
UFC lightweight star Kevin Lee has returned to training for the first time since having surgery on both of his knees—and from the sounds of it, his time away from the mats has renewed his enthusiasm for the sport. Lee opened up on his return to training in a Wednesday post to Instagram.
Gilbert Burns explains how Kamaru Usman fight was "way different than our training sessions"
Tom Taylor - February 18, 2021
Gilbert Burns says his recent fight with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman was “way different” than their previous sparring sessions. Burns and Usman trained together at Sanford MMA for many years, engaging in upward of 200 sparring rounds during that time. When it became clear that they may have to fight one another, however, Usman left the gym and relocated to Colorado to train with acclaimed coach Trevor Wittman.