MMA News
ESPN's Ariel Helwani shares his thoughts on Gina Carano following recent controversy
Christopher Taylor - February 12, 2021
ESPN journalist Ariel Helwani has shared his thoughts on the recent controversy surrounding women’s MMA icon Gina Carano. Carano (7-1 MMA) has been making headlines this week. The former Strikeforce fighter initially made waves when she shared some controversial posts comparing contemporary political differences to the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany.
Aleksandar Rakic excited to show new skills against former teammate Thiago Santos at UFC 259
Adam Martin - February 12, 2021
Light heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakic says he’s excited for his upcoming fight at UFC 259 against his former teammate Thiago Santos. Rakic takes on Santos next month in an important matchup between top-five fighters in the UFC light heavyweight division. On paper, it’s an exciting matchup between two men who love to stand and strikes. What makes it even more intriguing is that Rakic and Santos were former training partners at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. The two bought at UFC 231 in December 2018 and ended up doing some training at ATT. But according to Rakic, he’s a much better fighter now than he was back when Santos trained with him.
Kelvin Gastelum believes he's fighting for his job against Ian Heinisch at UFC 258
Cole Shelton - February 12, 2021
Kelvin Gastelum believes his UFC 258 fight against Ian Heinisch is do-or-die for his Octagon career. In the past couple of months, the UFC has been releasing dozens of fighters as they are looking to cut nearly 60 fighters. For Gastelum, who is on a three-fight losing streak, he believes if he loses on Saturday he could be among those 60 fighters released from the Las Vegas-based promotion.
Anthony Hernandez expects to pick apart "very hittable" Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 258
Cole Shelton - February 12, 2021
Anthony Hernandez knows people are counting him out. At UFC 258, Hernandez is the biggest underdog on the card at +325, as he faces undefeated grappling wizard, Rodolfo Vieira. Although not many people would want to face Vieira, Hernandez said this is a fight he is very interested in.
Nate Diaz responds to challenge from UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - February 12, 2021
Nate Diaz doesn’t seem too interested in fighting Leon Edwards. After it was revealed that Khamzat Chimaev was out of the March 13 fight against Edwards, many wondered who would replace him. The Englishman brought up names like Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, and Nate Diaz. Edwards even doubled down on the Diaz callout earlier on Friday.
Nate Diaz sends a message to Dustin Poirier, proclaims himself "The real uncrowned King"
Chris Taylor - February 12, 2021
Nate Diaz is not a fan of Dustin Poirier proclaiming himself the “uncrowned champ”, suggesting ‘The Diamond’ is just a “lil bitch”. Ever since Poirier defeated Conor McGregor in their highly anticipated rematch at UFC 257, the Louisiana native has been referring to himself as “uncrowned”.
Georges St-Pierre breaks down UFC 258’s Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns title fight
Adam Martin - February 12, 2021
MMA legend Georges St-Pierre broke down this weekend’s UFC 258 main event between UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. If anyone would be the one to accurately analyze a UFC welterweight title fight, it’s the greatest welterweight himself, GSP. No one has been in more title fights at 170lbs than GSP, so when he talks about the division that he dominated, you have to listen and respect his opinion. The Canadian took to his Twitter to analyze this weekend’s main event at UFC 258 between Usman and Burns.
Tony Ferguson slams Conor McGregor for referring to him as 'El Cockeye' on his birthday
Chris Taylor - February 12, 2021
Tony Ferguson has fired back at Conor McGregor after the Irishman referred to him as ‘El Cockeye’ in a birthday message. The former UFC interim lightweight champion, Ferguson (25-5 MMA), turned 37 today and was greeted by birthday wishes from McGregor.
Bobby Green collapses backstage before UFC 258 fight with Jim Miller
Adam Martin - February 12, 2021
Dana White and other MMA notables react to Gina Carano losing Mandalorian role
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2021
UFC President Dana White is among many MMA notables to react to Gina Carano being fired from her role on The Mandalorian. Carano, who shifted her focus to acting after retiring from MMA, has found herself under fire for a number of controversial social media posts. The latest of those controversial posts compared the treatment of the American conservatives to the treatment jews in Nazi Germany, and resulted in her losing her role on the hit Star Wars series.
Colby Covington vs. Leon Edwards fight in discussion, per Dana White
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2021
UFC President Dana White says the promotion is working on a welterweight fight between top contenders Colby Covington and Leon Edwards. Edwards, the UFC’s No. 3-ranked welterweight, had been slated to fight the unranked Khamzat Chimaev on March 13. Unfortunately, Chimaev was forced out of that fight, leaving Edwards without an opponent.
Beneil Dariush explains why he's the one to defeat Khabib Nurmagomedov
Adam Martin - February 12, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush explained why he’s the one to defeat Khabib Nurmagomedov, admitting “The Eagle” is his dream fight. Dariush has been in the UFC since 2014 but he has really come into his own over the last few years. He’s currently riding a six-fight win streak and most recently defeated top-10 ranked Diego Ferreira via split decision at UFC Vegas 18. Dariush was vocal after the fight about his desire to get matched up with a top-five opponent. For Dariush, it’s all about testing himself against the very best in the world. That’s why if he had his choice, he’d fight Nurmagomedov.
Conor McGregor sends birthday message to "El Cockeye" Tony Ferguson
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has sent a not-so-friendly birthday message to his long-time rival, Tony Ferguson. Ferguson turned 37 on Friday, and received well wishes from many members of the MMA community, including the official UFC Twitter account.
UFC 258 weigh-in results: Usman, Burns set for title fight
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2021
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens with the anticipated UFC 258 pay-per-view out of the promotion’s APEX facility in Las Vegas. UFC 258 will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between dominating champion Kamaru Usman and surging challenger Gilbert Burns. Heading into the fight, Burns is widely viewed as one of Usman’s toughest challenges to date. The fight also has amplified appeal due to the fact that the pair trained together for many years at Sanford MMA in South Florida.
Dana White: No comeback plans for GSP despite intense snowstorm training videos
Adam Martin - February 12, 2021
UFC president Dana White said there are no comeback plans for GSP despite his recent posts doing intense training in the Canadian snowstorms. St-Pierre hasn’t fought since November 2017, when he submitted Michael Bisping to win the UFC middleweight title. He vacated the title soon after that and then made the decision to officially retire in 2019. However, there has been chatter in recent months about a GSP comeback. The reason being, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov wants this fight, and so do the fans. However, there appear to be too many hurdles to climb to make that happen, as White once again shot down any sort of rumors about a GSP return.
Dana White shares rough plans for UFC lightweight championship
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2021
UFC President Dana White has shared loose plans for the future of the promotion’s lightweight championship. The status of the UFC lightweight championship has been a mystery for several months, thanks to the retirement of long-time champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Leon Edwards doubles down on Nate Diaz callout: "Let’s go if you still think you're a real one"
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2021
Leon Edwards has doubled down on his callout of Nate Diaz. Edwards, the UFC’s No. 3-ranked welterweight contender, was slated to fight Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on March 13. Unfortunately, Chimaev has been forced out of the fight, marking the third consecutive time this matchup has fallen apart.
Frankie Edgar plans to continue career after KO loss to Cory Sandhagen: "I can't go out like that"
Harry Kettle - February 12, 2021
UFC bantamweight Frankie Edgar has confirmed that he will not be retiring after his knockout defeat to Cory Sandhagen last weekend. Edgar locked horns with rising contender Sandhagen at UFC Vegas 18, but the bout only lasted 28 seconds before “The Sandman” knocked Edgar out with an astonishing flying knee.
Leon Edwards aims to stay on March 13 card, has three replacement opponents in mind
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2021
No. 3 UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards wants to fight on March 13, and has three opponents in mind for that date. Edwards was scheduled to fight Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on March 13. Unfortunately, Chimaev was forced out of the fight due to lingering issues stemming from a previous COVID-19 infection, marking the third time the bout has fallen through.