MMA News
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.
UFC president Dana White shares insight on the promotion's discretionary backstage bonuses
Harry Kettle - February 12, 2021
UFC president Dana White has given fans and pundits alike a look into the discretionary backstage bonuses he hands out after events. Everyone is well aware of the Performance and Fight of the Night bonuses that are given out across all Ultimate Fighting Championship PPVs and fight nights, but as it turns out, White also hands out extra bonuses when there’s an evening in which many fighters have put in an impressive performance.
Josh Barnett on the Paul brothers in boxing: 'If we don't pay for it, it doesn't become the thing that it is'
Drake Riggs - February 11, 2021
Josh Barnett has always been an entertainer whether it’s in the ring or the cage. When it comes to seeing YouTube stars like Jake and Logan Paul boxing, he’s not interested. With a combined three fights under their belts, the Paul’s appear to have no intention of slowing down their boxing antics as Jake is scheduled to face former MMA champion Ben Askren in April. Meanwhile, Logan has had his exhibition with Floyd Mayweather postponed.
Jorge Masvidal sends Kamaru Usman a message ahead of UFC 258 title fight with Gilbert Burns
Chris Taylor - February 11, 2021
Jorge Masvidal has sent a message to Kamaru Usman ahead of his upcoming UFC 258 welterweight title fight with Gilbert Burns. Masvidal and Usman have a storied history, having squared off for the UFC welterweight title this past July in Abu Dhabi. ‘Gamebred’ had stepped on just six days notice for that championship contest and ultimately wound up suffering a unanimous decision setback as a result.
UFC 258 | Gilbert Burns shares footage of his last training session with Kamaru Usman
Chris Taylor - February 11, 2021
Gilbert Burns will challenge Kamaru Usman for the promotions welterweight championship in the headliner of this Saturday’s UFC 258 event. Burns and Usman have a storied history having trained together under coach Henri Hooft in South Florida for many years.
Alexander Volkov explains why he was starstruck being in the cage with Alistair Overeem
Adam Martin - February 11, 2021
UFC heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov explained why he was starstruck being in the Octagon across from Alistair Overeem at UFC Vegas 18. Volkov picked up the biggest win of his career when he finished Overeem with punches in the second rounds of their recent main event heavyweight bout. Volkov showed technical striking skills and a heavy hand as he systematically picked apart Overeem with his powerful punches until the referee stopped the fight. Considering how awesome of a performance he had, you’d be surprised to know that Volkov admits he was initially starstruck. For a fighter who had such a long road to the UFC, Volkov can now look back at his career and be proud of it.
Gillian Robertson plans to go "straight for the throat" and submit Miranda Maverick at UFC 258
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Gillian Robertson is not hiding her gameplan for UFC 258. In the first fight of the night, Robertson is making the walk to the Octagon against Miranda Maverick. It’s a very intriguing matchup, but a fight many were surprised it is happening given the fact they are two of the up and coming prospects. However, the Canadian actually thought this would be her opponent.
Stephen Thompson offers to replace Khamzat Chimaev and fight Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Stephen Thompson is hoping to finally fight Leon Edwards. Ever since Edwards lost his fight to Tyron Woodley in March of 2020 due to the pandemic, Thompson has been vocal about wanting to fight him. “Wonderboy,” thought it made sense but the Englishman didn’t like it and turned it down. Edwards was then forced to fight Khamzat Chimaev but after the fight was called off for the third time, Thompson believes the time is now for the fight to happen.
Ryan Hall details the injury that forced him out of Dan Ige fight, wants Jeremy Stephens in April
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Ryan Hall’s return to the Octagon will be delayed a few months. Earlier on Thursday, BJPENN.com broke the news that Hall was forced to withdraw from the fight due to an injury. Shortly after the news became public, Hall revealed to BJPENN.com that he tore his hip flexor.
Justin Gaethje rips Charles Oliveira over his recent UFC title shot demands
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Justin Gaethje doesn’t think Charles Oliveira deserves a title shot as he seems to think. After Oliveira dominated Tony Ferguson for three rounds to win a decision at UFC 256, he called for a title shot. The Brazilian is riding an eight-fight winning streak and had seven finishes during that run. However, for Gaethje, he doesn’t believe the level of competition is good enough to warrant a title shot.
Frankie Edgar recounts scary moments following KO loss to Cory Sandhagen: “For the life of me I couldn’t remember what day it was”
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Frankie Edgar doesn’t remember much from his KO loss to Cory Sandhagen last weekend. In the co-main event of the card, Edgar was looking to become the number one contender and beat Sandhagen. However, just 28 seconds in Sandhagen landed a perfectly timed flying knee that knocked Edgar out cold.
Dana White confirms TUF 29 coaches will be welterweights
Adam Martin - February 11, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the coaches of the upcoming TUF 29 reality show will be fighters from the welterweight division. After a three-year hiatus, The Ultimate Fighter franchise returns in 2021 on ESPN. White has promised the classic show will return with a bang and has been teasing its comeback for more than a year. COVID-19 pushed filming back, but the show is scheduled to get started taping in the next couple of months. The promotion is also close to making a decision on who the next coaches are.
Dominick Reyes returns to the Octagon against Jiri Prochazka on May 1st
Adam Martin - February 11, 2021
UFC light heavyweight Dominick Reyes returns to the Octagon against Jiri Prochazka on May 1st, in a fight originally booked for February. The UFC originally intended on Reyes vs. Prochazka headlining the Fight Night card planned for February 27, but the fight was scratched and replaced by a new main event featuring heavyweights Ciryl Gane and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Fortunately, Reyes vs. Prochazka has been quickly salvaged and re-booked for just two months later. It now takes place on May 1. Prochazka’s management team at Paradigm Sports was the first to reveal the new fight announcement. The fight will serve as the five-round main event.