MMA News
Joe Rogan joins Jon Anik, "DC" on UFC 258 commentary duties
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
Joe Rogan will call his first fights of the year at UFC 258 this Saturday in Las Vegas, according to MMA Junkie. Rogan will handle color commentary duties for the card alongside former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier, while Jon Anik will lead the commentary team.
Uriah Hall unloads on Scientologists: “Jump off a cliff and take your stupid ass friends with you”
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Uriah Hall has some choice words for the people who practice and support Scientology. Scientology has been classified as everything as a pseudo religion to a form of therapy, and has historically been popular among celebrities.
Zabit Magomedsharipov sees younger brother Khasan sign deal with Bellator
Adam Martin - February 11, 2021
The brother of UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov, Khasan Magomedsharipov, has signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA. MMAjunkie.com’s Nolan King was the first to break the news of the signing. Khasan Magomedsharipov (5-0) is just 20 years old and he trains alongside his big brother at Mark Henry’s gym in Tom’s River, New Jersey, putting in the reps along with other notable UFC fighters such as Frankie Edgar. Instead of joining Edgar and his big brother in the Octagon, however, the younger Magomedsharipov decided to take his talents to the Bellator cage instead.
Gilbert Burns describes "the difference between me and Kamaru Usman"
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
Gilbert Burns sees a key difference between himself and his upcoming opponent, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Burn will challenge Usman for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 258 this Saturday. The matchup features many interesting variables. Burns and Usman have trained together extensively at Sanford MMA, and also have many stylistic similarities as grappling specialists with well-rounded skillsets.
Eddie Alvarez believes "intangibles" will be key for Ben Askren against "better boxer" Jake Paul
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
Eddie Alvarez believes Jake Paul is a “better boxer” than Ben Askren, but the intangibles of the fight will be in Askren’s favor. Askren, who went 1-2 in the UFC and is the former ONE and Bellator welterweight champion, is slated to meet Paul, a YouTube star, in an eight-round pro boxing match in the UFC. While Askren has achieved some amazing things in MMA, the widespread feeling is that he’s actually out-matched in terms of boxing skill against Paul.
Kurt Angle says he received UFC offer, but the money "wasn't great"
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle says he received an offer from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but turned it down. Angle, an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, achieved superstardom as a member of the WWE roster. However, he says he had the opportunity to try his hand at mixed martial arts in the UFC.
Francis Ngannou on rewatching his first fight with Stipe Miocic: “I see the guy look like me, but I don’t recognize myself”
Harry Kettle - February 11, 2021
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou has given his thoughts on the first time he fought Stipe Miocic back at UFC 220. The two men fought for the UFC Heavyweight Championship with Ngannou riding an insane amount of momentum after his knockout win over Alistair Overeem. In the end, though, Miocic was able to grind out the win and retain the belt, revealing that Ngannou had poor cardio and lack of wrestling ability at the time.
Leon Edwards believes Jorge Masvidal will continue to "find an excuse" even after he beats Khamzat Chimaev
Harry Kettle - February 11, 2021
UFC welterweight Leon Edwards believes Jorge Masvidal will find an excuse not to fight him even if he beats rising contender Khamzat Chimaev. Edwards is set to put his current winning streak on the line when he locks horns with Chimaev next month, with many believing that the latter could prove to be the next big thing in the UFC.
Jon Anik on Joe Rogan as a commentator: 'He ain't going nowhere'
Drake Riggs - February 10, 2021
Joe Rogan’s voice has become synonymous with UFC fights. And despite recent criticism over the years, Jon Anik doesn’t see the veteran presence leaving. A mainstay as the color commentator role for UFC broadcasts during every event, Rogan would eventually take on a reduced role throughout his tenure. Thus seeing him now only work domestic pay-per-view events. Ever since Mike Goldberg’s departure in 2016, Anik has been by the podcast legend’s side through thick and thin.
Colby Covington goes scorched-earth on Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban
Christopher Taylor - February 10, 2021
Colby Covington went off on Mark Cuban after the Dallas Mavericks owner removed the national anthem from playing before his team’s home games. Covington (16-2 MMA) responded to an article shared by The New York Post where he absolutely unloaded on the uber successful American Entrepreneur.
Lucasfilm parts ways with 'The Mandalorian' star Gina Carano following "abhorrent" social media posts
Christopher Taylor - February 10, 2021
Gina Carano has been dropped by Lucasfilm and ‘The Mandalorian’ after sharing “abhorrent” and “unacceptable” posts on social media. Carano (7-1 MMA), a pioneer of women’s mixed martial arts, had a key roll in Disney’s hit series ‘The Mandalorian’. However, due to some controversial posts, she is no longer employed by Lucasfilm.
Kamaru Usman says both he and Gilbert Burns know who will win at UFC 258 based on past training
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2021
Kamaru Usman is set to fight his former training partner and friend, Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC 258. In the lead-up to the fight, the main storyline has been that Usman and Burns have trained together for years. The Brazilian claims they’ve had over 200 rounds of sparring and many believe one of them got the better of the other so they know who will win on Saturday night.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why school should come before sports: "Education must be the priority"
Adam Martin - February 10, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov explained why school should come before sports, saying that “education must be the priority.” The UFC lightweight champion spoke to reporters in Russia following the recent EFC event in Dagestan. Nurmagomedov was asked about a recent Instagram post he made where he said parents need to raise their kids the right way. The legend then expanded on those comments with the media and spoke about the importance of education. One of the things that the Russian is concerned with is that too many young people are putting aside their studies. In Nurmagomedov’s estimation, going to school needs to come before anything, even sports.
Jim Miller expects to put away Bobby Green "early," hopes to have retirement fight at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2021
Jim Miller is set for another short-notice fight. At UFC 258, Miller is set to finally fight Bobby Green after they were supposed to meet in 2014 at UFC 172. Since then, both men have gone their own ways, but when the UFC told Miller three weeks ago he would be on UFC 258 he didn’t know who the opponent would be. Yet, just a week and a half before the fight, it was revealed it would be Green which Miller is excited about.
Leon Edwards shares gameplan to “finish” Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Vegas 21
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2021
Leon Edwards expects to dominate and finish Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Vegas 21 on March 13. In the main event of the card, Edwards and Chimaev will finally fight one another after both men were forced to pull out of the previously scheduled fights due to COVID-19. It is a very intriguing fight given Edwards has proven to be a legit title contender while Chimaev has yet to face a ranked opponent.
Glover Teixeira confirms he will weigh-in as the backup fighter for UFC 259
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2021
Glover Teixeira will be in attendance at UFC 259 as a backup fighter. In the main event of the pay-per-view card on March 6, Jan Blachowicz will defend his light heavyweight title against Israel Adesanya. Although it is a massive fight, many fans believed Teixeira should’ve gotten the title shot. Yet, that was not the case but the Brazilian will weigh-in as the official backup fighter for the main event.
MLB player Michael Lorenzen explains why he has so much respect for MMA fighters
Adam Martin - February 10, 2021
MLB player Michael Lorenzen, a baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds, explained why he has so much respect for MMA fighters. Lorenzen, who plays pitcher and outfield for the Reds, was recently a guest on “UFC Unfiltered with Jim Norton and Matt Serra.” The hosts and Lorenzen got into a discussion about brain trauma in the sport, bringing up the brutal flying knee KO that Cory Sandhagen recently landed on Frankie Edgar at UFC Vegas 18. It’s the fact that MMA fighters train so hard and show so much toughness in their fights that Lorenzen says he has so much respect for these athletes.
Vadim Nemkov favored to win Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix
Adam Martin - February 10, 2021
Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov is the odds-on betting favorite to win the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix. Bellator announced on Tuesday that the promotion has a new home in 2021 as it will be moving to the Showtime television network going forward. To kick off the new partnership, the organization will hold its 205lbs tournament starting off in April. There are eight talented fighters in the tournament, including former UFC champions, and any of them could theoretically win. But according to the bookies, the champion Nemkov has a slight leg up on the competition.