MMA News
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.
Gilbert Burns offers UFC title shot advice to Charles Oliveira: Improve your English skills
Adam Martin - February 11, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns offered his best UFC title shot advice to Charles Oliveira, suggesting that he improves his English. With the welterweight title on the line, Burns takes on Kamaru Usman in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 258 event. This is actually the third time this fight has been scheduled, so if anyone knows a thing-or-two about getting a UFC title shot, it’s Burns. Meanwhile, his fellow Brazilian Oliveira is having a hard time breaking through. Even though Oliveira is riding an eight-fight win streak, it seems like he’ll be passed over for the next UFC lightweight title match.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is still the UFC lightweight champion, says Dana White
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
UFC President Dana White says Khabib Nurmagomedov is still the UFC lightweight champion, despite his retirement announcement. Nurmagomedov announced his retirement after an October submission victory over Justin Gaethje, citing a request from his mother that he cease fighting.
Charles Oliveira issues mocking response to Nate Diaz callout
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira has issued a response to a recent callout from returning fan favorite Nate Diaz. Diaz has not fought since a November, 2019 loss to Jorge Masvidal, but has recently been linked to a return to the cage. Speaking to ESPN, he called for a fight with Oliveira, but stipulated that he’s not interested in fighting the Brazilian at lightweight, and suggested they meet at welterweight.
Tyron Woodley makes his prediction for Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns at UFC 258
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has made his prediction for the upcoming fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. Usman, the UFC welterweight champion, is slated to defend his title against Burns in the main event of UFC 258 this weekend. The bout is plenty alluring on paper, but has amplified appeal given that Usman and Burns spent many years training together at Sanford MMA and are therefore very familiar with one another.
Dana White: One day "we're all going to be talking about GOAT status" for Kamaru Usman
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
UFC President Dana White believes welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will ultimately earn himself a place in MMA’s Greatest of All Time debate. Usman is slated to defend his title against surging contender Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC 258 this weekend.
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.
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.