MMA News
Spike Carlyle explains why he's "stoked" about UFC release
Tom Taylor - February 8, 2021
Former UFC featherweight Spike Carlyle says he’s “stoked” about his recent release from the Las Vegas-based promotion’s roster. Carlyle fought three times in the UFC, smashing Aalon Cruz to a first-round TKO win in his promotional debut, then losing a pair of unanimous decisions to Billy Quarantillo and Bill Algeo in his next two bouts.
Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje continued to trade shots on social media
Tom Taylor - February 8, 2021
Long time UFC lightweight contenders Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje are still trading shots on social media. Ferguson and Gaethje met in the main event of UFC 249 in May. Gaethje won that fight by fifth-round TKO, cashing as a noteworthy underdog and derailing Ferguson’s incredible 12-fight win streak.
What's next for Alexander Volkov and Alistair Overeem after UFC Vegas 18?
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 18, Alexander Volkov took on combat sports legend, Alistair Overeem. Both men were looking to cement themselves as top-five heavyweights and it was Volkov who took that next step. Ultimately, it was the Russian who won the fight by second-round TKO as he pieced up Overeem and rocked him several times.
Beneil Dariush releases statement following "hard-fought fight" with Diego Ferreira at UFC Vegas 18
Adam Martin - February 8, 2021
UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush released a statement following his “hard-fought fight” with Diego Ferreira at last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 18. Dariush edged out a split decision in a back-and-forth war between two of the most underrated lightweights in the sport. Both Dariush and Ferreira entered the bout in the 10-15 range in the UFC lightweight rankings, but they both showed with this spirited affair that they belong closer to the top-five. In fact, Dariush went on a post-fight rant about why he and Ferreira should have already been matched up against top-ranked opponents, though he later apologized and took those comments back.
UFC 258 continues to see changes as Andre Ewell now takes on Chris Gutierrez
Adam Martin - February 8, 2021
A new fight has been added to this weekend’s UFC 258 card as Andre Ewell takes on Chris Gutierrez in a contest between talented bantamweights. Gutierrez’s own camp FactoryX Muay Thai broke the news of this last-minute addition to UFC 258. The team tweeted out that news about the fight, though few other details are presently known. Both Gutierrez and Ewell typically compete at bantamweight, but since the fight is taking place on short notice it could be held at featherweight, instead. Regardless, Ewell vs. Gutierrez is set to take place at UFC 258 this Saturday night. The card takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas Nevada and this is the 13th fight on it.
Diego Ferreira issues statement after split decision loss to Beneil Dariush
Tom Taylor - February 8, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Diego Ferreira has issued a statement after his split decision loss to Beneil Dariush last weekend. Ferreira and Dariush met on the main card of the action-packed UFC Vegas 18 card. After three thrilling rounds, Dariush was named the victor by split decision, which is of course not the result Ferreira was after.
Frankie Edgar issues statement following knockout loss to Cory Sandhagen
Chris Taylor - February 8, 2021
Frankie Edgar was hoping to earn a bantamweight title shot with a win over Cory Sandhagen in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 18. Edgar (24-9-1 MMA) had made his 135-pound debut this past August where he picked up a thrilling split-decision victory over Pedro Munhoz. That win had snapped a two-fight losing skid for ‘The Answer’, as Frankie had previously suffered setbacks to Chan Sung Jung and Max Holloway at featherweight.
Gokhan Saki parts ways with UFC, teases return to kickboxing
Tom Taylor - February 8, 2021
Kickboxing legend Gokhan Saki has been released by the UFC, and is seemingly plotting a return to the sport that made him a superstar. Saki, the 2008 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion and former Glory Light Heavyweight Champion, signed with the UFC to much acclaim in 2017. He made his debut with the promotion in Japan in September of that year, weathering some early adversity to turn the lights out on Henrique da Silva in the waning moments of the first round.
Dustin Poirier compares Conor McGregor and Max Holloway's boxing skill
Tom Taylor - February 8, 2021
Donald Cerrone plots "highlight reel" win over Diego Sanchez, return to lightweight
Tom Taylor - February 8, 2021
Donald Cerrone has confirmed that he’ll be fighting Diego Sanchez at welterweight next, adding that he’s plotting a violent victory, then a move back down to lightweight. Rumors about a May 8 Cerrone vs. Sanchez fight emerged last week, with Sanchez announcing it would likely be the final fight of his long career.
Video | Former UFC champion TJ Dillashaw is looking sharp ahead of imminent Octagon return
Harry Kettle - February 8, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight king TJ Dillashaw is looking sharp as he prepares to return to the Octagon after more than two years away. Dillashaw has concluded his two-year suspension after testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO) in pre and post fight tests for his UFC Flyweight Championship defeat against Henry Cejudo in January 2019.
Ali Abdelaziz provides update on Frankie Edgar following nasty KO loss at UFC Vegas 18
Harry Kettle - February 8, 2021
Ali Abdelaziz has provided fans with an update on the condition of Frankie Edgar after his devastating knockout loss to Cory Sandhagen. The veteran Edgar was viewed as the underdog heading into his bout against Sandhagen but many did believe he had a decent chance of causing “The Sandman” some real problems. In the end, though, it was Sandhagen who got the job done with an insane flying knee KO after just 28 seconds.
Pro fighters react after Tom Brady wins seventh Super Bowl with Buccaneers
Christopher Taylor - February 7, 2021
UFC President Dana White and numerous pro fighters weighed in after Tom Brady earned his seventh career Super Bowl tonight. Brady left his longtime home of New England last offseason and signed with the NFC’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 43-year-old quarterback led the franchise to its first playoff appearance since 2003 this postseason.
Chris Leben might consider a return for a fight with Jake Paul: "I’m available to fight dwarfs and dweebs!!"
Christopher Taylor - February 7, 2021
Mixed martial arts veteran Chris Leben says he would consider returning to fighting for a bout with YouTube sensation Jake Paul. Leben (22-12 MMA, 3-1 BK) returned to action at Friday’s BKFC KnuckleMania event for a highly anticipated showdown with Quentin Henry. Prior to the contest, ‘The Crippler’ had announced that his bout with ‘The Hero’ would be the final fight of his combat sports career.
Justin Gaethje responds after Tony Ferguson suggests he never finished him at UFC 249
Chris Taylor - February 7, 2021
Justin Gaethje has fired back at Tony Ferguson, this after ‘El Cucuy’ suggested that ‘The Highlight’ never finished him at UFC 249. Gaethje and Ferguson collided back on May 9, with the former WSOF champion emerging victorious by way of fifth round TKO.
Cory Sandhagen sympathetic to Frankie Edgar following brutal KO, but "this is a game"
Adam Martin - February 7, 2021
UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen was sympathetic to Frankie Edgar after knocking him out at UFC Vegas 18 but admits it’s all part of the game. Sandhagen landed a brutal flying knee to the chin of Edgar in the first round of their UFC Vegas 18 co-main event fight. Sandhagen was a big betting favorite entering the contest, so it’s not a huge surprise that he got his hand raised. But the incredible fashion that he got the finish couldn’t have been expected by anyone. Incredibly, Sandhagen has now won his last two fights in the UFC via the rarely-seen flying knee and spinning wheel kick, over Edgar and Marlon Moraes, respectively. Sandhagen moved to 7-1 in the UFC following the knockout win, which left Edgar in a daze.
Alexandre Pantoja calls for rematch with Deiveson Figueiredo
Adam Martin - February 7, 2021
Alexandre Pantoja called for a rematch against UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo following his win over Manel Kape at UFC Vegas 18. Pantoja won a hard-fought unanimous decision over Kape in a closely-contested flyweight bout on the UFC Vegas 18 main card. It was a big win for Pantoja, who improved to 7-3 overall in the UFC by taking out the former RIZIN champ Kape. Pantoja was already the No. 5 ranked flyweight coming into the bout and figures to remain there following this win. Entrenched as one of the top contenders at 125lbs, Pantoja is aiming for the top prize, and that’s a rematch with the champion Figueiredo.
Devonte Smith reveals celebration plans following TKO win at UFC Vegas 18: "Get blazed, chill, and play UFC"
Adam Martin - February 7, 2021
Lightweight Devonte Smith revealed that his celebration plans after his big win at UFC Vegas 18 are to “get blazed, chill, and play UFC.” Smith was making his comeback to the Octagon after over a year away from the cage following a shocking upset KO loss to Khama Worthy at UFC 241 in August 2019. Not long after losing that fight, Smith suffered a tear to his Achilles tendon in training and he’s been on the shelf ever since. To make matters worse, Smith dealt with a personal tragedy as his sister was shot and killed in July 2020. But the 27-year-old Ohio native persevered through all of it and managed to make it back to the Octagon on Saturday.
Alan Jouban hints at retirement: "I might be riding off into the sunset"
Adam Martin - February 7, 2021
After being called out by Mike Perry, UFC welterweight contender-turned-analyst Alan Jouban hinted at his retirement. Jouban was one of the many fighters that Perry called out in a series of social media posts. In response to the tweet, Jouban politely declined Perry’s callout, but not because he isn’t interested in the challenge. Instead, it’s because he might be retiring from MMA. Check out what the welterweight-turned-analyst wrote on his Twitter.