MMA News
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.
Tyron Woodley to corner Ben Askren against Jake Paul
Drake Riggs - February 10, 2021
As Ben Askren prepares for his upcoming boxing match with YouTube star Jake Paul he’ll have the assistance of his good friend and former UFC champion Tyron Woodley. Similar to some others close to Askren like fellow former Bellator champion Michael Chandler, Woodley fully supports the MMA representative in this unique matchup.
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.
Julian Marquez expects to finish Maki Pitolo and remind the middleweight division he is here to stay
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2021
When Julian Marquez makes the walk to the Octagon on the main card of UFC 258 it will be 953 days since his last fight. The middleweight contender last fought back in July of 2018 and lost a very controversial split decision to Alessio Di Chirico. However, what made the loss worse was during the fight, Marquez tore latissimus dorsi. The injury eventually led to two other surgeries that kept him out of action. He was then looking to fight in 2020 but a global pandemic and an opponent botching his weight cut kept the layoff even longer. But, on the main card of UFC 258, Marquez will return against Maki Pitlo, and despite the layoff, isn’t too worried about ring rust.
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.
Photo | Israel Adesanya looks lean and mean weeks out of 205lbs debut at UFC 259
Adam Martin - February 10, 2021
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya shared a new photo of himself looking lean and mean ahead of his 205lbs debut at UFC 259. Adesanya meets UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in the main event of the March 6 pay-per-view card. Instead of bulking up for his first fight at 205lbs, Adesanya and his coaching staff instead decided to stay at his natural walking around weight for this upcoming fight with Blachowicz. The team conceded that Blachowicz is the stronger fighter, so the hope is that by not having to cut weight, Adesanya will gain an advantage in speed and stamina.
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.
UFC 258: Usman vs. Burns full betting odds
Adam Martin - February 10, 2021
Check out the complete betting odds for this Saturday’s UFC 258 pay-per-view featuring Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns in the main event. The headliner sees former Sanford MMA teammates Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns square off for the UFC welterweight title. The champion Usman comes into this fight on a 15-fight win streak overall, including an incredible 12-0 record in the UFC. He is looking to break GSP’s record for the longest win streak at 170lbs this weekend, but he’s no doubt in for a tough test against Burns. The Brazilian has won six straight fights including four straight at 170lbs. He is super confident heading into this bout and should be a real challenge for Usman.
Rashad Evans says Kamaru Usman is no longer part of Team Sanford MMA
Adam D Martin - February 10, 2021
MMA analyst Rashad Evans said that UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is no longer part of Sanford MMA as far as the team is concerned. Evans is part of the Sanford MMA team alongside the likes of UFC lightweight Michael Chandler, veteran Robbie Lawler, and welterweight contender Gilbert Burns. A former member of the team was Usman, but he left the team last year knowing that he would be fighting Burns next. Usman has been working in Colorado with coach Trevor Wittman in preparation for his upcoming fight at this weekend’s UFC 258 against Burns, who has remained loyal to Sanford MMA.
Charlie Ontiveros suspended six months following failed drug test
Adam D Martin - February 10, 2021
UFC fighter Charlie Ontiveros has been suspended for six months following a failed drug test with the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Ontiveros made his UFC debut on short notice when he took on top-ranked middleweight contender Kevin Holland at the UFC Fight Night: Hall vs. Silva card on Halloween. The fight did not go well for Ontiveros, as he suffered a brutal neck injury when Holland slammed him on the ground and finished him early in the fight. To make matters worse for Ontiveros, he tested positive for a banned substance after the fight and he was given a six-month retroactive suspension.
Nate Diaz claims he hasn't been finished in the UFC
Adam D Martin - February 10, 2021
UFC superstar Nate Diaz claimed that he hasn’t been finished inside the Octagon during a recent interview with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani. Diaz has been vocal in recent weeks after his former rival Conor McGregor was finished by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257. Diaz has been busy calling out Poirier for a big-money fight in the meantime, and part of it is that he truly doesn’t believe that McGregor should be fighting for the belt next. During the interview, Diaz questioned McGregor’s stoppage losses, claiming that he personally has never been finished.
Cory Sandhagen open to fighting TJ Dillashaw or Cody Garbrandt
Adam D Martin - February 10, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen says he is open to fighting TJ Dillashaw or Cody Garbrandt if he doesn’t get a 135lbs title shot. Sandhagen has been vocal about his desire to fight for the belt next after knocking out Frankie Edgar and Marlon Moraes in his last two fights. With UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan set to defend his belt against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259 next month, Sandhagen is hoping to get the winner of that fight. However, UFC president Dana White hasn’t guaranteed him anything yet, and there are rumors that Dillashaw could be the one who gets the shot instead.