MMA News
Robert Whittaker's coach criticizes fans who disliked UFC 244 co-main event
Harry Kettle - November 5, 2019
Robert Whittaker’s coach Fabricio Itte has criticized fans that didn’t enjoy Darren Till vs Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 244. The co-main event this past weekend was a tactical affair, with Till coming out on top via split decision. The fight certainly had its moments with both men getting in a few good shots, but in comparison to some of their previous outings in the Octagon, it didn’t have the same kind of spark in the eyes of many fans.
Conor McGregor and his team 'vehemently deny' sexual assault allegations
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2019
Conor McGregor and his manager Audie Attar are firmly denying the sexual assault allegations made against the Irish star. The New York Times has come out twice this year indicating that the former two division UFC champion has been accused of sexual assault. In both reports, McGregor’s spokesperson denied the claims.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik gets his wish, fights Alistair Overeem at UFC Washington, D.C.
Adam Martin - November 4, 2019
UFC heavyweight prospect Jairzinho Rozenstruik told the UFC matchmakers to call him if they needed someone to fight Alistair Overeem. The Suriname native Rozenstruik got his wish, as the UFC has given him the fight he wants against the veteran Overeem. Rozenstruik meets Overeem in the main event of UFC Washington, D.C. which takes place December 7 at Capital One Arena. Rozenstruik is filling in on short notice for Walt Harris, who pulled out of the fight due to the shocking disappearance of his daughter.
UFC 244 doctor responds to controversial main event stoppage, receiving threats
Mike Heck - November 4, 2019
In the aftermath of the UFC 244 main event, it would seem that you would want to be anyone else besides the doctor who called a stop to Saturday’s BMF Title fight. Dr. Nitin K. Sethi, a New York-based neurologist, was the cage side physician called into the Octagon after the third round of the bout between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz at Madison Square Garden on Saturday evening. Diaz had suffered a pair of cuts around his right eye, including a highly visible one above the eye. Sethi and Diaz conversed with the fighter saying, as expected, that he was OK. Sethi would then head over to referee Dan Miragliotta and made the decision to stop the fight, which lead to a third-round TKO win for Masvidal.
Marvin Vettori calls out Darren Till after UFC 244
Alfredo Zullino - November 4, 2019
There is a new contender in the Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight division and Marvin Vettori is not happy about it. During the UFC 500th show, Darren Till moved up for the first time under the limit of 185 pounds as he fought Kelvin Gastelum in the co-main event of UFC 244.
Kevin Lee changes his mind, now aiming for Conor McGregor or winner of Khabib vs. Ferguson
Adam Martin - November 4, 2019
It looks like Kevin Lee may not fight Islam Makhachev after all. A day after saying he would fight the Russian prospect, Lee has some new names on his mind. Fresh off his vicious head kick win over Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244, Lee told reporters following the event that he wanted Makhachev next. But in a new interview with TMZ on Monday, Lee proposed some other fights instead. Now Lee is saying he’s looking for big-name fights and listed Conor McGregor as well as the winner of Khabib Nurmagomdov vs. Tony Ferguson as his preferred opponents.
Corey Anderson says Johnny Walker didn't taunt him backstage despite Dan Hardy's claims
Adam Martin - November 4, 2019
UFC light heavyweight Corey Anderson addressed rumors that Johnny Walker taunted him backstage before their fight at UFC 244. According to Anderson, Walker didn’t say anything to him despite UFC commentator Dan Hardy claiming the Brazilian was talking smack before the fight, allegedly telling Anderson he would “knock him out.” Walker was upset with Hardy for saying he was trash-talking Anderson in the tunnels backstage before they fought and made a post on Instagram criticizing Hardy for saying so. Hardy took to social media to respond to Walker, saying that he believed the story was true about Walker talking smack because Walker taunted Anderson during the fight.
Robert Whittaker rates Darren Till's middleweight debut
Tom Taylor - November 4, 2019
At UFC 244, former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till picked up his first victory as a middleweight, defeating former interim title challenger Kelvin Gastelum by split decision. Till’s debut middleweight victory seems to have impressed the division’s former ruler Robert Whittaker. Whittaker weighed in on the fight and Till’s middleweight future on Grange TV.
Stephen Thompson prefers Masvidal or Diaz fights over Maia matchup
Adam Martin - November 4, 2019
Fresh off a “Fight of the Night” win over Vicente Luque at UFC 244, welterweight contender Stephen Thompson wants to fight Jorge Masvidal or Nate Diaz next, not Demian Maia. Thompson picked up a unanimous decision win over Luque in an exciting back-and-forth striking battle between two of the welterweight division’s most exciting fighters. The win snapped Thompson’s two-fight losing skid, while Luque’s six-fight win streak was broken with the loss. It was a win that keeps Thompson entrenched in the division’s top-10.
Tyson Fury continues to tease MMA move, Dana White responds
Tom Taylor - November 4, 2019
Heavyweight boxing star Tyson Fury recently made headlines by teasing a move to MMA — perhaps even with the aid of UFC star Conor McGregor. Speaking to iFL TV more recently, Fury once again discussed a transition to MMA, confirming that he’s received a training offer from McGregor as well as heavyweight legend Frank Mir, and encouraging UFC President Dana White to call him.
Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes go back and forth over potential fight
Tom Taylor - November 4, 2019
Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes, two of the UFC’s top heavyweight contenders, are seemingly on a collision course. Shortly after Lewis defeated Blagoy Ivanov by decision on the UFC 244 main card, he was targeted by Blaydes on Twitter.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik wants Alistair Overeem next
Adam Martin - November 4, 2019
Fresh off of a first-round KO win over Andrei Arlovski at UFC 244, heavyweight prospect Jairzinho Rozenstruik now has his sights set on Alistair Overeem. Rozenstruik needed just 29 seconds to knock Arlovski out in devastating fashion. The win improved his MMA record to a perfect 9-0 and his UFC record to 3-0 with three knockout wins, having finished Allen Crowder and Junior Albini prior to Arlovski. The win over Arlovski should put the 31-year-old Suriname native close to a top-15 ranking.
What's next for Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz after UFC 244?
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2019
Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz were looking to win the “BMF” title in the main event of UFC 244. The fight also could prove who deserves the next title shot at welterweight, so the stakes were high. In the end, it was Masvidal who got the job done due to a doctor stoppage at the end of the third round. It was a dominating performance for “Gamebred” who was up 30-26 on two of three judge’s scorecards. Yet, many thought the cut above Diaz’s eye that stopped the fight was not that bad, and after the fight, both said they have interest in running it back.
Dana White lays out big plans for Francis Ngannou
Tom Taylor - November 4, 2019
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou is one of the most popular fighters on the UFC roster, and it sounds like there are more big things on the horizon for him. Currently riding the momentum of three-straight knockout victories over huge names in Curtis Blaydes, Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez, Ngannou is widely expected to get the next crack at the heavyweight title after Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier settle their rivalry in the new year.
Dana White pleads with Chuck Liddell not to fight again
Adam Martin - November 4, 2019
UFC president Dana White praised UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell as an incredible person and a great friend, but is pleading with him to never fight again. Liddell is now 49-years-old and suffered a brutal KO to Tito Ortiz last year in Golden Boy MMA’s first show. It was the seventh KO loss in Liddell’s legendary career. Despite the loss, however, Liddell is reportedly keeping the door open to fighting once again.
Betting odds released for potential Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz rematch
Adam Martin - November 4, 2019
Betting odds have been released for a potential welterweight rematch between UFC 244 headliners Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. The fight ended in controversial fashion when the cage-side doctor stopped the fight after the third round due to cuts above Diaz’s right eye. Masvidal was awarded the victory via TKO due to doctor stoppage, but few people were happy with the way the fight ended. With Diaz being known for his excellent cardio, many fans and media wondered what would have happened had the fight entered the fourth and fifth rounds, but it was stopped instead.
Dana White says Dominick Reyes is next for Jon Jones
Tom Taylor - November 4, 2019
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has a few options for his next title defense. A rematch with Thiago Santos is possible. Corey Anderson has asserted himself as a top contender. The winner of the upcoming fight between Jan Blachowicz and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will be right there… the list goes on. According to UFC President Dana White, however, undefeated contender Dominick Reyes will probably get the call to fight Jones next. Reyes is riding high on a big knockout of former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, and apparently also generated solid viewership numbers for that fight.
Dana White discusses the significance of Donald Trump attending UFC 244
Natasha Hooper - November 4, 2019
Dana White can rest easy at night knowing that the UFC is President-approved. Donald Trump made an appearance this weekend at UFC 244 in Madison Square Garden, and the UFC kingpin discussed the importance of the visit post-fight “Tonight wasn’t about how you feel politically about the president,” White said (transcript via MMA Junkie).