MMA News
Kamaru Usman explains why he won't call himself the GOAT
Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021
You won’t catch UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman calling himself the Greatest of All Time. That’s because he doesn’t think anyone should bestow themselves with such a weighty title. Usman explained his objection to fighters proclaiming themselves the GOAT during a recent interview with MMA Fighting.
Video | Francis Ngannou does the “body shot challenge” with UFC featherweight Dan Ige
Harry Kettle - February 1, 2021
UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou is preparing for his rematch with Stipe Miocic in a unique way – by taking body shots from Dan Ige. Ngannou is gearing up for the biggest fight of his life as he prepares to lock horns with Miocic who, just three years ago, dominated him in a unanimous decision win back at UFC 220.
Randy Couture recounts playing spoiler to the UFC’s plans for Chuck Liddell
Harry Kettle - February 1, 2021
UFC legend Randy Couture remembers playing the role of “spoiler” when he beat Chuck Liddell way back at UFC 43. Couture is so often regarded as a legend in mixed martial arts and rightly so, but many often forget that it was towards the end of what many considered to be his “prime” that he did some of his best work.
Dustin Poirier suggests Charles Oliveira fights Michael Chandler for vacant lightweight title
Adam Martin - January 31, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier suggested that Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler fight each other for the vacant title. The race for the UFC lightweight title is high in the wake of Poirier’s knockout win over Conor McGregor at UFC 257. With UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov almost assuredly set to retire in the coming weeks and vacate the belt, Poirier — the self-named “uncrowned world champion” — is fully expected to be one half of whatever the next lightweight title fight is. His opponent, however, is still up in the air, with McGregor, Chandler, Oliveira, and Nate Diaz all realistic options.
Video | Mike Goldberg parodies Conor McGregor in hilarious cameo
Adam Martin - January 31, 2021
Bellator commentator Mike Goldberg parodied Conor McGregor’s “who da fook are you?” in a comical cameo from the former UFC play-by-play man. Goldberg was the long-time UFC play-by-play commentator and he now does the same job for Bellator. In a recent cameo, a fan asked Goldberg to talk about the UFC 257 main event fight between McGregor and Dustin Poirier, and “Goldie” made sure the fan got their money’s worth. Check out the hilarious cameo video of Goldberg parodying the infamous “who the fook are you?” McGregor moment below (via Borrachinha Depot).
Video | Watch former UFC fighter Nik Lentz remove his own stitches
Adam Martin - January 31, 2021
Former UFC fighter Nik Lentz posted a graphic video to his social media showing him removing his own stitches from above his eye. Lentz recently announced his retirement from mixed martial arts following a split decision loss to Movsar Evloev on Fight Island. Lentz took more damage to his previously-injured eyes during the fight, prompting him to hang his gloves up. Of course, there was still the matter of the stitches that remained, and Lentz took care of it himself. The video might not be for everyone so viewer discretion is advised. In the video, you can see Lentz removing multiple stitches from above his right eye. Check out Lentz removing his stitches “Carnival style” below via his Twitter.
Paige VanZant blasts haters ahead of BKFC debut: "I'm still going to be beautiful even if I get cut open"
Adam Martin - January 31, 2021
BKFC fighter Paige VanZant blasted her haters ahead of her upcoming bout, telling them that she will still be beautiful even if she gets cut. VanZant left the UFC last year to sign a big-money, free-agent contract with BKFC. Next weekend, VanZant makes her bare-knuckle boxing debut against Britain Hart on February 5 during the Super Bowl weekend card. VanZant’s decision to move from MMA to BKFC, where the likelihood of her face getting cut is very high, has led to criticism from fans online, many of who believe she is making the wrong call. Her critics believe that VanZant will get cut open in BKFC which could harm her earning as an Instagram model. To those haters, VanZant has two words for them: grow up.
Aspen Ladd challenges Julianna Pena to fight this spring
Adam Martin - January 31, 2021
UFC women’s bantamweight contender Aspen Ladd has officially challenged fellow divisional stalwart Julianna Pena to a fight this spring. Ladd took to her social media on Sunday to make the callout of Pena, in response to a tweet of Pena calling out UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes.
Marvin Vettori plans on taking "European crown" from Darren Till in April
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori says he plans on taking the “European crown” from rival Darren Till when they meet in April. Vettori takes on Till in the main event of an upcoming UFC Fight Night event slated for April 10 in Las Vegas. It’s a battle between the Italian Vettori and the Brit Till, and the fact both men are from Europe adds an additional layer of intrigue to this contest. Taking to his social media in the days after the fight was officially announced, Vettori posted a promotional poster of the matchup on his Instagram, adding that the winner of this upcoming bout will wear the “European crown.”
Manny Pacquiao: Conor McGregor underestimated Dustin Poirier in rematch
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao believes that Conor McGregor underestimated Dustin Poirier heading into their main event rematch at UFC 257. McGregor entered the rematch with Poirier as a huge betting favorite yet lost in shocking fashion when he suffered a brutal second-round knockout loss. McGregor and Poirier previously met back at UFC 178 in September 2014, with McGregor winning that fight by first-round knockout. It’s because he won the first meeting between the pair that Pacquiao believes that McGregor underestimated Poirier.
Deiveson Figueiredo promises to shut up "big mouth" Henry Cejudo after Brandon Moreno rematch
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo promised to shut up “big mouth” Henry Cejudo after his rematch with Brandon Moreno. Figueiredo was the “MMA Fighter of the Year” in 2020 after an incredible year that saw him finish Joseph Benavidez twice, win the UFC flyweight title, defend the belt against Alex Prez by stoppage, and then be one half of a “Fight of the Year” in a draw with Brandon Moreno at UFC 256. Because that fight ended in a majority draw, the UFC has already revealed plans to book a rematch, and it will likely take place in April or May. That would put Figueiredo on track to fight once again later in 2021.
Wife of Ben Askren responds after Jake Paul calls Amy Askren "thicc"
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
The wife of former UFC star-turned-boxer Ben Askren responded after his upcoming boxing opponent Jake Paul called Amy Askren “thicc.” Askren takes on Paul in a highly-anticipated boxing match on April 17 for the Triller app. It’s Askren’s first professional boxing match, while for Paul it’s his third fight following two knockout wins over AnEsonGib and Nate Robinson. As one would expect, both Askren and Paul have already begun their trash talk in the lead-up to the fight, and now things are getting personal. In the days after the fight was announced, Paul made lewd comments about Ben’s wife Amy, calling her “thicc.”
Former UFC bantamweight Francisco Rivera returns after five-year layoff with brutal KO at XMMA
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight Francisco Rivera returned after a five-year layoff with a brutal KO win over Ryan Lilley at XMMA. Rivera previously fought for the UFC twice, in 2011 and then between 2012 and 2016. Overall, “Cisco” went 4-6, 1 NC in the UFC, with memorable knockout wins over Alex Caceres, George Roop, and Edwin Figueroa. However, after losing three straight fights between 2015 and 2016, the UFC released him after he failed a USADA drug test. USADA dropped the hammer on Rivera for using the banned substance clenbuterol, and he has been on the sidelines ever since July 2016.
Kamaru Usman explains why he still has a chip on his shoulder headed into UFC 258
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman explained why he still has a chip on his shoulder headed into his UFC 258 fight with Gilbert Burns. Usman takes on Burns on February 13 in the main event of UFC 258 in a title fight that previously fell apart twice, at UFC 256 and at UFC 258. Despite going 12-0 so far in the UFC, there are many experts who believe Burns will win this fight. It’s that kind of thinking that has the UFC welterweight champion Usman admitting that he still has the chip on his shoulder because he wants to be the best in the world, and he wants to get more respect for everything that he has accomplished in the game.
Frankie Edgar believes a finish in his upcoming fight at UFC Vegas 18 could result in a title shot
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
UFC bantamweight Frankie Edgar believes a finish in his upcoming fight against Cory Sandhagen at UFC Vegas 18 could result in a title shot. Next Saturday, Edgar and Sandhagen fight in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 18: Overeem vs. Volkov, and there could be a 135lbs title shot on the line for the winner, especially with a great finish. UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan takes on No. 1 contender Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259 in March and the winner of the Edgar vs. Sandhagen fight could very well get the winner of the title fight later this year.
Video | James Vick suffers another stoppage loss at XMMA
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Former UFC standout James Vick suffered his third consecutive stoppage loss at tonight’s XMMA event in West Palm Beach, Florida. Vick (13-6 MMA) became a free agent in October of 2019, this after the UFC opted against renewing his contract.
Matt Brown will not be retiring following his loss to Carlos Condit: "I think I can do a lot bigger things than I’ve ever done before”
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Fan favorite welterweight fighter Matt Brown will not be retiring following his recent unanimous decision loss to Carlos Condit. Brown and Condit squared off in the headliner of UFC Fight Island 7 two weeks ago, with ‘The Natural Born Killer’ emerging victorious by way of judges decision.
Gilbert Burns shares his predictions for Masvidal vs. Covington and Chimaev vs. Edwards
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Soon to be welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns has shared his predictions for Masvidal vs. Covington and Chimaev vs. Edwards. Burns (19-3 MMA) is set to challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC’s coveted welterweight championship in two weeks at UFC 258. ‘Durinho’ will enter the highly anticipated title bout on a six-fight winning streak. During that impressive stretch the Brazilian has scored victories over Oliver Aubin-Mercier, Mike Davis, Alexey Kunchenko, Gunnar Nelson, Demian Maia and most recently Tyron Woodley.