MMA News
Neil Magny vows to slap Khamzat Chimaev on sight following recent troll job
Harry Kettle - February 2, 2021
UFC welterweight Neil Magny has vowed to slap Khamzat Chimaev on sight in the wake of the latter’s trolling on social media. At one point a few months back it seemed like Magny and Chimaev could end up facing off against each other, but in the end, that didn’t come to fruition and Magny was instead booked to fight Michael Chiesa on Fight Island.
Justin Gaethje shares interesting theory as to why Dustin Poirier won't fight Michael Chandler
Christopher Taylor - February 1, 2021
Justin Gaethje has shared an interesting theory as to why Dustin Poirier won’t fight fellow UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler. The former interim UFC lightweight champion, Gaethje (22-3 MMA), believes ‘The Diamond’ is taking a stance against Dana White in order to bring integrity back to the sport.
Michael Chandler: 'Ben Askren knocks out Jake Paul, seventh round'
Drake Riggs - February 1, 2021
Michael Chandler will be aiding his fellow former Bellator champion Ben Askren in preparation for his Jake Paul boxing match — and the new UFC lightweight title contender is confident in how the contest will play out. “I’m telling you, Ben Askren’s gonna beat Jake Paul,” Chandler told ESPN. “Listen, you can say Ben Askren’s boxing isn’t that good, and it’s not, I will agree with you on that. But when it comes to dirty boxing, under hooks, pushing, pulling, grabbing heads. I mean, you’re gonna be in there for eight rounds straight, 16-24 minutes plus a minute in between, Jake Paul will get worn down, Ben Askren won’t. Depending on the ruleset, depending on the referee, depending on how quickly they’re going to break ’em up, Ben is gonna wear on ’em, close the distance, then it’s gonna be really hard to punch Ben Askren when he’s up in your face, pulling on you, punching you to the body, punching you to the head. Albeit, they may be pitter-patter… Ben Askren knocks out Jake Paul, seventh round.”
Ali Abdelaziz deletes tweet confirming Khabib vs GSP, shares another post denying rumor
Andrew Whitelaw - February 1, 2021
A super-fight fight between Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov has been mooted for a long time. Is something finally brewing? Judging by Ali Abdelaziz’s twitter feed, that could well be the case.
Jorge Masvidal issues scathing response after Kamaru Usman suggests he wants to run things back after fighting with a broken nose
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2021
Jorge Masvidal has responded to Kamaru Usman after he said he would like to run things back. At UFC 251, Masvidal stepped up on a weeks’ notice to battle Usman for the welterweight title. “Gamebred” didn’t have a training camp and in the first round had some success. However, Usman used his wrestling and clinch to win the last four rounds and defend his title.
Ali Abdelaziz confirms Justin Gaethje open to fighting Michael Chandler
Adam Martin - February 1, 2021
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed that Justin Gaethje is interested in fighting Michael Chandler for his next fight inside the Octagon. With UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov set to retire any day now and vacate his belt in the process, the race for the next lightweight title fight has become fierce. Dustin Poirier seems to be the heir to the throne following his knockout win over Conor McGregor, but he said this week that right now he is willing to sit back and wait for the right opportunity. That means fighters like Gaethje, Chandler, and Charles Oliveira are all in the mix for the next vacant lightweight title fight.
Mike Perry uses MMA math to explain why he is the GOAT
Adam Martin - February 1, 2021
UFC welterweight Mike Perry explained why is the current GOAT in a comical new video he posted where he uses MMA math to prove his point. Perry, the UFC welterweight fan favorite-turned-new dad, took to his Instagram to post a humorous clip of himself crunching numbers to show why he is superior to both UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and superstar Conor McGregor. Watch below as Perry explains why he is the UFC’s current GOAT.
Justin Gaethje believes Tony Ferguson was never an "elite lightweight"
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2021
Justin Gaethje doesn’t believe Tony Ferguson was ever an elite lightweight. At UFC 249, Gaethje took on Ferguson for the interim lightweight title. Ferguson entered the fight on a 12-fight winning streak and many thought “El Cucuy” would win. However, that was far from what happened as Gaethje pieced up Ferguson on the feet and won by TKO in the fifth round.
Dustin Poirier knows Nate Diaz fight doesn't make sense but wants it to happen: "Those are the kind of fights I want to be part of"
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2021
Dustin Poirier is interested in fighting Nate Diaz. After Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor at UFC 257, Diaz chimed in on Twitter calling for him to face Poirier. They were supposed to fight at UFC 230, and although it doesn’t make sense from a rankings perspective, “The Diamond” admits those are the kind of fights he is interested in.
Abu Azaitar suspended for seven months by USADA
Adam Martin - February 1, 2021
UFC middleweight Abu Azaitar was suspended for seven months by USADA after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. USADA announced the suspension on Monday. According to the drug-test organization, Azaitar failed four separate drug tests due to the banned substance tamoxifen. However, because he was forthcoming about the banned substances in his system and was able to prove that a doctor had prescribed the substance, USADA worked with him to lessen the sanction. In the end, USADA decided on a seven-month sanction, dating back to the date of the first positive test in August 2020. Therefore, Azaitar will be able to return to the Octagon in March.
Jessica Penne returns from four-year lay-off at UFC 260 against Hannah Goldy
Adam Martin - February 1, 2021
Former UFC women’s strawweight title contender Jessica Penne is set to return to the Octagon this March at UFC 260 against Hannah Goldy. Penne has not fought since April 2017, when she lost a unanimous decision to Danielle Taylor at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov. Since then, Penne has dealt with various USADA-related issues that have led to her being on the shelf that whole time. She is now ready to resume her career at age 38 and after four years away from the sport. The UFC matchmakers have booked Penne to take on Goldy at UFC 260, likely set to take place on March 27 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Charles Oliveira reportedly declines UFC 258 non-title fight with Michael Chandler
Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021
Charles Oliveira has reportedly turned down a short-notice offer to meet Michael Chandler in a non-title fight on the upcoming UFC 258 card. UFC 258 is scheduled for February 13 in Las Vegas. According to a report from AG Fight, the UFC attempted to schedule a last-minute lightweight contender fight between Oliveira and Chandler for the rapidly approaching card, but Oliveira declined because there would be no title up for grabs.
Ben Askren unveils customized Jake Paul punching bag
Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021
Ben Askren will have no trouble visualizing Jake Paul as he prepares for their anticipated professional boxing match. Askren, the former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight titleholder and a former contender in the UFC, is slated to meet Paul in an eight-round pro boxing match on April 17. Ahead of the fight, he’s received a customized punching bag adorned with an image of Paul’s face.
Joe Rogan favors Michael Chandler in potential matchup with Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021
UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes Conor McGregor would probably sustain another loss if he was matched up with Michael Chandler. McGregor last fought in the main event of UFC 257 in January, emerging from a year-long hiatus only to be stopped by Dustin Poirier in the fight’s second round. That setback brought McGregor and Poirier to a 1-1 tie, as McGregor won their first fight by knockout back in 2014, but it still shrouded the Irishman’s future in uncertainty. Though he remains the sport’s biggest star, he’s now 1-2 in the UFC lightweight division, and is in desperate need of a victory if he intends to maintain his reputation as one of the division’s best fighters.
UFC 259 to go down in Las Vegas with contest-winning fans in attendance
Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021
The stacked UFC 259 pay-per-view will go down in Las Vegas, Nevada, and with a small number of fight fans in attendance. UFC 259 goes down on March 6, and immediately stands out as one of the promotion’s biggest pay-per-views of the year. The card will be topped by a whopping three title fights, as middleweight champion Israel Adesanya challenges light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in the main event, and Petr Yan and Amanda Nunes defend the men’s bantamweight and women’s featherweight titles against Aljamain Sterling and Megan Anderson respectively.
Patricio Freire predicts Michael Chandler will become UFC champ, but not No. 1 lightweight
Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021
Patricio Freire believes Michael Chandler will become the UFC lightweight champion, but that still won’t make him the sport’s best lightweight. Freire and Chandler are easily the two most accomplished fighters in Bellator MMA history. The pair have fought once before, with Freire knocking Chandler out to capture the promotion’s featherweight belt—though many feel it was a premature stoppage.
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.