MMA News
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 World’s Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski returns to MMA at KSW 59
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
Former World’s Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski returns to mixed martial arts when he takes on an opponent TBD at KSW 59 in March. The promotion itself announced that “Pudzian” will return on March 20 at KSW 59 for his first MMA fight since a TKO win over Erko Jun at KSW 51 in November 2019.
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.
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.
Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov jumps in for cousin Umar's victory interview: "You're not ready for English"
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov had some fun at the expense of his cousin Umar during the bantamweights backstage interview at UFC Fight Island 8. Umar Nurmagomedov (13-0 MMA) made his highly anticipated Octagon debut at last week’s Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi. The Russian prospect made quick work of his opponent Sergey Morozov, scoring a second round submission victory.
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.
Dan Hooker takes to social media for the first time since being KO'd by Michael Chandler
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Dan Hooker has made his first social media appearance since suffering a brutal knockout loss to Michael Chandler at UFC 257. Hooker (20-10 MMA) squared off with the former Bellator champion in the co-headliner of last weekend’s pay-per-view with hopes of spoiling Chandler’s Octagon debut.
WWE's Bill Goldberg says he "would have loved" to fight in MMA, believes his stand-up skills would have played well
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
WWE superstar Bill Goldberg says he “would have loved” to fight in MMA, adding that he believes his stand-up would have played well. Goldberg continues to thrive in the pro wrestling industry and is set to face Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble this Sunday.
Video | Fighters go at it again after the decision is read at KSW 58
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Welterweight fighters Shamil Musaev and Uroš Jurišić went at it for a second time after their fight decision was read at KSW 58. The welterweight combatants went back and forth in an entertaining fight which wound up going the distance. In the end, Shamil Musaev defeated Uroš Jurišić by way of unanimous decision.
Dana White shares his takes on greatest UFC fighter ever, best current fighter and which fighter could explode in 2021
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Dana White has shared his takes on greatest UFC fighter ever, best current fighter and which fighters career could explode in 2021. In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, the UFC President was asked a number of rapid fire questions including who he thinks is the greatest UFC fighter of all time.
Ben Rothwell books his Octagon return against former PFL Heavyweight champion Philipe Lins
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Veteran heavyweight Ben Rothwell will make his return to the Octagon on March 13, in a location still to be determined by UFC officials. According to a report from Combate, ‘Big Ben’ is set to return to action against former PFL heavyweight champion Philipe Lins (14-5 MMA).
Joanna Jedrzejczyk reacts after reports surface that she will return at UFC Singapore
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Joanna Jedrzejczyk has reacted to reports suggesting that she will be returning to the Octagon this April at UFC Singapore. On Friday multiple reports surfaced that Jedrzejczyk (16-4 MMA) would be returning to action this Spring for a strawweight bout with perennial division contender Yan Xiaonan.
Henry Cejudo reflects on his accomplishments, tells Conor McGregor to "take notes"
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Former UFC ‘champ champ’ Henry Cejudo took time to reflect on his accomplishments today, this while telling Conor McGregor to take notes. Cejudo (16-2 MMA) retired from mixed martial arts following his TKO victory over former bantamweight kingpin Dominick Cruz at UFC 249. The win had marked Henry’s sixth in a row, as he had previously scored victories over Wilson Reis, Sergio Pettis, Demetrious Johnson, T.J. Dillashaw and Marlon Moraes.
Video | Dustin Poirier's wife pays a visit to Conor McGregor's locker room following UFC 257
Christopher Taylor - January 29, 2021
Dustin Poirier’s wife Jolie paid a visit to Conor McGregor’s locker room immediately following the Irishman’s loss to her husband. Poirier and McGregor squared off for a second time in the main event of UFC 257, this after ‘Notorious’ had emerged victorious by way of first round TKO in their first encounter in 2014.
The Korean Zombie says he hit "rock bottom" and gained 20kgs following loss to Brian Ortega
Adam Martin - January 29, 2021
UFC featherweight fan-favorite The Korean Zombie admitted he hit “rock bottom” following his loss to Brian Ortega, gaining 20kgs as a result. The Korean Zombie took on Ortega in a No. 1 contender fight back in October. Despite entering the bout as the clear favorite following back-to-back knockout wins over Frankie Edgar and Renato Moicano, the Zombie was completely outclassed in the matchup. Ortega styled on Korean Zombie for 25 minutes, pitching a shutout en route to a unanimous decision win. Although Zombie has lost before, it was never in this fashion. Before Ortega, no one had truly ever dominated him in that manner.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik announces his fight against Ciryl Gane has been rescheduled for five-rounds at UFC Vegas 20
Cole Shelton - January 29, 2021
Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Ciryl Gane will now be fighting five rounds. Rozenstruik and Gane were originally supposed to fight in the co-main event of a Fight Night card on March 13. However, on Friday evening, Rozenstruik took to Twitter to reveal his bout against Gane has been pushed back two weeks and will now be five-rounds.