MMA News
Gray Maynard: Seeing Spencer Fisher with dementia was "turning point" to warn others of dangers in MMA
Adam Martin - January 27, 2021
UFC veteran Gray Maynard said seeing Spencer Fisher with dementia was the “turning point” for him to warn fighters of the dangers in MMA. Fisher recently shared his story about the true costs of competing in combat sports in an in-depth interview with MMAFighting.com. A long-time UFC veteran, the 44-year-old Fisher came out and shared with MMA fans that he has dementia. During part of the story, there was an anecdote with Fisher and Maynard, who had met him at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. According to Maynard, seeing Fisher in the poor condition he was in marked the turning point for “The Bully” to come out and warn other fighters about low pay the very real dangers of long-term brain trauma.
Photo: Poster revealed for UFC 258: Usman vs. Burns
Adam Martin - January 27, 2021
The poster for the upcoming UFC 258: Usman vs. Burns pay-per-view has been officially unveiled ahead of next month’s highly-anticipated card. UFC 258 is set to take place on February 13 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will be headlined by UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman against top contender Gilbert Burns. This is actually the third time the promotion has attempted to book this matchup, following two previous botched attempts at UFC 251 and UFC 256. Fingers crossed that both Usman and Burns will remain fully healthy and they are able to meet inside the Octagon in just over two weeks.
UFC rankings update: Conor McGregor tumbles, Michael Chandler debuts
Tom Taylor - January 27, 2021
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last Saturday’s UFC 257 card on Fight Island, and as expected there have been some big changes. Most notably, former two-division champion Conor McGregor has fallen in the pound-for-pound and lightweight rankings after being stopped by Dustin Poirier in the card’s main event.
Dustin Poirier not a fan of Fight Island: It was "like I was in prison in my own mind"
Tom Taylor - January 27, 2021
Surging UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier wasn’t a fan of competing on the promotion’s much-discussed Fight Island. Fight Island—a complex on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi—was the setting of last Saturday’s UFC 257 card, where Poirier defeated Conor McGregor by second-round TKO.
Charles Oliveira believes a fight with Dustin Poirier could be the recipe to entice Khabib Nurmagomedov to return
Harry Kettle - January 27, 2021
UFC lightweight Charles Oliveira believes a win over Dustin Poirier could be enough to lure Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement. Oliveira, who is coming off the back of a resounding win over Tony Ferguson, has emerged as one of the primary contenders alongside Michael Chandler to possibly fight Dustin Poirier for the UFC Lightweight Championship.
UFC Vegas 18: ‘Overeem vs. Volkov’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - January 27, 2021
Alistair Overeem and Alexander Volkov are set to kick off the UFC’s February schedule at UFC Vegas 18. Event: UFC Vegas 18: Overeem vs. Volkov Date: Saturday, 6th February 2021 Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Broadcast: ESPN+ – 8pm EST (Main card)
Jake Paul scoffs at Ben Askren's seventh round KO prediction, 'Funky' responds
Christopher Taylor - January 26, 2021
Jake Paul has responded to Ben Askren’s prediction of a seventh round knockout. Askren vs. Paul was made official earlier today, as the two are set to collide in a boxing match on April 17 promoted by Triller.
Jake Paul targeting Nate Diaz after Ben Askren: 'He wants to do it as well'
Drake Riggs - January 26, 2021
Jake Paul vs. former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight king Ben Askren is officially on. Despite that, the YouTube star is already thinking ahead. Having directed trash talk and video call outs at several of MMA’s most notable names, Paul hasn’t left out Stockton’s Nate Diaz. Unsurprisingly, The Ultimate Fighter season 5 winner has fired back at the younger Paul brother where he’s responded saying Jake “needs his ass beat for free”.
Patricio Pitbull: Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez success showing the "power of Bellator"
Adam Martin - January 26, 2021
Patricio Pitbull says that the success of Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez in the UFC is showing the “power of Bellator.” Chandler had an amazing UFC debut last weekend at UFC 257 when he brutally knocked out the typically-durable Dan Hooker with punches in the first round. Heading into the UFC, there were many question marks about the former three-time Bellator lightweight champion, but Chandler’s win over Hooker showed that he is an elite fighter. And if you think Chandler is good, just remember Pitbull knocked him out in June 2019. Both men are proof Bellator is home to some of the sport’s elite.
Fedor Emelianenko released from hospital after battle with COVID-19
Drake Riggs - January 26, 2021
MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko’s lone fight since 2019 has happened to come against the global threat that is COVID-19. As of Monday, the Russian icon is reportedly in much better condition. Last Thursday, news broke that Emelianenko was hospitalized in Moscow as he attended a location specialing in COVID-19 treatment.
Michael Bisping says Jake Paul, Ben Askren and Dillon Danis are "an insult to the sweet science"
Andrew Whitelaw - January 26, 2021
Michael Bisping has never been one to hold back on his opinions. The outspoken Brit delivered plenty of classic lines during his time as a fighter and it’s no surprise that he’s now making a handsome living as a podcaster, commentator and analyst.
Video | Khamzat Chimaev looks sharp on the pads during training session with Alexander Gustafsson
Adam Martin - January 26, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev looked sharp on the pads during a recent training session with Alexander Gustafsson in Sweden. Chimaev finally returns to the Octagon on March 13 when he takes on Leon Edwards. The fight between these two rivals has been booked twice previously but each time it fell apart after both men tested positive for COVID-19. Chimaev was said to have had a rough battle with the coronavirus and was slow to make his recovery, pushing this bout back from its intended January 20 date to March 13. He appears to finally be healthy and he’s back in the gym at Allstars Training Center in Stockholm.
Firas Zahabi believes Conor McGregor "gave up" against Dustin Poirier
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2021
Firas Zahabi thinks when the going gets tough for Conor McGregor he gives up and believes that was the case against Dustin Poirier. In the main event of UFC 257, McGregor made his return to the Octagon to rematch Poirier. Early on in the fight, the Irishman had success and landed a solid shut that stunned Poirier. However, “The Diamond” started to leg kick McGregor and after the Irishman’s leg went “dead” Poirier went up top and knocked him out.
Jake Paul set to train with Jorge Masvidal ahead of Ben Askren fight
Adam Martin - January 26, 2021
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is set to train with UFC superstar Jorge Masvidal ahead of his upcoming boxing match with Ben Askren. Askren was absolutely brutalized by Masvidal at UFC 239 in July 2019, when “Gamebred” rushed across the Octagon and KOed Askren with a fly knee just as he ducked down for a takedown attempt. It was the quickest KO in UFC history at five seconds and ever since then, Askren has been the butt-end of memes due to the quick loss. With Askren now set to take on Paul on April 17 in a boxing match, what better fighter to train with than the man who has his number, and that’s Masvidal.
Ben Saunders hopes to sign with a promotion soon and be active to earn way back into the UFC
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2021
Despite not fighting in 2020, Ben Saunders knows his year wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. After Saunders was knocked out by Matt Brown at UFC 245, his contract with the UFC was over and they chose not to re-sign him. The hope for the veteran was to quickly sign with another promotion and get back to the UFC. However, like most people’s 2020, Saunders’ year did not go as planned as no opportunities came up. With his dad battling a rare form of blood cancer, it also put Saunders in a difficult spot.
Dillon Danis claims Jake Paul "ran" from him, shares DM's showing contract negotiations
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2021
Dillon Danis claims Jake Paul ran from him when it came time to negotiate a contract for a potential boxing match. On Tuesday, it was revealed Paul would box former UFC welterweight, Ben Askren on April 17. The news wasn’t a surprise as “Funky” told BJPENN.com he would box the YouTube star. However, for Danis, he was also rumored to be facing Paul but he claims the 23-year-old ran from him.
Ben Askren promises to show off boxing skills against Jake Paul: "I'm going to beat him up"
Adam Martin - January 26, 2021
MMA fighter-turned boxer Ben Askren promised to show off his boxing skills against Jake Paul, boldly predicting he will beat up the YouTuber. Askren vs. Paul was officially announced on Tuesday. The two will meet in the boxing ring on April 17 in a blockbuster PPV being promoted by Triller. It’s Paul’s third professional boxing match, while for Askren it’s his first boxing bout. Of course, Askren is an experienced MMA fighter, but he was always known for his grappling skills, not his striking. That’s why so many fans seem to think this might be a very bad idea for Askren, going in there against a younger fighter with a lot of power.
UFC belt Colby Covington gave Donald Trump appraised at $650
Tom Taylor - January 26, 2021
The UFC championship belt that Colby Covington gave former United States President Donald Trump is reportedly worth just $650. Covington is one of several dedicated Trump supporters on the UFC roster, but certainly the most vocal. In fact, the welterweight star’s unwavering support of the former President actually earned him a trip to the White House in 2018, not long after he defeated Rafael dos Anjos by decision to capture the UFC’s interim welterweight title.