MMA News
UFC Fight Island 8 results: Michael Chiesa defeats Neil Magny, calls out Colby Covington
Tom Taylor - January 20, 2021
No. 8-ranked UFC welterweight Michael Chiesa was the picture of dominance in his fight with the division’s No. 9-contender, Neil Magny. Chiesa and Magny met in the main event of UFC Fight Island 8, which emanated from Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday morning and afternoon.
UFC Fight Island 8 results: Warlley Alves smashes Mounir Lazzez, calls out Nate Diaz
Tom Taylor - January 20, 2021
Warlley Alves picked up one of the biggest wins of his career on the UFC Fight Island 8 main card, smashing Mounir Lazzez in round one, and promptly calling out Nate Diaz. Lazzez entered the cage with Alves as one of the biggest betting favorites on the card, thanks in large part to his impressive, unanimous decision win over Abdul Razak Alhassan in his UFC debut in 2020.
Khabib Nurmagomedov contradicts Dana White's comments: "Fights are not in these plans”
Tom Taylor - January 20, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has contradicted the recent remarks of the promotion’s president, Dana White. Nurmagomedov last fought at UFC 254 in October, when he defended the lightweight title with a second-round submission victory over Justin Gaethje. In his post-fight interview with commentator Jon Anik, he shocked the MMA world by announcing his retirement from the sport.
Conor McGregor responds to Max Holloway: "He’s definitely in the pipeline for a bout against me"
Tom Taylor - January 20, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor is interested in running things back with his former opponent Max Holloway. McGregor and Poirier fought in the featherweight division in 2013, with the former winning a unanimous decision. Since then, the pair have carved out legacies as two of the most accomplished fighters in MMA history.
Dana White: Khabib Nurmagomedov is "one of the best guys to deal with in the sport"
Tom Taylor - January 20, 2021
UFC President Dana White says Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the best fighters he’s dealt with in mixed martial arts. Nurmagomedov last fought in October, when he defended the UFC lightweight title with a second-round submission victory over Justin Gaethje. After that fight, he announced his retirement from MMA.
Matt Frevola plans to drag Ottman Azaitar to the "deep waters and drown him" and derail his hype
Cole Shelton - January 20, 2021
Matt Frevola is ready to remind everyone he is a force to be reckoned with at lightweight. Frevola, like most, had a rough 2020 as he had two fights canceled due to COVID-19 and had to pull out of another with an injury. However, the good news for Frevola was the injury allowed him to get on the main card of a Conor McGregor pay-per-view in UFC 257 which he is excited about.
Rhys McKee released by UFC
Adam Martin - January 20, 2021
UFC welterweight Rhys McKee has been released from the world’s leading MMA promotion after losing both of his fights inside the Octagon. UFC president Dana White promised up to 60 fighters would be released. The promotion had 660 fighters under contract when White said that, and he’s already made good on his promise. We saw the promotion make plenty of cuts in late 2020, including cutting stars like Anderson Silva and Yoel Romero, and the organization figures to release many more in early 2021. Unfortunately for McKee, he was among the latest casualties of the UFC’s bloated roster issue.
Dana White: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor rematch is "important to both of their legacies"
Tom Taylor - January 20, 2021
UFC President Dana White believes Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor need to fight again because it’s “important to both of their legacies.” Nurmagomedov and McGregor first fought in 2018, in the main event of UFC 229, the highest-grossing pay-per-view in the company’s history. Nurmagomedov won that initial meeting via fourth-round submission.
Dan Hooker believes the hype behind Michael Chandler’s debut at UFC 257 is definitely warranted after watching film
Harry Kettle - January 20, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker believes that the hype surrounding Michael Chandler heading into UFC 257 is justified. Hooker has a huge opportunity in front of him this Saturday night with the belief being that if he can overcome Chandler in a dominant manner, there’s a chance he could go on to fight for the Lightweight Championship sooner rather than later.
Michael Chandler explains why he is not focused on trying to impress Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 257
Harry Kettle - January 20, 2021
UFC newcomer Michael Chandler has explained why he isn’t focused on trying to impress Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 257. Chandler is set to make his UFC debut when he locks horns with fellow lightweight contender Dan Hooker in what should be a fascinating co-main event on Fight Island this weekend.
Khabib Nurmagomedov issues statement after receiving "Submission of the year" award from the UFC
Christopher Taylor - January 19, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov has issued a statement after receiving the “Submission of the year” award from the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Although the undefeated UFC lightweight champion only competed once during the 2020 calendar year, Khabib’s lone effort still produced hardware.
Robert Whittaker jumps past Conor McGregor in latest 'UFC Fight Island' rankings update
Christopher Taylor - January 19, 2021
Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has leaped past Conor McGregor in the latest UFC Fight Island rankings update. The UFC updated their official rankings ahead of this week’s highly anticipated pay-per-view event, which is headlined by a rematch between Dustin Poirier and the aforementioned Irishman.
Amanda Ribas envisions a title shot by the end of 2021
Drake Riggs - January 19, 2021
One of the biggest rising superstars among the UFC’s female competitors in the past two years has been Brazil’s Amanda Ribas. With a win on Saturday night at UFC 257, she’ll be all that much closer to her goal of holding a world championship. Kicking off the main card on Jan. 23 will be strawweight action as Ribas looks to leapfrog the No. 8 ranked Marina Rodriguez. Currently ranked just a spot below her Brazilian counterpart, Ribas would extend her winning streak to six with a victory (five in the UFC).
Patricio Pitbull sarcastically congratulates Max Holloway for historic win
Drake Riggs - January 19, 2021
There’s no denying the fact that Max Holloway and Patricio “Pitbull” Freire are two of the best featherweights on the planet. However, the latter isn’t so much impressed with the former. This past Saturday night at UFC Fight Island 7, the former UFC champion in Holloway competed in his first non-title tilt since June 2016. In the said bout, the Hawaiian would go on to set nine UFC records in a masterclass at the expense of the No. 6 ranked UFC contender, Calvin Kattar. One of which is the most significant strikes landed in a single fight (445).
Henry Cejudo takes a shot at TJ Dillashaw on two-year anniversary of knockout
Adam Martin - January 19, 2021
Henry Cejudo took a shot at rival TJ Dillashaw on the two-year anniversary of the night he knocked him out at UFC on ESPN+ 1. It was at UFC on ESPN+ 1 on January 19, 2019, when Dillashaw dropped down to 125lbs in order to win a second UFC title. At the time, he was the UFC bantamweight champion and Cejudo was the UFC flyweight champion, fresh off of an upset win over Demetrious Johnson. That night, Cejudo didn’t even need a minute to finish Dillashaw, stopping him in just 32 seconds via TKO.
Conor McGregor excited to show the world "something special" at UFC 257
Cole Shelton - January 19, 2021
Conor McGregor is promising to do something special at UFC 257. In the main event of the pay-per-view card this Saturday, McGregor is set to return to the Octagon against Dustin Poirier in a rematch over six years in the making. It is a very intriguing bout and a scrap many believe will be closer than the first fight.
Conor McGregor explains why he would like to fight Al Iaquinta in the future
Cole Shelton - January 19, 2021
Conor McGregor has made it clear he wants to fight all the top-ranked lightweights and revealed Al Iaquinta is on that list. McGregor is set to return to the lightweight division at UFC 257 against Dustin Poirier and the Irishman has said it will be the start of a lengthy run at the division. If he goes out and beats Poirier, McGregor will likely fight a top-five opponent next time out. However, he says he would be open to fighting Al Iaquinta.
Zebaztian Kadestam teases new tricks on journey back to ONE welterweight championship
Tom Taylor - January 19, 2021
Former ONE welterweight champion Zebaztian Kadestam says he’s an improved fighter ahead of his imminent return to competition. Kadestam will take on the unbeaten Gadjimurad Abdulaev at ONE: Unbreakable this Friday in Singapore. Abdulaev is replacing Kadestam’s originally slated opponent, Raimond Magomedaliev, on short notice, but the former champion is expecting a tough fight nonetheless.