MMA News
Michael Chiesa explains Colby Covington callout: "I'm giving him an opportunity"
Cole Shelton - January 20, 2021
Michael Chiesa believes he is giving Colby Covington an opportunity by calling him out. At UFC Fight Island 8 on Wednesday, Chiesa scored a dominant decision win over Neil Magny to cement himself as a top-10 welterweight. After the win, he then called out Covington, in a fight that certainly makes sense.
Pros react after Warlley Alves knocks out Mounir Lazzez
Adam Martin - January 20, 2021
Check out how the pros reacted to welterweight Warlley Alves knocking out Mounir Lazzez in the co-main event of UFC Fight Island 8. Alves came into the fight as a considerable underdog but pulled off a stunning upset when he knocked Lazzez out in the first round with body kicks. Alves landed three left kicks in a row to the body of Lazzez, which led to his opponent crumpling to the canvas in pain. It was a stunning victory for Alves, who badly needed it. As for Lazzez, it was a big upset according to the odds, and he will look to get back to the drawing board in his next outing.
Pros react after Michael Chiesa schools Neil Magny in UFC Fight Island 8 headliner
Adam Martin - January 20, 2021
Check out how the pros reacted to welterweight Michael Chiesa schooling Neil Magny for five rounds in the main event of UFC Fight Island 8. Chiesa entered the bout on a three-fight win streak since moving up to welterweight, which included a dominant win over Rafael dos Anjos in his last bout. As for Magny, he was the winner of three straight bouts himself, including a dominant decision win over Robbie Lawler in his last fight. That wasn’t the case here, as Chiesa utterly schooled Magny on the floor. The former Ultimate Fighter winner looked great, winning 49-46 across the board.
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.
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.
UFC Fight Island 8: "Chiesa vs. Magny" Live Results and Highlights
Tom Taylor - January 20, 2021
On Wednesday, the UFC returned to our screens for the second time this week with UFC Fight Island 8: “Chiesa vs. Magny” from Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. The card, which began at 9:00am ET, was originally scheduled to be headlined by a welterweight fight between No. 3-ranked contender Leon Edwards and rising prospect Khamzat Chimaev. When Chimaev was forced out of the fight, however, the main event spot went to ranked welterweight contenders Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny.
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.
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.
Conor McGregor fight is "gonna be worse" for Dustin Poirier in later rounds, says coach
Tom Taylor - January 20, 2021
Owen Roddy, one of the coaches behind Conor McGregor, says the Irishman is prepared to fight Dustin Poirier for five rounds if needed. McGregor and Poirier will collide in the main event of UFC 257 this Saturday on Fight Island. Heading into the fight, Poirier has emphasized that he intends to avoid McGregor’s offense early, and turn the fight into a bloody war of attrition.
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.
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.
Mike Perry goes to bat for Conor McGregor following recent insults from Khamzat Chimaev
Christopher Taylor - January 19, 2021
UFC welterweight Mike Perry has gone to bat for Conor McGregor after the Irishman was once again insulted by Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev (9-0 MMA), a product of Ali Abdelaziz’s Dominance MMA, has been relentless in his callouts of McGregor despite being booked to fight perennial contender Leon Edwards in his next Octagon appearance.
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).
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.