MMA News
Dan Hooker weighs in on Khabib Nurmagomedov's future: "As far as I’m concerned, the guy says he’s retired"
Tom Taylor - January 19, 2021
Dan Hooker, who is days out from a UFC 257 fight with Michael Chandler, is taking Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement announcement at face value. Nurmagomedov, the UFC lightweight champion, retired after defending his belt with a second-round submission of Justin Gaethje in October. Despite that announcement, UFC President Dana White has been adamant that he’ll attempt to convince the champ to fight one more time in an effort to push his record to 30-0.
Coach believes Dustin Poirier needs to expose Conor McGregor’s “weakness” at UFC 257
Harry Kettle - January 19, 2021
American Top Team’s Mike Brown wants to see Dustin Poirier exploit Conor McGregor’s conditioning “weakness” at UFC 257 this weekend. Brown, who is Poirier’s head coach at ATT, will be hoping to guide “The Diamond” to victory more than six years after he was brutally defeated by McGregor at UFC 178 in Las Vegas.
UFC Fight Island 8 Weigh-In Results: Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny both make weight
Harry Kettle - January 19, 2021
Main event stars Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny have both made weight for their UFC Fight Island 8 showdown on Wednesday night. Both men are currently riding three-fight win streaks in the welterweight division with the belief being that a win here for either could take them to within one or two more victories of a shot at the Welterweight Championship.
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Max Holloway has the chance to become "the best fighter of all time"
Christopher Taylor - January 18, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov has showered Max Holloway with praise following the Hawaiian’s record setting victory over Calvin Kattar. Holloway and Kattar collided in the headliner of Saturday’s UFC Fight Island 7 event in a bout which proved to be a very one sided contest.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega betting odds released
Adam Martin - January 18, 2021
The opening betting odds have been released for the upcoming UFC featherweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega. The UFC recently announced that Volkanovski and Ortega will fight at UFC 260 on March 27. The main event for the card features UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou. With Volkanovski vs. Ortega now official for that event, the oddsmakers were quick to release the opening betting odds. Take a look at the odds for Volkanovski vs. Ortega below (via BestFightOdds).
Coach: Joanna Jedrzejczyk will need 'something significant to get her off the couch'
Drake Riggs - January 18, 2021
Joanna Jedrzejczyk has fought in the highest profiled contests that she possibly could have in her career. Now, that could be about all that’s left for her. In March 2020, Jedrzejczyk acted as half of one of the greatest fights of all-time. It was her 10th career UFC title bout and the third she’d lost in just as many attempts. 2-4 in her last six overall, it’s left Jedrzejczyk with seemingly limited options — not only by popular belief but her own accord as well.
Jerome Rivera plans to take Francisco Figueiredo's "soul" and put the champ on notice
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2021
Jerome Rivera knows he can send a direct message to Deiveson Figueiredo on Wednesday. At UFC Fight Island 8, Rivera is set to welcome Deiveson Figueiredo’s brother in Francisco to the Octagon. It is a very intriguing matchup and when Rivera got the fight offer, it was an immediate yes.
Dustin Poirier issues bold prediction for UFC 257 rematch with Conor McGregor
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2021
Dustin Poirier is looking to exact his revenge against Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 257 this Saturday. Poirier and McGregor first fought back at UFC 178 in 2014 with McGregor winning by first-round knockout. However, the fight took place at featherweight and many believe it is a much different scrap with it now taking place at lightweight. “The Diamond” has proven he is a legit contender and has a much better chin at 155-pounds.
What's next for Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar after UFC Fight Island 7?
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2021
In the main event of UFC Fight Island 7, Max Holloway was looking to snap his two-fight losing skid as he took on rising contender, Calvin Kattar. Holloway was looking to prove he is the best featherweight alive, while Kattar was hoping to become the next title contender. Ultimately, it was Holloway who put on a dominant performance and set several records en route to a lopsided decision win.
Michael Chandler explains why Dan Hooker is a tougher matchup than McGregor, Poirier, and Gaethje
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2021
Michael Chandler believes Dan Hooker is one of the tougher matchups for him in the UFC. In the co-main event of UFC 257, Chandler is set to make his UFC debut against Hooker in a very intriguing bout. It is a top-10 opponent for the former Bellator champ and a tough test for him. Although Hooker is not ranked in the top-three, Chandler believes the Kiwi is a tougher challenger than Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.
Conor McGregor says rematch against Dustin Poirier will be “easy," but not as easy as running things back with Khabib
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2021
Conor McGregor is set for his second-ever rematch when he battles Dustin Poirier at UFC 257. McGregor and Poirier met in 2014 with the Irishman winning by first-round knockout. Although many believe this fight will be closer, McGregor doesn’t agree. He is expecting the rematch to be easy, but not as easy as a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov would be.
Max Holloway shares piece of advice for up-and-coming fighters: "Save your chickens"
Tom Taylor - January 18, 2021
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway has some advice for the next generation of fighters: take as little damage as possible in training and in competition. Holloway returned to the cage last Saturday, in the main event of UFC on ABC 1 on Fight Island, where he picked up a jaw-dropping unanimous decision victory over Calvin Kattar.
UFC on ESPN 20: Chiesa vs. Magny full betting odds
Adam Martin - January 18, 2021
Check out the full betting odds for this Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 20 event headlined by welterweight contenders Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny. In the main event, Chiesa and Magny will duke it out for five rounds or less in a fight that could see the winner get a significant step up in the UFC welterweight division. Chiesa and Magny are both riding three-fight win streaks and they are ranked right next to each other at No. 8 and No. 9, respectively. This is the perfect matchup between two well-rounded welterweights on the rise, and the winner should get a top-five opponent.
Calvin Kattar issues classy statement after lopsided loss to Max Holloway
Tom Taylor - January 18, 2021
Calvin Kattar has issued a classy post-fight statement after a tough loss to former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway. Kattar and Holloway collided in the main event of the UFC on ABC 1 card last Saturday on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
UFC on ABC 1 medical suspension: Calvin Kattar facing long absence
Tom Taylor - January 18, 2021
The post-fight medical suspensions for last Saturday’s UFC on ABC 1 card have been released, and as expected, several fighters are facing long breaks, including Calvin Kattar. Kattar lost a decision to former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway in the UFC on ABC 1 main event, absorbing north of 400 significant strikes in the process. Unsurprisingly, those figures translated into some significant physical damage, which has him facing a six-month suspension unless he’s cleared earlier by a doctor.
Conor McGregor shares thoughts on Logan and Jake Paul boxing: "I'm not so against it"
Tom Taylor - January 18, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor has shared his thoughts on the boxing endeavours of YouTube stars Logan and Jake Paul. Jake and Logan have both competed several times in boxing, and all of their fights have been veritable blockbusters in terms of viewership and revenue. Jake most recently picked up a knockout win over former NBA star Nate Robinson on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard, while Logan is gearing up for an exhibition fight with boxing legend and former McGregor foe Floyd Mayweather.
Shinya Aoki has singular goal ahead of ONE Championship return: "Fight as long as I can"
Tom Taylor - January 18, 2021
Shinya Aoki is no longer motivated by money or world titles. The Japanese MMA legend strives only to continue doing what he loves as long as possible. Aoki, one of the most lethal submissions in MMA history, is set to return to action at ONE: Unbreakable next Friday in Singapore, where he’ll welcome former LFA welterweight champion James Nakashima to the lightweight division.
Dustin Poirier unfazed by Conor McGregor's KO prediction: I will not "put myself in harm’s way right off the bat"
Tom Taylor - January 18, 2021
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier knows he needs to be careful in the early rounds of his upcoming fight with Conor McGregor. Poirier and McGregor will collide in the main event of UFC 257 this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The pair’s lightweight showdown will be a rematch of a 2014 featherweight fight that McGregor won by first-round knockout.