MMA News
UFC pioneer Paul Varelans dies after battle with COVID-19
Adam Martin - January 17, 2021
UFC pioneer Paul Varelans has passed away at the age of 51 after losing a battle with COVID-19, succumbing to complications from the virus. Varelans had been battling COVID-19 for over a month and was placed on a ventilator in an effort to save his life. He was later he was put into a medical coma. Unfortunately for “The Polar Bear” the virus was too much to handle, and he eventually lost his battle with the coronavirus, passing away at the age of 51 on Saturday. The news of his passing was confirmed by MMAJunkie.com.
Joaquin Buckley issues statement following head kick KO loss to Alessio Di Chirico
Adam Martin - January 17, 2021
UFC middleweight Joaquin Buckley issued a statement following his head kick KO loss to Alessio Di Chirico at UFC on ABC 1. Buckley was recently named by UFC president Dana White as one of the three fighters to look forward to in 2021, alongside Kevin Holland and Khamzat Chimaev. After scoring back-to-back knockout wins over Impa Kasanganay and Jordan Wright, Buckley was booked to fight Di Chirico in a fight that many were looking at as a squash match. Indeed, the oddsmakers opened Buckley up as a sizeable favorite to beat Chirico, who had lost three straight fights.
Conor McGregor: I am still the UFC lightweight champion
Adam Martin - January 17, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor says that he believes he is still the lightweight champion ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 257. Back at UFC 229 in October 2018, McGregor met Khabib Nurmagomedov in an attempt to win back the UFC lightweight title that was stripped of the Irishman due to inactivity. Nurmagomedov dominated the fight, knocking McGregor down on the feet and then thrashing him on the ground before finally locking in the fight-ending neck crank in the fourth round. After the fight was over, there was then the infamous brawl between Team Khabib and Team McGregor.
UFC on ABC 1 bonus report: Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar win 50k for "Fight of the Night"
Adam Martin - January 17, 2021
UFC featherweights Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar each won $50,000 in bonuses for their “Fight of the Night” at UFC on ABC 1. Holloway and Kattar put on an incredible showing in the main event as the two went five full rounds in an absolute slugfest to kick off the 2021 UFC calendar. Holloway took it to Kattar during the 25 minutes they spent in the cage with one another, landing over 400 significant strikes in a record-setting perfrmance. Although Kattar suffered one of the most lopsided losses in UFC history on paper, he was durable enough to make it an exciting fight for fans.
Santiago Ponzinibbio issues emotional statement following knockout loss to Li Jingliang
Adam D Martin - January 17, 2021
UFC welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio issued an emotional statement following his vicious knockout loss to Li Jingliang at UFC on ABC 1. After missing over two years of action due to various health issues, Ponzinibbio finally made his long-awaited return to the Octagon when he took on Jingliang at Saturday’s UFC on ABC 1 card. Despite the long layoff, Ponzinibbio was still the betting favorite heading into this bout. However, the ring rust showed as he wasn’t able to get his timing right during the fight. Jingliang took advantage of that, as he caught Ponzinibbio on the chin and KOed him in the first round.
Dana White claims Khabib Nurmagomedov "isn’t interested" in a potential fight with Georges St-Pierre
Adam D Martin - January 17, 2021
UFC president Dana White claimed that Khabib Nurmagomedov “isn’t interested” in a potential fight with UFC legend Georges St-Pierre. Nurmagomedov was expected to give White a ‘yes or no’ answer in regards to the lightweight champ’s potential comeback, but that didn’t happen. White said on the UFC on ABC 1 broadcast that we will find out more about the Russian’s plans for a comeback following UFC 257 next week. According to White, the lightweight champion is keeping a very close eye on the headliners Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier, making no mention of the legend St-Pierre.
Dana White discusses confronting Calvin Kattar’s corner after loss to Max Holloway: "I was freaking out a little bit"
Adam D Martin - January 17, 2021
UFC president Dana White admitted that he was bothered by how much damage Calvin Kattar took against Max Holloway at UFC on ABC 1. Kattar was on the wrong end of a historic beating at the hands, elbows, feet and, knees of Holloway, who systematically beat Kattar down over the course of five rounds, setting numerous UFC records in the process. Although there are many ways to win in MMA, by about the third or fourth round it became clear that Kattar had no chance of winning this fight. But his corner didn’t throw in the towel despite their fighter taking incredible damage in the match.
Charles Oliveira responds to praise from Khabib Nurmagomedov: "All due respect, I delivered, and I feel ready to challenge you for the gold"
Adam D Martin - January 17, 2021
Charles Oliveira responded to praise from UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, saying that he deserves to fight for the belt next. Oliveira has won eight straight fights in the UFC lightweight division, including a dominant decision victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 256. After defeating Ferguson, Oliveira called for a lightweight title shot. The problem is, of course, the division is currently in a holding pattern, waiting for Nurmagomedov to decide what he wants to do. The UFC lightweight champion is essentially retired but has admitted that he could be coaxed into having one more fight.
Dana White reacts to Max Holloway’s dominant win over Calvin Kattar: “I think he deserves to fight Volkanovski again”
Adam D Martin - January 17, 2021
UFC president Dana White believes Max Holloway deserves to have a trilogy fight for the featherweight title against Alexander Volkanovski. Holloway had an epic performance on Saturday night at UFC on ABC 1 as he brutally beat down Calvin Kattar for five rounds in the main event of the evening. As one of the greatest featherweights of all time, we’ve seen Holloway put on some incredible performances over the years. But the way he systematically broke down Kattar over the course of 25 minutes was special. It’s the kind of win that makes you want to see Holloway fight for the belt.
Max Holloway roasts Calvin Kattar over previous “freshman” comment
Adam D Martin - January 17, 2021
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway roasted rival Calvin Kattar over the previous comment he made calling him a “freshman.” Holloway put on a historic beating against Kattar in the main event of Saturday’s UFC on ABC 1. Holloway shattered the previous record for significant strikes landed in a fight as he absolutely took it to Kattar for 25 minutes. At the end of five rounds, Holloway took home the unanimous decision as he re-emerged as perhaps the featherweight division’s premier fighter. It’s the kind of victory that should earn Holloway another title shot.
Alex Volkanovski sends a message to Max Holloway following his dominant win over Calvin Kattar
Christopher Taylor - January 16, 2021
UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski has sent a message to Max Holloway following the Hawaiian’s dominant win over Calvin Kattar. Holloway (22-6 MMA) had squared off with Kattar (22-5 MMA) in the headliner of today’s UFC Fight Island 7 event with hopes of snapping his two-fight losing skid.
Conor McGregor scoffs at Max Holloway's claim of being "The best boxer in the UFC"
Chris Taylor - January 16, 2021
Conor McGregor has responded after Max Holloway proclaimed himself to be “The best boxer in the UFC” during his fight with Calvin Kattar. Holloway (22-6 MMA) squared off with Kattar (22-5 MMA) in the headliner of today’s UFC Fight Island 7 event, with hopes of avoiding the first three-fight losing streak of his career. ‘Blessed’ had suffered back-to-back decision losses to reigning UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski in his most previous Octagon appearances.
Dana White says Khabib Nurmagomedov praised Justin Gaethje during today's meeting on Fight Island
Chris Taylor - January 16, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov heaped praise on Justin Gaethje during today’s meeting with Dana White on Fight Island. The undefeated Russian, Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA), met with the UFC President earlier today in Abu Dhabi to discuss his future. ‘The Eagle’ had of course stunned fans by announcing his retirement from mixed martial arts immediately following his submission victory over Justin Gaethje this past September.
Nate Diaz blasts Khabib Nurmagomedov after 'The Eagle' meets with Dana White to discuss his future
Chris Taylor - January 16, 2021
Former lightweight title challenger Nate Diaz took aim at Khabib Nurmagomedov on Saturday, this after ‘The Eagle’ met with UFC President Dana White. During today’s UFC Fight Island 7 broadcast, White met with Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA) in hopes of luring him back to the Octagon for one final fight.
Dana White reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov will return "If these guys can do something special" at UFC 257
Chris Taylor - January 16, 2021
UFC President Dana White met with undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov during today’s UFC Fight Island 7 broadcast. Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA) had retired from mixed martial arts immediately following his submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. ‘The Eagle’ cited the death of his father as one of the major reasons behind his decision to walk away.
Pros react after Max Holloway dominates Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Island 7
Chris Taylor - January 16, 2021
Today’s UFC Fight Island 7 event was headlined by a featherweight bout featuring former champ Max Holloway taking on surging contender Calvin Kattar. Holloway (21-6 MMA) was looking to avoid the first three-fight losing streak of his career when he squared of with Kattar this evening. ‘Blessed‘ was coming off of back-to-back decision losses to reigning featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski in his most previous Octagon appearances.
Pros react after Carlos Condit defeats Matt Brown at UFC Fight Island 7
Chris Taylor - January 16, 2021
Today’s UFC Fight Island 7 event was co-headlined by a welterweight bout featuring fan favorites Matt Brown and Carlos Condit. Brown (22-17 MMA) was returning to action for the fist time since May, where he suffered a TKO to Miguel Baeza. Prior to that setback, ‘The Immortal‘ was coming off of back-to-back knockout wins over Diego Sanchez and Ben Saunders.
UFC Fight Island 7 Results: Carlos Condit defeats Matt Brown (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - January 16, 2021
Today’s UFC Fight Island 7 event is co-headlined by a welterweight bout featuring fan favorites Matt Brown and Carlos Condit. Brown (22-17 MMA) will be returning to action for the fist time since May, where he suffered a TKO to Miguel Baeza. Prior to that setback, ‘The Immortal‘ was coming off of back-to-back knockout wins over Diego Sanchez and Ben Saunders.