MMA News
UFC looking into psychedelics for brain health therapy: 'We want to do it the right way'
Drake Riggs - January 13, 2021
After continuous studies reveal more information, the UFC keeps on looking at ways to improve fighter health. In most sports that involve contact with the head, it’s unfortunately common to see brain health deteriorate or be impacted over time. Recently it was revealed via MMA Fighting of the severity of former UFC lightweight, Spencer Fisher, and his recent struggles. Therefore prompting UFC President Dana White to reveal to MMA Junkie that his promotion has begun working with top psychedelic research center, Johns Hopkins University, regarding the possible benefits of psychedelics.
Photo | Jon Jones shows off physical transformation to 250lbs
Adam Martin - January 13, 2021
UFC superstar Jon Jones showed off his physical transformation ahead of his heavyweight debut, saying he weighs 250lbs. Jones announced this past summer that he was vacating the UFC light heavyweight championship and moving up to the heavyweight division, in an attempt to win a second title and cement his legacy as the greatest MMA fighter of all time. “Bones” has for the past six months been training his body to make the move up in weight, showing videos of himself packing on the muscle. Now Jones is showing off, teasing fans that he weighs 250lbs and feels amazing not having to cut weight anymore.
Robin Van Roosmalen in critical condition after devastating car crash kills sister
Adam Martin - January 13, 2021
GLORY kickboxer Robin Van Roosmalen is in critical condition after a devastating car crash killed his sister Melissa Van Roosmalen. According to a report from VechtSport, Van Roosmalen and his sister were stopped on the shoulder of a highway in Nieuwegein, Netherlands. The two were then struck by a truck, which killed Melissa and left Robin with serious injuries. Photos of the crash site have floated online, showing the vicious destruction that the car accident caused. According to local officials, Melissa was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, while Robin is currently in a local hospital with serious injures. The driver of the truck who struck the Van Roosmalen siblings was arrested a short time later.
Max Holloway "would love" to rematch Conor McGregor down the road
Cole Shelton - January 13, 2021
Max Holloway is hoping he can fight Conor McGregor again sometime in the future. Back in August of 2013, Holloway and McGregor fought in Boston with the Irishman winning a decision. After the loss, the Hawaiian went on a 13-fight winning streak including winning and defending the featherweight title twice. McGregor, meanwhile, went on to win the featherweight and lightweight title.
Brendan Fitzgerald details crazy 2020 and preparation for calling fights
Cole Shelton - January 13, 2021
After UFC 248 on March 7, which served as the final event with fans, Brendan Fitzgerald headed on a plane to go to Brasilia. However, while he was in the air, the world changed. As Fitzgerald was set to land in New York before going on another flight to Brasilia everything started to shut down. Sports leagues canceled championships and passed their seasons. For Fitzgerald, he wondered if he should even go on the plane to Brazil as he worried he would be stuck there.
Breaking: Steven Peterson reveals he is out of his fight on February 6, wants Chase Hooper in March
Cole Shelton - January 13, 2021
Steven Peterson will have to wait a bit longer to make his return to the Octagon. Peterson hasn’t fought since he had a highlight-reel spinning backfist KO over Martin Bravo in September of 2019. After that fight, the Fortis MMA product hurt his arm and needed surgery which kept him out of action for all of 2020.
Team Paulo Costa "terrorizing" Dana White for Robert Whittaker matchup
Adam Martin - January 13, 2021
UFC president Dana White said that Team Paulo Costa has been “terrorizing” him to book a matchup against Robert Whittaker. Whittaker and Costa are the No. 1 and No. 2 contenders, respectively, in the UFC middleweight division, behind only champion Israel Adesanya. With the champ moving up to 205lbs for his next fight, it’s put the 185lbs division in a bit of a tricky situation moving forward. There’s no guarantee Adesanya will even return to the weight class should he defeat Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight belt at UFC 259, so the rest of the top contenders are essentially stuck in limbo at the moment.
Charles Oliveira turned down short-notice fight against Michael Chandler, confirms Dana White
Adam Martin - January 13, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira turned down a short-notice fight against Michael Chandler, confirmed UFC president Dana White. Oliveira is one of the hottest fights on the planet right now, having won eight straight fights including a dominant performance against Tony Ferguson at UFC 255. Oliveira dominated the former interim champ, prompting White to call him one of the top-three lightweight fighters in the world. Oliveira himself believes that he should be next in line for a title shot and said he hopes to be in attendance at UFC 257 next week, ready to challenge the winner of Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier.
Matt Brown reveals Carlos Condit fight "could be my last"
Cole Shelton - January 13, 2021
Matt Brown knows the end is near for his career. The 40-year-old is set to be the co-main event of UFC Fight Island 7 against Carlos Condit. It is a fight that has been booked two times previously, but Brown was forced to pull out with injuries both times.
Khabib Nurmagomedov retirement talk will take five minutes, says Dana White
Tom Taylor - January 13, 2021
UFC President Dana White says his retirement talk with unbeaten lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov should only take five minutes. Nurmagomedov last fought in October, when he elevated his pro record to 29-0 with a second-round submission of Justin Gaethje. In his post-fight interview with Jon Anik, he shocked viewers by announcing his retirement from mixed martial arts.
Dana White sends another warning to illegal streamers: "I look forward to the crying and the begging"
Tom Taylor - January 13, 2021
UFC President Dana White has sent another ominous warning to those that take part in the piracy and illegal streaming of UFC events. Earlier this month, White took to Instagram where he vowed to catch and punish illegal streamers.
Dana White breaks down Carlos Condit vs. Matt Brown: "Two legendary savages"
Adam Martin - January 13, 2021
UFC president Dana White broke down this weekend’s welterweight bout between “two legendary savages” Carlos Condit and Matt Brown. Condit and Brown are two of the most exciting welterweights of the past decade and this dream fight has been one that the UFC has tried to book twice in the past, both times unsuccessfully. The fight was booked in both 2013 and 2018, with the bout falling off each time. The promotion then booked this fight for the third time, and it’s set to take place as the co-main event of this Saturday’s UFC on ABC 1 event. The hope is that with the fight just a few days away, fans will finally get to see this fight.
Commentary teams set for UFC Fight Island triple-header
Tom Taylor - January 13, 2021
The commentary teams for the UFC’s upcoming three-event stint on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi have been made official. The UFC is set to promote three events on Fight Island starting this weekend. The first will be UFC Fight Island 7, headlined by a featherweight fight between Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar, on Saturday, January 16. Next up will be UFC Fight Island 8, headlined by a welterweight clash between Neil Magny and Michael Chiesa, on Wednesday, January 20. The fun will conclude on Saturday, January 23 with the stacked UFC 257 pay-per-view, headlined by a lightweight clash between top-5 contenders Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier.
Dana White says brain injury is "just part of the gig" in MMA
Tom Taylor - January 13, 2021
UFC President Dana White says brain injury is “just part of the gig” for those who compete in combat sports like mixed martial arts. Brain injury has been a widely discussed topic inside the MMA bubble this year. Earlier this month, the UFC donated $1 million to the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. Then, earlier this week, MMA Fighting published an in-depth long-form article on UFC veteran Spencer Fisher’s struggle with CTE. In the article, Fisher detailed problems with dizzy spells, reduced motor function, memory loss, depression, and more. He and his wife also discussed their struggle to find and pay for the treatment he needs.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Ciryl Gane slated for heavyweight showdown on March 13
Tom Taylor - January 13, 2021
A heavyweight clash between top-10 contenders Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Ciryl Gane has been booked for March 13, according to French publication La Seuer. Gane, a former Muay Thai kickboxer, will enter this fight with the No. 7 spot in the UFC heavyweight rankings—a position he earned with a knockout of former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos in his last fight. Prior to that, the Frenchman picked up wins over Tanner Boser, Don’Tale Mayes and Raphael Pessoa in his first three appearances in the Octagon. Before joining the UFC roster, he enjoyed a brief reign as the TKO heavyweight champion in Canada.
Tony Ferguson reflects on foiled matchups with "fathead" Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tom Taylor - January 13, 2021
Tony Ferguson recently took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing on the times he was scheduled to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov. Ferguson was scheduled to battle Nurmagomedov a ridiculous five times to no avail, with the matchup falling through due to last-minute injuries, pandemic-related travel restrictions, and more.
Dusko Todorovic eager to hand Punahele Soriano his first loss and prove he's the better prospect
Cole Shelton - January 12, 2021
Dusko Todorovic was surprised with the name on his bout agreement. At UFC Fight Island 7, Todorovic, who is 10-0, will battle fellow undefeated prospect, Punahele Soriano. Although the fight was surprising to many fans, given both Todorvic and Soriano are top prospects, the Serbian no longer cares as he is now just focused on the task at hand and figured he would’ve fought Soriano eventually.
Stephen Thompson: 'I'm gonna have that belt around my waist' in 2021
Drake Riggs - January 12, 2021
Stephen Thompson looked better than ever in his last time out. With the momentum gained to close out 2020, “Wonderboy” targets a big 2021. The last UFC main event of the past year saw welterweight’s Geoff Neal presented with a big opportunity — a chance to leapfrog many of the division’s top contenders with a win over a former title challenger.