MMA News
Deiveson Figueiredo says he'll knock out 'fatso' Henry Cejudo
Drake Riggs - January 7, 2021
The war of words between current and former UFC flyweight champions has begun as Deiveson Figueiredo responded to Henry Cejudo’s recent trash talk on Thursday. After receiving his honors as Fighter of the Year from MMA Fighting, Brazil’s Figueiredo gave a short speech via video with the mentioning of “Triple C”. The current champ noted his hopes to pull the former double champ out of retirement this year for a big super fight.
Tatiana Suarez provides injury update, outlines timetable for return
Drake Riggs - January 7, 2021
The Ultimate Fighter season 23 winner Tatiana Suarez has looked like a future champion ever since first stepping foot inside the Octagon in 2016. Unfortunately, it’s been quite some time since we last saw her in action. In recent years, the 115-pound strawweight division in the UFC has become arguably one of the best that the promotion has. One of the big reasons for that has been the emergence of talented rising stars such as the 8-0 Suarez.
Cris Cyborg willing to fight Cat Zingano if Scott Coker asks her
Adam Martin - January 7, 2021
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg says she’s willing to fight Cat Zingano if Scott Coker asks her. After she scored back-to-back dominant victories over Julia Budd and Arlene Blencowe in her first two Bellator fights, it’s becoming hard to find challengers for Cyborg. But one name floating around is Zingano. Both Cyborg and Zingano were big stars in the UFC at one point in time, and now both of them are on the Bellator roster at 145lbs. It seems natural to think this fight could happen in the Bellator cage, and it’s possible we might actually see it in 2021.
Santiago Ponzinibbio trashes "bullsh*t" UFC rankings after losing top-15 spot
Adam Martin - January 7, 2021
UFC welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio trashed what he called the “bullsh*t” UFC rankings after losing his top-15 spot in the 170lbs ranks. Ponzinibbio has a 9-2 record in the UFC and is currently riding a seven-fight win streak. However, he’s had terrible luck with injuries, along with major health issues, and he’s been out of action for more than two years. Ponzinibbio hasn’t fought since November 2018 when he knocked out Neil Magny in his native Argentina. Due to inactivity, he was removed from the UFC rankings in December 2019. He finally returns to the Octagon on January 16 in Abu Dhabi.
Charles Oliveira plans to call out winner of Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier from front-row seat at UFC 257
Adam Martin - January 7, 2021
UFC lightweight Charles Oliveira plans on calling out the winner of Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier from a front-row seat at UFC 257. Oliveira is currently riding an eight-fight win streak in the UFC lightweight division, punctuated by a lopsided unanimous decision victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 256. Oliveira has been vocal about his desire to get a title shot, but so far we haven’t heard confirmation that he will fight for the belt. There have been rumors that Oliveira could fight Justin Gaethje, but if it was up to Oliveira, he would take on the winner of McGregor vs. Poirier next.
UFC 257 and January Fight Island events to have "limited number" of fans in attendance
Cole Shelton - January 7, 2021
For the first time since UFC 248 last March, fans will be in attendance at a UFC event. Starting January 16 and ending with UFC 257, a limited number of fans will be in attendance at the Ethiad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Fight Island. The Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism announced that fans will be permitted on their social media accounts. Abu Dhabi did not announce how many fans will be allowed in the arena.
Dana White confirms winner of Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier in line for lightweight title shot
Adam Martin - January 7, 2021
Dana White confirmed the UFC 257 main event winner between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier will be in line for a title lightweight shot. The UFC lightweight title is currently held by Khabib Nurmagomedov, though the champion is currently in a quasi-retirement and may or may not fight again. The Russian will meet with White on Fight Island to try and hash out a deal. He could agree to defend his belt again, vacate it, or the UFC could create an interim belt. There are many question marks about the belt, but we now know who at least one half of the next lightweight title bout will be.
UFC fighter Irwin Rivera arrested after allegedly stabbing his sisters
Cole Shelton - January 7, 2021
UFC bantamweight, Irwin Rivera has been arrested on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. According to Eric Kowal of MyMMANews, Rivera had allegedly stabbed his sisters and on Thursday, he was arrested. MMAFighting was able to confirm with police records
UFC contributes one million dollars towards brain research
Adam Martin - January 7, 2021
The UFC announced on Thursday that it has contributed a one million dollar donation towards brain research with the Cleveland Clinic. The one million dollar donation is set to help fund brain studies over the next five years with the Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. According to ESPN.com, the Cleveland Clinic has been working on the in-depth Professional Athletes Brain Health Study for a decade, and the UFC has been right there with them every step of the way. According to the report, the UFC has donated over two million dollars over three rounds of support.
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno rematch targeted for April or May
Adam Martin - January 7, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed the flyweight title fight between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno is being targeted for this spring. White did a Q&A with ESPN+ subscribers this week and one of the questions he was asked is when the rematch between Figueiredo and Moreno would take place. The UFC bossman was quick and to the point, saying the promotion is targeting this highly-anticipated rematch to take place in April or May.
Dustin Poirier makes prediction for Dan Hooker vs. Michael Chandler
Tom Taylor - January 7, 2021
Dustin Poirier has made a prediction for the upcoming lightweight fight between top-10 contender Dan Hooker and former Bellator champ Michael Chandler. Hooker and Chandler will collide in the co-main event of UFC 257 on January 23—a card that will be headlined by a rematch between Poirier and Conor McGregor.
Pedro Munhoz vs. Jimmie Rivera rematch moved to UFC 258
Adam Martin - January 7, 2021
An intriguing bantamweight rematch between top-10 ranked fighters Pedro Munhoz and Jimmie Rivera has been moved to UFC 258. Munhoz and Rivera were previously slated to hook up on Fight Island on the January 20 card that’s headlined by Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny. The fight has now been moved to UFC 258, which takes place on February 13. That event is likely going to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. There was no immediate reason for why the fight was moved. MMAFighting.com was the first to report Munhoz vs. Rivera will be at UFC 258.
Glover Teixeira willing to serve as backup for Blachowicz vs. Adesanya fight
Tom Taylor - January 7, 2021
Glover Teixeira is willing to serve as the backup fighter for the upcoming light heavyweight title fight between Jan Blachowicz and Israel Adesanya. Blachowicz, the UFC light heavyweight champion, is slated to defend his title against Adesanya, the promotion’s middleweight champion, in the main event of UFC 259 on March 6.
Stipe Miocic sends words of warning to Jake and Logan Paul: "Don’t bite off more than you can chew"
Tom Taylor - January 7, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has some words of advice for YouTube stars turned celebrity boxers Jake and Logan Paul. The Paul brothers have been the talk of the combat sports world of late, with Jake riding a violent knockout win over former NBA star Nate Robinson, and Logan gearing up for an exhibition bout with unbeaten boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Dustin Poirier discusses motivations heading into Conor McGregor rematch: "This isn't about payback"
Tom Taylor - January 7, 2021
Dustin Poirier has opened on what’s motivating him heading into his upcoming rematch with Conor McGregor, which headlines UFC 257 on January 23. Poirier and McGregor have fought once before, having met in the featherweight division in 2014. McGregor won that fight by first-round knockout.
Logan Paul pleads with Dana White: "Take me back, I'm not Jake"
Tom Taylor - January 7, 2021
YouTube star turned boxer Logan Paul has a message for Dana White, the President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Logan is currently slated for a high profile exhibition bout with undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. At the same time, his brother Jake has also been making headlines in the combat world, having recently knocked out former NBA star Nate Robinson, and called out a host of MMA stars, most notably former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor.
Henry Cejudo takes a shot at "bum fighter of the year" Deiveson Figueiredo
Adam Martin - January 6, 2021
MMA great Henry Cejudo took another shot at UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, calling him the “bum fighter of the year.” Figueiredo just finished a tremendous campaign in 2020 that saw him win the vacant UFC flyweight champion with a stoppage win over Joseph Benavidez on Fight Island. He also had another win over Benavidez earlier in the year, plus a successful title defense over Alex Perez at UFC 255. Figueiredo then stole the show along with fellow flyweight contender Brandon Moreno when they two put on one of the best fights of the year when they fought to a draw at UFC 256.
Dana White says UFC targeting April for Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2
Adam Martin - January 6, 2021
UFC president Dana White says the UFC is targeting April for the rematch between UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou. White confirmed several months ago that Ngannou was next in line to fight Miocic for the belt, and a March date was originally targeted for the rematch between the two heavyweights. However, the date has been pushed back once again after the promotion recently announced Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya are heading UFC 259 in March, and the UFC is now targeting April for Miocic vs. Ngannou. White confirmed as much in a recent Q&A with fans.