MMA News

Tom Taylor - January 8, 2021

Charles Oliveira deserves a crack at the UFC lightweight title, rather than a fight with Justin Gaethje, according to his manager Diego Lima. Oliveira is currently on an impressive, eight-fight win-streak, highlighted by triumphs over the likes of Kevin Lee and Tony Ferguson. In the wake of his win over Ferguson, UFC President Dana White suggested he’s likely to be matched up with Justin Gaethje, who will be looking to rebound from a submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Tom Taylor - January 8, 2021

Tito Ortiz was recently involved in a heated direct message exchange with a fight fan and fellow resident of Huntington Beach, California. Ortiz, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, was recently elected onto Huntington Beach City Council, and is now serving as the city’s Mayor Pro Tem. Unfortunately, his transition into politics has been anything but seamless, as he’s found himself in hot water for peddling conspiracy theories, refusing to wear a mask in public places, and for engaging in a heated confrontation with a constituent at a holiday food drive.

Harry Kettle - January 8, 2021

BKFC will look to make a real statement on Super Bowl weekend when they host “Knucklemania,” featuring Paige VanZant and Chris Leben. Leben had already teased the idea of fighting next month, but when it comes to VanZant, there has been a great deal of speculation over when and where she would make her official debut for BKFC.

Harry Kettle - January 8, 2021

Former UFC champion Eddie Alvarez has reacted to the news that UFC bantamweight Irwin Rivera has been charged with attempted murder. News broke yesterday that Rivera, who fought three times for the Ultimate Fighting Championship last year, had been arrested on attempted murder charges in Florida after allegedly attempting to kill his sisters due to a “higher power” telling him to do so.

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.

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - January 7, 2021

The police report regarding the arrest of UFC bantamweight, Irwin Rivera has been released. Earlier on Thursday, it was reported Rivera stabbed his sisters and was charged on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. However, according to the police report, he was charged with attempted murder.

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.

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.

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

Cole Shelton - January 7, 2021

Petr Yan will still look to defend his bantamweight title for the first time against Aljamain Sterling. According to MMAJunkie, Yan and Sterling will meet on March 6 at UFC 259 at a location TBD. The bout is also the third title fight on the card.

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.

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.

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.

Tom Taylor - January 7, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier looks to be in phenomenal shape ahead of his upcoming rematch with Conor McGregor. Poirier and McGregor will collide in the main event of UFC 257 on January 23. The bout, which is rife with lightweight title implications, will be a rematch of a 2014 featherweight fight, which McGregor won by knockout.

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.

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.