MMA News
Max Holloway on the road back to gold: "If I’ve got to go out and get another 10-win streak, that’s what I’ve got to do.”
Chris Taylor - January 9, 2021
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway will return to the Octagon on January 16 opposite surging division contender Calvin Kattar. The Hawaiian will enter the bout in hopes of avoiding the first three-fight losing skid of his career. In his most recent effort at UFC 251, Holloway (21-6 MMA) suffered his second consecutive unanimous decision loss to reigning featherweight champ Alex Volkanovski.
PHOTO | Conor McGregor is ready for UFC 257: "Born for it!"
Chris Taylor - January 9, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor is supremely confident that he will once again put on a “masterpiece” against Dustin Poirier. McGregor and Poirier are set to collide for a second time in the main event of UFC 257, which takes place January 24 on Fight Island.
Jorge Masvidal threatens to leave Twitter after "all the cool kids have been kicked off"
Chris Taylor - January 9, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal has voiced his frustration after United States President Donald Trump was banned from Twitter. The popular social media platform banned the POTUS from its platform on Friday, citing the risk that future posts from Trump could spawn more chaos in the Capitol.
Irwin Rivera's family claim "something evil took over him a few days ago"
Cole Shelton - January 8, 2021
Irwin Rivera’s sisters have issued a statement after the UFC bantamweight allegedly stabbed them multiple times on Thursday. Rivera was charged with attempted murder on Thursday, however, his family is supporting him. His sisters issued a statement while his mother, Susana Campo, spoke to Mexican newspaper Milenio that Rivera is not in the best mental state.
Paige VanZant reacts to BKFC debut announcement: "There will be blood"
Tom Taylor - January 8, 2021
Paige VanZant is officially slated for BKFC debut. The former UFC star will compete in her first gloveless scrap on February 5, taking on Britain Hart. VanZant shared her first reaction to this booking on her official Instagram account not long after the news surfaced.
UFC 259 fight card: Three title fights top the bill
Tom Taylor - January 8, 2021
The official UFC 259 fight card is coming together, and all signs point to an unforgettable night for mixed martial arts fans. UFC 259 will be headlined by a light heavyweight title fight, as the division’s new champion Jan Blachowicz looks to defend his strap against the promotion’s middleweight king, Israel Adesanya, who will look to become one of just a few two-division champs in UFC history.
Conor McGregor featherweight return is "achievable," says nutritionist
Tom Taylor - January 8, 2021
Conor McGregor could conceivably return to the featherweight division, according to his nutritionist Tristin Kennedy. McGregor is currently gearing up for a 155-pound lightweight contest with Dustin Poirier, which will headline the UFC 257 card on January 23. He’s also recently competed in the 170-pound welterweight division. Yet the Irishman’s UFC career began in the 145-pound featherweight division, where he ultimately captured the title with a blistering, first-round knockout of Jose Aldo.
Petr Yan re-opens as betting favorite over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259
Adam Martin - January 8, 2021
UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan re-opened as the betting favorite over Aljamain Sterling for their upcoming title bout at UFC 259. Yan and Sterling were previously slated to fight at UFC 256 in December, but the fight had to be rescheduled for March 6 at UFC 259. The betting odds for the contest previously opened with Yan as a -185 betting favorite and Sterling as a +160 betting underdog. Now that the betting odds have been released, Yan is still favored to win the bout, only not as much this time around. Check out the opening odds for UFC 259’s Yan vs. Sterling (via BestFightOdds).
Conor McGregor in "the best shape he's ever been in," says nutritionist
Tom Taylor - January 8, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor is in the best shape of his professional career, according to his nutritionist Tristin Kennedy. McGregor is slated to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 257 on January 23, when he’ll take on fellow lightweight contender.
Charles Oliveira needs title shot, "not Justin Gaethje," says manager
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.
Fight fan releases heated DM exchange with Tito Ortiz
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.
BKFC to hold "Knucklemania" event on Super Bowl weekend including Paige VanZant and Chris Leben
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.
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.