MMA News
Michael Chandler claims he's a "nightmare" matchup for Conor McGregor
Cole Shelton - January 4, 2021
Derrick Lewis vs. Curtis Blaydes rebooked to headline February event
Cole Shelton - January 4, 2021
Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes will still fight one another. Originally, Derrick Lewis and Blaydes were supposed to headline the November 28 card, but Blaydes tested positive for COVID-19. The hope was to have the fight rescheduled for January, but according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, the fight will headline the February 20 card.
Aleksandar Rakic hopes for light heavyweight title shot with win over Thiago Santos
Adam Martin - January 4, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakic is hoping to earn himself a title shot with a victory over veteran Thiago Santos at UFC 259. Rakic takes on Santos on the undercard of UFC 259: Blachowicz vs. Adesanya on March 23. Rakic, the No. 4 light heavyweight in the UFC, is 5-1 overall in the UFC and he’s coming off of a decision win over Anthony Smith in his last fight. The Austria native is closing in on the elite of the UFC light heavyweight division and a win over Santos, a former title challenger, would be massive.
Mike Perry gets stitched up after bloody incident
Tom Taylor - January 4, 2021
Controversial UFC welterweight star Mike Perry has gotten stitched up after a bizarre and bloody incident on Sunday night. The incident in question seemingly occured after Perry attempted to smash a sheet of glass with his foot. That decision left him laying in a pool of his own blood in a hallway—a concerning situation he shared with his fans via his Instagram story.
Rose Namajunas "is ready to fight," says manager
Tom Taylor - January 4, 2021
Rose Namajunas is ready to challenge Weili Zhang for the UFC strawweight title, according to the pair’s manager Brian Butler. UFC President Dana White recently claimed that Namajunas, the division’s former champion, isn’t interested in challenging Zhang in a bid to reclaim the title, and that Carla Esparza could get the opportunity in her stead.
Tito Ortiz, Josh Barnett campaign for fight with retiring Fedor Emelianenko
Tom Taylor - January 4, 2021
Tito Ortiz and Josh Barnett have both expressed interest in fighting Fedor Emelianenko in the Russian legend’s final mixed martial arts bout. Emelianenko, 44, is expected to retire after his next bout, which will occur under the Bellator MMA banner.
Anthony Pettis interested in boxing Jake Paul: "He's definitely an athlete"
Adam Martin - January 4, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis says he’s open to taking a boxing match and fighting YouTuber-turner-boxer Jake Paul. Pettis recently completed the final fight of his UFC contract and decided to sign with PFL, where he will get a chance to compete in the promotion’s season three lightweight tournament and win a $1 million grand prize. Now that Pettis is no longer with the UFC, he’s hoping to do things that he wasn’t able to earlier in his career. One of those things is stepping into the boxing ring.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk breaks down Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya
Adam Martin - January 4, 2021
Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk broke down the upcoming 205lbs matchup between Jan Blachowicz and Israel Adesanya. Jedrzejczyk and Blachowicz have been friends for years as they are two of the best fighters to ever come out of Poland. Ahead of Blachowicz’s upcoming title defense at UFC 259 for the UFC light heavyweight championship against Israel Adesanya, Jedrzejczyk spoke to South China Morning Post and broke down the matchup. While she acknowledges that she has a close friendship with Blachowicz, she also admits Adesanya is a unique challenge.
Jake Paul would "beat the sh*t out of" Conor McGregor, says Ali Abdelaziz
Tom Taylor - January 4, 2021
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz believes YouTube star Jake Paul would “beat the sh*t” out of Conor McGregor if they met in the boxing ring. Paul has been the talk of the combat sports world since he knocked out former NBA star Nate Robinson in a boxing match late last year. Since that win, he’s kept his name in the headlines by calling out a number of MMA stars, most notably, McGregor.
Angela Lee "shocked and disgusted" after her gym is vandalized
Tom Taylor - January 4, 2021
ONE atomweight champ Angela Lee is “shocked and disgusted” after her family gym, United BJJ Hawaii, was vandalized last week. Lee opened up on this unfortunate incident, which delayed the opening of the gym, in a recent Instagram post. She also shared video of the incident, which is now being investigated by local police.
Anthony Hernandez forced to withdraw from slated UFC Fight Night 184 bout against Rodolfo Vieira
Harry Kettle - January 4, 2021
UFC middleweight Anthony Hernandez has been forced to withdraw from his proposed fight against Rodolfo Vieira at UFC Fight Night 184. Hernandez last fought inside the Octagon back in May 2020 when he was beaten by Kevin Holland, kickstarting the latter’s phenomenal rise to prominence last year. On the flip side, Vieira holds an unbeaten record of 7-0 in his professional career with two of those wins coming in the UFC via submission over Saparbek Safarov and Oskar Piechota.
Dan Henderson serves up a nasty low kick for his daughter’s boyfriend on New Year's Eve
Harry Kettle - January 4, 2021
MMA legend Dan Henderson gave his daughter’s boyfriend a gift he won’t forget on New Year’s Eve – a swift low kick to the knee. Henderson hasn’t been seen inside the Octagon since back at UFC 204 when he failed to beat rival Michael Bisping for the UFC Middleweight Championship in October 2016.
Video | Mike Perry "acts out", spills his own blood
Christopher Taylor - January 3, 2021
A disturbing video of Mike Perry surfaced on social media this evening showcasing the UFC welterweight spilling his own blood. ‘Platinum’ had made headlines earlier today when he warned fight fans against approaching him in 2021.
Henry Cejudo tells Ryan Garcia to "shine my shoes"
Adam Martin - January 3, 2021
Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo took a shot at boxer Ryan Garcia, telling the vacant WBC interim lightweight champion to “shine my shoes.” Garcia scored a brutal seventh-round TKO victory over Campbell on Saturday during a highly-anticipated battle between the two lightweights. Campbell was able to score a knockdown in the second round of the fight but Garcia was able to survive it and hold on. In the seventh round, Garcia landed a nasty liver punch that left Campbell unable to continue, declaring him the winner. With Garcia fresh in the news, Cejudo decided to take a shot at the boxing champ.
Michael Chandler vs. Dan Hooker official for UFC 257
Adam Martin - January 3, 2021
A highly-intriguing lightweight bout between Michael Chandler and Dan Hooker is now official for UFC 257 later this month. Chandler vs. Hooker is set to take place on the UFC 257 undercard, behind the main event between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. This bout between Chandler and Hooker was verbally agreed to previously and is now official, according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, who notes several last-minute hurdles were cleared. UFC 257 takes place on January 23 on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
Deiveson Figueiredo wants the UFC to introduce a new BMF title so he can throw down with Henry Cejudo
Adam Martin - January 3, 2021
UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo wants the UFC to introduce a new BMF title so he can throw down with Henry Cejudo. Figueiredo spoke to MMAFighting.com in a recent interview and said that he believes he deserves a raise from the UFC, including the introduction of pay-per-view bonuses in his contract. After a brilliant 2020 campaign that saw Figueiredo win three fights and draw with Brandon Moreno in a “Fight of the Year” candidate, he’s looking to make a lot more money in 2021 and have bigger fights. One of those bouts could be against the former champ Cejudo.
Mike Perry warns fight fans against approaching him in 2021: "Please leave me alone unless you want to give me money"
Christopher Taylor - January 3, 2021
UFC welterweight Mike Perry (14-7 MMA) has warned fight fans against approaching in him in 2021, this unless you want to give him money. ‘Platinum’ has gone just 1-3 over his past four Octagon appearances, his latest effort resulting in a unanimous decision loss to Tim Means at UFC 255.
Daniel Cormier praises Islam Makhachev: "As talented as anyone in the world"
Adam Martin - January 3, 2021
MMA analyst Daniel Cormier praised Islam Makhachev, suggesting the AKA product is one of the most talented fighters in the world. Cormier and Makhachev are teammates at American Kickboxing Academy, alongside UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. With the champion contemplating retirement, fans and media have wondered who could make a run up the division if Nurmagomedov does indeed hang up his gloves. One of those fighters could be Makhachev, the No. 13 ranked UFC lightweight. The Russian is 7-1 overall in the UFC and is in his prime at 29 years old.
Johnny Walker returns to the Octagon in March against Jimmy Crute
Adam Martin - January 3, 2021
A battle of top-15 light heavyweights is lined up for March as Johnny Walker returns to the Octagon against Jimmy Crute. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was the first to report that Walker vs. Crute is set for March 27 at the newly-announed UFC Fight Night 190 card. So far there are few details known about this card, but it seems likely to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas or on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi as all the events are held these days. Walker vs. Crute is the first bout revealed for this March 27 event.