MMA News
UFC confirms return to Fight Island with stacked "triple header week"
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
Video | UFC reveals 2020 Knockout of the Year nominees
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
With 2020 winding down, the UFC has released a video of the year’s best knockouts, and the promotion is asking fans to pick their favorites. See the video below.
Jose Aldo opens up on the new chest tattoo he showcased at UFC Vegas 17
Harry Kettle - December 22, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Jose Aldo has opened up on the temporary chest tattoo he showed off at UFC Vegas 17. Aldo was able to snap a three-fight losing streak last weekend as he picked up a comprehensive unanimous decision win over Marlon Vera. Many fans spotted a new tattoo on Aldo’s chest that turned out to be temporary, with the Brazilian using it to pay tribute to a special forces unit in the Brazilian Navy who he had trained with in the post.
Michael Bisping believes Tony Ferguson needs to “accept that he’s on the decline” following UFC 256
Harry Kettle - December 22, 2020
UFC veteran Michael Bisping believes that Tony Ferguson needs to accept he is beginning a decline after two consecutive defeats. Many fans had been left to wonder what kind of impact there would be on Ferguson after his heavy loss to Justin Gaethje earlier on in the year. Now, after he was also beaten Charles Oliveira, the speculation continues to grow.
Deiveson Figueiredo believes Brandon Moreno draw at UFC 256 should have been clear victory
Drake Riggs - December 21, 2020
At UFC 256, Deiveson Figueiredo once again walked away with his flyweight title around his waist… but he didn’t pick up the victory against Brandon Moreno. Brazil’s “Deus de Garra” made history with the quickest turnaround in UFC history for a champion. Headlining UFC 255 in November defending his title for the first time, Figueiredo defeated Alex Perez via first-round guillotine. Three weeks later, he attempted to do so once again.
Video | Nate Diaz releases new training footage with Nick Diaz from 2020 quarantine
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
Ahead of his return to the UFC Octagon in 2021, Nate Diaz released new training footage with his brother Nick Diaz from the 2020 quarantine. Neither Diaz brother fought at all in 2020, but they haven’t been wasting their time. In a video posted to the official Nate Diaz YouTube channel, the welterweight superstar shared a video of him training with his brother Nick during the 2020 quarantine. Both men look to be in fantastic shape during the video as they each gear up for a big comeback in 2021.
UFC targeting Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2 for March, winner expected to fight Jon Jones this summer
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2020
Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou will be running it back. Ever since Miocic defeated Daniel Cormier at UFC 242 in the trilogy, talk of the rematch between Miocic and Ngannou intensified. Now, according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, the UFC is planning on having two pay-per-views in March with one being headlined by Miocic vs. Ngannou and the other being Israel Adesanya vs. Jan Blachowicz.
Rose Namajunas responds to Dana White’s claim that she does not want a title shot
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight contender Rose Namajunas has responded to UFC president Dana White’s claims that she does not want a title shot. Namajunas defeated Jessica Andrade on Fight Island in a “Fight of the Night” performance that earned her the next title shot against UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang. That fight was initially expected to take place in early 2021. However, UFC president Dana White recently said that Namajunas doesn’t want the fight with Zhang and the UFC is now considering giving the next title shot at 115lbs to Carla Esparza instead.
What's next for Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal after UFC Vegas 17?
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 17, Stephen Thompson took on rising contender Geoff Neal. Thompson was looking to cement his case as a top-five welterweight while Neal was set for the biggest fight of his career. Ultimately, it was “Wonderboy” who won every single round to get a clear-cut decision and prove to everyone he is still a contender at 170lbs.
Jake Paul slams "coward" Dillon Danis for being scared to fight him and turning down a "life-changing offer"
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2020
Jake Paul doesn’t believe that Dillon Danis actually wants to fight him. Paul and Danis have been taken shots at one another as of late and many fans hoped we would seem the box one another. Bellator president, Scott Coker also said he would allow Danis to box the 23-year-old YouTuber, but according to Paul, the fight offer was never returned.
Conor McGregor reveals UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy is highest-selling PPV of 2020
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
UFC superstar Conor McGregor revealed that UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy has been confirmed as the highest-selling UFC pay-per-view of 2020. Initially, it appeared that UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal was the highest-selling PPV at 1.3 million buys. However, McGregor posted a photo on his social media on Monday showing a letter from the UFC indicating that UFC 246 sold 1,353,429 PPVs, which means it would edge out the 1.3 million number that UFC 251 did. McGregor, ever the salesman, took to his Twitter to share the news that he and Cerrone are the highest-selling PPV of the year.
Marcin Tybura issues statement after stopping Greg Hardy
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Marcin Tybura has issued a statement after his victory over Greg Hardy at UFC Vegas 17 last weekend. Tybura met Hardy on the event’s main card. The Polish heavyweight ended up scoring a decisive win in the over the former NFL player, strafing his exhausted foe from top position to set up a second-round TKO.
Mackenzie Dern gets quick turnaround, slated for fight with returning Nina Ansaroff
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
Rising UFC strawweight star Mackenzie Dern is expected to return the Octagon against established contender Nina Ansaroff on April 10. News of this bout was first reported by Brett Okamoto of ESPN, the official broadcast partner of the UFC.
Jose Aldo calls TJ Dillashaw's past drug test failures "just a mistake," still considers him a champion
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
UFC legend Jose Aldo called TJ Dillashaw’s past drug test failures “a mistake” and says he still considers him a champion in MMA. Dillashaw has not fought since January 2019 when he suffered a TKO loss to Henry Cejudo at UFC on ESPN+ 1. Following that fight, Dillashaw tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and he has missed the last two years of action. Next month, Dillashaw will finally be able to return to the Octagon after serving his two-year USADA suspension, and already several UFC fighters have called him out for his return.
Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson gets new date, now scheduled for March 6
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
A women’s featherweight title fight between champion Amanda Nunes and challenger Megan Anderson will now go down on March 6. Nunes and Anderson were originally slated to collide at UFC 256, which occured on December 12. Unfortunately, Nunes was forced out of that initially slated matchup with an injury, and the bout was put on ice.
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Li Jingliang added to UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
An intriguing welterweight bout between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Li Jingliang has been added to UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar. MMAFighting.com was the first to confirm that Ponzinibbio vs. Jingliang will take place on the UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar card, which is set to take place on January 16 on Fight Island. It seems likely that Ponzinibbio vs. Jingliang will be placed on the main card considering it features two former top-15 welterweights who are exciting.
Jake Paul claims $50M fight offer is being discussed with Conor McGregor's team: "We've got proof of funds"
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
YouTuber turned boxing star Jake Paul claims that his team is in discussions with Conor McGregor’s over a $50M fight offer. Paul has been the talk of the combat sports world after he picked up a brutal knockout victory over former NBA star Nate Robinson on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard last month.
SUG 19 Results: Bader defeats Rumble, Cerrone submits RDA
Harry Kettle - December 21, 2020
Ryan Bader and Donald Cerrone picked up big wins in what proved to be an entertaining night of action at Submission Underground 19. Chael Sonnen’s SUG promotion has been able to draw in some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts over the years, and that trend continued last night as several current and former UFC & Bellator stars hit the ground for some fun grappling exchanges.
Takanori Gomi returns at RIZIN 26 for 'special standing bout' with Kouzi
Drake Riggs - December 21, 2020
As per usual, RIZIN is closing out the year with a bang. For 2020, it’s RIZIN 26, and to fully complete the lineup, “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi is back. The promotion held a press conference on Monday to announce the finishing touches on the card. Which included the lightweight legend being booked for a “special standing bout” exhibition with Koji “Kouzi” Tanaka.