MMA News
Tyron Woodley shuts down rumors of UFC release
Tom Taylor - December 23, 2020
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has emphatically shut down rumors that he’s been released by the promotion. The rumors began on Wednesday morning, after Woodley allegedly posted on Snapchat about being released from the UFC.
Rafael dos Anjos trashes Conor McGregor for giving "Cowboy" props
Tom Taylor - December 23, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos did not appreciate a recent comment from MMA superstar Conor McGregor. Earlier this week, McGregor took to Twitter to congratulate the UFC on a successful year. In his Tweet, McGregor claimed that his January fight with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone was the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view of the year. He also gave Cerrone props for tapping Rafael dos Anjos at last Sunday’s Submission Underground 19 card.
Ben Askren says "bet the house" after opening as betting underdog to Jake Paul
Adam Martin - December 23, 2020
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren says to “bet the house” after opening up as the betting underdog to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Askren confirmed on Tuesday to BJPenn.com that he has accepted a boxing match with Paul that is scheduled to take place on March 28 in Los Angeles. Askren later took to his social media to release a video explaining why he accepted Paul’s callout, admitting he took the fight because he views it as easy money. Even though he’s a wrestler by trade and not a striker, Askren believes that he has the upper hand because he is a professional athlete who has competed at the highest levels of combat sports for nearly 20 years.
Scott Coker: "I already know who’s gonna win" Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul fight
Tom Taylor - December 23, 2020
Bellator MMA President Scott Coker believes he knows how a rumored boxing match between Ben Askren and Jake Paul will go down. Askren claims that he’s in talks to fight Paul in March. While he previously reigned as the Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight titleholder and is a decorated wrestler, he’s never been much of a striker, and is widely expected to be at a disadvantage in a boxing match against the YouTube star turned pro boxer, Paul.
Tyron Woodley is "working on getting his motivation back," says coach
Tom Taylor - December 23, 2020
Coach Duke Roufus says former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is currently attempting to rekindle his motivation to compete. Woodley is widely considered one of the greatest welterweights in MMA history, but he’s recently fallen on tough times. After defending the welterweight title against Darren Till in late 2018, he then lost the title to Kamaru Usman in 2019, before losing back-to-back decisions to Gilbert Burns and Colby Covington this year.
UFC Vegas 17 medical suspensions: Stephen Thompson potentially sidelined for 6 months
Harry Kettle - December 23, 2020
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson has received a potential six-month suspension in the wake of his win over Geoff Neal last weekend. Thompson was able to continue building momentum in the welterweight division with what turned out to be an incredibly comprehensive victory over rising star Geoff Neal. Now, the question turns to who he will fight next as his quest for a UFC title goes on.
Video | Maskless Tito Ortiz accused of making “out of line” comments during City Council meeting
Harry Kettle - December 23, 2020
Tito Ortiz has been accused of making out of line comments during a recent Huntington Beach City Council meeting. After becoming an elected official, the former UFC and Bellator star has caused quite a bit of controversy due to his views on public health and COVID-19 in general. As a result, clips from his appearances in City Council meetings have spread far and wide.
Paige VanZant describes bare-knuckle boxing as 'sport for only the toughest of the tough'
Drake Riggs - December 22, 2020
Paige VanZant is no longer an MMA fighter… for the time being. And that means it’s off to the ring to prove herself in bare-knuckle boxing. VanZant signed with the Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) after becoming a free agent in Summer 2020. During her time with the UFC, the 26-year old would go 5-4 and take on several notable names such as an eventual champion in Rose Namajunas.
Anthony Pettis announces he has parted ways with the UFC to explore free agency
Adam Martin - December 22, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has announced he has parted ways with the UFC in order to explore free agency. Pettis fought out the final bout of his UFC contract this past weekend when he won a unanimous decision over Alex Morono at UFC Vegas 17. Following the bout, Pettis said that he planned on exploring free agency, but also said that his top choice would be to re-sign with the UFC and get a rematch with Tony Ferguson. Well, it appears that rematch won’t be happening anytime soon as Pettis is now officially on the free-agent market.
Video | Ben Askren explains why he is fighting Jake Paul
Adam Martin - December 22, 2020
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren posted a video to his social media explaining why he is fighting YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. On Tuesday, BJPenn.com’s Cole Shelton reported that Askren was deep in talks for a boxing match with Paul that is set for March 28. A few hours later and Askren took to his social media to post a one-minute video confirming he has accepted the fight with Paul. Check out the video below that Askren posted to his Twitter explaining why he said yes.
Callum Bisping roasts Deron Winn following Twitter beef with his father Michael
Cole Shelton - December 22, 2020
Callum Bisping has roasted Deron Winn after the AKA fighter took a shot at his father, Michael Bisping. Although Winn beat Antonio Arroyo at UFC Vegas 17 many were critical of his performance. He was hit with some heavy shots but ultimately turned to his wrestling to win the final two rounds in the fight.
Marvin Vettori plans to "smash" Darren Till next year
Cole Shelton - December 22, 2020
Marvin Vettori is looking to fight Darren Till in 2021. Vettori picked up the biggest win of his career earlier this month as he beat Jack Hermansson by decision. The Italian stepped up on short notice to face Hermansson in his first UFC main event and had success. He dropped the Swede early and clearly won four rounds.
Report | Jake Paul to box Ben Askren in March of 2021
Cole Shelton - December 22, 2020
Jake Paul and Ben Askren are set to box in March of next year. In the lead-up to Paul’s fight against Nate Robinson, the YouTuber had called out Askren among several other UFC fighters. After Paul won, the callouts only increased and now, according to Chael Sonnen, the fight is happening.
Jake Paul declares that Conor McGregor is "still scared" of him
Adam Martin - December 22, 2020
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul declared on his social media that UFC superstar Conor McGregor is “still scared” of boxing him. After scoring a devastating KO over Nate Robinson on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr., Paul has stated that he is dedicating his life to fighting and beating McGregor. For the last few weeks, he has trolled McGregor on social media and recently released a video trashing the Irishman and taking a shot at his partner. Paul continues to say that he wants to fight McGregor and for the most part McGregor continues to ignore his callouts.
Mike Jackson, former CM Punk opponent, reportedly set for UFC return against Dean Barry
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
Mike Jackson, one of the two men to fight pro wrestling legend CM Punk, is reportedly set to return to the UFC’s Octagon. According to Mike Heck of MMA Fighting, Jackson has been tasked with welcoming Ireland’s Dean Barry to the Octagon. The fight will reportedly go down on January 20 on Fight Island.
Michael Chiesa, Neil Magny slated for January 20 fight, could "serve as backup" for Edwards vs. Chimaev
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
Ranked welterweight contenders Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny have reportedly agreed to fight on January 20 on Fight Island. While this is a big fight for the welterweight division in its own right, either of the two men could apparently get the call to step in should Leon Edwards or Khamzat Chimaev fail to make it to the cage for the card’s main event.
Shana Dobson reacts after officially pulling off biggest UFC upset of 2020
Adam Martin - December 22, 2020
UFC women’s flyweight Shana Dobson reacted after officially pulling off the biggest betting upset in the Octagon during 2020. Back in August, Dobson pulled off the upset in UFC history according to the odds when she defeated top prospect Mariya Agapova via second-round TKO at UFC Vegas 7. While upsets such as Matt Serra beating Georges St. Pierre or Holly Holm defeating Ronda Rousey might be bigger upsets due to their name value, the +1150 underdog odds on Dobson made her the biggest underdog winner ever in the UFC, and one of the biggest ever all-time in MMA.
Reug Reug to make ONE Championship debut against BJJ champ Marcus Almeida
Alfredo Zullino - December 22, 2020
Senegalese wrestler Oumar Kane, better known as Reug Reug, is set to clash with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida at a ONE Championship event on February 24, Brazilian journalist Raphael Marinho reported on Twitter. Reug Reug will be competing in his sophomore MMA bout, and his first since December 2019. The Senegalese sensation made his debut with French MMA pioneer Ares Fighting Championship, in his home country. He imposed his will on his French opponent Sofiane Boukichou and got the technical knockout in the second round.




