MMA News
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.
Scott Coker sees an Anthony Pettis vs. Michael 'Venom' Page fight as 'a lot of fun'
Drake Riggs - December 22, 2020
Going into UFC Vegas 17 this past Saturday, former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis knew that he was heading into free agency. As of Tuesday, “Showtime” took to social media to declare that he will, in fact, be departing from the promotion that he’s spent the last 10 years of his career in. Prepared to test the waters of free agency, many in the MMA community have already begun speculating where he could be headed and who some new matchups could be.
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.
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.
Michael Chandler vs. Dan Hooker verbally agreed to for UFC 257
Adam Martin - December 22, 2020
An exciting lightweight bout between Michael Chandler and Dan Hooker is the latest addition to January’s UFC 257 pay-per-view. Stuff.co.nz confirmed on Tuesday that Chandler vs. Hooker has been verbally agreed to for UFC 257 by both parties and both men have begun their training camps already, according to reporter Jackson Thomas. The UFC is expected to make this fight official in the next couple of days, according to the report. Chandler vs. Hooker will likely be the co-main event behind the UFC 257 between lightweight contender Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. Hooker previously called Chandler out, and now he will get his wish of fighting him.
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.
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.
Angela Hill makes gingerbread house inspired by Conor McGregor's bus attack
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
UFC strawweight contender Angela Hill got creative with her gingerbread house this year, drawing inspiration from one of the most infamous moments in recent UFC history. In reality, Hill’s gingerbread house is actually more of a gingerbread bus, accompanied by gingerbread versions of Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dana White and Artem Lobov.
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.
Aleksandar Rakic vs. Thiago Santos UFC 259 opening betting odds released
Adam Martin - December 22, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for the upcoming light heavyweight bout between Aleksandar Rakic and Thiago Santos at UFC 259. In a battle between two of the top-five light heavyweights in the UFC, Rakic meets Santos in a three-round fight on the undercard of UFC 259 on March 6 in Las Vegas. We do not yet have an official main event for this card, but whispers are that Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngnannou may headline the event. The promotion also recently added UFC women’s featherweight champion Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson as the co-main event.
Daniel Cormier weighs in on what it will take for Khabib Nurmagomedov to fight again: "I don't think it's going to be money"
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
Daniel Cormier has shared his thoughts on what will need to happen for Khabib Nurmagomedov to fight again. Nurmagomedov last fought at UFC 254 in October, when he defended the UFC lightweight title with a second-round submission of Justin Gaethje, improving his record to 29-0 in the process. In his post-fight interview with Jon Anik, Nurmagomedov shocked viewers by announcing his retirement from MMA.
UFC confirms return to Fight Island with stacked "triple header week"
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that his promotion will return to Fight Island—Yas Island in Abu Dhabi—in January of the New Year. While this is not exactly new information, the UFC had not made the plan official until Tuesday, when White shared a promotional poster for the first three events back on Fight Island, which will all go down in the same week.
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.
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.