MMA News
Aljamain Sterling responds to TJ Dillashaw’s claim that everyone is calling him out “cause they all know that’s my belt”
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC bantamweight Aljamain Sterling responded to TJ Dillashaw’s claim that everyone is calling him out “cause they all know that’s my belt.” Dillashaw, the former UFC bantamweight champion, has not fought since January 2019 after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs and being suspended for two years. With Dillashaw’s suspension up next month, he has become a popular target for other top fighters at 135lbs to call out. One of those fighters was former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, who called Dillashaw out following his decision win over Marlon Vera at UFC Vegas 17, a callout that Dillashaw responded to on his Twitter.
Stephen Thompson says he will consider Khamzat Chimaev "the real deal" only if he beats Leon Edwards
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson says he will consider top prospect Khamzat Chimaev “the real deal” only if he beats Leon Edwards. Thompson was one of the top-ranked welterweights who were called out by Chimaev after he beat Gerald Meerschaert in September, but Thompson turned down the fight citing him being far above Chimaev in the rankings. The UFC was eventually able to book Chimaev against Leon Edwards, and the two will meet on Fight Island on January 20 after their original booking for UFC Vegas 17 fell through due to COVID-19. Thompson, meanwhile, went on to fight No. 11 ranked Geoff Neal and won a decision.
Jose Aldo releases statement following win over Marlon Vera at UFC Vegas 17
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo released a statement following his unanimous decision win over Marlon Vera at UFC Vegas 17. Coming into the Aldo fight off of three straight losses, Aldo’s back was up against the proverbial wall in this fight. After getting stopped in vicious fashion by Petr Yan in their bantamweight title fight at UFC 251, it didn’t look like Aldo had much left in the tank after moving down to bantamweight at this latter stage of his career. On Saturday night, Aldo dispelled the myth that he is nearing the end of the road as he was able to earn a unanimous decision against Vera, one of the 135lbs division’s hottest fighters.
UFC Vegas 17 bonus report: Marcin Tybura wins 50k for finishing Greg Hardy
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
The bonus report for UFC Vegas 17 is out, and heavyweight Marcin Tybura took home $50,000 after finishing Greg Hardy via second-round TKO. Tybura was one of four fighters who received 50k bonus checks just in time for Christmas after their spectacular performances at UFC Vegas 17. For Tybura, he picked up a TKO win over Hardy in the second round after taking quite a bit of punishment in the first round. Considering it was the first time that Hardy has ever been stopped with strikes in his MMA career, this was a huge win for Tybura that earned him 50k extra. Following UFC Vegas 17, the promotion announced the bonus recipients of the 50gs.
Henry Cejudo releases new rap video "Cringe Ass Henry"
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion Henry Cejudo released a new rap video ahead of the Fighters Only awards, “Cringe Ass Henry.” Cejudo, who retired from mixed martial arts in the prime of his career following a second-round TKO win over Dominick Cruz back at UFC 249, has stayed in the limelight of the public since his retirement. Despite not being an active fighter inside the Octagon any longer, it hasn’t stopped Cejudo from keeping active on social media. Seemingly every week Cejudo posts a meme or calls out a current UFC champion as he has truly embraced the “King of Cringe” moniker ever since he officially stepped away from MMA.
Anthony Pettis discusses what’s next after fighting out his contract at UFC Vegas 17
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC welterweight Anthony Pettis discussed what’s next for him after fighting out the final fight of his contract at UFC Vegas 17. Pettis defeated Alex Morono by unanimous decision on the preliminary card of the final UFC event of 2020. For Pettis, it was a great way to close the year after previously defeating Donald Cerrone at UFC 249 and falling to Diego Ferreira at UFC 246. After losing to Ferreira, it looked like Pettis was really on the decline in his MMA career, but the wins over Cerrone and Morono show he still has plenty left in the tank. But where his next fight takes place is not yet known as Pettis is now a free agent fighter.
Jorge Masvidal releases cryptic message following rematch challenge from Stephen Thompson
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal released a cryptic message following his recent rematch challenge from Stephen Thompson. Masvidal and Thompson first met at UFC 217: Bisping vs. St. Pierre in November 2017, with Thompson winning a unanimous decision that night. Since then, Masvidal has exploded into superstardom. After taking a full year off following the loss to Thompson, “Gamebred” returned as a different beast, finishing Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz during what was an incredible 2019 for him. A unanimous decision loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 hurt him, but Masvidal is still one of the best 170lbers in the UFC.
Michael Bisping defends comments from UFC Vegas 17 after being accused of throwing shade at Belal Muhammad, Mike Perry and Niko Price
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
Michael Bisping defended his comments from UFC Vegas 17 after being accused of throwing shade at Belal Muhammad, Mike Perry, and Niko Price. Bisping, the former UFC middleweight champion, is one of the UFC’s color commentators and he worked the desk on Saturday night alongside former UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and Brendan Fitzgerald. On Saturday night during the main event between Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal, Bisping made a comment about the fighters who Neal beat on his win streak including Muhammad, Perry, and Price, insinuating that they aren’t on the same level that Thompson is.
Stephen Thompson wants to do a ‘NMF’ vs. ‘BMF’ rematch with Jorge Masvidal next
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson says he wants to do a ‘NMF’ vs ‘BMF’ rematch with former opponent Jorge Masvidal in 2021. Thompson and Masvidal first met back at UFC 217: Bisping vs. St. Pierre in November 2017, with Thompson winning a unanimous decision that night. Since then, Thompson has remained a top-10 welterweight, while Masvidal has exploded into superstardom. After losing to Thompson, Masvidal reeled off three straight wins over Darren Till, Ben Askren, and Nate Diaz by stoppage before finally losing to Kamaru Usman. As for Thompson, he beat Vicente Luque at UFC 244 on the undercard of Masvidal vs. Diaz.
Jake Paul responds to Michael Bisping: "My team is working on a melatonin brand deal for you and Nate"
Christopher Taylor - December 20, 2020
Youtuber turned professional boxer Jake Paul has responded to some recent comments from former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping. Earlier this week, ‘The Count’ revealed on his ‘Believe You Me’ podcast that his management had been contacted by Jake Paul’s team about a potential boxing match.
Sean O'Malley says "Chito sucks", declares himself undefeated following UFC Vegas 17
Christopher Taylor - December 19, 2020
Sean O’Malley was clearly not impressed with his former opponent Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera’s performance against Jose Aldo this evening. Vera (16-7-1 MMA) squared off with the former featherweight kingpin, Aldo (29-7 MMA), in the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event.
Jose Aldo explains why he called out TJ Dillashaw following win at UFC Vegas 17
Christopher Taylor - December 19, 2020
Jose Aldo called out former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw following his victory over Marlon Vera at tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event. The former UFC featherweight kingpin, Aldo (29-7 MMA), entered Saturday’s co-headliner in hopes of picking up his first promotional win at bantamweight. ‘The King of Rio’ had competed at 135-pounds in both of his previous Octagon appearances, but suffered losses to Marlon Moraes and Petr Yan respectively.
Geoff Neal releases statement following loss to Stephen Thompson at UFC Vegas 17
Christopher Taylor - December 19, 2020
Geoff Neal has released a statement after having his seven-fight win streak snapped by Stephen Thompson at tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event. Neal (13-3 MMA) was returning to the Octagon for the first time in over a year for tonight’s scrap with ‘Wonderboy’. The Texas native had most previously competed at UFC 245 in December of 2019, where he scored a first round TKO victory over Mike Perry.
Greg Hardy issues statement following TKO loss to Marcin Tybura at UFC Vegas 17
Christopher Taylor - December 19, 2020
Former NFL star Greg Hardy was looking to extend his win streak to three in a row when he squared off with Marcin Tybura at UFC Vegas 17. Hardy (7-3 MMA) had entered Saturday’s bout fresh off a second round TKO victory over Maurice Greene on Halloween evening. Prior to that, ‘The Prince of War’ had picked up a unanimous decision victory over Yorgan de Castro back in May.
Marlon Vera issues statement following loss to Jose Aldo at UFC Vegas 17
Chris Taylor - December 19, 2020
Marlon Vera was hoping to pick-up his seventh win in his past eight fights when he squared off with Jose Aldo at tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event. Vera (16-7-1 MMA) had entered Saturday’s bout riding a wave of momentum after handing Sean O’Malley the first loss of his career in his most previous effort at UFC 252.
TJ Dillashaw responds to challenge from Jose Aldo
Chris Taylor - December 19, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has responded after receiving a challenge from Jose Aldo this evening. Aldo (29-7 MMA) returned to the Octagon this evening for a bantamweight bout with Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera’. After two rounds of back and forth action, the former UFC featherweight champion in Jose Aldo was able to turn in a dominant final five minutes to emerge victorious.
UFC Vegas 17 Results: Stephen Thompson defeats Geoff Neal (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - December 19, 2020
A key welterweight bout between perennial division contenders Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal headlines tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event. Thompson (15-4-1 MMA) is set to return for the first time since UFC 244 in November of 2019, where he earned a unanimous decision victory over Vicente Luque. Prior that win, ‘Wonderboy’ was coming off the first knockout loss of his career thanks to a superman punch from Anthony Pettis.
Pros react to Jose Aldo defeating Marlon Vera at UFC Vegas 17
Chris Taylor - December 19, 2020
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 17 event was co-headlined by a bantamweight bout featuring former featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo taking on Marlon Vera. Aldo (28-7 MMA) had entered tonight’s co-main event in hopes of snapping a three-fight losing skid. In his most previous effort at UFC 251, the former featherweight title holder had suffered a fifth round TKO loss to Petr Yan in a bout for the promotions vacant bantamweight title.