MMA News
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.
Daniel Cormier says he should've retired after beating Derrick Lewis and having back surgery: "It was over"
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2020
Daniel Cormier believes he should’ve ended his career after UFC 230. In the main event of the pay-per-view card, Cormier defended his heavyweight title for the first and only time as he submitted Derrick Lewis. However, after the event, “DC” was forced to have a back surgery but decided to fight two more times against Stipe Miocic and lost both.
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.
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.
Kevin Holland slams TJ Dillashaw for claiming ownership of bantamweight belt
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland was not impressed by a recent comment from former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw. Dillashaw ruled over the UFC bantamweight division for several years, but was stripped of that title in early 2019, after he tested positive for the injectable-only performance-enhancing drug Erythropoietin (EPO). The former champion’s indiscretion caused him to be suspended for two years by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, but that suspension will soon be over.
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.
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.
Photo | TJ Dillashaw is looking jacked one month away from UFC eligibility
Harry Kettle - December 21, 2020
TJ Dillashaw seems to be in the best shape of his career as he prepares to make his long-awaited return to the UFC next year. Dillashaw, who was suspended for two years by USADA after testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO) after his January 2019 loss to Henry Cejudo, has been receiving a number of call-outs as the former champion attempts to come back and reclaim the Bantamweight Championship that he technically never lost.
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.
Anthony Pettis credits cutting down on drinking as key to recent UFC success
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis says that cutting down on drinking has been a key to his recent success in the Octagon. Pettis defeated Alex Morono via unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 17 for his second straight win after beating Donald Cerrone at UFC 249. Considering that Pettis began his year with a submission loss to Diego Ferreira at UFC 246, ending the year with back-to-back wins over Cerrone and Morono showed that he still has the ability to win fights at the highest level of the sport. Following the win over Morono, Pettis is now a free agent and figures to test the free-agent market but says the UFC is his preferred destination.
Jose Aldo suggests four UFC legends matchups, including fight with Dominick Cruz
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Jose Aldo suggested four potential opponents for his next fight inside the Octagon, including Dominick Cruz. Aldo defeated Marlon Vera via unanimous decision in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC Vegas 17 event. It was a huge win for Aldo, who needed to get back in the victory column badly after losing his last three fights in a row. By beating Vera, Aldo proved that he belongs in the top-10 at 135lbs, and it puts him in line for a big fight his next time out. Aldo called out former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw in his post-fight interview after beating Vera, and now he has a few other names to add to the list.
TJ Dillashaw called out by Rob Font following KO win over Marlon Moraes
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw was called out by Rob Font following his vicious KO win over Marlon Moraes at UFC Vegas 17. Font was making his long-awaited return to the Octagon after a year away due to injuries, his first fight since defeating Ricky Simon at UFC Washington, D.C. last December. Against Moraes on Saturday night, Font showed why he is one of the best bantamweights in the world when healthy as he viciously knocked out the former title challenger in the first round. The win improves Font’s UFC record to 8-3 overall, and he is currently riding a three-fight win streak as he’s proven himself to be a top-10 fighter.
Former UFC fighter Cody Gibson shares story of Henry Cejudo inspiring high-school wrestler
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
Former UFC fighter Cody Gibson shared a motivational story of pound-for-pound great Henry Cejudo inspiring a high-school wrestler. Cejudo was one of the top MMA fighters on the planet when he abruptly retired in May following a vicious second-round TKO win over Dominick Cruz at UFC 249. Since then, Cejudo has stayed on the radar of fight fans as he continues to stay active on social media. Embracing the “King of Cringe” moniker, Cejudo is known for posting memes and taking shots at numerous UFC champions. Some believe his cringe gimmick is hilarious and works, while others believe that he needs to ditch the cringe persona.
Sijara Eubanks issues statement following loss to Pannie Kianzad at UFC Vegas 17
Adam Martin - December 20, 2020
UFC women’s bantamweight contender Sijara Eubanks issued a statement following her unanimous decision loss to Pannie Kianzad at UFC Vegas 17. Eubanks came into the bout ranked No. 13 in the world at 135lbs, but she suffered her second straight defeat with a unanimous decision defeat to Kianzad. It was a close, competitive fight throughout the 15 minutes, but Kianzad was sharper with her boxing and her effective striking was what ultimately won her the fight on points. The judges scored the fight unanimously in the favor of Kianzad, with all three judges giving her the fight 29-28. It was a very close fight that came down to who won the last round.
Anthony Pettis is moving back to lightweight, eyes a rematch with “tough dude” Tony Ferguson
Adam D Martin - December 20, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis says he is moving back to 155lbs and he is eyeing a rematch with “tough dude” Tony Ferguson. Pettis defeated Alex Morono via unanimous decision in the preliminary card headliner at UFC Vegas 17. Following a decision win over Donald Cerrone back at UFC 249, Pettis has now won two fights in a row and he just finished the last fight on his UFC deal. “Showtime” said following UFC Vegas 17 that he wants to test free agency and see what else is out there, mentioning his little brother Sergio Pettis left the UFC for Bellator. However, Pettis said that his top choice would be to re-sign with the UFC.