MMA News
Anthony Johnson explains his exit from the UFC and why he signed with Bellator
Cole Shelton - December 16, 2020
Anthony Johnson has explained why he parted ways with the UFC and signed with Bellator. For over a year, “Rumble” has talked about returning to the sport and many figured it would be with the UFC. But, as he was about to return in 2021, it was revealed he and the UFC mutually agreed to part ways and he says that is all it is. He also makes it clear he has no ill-will towards the Las Vegas-based promotion.
Marlon Vera expects to KO Jose Aldo and "let the division know I’m going to be a world champion"
Cole Shelton - December 16, 2020
Marlon Vera is expecting to get into a slugfest on Saturday night. In the co-main event of UFC Vegas 17, Vera is set to battle Jose Aldo in a fight that was supposed to happen at both UFC 255 and 256. However, due to visa issues, the fight was delayed but for “Chito” he is just glad the fight got made.
Dan Hooker blasts "p***y" Charles Oliveira, explains why Brazilian isn't a top contender
Cole Shelton - December 16, 2020
Dan Hooker still doesn’t believe Charles Oliveira is a legit contender at lightweight. At UFC 256, Oliveira picked up the biggest win of his career as he dominated Tony Ferguson to win a decision. Following the win, many claimed the Brazilian should be one-half of a vacant title fight if Khabib Nurmagomedov is truly done. However, Hooker still doesn’t view Oliveira that highly.
Israel Adesanya will get light heavyweight title shot before Glover Teixeira, confirms Dana White
Adam Martin - December 16, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed that Israel Adesanya will get the next light heavyweight title shot before Glover Teixeira does. Adesanya knocked out Paulo Costa in the main event of UFC 253 in September to defend the UFC middleweight title, and in the co-main event of that card, Jan Blachowicz knocked out Dominick Reyes to win the vacant UFC light heavyweight title. Following UFC 253, White surprised a lot of fans and media when he said the promotion liked the idea of seeing Adesanya move up to 205lbs to take on Blachowicz in a bid to become a double champion.
Team Rose Namajunas refutes Dana White’s claim that she does not want a title shot vs. Weili Zhang
Adam Martin - December 16, 2020
Team Rose Namajunas has refuted UFC president Dana White’s claims that she does not want a title shot against strawweight champ Weili Zhang. After beating Jessica Andrade by split decision at UFC 251 in a “Fight of the Night” performance on Fight Island this past summer, White said that Namajunas was next in line to fight Zhang. Very recently we heard that the UFC was close to figuring out a date for this bout, but it appears that it might not happen now. On Wednesday, White made comments to BT suggesting that Namajunas isn’t interested in a title shot against Zhang and that the promotion is considering giving the next title shot to former champ Carla Esparza instead.
Diego Sanchez targeting "OG fight" after recent battles with "real killers"
Tom Taylor - December 16, 2020
UFC legend Diego Sanchez is planning on retiring after his next fight, and he has a few opponents in mind for that final walk to the Octagon. After taking on rising prospects like Michel Pereira and Jake Matthews, Sanchez, who won the very first season of The Ultimate Fighter, is hoping to close out his career by battling somebody of his vintage, like one of the Diaz brothers or Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
Yoel Romero explains what led to "completely unexpected" UFC release
Tom Taylor - December 16, 2020
Former UFC middleweight contender Yoel Romero has opened up on the events that led to his release from the promotion, calling the ordeal “completely unexpected.” Romero was a member of the UFC roster from 2013 until just a few weeks ago. For the majority of his time with the promotion, he stood at out as one of the top middleweights in the world.
Curtis Blaydes reveals Derrick Lewis bout is likely to be rescheduled for February 20
Adam Martin - December 16, 2020
UFC heavyweight Curtis Blaydes has revealed the targeted date for the rebooked UFC heavyweight fight against rival Derrick Lewis. Blaydes and Lewis were set to headline the UFC Vegas 15 card on November 28, but the fight fell apart at the last minute after Blaydes tested positive for COVID-19. The original plan from the UFC was to rebook the match after Blaydes did his two-week quarantine and recovered, but the UFC was not able to make it happen before the end of 2020. Instead, the promotion is now targeting the fight to take place in early 2021. The problem is, the UFC still wants it as a main event fight and there are not many dates available right now.
Video | Relive the Anthony Pettis "Showtime Kick" on the 10-year anniversary of final WEC show
Adam Martin - December 16, 2020
Today, December 16, 2020, marks the 10-year anniversary of the final WEC event, WEC 53, the night of the “Showtime Kick” from Anthony Pettis. The main event of WEC 53 saw lightweight champion Benson Henderson put his title on the line against Pettis in a matchup between two young, up-and-coming fighters. The WEC was being folded into the UFC after this event, so the winner of this fight would be the final WEC champion and enter the UFC with the belt. With so much on the line, the two fighters put on an absolutely incredible war that went the distance. It was a fitting end to the WEC, as one of the greatest MMA promotions to ever be created concluded with a classic fight.
Mark Hunt loses boxing match with Paul Gallen, issues statement
Tom Taylor - December 16, 2020
Heavyweight combat sports legend Mark Hunt returned to the ring this week, but the fight didn’t go the way he planned. Hunt, who spent the most recent chapter of his career competing in the UFC heavyweight division, parted ways with the promotion in 2018 amid a heated legal dispute. After a period of inactivity, the 46-year-old legend signed on for a professional boxing match with rugby star Paul Gallen at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
Pros react to potential Diaz bros vs Paul bros boxing event
Tom Taylor - December 16, 2020
Several members of the combat sports community are drooling over a potential boxing card pitting YouTube stars Logan and Jake Paul against MMA legends Nick and Nate Diaz. The Paul bros have become the talk of the combat sports world after Logan landed himself an exhibition boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Jake knocked out former NBA star Nate Robinson on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard, and neither one is letting their time in the limelight go to waste. Jake has become a particularly loud voice inside the combat sports bubble, calling out a host of top fighters like Conor McGregor, Dillon Danis, Jorge Masvidal and Ben Askren.
Yoel Romero says Bellator debut against Anthony Johnson is "a huge possibility"
Tom Taylor - December 16, 2020
Former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero says there’s “a huge possibility” he’ll fight Anthony Johnson in his Bellator debut. Romero and Johnson both called the UFC home for many years, however, both fighters recently landed on the Bellator roster.
Max Holloway explains why he won’t be sparring ahead of UFC fight with Calvin Kattar: “Sparring is like an ego trip”
Harry Kettle - December 16, 2020
UFC featherweight contender Max Holloway has explained why he won’t be sparring ahead of his upcoming bout against Calvin Kattar. Holloway is set to return to action next month when he faces off against Kattar in what will be his first non-title fight since UFC 199 in 2016. “Blessed” will be hoping to build his way back up to another Featherweight Championship shot and a trilogy showdown against rival Alexander Volkanovski.
Bellator’s Anthony Johnson and Ryan Bader set to rematch on short-notice at SUG 19
Harry Kettle - December 16, 2020
Bellator stars Anthony Johnson and Ryan Bader are set to meet in a short notice grappling match at Submission Underground 19. Bader will be stepping in on short notice to take on Johnson as a replacement for Fabricio Werdum. The two men have actually met before in a professional MMA bout, and on that occasion back in January 2016, Johnson scored a knockout win inside the first two minutes of the fight.
Dillon Danis reacts after falling victim to drive-by attack from Jake Paul
Drake Riggs - December 16, 2020
Dillon Danis found himself on the receiving end of a little surprise via Jake Paul in the middle of an interview on Tuesday. Drama within this current state of internet celebrity boxing ramped up significantly this week after the recent news of Floyd Mayweather’s return. The reason for that being because the 50-0 all-time legend’s opponent to be is the 25-year old YouTube sensation, Logan Paul.
UFC Rankings Update: Charles Oliveira and Kevin Holland make big jumps
Drake Riggs - December 15, 2020
Among the biggest winners from UFC 256, there arguably weren’t any bigger than Charles Oliveira and Kevin Holland. In the event’s co-main event, Brazil’s Oliveira impressed beyond comprehension with the biggest win of his career. Taking on former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson, Oliveira would completely shut down his adversary en route to a unanimous decision win.
UFC cracking down on fighter travel limitations amid COVID-19
Drake Riggs - December 15, 2020
The UFC has battled valiantly through the 2020 pandemic to continue putting on events. And their efforts haven’t come without casualties as many a fight has been canceled due to the COVID-19 virus. Now the promotion is adding some additional efforts to tackle the Coronavirus with more stringent safety protocols. More specifically, those regarding travel.
Brandon Moreno surprised by judges' scorecards at UFC 256: "I think I lost the fifth round"
Adam Martin - December 15, 2020
UFC flyweight contender Brandon Moreno was surprised by judges’ scorecards at UFC 256, admitting, “I think I lost the fifth round.” Moreno and Figueiredo met in the main event of this past weekend’s UFC 256 pay-per-view card and put on an absolute classic for the fans. The two best flyweights in the world went the full 25 minutes and looked for the finish the whole way through in an absolute war that many are calling the best flyweight fight of all time. At the end of the five rounds, the judges couldn’t declare a winner, scoring the fight a majority draw. A point deduction to Figueiredo for a low blow in the third round proved to cost him the unanimous decision win.