MMA News
Anthony Johnson discusses his return to the UFC: “I’m trying to bury everybody”
Harry Kettle - December 4, 2020
Anthony “Rumble” Johnson has spoken about his desire to fight anyone and everyone that is put in his path upon returning to the UFC. It’s been almost four years since the former light heavyweight contender walked away from the promotion after his second submission loss to Daniel Cormier, but now, he’s hoping to step back into the Octagon and compete once again.
Jorge Masvidal suggests Jake Paul should fight Yoel Romero following his recent comments
Harry Kettle - December 4, 2020
UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal believes that Jake Paul should step into the boxing ring to fight his friend and top middleweight Yoel Romero. Despite all of the criticism that had been sent his way in the lead-up to his fight against Nate Robinson, the YouTube star Paul was able to secure a vicious knockout to take his pro boxing record to 2-0.
Jake Paul says he is "dedicating his life to beating" Conor McGregor
Adam Martin - December 3, 2020
Boxer and YouTuber Jake Paul says that he is “dedicating his life to beating” UFC superstar Conor McGregor in a boxing match one day. Paul picked up an incredible KO win over former NBA dunk contest winner Nate Robinson in the co-main event of last weekend’s Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. megacard. Paul’s KO went viral and he has become one of the biggest talking points in the world of combat sports this week, attracting the attention of numerous MMA fighters, boxers, and even hockey players. Two fights into his career, Paul is already a top draw in the world of boxing and it seems like everyone wants a piece of him.
Cody Durden expects to KO Jimmy Flick and end his hype
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2020
Cody Durden is eager to derail the hype of Jimmy Flick. At UFC Vegas 16, Durden is set to make the walk to the Octagon for the second time but will be doing so at flyweight this time around. In his debut, he stepped up on a week’s notice and fought Chris Guttierrez to a draw at bantamweight. Following that fight, he realized he should be competing at 125-pounds and made the move to down in weight.
Donald Cerrone says he will "be ready" for Niko Price rematch next spring
Adam Martin - December 3, 2020
UFC welterweight fan favorite Donald Cerrone says he will “be ready” for a rematch against recent opponent Niko Price for next spring. Cerrone and Price battled to a hard-fought majority draw at UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley in September. After the fight, both men expressed interest in a rematch because the draw result was unsatisfying for both. However, that rematch won’t be happening anytime soon. Price was recently suspended for six months by the Nevada Athletic Commission for marijuana, so he will be on the shelf for a while.
Coach Roddy doesn’t see a path for Dustin Poirier to beat "stone-cold killer" Conor McGregor
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2020
Owen Roddy doesn’t know how Dustin Poirier can beat Conor McGregor. In the main event of UFC 257, Poirier is set to rematch McGregor in a very intriguing bout. It could very well determine the number one contender at lightweight and according to Roddy, McGregor is in the best shape of his life.
Gilbert Burns frustrated with multiple delays to Kamaru Usman fight, still waiting for contract for UFC 258
Adam Martin - December 3, 2020
UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns is frustrated with the delays to the Kamaru Usman fight and is still waiting to sign a contract for UFC 258. Remember, Burns was supposed to fight Usman back in July at UFC 251 on Fight Island. Unfortunately for Burns, he tested positive for COVID-19 and had to withdraw from the fight, opening up the opportunity for Jorge Masvidal to step in on short notice and save the day. After Usman beat Masvidal, the UFC re-booked Usman vs. Burns for UFC 256 but the fight fell off once again due to Usman being injured. Now that both men are healthy, the UFC is targeting UFC 258 on February 13 for the fight.
TJ Dillashaw believes fighting Urijah Faber would be a "joke," but would love to "whoop his ass"
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2020
TJ Dillashaw doesn’t think having his comeback fight against Urijah Faber makes sense. Ever since Dillashaw got suspended, many pointed to his return fight against Faber as one that should happen. The two have a rivalry due to Dillashaw leaving Faber’s gym, and then knocking out his pupil, Cody Garbrandt twice. However, the former bantamweight champion believes fighting Faber would be a joke. But, if it happens, knows he would beat up the Hall of Famer.
Bi Nguyen looks to close out chaotic 2020 with big win over Jihin Radzuan
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2020
ONE Championship atomweight star Bi Nguyen is hoping to close out a chaotic year with a huge win over Malaysia’s Jihin Radzuan at ONE: Big Bang, which goes down on the promotion’s home turf in Singapore this Friday. The coronavirus pandemic made 2020 a bumpy year for just about everyone, but it was particularly frustrating for Nguyen. The 31-year-old striking specialist’s bad luck began early in the year, when she was forced out of planned February fight with Japan’s Itsuki Hirata with an injury. March brought another tough break, as Nguyen’s planned Muay Thai bout against Rudzma Abubakar fell through amid the early chaos of the pandemic. The trouble then continued in the third quarter of the year, when ONE Championship’s attempt to reschedule the failed February fight with Hirata came up empty—ostensibly because the Japanese fighter didn’t sign her contract.
Francis Ngannou recounts journey from “sleeping outside in the woods” of Morocco to fighting for the UFC
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2020
Top UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou has opened up on the turbulent journey that led him to the bright lights of the Octagon. Ngannou, a native of Cameroon, emigrated to Paris, France before making transitioning into MMA. His journey from the Central African country Europe was not easy.
Breaking: Yair Rodriguez gets six-month USADA suspension due to whereabouts violations
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2020
UFC featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez has been handed a six-months by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) due to repeated whereabouts violations. USADA released a statement on the Rodriguez situation on Thursday (h/t MMA Fighting)
Khabib Nurmagomedov outlines plan to bring MMA to the Olympics
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is hoping to bring the sport of mixed martial arts to the Olympic games. Nurmagomedov last fought in the main event of UFC 254 last month, when he defended his title with a submission of Justin Gaethje and improved to 29-0 as a pro—easily one of the best records in the sport’s history.
Henry Cejudo says he "might just make a comeback" after TJ Dillashaw's trash talk
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo is teasing a comeback after some trash talk from his former opponent TJ Dillashaw. Dillashaw and Cejudo have fought once before. They met in early 2019, when Dillashaw, then the bantamweight champion, dropped down to flyweight to challenge Cejudo for that division’s title.
Rafael dos Anjos claims he had Khabib Nurmagomedov "snoring" with choke in 2014 fight
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos claims that he briefly put Khabib Nurmagomedov to sleep in their 2014 fight. Nurmagomedov, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, retired after a submission defeat of Justin Gaethje in the UFC 254 main event last month. Despite that retirement announcement, UFC President Dana White is optimistic the champion will fight again.
TJ Dillashaw admits he "would have been able to justify" EPO use if he'd never been caught
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2020
TJ Dillashaw says he would have been able to “justify” his use of the banned substance Erythropoietin (EPO) if he’d become a two-division UFC champ. In early 2018, Dillashaw, then the UFC bantamweight champion, dropped down to flyweight to challenge divisional champ Henry Cejudo in a bid to become a two-division titleholder. After losing the fight via first-round TKO, Dillashaw tested positive for the injectable-only banned substance EPO, and was stripped of his title and suspended two years as a result.
UFC 256: ‘Figueiredo vs Moreno’ Fight Card and Rumors
Harry Kettle - December 3, 2020
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to pay-per-view next weekend with UFC 256 as Deiveson Figueiredo prepares to defend the Flyweight Championship once again – this time against rising contender Brandon Moreno. Event: UFC 256: Figueiredo vs. Moreno Date: Saturday, 12th December 2020 Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Broadcast: ESPN+ (6pm/8pm/10pm EST)
Snoop Dogg and Triller launch new boxing promotion called "The Fight Club"
Cole Shelton - December 2, 2020
Snoop Dogg is getting into the boxing world. The 49-year-old rapper has been a fan of combat sports for years and has been a big part of them. He commentated on the Contender Series and was in the booth for Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. on Saturday night. Now, following the event, Snoop Dogg and Triller are teaming up to create their own promotion called The Fight Club.
Diego Ferreira believes he's the dark horse at 155lbs, discusses trouble getting fights: "I feel like everyone is scared"
Cole Shelton - December 2, 2020
Diego Ferreira has had a hard time getting fights. At UFC 246 in January, Ferreira picked up the biggest win of his career as he submitted former champion, Anthony Pettis, in the second round. It was his sixth straight victory and following the win, many figured he would get a top-10 opponent. However, for the Brazilian, he has yet to fight again and won’t fight until February when he battles Beneil Dariush.