MMA News
10 MMA champions ready to make waves in 2021
bjpenndotcom - December 1, 2020
There’s no question that 2020 has been rough for mixed martial arts. COVID-19 hit professional sports particularly hard, and the road to recovery only began in recent months. But despite the difficult challenges, MMA is looking forward to a fantastic 2021. That’s because the sport is absolutely stacked with talented fighters who are ready to cement themselves as the best in the business. Here are 10 reigning MMA world champions from organizations around the world who are primed for an epic 2021.
Daniel Cormier responds after Dillon Danis suggests he will shut his "fat mouth"
Christopher Taylor - November 30, 2020
Dillon Danis was not happy with Daniel Cormier for suggesting that he would get “beat up” by Jake Paul in a boxing match. Earlier today on ESPN‘s “DC & Helwani show”, the former UFC champ-champ turned heads when he suggested that Jake Paul would defeat Dillon Danis in a boxing match.
Ronaldo Souza says Jack Hermansson turned down rematch at UFC Vegas 16
Adam Martin - November 30, 2020
UFC middleweight veteran Ronaldo Souza says that he offered to fight Jack Hermansson at UFC Vegas 16 but “The Joker” turned him down. Hermansson was set to fight Darren Till in the main event of UFC Vegas 16 on December 5, but Till unfortunately pulled out of the fight with an injury. Kevin Holland then filled in on short notice, but he was forced to pull out of the fight due to a positive COVID-19 test. Hermansson was finally booked to fight Marvin Vettori, who was originally slated to fight Souza at UFC 256 next weekend. Souza, in turn, was booked to fight Holland, who will look to make a speedy recovery from COVID-19.
Diego Sanchez says he is looking for an opponent for his retirement fight
Cole Shelton - November 30, 2020
Diego Sanchez appears close to hanging up the gloves. Following Sanchez’s UFC 253 loss to Jake Matthews, many wondered what would be next for him. Some thought he should retire but he made it clear he would look to continue fighting.
Jessica Andrade drops timeline for potential Valentina Shevchenko fight
Adam Martin - November 30, 2020
Top contender Jessica Andrade dropped a timeline for a potential fight against UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in 2021. Andrade, the former UFC women’s strawweight champion, made her flyweight debut back at UFC Fight Island 6 in October and knocked out former title challenger Katlyn Chookagian with a nasty body shot. UFC president Dana White praised Andrade following the fight and hinted that she could be next in line to fight Shevchenko. Thus far that fight has not been booked but it appears it’s the direction the UFC is headed.
Conor McGregor celebrates the anniversary of Nate Diaz’s win over Gray Maynard: “Happy womp womp day brother!”
Cole Shelton - November 30, 2020
Conor McGregor congratulated Nate Diaz on the anniversary of his TKO win over Gray Maynard. On November 30, 2013, Diaz and Maynard had their unofficial trilogy bout. They first met on The Ultimate Fighter with Diaz winning by submission. They then fought in 2010 with Maynard winning by split decision but in 2013, Diaz put the rivalry to bed with a TKO win.
Daniel Cormier believes Jake Paul would "beat up" Dillon Danis
Adam Martin - November 30, 2020
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes that Jake Paul would “beat up” Dillon Danis if the two ever end up fighting in a boxing match. In the wake of Paul’s knockout win over Nate Robinson at the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. event, there have been numerous athletes taking to social media to call Paul out. We’ve seen NHL players including Ryan Reaves and Evander Kane call Paul out, not to mention numerous other MMA fighters and boxers. One of those fighters is Danis, the outspoken Bellator fighter who has made it known he is interested in stepping into the ring with Paul. And Paul seems like he’s interested in the fight, too.
Michael Chandler announces launch of fight camp
Tom Taylor - November 30, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler, one of the newer additions to the UFC roster, has announced that he’s starting fight camp. Chandler signed with the UFC in the fall, and was was immediately slated as the understudy for the UFC 254-headlining lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje. In the end, both Nurmagomedov and Gaethje made it to the Octagon that night, which meant Chandler’s services weren’t needed, and his UFC debut was put on ice.
UFC's Colby Covington wants to give "soft" LeBron James the Nate Robinson treatment
Tom Taylor - November 30, 2020
Outspoken UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington is calling for a boxing match with NBA legend LeBron James. Cross-sport boxing matches are all anybody can talk about these days, after YouTube star Jake Paul strafed former NBA player Nate Robinson in the co-main event of last weekend’s Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. card.
Henry Cejudo makes prediction for Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno
Tom Taylor - November 30, 2020
Former UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo has made his pick for the upcoming title fight between current champ Deiveson Figueiredo and challenger Brandon Moreno. Henry Cejudo captured the UFC flyweight title with a controversial split decision defeat of of Demetrious Johnson in August, 2018. After defending the title with a knockout of TJ Dillashaw in January 2019, he then ventured up to bantamweight, where he captured the vacant title with a defeat of Marlon Moraes, and retired after defending the belt against Dominick Cruz.
Dana White updates on Michael Chandler's UFC debut: There's "no hurry"
Tom Taylor - November 30, 2020
UFC President Dana White says there is “no hurry” to schedule the UFC debut of former Bellator lightweight champion “Iron” Michael Chandler. Chandler signed with the UFC in the fall, and was was immediately pegged as the understudy for the UFC 254-headlining lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje. In the end, both Nurmagomedov and Gaethje made it to the Octagon that night, which meant Chandler’s services weren’t needed, and his UFC debut was put on ice.
What's next for Anthony Smith and Devin Clark after UFC Vegas 15?
Cole Shelton - November 30, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 15, Anthony Smith took on Devin Clark in a short-notice five-round headliner. Smith was looking to snap his two-fight losing streak while Clark while looking to pick up the biggest win of his career and enter the light heavyweight rankings. Yet, it was Smith who scored a first-round submission to get his momentum back.
Dana White gushes over victorious UFC Vegas 15 "bad boy" Miguel Baeza
Tom Taylor - November 30, 2020
John Kavanagh was not a fan of Snoop Dogg's commentary on Tyson vs. Jones fight
Tom Taylor - November 30, 2020
Renowned mixed martial arts coach John Kavanagh was not impressed with Snoop Dogg’s commentary during last weekend’s Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight. Tyson and Jones, 54 and 51 respectively, collided in an eight-round heavyweight exhibition fight on Saturday night in Los Angeles. Despite the age of the two men, the event generated massive international interest, with many stars of the combat sports world tuning in—Kavanagh included.
Jack Hermansson explains why he is pulling for Israel Adesanya against Jan Blachowicz
Harry Kettle - November 30, 2020
UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson has explained why he would like to see Israel Adesanya defeat Jan Blachowicz for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Hermansson is set to step back into the Octagon on Saturday night for the first time since his win over Kelvin Gastelum on Fight Island. “The Joker” was set to face both Darren Till and Kevin Holland before they were forced to pull out, and now, he’s square off against fellow European star Marvin Vettori.
Marvin Vettori issues statement after accepting Jack Hermansson fight: "Italy will have a UFC world champion"
Alfredo Zullino - November 30, 2020
Italian middleweight contender Marvin Vettori has stepped in on one week’s notice to replace Kevin Holland against the No. 4-ranked Jack Hermansson. It will be the second consecutive change of opponent for “The Italian Dream”, in the span of just over two months.
Dillon Danis responds to challenge from Jake Paul
Cole Shelton - November 29, 2020
Dillon Danis appears open to boxing Jake Paul. In the lead-up to Paul’s fight against Nate Robinson, the YouTuber had been calling out several MMA fighters like Conor McGregor, Ben Askren, and Jorge Masvidal. But, even prior to that, he and Danis had been going back-and-forth.
Nate Robinson issues statement following knockout loss to Jake Paul
Christopher Taylor - November 29, 2020
Former NBA star Nate Robinson suffered a brutal knockout loss to Jake Paul in the co-headliner of last night’s ‘Tyson vs. Jones Jr.’ event. The popular YouTuber, Jake Paul, (2-0) had made his boxing debut back in August of 2018, on the same card that his brother Logan squared off with KSI. That evening, Jake picked up a fifth-round TKO victory over KSI’s younger brother Deji Olatunji.
Khamzat Chimaev "good to go" for Leon Edwards fight despite reports of COVID-19 positive test
Adam Martin - November 29, 2020
UFC welterweight Khamzat Chimaev says he’s “good to go” for the Leon Edwards fight despite reports of a COVID-19 positive test. Chimaev and Edwards will meet in the main event of UFC Vegas 17 on December 19. This five-round welterweight bout between two of the top-15 ranked fighters in the division is one of the most highly-anticipated bouts that fans are looking forward to. It’s the last UFC fight scheduled to take place in 2020, and the promotion is looking for the year to end with a bang as Chimaev vs. Edwards has the potential to be fireworks.