MMA News
Badou Jack slams "boxing politics," believes he will need to KO Jean Pascal in their rematch in order to win
Cole Shelton - November 27, 2020
Badou Jack believes there is too much politics in boxing. Although Jack is just 1-2-2 in his last five, he has been part of some controversial decisions. He lost a narrow split decision to Jean Pascal last December in a fight many thought Jack won. He also fought Adonis Stevenson to a draw where many thought he won that fight as well.
Vitor Belfort calls out Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen: "Bring the legends back"
Adam Martin - November 27, 2020
MMA legend Vitor Belfort has called out rival Anderson Silva and fellow veteran Chael Sonnen, saying to “bring the legends back.” Belfort fought Silva at UFC 126 in February 2011 and suffered a historic KO loss after Silva landed an incredible front kick to finish him. Belfort and Silva have always been tied to a rematch but to this point, nothing has ever been booked. As for Sonnen, Belfort was supposed to fight him at UFC 175 in July 2014, but Sonnen failed his drug test and the bout was canceled. All three fighters are no longer in the UFC, with Belfort part of ONE Championship, Sonnen with Bellator, and Silva a free agent.
Roy Jones Jr. says he could fight Anderson Silva after Mike Tyson
Adam Martin - November 27, 2020
Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. says that he could fight Anderson Silva next after he takes on rival Mike Tyson this Saturday night. The 51-year-old Jones Jr. comes out of a two-year layoff when he returns to the ring against the 54-year-old Tyson, who is stepping into the ring for the first time in 15 years. The two will meet in an eight-round exhibition bout that features a modified ruleset in the main event of Saturday’s boxing card live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Despite the age of both men and the controversial ruleset that will be used, there seems to be quite a bit of interest in this bout from fans and media.
Anthony Smith, Devin Clark ask UFC for five-round fight, get their wish
Tom Taylor - November 27, 2020
Anthony Smith and Devin Clark both asked the UFC to make their short-notice UFC Vegas 15 headliner a five-round fight, and they got their wish. Smith and Clark were originally expected to meet in the evening’s co-main event, but when Curtis Blaydes was forced out of his main event battle with Derrick Lewis due to a positive COVID-19 test, the pair of light heavyweights were promoted to the headlining spot.
UFC Vegas 15 weigh-in results: New main event set
Tom Taylor - November 27, 2020
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens with the under-the-radar UFC Vegas 15 card out of the APEX facility. The card was originally expected to be headlined by a Octagon-rattling heavyweight collision between the division’s No. 2 and 4-ranked contenders, Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis. Regrettably, that fight was canceled at the 11th hour when Blaydes tested positive for COVID-19.
Khabib Nurmagomedov announces Moscow press conference to discuss "new projects"
Tom Taylor - November 27, 2020
Undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has announced a special press conference in Moscow, Russia, on December 2. Khabib’s team announced this press conference on Instagram on Friday.
Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. pass initial VADA drug tests
Tom Taylor - November 27, 2020
Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. have both passed the drug tests administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA). Tyson, 54, and Jones, 51, will fight for a maximum of eight two-minute rounds in a special exhibition fight this Saturday in Los Angeles, California. Ahead of the bout, both men underwent VADA drug tests, and according to ESPN reporter Marc Raimondi, both passed.
ONE Championship to begin streaming regional promotions on ONE Super App
Tom Taylor - November 27, 2020
ONE Championship has announced the launch of third-party martial arts content on the ONE Super App, which will also stream live events from top regional martial arts promotions around the world. The first of these co-branded events will take place on November 28, when Russian martial arts promotion, Russian Cagefighting Championship (RCC), and Fair Fight Promotion (FFP) host a Road to ONE tournament, with athletes competing for a contract in ONE Championship. Fair Fight XIII, Featuring Road to ONE will be streamed live on the ONE Super App.
Rizin boss interested in signing Anderson Silva: "I would like to help him fulfill his wishes"
Tom Taylor - November 27, 2020
Rizin Fighting Federation boss Nobuyuki Sakakibara is interested in signing former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva to his promotion. Silva last fought on Halloween night, when he was stopped by Uriah Hall. Shortly after this setback, he was released from the UFC roster, but he emphasized that he intends to continue fighting nonetheless.
Jake Paul explains why a future fight with Conor McGregor is “bound to happen”
Harry Kettle - November 27, 2020
YouTuber Jake Paul has explained why he believes a boxing fight with MMA star Conor McGregor is in his future. Paul is arguably one of the most polarizing figures on the YouTube platform, but after his successful boxing debut against AnEsonGib back in January, he’s made it crystal clear that he isn’t going anywhere. The younger Paul brother will now step into the ring once again to fight former NBA favorite Nate Robinson on this weekend’s Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard.
Chael Sonnen doubts Anderson Silva returns: "I don't think we'll see him fight again"
Adam Martin - November 26, 2020
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen believes that former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, his long-time archrival, will never fight again. Sonnen and Silva were part of a memorable rivalry in the early 2010s. The two met at UFC 117 and, after Sonnen dominated the first four rounds of the fight, Silva came back to win in the fifth round by submission. They then fought in a rematch at UFC 148, with Silva winning via second-round TKO. The rivalry between the two was heated at the time but in recent years both men have become much more cordial with one another, and are basically friends now.
Kayla Harrison open to fights against Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes
Adam Martin - November 26, 2020
PFL lightweight champion Kayla Harrison says she is open to fights against Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes in the near future. Harrison is one of the most dominant female fighters in the sport right now, so it’s only natural to think about her fighting the other elite women fighters in the sport. Harrison is coming off of a featherweight win in Invicta FC but plans on moving back to PFL in 2021 to compete in another tournament. After that, Harrison could find herself fighting for some of the other top promotions in the sport including the UFC or Bellator. It’s in those promotions that she can fight the other top talent.
Scott Coker teases Douglas Lima vs. Neiman Gracie
Adam Martin - November 26, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker suggested that promotional welterweight champion Douglas Lima could take on Neiman Gracie in his next fight. Lima recently moved up to middleweight in a failed effort to become a two-division champion in Bellator when he lost a unanimous decision to Gegard Mousasi. Lima is expected to move back to 170lbs for his next fight, and fighters such as Michael Page and Lorenz Larkin have been teased as potential opponents. But it looks like Bellator has another fight in mind for Lima following his recent loss to Mousasi.
Anthony Smith admits he "got off track," expects to start another title run at UFC Vegas 15
Cole Shelton - November 26, 2020
Anthony Smith is looking to go on another title run starting Saturday night. When Smith made the move to light heavyweight, he immediately had success. He knocked out Rashad Evans and Shogun Rua and submitted Volkan Oezdemir to earn a title shot against Jon Jones. However, he was dominated by “Bones” and has since gone 1-2 since then but is coming off two brutal losses to Glover Teixeira and Aleksandar Rakic.
Joe Rogan responds to skeptics of Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. exhibition
Tom Taylor - November 26, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has offered a rebuttal to naysayers of the upcoming boxing exhibition match between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. Tyson, 54, and Jones, 51, will collide in a special rules boxing match this Saturday night in Los Angeles. Ahead of this spectacle, many members of the combat sports community have expressed their concerns about the health risks of the two boxing legends fighting in their 50s.
Scott Coker says Patricio Pitbull would KO Alexander Volkanovski
Adam Martin - November 26, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker says that his featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull would KO the UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski. Coker has said that he believes Pitbull is the best featherweight in MMA right now, and there’s certainly an argument to be made that he is. The Brazilian is riding a six-fight win streak that includes wins over the likes of Michael Chandler, Juan Archuleta, Daniel Weichel, and in his last fight, Pedro Carvalho. Since Pitbull is in Bellator and not in the UFC, most fans and media would likely say that Volkanovski is still the top dog at 145lbs right now. But Pitbull is absolutely right there in the conversation.
Dustin Poirier discusses options for Michael Chandler's UFC debut
Tom Taylor - November 26, 2020
Dustin Poirier believes Michael Chandler should get a tough test in his UFC debut—somebody like recent lightweight title challenger Justin Gaethje. Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion, signed with the UFC earlier this year, but has yet to take his first steps into the Octagon. That being said, it sounds like he will do so in the very near future.
Ben Askren responds to challenge from Jake Paul
Tom Taylor - November 26, 2020
Former Bellator and ONE welterweight champ Ben Askren has responded to a challenge from YouTube star turned boxer, Jake Paul. Paul is slated to box former NBA player Nate Robinson on the main card of this Saturday’s Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. card. Ahead of the fight, the YouTuber set his sights on future fights with Askren, Jorge Masvidal, and Conor McGregor.