MMA News
Paul Felder steps up on five days notice to battle Rafael dos Anjos in UFC Vegas 14 main event
Cole Shelton - November 9, 2020
Paul Felder is stepping up on short notice to headline this Saturday’s card against Rafael dos Anjos. Originally, dos Anjos was expected to face Islam Makhachev. However, on Sunday night it was revealed the Russian withdraw from the bout, and immediately the UFC searched for a replacement. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, that replacement in Paul Felder. The fight will also remain a five-rounder and be at lightweight.
Sean Strickland vs. Brendan Allen added to this Saturday's UFC Vegas 14 card
Adam Martin - November 9, 2020
An exciting matchup between middleweights Sean Strickland vs. Brendan Allen has been added to this Saturday’s UFC Vegas 14 card. Strickland is making a quick turnaround after defeating Jack Marshman via unanimous decision in a fun fight that was filled with trash talk just a few weeks back. Allen, meanwhile, was supposed to fight Ian Heinisch in a high-profile middleweight bout at UFC Vegas 13, but the fight was scrapped on weigh-in day after Heinisch fell ill with COVID-19.
Megan Anderson reacts after UFC featherweight title shot falls through
Tom Taylor - November 9, 2020
Megan Anderson has shared her initial reaction after her planned crack at UFC featherweight champ Amanda Nunes fell through. Anderson was expected to challenge Nunes for the featherweight belt at UFC 256 on December 12. Unfortunately, Nunes has been forced to withdraw from the matchup with an injury.
Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson fight scratched from UFC 256
Tom Taylor - November 9, 2020
UFC 256, which is scheduled for December 12, has unfortunately lost its planned Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson main event. Nunes, who currently holds the UFC’s women’s featherweight and bantamweight titles, was slated to defend the former against Anderson. Regrettably, she’s been forced out of the matchup with an undisclosed injury.
Tanner Boser releases statement following loss to Andrei Arlovski: "I had a big opportunity and I blew it"
Adam Martin - November 9, 2020
UFC heavyweight Tanner Boser released a statement following his recent decision loss to Andrei Arlovski, admitting he blew a big opportunity. After knocking out Phillipe Lins and Raphael Pessoa in back-to-back fights, Boser was given a big step up in competition against Arlovski, the former UFC heavyweight champion. The bout between Boser and Arlovski served as the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC Vegas 13 card and it was supposed to be Boser’s coming-out party. Unfortunately, it was anything but, as Boser was on the wrong end of a close decision that the judges gave to Arlovski.
Alistair Overeem promises "one final run" to the UFC heavyweight title
Adam Martin - November 9, 2020
Although UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem is 40 years old now, the long-time MMA veteran says he has one more title run in him. Overeem is one of the oldest fighters in the UFC heavyweight division but it hasn’t stopped him from going on a roll as of late. The Dutchman has won four of his last five fights, including brutal TKO wins over Walt Harris and Augusto Sakai in his last two bouts. Overeem is currently the No. 5 ranked heavyweight in the UFC. But that’s not good enough for him, because his goal is still to one day become the UFC heavyweight champion.
Diego Ferreira open to fighting Rafael dos Anjos on short notice: "I'm here"
Adam Martin - November 9, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Diego Ferreira says he is open to filling in for Islam Makhachev against Rafael dos Anjos on this weekend’s card. Makhachev was finally able to secure a top-flight opponent in the form of the former UFC lightweight champion dos Anjos, but unfortunately, the Russian was forced to withdraw from the bout, leaving dos Anjos without an opponent. With the card just five days away, the UFC matchmakers are going to have to work fast to secure a replacement opponent. There just aren’t many options available for dos Anjos, given the super short notice here.
Thiago Santos vouches for Glover Teixeira title shot in classy post-fight statement
Tom Taylor - November 9, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Thiago Santos has some kind words for his fellow Brazilian Glover Teixeira after their UFC Vegas 13 fight. Santos and Teixeira collided in the main event of the card, which went down last Saturday inside the UFC APEX facility. While Santos entered this fight as a sizeable betting favourite, he ultimately came up short, succumbing to a submission in the third round.
PFL star Kayla Harrison to make featherweight debut in Invicta FC cage
Tom Taylor - November 9, 2020
2019 Professional Fighters League Women’s Lightweight Champion, Kayla Harrison is set to return to action on Friday, November 20 at Invicta 43 where she will square off with heralded Invicta featherweight, Courtney King (4-1) in the evening’s co-main event. Harrison (7-0) is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo (2012 and 2016) and has been dominant since beginning her undefeated mixed martial arts career with the PFL in 2018. “I have been on a mission to show I am the best fighter,” said Harrison, a two-time Olympic Judo gold medalist. “I have been tackling challenges my entire career and this bout at 145-pounds is a new and exciting one for me. I’m looking forward to competing in this new weight class and can’t wait to get back into the PFL cage come April.”
Daniel Cormier admits he contemplated comeback fight against Jan Blachowicz
Tom Taylor - November 9, 2020
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier says he briefly contemplated mounting a comeback to fight new light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. Cormier, who previously ruled over the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, retired after a decision loss to the reigning heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic back in August.
What's next for Glover Teixeira and Thiago Santos after UFC Vegas 13?
Cole Shelton - November 9, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 13, Glover Teixeira was looking to turn back the clock once more when he took on the returning, Thiago Santos. When the fight was booked, many had thought the winner would be getting a title shot. However, that appeared to not be the case after the UFC announced Israel Adesanya would be moving in weight to challenge Jan Blachowicz. Despite that, Glover Teixeira had a dominant performance and submitted Thiago Santos in the third round.
UFC Vegas 14: ‘RDA vs TBD’ Fight Card and Rumors
Harry Kettle - November 9, 2020
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is back once again this weekend with UFC Vegas 14, but with just days remaining until fight night, the current state of the main event is unknown. Event: UFC Vegas 14: dos Anjos vs. TBD Date: Saturday, 14th November 2020 Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Broadcast: ESPN+ (4pm/7pm EST)
Islam Makhachev issues statement after being forced out of fight with Rafael dos Anjos
Harry Kettle - November 9, 2020
UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev has released a statement after being forced out of his proposed main event against Rafael dos Anjos. After their bout at UFC 254 was called off due to dos Anjos testing positive for COVID-19, the two men were paired together in the main event of UFC Vegas 14. That fight was set to take place this Saturday night at the UFC APEX but now, Makhachev will have to once again wait for a new date – and potentially a new opponent – as he continues his road to recovery.
Rafael dos Anjos looking for new opponent after Islam Makhachev withdraws from UFC Vegas 14
Adam Martin - November 8, 2020
UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev is out of his upcoming main event fight against Rafael dos Anjos at next weekend’s UFC Vegas 14 event. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported on Sunday that Makhachev is out of the fight and the UFC is looking for a short-notice replacement. Makhachev vs. dos Anjos was set to be the five-round main event of UFC Vegas 14, which takes place on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the second time this particular matchup has fallen through. It was originally set to be part of the UFC 254 PPV but dos Anjos tested positive for COVID-19.
Claudia Gadelha releases statement following loss to Yan Xiaonan at UFC Vegas 13
Adam Martin - November 8, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight contender Claudia Gadelha released a statement following her unanimous decision loss to Yan Xiaonan at UFC Vegas 13. It was a competitive fight but Gadelha’s grappling wasn’t as effective as it needed to be to keep Xiaonan on the mat for a long period of control. And when the fight was on the feet, Xiaonan was the one who was landing the cleaner blows and more of them. When the scorecards were read, all three judges gave the decision to Xiaonan by 29-28 scores.
Max Griffin calls out Carlos Condit and Vicente Luque after vicious TKO win at UFC Vegas 13
Adam Martin - November 8, 2020
UFC welterweight Max Griffin has called out Carlos Condit and Vicente Luque after his vicious TKO win at UFC Vegas 13. Griffin battered UFC newcomer Ramiz Brahimaj, giving him black eyes with a laser-accurate jab and eventually finishing the fight with a series of strikes in the clinch. Brahimaj suffered a gruesome ear injury and the doctor was forced to wave off the fight. It was a huge win for Griffin and improved the veteran’s overall UFC record to 4-6.
Thiago Santos releases statement after submission loss to Glover Teixeira: "I'm so disappointed"
Adam Martin - November 8, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Thiago Santos released a statement after his submission loss to Glover Teixeira, saying “I’m so disappointed.” Santos and Teixeira had a back-and-forth brawl at UFC Vegas 13, with both men having several near finishes before the fight-ending submission win for Teixeira in the third round. Santos knocked Teixeira down at several points in the fight but somehow the aging veteran Teixeira was able to survive the onslaught and take Santos to deep waters and tap him.
Jeremy Stephens verbally agrees to fight Giga Chikadze following UFC Vegas 13
Adam Martin - November 8, 2020
UFC featherweight Jeremy Stephens has verbally agreed to fight Giga Chikadze following his big KO win over Jamey Simmons at UFC Vegas 13. Chikadze picked up an impressive head kick KO win over Simmons on the main card of UFC Vegas 13. It was Chikadze’s fifth win in the UFC and upped his record to a perfect 5-0 in the Octagon, earning him a $50k bonus for “Performance of the Night.” Following the win, Chikadze took his post-fight interview to call out the veteran featherweight Stephens, who was originally set to fight Arnold Allen on this card before pulling out with an injury.