MMA News
Anderson Silva explains how "UFC changed" when it was sold
Tom Taylor - October 27, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva says the “UFC changed” when it was sold by Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta. The Fertitta brothers sold their majority stakes in the company to WME-IMG in 2016 for a massive $4 billion.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 16 with Alexander Hernandez, Maurice Greene, James Krause & Brad Katona
Cole Shelton - October 27, 2020
The 16th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 12. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight, Alexander Hernandez (2:19). Next, UFC light heavyweight, Maurice Greene (19:55) joins the program. UFC welterweight, James Krause (36:00) comes on. Closing out the program is EMC bantamweight and former UFC fighter and TUF winner, Brad Katona (48:38).
Video | Dana White hails car commercial starring Bryce Mitchell as "greatest ever"
Andrew Whitelaw - October 27, 2020
Bryce Mitchell may have just starred in one of the most glorious commercials ever. Dana White certainly thinks so. This is the greatest commercial EVER made. Congrats @ThugnastyMMA pic.twitter.com/Im9iXzVJTd
Khabib Nurmagomedov shares X-ray of broken foot sustained before UFC 254
Tom Taylor - October 27, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov didn’t just beat Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, he did so with a broken foot. Nurmagomedov defeated Gaethje by second-round submission, putting his challenger to sleep with a triangle choke. As if that feat wasn’t impressive enough on it’s own, he pulled it off with a broken foot.
Edson Barboza calls for top-six featherweight opponent in final fight of UFC deal
Adam Martin - October 27, 2020
Top featherweight contender Edson Barboza said he wants a top-six opponent in what will be the final fight of his current deal with the UFC. One of the most exciting fighters in MMA, Barboza has been in the UFC for a decade now, with his promotional debut coming back in November 2010 when he defeated Mike Lullo via leg kick TKO at UFC 123. For the past 10 years, Barboza has been a staple of the UFC roster, becoming a top contender at lightweight for many years before moving down to featherweight in 2020 and becoming a top-15 fighter in a second weight class this year.
Video | Conor McGregor drills southpaw boxing defense ahead of rumoured Dustin Poirier fight
Tom Taylor - October 27, 2020
The rumoured rematch between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier is not yet official, but the Irishman seems to be preparing for the challenge as if it is. McGregor and Poirier first fought in the featherweight division in 2014, with the former winning by first-round knockout. Over the last few weeks, they’ve been linked to a rematch.
Magomed Ankalaev has two names in mind following impressive KO win over Ion Cutelaba
Harry Kettle - October 27, 2020
Magomed Ankalaev has two names in mind for his next fight after his big win over Ion Cutelaba at UFC 254. After their first fight back in February ended in controversy, Ankalaev made sure that the result was beyond doubt during their rematch as he viciously knocked Cutelaba out to take his current win streak in the Ultimate Fighting Championship to five.
Michael Chandler sets his sights on Justin Gaethje following UFC 254
Harry Kettle - October 27, 2020
UFC newcomer Michael Chandler has his sights set on a potential showdown with fellow lightweight contender Justin Gaethje. “The Highlight” failed in his attempt to capture the UFC Lightweight Championship on Saturday night as he was beaten by Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC 254. Chandler, on the other hand, simply sat back and watched the action unfold after serving as the back-up fighter for the title bout.
Robert Whittaker calls rematch with Israel Adesanya "a hard fight"
Adam Martin - October 26, 2020
Top contender Robert Whittaker called a potential rematch against UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya “a hard fight.” After defeating Jared Cannonier in the co-main event of UFC 254, UFC president Dana White said that Whittaker would likely be the next opponent for Adesanya. Of course, these two previously met at UFC 243 in October 2019. Whittaker was the champion heading into that fight but he lost his belt to Adesanya by knockout. Since then, Whittaker has won two straight fights against Cannonier and Darren Till to jump back into title contention, while Adesanya defended his belt against Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa.
Javier Mendez shocked Khabib Nurmagomedov retired, confirms the champ "is done"
Cole Shelton - October 26, 2020
Javier Mendez didn’t know Khabib Nurmagomedov was going to retire after he defeated Justin Gaethje. All the talk for Nurmagomedov has been he will retire at 30-0. Yet, after he defeated Gaethje to improve to 29-0 he announced his retirement from MMA. He said he could not continue without his father and for Mendez, he said you have to respect the champ’s decision to do that.
Jon Jones says Khabib Nurmagomedov "just recently started fighting elite-level competition," slams fans for saying "The Eagle" is the GOAT
Cole Shelton - October 26, 2020
Jon Jones says there is no way Khabib Nurmagomedov can be considered the GOAT of MMA. After Nurmagomedov defeated Justin Gaethje by second-round submission to defend his lightweight title at UFC 254, he announced his retirement from the sport. He rode off into the sunset at 29-0 and many are now putting him in the conversation as the greatest ever. However, longtime UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, isn’t having any of that.
Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2 targeted for March, says Dana White
Adam Martin - October 26, 2020
UFC president Dana White says the UFC is targeting the rematch between heavyweights Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou to take place in March. Miocic defended the UFC heavyweight championship in August at UFC 252 when he won a unanimous decision over rival Daniel Cormier in the pair’s trilogy bout. White confirmed that Ngannou — who has won four straight fights by knockout — would be next in line to fight Miocic for the belt. But after Jon Jones made the announcement he would be pursuing a title shot at heavyweight as well, some thought Jones might skip by Ngannou.
Video | Watch fans in Dagestan react to Khabib Nurmagomedov defeating Justin Gaethje
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov impressed fight fans everywhere when he defeated Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 254, but the reaction of fans in his native Dagestan was something special. Nurmagomedov is a massive superstar in Dagestan and across Russia, and that’s clearer than ever when you watch the footage of fan reactions to his second-round submission win over Gaethje.
Conor McGregor vows he's "still committed" as lightweight division opens up
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
Former two-division champion Conor McGregor has achieved a lot in MMA, but vows that he’s “still committed” to his goals in the sport. In terms of competitive achievements, McGregor is one of the most successful fighters in UFC history. In terms of financial achievements, he’s the most successful by a huge margin. Despite all that he’s done as a pro fighter, the Irishman says he’s “still committed.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov says he's retired, but you can still bet on his next opponent
Adam Martin - October 26, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov announced his retirement after UFC 254, but you can still bet on who he’ll fight next. Nurmagomedov submitted Justin Gaethje with a second-round triangle choke in the main event of this past Saturday’s UFC 254. “The Eagle” then shocked the MMA community when he announced his immediate retirement from the sport, hanging up his gloves after achieving a perfect 29-0 record in MMA and 13-0 in the UFC. Nurmagomedov cited family reasons as the reason why he’s retired, but the sportsbooks aren’t necessarily buying it.
Matchmaking the lightweight division's top-10 after Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement at UFC 254
Cole Shelton - October 26, 2020
The UFC’s lightweight title will soon be vacant after the champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Justin Gaethje to defend his belt and then retired. Immediately after the champion announced his retirement, many were thinking what fight the UFC will book for the vacant belt. Newly signed lightweight, Michael Chandler called for there to be a tournament, but the appears unlikely. So, here is what we think should be next for the lightweight division.
Joe Rogan declares Khabib Nurmagomedov "the GOAT"
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
Long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan has proclaimed the unbeaten Khabib Nurmagomedov as the Greatest of all Time in mixed martial arts. Nurmagomedov returned to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 254 on Saturday night, when he defended the UFC lightweight title with a second-round submission victory over Justin Gaethje, who was widely touted as his toughest test to date. In the moments after this win, Nurmagomedov shocked the world by announcing his retirement from MMA, riding off into the sunset with a flawless 29-0 MMA record and reputation as one of the best fighters ever.
Mike Perry vs. Robbie Lawler bout no longer listed as part of UFC 255 main card
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2020
A welterweight fight between “Platinum” Mike Perry and “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler is no longer listed as part of the UFC 255 main card. UFC 255 is scheduled to go down on November 21 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card will be headlined by a men’s flyweight title fight between Deiveson Figueiredo and Alex Perez, and co-headlined by a women’s flyweight title fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Jennifer Maia. Until recently, it was also expected to feature a welterweight scrap between Perry and Lawler, who is the division’s former champion.