MMA News
Angela Lee expects to return "a completely different animal" after birth of first child
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2020
In the animal kingdom, there are few creatures more dangerous than a protective mother. If ONE atomweight champion Angela Lee is any indication, that rule also applies in mixed martial arts. Lee, who has held the ONE atomweight belt in a vice grip since 2016, is expecting her first child in April. While her pregnancy will keep her out of competition for some time, she plans to return better than ever once her baby has arrived.
Corey Anderson reacts to Bellator debut opposite Melvin Mahoef
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2020
Corey Anderson is set for his Bellator debut. The former UFC light heavyweight standout will collide with Melvin Manhoef on November 5. Manhoef is a decorated kickboxing specialist and experienced mixed martial artist, but has had his best success competing in the 185-pound middleweight division, so his welcoming Anderson to the Bellator light heavyweight division came as a surprise to some fans. Anderson himself, however, seems fired up about the challenge.
Georges St-Pierre: "Will I regret" staying retired?
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2020
Georges St-Pierre is still undecided on mounting a comeback, but the Canadian legend is worried he’ll regret it if he doesn’t fight again. St-Pierre has been retired since 2017, but has been floating the idea of another fight ever since—specifically with undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
PFL announces multiple new signings, including several UFC veterans
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2020
The Professional Fighters League (PFL), has announced a host of exciting free agent signings for its 2021 season. The PFL, a fast-rising mixed martial arts promotion that features a one-of-a-kind regular season, playoffs, and championship format, announced its newest signings in a press release on Wednesday.
UFC announces schedule from Halloween to late November
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2020
The UFC has announced its full schedule of events from Halloween until the final stretch of November, with seven shows on the calendar. This string of events, which are all expected to go down inside the Apex facility in Las Vegas, will begin with UFC Fight Night: Anderson Silva vs. Uriah Hall on Halloween night—October 31.
Georges St-Pierre believes Nick Diaz still has what it takes to be UFC champion
Harry Kettle - October 8, 2020
UFC legend Georges St-Pierre believes that his former opponent Nick Diaz still has what it takes to become a champion in the UFC. St-Pierre, who is now retired from mixed martial arts, tends to pop up from time to time to shed some light on how he believes things are going in the sport. His last bout took place back in November 2017 but in March 2013, he defeated the aforementioned Nick Diaz to successfully retain his UFC Welterweight Championship.
Michael Chiesa dubs fighting Khamzat Chimaev as a lose-lose situation
Harry Kettle - October 8, 2020
UFC welterweight Michael Chiesa has explained why fighting Khamzat Chimaev isn’t something he’s interested in right now. Chiesa, 32, is riding a three-fight winning streak since making the move up to 170 pounds with victories over Carlos Condit, Diego Sanchez and Rafael dos Anjos. On the flip side, Chimaev has made an instant impact in the Ultimate Fighting Championship with two wins at middleweight and one at welterweight across the last few months.
Marlon Vera lists three potential opponents for his next fight
Adam Martin - October 7, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera has his eyes set on three top-15 opponents for his next fight inside the Octagon. Vera is coming off of the biggest win of his career, a first-round TKO win over the previously-unbeaten prospect Sean O’Malley. Overall, the Ecuador native has won six of his last seven fights as he continues to make waves in the stacked UFC bantamweight division. At present, Vera is the No. 15 ranked fighter in the weight class and he’s understandably now looking to fight fighters ranked above him. There are three that he likes in particular.
Dan Hardy calls for a rematch with "lethal individual" Carlos Condit
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2020
Dan Hardy is interested in running things back with Carlos Condit. Hardy and Condit fought back in 2010 at UFC 120 in England with Condit winning by first-round knockout. It was also the only time Hardy was knocked out and as he hints at a return, he is interested in making his comeback fight against Condit.
Michael Chandler slams Tony Ferguson for turning him down at UFC 254
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2020
Michael Chandler is not happy with Tony Ferguson. Earlier on Wednesday, Ferguson was not happy with Chandler and what he was making in the UFC. He also didn’t like that the former Bellator lightweight champion is the backup fighter for UFC 254.
Giga Chikadze planning to submit Omar Morales to show off improved ground game on Fight Island
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2020
Giga Chikadze hopes to show everyone he isn’t just a kickboxer. When Chikadze signed with the UFC, he was a decorated kickboxer, and in his first three UFC fights he was able to show off his striking. Yet, many thought he would be able to show off his ground game against Alex Caceres. Unfortunately, Chikadze had tested positive for COVID-19 leaving that fight to be canceled.
Cheick Kongo expects to finish Tim Johnson again, says Ryan Bader getting KO'd was "karma" for eye pokes in their fight
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2020
Cheick Kongo thought he would be having an immediate rematch with Ryan Bader. Kongo and Bader fought at Bellator 226 for the heavyweight title. It was a very intriguing matchup but the fight ended due to eye pokes from Bader and was ruled a no-contest. Yet, Bader claimed he never poked Kongo in the eye. For the Frenchman, he knows that was inaccurate and actually revealed he and Bader agreed to rematch in June before the pandemic hit.
Former UFC light heavyweight Corey Anderson set to make Bellator debut against KO artist Melvin Manhoef
Adam Martin - October 7, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight contender Corey Anderson will make his Bellator debut when he takes on veteran striker Melvin Manhoef. Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed to CBS Sports’s Brian Campbell that Anderson will take on Manhoef at a Bellator event scheduled to take place on November 5. The event is expected to be titled Bellator 251 and take place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. It’s worth noting that Manhoef was supposed to fight at this weekend’s Bellator Paris card but his fight with Simon Biyong was scratched. Instead, he will now fight a month later against Anderson in what is a much tougher fight.
Scott Coker reacts to Michael Chandler signing with the UFC
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2020
Bellator President Scott Coker has shared his first reaction to Michael Chandler, the promotion’s former lightweight champion, signing with the UFC. Chandler is arguably the biggest star in Bellator history. Last month, however, the former champ parted ways with the promotion, and signed on the dotted line with the UFC.
UFC cuts three more fighters from roster
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2020
The UFC has cut three more fighters in an effort to bring down the size of its massive roster. Last week, the UFC thinned its roster by four, parting ways with Mara Romero Borella, Iuri Alcantara, Jeff Hughes and Khadis Ibragimov.
Tony Ferguson open to welterweight scrap with Nick Diaz
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson is interested in bumping up to the welterweight division for a fight with returning fan favorite, Nick Diaz. Ferguson has not fought since May, when he was defeated by Justin Gaethje, marking the end of a 12-fight unbeaten run. He was briefly linked to an October fight with Dustin Poirier, but that plan fizzled out, leaving him without a dance partner.
Belal Muhammad returns to the Octagon later this year against top prospect Sean Brady
Adam Martin - October 7, 2020
UFC welterweight veteran Belal Muhammad will return to the Octagon later this year when he takes on top prospect Sean Brady in a fun matchup. MMAjunkie.com’s Farah Hannoun reported that the UFC has added the Muhammad vs. Brady matchup to an event that is set to take place on December 19 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. That event does not currently have a main event announced for it. The only other fight on the card so far is Antonio Braga Neto vs. Deron Winn at middleweight. Look for the UFC to announce a headliner for this event in the next couple of weeks.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reflects on the night he "wrote history" with the "blood of rivals"
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2020
On Tuesday, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov reflected on the night he defeated his arch rival, Conor McGregor, in the Octagon. Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor via fourth-round submission on October 6, 2018, in the main event of the blockbuster UFC 229 pay-per-view. Tuesday was the two-year anniversary of that victory.