UFC News
Jared Cannonier expects to KO Jack Hermansson in UFC Copenhagen main event
Cole Shelton - September 23, 2019
Jared Cannonier is now 2-0 in the middleweight division and set to headline his first UFC card. In the main event of UFC Copenhagen, the American will take on Jack Hermansson in a pivotal middleweight bout. Cannonier, who is coming off of a very impressive TKO win over Anderson Silva, is eager to be the main event.
Alexander Volkanovski says he's looking past Max Holloway, will grant him immediate rematch
Adam Martin - September 23, 2019
The UFC announced over the weekend that UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway will defend his title against Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 245. Now, the challenger has given his thoughts on the fight in the first interview since the bout was announced. Speaking to EMG Access, Volkanovski sounded extremely confident that he will get his hand raised against Holloway. Not only does Volkanovski believe he will win in impressive fashion, he’s already talking about giving Holloway his rematch once he wins.
Coach: Robert Whittaker is a 'better version of GSP'
Tom Taylor - September 23, 2019
UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker has won his last few fights with his striking, but striking certainly isn’t his only skill. In fact, Whittaker is so well-rounded that his coach Alex Prates considers him a “better version of” Georges St-Pierre. “Maybe you’ll see Robert Whittaker using a style that I think is the one that suits him better but he never really needed it because it was always comfortable for him on the feet for most of his fights,” Prates told Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting. “With Yoel Romero, for example, it would have been stupid to try to take him down. But Robert has great wrestling and great timing. I honestly think Robert is a better version of GSP. And we might see this now.”
Ben Askren points out alarming USADA stat
Tom Taylor - September 23, 2019
Ben Askren has always taken pride in being a clean fighter. Unfortunately, not every fighter on the UFC roster can say the same. Speaking on the new Hot Takes segment on of his podcast, Askren discussed the performance-enhancing drug problem that has been causing problems in the UFC, and pointed out that a significant percentage of the UFC roster has popped for banned substances in the last six months alone.
Claressa Shields targets Amanda Nunes, manager in talks with Dana White
Natasha Hooper - September 23, 2019
Boxing champ Claressa Shields is ready to make her MMA debut, and is willing to do so against the best female mixed martial in the game today, two-division champ Amanda Nunes. The undisputed middleweight champion Shields has two gold medals and a multitude of world titles in two different weight classes. At just 24 years of age, Shields has a long list of athletic accomplishments. She has a scheduled boxing match against Ivana Habazin on October 5th in Michigan. If she wins, she could become a three-division champ in record time.
UFC Mexico commentator pokes fun at himself after hiding under commentary desk
Tom Taylor - September 23, 2019
UFC Mexico was a solid card, but unfortunately, it ended on an ugly note. Seconds into the card’s main event, Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez inadvertently raked his opponent Jeremy Stephen’s eye. After taking the full, allotted five minutes to recover, Stephens was unable to continue and the fight was waved off.
Dustin Poirier offers to fight Tony Ferguson at UFC 245 if Nurmagomedov 'can’t make it'
Natasha Hooper - September 23, 2019
Dustin Poirier is ready and willing to fight Tony Ferguson at UFC 245 if UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov “can’t make it” to the card. “The Diamond” Poirier fought the undefeated lightweight champion Nurmagomedov earlier this month at UFC 242. Poirier did everything he could to challenge Nurmagomedov, but his efforts failed as “The Eagle” delivered yet another dominant performance and defended his championship.
RT issues apology to Amanda Nunes for ‘transgender’ mistake
Natasha Hooper - September 23, 2019
The Russian News platform RT made a significant blunder this week after using a photo of Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes to promote an video titled “Transgender athletes are DESTROYING women’s sport”. See the original image here:
Dana White says he would have "f*cked up" Tito Ortiz in boxing match
Adam Martin - September 22, 2019
UFC president Dana White says he planned on boxing Tito Ortiz and claims he would have “f*cked up” the former UFC light heavyweight champion if they fought. White was interviewed recently by Barstool Sports and was asked about the long-rumored boxing match between White and Ortiz. The UFC president gave his side of the story.
Junior dos Santos rates Jon Jones, Ryan Bader as heavyweights
Thomas Taylor - September 22, 2019
Former UFC heavyweight champ Junior dos Santos thinks reigning UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones is the best fighter in the world today. In fact, dos Santos believes Jones would do very well if he made the move up to the heavyweight division. “Jon Jones is the No. 1 baddest guy on the planet… actually, he’s the No. 1 pound-for-pound in the world, so I think he could do very well in the heavyweight division,” dos Santos told MMA Fighting.
Jorge Masvidal explains why he doesn't respect Kamaru Usman's fighting style 'at all'
Thomas Taylor - September 22, 2019
Jorge Masvidal has never been particularly impressed with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman’s fighting style. That’s truer than ever now that Usman allegedly turned down a fight with him. Speaking to the media ahead of yesterday’s UFC Mexico card, Masvidal explained why he’s not a fan of Usman’s fighting style. Apparently, it has nothing to do with Usman being a wrestler and more to do with the lack of finishes on the champ’s record.
Tony Ferguson wants Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 245
Adam D Martin - September 22, 2019
Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson wants to fight UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 245. The UFC’s year-end card takes place December 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. That’s the date “El Cucuy” is requesting to fight “The Eagle” in one of the most highly-anticipated battles in MMA history. Here’s what Ferguson said on Twitter.
Carla Esparza says fans showered her with beer at UFC Mexico City
Adam D Martin - September 22, 2019
Paulo Costa blasts Jeremy Stephens for not continuing against Yair Rodriguez
Adam D Martin - September 22, 2019
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa put featherweight Jeremy Stephens on blast for not continuing to fight after getting accidentally poked in the eye by Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC Mexico City. Costa took to Twitter to criticize Stephens for not continuing to fight, insinuating that he doesn’t belong in the UFC. Here’s what “Borrachinha” said.
UFC Mexico City bonuses: Carla Esparza, Alexa Grasso win "Fight of the Night"
Adam D Martin - September 22, 2019
The UFC has announced the post-fight bonus award winners for the Mexico City card, and a pair of women’s strawweights won “Fight of the Night.” The UFC announced after the event that Carla Esparza and Alexa Grasso won $50,000 each for “Fight of the Night” for their back-and-forth co-main event fight, which Esparza ended up winning by majority decision. Here’s what the UFC said.
Yair Rodriguez says he gives Jeremy Stephens "the benefit of the doubt" for eye poke
Adam D Martin - September 22, 2019
UFC featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez says he gives Jeremy Stephens “the benefit of a doubt” after an eye poked ended the UFC Mexico city main event. Rodriguez spoke to reporters following the event and was asked if he thought Stephens was legitimately injured or if he was faking it. Rodriguez said he would give his opponent the benefit of the doubt about the fight-ending injury.
VIDEO | UFC commentator Brendan Fitzgerald hides under desk following Mexico City main event
Adam D Martin - September 22, 2019
A video has circulated of UFC commentator Brendan Fitzgerald hiding under the announcers’ desk following the main event of UFC Mexico City. The main event was declared a No Contest after just 15 seconds when Jeremy Stephens was unable to see following an accidental eye poke by Yair Rodriguez. The unfortunate ending to the card left fans in the arena extremely upset, with many of them chucking beer and popcorn into the center of the Octagon and at the fighters.
Pros react to Carla Esparza defeating Alexa Grasso at UFC Mexico
Natasha Hooper - September 22, 2019
A key women’s strawweight bout featuring former division champion Carla Esparza taking on Alexa Grasso co-headlined tonight’s UFC Mexico event. Esparza (14-6) entered the event looking to build off the momentum of her unanimous decision victory over Virna Jandiroba from back in April.
Coach gives update on Jeremy Stephens eye after UFC Mexico City
Cole Shelton - September 21, 2019
The main event of UFC Mexico City saw a pivotal featherweight clash. There, Yair Rodriguez was fighting in his home country taking on American Jeremy Stephens. The fight was expected to be the ‘Fight of the Night’ candidate, but regrettably that didn’t happen. Instead, just 15 seconds into the fight, Yair Rodriguez accidentally poked Jeremy Stephens in the eye. Referee Herb Dean did a phenomenal job giving the American fighter time to let the eye recover. He said it was spasming and should open soon. Yet, after five minutes that did not happen and the fight was ruled a no-contest.