UFC News
Nate Diaz shuts down Conor McGregor trilogy fight
Mike Pendleton - June 3, 2019
For the first time in ages, Nate Diaz has opened up on his fighting career. What will likely come as a disappointment to many fighting fans is that he’s apparently not interested in a trilogy against former featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor.
Father says Khabib Nurmagomedov is preparing for three opponents at UFC 242
Adam Martin - June 3, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will next fight at UFC 242 on September 7 in Abu Dhabi — that much is almost certain. But we still don’t have confirmation about who his opponent will be. Most expect interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier to be the next man to fight “The Eagle”, but according to Nurmagomedov’s father Abdulmanap, that’s not a sure thing, as two other opponents are still under consideration.
Nate Diaz closes door on lightweight return
Tom Taylor - June 3, 2019
At UFC 241, Nate Diaz will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon for a welterweight fight with Anthony Pettis. From the sounds of it, this is the division he plans to call home for the remainder of his career. Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, Nate Diaz closed the door on a return to the lightweight division. He claimed that, having defeated Conor McGregor in the Octagon and slapped reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov during an infamous altercation outside it, he’s already conquered the weight class.
VIDEO | Cody Garbrandt gets massive back tattoo
Tom Taylor - June 3, 2019
Cody Garbrandt is going to look a little different next time we see him in the Octagon. In a Sunday post to his official Instagram account, the former UFC bantamweight champion flaunted the beginnings of a new and massive back tattoo. This incredible piece seems to depict a gladiator, and from the looks of it, there’s still lots of work to be done by the talented artist Nic Westfall.
Conor McGregor coach sends warning to Drake
Mike Pendleton - June 3, 2019
It’s getting harder and harder to deny the legitimacy of the Drake Curse. When Drake meets an athlete, it seems like that athlete almost always loses immediately thereafter. One MMA coach is taking action to ensure his fighters go unaffected by the rapper’s witchcraft. After a photo of Drake and former boxing heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua surfaced online, John Kavanagh, head coach of SBG Ireland and Conor McGregor, sent out a pretty fair warning to the artist.
Marlon Moraes calls Cejudo's defeat of Dillashaw 'a fluke'
Tom Taylor - June 3, 2019
UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo has some incredible victories on his resume, most notably a decision defeat of Demetrious Johnson and a knockout win over TJ Dillashaw. Yet Cejudo’s UFC 238 opponent Marlon Moraes’ considers that latter victory a bit of a fluke. Speaking on a recent episode of MMA Junkie Radio, Moraes gave his assessment of Cejudo’s 28-second defeat of Dillashaw. He says he believes Dillashaw has the style to beat Cejudo, but that things simply went Cejudo’s way on the night of the fight.
Paige VanZant injured again, Octagon return pushed back
Natasha Hooper - June 3, 2019
UFC flyweight Paige VanZant will have to delay returning to the Octagon as she is scheduled for another operation to her right arm next Thursday. This will be her third time undergoing surgery as a result of re-injuring it this year. According to a report from ESPN, Paige VanZant (8-4) fractured her arm in January during a sparring session. Initially, she was informed she would not need surgery, but upon further investigation, she will have to go under the knife and take three months out of the sport. As a result, she will not be able to fight in July as anticipated, despite training as recent as last month.
UFC 238 | Blagoy Ivanov sees clear path to victory over Tai Tuivasa
Cole Shelton - June 3, 2019
Blagoy Ivanov got his first UFC win his last time out when he took on Ben Rothwell. Now, the 32-year-old is set to take on another ranked fighter in Tai Tuivasa on the main card of UFC 238 this Saturday. The Aussie Tuivasa is coming off of the first loss of his career and is ranked above Ivanov which made it an easy decision to accept the fight.
UFC Stockholm Fighter Salaries: Jimi Manuwa projected to be top earner
Christopher Taylor - June 3, 2019
The octagon returned to Sweden this past weekend for UFC Stockholm, a twelve-bout fight card headlined by Anthony Smith vs. Alexander Gustafsson. The event produced some incredible fights and jaw dropping finishes.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is starting his training camp for UFC 242 title fight with Dustin Poirier
Christopher Taylor - June 3, 2019
Current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is starting his training camp for September’s UFC 242 event in Abu Dhabi. While not officially announced, it is expected that there the undefeated Russian will square off with current interim lightweight champ Dustin Poirier in a five-round title unification bout.
Henry Cejudo is looking absolutely shredded ahead of UFC 238
Christopher Taylor - June 2, 2019
Reigning UFC men’s flyweight champion Henry Cejudo looks to be in phenomenal shape ahead of this weekend’s UFC 238 event. This Saturday night in Chicago, Cejudo will attempt to earn ‘champ champ’ status when he moves up in weight to take on Marlon Moraes for the promotions vacant bantamweight title.
Referee Marc Goddard responds to Conor McGregor following recent criticism
Christopher Taylor - June 2, 2019
Marc Goddard has responded to Conor McGregor, this after the Irish star took aim at the veteran referee over an incident in 2012. The former two division UFC champion, McGregor, had taken to Twitter earlier this afternoon where he proceeded to throw shade at the veteran referee.
Aleksandar Rakic discusses Jon Jones matchup after Manuwa KO
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
Aleksandar Rakic put himself on the map at UFC Stockholm, beheading the dangerous Jimi Manuwa with a first-round head kick. With this incredible, highlight reel knockout in the books, Rakic can probably look forward to a spot in the light heavyweight top-10, and a reputation as a legitimate contender in the division.
Andy Ruiz on Anthony Joshua win: This is for 'all my fat boys'
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
Almost nobody believed Andy Ruiz Jr. could defeat unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Yet in a jaw-dropping twist, and one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, the Mexican American boxer defeated the Brit by seventh-round TKO. Now the unified champion in the revivified heavyweight division, Andy Ruiz has dedicated this historic victory to his fellow underdogs, and all those with a little extra weight around the waist.
What's next for Anthony Smith and Alexander Gustafsson after UFC Stockholm?
Cole Shelton - June 2, 2019
The Octagon returned to the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden on Saturday for UFC Stockholm. In the main event, Sweden’s own Alexander Gustafsson was looking to cement himself as the top light heavyweight contender as he was taking on Anthony Smith. Both Gustafsson and Smith were coming off title shot losses to Jon Jones, but it still was an intriguing bout.
Conor McGregor praises Ireland's Katie Taylor after controversial war
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
On Saturday night, shortly after UFC Stockholm, and shortly before Anthony Joshua’s shocking heavyweight title loss to Andy Ruiz Jr., Irish champ Katie Taylor returned to the ring to battle rangy Belgian southpaw Delfine Persoon. The pair collided with the WBA, WBO, WBC and IBF titles on the line. In the end, Taylor won this fight — but by a thin margin. After 10 thrilling rounds, the Irishwoman was awarded a close majority decision victory, becoming the unified champ in the process.
Alexander Gustafsson wasn't the only fighter to retire after UFC Stockholm
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
Shortly after he was defeated by Anthony Smith in the UFC Stockholm main event, Alexander Gustafsson surprised onlookers by announcing his retirement from MMA. “What can I say… The show is over guy,” Gustafsson said in the Octagon, placing his gloves on the canvas.
Anthony Smith outlines plans after submission of Alexander Gustafsson
Tom Taylor - June 2, 2019
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC Stockholm, Anthony Smith picked up arguably his biggest win to date, silencing the Swedish crowd in attendance with a submission of Alexander Gustafsson. With this victory, Smith returns to the win column after a recent decision loss to UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, and reasserts himself as one of the division’s top contenders.