UFC News

Cole Shelton - October 22, 2018

With the UFC leaving Fox and entering the ESPN era, changes were expected. One big question heading into this transition is how the UFC broadcast team would be affected. Well, at the very least, UFC play-by-play man Jon Anik will be staying on board. According to MMAJunkie, Jon Anik will be calling UFC fights for at least the next four years.

James Lynch - October 22, 2018

According to MMANytt’s Damon Martin, a lightweight bout between Joe Duffy and The Ultimate Fighter 9 winner Ross Pearson in the works for UFC Fight Night in Adelaide on Dec. 2. Joe Duffy (16-3) hasn’t competed since UFC 217 in Nov. 2017 where he was knocked out for the first time in his career, courtesy of James Vick. The setback snapped the 30-year-old’s two-fight win streak. He’s currently 2-2 in his last four fights and 4-2 in the octagon. Duffy holds wins over UFC veteran Norman Parke, Reza Madadi. and of course, Conor McGregor. The Tristar Gym product has never lost back-to-back fights in his career.

Tom Taylor - October 22, 2018

Siyar Bahadurzada has not fought since April, when he crumpled Luan Chagas with a kick to the body and a followup punch. He’s hoping that changes soon. The Afghan-born Dutchman, who is currently riding a three-fight win-streak, is hoping to welcome the long-absent Jorge Masvidal back to the Octagon, perhaps at UFC 232 on December 29.

Tom Taylor - October 22, 2018

UFC 230 was originally expected to be co-headlined by a lightweight contender bout between the streaking Dustin Poirier and the long-absent fan favorite Nate Diaz. Unfortunately, this fight fell apart after Poirier sustained an injury. While it was an injury that ultimately nixed this incredible matchup, Dustin Poirier says the bout almost fizzled out numerous times during the initial negotiations. That, he says, is because Nate Diaz is incredibly “hard to deal with.”

Chris Taylor - October 21, 2018

The octagon will make its debut in Moncton, New Brunswick on October 27 for the promotions UFC Fight Night 138: Volkan Oezdemir vs. Anthony Smith event. The fight card is headlined by a key light heavyweight matchup featuring former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir taking on surging contender Anthony Smith.

Tom Taylor - October 21, 2018

Former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor is currently on tour across the United States, promoting his new Proper No. 12 Irish whiskey and taking in the sites. During a recent stop in Boston, the Irish MMA star attended the latest fight of Irish boxer Katie Taylor. Shortly after Katie Taylor defended her WBA and IBF lightweight titles with a lopsided unanimous decision defeat of Cindy Serrano, she met with McGregor backstage. The pair exchanged a few laughs and well-wishes, and of course, posed for some pictures.

Cole Shelton - October 21, 2018

At UFC 232, the rematch is on. Alexander Gustafsson will take on Jon Jones for the undisputed light heavyweight belt. Jones is making his return to the Octagon after a lengthy suspension courtesy of USADA, while Gustafsson will make his first trip to the Octagon in 2018. Both fighters have fought for the belt in the past, but only Jones has won it. However, at UFC 165, Alexander Gustafsson took on Jones in a bout that is widely considered one of the greatest fights in UFC history. It was a back-and-forth affair for five rounds with Jones defeating Gustafsson by decision.

James Lynch - October 21, 2018

UFC Fight Night 139 kicks off next month and will now feature a strawweight matchup pitting two female fighters making their promotional debuts. TUF 26 competitor Maia Stevenson has been removed from the card due to undisclosed reasons and as a result, Maycee Barber will now face newcomer Hannah Cifers. Barber revealed the news in a recent interview with Fightful.

Tom Taylor - October 21, 2018

Earlier this month, on the main card of UFC 229, streaking heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis picked up one of the biggest wins of his career, surging back after two tough rounds to knock Alexander Volkov senseless late in the third. The knockout itself wasn’t the only reason this fight was significant for Lewis, however. During his post-fight interview with UFC color commentator Joe Rogan, Derrick Lewis stripped down to his underwear and announced unabashedly that his “balls was hot.”

Cole Shelton - October 21, 2018

Ever since Conor McGregor transitioned to boxing to fight Floyd Mayweather, other MMA fighters have been calling out boxers. One of the latest to do so is former Strikeforce welterweight champ Nick Diaz, who is now calling out decorated boxing champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. The payday associated with this potential fight would be huge for Nick Diaz. He also believes it’d be an easy night of work.

Tom Taylor - October 21, 2018

Former World Series of Fighting middleweight and light heavyweight champ David Branch campaigned long and hard for a fight with former Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. While Souza didn’t initially take the bait, the Brazilian grappling ace ultimately agreed to meet Branch in the cage at UFC 230 on November 3 in New York. At long last, David Branch had received the opportunity he’d been chasing. Unfortunately for him, this UFC 230 scrap with Jacare was not meant to be. Just weeks ahead of the event, Luke Rockhold was forced out of his co-main event rematch with Chris Weidman. Jacare was then summoned from his bout with Branch and assigned as Weidman’s new opponent. Branch, who is riding high on an impressive KO of Thiago Santos, was then given a new opponent in former light heavyweight and heavyweight Jared Cannonier.

Tom Taylor - October 21, 2018

UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is set to defend his title opposite Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC 230 on November 3. If Cormier wins this fight, he’s expected to compete in an ultra-lucrative showdown with former champ and current WWE star Brock Lesnar in his next fight. That being said, any number of cruel twists of fate could deprive Daniel Cormier of this chance. He could lose his fight with Derrick Lewis. Worse still, his arch rival Jon Jones could defeat Alexander Gustafsson this December and move up to heavyweight for his own fight with Lesnar. Jones, after all, has campaigned for a fight with Lesnar in the past.

Chris Taylor - October 20, 2018

The octagon will return to Denver’s Pepsi Center on November 10 for the promotions 25th anniversary show UFC Fight Night 139. The historic event is headlined by a key featherweight bout featuring former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar taking on “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung.

Chris Taylor - October 20, 2018

Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold were expected to rematch in the co-headliner of next month’s UFC 230 event in New York City. Unfortunately for fight fans, the key middleweight bout was recently cancelled after Luke Rockhold was forced to withdraw due to injuries.

Chris Taylor - October 20, 2018

Former UFC middleweight Luke Rockhold details the injuries that forced him out of his UFC 230 rematch with Chris Weidman. Speaking with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Luke Rockhold revealed that he’s currently dealing with a plethora of different injuries.

Chris Taylor - October 20, 2018

In the lead up to his highly anticipated octagon return against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, Conor McGregor stated that he would be interested in a future fight with former middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva. “You know what would be another great one? Anderson Silva.” Conor McGregor told ESPN when asked about potential future opponents.“I would be interested in an Anderson Silva bout. I swear to God. Anderson is a legend in the game. What’s the difference between him and Georges? Same damn thing. I’m going to do fights that interest me or have meaning.”

Chris Taylor - October 20, 2018

Khabib Nurmagomedov improved his professional mixed martial arts record to a perfect 27-0 earlier this month at UFC 229, submitting Conor McGregor in round four of their event headlining matchup. Now just two weeks removed from arguably the biggest fight in promotional history, FOX Sports Italia has released the entire Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov fight from UFC 229.

Chris Taylor - October 20, 2018

After two co-main event changes in the past ten days, David Branch will now fight “The Killa Gorilla” Jared Cannonier at UFC 230. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was first to report the news.