UFC News
Dominick Cruz shares update after shoulder surgery
Tom Taylor - January 10, 2019
On Tuesday, former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz went under the knife to repair an injured shoulder. Speaking on Twitter shortly thereafter, the former champion called this surgery a success and said that he’s back on the road to recovery.
Mackenzie Dern forgoes flyweight move, sticks to strawweight division
Tom Taylor - January 10, 2019
Mackenzie Dern will continue to compete as a strawweight. Despite her recent struggles to reach the strawweight division’s 116-pound cap, she and her team have decided to stick to this division for now, rather than move up to the flyweight division, which has a limit of 126 pounds for non title fights.
Report | Conor McGregor in negotiations to return to boxing for grudge match with Paulie Malignaggi
Christopher Taylor - January 9, 2019
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor is reportedly in negotiations to fight former boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi in the squared circle. That news comes via @BoxingKingdom14, who reported the following on Twitter:
Report | Officials looking to add a welterweight fight between Darren Till and Colby Covington to UFC London
Christopher Taylor - January 9, 2019
Darren Till and Colby Covington have engaged in some heated exchanges on social media in the past and have now been offered the opportunity to settle their beef inside the octagon at UFC London. BJPENN.com’s Chris Taylor reported the news of the proposed welterweight clash moments ago on Twitter.
Coach updates on Cris Cyborg's status with the UFC
Tom Taylor - January 9, 2019
Cris Cyborg is no longer the UFC women’s featherweight champion. The long-time titleholder’s reign came to a shocking halt in the co-main event of UFC 232 in late December, when she was knocked out by Amanda Nunes in just 51 seconds. Given that Cyborg’s current UFC contract will expire in March, some fans have speculated that she might take her services elsewhere at that point — perhaps to the boxing world, or to Japan for an exhibition bout.
Cain Velasquez on Jon Jones fight: 'I'll try to make that happen'
Tom Taylor - January 9, 2019
At long last, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is scheduled to return to the cage. The heavyweight legend is set to take on former title challenger Francis Ngannou at UFC Phoenix on February 17. If Velasquez is able to topple the fearsome Ngannou — not a certainty by any means — it’ll open the door to other huge fights in the ever dangerous UFC heavyweight division. Of all the fights that would become available to him, it’s arguable that none would be as big as a super fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Joe Rogan explains why Nate Diaz is such a big star
Tom Taylor - January 9, 2019
In the opinion of UFC color commentator Joe Rogan, Nate Diaz is one of the biggest stars in the UFC — perhaps almost as big a star as Conor McGregor. Rogan gave his take on the star power of the younger Diaz brother on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show, discussing the topic with American Top Team coach Din Thomas.
Din Thomas and Joe Rogan discuss the importance of telling fighters when to retire
Tom Taylor - January 9, 2019
Din Thomas, one of the coaches at American Top Team, and a former fighter himself, says he has no problem telling his fighters when it’s time to hang up the gloves. Thomas opened up on the topic in a conversation with Joe Rogan on the Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show.
Jimmy Smith has an interesting theory about why so many UFC fighters are getting commentary jobs
Tom Taylor - January 9, 2019
Jimmy Smith served as a UFC commentator for the duration of 2018, but in 2019, the promotion decided not to renew his contract. Instead, he explained on The MMA Hour, they’re planning on hiring more fighters as commentators.
TJ Dillashaw announces new "Fit to Fight" fitness course, hopes to become a three-division champ
Tom Taylor - January 9, 2019
Press Release: TJ Dillashaw is proud to announce that he’s released his new “Fit to Fight” course that gives all-access to his martial arts training, and gives instruction for many of his signature warm ups, drills, and combos. TJ Dillashaw provides up close and personal camera angles so viewers can easily learn the handwork, footwork, and ground work that have made him the current UFC Bantamweight Champion.
Jorge Masvidal praises Nick and Nate Diaz, still wants to fight both
Tom Taylor - January 9, 2019
Jorge Masvidal was briefly linked to a UFC 235 showdown with Nick Diaz, but that fight unfortunately fizzled out. All the same, Masvidal still has tremendous respect for Nick Diaz and his brother Nate, and is definitely interested in fighting both under the right circumstances. “Obviously, I want to fight Diaz, because they’re dogs,” Masvidal said on a recent episode of MMAjunkie Radio. “That’s what I really admire about them. Their skillset is not the greatest. They’re great at boxing. They’re great at jiu-jitsu even off their backs, but that thing – they don’t kick, they don’t wrestle.
Conor McGregor and Al Iaquinta exchange shots on social media
Christopher Taylor - January 8, 2019
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor took aim at Tristar gym head coach Firas Zahabi earlier this evening, which resulted in an bitter exchange with Al Iaquinta. “Mystic Mac” had blasted Zahabi for his recent comments in which he insinuated that current UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway would defeat Conor McGregor in a rematch.
Conor McGregor fires back at Firas Zahabi: "Stay ready!"
Christopher Taylor - January 8, 2019
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has fired back at Tristar coach Firas Zahabi over his recent comments. The famous coach of UFC star Georges St-Pierre, Zahabi, had recently shared his thoughts on the possible outcome of a rematch between Conor McGregor and current UFC featherweight kingpin Max Holloway.
Fighters react after the UFC snubs Colby Covington of promised title shot
Christopher Taylor - January 8, 2019
Former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington is not happy after being snubbed by the UFC of his promised title unification bout with Tyron Woodley. “Chaos” had captured the promotions interim welterweight title at June’s UFC 225 event in Chicago, where he scored a unanimous decision victory over Rafael dos Anjos.
AUDIO | Anthony Smith sends firey response to 'arrogant prick' Luke Rockhold
Drake Riggs - January 8, 2019
“I would fight that guy in aisle five of Walmart.“– @lionheartasmithresponds to Luke Rockhold’s comments about him #TLTS @lthomasnews pic.twitter.com/jjjS1n1BCT — MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) January 8, 2019
Cris Cyborg echoes Conor McGregor, shares interest in exhibition fight in Tokyo
Tom Taylor - January 8, 2019
Back at UFC 232 in late December, the longstanding title reign of UFC featherweight champ Cris Cyborg came to a shocking end at the hands of Amanda Nunes. Given Cyborg’s status as one of MMA’s most dominant champions ever, most fans feel that she deserves an immediate opportunity to avenge her loss to Nunes and reclaim the UFC featherweight title. If she doesn’t get this opportunity, however, she’s got a backup plan.
Ben Askren scolds Colby Covington for being 'dumb enough' to trust Dana White
Tom Taylor - January 8, 2019
After being deprived of a shot at UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington is not happy with the UFC. In fact, the streaking wrestling specialist is so frustrated that he’s dared UFC President Dana White to release him from his UFC contract.
Firas Zahabi explains why he'd pick Max Holloway to beat Conor McGregor in rematch
Tom Taylor - January 8, 2019
During a recent Ask Me Anything session on the official Tristar YouTube channel, renowned MMA coach Firas Zahabi was asked for his thoughts on a rematch between former UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor and current UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway. When the pair first met in 2013, McGregor walked away with a unanimous decision victory. If the pair were to rematch in the year 2019, however, Zahabi says he’d pick Holloway to come out on top — potentially even by stoppage.