UFC News
Alexandre Pantoja opens as a sizeable favorite over Steve Erceg ahead of UFC 301 title fight
Cole Shelton - March 19, 2024
Alexandre Pantoja has opened as a sizeable betting favorite ahead of his UFC 301 title fight against Steve Erceg. Pantoja is set to defend his flyweight title for the second time in Brazil on May 4 against the 10th-ranked Erceg. The fight came as a bit of a surprise given Erceg is only 3-0 in the UFC, but due to Pantoja having wins over several top ranked fighters, it made sense for the Aussie to get the title shot.
Raquel Pennington explains why it's "not fair" that Kayla Harrison could fight her after UFC 300
Josh Evanoff - March 19, 2024
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington would rather not fight Kayla Harrison next. The former PFL tournament winner is set to make her promotional debut at UFC 300 next month. There, Kayla Harrison will meet former champion Holly Holm, in one of the key bouts on the milestone card. If there’s one woman who will be watching the bout closely, it will be the current women’s bantamweight titleholder, Raquel Pennington.
Jonathan Martinez vows to spoil Jose Aldo's Brazil return at UFC 301: "It doesn't faze me"
Josh Evanoff - March 19, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Jonathan Martinez is ready to spoil Jose Aldo’s return. Earlier this week, it was revealed that the former UFC featherweight champion was ending his retirement. Jose Aldo famously retired after a loss to Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022, feeling that his title hopes were over for good. However, just two years later, the Brazilian is set to return against Jonathan Martinez in May.
Cory Sandhagen explains why he wants to fight Umar Nurmagomedov for five rounds
Cole Shelton - March 19, 2024
Cory Sandhagen wants to fight Umar Nurmagomedov over five rounds. Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov were scheduled to headline UFC Nashville last August, but an injury to the Dagestani native forced him out of the matchup. Since then, Sandhagen went on to defeat Rob Font. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov picked up a win earlier this month, and after that victory, he once again called for a fight with the American.
Marlon Vera hopes to return in New York against a former UFC champion
Susan Cox - March 19, 2024
Marlon Vera is hoping to make his return in New York against a former UFC champion. Vera (23-9 MMA) had his chance at bantamweight gold earlier this month when he met up with Sean O’Malley (18-1 MMA) at UFC 299. However, it would be the reigning champion, ‘Suga‘, who would be awarded the unanimous decision victory that Saturday night in Miami, Florida.
Sean Strickland advises “piece of sh*t” Jon Jones to “sack up” and fight Tom Aspinall
Susan Cox - March 19, 2024
Sean Strickland is advising ‘piece of sh*t’ Jon Jones to ‘sack up’ and fight Tom Aspinall. The former middleweight champion was asked about current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ (27-1 MMA) recent interaction with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall (14-3 MMA).
Sean O’Malley unloads on “fake-ass” Marlon Vera following greasing accusations: “F**k that guy”
Susan Cox - March 19, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has unloaded on ‘fake-ass’ Marlon Vera following his greasing accusations. It was on Saturday, March 9th at UFC 299 that Sean O’Malley (18-1 MMA) avenged his one and only loss to Marlon Vera (21-9 MMA) in his first bantamweight title defense. O’Malley kept the belt and finished ‘Chito’ by unanimous decision. The official judges’ scorecards read 50-45, 50-45, and 50-44 after their five-round contest.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 158 with Jeremy Kennedy, Julian Erosa and Kurt Holobaugh
Cole Shelton - March 19, 2024
The 157th episode of Just Scrap Radio with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Vegas 89 and Bellator Belfast. We’re first joined by Bellator featherweight Jeremy Kennedy (1:09). Next, UFC featherweight Julian Erosa (18:19) comes on. Finally, UFC lightweight Kurt Holobaugh (36:37) closes out the program.
Sean Strickland opens up on his daily struggles with mental health: “I want to burn everything down in the world”
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2024
UFC fighter Sean Strickland has opened up on some of the mental health issues he’s been struggling with recently. As many fans know, Sean Strickland is one of the most unpredictable fighters in mxied martial arts. From his style in the cage to what he says and does outside of it, he’s been known to fly off the handle.
Alex Pereira reportedly has a special clause in his UFC 300 fight contract: “Apparently that was part of his contract negotiation”
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2024
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira could have a historic few months ahead of him in mixed martial arts. Next month at UFC 300, Alex Pereira will defend his belt against Jamahal Hill. While it isn’t the main event many expected for such a mammoth card, it promises to be an all-action affair.
UFC flyweight Mariya Agapova calls out matchmaker Mick Maynard: “I am not able to get a job”
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2024
UFC flyweight Mariya Agapova has revealed her frustration at not being able to get a fight booked. For many years now, Mariya Agapova has been seen as someone who has real potential to go far in the women’s flyweight division. However, as time has gone on, she’s experienced a parade of setbacks in her attempt to become a title contender.
What's next for Marcin Tybura and Tai Tuivasa after UFC Vegas 88?
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2024
In the main event of UFC Vegas 88, ranked heavyweights threw down at the Apex as Marcin Tybura took on Tai Tuivasa. Tybura entered the fight coming off a first-round TKO loss to Tom Aspinall last summer, while Tuivasa was on a three-fight losing skid and coming off a stoppage loss to Alexander Volkov.
VIDEO | Mark Coleman seen at the gym just days after devastating house fire
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Coleman is already back in the gym. ‘The Hammer’ is one of the most beloved early UFC stars. However, Mark Coleman was unfortunately the victim of a terrible house fire last week. As many have already reported, the retired fighter’s dog Hammer, woke him up in the middle of the night to alert him. Thanks to the alert, Coleman was able to get his parents out of the home safely.
Conor McGregor reveals there's been "no talk" with the UFC over his return
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2024
Conor McGregor is growing frustrated with the UFC as he says there have been no talks on his potential return. McGregor has been vocal about wanting to return in June against Michael Chandler and then again in September against Nate Diaz. Dana White has since shot down both of those ideas and said he isn’t even sure if McGregor will fight this year.
Islam Makhachev confirms he was offered Leon Edwards super fight for UFC 300: “I’m very upset”
Susan Cox - March 18, 2024
Islam Makhachev has confirmed that he was offered a super fight with Leon Edwards for UFC 300. The historic UFC 300 takes place on Saturday April 13th at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Michael Page lists three names as potential opponents for his next UFC fight
Susan Cox - March 18, 2024
Michael Page is listing three names as potential opponents for his next UFC fight. Page (22-2 MMA) made his UFC debut taking on Kevin Holland (25-11 MMA) in a welterweight bout on March 9th at UFC 299. The result was a unanimous decision victory for ‘Venom’.
Report | Jose Aldo set to return to the Octagon at UFC 301
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2024
UFC legend Jose Aldo is set to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 301 following his retirement in 2022. For the longest time now, Jose Aldo has been seen as a legend in mixed martial arts. He’s a fan favorite, he’s a former champion, and he has always had a fantastic fight style. At the age of 37, however, many will wonder how much he has got left in the tank.
Anthony Smith explains why he’s “offended’ by Vitor Petrino’s callout: “I refuse to be the new Neil Magny”
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2024
Anthony Smith explained why he was offended by being called out by his next opponent, Vitor Petrino. At UFC 301, MMA veteran Anthony Smith will return to action. He’ll take on rising prospect Vitor Petrino as he attempts to make a return to the win column. That won’t, of course, be easy, especially given how impressive Petrino has looked in the UFC thus far.