UFC News
Kamaru Usman says he won’t grant Colby Covington a rematch until he fights a top contender first
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2021
Colby Covington will need to fight and beat someone in the top-five before getting a title shot, according to Kamaru Usman. Usman, who is the current welterweight champion, is set to defend his belt against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261. With those two fighting, Covington is now on the outside looking in. But, according to Ali Abdelaziz, “Chaos” needs to get another win if he wants a title shot.
Jon Jones fires back at Israel Adesanya over his recent comments: “I love it when opponents realize they can’t hold my jockstrap”
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Jon Jones fired back at Israel Adesanya over his recent comments, saying “I love it when opponents realize they can’t hold my jockstrap.” Adesanya was a guest on Ariel Helwani’s ESPN show on Wednesday and said that he is still pursuing a matchup against Jones despite the fact he just lost to Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259. The fight with Blachowicz exposed Adesanya, who struggled with being able to stop the takedowns from a bigger man. Despite the loss, Adesanya said that he still wants to fight Jones, to which the former UFC light heavyweight champion responded on Twitter.
UFC parent company Endeavor files for IPO
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
UFC parent company Endeavor has reportedly filed for an IPO (initial public offering) with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Endeavor Group Holdings (EDR) is an entertainment conglomerate that owns a number of businesses, including the UFC, the talent agencies IMG and William Morris, and content production for a number of events including Premier League Soccer and the Miss Universe competition, and movies and television shows including “La La Land” and “Killing Eve.” The company’s CEO is Ari Emanuel and its executive chairman is Patrick Whitesell.
Grant Dawson expects to submit BJJ black belt Leonardo Santos, plans to call out Clay Guida
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2021
Grant Dawson is finally making the move to lightweight. After Dawson missed the featherweight mark by 3.5 pounds against Darrick Minner and barely made weight for a 150-pound catchweight against Nad Narimani in July, he knew he needed to move up to 155lbs. The goal for Dawson was to make a quick turnaround but that was not the case. Finally, at Saturday’s UFC Vegas 22 event, Dawson will make his official UFC lightweight debut against Leonardo Santos.
Jan Blachowicz knows he is better everywhere than Glover Teixeira, eyes heavyweight move after two or three more title defenses
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2021
Jan Blachowicz knows his next opponent will be Glover Teixeira. After Blachowicz beat Israel Adesanya at UFC 259 to defend his belt for the first time, he knew that Teixeira would be his next opponent. Blachowicz knows the Brazilian deserves the next title shot based on the strength of his five straight wins in the UFC, but when the two rivals do meet, the champ is confident he will be better everywhere than Teixeira.
Dana White welcomed to Jacksonville by Mayor Lenny Curry for UFC 261: "We are proud to welcome you back"
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
UFC president Dana White was welcomed back to Jacksonville by Mayor Lenny Curry for UFC 261, who said “we are proud to welcome you back.” White announced this week that the world’s leading MMA promotion is set to return with a full crowd of fans when UFC 261 takes place on April 24 in Jacksonville, Florida. The card features Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal 2 in the main event, along with two other title fights. The announcement was met with excitement by some fans, who are looking forward to attending a UFC event live again, but also with some concern by some fans and media who believe the event could be risky given the realities of COVID-19, especially in Florida.
Eddie Alvarez shares advice with Conor McGregor ahead of Dustin Poirier trilogy: "He needs to harden himself as a man"
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez shared advice with MMA superstar Conor McGregor, saying “he needs to harden himself as a man.” Alvarez was actually McGregor’s last and only win in the UFC as a lightweight. The two met in the main event of UFC 205 in November 2016, with McGregor knocking Alvarez out to become the new UFC lightweight champion. Since that time, Alvarez has taken his talents to ONE Championship, while McGregor continues to be one of the UFC’s biggest stars. However, McGregor is coming off of a second-round TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, and it was the kind of loss that has led to a number of his peers giving advice to him.
Michael Chandler has a sneaky suspicion that Khabib Nurmagomedov will retire with a record of "29-and-Chandler"
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Michael Chandler has a sneaky suspicion that UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will retire with a record of “29-and-Chandler.” Chandler is one of the top lightweights in the world who is currently vying for a chance to win the UFC’s 155lbs belt, one that is currently held by Nurmagomedov. However, the Russian has said for the last six months now that he is planning on hanging up his gloves. That hasn’t stopped UFC president Dana White from trying his best to convince Nurmagomedov to fight again, but so far we haven’t heard one way or another his plans.
Gregor Gillespie says KO loss to Kevin Lee was "easier to accept" than decision
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2021
UFC lightweight Gregor Gillespie says that his knockout defeat to Kevin Lee was easier to accept than if he’d have lost via decision. Gillespie is set to get back into the Octagon this weekend at UFC Vegas 22 when he takes on fellow rising contender Brad Riddell. When he does, it’ll be the first time since UFC 244 that he’s fought, a card that took place in November 2019.
Photo | Stipe Miocic is looking lean and mean ahead of UFC 260 rematch with Francis Ngannou
Christopher Taylor - March 18, 2021
Heavyweight kingpin Stipe Miocic is looking lean and mean ahead of his highly anticipated rematch with Francis Ngannou at UFC 260. Miocic and Ngannou are set to square off for the UFC heavyweight title for a second time on March 27 in Las Vegas.
Israel Adesanya confirms Darren Till will be next if he can defeat Marvin Vettori at UFC on ABC 2
Christopher Taylor - March 17, 2021
Israel Adesanya has confirmed he will be fighting Darren Till next if the Liverpool native can defeat Marvin Vettori at next month’s UFC on ABC 2 event. The UFC’s reigning middleweight champion, Adesanya (20-1 MMA), suffered that first loss of his mixed martial arts career earlier this month to Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259. ‘Stylebender’ had jumped up a weight class in order to challenge the Polish champion, but ultimately fell victim to a unanimous decision loss.
Georges St-Pierre heaps praise on current UFC welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman: "He’s raising the bar"
Christopher Taylor - March 17, 2021
Mixed martial arts legend Georges St-Pierre has shared some extremely high praise for reigning UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. St-Pierre (26-2 MMA) is a former UFC ‘champ champ’ and is considered by most fans and pundits to be the greatest welterweight of all-time. During his reign atop the promotions welterweight division, ‘GSP’ defended his title nine times in a row. The Canadian superstar would eventually vacate the strap in November of 2013 following a narrow victory over Johny Hendricks.
Alexander Volkanovski says no one gets "spoiled" like Max Holloway does, wants to get paid big money for trilogy
Cole Shelton - March 17, 2021
Alexander Volkanovski believes the UFC spoils Max Holloway like no one else on the roster. After Holloway earned a dominant decision win over Calvin Kattar, Dana White said the Hawaiian would get the next title shot against the winner of Volkanovski and Brian Ortega. However, Volkanovski believes Holloway is getting spoiled by getting a third crack at him.
Stephen Thompson expects Jorge Masvidal to beat Kamaru Usman at UFC 261
Cole Shelton - March 17, 2021
Stephen Thompson believes Jorge Masvidal will become the new welterweight champion at UFC 261. In the main event of the card, Masvidal is getting his rematch against Kamaru Usman, not even a year after losing to him at UFC 251. However, Jorge took the previous fight on just days’ notice and had to fly to Abu Dhabi and cut a bunch of weight. For Thompson, he believes a full camp will allow Masvidal to put up a better fight.
Kevin Holland claims Israel Adesanya is a "true loser" after UFC 259 defeat
Cole Shelton - March 17, 2021
Kevin Holland says Israel Adesanya is a true loser now that he has been beaten in MMA, kickboxing, and boxing. In the main event of UFC 259, Adesanya moved up to light heavyweight against Jan Blachowicz to try and become a champ-champ. Unfortunately for Adesanya, he lost a decision, and for Holland, he says that just cements his claim that “The Last Stylebender” is a true loser.
Max Griffin expects to finish Kenan Song: "I will thrash this guy"
Cole Shelton - March 17, 2021
Max Griffin believes Kenan Song is the perfect opponent for him to look good against. On the main card of UFC Vegas 22 on March 20, Griffin is set to return against Song. Although Griffin wanted to return sooner, the birth of his son forced him to postpone the contest from UFC 259 to this card.
Aljamain Sterling fires back at "dirty dickhead" Petr Yan, called "softest fighter on UFC roster"
Adam D Martin - March 17, 2021
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling called Petr Yan a “dirty dickhead” as the two rivals got into a war of words on social media. Sterling and Yan’s 135lbs title fight at UFC 259 ended in controversy when the former champion nailed “Funk Master” in the head with an illegal knee in the fourth round, which left the challenger unable to continue. For the first time in UFC history, a title changed hands via DQ after referee Mark Smith deemed the foul international and Yan was disqualified. Sterling was, therefore, declared the winner and he’s now the champion.
GSP offers advice to Conor McGregor following his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257
Adam D Martin - March 17, 2021
UFC welterweight GSP offered some advice to Conor McGregor following his recent knockout loss to rival Dustin Poirier at UFC 257. GSP is one of the most highly-respected MMA fighters of all time, so anytime he gives advice you have to listen to it. Speaking to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, GSP was asked what McGregor can do to get back on track after getting knocked out by Poirier in his last fight. GSP, who himself experienced the rags-to-riches story of being a garbage man in Montreal to becoming a wealthy and famous athlete and movie star, decided to give some sage advice to the Irishman about how to turn his career back around.