UFC News
Michael Chandler vs. Dan Hooker verbally agreed to for UFC 257
Adam Martin - December 22, 2020
An exciting lightweight bout between Michael Chandler and Dan Hooker is the latest addition to January’s UFC 257 pay-per-view. Stuff.co.nz confirmed on Tuesday that Chandler vs. Hooker has been verbally agreed to for UFC 257 by both parties and both men have begun their training camps already, according to reporter Jackson Thomas. The UFC is expected to make this fight official in the next couple of days, according to the report. Chandler vs. Hooker will likely be the co-main event behind the UFC 257 between lightweight contender Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. Hooker previously called Chandler out, and now he will get his wish of fighting him.
Report | Jake Paul to box Ben Askren in March of 2021
Cole Shelton - December 22, 2020
Jake Paul and Ben Askren are set to box in March of next year. In the lead-up to Paul’s fight against Nate Robinson, the YouTuber had called out Askren among several other UFC fighters. After Paul won, the callouts only increased and now, according to Chael Sonnen, the fight is happening.
Mike Jackson, former CM Punk opponent, reportedly set for UFC return against Dean Barry
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
Mike Jackson, one of the two men to fight pro wrestling legend CM Punk, is reportedly set to return to the UFC’s Octagon. According to Mike Heck of MMA Fighting, Jackson has been tasked with welcoming Ireland’s Dean Barry to the Octagon. The fight will reportedly go down on January 20 on Fight Island.
Michael Chiesa, Neil Magny slated for January 20 fight, could "serve as backup" for Edwards vs. Chimaev
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
Ranked welterweight contenders Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny have reportedly agreed to fight on January 20 on Fight Island. While this is a big fight for the welterweight division in its own right, either of the two men could apparently get the call to step in should Leon Edwards or Khamzat Chimaev fail to make it to the cage for the card’s main event.
Shana Dobson reacts after officially pulling off biggest UFC upset of 2020
Adam Martin - December 22, 2020
UFC women’s flyweight Shana Dobson reacted after officially pulling off the biggest betting upset in the Octagon during 2020. Back in August, Dobson pulled off the upset in UFC history according to the odds when she defeated top prospect Mariya Agapova via second-round TKO at UFC Vegas 7. While upsets such as Matt Serra beating Georges St. Pierre or Holly Holm defeating Ronda Rousey might be bigger upsets due to their name value, the +1150 underdog odds on Dobson made her the biggest underdog winner ever in the UFC, and one of the biggest ever all-time in MMA.
Daniel Cormier believes Anthony Pettis will part ways with UFC, sign with Bellator MMA
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
Daniel Cormier believes that former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis will soon take his services to the Bellator MMA cage. Pettis last fought on the undercard of UFC Vegas 17 last weekend, when he picked up an impressive, decision triumph over the rising Alex Morono. With that win, Pettis fulfilled the final obligation on his latest UFC contract.
Aleksandar Rakic vs. Thiago Santos UFC 259 opening betting odds released
Adam Martin - December 22, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for the upcoming light heavyweight bout between Aleksandar Rakic and Thiago Santos at UFC 259. In a battle between two of the top-five light heavyweights in the UFC, Rakic meets Santos in a three-round fight on the undercard of UFC 259 on March 6 in Las Vegas. We do not yet have an official main event for this card, but whispers are that Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngnannou may headline the event. The promotion also recently added UFC women’s featherweight champion Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson as the co-main event.
Daniel Cormier weighs in on what it will take for Khabib Nurmagomedov to fight again: "I don't think it's going to be money"
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
Daniel Cormier has shared his thoughts on what will need to happen for Khabib Nurmagomedov to fight again. Nurmagomedov last fought at UFC 254 in October, when he defended the UFC lightweight title with a second-round submission of Justin Gaethje, improving his record to 29-0 in the process. In his post-fight interview with Jon Anik, Nurmagomedov shocked viewers by announcing his retirement from MMA.
UFC confirms return to Fight Island with stacked "triple header week"
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
Video | UFC reveals 2020 Knockout of the Year nominees
Tom Taylor - December 22, 2020
With 2020 winding down, the UFC has released a video of the year’s best knockouts, and the promotion is asking fans to pick their favorites. See the video below.
Jose Aldo opens up on the new chest tattoo he showcased at UFC Vegas 17
Harry Kettle - December 22, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Jose Aldo has opened up on the temporary chest tattoo he showed off at UFC Vegas 17. Aldo was able to snap a three-fight losing streak last weekend as he picked up a comprehensive unanimous decision win over Marlon Vera. Many fans spotted a new tattoo on Aldo’s chest that turned out to be temporary, with the Brazilian using it to pay tribute to a special forces unit in the Brazilian Navy who he had trained with in the post.
Michael Bisping believes Tony Ferguson needs to “accept that he’s on the decline” following UFC 256
Harry Kettle - December 22, 2020
UFC veteran Michael Bisping believes that Tony Ferguson needs to accept he is beginning a decline after two consecutive defeats. Many fans had been left to wonder what kind of impact there would be on Ferguson after his heavy loss to Justin Gaethje earlier on in the year. Now, after he was also beaten Charles Oliveira, the speculation continues to grow.
Deiveson Figueiredo believes Brandon Moreno draw at UFC 256 should have been clear victory
Drake Riggs - December 21, 2020
At UFC 256, Deiveson Figueiredo once again walked away with his flyweight title around his waist… but he didn’t pick up the victory against Brandon Moreno. Brazil’s “Deus de Garra” made history with the quickest turnaround in UFC history for a champion. Headlining UFC 255 in November defending his title for the first time, Figueiredo defeated Alex Perez via first-round guillotine. Three weeks later, he attempted to do so once again.
Video | Nate Diaz releases new training footage with Nick Diaz from 2020 quarantine
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
Ahead of his return to the UFC Octagon in 2021, Nate Diaz released new training footage with his brother Nick Diaz from the 2020 quarantine. Neither Diaz brother fought at all in 2020, but they haven’t been wasting their time. In a video posted to the official Nate Diaz YouTube channel, the welterweight superstar shared a video of him training with his brother Nick during the 2020 quarantine. Both men look to be in fantastic shape during the video as they each gear up for a big comeback in 2021.
UFC targeting Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2 for March, winner expected to fight Jon Jones this summer
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2020
Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou will be running it back. Ever since Miocic defeated Daniel Cormier at UFC 242 in the trilogy, talk of the rematch between Miocic and Ngannou intensified. Now, according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, the UFC is planning on having two pay-per-views in March with one being headlined by Miocic vs. Ngannou and the other being Israel Adesanya vs. Jan Blachowicz.
Rose Namajunas responds to Dana White’s claim that she does not want a title shot
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight contender Rose Namajunas has responded to UFC president Dana White’s claims that she does not want a title shot. Namajunas defeated Jessica Andrade on Fight Island in a “Fight of the Night” performance that earned her the next title shot against UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang. That fight was initially expected to take place in early 2021. However, UFC president Dana White recently said that Namajunas doesn’t want the fight with Zhang and the UFC is now considering giving the next title shot at 115lbs to Carla Esparza instead.
What's next for Stephen Thompson and Geoff Neal after UFC Vegas 17?
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 17, Stephen Thompson took on rising contender Geoff Neal. Thompson was looking to cement his case as a top-five welterweight while Neal was set for the biggest fight of his career. Ultimately, it was “Wonderboy” who won every single round to get a clear-cut decision and prove to everyone he is still a contender at 170lbs.
Conor McGregor reveals UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy is highest-selling PPV of 2020
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
UFC superstar Conor McGregor revealed that UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy has been confirmed as the highest-selling UFC pay-per-view of 2020. Initially, it appeared that UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal was the highest-selling PPV at 1.3 million buys. However, McGregor posted a photo on his social media on Monday showing a letter from the UFC indicating that UFC 246 sold 1,353,429 PPVs, which means it would edge out the 1.3 million number that UFC 251 did. McGregor, ever the salesman, took to his Twitter to share the news that he and Cerrone are the highest-selling PPV of the year.
Marcin Tybura issues statement after stopping Greg Hardy
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Marcin Tybura has issued a statement after his victory over Greg Hardy at UFC Vegas 17 last weekend. Tybura met Hardy on the event’s main card. The Polish heavyweight ended up scoring a decisive win in the over the former NFL player, strafing his exhausted foe from top position to set up a second-round TKO.