UFC News
Robert Whittaker releases statement on Darren Till win
Adam Martin - July 26, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Robert Whittaker has released a statement following his unanimous decision win over Darren Till at UFC Fight Island 3. In a highly-technical striking battle that went the full five rounds, Whittaker outstruck Till in three of the rounds according to the judges to win unanimously 48-47 on all three scorecards. For Whittaker, it’s a much-needed victory after suffering a devastating KO loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243 where he dropped the UFC middleweight title.
Julianna Pena vs. Germaine de Randamie added to fall UFC event
Adam Martin - July 26, 2020
An important women’s bantamweight bout between top contenders Julianna Pena and Germaine de Randamie has been added to an upcoming UFC event this fall. MMAjunkie.com was the first to report the matchup between Pena and de Randamie. The fight will take place on October 3 at an event that is not yet official. The location and venue of the event are not yet known, but the report says that either the UFC Apex in Las Vegas or Fight Island in Abu Dhabi could play host to the event and therefore the fight.
Herb Dean defends controversial stoppage, criticizes Dan Hardy for yelling 'stop the fight'
Adam Martin - July 26, 2020
Veteran MMA referee Herb Dean defended the controversial stoppage in the Francisco Trinaldo vs. Jai Herbert fight and criticized Dan Hardy for his comments. Trinaldo dropped Herbert with an overhand left in the third round of their catchweight bout on the UFC Fight Island 3 preliminary card. Herbert fell to the mat and Trinaldo appeared to hesitate to throw strikes on the mat at his fallen foe, recognizing he was knocked out. However, Dean didn’t stop the fight right away and needed Trinaldo to land a few nasty punches on the ground before he stepped in and stopped the contest.
Johnny Walker vs. Ryan Spann added to UFC 253
Adam Martin - July 26, 2020
A light heavyweight bout between top prospects Johnny Walker and Ryan Spann has been added to the undercard of this fall’s UFC 253 event. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was the first to report the Walker vs. Spann matchup. The fight will take place at UFC 253, which is set for September 19 at a location and venue yet to be determined. The main event of that card is scheduled to see UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya put his title on the line against top contender Paulo Costa. There is also still a chance UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov could fight interim champ Justin Gaethje on the event, according to UFC president Dana White in a recent interview.
UFC will investigate confrontation between Herb Dean and Dan Hardy
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2020
The UFC will investigate an on-air confrontation between referee Herb Dean and commentator Dan Hardy, which occured at UFC Fight Island 3 on Saturday. The controversy occurred in a lightweight contest between Francisco Trinaldo and Jai Herbert. In the third round, Trinaldo leveled Herbert with an overhand left. The impact clearly left Herbert unconcious, but Dean neglected to stop the action, leaving Trinaldo to land two additional and concussive strikes.
Peter Sobotta announces retirement after Fight Island loss to "Cowboy" Oliveira
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2020
German welterweight Peter Sobotta has announced his retirement from MMA after a tough loss to Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira at UFC Fight Island 3. Sobotta, who represents Jamaica when he fights, made his announcement on Instagram in his native German. The welterweight conceded that he still loves the sport, but after 17 years, feels he no longer has the toughness and willingness to take risks required to thrive at the highest level of the sport.
Dan Hardy issues statement after on-air confrontation with Herb Dean
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2020
Former UFC welterweight title challenger turned commentator Dan Hardy has issued a statement after he scolded referee Herb Dean on-air. Dean found himself in Hardy’s crosshairs during a lightweight fight between Francisco Trinaldo and Jai Herbert. In the third round of the fight, Trinaldo leveled Herbert with an overhand left. The impact clearly left Herbert unconcious, but Dean neglected to stop the action, leaving Trinaldo to land two additional and concussive strikes.
Robert Whittaker plans to stay ready to step in against Adesanya, Costa
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2020
Robert Whittaker plans to be ready to step in if Israel Adesanya or Paulo Costa is forced out of their UFC 253 middleweight title fight. Whittaker fought in the main event of UFC Fight Island 3 on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi, picking up a crucial decision victory over Darren Till. The win marked Whittaker’s emergence from a brief hiatus, and his first fight since losing the UFC middleweight title to Adesanya in October.
UFC Fight Island 3 bonuses: 6 finishers get rewarded
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2020
UFC Fight Island 3, which went down Saturday night on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, was packed to the edges with finishes. In fact, the card was so rife with finishes that the promotion opted to give out six performance of the night bonus checks instead of the traditional two performance of the night bonus checks and two fight of the night bonus checks.
Dana White plotting another quick turnaround for "special" Khamzat Chimaev
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2020
UFC President Dana White is very impressed by Sweden’s Khamzat Chimaev, and is hoping to get the undefeated welterweight prospect back into the Octagon soon. Chimaev competed on last night’s UFC on ESPN 14 card, wiping out the debuting former BAMMA champion Rhys McKee inside the first round. Amazingly, Chimaev made his own UFC debut just 10 days’ earlier, submitting John Phillips in the first round of a middleweight fight on July 15.
Paulo Costa scolds Robert Whittaker and Darren Till for their fight at UFC Fight Island
Christopher Taylor - July 25, 2020
Paulo Costa was not impressed by the performances of fellow middleweights Darren Till and Robert Whittaker in tonight’s UFC Fight Island 3 headliner. Till and Whittaker battled for twenty-five minutes in tonight’s main event and after the dust was settled it was ‘The Reaper’ who emerged victorious by way of unanimous decision.
Darren Till explains why a fight with Israel Adesanya would "probably" be easier than his fight with Robert Whittaker
Christopher Taylor - July 25, 2020
Despite tonight’s loss to Robert Whittaker, Darren Till is still confident that he has what it takes to defeat reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. The Liverpool native squared off with Whittaker in the headliner of tonight’s UFC Fight Island 3 event in Abu Dhabi.
Video | Robert Whittaker reacts to news that Darren Till may require knee surgery
Christopher Taylor - July 25, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker slugged it out with Darren Till for twenty-five straight minutes in tonight’s UFC Fight Island 3 main event. The contest marked Whittaker’s first since surrendering his middleweight title to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243 this past October. Despite the lengthy layoff, ‘The Reaper’ proved to be as durable as ever in tonight’s event headliner.
Darren Till reacts following loss to Robert Whittaker, believes Israel Adesanya would be an easier fight
Chris Taylor - July 25, 2020
Darren Till squared off with Robert Whittaker in the headliner of tonight’s UFC Fight Island 3 event with hopes of earning a middleweight title shot. The Liverpool native, Till (18-3-1 MMA), had made his middleweight debut against Kelvin Gastelum this past November at UFC 244, emerging victorious by way of split-decision.
Alexander Gustafsson issues statement following first round loss to Fabricio Werdum
Chris Taylor - July 25, 2020
Tonight’s UFC Fight Island 3 main card featured a key heavyweight matchup between veterans Alexander Gustafsson and Fabricio Werdum. The former multiple-time light heavyweight title challenger, Gustafsson (18-6 MMA), was making his heavyweight debut when he collided with Werdum this evening. The Swede had previously retired from MMA following his submission loss to Anthony Smith in June of 2019, but recently found the fire to get back in the Octagon.
Pros react to Robert Whittaker defeating Darren Till at UFC Fight Island 3
Chris Taylor - July 25, 2020
Tonight’s UFC Fight Island 3 event was headlined by a key middleweight matchup featuring former champ Robert Whittaker taking on Darren Till. The promotions former middleweight champion, Whittaker (20-5 MMA), was returning to action this evening for the first time since surrendering his title to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243.
Pros react to Shogun Rua vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira 3
Chris Taylor - July 25, 2020
Tonight’s UFC Fight Island 3 co-main event featured a trilogy bout between light heavyweight legends Shogun Rua and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. The promotions former light heavyweight champion, Rua (26-11-1 MMA), defeated Nogueira in both of the pairs previous matchups by decision, with their second contest at UFC 190 earning ‘fight of the night‘ honors.
UFC Fight Island 3 Results: Shogun Rua defeats Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - July 25, 2020
Tonight’s UFC Fight Island 3 co-main event features a trilogy bout between light heavyweight legends Shogun Rua and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. The former UFC light heavyweight champion, Rua (26-11-1 MMA), defeated Nogueira in both of the pairs previous matchups by decision, with their second contest at UFC 190 earning ‘fight of the night‘ honors.