UFC News
Maurice Greene gives opponent Gian Villante advice: If you don't wrestle, you’re going "to get knocked the f****d out"
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2020
Maurice Greene is excited to welcome Gian Villante to the heavyweight division on the main card of UFC on ESPN 12 this Saturday night. Greene enters this fight on a two-fight losing streak where last time out, he was submitted by Alexey Oleynik. Although some think it is a must-win for Greene to remain in the UFC, he isn’t thinking about that.
Justin Jaynes open to drop to featherweight to fight Alex Caceres after KO win over Frank Camacho
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2020
Justin Jaynes had been fighting professionally since 2013. But, he has been doing unsanctioned amateur fights in Michigan since 2007 and finally got the call to the UFC last weekend. At UFC on ESPN 11, Jaynes replaced Matt Frevola to fight Frank Camacho in a lightweight scrap. For the 30-year-old, to finally get the UFC call was a massive relief. But, he admits seeing people he beat on the regional scene getting chances on the Contender Series or shots in the UFC was frustrating.
Anthony Smith: Max Rohskopf "isn't a quitter"
Adam Martin - June 24, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith believes that lightweight Max Rohskopf “isn’t a quitter” after retiring on the stool against Austin Hubbard. Taking to Twitter after interviewing Rohskopf on SXM Fight Nation Radio, Smith — who the word quitter can never be attributed to after seeing the beating he took against Glover Teixeira at UFC Jacksonville in May — said he believes Rohskopf isn’t a quitter.
Jorge Masvidal says he’s "set for life" and doesn't have to fight again if he doesn't get what he's worth
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2020
Jorge Masvidal makes it clear he doesn’t have to fight again. For months now, the expectation was that Masvidal would be fighting Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title this summer. Yet, negotiations between “Gamebred” and the UFC stalled leaving Gilbert Burns to get the title shot.
Michael Bisping goes off on "little steroid cheating f**k" Chad Mendes
Tom Taylor - June 24, 2020
Michael Bisping has opened up on an unlikely beef with former three-time UFC featherweight title challenger Chad Mendes. This unexpected beef between Bisping and Mendes stems from a May Instagram post from Bisping’s former opponent Tim Kennedy. In his post, Kennedy looked back on beating Bisping, and ripped into the Englishman for his trash talk.
Alexander Gustafsson flaunts new heavyweight physique, has "never felt so strong"
Tom Taylor - June 24, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson is looking healthy and happy as prepares for his debut in the heavyweight division. Apparently, he’s feeling great, too. Gustafsson will make his debut in the UFC heavyweight division on July 25 at a Fight Night event on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. He’ll be welcomed to the weight class by the former champion, Brazil’s Fabricio Werdum.
Paige VanZant on UFC fighter pay: "I can make way more money just promoting brands on Instagram"
Adam Martin - June 24, 2020
UFC women’s flyweight Paige VanZant criticized the fighter pay in the UFC, saying she can make more money promoting brands on her Instagram. VanZant has not fought since January 2019, when she submitted Rachael Ostovich at UFC on ESPN+ 1, due to numerous injuries. After 18 months out of the cage, she makes her long-awaited return to the Octagon in July when she meets Amanda Ribas in the main card opening bout at UFC 251. This will be the last fight on VanZant’s UFC contract and she is expected to field offers from other promotions after the bout, so getting a win as a big underdog would be huge for her stock.
Gilbert Burns details recent gym encounter with Kamaru Usman: "It was a bit weird"
Tom Taylor - June 24, 2020
Gilbert Burns is set to challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 251. The pair are not only the two best welterweights on earth, but long-time teammates. Both Usman and Burns have both spent their recent careers training at Sanford MMA in South Florida, under the tutelage of Henri Hooft. Ahead of the matchup, Usman will relocate to Denver, Colorado to train under Trevor Wittman, the man behind Justin Gaethje, Rose Namajunas, and others.
Petr Yan to Sean O'Malley: stick your long arms "right into your a**hole"
Tom Taylor - June 24, 2020
Josh Emmett discusses fighting with injured leg: "I can’t even describe the pain"
Tom Taylor - June 24, 2020
Josh Emmett picked up a big unanimous decision win over Shane Burgos in the co-main event of UFC on ESPN 11 last weekend, but it came at a cost. Emmett sustained a litany of serious injuries in the fight, including a severe leg injury in the early moments of the opening round.
UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski to publish children's book
Tom Taylor - June 24, 2020
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is set to release a children’s book. Volkanovski announced his book in an interview with 7 News Australia. The book, which will apparently be about his life as a world champion, is targeted for release ahead of his July 11 title fight with Max Holloway.
UFC rankings update: Emmett stays put, Burgos plummets
Tom Taylor - June 24, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11 card, and unfortunately, the new edition has generated even more controversy than normal. All over social media, fight fans have been sharing their gripes about the new rankings. The main concern is that Josh Emmett didn’t gain any ground for defeating Shane Burgos in a 2020 Fight of the Year Contender in the card’s co-main event, while Burgos tumbled a ridiculous four spots in defeat. In other words, the fight did nothing for either man in terms of the rankings. Considering Emmett left the Octagon with a litany of injuries, and Burgos put forth an incredible performance in defeat, that’s very unfortunate.
Justin Gaethje explains why he avoids wrestling in fights
Tom Taylor - June 24, 2020
UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has explained why he tends to avoid wrestling inside the Octagon. Gaethje is known for his wild fights, his chopping leg kicks and his fight-ending punching power. However, the interim champion got his start in combat sports as an NCAA Division 1 wrestler.
Max Rohskopf defends coaches following UFC on ESPN 11 backlash
Natasha Hooper - June 24, 2020
Max Rohskopf has defended his corner after they insisted he continue to fight despite his decision to quit at UFC on ESPN 11. During last weekend’s preliminary fight card, Rohskopf made his UFC debut against lightweight standout Austin Hubbard. The striking onslaught of his opponent built up and forced the debutante to throw the towel in after the second round. His corner challenged his decision and insisted he fight it out into the third round. Rohskopf continually responded by telling his coach, Robert Drysdale, to “call it” and “I don’t have it.” This gained criticism from members of the MMA community such as Anthony Smith, who felt that the fighter’s coaches should have put an end to the action.
Sean O’Malley claims Reebok paid him $3k for generating over a million dollars in sales
Natasha Hooper - June 24, 2020
Sean O’Malley has claimed that Rebook only paid him $3k as part of their sponsorship deal, despite him generating the company over a million dollars in sales. The UFC’s underpayment of fighters has become a hot topic as of recent, and its sponsorship deal with Reebok is no exception.
Dan Hooker says a knockout win over Dustin Poirier "makes Gaethje look like a bum"
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2020
Dan Hooker believes if he knocks out Dustin Poirier this weekend it will make Justin Gaethje look bad. Gaethje and Poirier fought back in 2018 where “The Diamond” scored a fourth-round TKO win. Since then, Poirier went on to fight for the lightweight title while Gaethje is now the interim champion.
Kamaru Usman changes gyms ahead of his title fight against teammate Gilbert Burns
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2020
Kamaru Usman will not be training with his longtime coach, Henri Hooft and at his longtime gym Sanford MMA for his upcoming fight. Usman is set to defend his welterweight title against Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC 251. The two are longtime teammates but ahead of their clash, the champ decided to head to Denver and train under Trevor Wittman and work with the likes of Justin Gaethje and Drew Dober.
Michael Bisping thinks Max Rohskopf lacked heart at UFC on ESPN 11
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 23, 2020
Michael Bisping isn’t ragging on Max Rohskopf but he does feel the young fighter will regret quitting at UFC on ESPN 11. Rohskopf collided with Austin Hubbard in the opening bout on the UFC on ESPN 11 card. The action took place this past Saturday night (June 20). It was clear that Hubbard was too much for Rohskopf and the fighter told his coach, Robert Drysdale that he was done. Rohskopf ended up telling referee Mark Smith that he wanted out of the fight and the bout was stopped.
Geoff Neal frustrated by long UFC layoff, back serving at Texas Steakhouse: "It's bullsh*t, I need to get paid"
Adam Martin - June 23, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Geoff Neal said he’s frustrated with his long layoff and admitted that he went back to his second job as a server to make money. Neal is currently the No. 11 welterweight in the UFC rankings but he is having major troubles getting another fight lined up. Despite being a perfect 5-0 in the UFC and coming off of a huge TKO win over Mike Perry at UFC 245 last December, Neal told James Lynch of theScore that no one wants to fight him because he is such a dangerous fighter yet ranked in the bottom half of the top-15.