UFC News
Darren Till reveals DM's he sent Donald Trump to try and get a visa for UFC 248
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2020
Darren Till has been sending DM’s to Donald Trump to try and get a visa for UFC 248. Till was expected to fight Jared Cannonier on the card but Cannonier recently announced that he was injured and needed surgery. So, Till changed his focus from fighting ‘The Killa Gorilla’ to being the backup/replacement fighter for Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero at UFC 248.
Kenny Florian blames Michel Pereira for DQ loss against Diego Sanchez
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2020
Kenny Florian believes Michel Pereira has no one to blame but himself for being disqualified against Diego Sanchez. Pereira and Sanchez collided this past Saturday night (Feb. 15). The bout served as UFC Rio Rancho’s co-main event. While Pereira appeared to have easily snagged rounds one and two, he made a costly mistake in the final frame. Pereira landed an illegal knee on a downed Sanchez. The “Nightmare” said he was unable to continue and the fight was called off. Sanchez was awarded the DQ win.
Diego Sanchez praises 'wise man' Conor McGregor amid UFC Rio Rancho controversy
Tom Taylor - February 18, 2020
Diego Sanchez was the subject of quite a bit of criticism after he accepted a disqualification win over Michel Pereira at UFC Rio Rancho last weekend. Amid this criticism, Sanchez has taken the time to give the nod to the people who have supported him. He believes Conor McGregor is one of those people. Sanchez and Pereira fought in the co-main event of the UFC Rio Rancho card. The bout ended in the third round when Pereira blasted Sanchez with an illegal knee, and Sanchez said he could not continue.
On last fight of contract, Jalin Turner says UFC Auckland is 'do-or-die' for UFC career
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2020
Jalin Turner knows the stakes are high for his UFC Auckland fight against short-notice opponent, Joshua Culibao. Entering this fight, Turner is just 1-2 in the UFC with a debut loss to Vicente Luque at welterweight and most recently a decision loss to Matt Frevola. In his last fight, he admits he probably should have pulled out but with his kid being born just weeks after he needed the money and couldn’t risk being on the sidelines with no payday insight.
Aleksandar Rakic signs new six-fight deal with UFC
Adam Martin - February 18, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakic announced on his social media that he has re-signed with the UFC on a new six-fight contract. Rakic took to his Instagram to announce the new contract with the world’s leading MMA promotion. Here’s what the 28-year-old Austria native wrote.
Paul Felder reacts to apparent callout from Conor McGregor at UFC 246
Tom Taylor - February 18, 2020
Shortly after Conor McGregor finished Donald Cerrone in the UFC 246 main event, he targeted several other fighters. One of the fighters on his radar seemed to lightweight contender Paul Felder, who was working as a cage-side commentator on the night. McGregor referenced the “mouthy fools” sitting cage-side, and according to Felder, said “f**k you” as he passed by the commentary fight post-fight.
Kai Kara-France will be 'hunting' for finish against Tyson Nam in hometown fight at UFC Auckland
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2020
The last time the UFC was in Auckland, New Zealand was in 2017. There, Kai Kara-France was sitting front row cheering on his teammate Dan Hooker. During that event, Kara-France told himself he would be the one fighting next time the promotion came to his home city. And on the prelims of UFC Auckland this Saturday, Kara-France will complete his goal when he battles Tyson Nam. Yet, for a bit, many didn’t think it would happen after he fought just two months ago at UFC 245. There, he lost to Brandon Moreno. Since then, he quickly reflected on the fight and knows he made some mistakes.
Thiago Santos eyeing July return, turned down UFC's offer of unranked opponent
Adam Martin - February 18, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Thiago Santos says he is planning a comeback to the Octagon in July and he has already been offered an opponent by the UFC. Santos last competed at UFC 239 in July 2019 when he lost a split decision to UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. It was the most competitive fight of Jones’ MMA career since the Alexander Gustafsson fight at UFC 165 in September 2013, though Dominick Reyes recently had a great showing against Jones at UFC 247.
Dana White, Michael Bisping support Diego Sanchez amid UFC Rio Rancho criticisms
Tom Taylor - February 18, 2020
Diego Sanchez has been criticized by many members of the MMA community after accepting a disqualification victory against Michel Pereira in the co-main event. UFC President Dana White and former UFC middleweight champ Michael Bisping are not among those critics. Sanchez fought Pereira in the main event of UFC Rio Rancho last Saturday. After losing the first two rounds, he was blasted by an illegal knee in the third. When he was unable to continue, he was awarded a win via disqualification.
Aljamain Sterling rips Henry Cejudo following 'Aljamima' comment, ‘Triple C’ responds
Harry Kettle - February 18, 2020
Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo continue to go back and forth on social media following Cejudo’s recent “Aljamima” remark. “Triple C” has been keeping himself pretty busy over the course of the last few months – and we don’t mean inside the Octagon.
Diego Sanchez defends his ‘veteran decision‘ at UFC Rio Rancho
Natasha Hooper - February 18, 2020
According to Diego Sanchez, he can sleep easy at night knowing he bagged a disqualification win against Michel Pereira at UFC on ESPN+ 25. The welterweight fighters collided in the co-main event on Saturday in Rio Rancho. The bout finished early in the third round after Pereira delivered an illegal knee while Sanchez was on the mat. The referee immediately intervened and acknowledged the foul.
Karyn Bryant calls out Henry Cejudo for racist comment used against Aljamain Sterling
Natasha Hooper - February 18, 2020
Henry Cejudo’s trash-talking antics have landed him in hot water. MMA reporter Karyn Bryant has called out the bantamweight champion for his use of racially loaded trash talk against Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan. “Triple C” has received scrutiny recently for calling out Jose Aldo to fight in his next title defence. Despite Aldo’s long list of MMA accomplishments, the UFC legend is coming off two back-to-back losses and is ranked number 6 in the division. No. 2 ranked bantamweight Aljamain Sterling joined Ariel Helwani’s podcast yesterday and accused Cejudo of picking an easier fight to boost ticket sales.
John McCarthy on Diego Sanchez following UFC Rio Rancho: "How many fights is enough fights?"
Christopher Taylor - February 17, 2020
Referee John McCarthy believes there is just “something completely different” about Diego Sanchez following last weekend’s UFC event in Rio Rancho. The UFC legend, Sanchez, picked up a disqualification victory over Michel Pereira in front of a home crowd in New Mexico Saturday night.
Report | Tito Ortiz training with WWE for pro wrestling appearances
Cole Shelton - February 17, 2020
Tito Ortiz is reportedly looking to transition to wrestling as he’s training with WWE. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio is reporting that Tito Ortiz is training to be a pro wrestler and apparently has heard good things about the UFC Hall of Famer’s work ethic and enthusiasm.
Henry Cejudo takes aim at Aljamain Sterling and “ugly communist potato” Petr Yan in latest video
Natasha Hooper - February 17, 2020
Henry Cejudo has slammed Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan while responding to criticism for his callout of Jose Aldo. Tonight Aljamain Sterling joined Ariel Helwani’s MMA podcast to discuss potential bouts. Number one on “The Funkmaster’s” radar is the “The Boogeyman,” Petr Yan. Sterling revealed that he had a run-in with the Russian fighter at the UFC Performance Institute, and has previously called him out for a fight on Twitter.
Dustin Poirier believes Nurmagomedov will beat Ferguson, but thinks Gaethje could give 'The Eagle’ problems
Cole Shelton - February 17, 2020
Dustin Poirier thinks Khabib Nurmagomedov will defend his lightweight title when he fights Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. On April 18, Nurmagomedov and Ferguson are booked to fight one another for the fifth time in a scrap many fans are looking forward to. Although “The Eagle” is favored to win, many think it will be a close fight. But, for Poirier who fought Nurmagomedov last, he thinks the Dagestani champion will get his hand raised.
Mike Perry interested in dropping to 155lbs
Adam Martin - February 17, 2020
UFC welterweight fan favorite Mike Perry says he is considering a move down to 155lbs after struggling in his last few fights at 170lbs. Perry has dropped back-to-back fights to Geoff Neal and Vicente Luque and overall has dropped five of his last seven fights at 170lbs. That’s part of why he is potentially considering a move down in weight to get a fresh start, though he’s not convinced he will be able to cut all that weight. Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, Perry spoke about moving down a weight class.
Darren Till willing to serve as backup for Adesanya-Romero title fight
Tom Taylor - February 17, 2020
If disaster strikes, and Israel Adesanya or Yoel Romero is unable to make it to the cage for their UFC 248 title fight, Darren Till hopes to be ready to save the day. Till, of course, was expected to fight Jared Cannonier on the UFC 248 card, but the fight fell through due to a combination of visa issues, contract gripes and ultimately, a Cannonier injury.