UFC News

Cole Shelton - March 1, 2021

Petr Yan is confident he will remain the UFC’s bantamweight champion after Saturday night. In the first of three title fights on the stacked pay-per-view card, Yan is set to defend his belt against Aljamain Sterling. It’s a very intriguing matchup as the Russian is a striker while Sterling should have a grappling advantage. However, Yan isn’t worried about Sterling’s grappling.

Tom Taylor - March 1, 2021

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is hoping to create an iconic and historic moment alongside Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou. Adesanya, who now calls New Zealand home, was born in Nigeria. Usman, the UFC welterweight champion, was also born in Nigeria, while Ngannou, the UFC’s top heavyweight contender, is a native of Cameroon.

Tom Taylor - March 1, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Alexander Hernandez feels he was robbed of a victory in his UFC Vegas 20 scrap with Thiago Moises. Hernandez and Moises met on the UFC Vegas 20 undercard. After three rounds, Moises was named the victor via unanimous decision.

Tom Taylor - March 1, 2021

It sounds like we can pump the brakes on talk of a welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal, the UFC’s No. 4 welterweight contender, was on Spanish-language commentary duty for last weekend’s Canelo Alvarez vs. Avni Yildirim boxing match. After Canelo’s lopsided win, Masvial partook in an interview with Boxing Express, during which he claimed he’ll be challenging Usman for the UFC welterweight title in September.

Cole Shelton - March 1, 2021

In the main event of UFC Vegas 20, Ciryl Gane was looking to prove himself as an elite heavyweight as he battled Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Gane was looking to remain undefeated and pick up the biggest win of his career as it was his first UFC main event. Rozenstruik, meanwhile, was looking to be in a number one contender bout next time out. Ultimately, it was Gane who won all five rounds in a very lackluster fight.

Harry Kettle - March 1, 2021

UFC veteran Cub Swanson isn’t happy with Paulo Costa claiming he was hungover when he fought Israel Adesanya at UFC 253. The bout between Costa and Adesanya on Fight Island, which was contested for the UFC Middleweight Championship, wasn’t particularly close — and you won’t find many fighters or fans who disagree with that.

Harry Kettle - March 1, 2021

Nate Diaz has ripped into Jorge Masvidal for suggesting that he won’t be returning to the Octagon until at least August or September. Diaz and Masvidal squared off at UFC 244 in November 2019 which, to this day, is the last time Diaz fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Masvidal, on the other hand, has only fought once since then when he failed to capture the UFC Welterweight Championship from Kamaru Usman.

Adam Martin - February 28, 2021

UFC light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev wants to get a top-five opponent after picking up six sixth straight win at UFC Vegas 20. Ankalaev defeated Nikita Krylov via unanimous decision in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC Vegas 20 card. Although he wasn’t able to get the finish, Ankalaev was mostly able to impose his will in the striking and wrestling following a quick start by Krylov. It was a solid performance by Ankalaev, who figures to take over Krylov’s No. 8 spot in the UFC light heavyweight rankings. Ankalaev is 6-1 overall in the UFC and has won his six fights in a row. He appears to be a serious contender and in a wide-open division, is likely only one or two more wins away from getting a title shot at 205lbs.

Adam Martin - February 28, 2021

UFC bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz released a statement after his “Fight of the Night” war with Jimmie Rivera at UFC Vegas 20. Munhoz and Rivera went a hard 15 minutes against each other, with Munhoz emerging as the winner via unanimous decision due to all the damage he did with his calf kicks. There were numerous points during the fight that Rivera looked to be on his last legs, but somehow he kept on chugging on. Munhoz, meanwhile, continued to smash Rivera’s legs and his face with some heavy hooks as the two exchanged leather for three rounds. Both men were later rewarded by the UFC with the “Fight of the Night” bonus for $50,000 each.

Adam Martin - February 28, 2021

UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal says a title matchup with champion Kamaru Usman is being targeted for September. There have been plenty of rumors about Masvidal fighting Usman again in a rematch after he stepped up last year at UFC 251 and lost a unanimous decision on short notice. Despite the loss, Usman handpicked Masvidal as his next opponent, and the two are likely hoping they sell another million-plus PPVs for their rematch. Speaking to Boxing Express, Masvidal confirmed that his rematch with Usman is being targeted to take place in September.

Adam Martin - February 28, 2021

The opening betting odds have been revealed for the upcoming UFC 261 women’s strawweight title fight between Weili Zhang and Rose Namajunas. Zhang vs. Namajunas has been long rumored to take place but the fight was only recently confirmed by the UFC, which plans on the bout taking place on April 24. With Zhang vs. Namajunas now official, the sportsbooks have opened up the betting odds for the fight. Take a look at the opening odds for Zhang vs. Namajunas (via BetOnline/BestFightOdds).

Adam D Martin - February 28, 2021

UFC heavyweight Ciryl Gane issued a statement following his “great performance overall” against Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Vegas 20. Gane won a clear-cut unanimous decision over Rozenstruik in the main event of Saturday’s UFC card, with all three judges scoring the bout 50-45 in favor of the Frenchman. Gane was content to stay at distance and outstrike Rozenstruik with his jab and low kicks from the outside, while also mixing in a few takedowns and submission attempts to rack up points. Though it was overall a masterful performance by Gane, the lack of a finish and aggressiveness to hurt Rozenstruik frustrated some of the fans who were watching and led to Gane being criticized by UFC president Dana White, as well.