UFC News

Drake Riggs - February 18, 2021

Rampant speculation has surrounded UFC 261 and its location. Now, it appears things will stay in Vegas with a pair of pivotal strawweight bouts. Combate reported on Thursday that the April 24 UFC pay-per-view event will no longer be at what was initially reported as Singapore. Instead, the promotion will stick with keeping things stateside in Las Vegas at the UFC Apex facility.

Adam Martin - February 18, 2021

UFC heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis said that he hopes to send Curtis Blaydes to the ICU following their main event bout at UFC Vegas 19. Lewis faces off with Blaydes in the main event of this Saturday’s UFC card. The two were previously scheduled to fight in November but Blaydes was forced out of the bout due to a case of COVID-19. The pair needed three months to be rescheduled, so there will be plenty of frustrations to be let out when the two heavyweights fight this weekend. Blaydes has promised that he will revert to his world-class wrestling to get the job done as always, while Lewis says he will get the KO. It should be fascinating to watch the fight unfold.

Adam Martin - February 18, 2021

UFC middleweight Julian Marquez revealed that he’s still talking to Miley Cyrus by DM, saying that “she knows who I am (and) she follows me.” Marquez had an unbelievable comeback at UFC 258 last weekend when he submitted Maki Pitolo in the third round of a fight he was bound to lose via unanimous decision. Not only did he have a great finish and earn a $50,000 bonus for his troubles, but he also became a bit of an overnight sensation when he asked out singer and songwriter Miley Cyrus. Marquez asked Cyrus to be his valentine and she responded on social media with a request for him to shave the letters “MC” into his chest hair. In turn, Marquez asked Cyrus to put a henna tattoo of his name on her chest, which led to online criticism for Marquez’s game.

Christopher Taylor - February 18, 2021

Former UFC standout turned Bare Knuckle boxer Paige VanZant electrified social media Thursday, drawing a hilarious reaction from former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. VanZant made her BKFC debut earlier this month at the promotions KnuckleMania event. Unfortunately for ’12 Gauge’, she wound up suffering a unanimous decision loss to Britain Hart that evening.

Adam Martin - February 18, 2021

UFC superstar Jon Jones shared a new weight training video on his social media of himself doing rack pulls of over 600lbs. Jones is set to make his UFC heavyweight debut this summer and he has been sharing videos over the last six months of himself bulking up. The former UFC light heavyweight champion has boasted he now weighs over 250lbs. With Jones’ heavyweight debut just a few months away, as UFC president Dana White is targeting a summer date for it, “Bones” has been really taking it a whole new level in his weight training. In a workout video posted on his Instagram, the all-time great is seen doing rack pulls at 545lbs and then at 605lbs.

Cole Shelton - February 18, 2021

Derrick Lewis still hopes he gets the chance to fight Alistair Overeem. For years now, it appeared Lewis and Overeem were on a collision course, leading to the two trash-talking one another. However, for whatever reasons, the fight was never made and with Overeem’s fighting future uncertain, Lewis makes it clear he wants that fight to happen.

Adam Martin - February 18, 2021

UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards opened up as a big betting favorite to defeat Belal Muhammad when the two clash on March 13. The No. 13 ranked welterweight Muhammad is filling in on short notice for No. 14 ranked Khamzat Chimaev, who was forced out of his March 13 main event with Edwards due to COVID-19 related issues. The UFC was hoping to book No. 3 Edwards against No. 2 Colby Covington in a No. 1 contender fight, but Covington passed on taking the matchup with Edwards. Though Edwards was hoping to land a top-five opponent, there wasn’t anyone else available for him to fight on short notice that was ranked that highly. Looking up and down the rankings, the one fighter who was available to fight in March was Muhammad.

Adam Martin - February 18, 2021

Former UFC heavyweight contender Stefan Struve promised that his retirement from MMA is final, vowing that he’s “not going to fight anymore.” Struve announced this week that he is stepping away from the sport immediately, officially confirming he is hanging up his gloves after making the decision with his team and family. Struve cited numerous health and injury issues as the reason for his retirement, though his recent form no doubt played a role in him deciding to retire. Prior to announcing that he is walking away from MMA, Struve had lost five of his last six fights. His last loss to Tai Tuivasa was especially brutal as he was knocked out at the end of the first round.

Tom Taylor - February 18, 2021

Leon Edwards has accepted a new opponent for March 13. According to ESPN‘s Brett Okamoto, the long-absent welterweight star will now take on Belal Muhammad. Five days removed from a win last weekend, Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) has agreed to replace Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round main event against Leon Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) on March 13 per sources … And if Edwards wins this, it’s gotta be a title shot next, right? Gotta be. pic.twitter.com/tFM7KdhdAQ

Tom Taylor - February 18, 2021

Gilbert Burns is already back in the gym and receiving comeback advice from former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler. Burns was in action in the main event of UFC 258 last weekend, when he challenged Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title. Burns managed to drop Usman in the fight’s opening round, but Usman surged back in round two and ultimately stopped burns in round three.

Cole Shelton - February 18, 2021

Jared Gordon is set for his second fight at featherweight when he takes on Danny Chavez at UFC Vegas 19. Why Gordon made the drop down to featherweight was simple. After he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Charles Oliveira in Brazil, he knew he no longer belonged at lightweight. He then made the drop down to featherweight and beat Chris Fishgold in the summer. Without the loss, to Oliveira, Gordon admits his move back down to 145lbs wouldn’t have happened so he’s glad the loss took place.

Tom Taylor - February 18, 2021

Former fighter and MMA analyst Chael Sonnen believes the UFC’s top welterweights are all “scared” of rising prospect Khamzat Chimaev. The UFC welterweight top 5 is currently jam-packed with elite talent like champ Kamaru Usman, and top contenders Colby Covington, Gilbert Burns, Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal. Unfortunately, the division’s top fighters haven’t been particularly active of late, and Sonnen believes that’s due in part to the arrival of Chimaev.