UFC News

Charles Oliveira
Michael Chandler

Charles Oliveira reportedly declines UFC 258 non-title fight with Michael Chandler

Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021

Charles Oliveira has reportedly turned down a short-notice offer to meet Michael Chandler in a non-title fight on the upcoming UFC 258 card. UFC 258 is scheduled for February 13 in Las Vegas. According to a report from AG Fight, the UFC attempted to schedule a last-minute lightweight contender fight between Oliveira and Chandler for the rapidly approaching card, but Oliveira declined because there would be no title up for grabs.

Dan Hooker
UFC

Dan Hooker opens up on Chandler loss, reveals why he removed gloves in the cage

Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker has opened up on his loss to Michael Chandler, and revealed why he removed his gloves in the Octagon post-fight. Hooker met Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 257 last month. The bout was Chandler’s first in the UFC after a prolonged stint in Bellator, and Hooker was viewed as a tough welcome committee.

Ben Askren, Jake Paul
Jake Paul

Ben Askren unveils customized Jake Paul punching bag

Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021

Ben Askren will have no trouble visualizing Jake Paul as he prepares for their anticipated professional boxing match. Askren, the former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight titleholder and a former contender in the UFC, is slated to meet Paul in an eight-round pro boxing match on April 17. Ahead of the fight, he’s received a customized punching bag adorned with an image of Paul’s face.

Conor McGregor, Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan favors Michael Chandler in potential matchup with Conor McGregor

Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021

UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes Conor McGregor would probably sustain another loss if he was matched up with Michael Chandler. McGregor last fought in the main event of UFC 257 in January, emerging from a year-long hiatus only to be stopped by Dustin Poirier in the fight’s second round. That setback brought McGregor and Poirier to a 1-1 tie, as McGregor won their first fight by knockout back in 2014, but it still shrouded the Irishman’s future in uncertainty. Though he remains the sport’s biggest star, he’s now 1-2 in the UFC lightweight division, and is in desperate need of a victory if he intends to maintain his reputation as one of the division’s best fighters.

Kamaru Usman, UFC 245
UFC

Kamaru Usman explains why he won't call himself the GOAT

Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021

You won’t catch UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman calling himself the Greatest of All Time. That’s because he doesn’t think anyone should bestow themselves with such a weighty title. Usman explained his objection to fighters proclaiming themselves the GOAT during a recent interview with MMA Fighting.

Francis Ngannou
Francis Ngannou

Video | Francis Ngannou does the “body shot challenge” with UFC featherweight Dan Ige

Harry Kettle - February 1, 2021

UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou is preparing for his rematch with Stipe Miocic in a unique way – by taking body shots from Dan Ige. Ngannou is gearing up for the biggest fight of his life as he prepares to lock horns with Miocic who, just three years ago, dominated him in a unanimous decision win back at UFC 220.

Randy Couture
Randy Couture

Randy Couture recounts playing spoiler to the UFC’s plans for Chuck Liddell

Harry Kettle - February 1, 2021

UFC legend Randy Couture remembers playing the role of “spoiler” when he beat Chuck Liddell way back at UFC 43. Couture is so often regarded as a legend in mixed martial arts and rightly so, but many often forget that it was towards the end of what many considered to be his “prime” that he did some of his best work.

Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor
Dustin Poirier

Dustin Poirier suggests Charles Oliveira fights Michael Chandler for vacant lightweight title

Adam Martin - January 31, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier suggested that Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler fight each other for the vacant title. The race for the UFC lightweight title is high in the wake of Poirier’s knockout win over Conor McGregor at UFC 257. With UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov almost assuredly set to retire in the coming weeks and vacate the belt, Poirier — the self-named “uncrowned world champion” —  is fully expected to be one half of whatever the next lightweight title fight is. His opponent, however, is still up in the air, with McGregor, Chandler, Oliveira, and Nate Diaz all realistic options.

Mike-Goldberg
Mike Goldberg

Video | Mike Goldberg parodies Conor McGregor in hilarious cameo

Adam Martin - January 31, 2021

Bellator commentator Mike Goldberg parodied Conor McGregor’s “who da fook are you?” in a comical cameo from the former UFC play-by-play man. Goldberg was the long-time UFC play-by-play commentator and he now does the same job for Bellator. In a recent cameo, a fan asked Goldberg to talk about the UFC 257 main event fight between McGregor and Dustin Poirier, and “Goldie” made sure the fan got their money’s worth. Check out the hilarious cameo video of Goldberg parodying the infamous “who the fook are you?” McGregor moment below (via Borrachinha Depot).

Nik-Lentz-Eye
UFC

Video | Watch former UFC fighter Nik Lentz remove his own stitches

Adam Martin - January 31, 2021

Former UFC fighter Nik Lentz posted a graphic video to his social media showing him removing his own stitches from above his eye. Lentz recently announced his retirement from mixed martial arts following a split decision loss to Movsar Evloev on Fight Island. Lentz took more damage to his previously-injured eyes during the fight, prompting him to hang his gloves up. Of course, there was still the matter of the stitches that remained, and Lentz took care of it himself. The video might not be for everyone so viewer discretion is advised. In the video, you can see Lentz removing multiple stitches from above his right eye. Check out Lentz removing his stitches “Carnival style” below via his Twitter.

Paige VanZant, BKFC
Paige VanZant

Paige VanZant blasts haters ahead of BKFC debut: "I'm still going to be beautiful even if I get cut open"

Adam Martin - January 31, 2021

BKFC fighter Paige VanZant blasted her haters ahead of her upcoming bout, telling them that she will still be beautiful even if she gets cut. VanZant left the UFC last year to sign a big-money, free-agent contract with BKFC. Next weekend, VanZant makes her bare-knuckle boxing debut against Britain Hart on February 5 during the Super Bowl weekend card. VanZant’s decision to move from MMA to BKFC, where the likelihood of her face getting cut is very high, has led to criticism from fans online, many of who believe she is making the wrong call. Her critics believe that VanZant will get cut open in BKFC which could harm her earning as an Instagram model. To those haters, VanZant has two words for them: grow up.

Aspen Ladd, UFC Rochester
Julianna Pena

Aspen Ladd challenges Julianna Pena to fight this spring

Adam Martin - January 31, 2021

UFC women’s bantamweight contender Aspen Ladd has officially challenged fellow divisional stalwart Julianna Pena to a fight this spring. Ladd took to her social media on Sunday to make the callout of Pena, in response to a tweet of Pena calling out UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes.