UFC News

Adam Martin - January 17, 2021

UFC analyst Joe Rogan says he was blown away by Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar’s performances in the main event of UFC on ABC 1. Rogan wasn’t on Fight Island to commentate the UFC’s latest trip to Abu Dhabi, but he’s still watching the events at home. The first of the three Fight Island cards featured Holloway and Kattar in a featherweight main event that headlined UFC on ABC 1. The fight turned out to be a complete beatdown for five rounds as Holloway put on an unworldly performance, setting several records along the way, while Kattar showed that he truly has an iron chin.

Adam Martin - January 17, 2021

UFC middleweight Alessio Di Chirico thanked UFC president Dana White for his “Performance of the Night” bonus after initially snubbing him. Di Chirico picked up a huge upset win when he finished rising star Joaquin Buckley via first-round KO on the UFC on ABC 1 main card. The Italian had lost three straight fights coming into the Buckley matchup and many fans and media believed this was a set-up fight designed for Buckley to continue building his star power. Unfortunately for Buckley, he was on the wrong end of a highlight-reel knockout when Di Chirico kicked him in the face with his shin.

Adam Martin - January 17, 2021

UFC legend Diego Sanchez issued a warning about brain trauma in MMA, suggesting that his “soul has been raped many times in this business.” One of the most durable fighters in UFC history, Sanchez has been outspoken about the damage that he’s endured during his 15-plus years fighting in the Octagon. The 39-year-old American recently said his next fight will be his last, citing concerns with brain trauma among the reasons why he is retiring.

Adam Martin - January 17, 2021

UFC superstar Conor McGregor believes there is a “very high probability” of the Irishman boxing against the legend Manny Pacquiao in 2021. McGregor returns to the Octagon for the first time in a year next weekend at UFC 257 when he takes on rival Dustin Poirier in the main event of the evening. With a win over Poirier, it’s expected that McGregor will call out UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov for a rematch. But while his focus is on MMA at the moment, McGregor can’t help but look around at other opportunities for him in the world of combat sports, namely in the boxing ring.

Adam Martin - January 17, 2021

UFC middleweight Joaquin Buckley issued a statement following his head kick KO loss to Alessio Di Chirico at UFC on ABC 1. Buckley was recently named by UFC president Dana White as one of the three fighters to look forward to in 2021, alongside Kevin Holland and Khamzat Chimaev. After scoring back-to-back knockout wins over Impa Kasanganay and Jordan Wright, Buckley was booked to fight Di Chirico in a fight that many were looking at as a squash match. Indeed, the oddsmakers opened Buckley up as a sizeable favorite to beat Chirico, who had lost three straight fights.

Adam Martin - January 17, 2021

UFC superstar Conor McGregor says that he believes he is still the lightweight champion ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 257. Back at UFC 229 in October 2018, McGregor met Khabib Nurmagomedov in an attempt to win back the UFC lightweight title that was stripped of the Irishman due to inactivity. Nurmagomedov dominated the fight, knocking McGregor down on the feet and then thrashing him on the ground before finally locking in the fight-ending neck crank in the fourth round. After the fight was over, there was then the infamous brawl between Team Khabib and Team McGregor.

Adam Martin - January 17, 2021

UFC featherweights Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar each won $50,000 in bonuses for their “Fight of the Night” at UFC on ABC 1. Holloway and Kattar put on an incredible showing in the main event as the two went five full rounds in an absolute slugfest to kick off the 2021 UFC calendar. Holloway took it to Kattar during the 25 minutes they spent in the cage with one another, landing over 400 significant strikes in a record-setting perfrmance. Although Kattar suffered one of the most lopsided losses in UFC history on paper, he was durable enough to make it an exciting fight for fans.

Adam D Martin - January 17, 2021

UFC featherweight Max Holloway returned fire after Conor McGregor laughed at his claims of being the best boxer in the UFC. Holloway put on an incredible performance against Calvin Kattar at UFC on ABC 1, where he showed off his incredible striking skills in a 25-minute showcase. The fight was essentially Holloway beating up Kattar for five rounds and showing off every last bit of his elite standup skills in the bout. In particular, Holloway’s boxing really stood out in this fight. He was able to keep Kattar at the end of his jab the entire fight and light him up with his strikes.

Adam D Martin - January 17, 2021

UFC president Dana White claimed that Khabib Nurmagomedov “isn’t interested” in a potential fight with UFC legend Georges St-Pierre. Nurmagomedov was expected to give White a ‘yes or no’ answer in regards to the lightweight champ’s potential comeback, but that didn’t happen. White said on the UFC on ABC 1 broadcast that we will find out more about the Russian’s plans for a comeback following UFC 257 next week. According to White, the lightweight champion is keeping a very close eye on the headliners Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier, making no mention of the legend St-Pierre.

Adam D Martin - January 17, 2021

UFC president Dana White admitted that he was bothered by how much damage Calvin Kattar took against Max Holloway at UFC on ABC 1. Kattar was on the wrong end of a historic beating at the hands, elbows, feet and, knees of Holloway, who systematically beat Kattar down over the course of five rounds, setting numerous UFC records in the process. Although there are many ways to win in MMA, by about the third or fourth round it became clear that Kattar had no chance of winning this fight. But his corner didn’t throw in the towel despite their fighter taking incredible damage in the match.

Adam D Martin - January 17, 2021

Charles Oliveira responded to praise from UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, saying that he deserves to fight for the belt next. Oliveira has won eight straight fights in the UFC lightweight division, including a dominant decision victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 256. After defeating Ferguson, Oliveira called for a lightweight title shot. The problem is, of course, the division is currently in a holding pattern, waiting for Nurmagomedov to decide what he wants to do. The UFC lightweight champion is essentially retired but has admitted that he could be coaxed into having one more fight.

Adam D Martin - January 17, 2021

Featherweight star Max Holloway is willing to compete at UFC 257 on short notice in case there are any issues with the fighters on the card. Holloway put on an epic showing at UFC on ABC 1 when he beat down Calvin Kattar for five rounds. Now, the Hawaiian is hoping to make a quick return to the Octagon. After his incredible performance, “Blessed” said that, if anything happens to Conor McGregor or Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 next weekend, he wants to step in and fight. Check out what Holloway told the fans on the mic.