UFC News
Gilbert Burns lists his advantages over Kamaru Usman
Tom Taylor - August 10, 2020
Gilbert Burns believes he has a host of important advantages heading into his yet unscheduled title fight with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Burns delved into the nuances of the matchup in a recent interview with Helen Yee. The BJJ blackbelt said he expects to have an advantage in the jiu jitsu and grappling departments, and challenged the welterweight division’s top wrestlers to test him on the mat.
Alexey Oleynik issues statement after knockout loss to Derrick Lewis
Tom Taylor - August 10, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Alexey Oleynik issued a quick statement after he was knocked out by Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC Vegas 6 on Saturday night. Oleynik had his moments in the first round of his fight with Lewis, but chowed down on a Lewis right hook early in the second round. After a few followup ground strikes, referee Herb Dean waved the fight off.
Geoff Neal says he "almost died," Neil Magny now rumored to fight Robbie Lawler
Adam Martin - August 9, 2020
UFC welterweight Geoff Neal announced he is out of his fight against Neil Magny after he says he “almost died” and Robbie Lawler is rumored as the replacement. Neal was set to make his first appearance in 2020 after sitting on the bench for the first half of the year. He is the No. 11 ranked welterweight in the UFC and is coming off of five straight wins in the Octagon, so a win over No. 14 Magny would have been huge for him in his quest for the title. The two were set to square off later this month on August 29 in Las Vegas, but not anymore as the Neal vs. Magny fight will not happen anytime soon.
Photo | MMA free agent Paige VanZant flaunts red bikini in Florida
Christopher Taylor - August 9, 2020
Former UFC standout Paige VanZant (8-5 MMA) appears to be enjoying some time off while she fields offer as a free agent. VanZant completed the final fight of her Ultimate Fighting Championship contract at last month’s UFC 251 event, suffering a first-round submission loss to budding star Amanda Ribas.
UFC standout Mackenzie Dern stuns while posing by the Pool
Chris Taylor - August 9, 2020
UFC strawweight standout Mackenzie Dern is used to turning heads whether it be inside the Octagon or out by the pool. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt did just that in her most recent UFC appearance in May, scoring a sensational first-round kneebar submission victory over Hannah Cifers (see that here).
Cody Garbrandt vs. Deiveson Figueriedo and Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jennifer Maia betting odds released
Adam Martin - August 9, 2020
The betting odds have been released for two flyweight title fights: Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt and Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jennifer Maia. The UFC made the announcement this week that the new UFC men’s flyweight champion Figueiredo will take on former bantamweight champ Garbrandt in his first title defense in the main event of UFC 255, which takes place on November 21. In the co-main event, the UFC women’s flyweight champion Shevchenko takes on the top contender Maia.
Jorge Masvidal gunning for rematch with Kamaru Usman: "Your move"
Adam Martin - August 9, 2020
UFC welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal is still gunning for a rematch with champion Kamaru Usman after their fight at UFC 251. Masvidal filled in on just one week’s notice when he took on Usman in the main event of UFC 251 for Gilbert Burns. Although Masvidal was able to go the full 25 minutes with the champ, he was outwrestled and beaten in the clinch as he lost a unanimous decision. Masvidal had his moments in the fight, but for the most part, it was a dominant performance by the champ against his short-notice opponent.
Zabit Magomedsharipov will not fight on August 29 UFC card
Adam Martin - August 9, 2020
UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov says he has returned home to Russia and will not compete on the August 29 card anymore. Magomedsharipov was set to take on rival Yair Rodriguez in the main event of the UFC Fight Night event on August 29 in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, Magomedsharipov was left without an opponent when Rodrguez was injured in training camp. Fighters such as Calvin Kattar offered to step up on short notice to fight him, but instead, the Russian turned his focus to getting a title shot against UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski.
Chris Weidman hoping for quick turnaround following win over Omari Akhmedov
Adam D Martin - August 9, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman is hoping for a quick turnaround following his unanimous decision win over Omari Akhmedov at UFC Vegas 6. Weidman needed a win badly and he did just that by digging deep and grinding out a decision over Akhmedov. It was the first win for Weidman since a July 2017 submission win over Kelvin Gastelum. The win over Akhmedov also snapped a two-fight losing skid that saw Weidman get knocked out in brutal fashion by both Dominick Reyes and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. Prior to the Akhmedov fight, Weidman had lost five of his previous six.
Curtis Blaydes accepts challenge from Derrick Lewis
Adam D Martin - August 9, 2020
Top UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes took to social media to accept a challenge from rival Derrick Lewis, who recently called him out. Lewis defeated Aleksei Oleinik via second-round TKO in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Vegas card, and following the event, he spoke to the media at the post-fight press conference. Lewis was asked who he wants to fight next, and he mentioned Blaydes as a potential opponent for his next match, along with Francis Ngannou and Alistair Overeem.
Derrick Lewis sends a message to the MMA community: "Wear a mask"
Adam D Martin - August 9, 2020
UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis has a message to the MMA community during the coronavirus pandemic, and the message is to wear a mask. Lewis, who knocked out Aleksei Oleinik in the second round of their heavyweight main event at UFC Vegas 6, is the No. 4 ranked heavyweight in the UFC. He’s also a family man and takes pride in his community of Houston, Texas. A few years ago, Lewis was seen helping victims of Hurricane Harvey in his hometown. On top of being a great fighter, Lewis is also someone who is admired in his community as someone who turned his life around.
Dana White in talks with Floyd Mayweather for another combat sports event
Adam D Martin - August 9, 2020
UFC president Dana White says that he is in talks with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather about putting together another combat sports event. White and the UFC hooked up with Mayweather in August 2017 to put on a boxing superfight with UFC superstar Conor McGregor. The event sold 4.3 million pay-per-views and proved to be a smash hit at the box office. Ever since the first Mayweather vs. McGregor fight, there have been talks about the UFC hooking up with Mayweather for another co-promoted event, but so far nothing has come out of the rumors.