UFC News
Dan Hooker promises fight "to the death" against Paul Felder
Adam Martin - December 3, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker promises that he will “fight tooth and nail to the death” when he meets rival Paul Felder at UFC Auckland next year. The UFC recently announced that Hooker and Felder will headline UFC Fight Night 169, which is set to take place on February 22 at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. The two have been talking plenty of trash to each other on social media the last few months and the UFC matchmakers decided they had to strike while the iron is hot and book the fight.
Anthony Smith provides update on return to action
Mike Pendleton - December 3, 2019
Former light heavyweight title challenger Anthony “Lionheart” Smith hasn’t been inside the Octagon since defeating Alexander Gustafsson in June of 2019, but there could be a return on the horizon for him. Hosting his weekly show MMA Tonight on Sirius XM’s Fight Nation, Smith discussed his looming return to the Octagon and how he could have good news within the coming weeks.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik wants Francis Ngannou next: 'Two big scary guys'
Adam Martin - December 3, 2019
UFC heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik plans to call out Francis Ngannou if he beats Alistair Overeem this weekend in the main event of UFC Washington, D.C. Rozenstruik filled in on short notice for Walt Harris and is set to take on by far the biggest challenge of his MMA when he faces Overeem this weekend. Though Rozenstruik still needs to get by Overeem, he’s already thinking about who he wants to call out if he wins the fight, and that callout will be directed towards Ngannou.
Israel Adesanya hypes up his ground game: 'Khabib isn't the only one who can maul people'
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2019
Israel Adesanya says his ground game is one of the best in mixed martial arts although no one has really seen it. Adesanya, who is the current UFC middleweight champion, came from a kickboxing background and says he takes offense to boxers saying they are the best fighters out there. He says MMA fighters are the top because of the fact they have to work the ground game as well as other martial arts.
Cynthia Calvillo rips former teammate Paige VanZant for 'bullcrap' Instagram callout
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2019
Cynthia Calvillo was one of many strawweight and flyweight fighters to be called out in a recent Instagram post from Paige VanZant. She didn’t appreciate this move from her former Team Alpha Male teammate — especially when VanZant deleted her replies. “Normally when it comes to Paige, I feel like I just roll my eyes because it’s like whatever,” Calvillo explained when speaking to MMA Fighting. “I know her, I know who she is, I know what she’s all about. We actually lived together for a little bit. I know her very, very well. For me, I personally do not care. I don’t care what she does. We’re on two different paths when it comes to fighting but she did put me in that list of fighters.
Tony Ferguson scolds fans who think Khabib Nurmagomedov fight is cursed: 'Go watch Bellator'
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2019
The UFC has attempted to book a fight between UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov and streaking contender Tony Ferguson four times. Shockingly — and to a degree that has caused some fight fans to label the matchup as cursed — the pair have never actually made it into the cage together. The UFC is now attempting to make this fight happen for a fifth time, having scheduled a title fight between the pair for UFC 249 in Brooklyn, New York this April.
Curtis Blaydes makes prediction for Miocic vs. Cormier trilogy fight
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2019
Curtis Blaydes is scheduled to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC Raleigh, where he’ll take on former UFC heavyweight champ Junior dos Santos. If Blaydes wins this fight, he’ll be well positioned for a title shot opposite the winner of a yet unscheduled heavyweight title fight between reigning champion Stipe Miocic and former champion Daniel Cormier. Given his position in the heavyweight rankings, Blaydes will be watching this Miocic vs. Cormier fight — which will mark the pair’s third meeting — very closely. And when the cage door closes, he expects the reigning champion Miocic to come out on top.
Mike Winkeljohn hopes atomweight division happens for Michelle Waterson; also want Namajunas rematch
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2019
Michelle Waterson had a chance to earn a strawweight title shot with a win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the main event of UFC Tampa. Yet she lost by decision which sent her back to the drawing board. Her coach Mike Winkeljohn knows Waterson can be a top-fighter at 115-pounds but hopes the UFC starts an atomweight division. If that happens, he is confident Waterson would become a UFC champion.
UFC 245: 'Usman vs. Covington' fight card and start time
Natasha Hooper - December 3, 2019
UFC 245 promises to be a star-studded fight card. The event will take place in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on the December 14. In the UFC 245 main event, the current welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, will look to defend his title for the first time against Colby Covington. “The Nigerian Nightmare” claimed the belt from Tyron Woodley in their UFC 235 bout by unanimous decision. Likewise, Covington has been riding high on an impressive streak victories. Most recently, “Chaos” dominated former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler throughout five rounds to take the unanimous decision victory.
Tito Ortiz stopped managing 'Cyborg' after butting heads with her boyfriend
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2019
Tito Ortiz was the long-time manager of Cris Cyborg, but ended his working relationship with the Brazilian MMA legend shortly after she lost to Amanda Nunes in late 2018. Speaking to James Lynch of the Score, Ortiz explained why he decided to cease managing Cyborg. According to the former UFC light heavyweight champion Cyborg’s boyfriend Ray Elbe — who also handles some of her management — was making “bad decisions” for her career.
Zabit Magomedsharipov poses question to fans criticizing his cardio
Harry Kettle - December 3, 2019
Zabit Magomedsharipov has defended himself against critics who have questioned his cardio and whether or not it can compare with the top names in the featherweight division. Magomedsharipov has long since been viewed as one of the rising stars in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, with his current record within the company being 6-0. However, his last bout against Calvin Kattar raised some questions as to whether or not he is capable of sustaining his quality for five rounds after Kattar was able to work his way back into the contest in the third.
Tony Ferguson discusses 'unpleasant' negotiations for Khabib Nurmagomedov fight
Harry Kettle - December 3, 2019
UFC star Tony Ferguson has provided details on the negotiations that led to his Lightweight Championship fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov being booked. For years now fans have been truly desperate to see these two men square off in the Octagon – but on four separate occasions, fate stepped in the way. Alas, now, the hope is that the fifth time will be the charm as Ferguson and Nurmagomedov prepare to go head to head on April 18 in Brooklyn, New York.