UFC News
Darren Till says he called out Yoel Romero when he was 'blind drunk'
Cole Shelton - November 18, 2019
Darren Till entered the elite of the middleweight rankings when he edged out a win over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 244. Shortly after the bout, The Liverpool native made it known he didn’t want to fight Yoel Romero next. Yet, to much surprise, Till later called out Romero on social media. He would later walk back on that challenge, claiming he called the Cuban out for fun and did so while he was very drunk.
Francis Ngannou has meeting with Dana White, teases big fight announcement
Adam Martin - November 18, 2019
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou said he had a productive meeting with UFC president Dana White and teased a big fight announcement. Ngannou has taken to social media in recent weeks to share his intense frustration for not having had a fight booked since his TKO win over Junior dos Santos back in June. He criticized the promotion for not giving him the Alexander Volkov matchup at UFC Moscow, an opportunity that Greg Hardy got instead. Ngannou then accused the UFC of using him as a gatekeeper and not viewing him as a true title challenger despite his three-fight win streak over JDS, Cain Velasquez and Curtis Blaydes.
Ben Askren outlines the 'storybook ending' he would have preferred
Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019
Ben Askren is done fighting. The former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight king announced the end of his fighting career on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, adding that he now plans to undergo a hip replacement. Askren ends his fighting career on a two-fight skid, having come up short against Demian Maia and Jorge Masvidal, by knockout and submission, in his last two fights. While these losses expedited his decision to retire, he explained that he likely would have retired soon even if he’d been winning.
Ken Shamrock says doctor shouldn't have stopped Nate Diaz fight at UFC 244
Adam Martin - November 18, 2019
UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock believes the doctor should have let Nate Diaz continue to fight Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244. Shamrock is one of the pioneer’s of mixed martial arts and has seen everything there is to see in the sport. During a recent interview with Steven Marrocco of MMAFighting.com, Shamrock was asked what he thought about the controversial doctor stoppage in the Diaz vs. Masvidal fight at UFC 244. “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” said that the doctor should have given Diaz the opportunity to continue to fight.
Zabit Magomedsharipov wants featherweight title shot next, but open to Yair Rodriguez fight
Adam Martin - November 18, 2019
UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov wants a featherweight title shot next, but he’s also open to a fight with Yair Rodriguez. Magomedsharipov recently defeated Calvin Kattar in the main event of UFC Moscow to improve his UFC record to a perfect 6-0. The victory improved his UFC record to 18-1 and he is currently riding a 14-fight win streak since his lone career defeat in 2013.
Ilir Latifi targeted for heavyweight debut opposite Derrick Lewis
Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019
Long-time UFC light heavyweight contender Ilir Latifi is reportedly headed up to the heavyweight division. According to ESPN, the Swede will hike up to heavyweight to battle fearsome knockout artist Derrick Lewis on February 8 — though contracts are not yet signed.
Khabib Nurmagomedov wants Tony Ferguson next, then GSP
Adam Martin - November 18, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager Rizvan Magomedov says that his client’s next fight will be against Tony Ferguson, then he wants Georges St. Pierre after that. Nurmagomedov recently defeated Dustin Poirier by stoppage at UFC 242 to improve his MMA record to a perfect 28-0, including a pristine 12-0 mark in the Octagon. With Ferguson also riding a 12-fight win streak, the fight between the two top-ranked lightweights in the sport seems destined to happen next, though it has not been officially booked yet.
The MMA community reacts to Ben Askren's retirement
Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019
Ben Askren has decided to hang up the gloves. The former ONE and Bellator welterweight title holder announced his retirement from mixed martial arts on Monday’s edition of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.
Weili Zhang responds to Joanna Jedrzejczyk: 'I am ready now'
Adam Martin - November 18, 2019
UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang says she is ready to defend her title against Joanna Jedrzejczyk and wants the UFC to book the fight immediately. Jedrzejczyk recently spoke to the South China Morning Post and said she is willing to fight Zhang anywhere — even in China.
Anthony Johnson drops timeframe for UFC return, aims to 'just hurt people'
Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson has been teasing a return to the Octagon for some time. If he has his way, that return to action will occur in the summer of 2020. Speaking with The Mac Life ahead of Saturday’s BKFC 9 card, Johnson shared the ideal timeframe for his return, explaining that a summer fight will give him time to slim down and get back into fighting shape.
UFC announces 2020 return to Auckland, New Zealand
Natasha Hooper - November 18, 2019
The UFC is set to return to Auckland, New Zealand in the New Year. This UFC Auckland card was announced by the promotion on Twitter. https://twitter.com/UFC_AUSNZ/status/1196208685070135296
VIDEO | The Schmo challenges Ariel Helwani to charity grappling match
Natasha Hooper - November 18, 2019
The Schmo has won over fans with his quirky and funny interviews, now he intends to win over more fans with a charity grappling match against ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani. Self-proclaimed as “a much needed breath of fresh air in sports journalism”, The Schmo is known for his trademark yellow shades and distinct interviewing style that intrigues fighters as much as it amuses them. His “Schmo and the Pro” series featured on his Youtube channel include chats with MMA stars such as Dana White and Georges St-Pierre, as well as stars of the boxing world.