UFC News
Firas Zahabi questions the decision-making of Max Holloway at UFC 236
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2019
Max Holloway was looking to become a two division champion at UFC 236. The featherweight king was moving up in weight to take on 155-pound contender Dustin Poirier for the interim lightweight championship. Ultimately, Poirier beat Holloway by unanimous decision to snap the Hawaiian’s 13-fight winning streak. Although Holloway lost, he had some good moments in the fight, but many thought the size discrepancy between he and Poirier played a huge factor. However, MMA coach, Firas Zahabi believes Dustin Poirier simply fought a smarter fight, which resulted in him getting the win.
Luke Rockhold outlines path to Jon Jones title fight
Tom Taylor - April 22, 2019
When Thiago Santos knocked out Jan Blachowicz at UFC Prague, he earned a light heavyweight title fight with seemingly unbeatable champion Jon Jones. Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, who is now scheduled to battle Blachowicz at UFC 239, is hoping that a similar performance will earn him his own fight with Jones. “Thiago Santos just got a world title fight after beating Jan Blachowicz, so I figure if I go out there and put a performance on him, what’s to deny me?” Rockhold said on a recent episode of Submission Radio (transcript via MMA Weekly). “I mean, what else is there? These guys are scouring around, not taking fights. So I’m gonna go out there and I’m gonna perform and do my job, and then I’m gonna let the chips fall where they may.”
The biggest winners from UFC St. Petersburg
Mike Straus - April 22, 2019
UFC St. Petersburg is in the books. Seven Russian fighters got their hand raised and a familiar heavyweight contender cemented his position in the ranks. The second trip to Russia proved beneficial for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The fights were entertaining with more than half of the 11 fights scheduled ending in a finish.
UFC veteran killed by Uber driver after dispute
Tom Taylor - April 22, 2019
According to a report from Brazilian news outlet Globo, former UFC fighter Rodrigo de Lima was killed by an Uber driver in Belem, Brazil on Sunday night. This news was subsequently confirmed to MMA Fighting by UFC fighter Michel “Trator” Prazeres.
Joseph Benavidez 'surprised it took that long' for TJ Dillashaw to get caught
Tom Taylor - April 22, 2019
TJ Dillashaw is no longer the UFC bantamweight champion. He surrendered that title when he tested positive for EPO, an injectable-only performance-enhancing drug, and was suspended for two years by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Many members of the MMA community were shocked to learn of Dillashaw’s PED use. But not everybody.
Cris Cyborg responds to joking callout from Roxanne Modafferi
Tom Taylor - April 22, 2019
Shortly after Roxanne Modafferi defeated Antonina Shevchenko at UFC St. Petersburg on Saturday, she made a callout of former UFC featherweight champion Cris Cyborg — though she quickly added that she was only joking. On Sunday, Cyborg responded to this callout from Roxanne Modafferi — first assuring the flyweight contender wanted no part of the matchup, then congratulating her on her big win.
Henry Cejudo explains what makes Marlon Moraes 'a lot more dangerous' than TJ Dillashaw
Tom Taylor - April 22, 2019
Back in January, UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo conquered a supremely tough test in former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, who he knocked out in less than a minute. His next challenge will come in the form of Brazil’s Marlon Moraes, who he’ll meet for the vacant bantamweight title at UFC 238.
Justin Gaethje explains why he is 'the toughest out' for Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tom Taylor - April 22, 2019
At 27-0, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is looking more and more like an unbeatable fighter. Yet former World Series of Fighting lightweight champion Justin Gaethje believes he’s got the skillset to dethrone the UFC lightweight king. “I think my wrestling credentials alone would benefit me so much in that fight, my ability to stop the takedown,” Gaethje said on a recent episode of The MMA Hour, rating his chances against Nurmagomedov (transcript via MMA Fighting). “And I’m very confident in my standup, I’m confident in my coach and the gameplan that we would come together with and go out there and execute. I think with my athletic ability I’m a tough out for anybody.
UFC Executive responds after Khabib Nurmagomedov criticizes St. Petersburg event
Chris Taylor - April 21, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was not happy with the lack of promotion for Saturday’s UFC event in St. Petersburg, Russia. The undefeated Russian, Khabib, said he would like to see the promotion adapt a new policy, one which would pay attention to his countries fighters.
Dana White wins Instagram with hilarious Happy Easter post
Chris Taylor - April 21, 2019
UFC President Dana White took to Instagram earlier today where he wished fight fans a Happy Easter while posting a hilarious photo of Brian Ortega. As seen below, the UFC boss pictated the recent featherweight title challenger, Ortega, as Jesus Christ.
Anderson Silva defends Jon Jones legacy
Chris Taylor - April 21, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva believes that reigning light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones has done more good than bad for the sport of MMA. Like Jones, Silva has had issues with drug testing in the past, which has caused some fans and analysts to question each fighters legacy.
What's next for UFC St. Petersburg main event fighters?
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2019
The Octagon headed to St. Petersburg, Russia for UFC Fight Night 149 on Saturday. In the main event, Alistair Overeem took on Alexey Oleynik. Alexey found some success early in the fight, but Overeem was able to turn the tide thanks to a barrage of knees and finished the fight via ground and pound.