UFC News
Dana White unsure what the future holds for Frankie Edgar following his knockout loss to Marlon Vera
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2021
UFC president Dana White hasn’t ruled out the idea of Frankie Edgar returning to the Octagon after his UFC 268 defeat. As part of UFC 268’s main card, Frankie Edgar went toe to toe with Marlon Vera in what proved to be a pretty tense bantamweight affair. Edgar seemed to be faring pretty well for long spells but ultimately, it was a front kick that proved to be the difference maker as Vera walked away with the knockout win.
Marlon Vera explains why he flipped off Frankie Edgar at UFC 268
Christopher Taylor - November 7, 2021
Marlon Vera picked up the biggest win of his career last night at MSG, finishing Frankie Edgar in the third round of their fight at UFC 268. The victory came by way of a stunning front kick, a strike which sent the former lightweight champion crashing to the Octagon canvas (see that here).
Dana White not ready to give Carla Esparza a title shot following UFC 268: "We have an option"
Christopher Taylor - November 7, 2021
Dana White is not ready to proclaim Carla Esparza as the next strawweight title challenger, this despite Rose Namajunas’ win at UFC 268. Esparza (18-6 MMA), the promotions former strawweight champion, is currently on a five-fight winning streak and seemingly has the best case for a title shot when compared to any of the other divisions contenders.
Jorge Masvidal reacts after receiving callout from Colby Covington following UFC 268
Chris Taylor - November 7, 2021
Jorge Masvidal clearly tuned in to watch his former friend turned bitter enemy Colby Covington rematch Kamaru Usman at UFC 268. Usman (20-1 MMA) and Covington (16-3 MMA) originally collided back at UFC 245 in December of 2019, with the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ emerging victorious by way of a thrilling fifth round TKO.
Jon Jones says he "definitely won't be going back" to Team Jackson-Wink after recent ban from gym
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones says he “definitely won’t be going back” to Team Jackson-Wink after his recent ban from the gym. Jones was involved in a domestic battery incident in Las Vegas in September, and last month, his former coach Mike Winkeljohn admitted that he kicked Jones out of the gym. The reason Winkeljohn gave Jones the boot from his longtime gym is twofold. One, because Winkeljohn is a husband and father of daughters himself and he felt conflicted continuing to train Jones while the domestic issue is looming over him. And two, Jones’ issues with alcohol. Jones has admitted that he has a problem with alcohol, and Winkeljohn wants him to get the help he needed before coming back to the gym.
Francis Ngannou completely ignores Ciryl Gane backstage at UFC 268 (Video)
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou completely ignored interim champion Ciryl Gane when they encountered each other backstage at UFC 268. Gane won the interim heavyweight title back at UFC 265 in August when he knocked out Derrick Lewis in the third round of the fight. Remember, the UFC had originally booked Ngannou against Lewis in that fight, but the promotion created an interim title after Ngannou was not able to defend his title in August. Instead of Ngannou facing Lewis for the undisputed heavyweight title, it was Gane who went in there and beat Lewis.
Dana White reveals he bet $100,000 on Canelo Alvarez to knock out Caleb Plant
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC president Dana White revealed he bet $100,000 on Canelo Alvarez to knock out Caleb Plant, winning over $41,000 when he got the job done. Alvarez fought Plant in Las Vegas on Saturday night, and on the other side of the country, UFC 268 took place in New York City. While White was busy overseeing UFC 268 and sitting cageside during the event, he also had the Alvarez vs. Plant fight on his monitor in front of his desk outside of the Octagon. The reason he was so interested in the Alvarez vs. Plant fight? While White is a massive boxing fan, it wasn’t just because he was so interested in watching the fight, but also because he had a $100,000 bet on Alvarez.
Khamzat Chimaev wants December return, takes aim at UFC welterweight top-10
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev says he wants to make a December return, and he is taking aim at the UFC welterweight top-10. Chimaev is one of the hottest fighters in the sport right now after winning his first four UFC fights by stoppage, including a vicious submission win over Li Jingliang at UFC 267. It was the type of quality victory that moved Chimaev into the top-15 rankings in the stacked UFC welterweight division, and now he is hoping that he gets a step up in competition for his next fight. That may or may not include a title shot against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, which is what he wants more than anything, but even if he doesn’t get the title shot against Usman, he figures to get a top-10 opponent.
Chris Barnett reacts after landing incredible spinning wheel kick KO on Gian Villante at UFC 268
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC heavyweight Chris Barnett reacted after landing an incredible spinning wheel kick KO on Gian Villante at Saturday’s UFC 268 event. Barnett was making his second UFC appearance after losing by submission to Ben Rothwell earlier this year. At 5’9″ and weighing in around the 265lbs heavyweight limit, Barnett is far from the most physically-imposing heavyweight on the UFC roster. But just because someone doesn’t have a six-pack doesn’t mean that they can’t fight. On Saturday night at UFC 268, Barnett picked up the first win of his UFC career when he landed an absolutely astonishing spinning wheel kick KO on Villante. It was an absolutely insane knockout and the fact that Barnett of all people landed the kick was beyond incredible.
Justin Gaethje reacts following Fight of the Night war with Michael Chandler at UFC 268
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje reacted following his Fight of the Night war with Michael Chandler at Saturday’s UFC 268 card. Gaethje and Chandler went to war for 15 minutes in what was the best fight of the night at UFC 268. Both Gaethje and Chandler stool in the center of the Octagon and traded punches and kicks for three full rounds. Incredibly, both men had the toughness and durability to actually make it the distance even despite throwing everything including the kitchen sink at each other’s heads. It was an absolutely phenomenal fight, but at the end of the three rounds, it was Gaethje who got his hand raised by unanimous decision.
Marlon Vera reacts after knocking out Frankie Edgar at UFC 268: "This is a dream come true"
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera reacted after knocking out MMA legend Frankie Edgar at UFC 268, saying “this is a dream come true.” Vera knocked out Edgar with a front kick late in the third round of their UFC 268 main card bantamweight fight. It was a phenomenal victory by Vera, who is now poised to enter the top-10 rankings in the stacked UFC 135lbs weight class. For Vera, this knockout over Edgar represents by far the biggest win of his career on paper, and he did it in style, too, winning a $50,000 bonus for “Performance of the Night” for his incredible knockout.
Rose Namajunas wants Carla Esparza next following win over Weili Zhang at UFC 268
Adam D Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas wants to fight Carla Esparza next following her big win over Weili Zhang at UFC 268. Namajunas edged out a split decision over Zhang in a razor-thin fight that served as the co-main event of UFC 268. It was another fantastic performance by Namajunas, who overcame a slow start to turn it on late and steal the decision on the judges’ scorecards. Namajunas is now 2-0 over Zhang and it seems unlikely that the UFC will run back an immediate trilogy fight, so it seems likely that Namajunas will get a new opponent next.