UFC News
Gable Steveson says he wished Dana White tried harder to sign him to the UFC
Adam D Martin - September 17, 2021
Olympic gold medal wrestler Gable Steveson says that he wished Dana White tried harder to sign him to the UFC when he was shopping around. Following his impressive performance at the Tokyo Olympic games, Steveson was pursued by several companies including the UFC and the WWE, where he eventually signed. However, while speaking to The MMA Hour’s Ariel Helwani, Steveson admitted that he was hoping White would have tried harder to sign him. Although Steveson is happy to join the WWE, he still wanted to see White make a stronger pitch to bring him to the UFC.
Demetrious Johnson praises former rival Joseph Benavidez following retirement announcement
Adam D Martin - September 17, 2021
MMA legend Demetrious Johnson praised his former UFC flyweight division rival Joseph Benavidez following his recent retirement announcement. Benavidez announced earlier this week that he is stepping away from MMA at age 37 and retiring. Since he announced that he is stepping away from the game, there have been a number of fellow fighters who have taken to social media to express their gratitude towards Benavidez, who was one of the best UFC fighters not to hold a belt over the past decade. One of those fighters who took to his social media to praise his former opponent is Johnson, who competed in a pair of memorable fights with Benavidez several years ago.
Dana White confirms Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 targeted for January
Adam D Martin - September 17, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the rematch between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker is being targeted for January. Adesanya defeated Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision back in June at UFC 263, and the hope was that the UFC would be able to get the middleweight champ back in the cage one more time before 2021 was up. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the travel and quarantine rules for fighters in Australia and New Zealand, it has become difficult for the UFC to get this fight booked. In fact, as White told The Daily Telegraph in a recent interview, he is now targeting the Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 fight to take place next year.
Dana White explains why Jake Paul should fight Anderson Silva next, not Jorge Masvidal
Adam D Martin - September 17, 2021
UFC president Dana White explained why YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul should fight Anderson Silva next, and not Jorge Masvidal. White and Paul have not seen eye to eye, especially in regards to the topic of fighter pay, as Paul has said numerous negative comments to White regarding what he pays UFC fighters. After recently beating former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, Paul is now busy trying to figure out who his next opponent will be. He recently came out and called out Masvidal for a fight, but White blocked that opportunity since “Gamebred” is under contract with the UFC. Instead, White suggested that Paul take on the UFC legend Silva instead.
Anthony Smith on potential greatest of all time Jon Jones: “We’re really not that far off and especially now”
Harry Kettle - September 17, 2021
Anthony Smith believes that the current crop of UFC light heavyweights have pretty much caught up to 205-pound great Jon Jones. While “Lionheart” may have failed in his attempt to capture the strap from Jones two years ago, he’s still managed to shine through ever since as a big fan favourite in the division. From his personality to his fight style, it’s hard not to enjoy what Anthony Smith does for the UFC.
Michael Bisping believes Conor McGregor was "out of his mind on the pain pills" at VMA's
Christopher Taylor - September 16, 2021
Michael Bisping believes Conor McGregor was “out of his mind on the pain pills” during his altercation with Machine Gun Kelly at the VMA’s. McGregor (22-6 MMA) was involved in a scuffle with the multi-platinum recording artist at last weekend’s MTV Music Awards. While the altercation did not result in anything serious, it was another incident that had some fans alarmed.
Robbie Lawler explains why a fight with Jorge Masvidal "doesn’t excite" him to get training
Christopher Taylor - September 16, 2021
Former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler is set to make his return to the Octagon at next weekend’s UFC 266 event opposite Nick Diaz. Lawler and Diaz initially collided seventeen years ago at UFC 47, with the Stockton prospect emerging victorious by way of second round knockout. Since then both men have gone on to have extremely successful MMA careers.
Jorge Masvidal unloads on "clout chasing" Leon Edwards: "If you not gonna fight then keep my name out your p**sy a*s mouth"
Christopher Taylor - September 16, 2021
Jorge Masvidal was not at all happy with the recent criticism he received from fellow UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards. Edwards (19-3 MMA) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Nate Diaz in his most recent effort at UFC 263 this past June. The win extended the Birmingham natives current unbeaten streak to nine in a row.
Jose Aldo shoots down Dominick Cruz matchup, wants number one contender bout against TJ Dillashaw
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2021
Jose Aldo isn’t interested in fighting Dominick Cruz next. After Aldo beat Pedro Munhoz at UFC 265 many fans called for him to fight ‘The Dominator’. Both men were champions in WEC and the UFC and it easily could’ve been a ‘champ vs. champ’ super-fight, but it never happened. Now, as both fighters are competing at bantamweight the possibility remains, but for Aldo, he isn’t interested in the scrap.
Carlos Condit retires from MMA
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2021
Carlos Condit has retired from MMA. Condit is 37-years-old and lost his last fight and now sources told MMAFighting’s Guilherme Cruz, Condit was retiring. The former UFC interim welterweight champion’s manager, Malki Kawa confirmed the news to MMAFighting. The JacksonWink MMA fighter has yet to formally announce his retirement
Gilbert Burns accuses Leon Edwards of ducking Jorge Masvidal: "You are scared!"
Adam D Martin - September 16, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns accused Leon Edwards of ducking Jorge Masvidal, telling him on social media that “you are scared!” Edwards took to his Twitter this week to announce that he will not fight Masvidal next, and instead, he confirmed that he will wait to fight the winner of UFC 268’s main event welterweight title fight rematch between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington. That is leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of one of the division’s top contenders in Burns. The Brazilian took to his social media following Edwards’ proclamation that he will not fight Masvidal to suggest that the Brit is scared of facing “Gamebred” inside the Octagon.
Triller Fight Club Legends 2 reportedly 'a massive money loser' as pay-per-view buys fall way short of expectations
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2021
Triller Fight Club put on their second legends event but this time around, the pay-per-view buys were not good. In the main event of Triller Fight Club Legends 2, 58-year-old Evander Holyfield stepped up on short notice to take on Vitor Belfort. The co-main event saw Anderson Silva box Tito Ortiz while David Haye also took on Joe Fournier. Despite the fact, the event had a bunch of well-known fighters, the pay-per-view bombed as it only did around 150,000 buys, according to boxing journalist, Dan Rafael.