UFC News
Ian Heinisch plans to finish Nassourdine Imavov after training at Sanford MMA to show he's "a force to be reckoned with"
Cole Shelton - July 20, 2021
Ian Heinisch wanted a quick turnaround after he lost to Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 258, but that didn’t come to fruition. Following the loss to Gastelum, Heinisch moved down to Florida to start training at Sanford MMA full-time. After a short time there, he was offered to fight Jacare Souza at UFC 262 in Houston. However, he turned it down as Henri Hooft wanted him to just focus on training.
Kyler Phillips plans to finish Raulian Paiva and get a ranked opponent next: "I'm going to grab that belt"
Cole Shelton - July 20, 2021
Kyler Phillips wasn’t too mad when Raphael Assuncao was forced out of their fight and was replaced by Raulian Paiva. After Phillips beat Song Yadong at UFC 259, many expected him to get a ranked opponent next. That ended up being the case as he was set to meet Raphael Assuncao at UFC Vegas 32. Unfortnately, Assuncao got injured which was disappointing news. However, for Phillips, he said his mindset didn’t change at all.
Joe Rogan reveals "very weird" encounter with Donald Trump at UFC 264
Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021
UFC commentator Joe Rogan revealed his “very weird” encounter with former United States President Donald Trump at the recent UFC 264 event. Rogan was the analyst working the commentary desk alongside play-by-play man Jon Anik and former UFC champion Daniel Cormier. Because UFC 264 was such a big event featuring UFC superstar Conor McGregor and rival Dustin Poirier in the main event, a number of celebrities took in the event, including Trump, who was a personal guest of UFC president Dana White’s. Trump entered the building to a great effect, though the UFC production staff blew it and didn’t get his face on the television, which White called a big mistake.
Cory Sandhagen calls TJ Dillashaw's past PED use "gross" ahead of grudge match at UFC Vegas 32
Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen called rival TJ Dillashaw’s past PED use “gross” ahead of their grudge match at UFC Vegas 32. Sandhagen and Dillashaw meet in the five-round headliner of this Saturday’s UFC Vegas 32 card. They are former teammates in Denver, Colorado and with both men at the top of the UFC bantamweight division, there are some who believe the winner of this fight could get a title shot at 135lbs. It’s a huge fight for the bantamweight division and it’s a fight that is so much more intriguing just because of the fact that these two men used to train together.
Managers agree to Paulo Costa vs. Marvin Vettori matchup
Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021
Managers Ali Abdelaziz and Wallid Ismail have agreed for their clients in Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori to have an upcoming matchup. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto spoke to Ismail, Costa’s manager, who said that the fight that his team wants is against Vettori. Not long after the word emerged that Costa is looking to fight Vettori next, Vettori’s manager Abdelaziz responded and said they want the fight.
Belal Muhammad "very confident" he would beat Leon Edwards in a rematch
Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad says that he is “very confident” he would beat divisional rival Leon Edwards in a future rematch. Muhammad and Edwards fought earlier this year and the fight ended early in the second round when Edwards accidentally poked Muhammad in the eye, causing an end to the fight. In the immediate aftermath of that bout, Muhammad was making noise and telling the UFC that he wanted the rematch, but the promotion gave both fighters different opponents. Instead, Muhammad fought and defeated Demian Maia at UFC 263, while Edwards beat Nate Diaz on the same card. And while Edwards is hoping that his win over Diaz is enough for him to get a title shot, Muhammad doesn’t agree with that sentiment.
Michael Bisping explains why he respects TJ Dillashaw for admitting that he cheated
Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021
UFC analyst Michael Bisping explained why he respects former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw for admitting that he cheated. Dillashaw hasn’t fought in over two years since being handed a suspension in January 2019 after being caught with PEDs in his system following a knockout loss to Henry Cejudo. Dillashaw admitted that he cheated and was trying to gain an unfair advantage and he has served the suspension for the last two years on the sidelines. This Saturday night at UFC Vegas 32, Dillashaw finally returns to the cage when he takes on rival Cory Sandhagen.
Dan Hooker challenges “tickle party” fighter Islam Makhachev to throw down in September
Harry Kettle - July 20, 2021
UFC lightweight Dan Hooker has laid down a challenge to Islam Makhachev as their social media spat continues. This past Saturday night, Makhachev continued his rise up through the 155-pound ranks with a decisive win over Thiago Moises. He controlled the right all the way through until the fourth round when he was finally able to secure a strong submission victory, vaulting himself closer to a potential title shot in the near future.
Nate Diaz hints at headlining another UFC card at Madison Square Garden: "I might have to do that again soon"
Cole Shelton - July 19, 2021
Nate Diaz is looking to fight again and wants it to be at Madison Square Garden. Back at UFC 244 in November of 2019, Diaz headlined the pay-per-view card at MSG against Jorge Masvidal for the BMF belt. It was a big fight and massive event, and now the fan-favorite Stockton native says he might have to headline another card at MSG.
Dana White claims Conor McGregor has “chronic arthritis” in his ankles
Cole Shelton - July 19, 2021
Dana White believes Conor McGregor has chronic arthritis in his ankles which played a factor in his leg-breaking at UFC 264. In the main event of the pay-per-view card, McGregor and Dustin Poirier had their highly-anticipated trilogy match. Early on, the Irishman had success but “The Diamond” got him down and landed some heavy ground and pound. When McGregor got back up to his feet he threw a steep kick and after that, when he threw a punch his leg broke. According to White, that was due to the fact McGregor has chronic arthritis.
Mike Brown fires back after John Kavanagh says Conor McGregor was doing well against Dustin Poirier before injury
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
Mike Brown fired back after John Kavanagh said that Conor McGregor was doing well against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 before his injury. Poirier defeated McGregor via first-round TKO (doctor stoppage) after the Irishman suffered a broken leg that caused a stop to the contest. Even before the injury, however, Poirier was doing quite well in the fight and two of the three judges scoring the bout cage-side gave him the first round 10-8. So when Kavanagh recently came out and stated that he thought McGregor was doing well in the fight before the injury, there were a lot of fans who didn’t agree with his assessment of the fight, and Brown doesn’t agree with it, either.
Tai Tuivasa buries Greg Hardy on social media: "Don’t talk sh*t after I already f*cked you up!"
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
UFC heavyweight contender Tai Tuivasa buried Greg Hardy on social media, telling him “don’t talk sh*t after I already f*cked you up!” Tuivasa knocked out Hardy in a heavyweight bout that took place on last weekend’s UFC 264 pay-per-view card. Following the fight, Hardy shared a post on his own social media where he accepted the loss and congratulated Tuivasa on his win. Apparently, though, Hardy has been saying some negative remarks about the Aussie since then, and Tuivasa is having none of it. On Monday, the lovable heavyweight took to his Instagram where he posted a series of photos trashing Hardy and telling him to stop talking smack about him.