MMA News

Author: Curtis Calhoun

  • Ben Askren Agrees With Jorge Masvidal On Lia Thomas Controversy

    Former UFC fighter Ben Askren may still have a grudge towards his former rival Jorge Masvidal, but they agreed on a recent controversy.

    Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas has been at the center of an ongoing debate about whether or not transgender women should compete in female sports. Thomas recently became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I championship by winning the 500-yard-freestyle race.

    Masvidal and Askren had a heated buildup before their main card fight at UFC 239. Masvidal went on to bash Askren with a flying knee knockout that is widely considered one of the most memorable moments in recent UFC history.

    After Masvidal recently spoke out against transwomen competing in women’s sports, Askren appears to agree with that sentiment.

    “If you think Biological males should compete in female division then you don’t understand sports!” Askren said in a recent tweet.

    Thomas is planning on swimming in the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics trials. While Thomas’ success is undeniable and unprecedented, many have debated whether or not it’s ethical and good for sports in general.

    Askren left MMA following losses to Masvidal and Demian Maia in 2019. He also lost to Jake Paul in a boxing match in April of last year.

    Masvidal is looking to get back on track after three straight losses in the Octagon. While Asken and he may never be cordial, it appears that they’re on the same page when it comes to the debate surrounding Thomas and trans athletes.

    Do you agree with Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal?

  • Report: Gegard Mousasi vs. Johnny Eblen In The Works For June

    A Bellator middleweight title fight between champion Gegard Mousasi and top contender Johnny Eblen is in the works for June.

    News of the targeted bout was first reported by MMA journalist Ariel Helwani.

    Mousasi had teased a potential move to light heavyweight by the end of 2022, but that plan appears to be on hold at the moment. He is coming off one of the most dominant wins of his career over Austin Vanderford at Bellator 275 in a quick TKO victory.

    Mousasi earned the belt by defeating Douglas Lima for the then-vacant title at Bellator 250. He went on to successfully defend it against John Salter and most recently against Vanderford.

    Mousasi also had a brief title reign by defeating Rory MacDonald at Bellator 206 in a second-round ground-and-pound barrage.

    Mousasi will face a tough test in Eblen, who has been on a roll and is undefeated in his MMA career. The former NCAA wrestling standout and American Top Team trainee most recently earned lopsided wins over Salter and Collin Huckbody.

    Eblen made his Bellator debut back at Bellator 218 following his full-time transition to MMA. He has also earned wins over Taylor Johnson and Mauricio Alonso on the way to the title shot.

    As Helwani reported, the Mousasi vs. Eblen matchup is tentatively in the works for sometime in June. The venue and exact date regarding the planned fight could be announced within the coming weeks.

    What is your prediction for the rumored Gegard Mousasi vs. Johnny Eblen fight?

  • Nate Diaz & Jake Paul Roast Jorge Masvidal For Alleged Covington Attack

    UFC star Nate Diaz and YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul have blasted Jorge Masvidal after his alleged attack on Colby Covington in Miami.

    Masvidal allegedly confronted Covington outside of a restaurant in Miami on Monday night, hitting him with a couple of punches before the two sides were separated. Covington suffered a fractured tooth as a result of the assault and Masvidal could face a felony battery charge.

    Masvidal and Covington fought in the UFC 272 headliner, with Covington earning a unanimous decision victory. Yet, the two former friends and teammates have continued the banter on social media in recent weeks.

    After news broke of the alleged altercation, Diaz and Paul aimed at Masvidal for the alleged assault on Covington. First, Diaz referenced Masvidal’s self-published video apparently gloating about the attack.

    “How u gonna snitch on yourself,” Diaz tweeted.

    Diaz fell to Masvidal for the self-coined BMF title at UFC 244. He most recently fought against Leon Edwards at UFC 263 and is allegedly eying a matchup with Dustin Poirier this year.

    Paul also blasted Masvidal on social media for the alleged attack, just over a year since they worked out together briefly as Paul prepared to face Ben Askren in the boxing ring.

    “2 facts of the day: #1 Masvidal is a bitch for ambushing Colby. Couldn’t hurt him in the cage so try to blindside him?” Paul said.

    “#2 UFC always says it’s increased fighter pay 600% since 2005. Per Huddle Up, UFC revenue is up 1,700% since 05 and PROFITS up by 6,200%. 10x fighter pay!!!”

    Paul called out Masvidal for a boxing match following his most recent win in the ring over Tyron Woodley last December. He’s aiming at a return to boxing later this year.

    Diaz and Paul aren’t the only ones to mock Masvidal after the incident. UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman also took to social media and mocked both Masvidal and Covington for the brawl.

    The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

    What are your thoughts on the alleged Jorge Masvidal/Colby Covington incident?

  • Chael Sonnen Facing 11 Battery Charges Following Las Vegas Brawl

    11 separate battery charges have been filed against former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen after an incident at a Las Vegas hotel last December.

    TMZ Sports was the first to report the news.

    Sonnen is accused of assaulting six different hotel patrons, including one woman, during an altercation at the Luxor Hotel and Casino. The incident allegedly took place after an unidentified man made inappropriate gestures and comments towards Sonnen’s wife while at the casino.

    Sonnen faces 10 misdemeanor battery charges and one felony battery by strangulation charge after allegedly having all of them dismissed earlier this year.

    Sonnen is due to appear in a Las Vegas court on April 27. He wasn’t arrested or put in jail after police responded to the scene and was briefly detained by officers.

    Sonnen fought against some of the best in the UFC during his tenure with the promotion, including two fights against then-champion Anderson Silva and one against Jon Jones.

    Sonnen hasn’t competed in MMA since he fought in Bellator back in 2019. Following back-to-back wins over Rampage Jackson and Wanderlei Silva, he suffered losses to Lyoto Machida and Fedor Emelianenko before calling it quits.

    After his retirement, Sonnen has placed his attention on broadcasting, serving as a UFC analyst and MMA analyst at ESPN. He also has garnered a large following on YouTube, where he posts video segments and his thoughts on MMA hot topics on an almost daily basis.

    Sonnen hasn’t commented publically on the charges since they were re-filed in Las Vegas.

    What is your reaction to the latest Chael Sonnen legal issues?

  • Report: Jorge Masvidal Faces Potential Felony Following Covington Brawl

    Jorge Masvidal may face a felony battery charge stemming from his altercation with Colby Covington outside a Miami restaurant.

    Covington was outside of the Papi Steak Restaurant in Miami, FL when Masvidal allegedly attacked him with a punch to the mouth another punch to the left eye. According to a recently-released police report obtained by MMA Fighting, Covington suffered a fractured tooth and suffered an abrasion on his left wrist as a result of the assault.

    During the altercation, Covington told Miami police that he heard Masvidal say “You shouldn’t have been talking about my kids”. Covington has repeatedly accused Masvidal of being a “deadbeat dad” to his kids and has mocked Masvidal’s past relationship with the mother of their children.

    The investigation into the altercation is ongoing and if Covington can prove that Masvidal assaulted him, Masvidal may face legal action.

    No charges have been filed against Masvidal yet and he has not been arrested for his alleged actions against Covington.

    Masvidal was involved in a similar incident with Leon Edwards back in early 2019. After verbal banter turned into a sudden attack backstage, Masvidal didn’t face charges for the infamous “three-piece and a soda” assault on Edwards.

    MMA News will keep you updated on any further updates on this developing story.

  • Kamaru Usman Reacts To Covington/Masvidal Brawl In Miami

    UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman has given his thoughts on the recent altercation between Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington.

    Masvidal and Covington allegedly got into a fistfight outside of a steakhouse in Miami, FL on Monday night. Covington had been dining with YouTube podcasters The Nelk Boys when he was confronted by Masvidal as he was leaving the restaurant.

    No arrests were made following the incident and the investigation is ongoing by local police.

    Hours after news of the incident broke, Usman gave his thoughts on his Twitter page and mocked his two former rivals.

    “This is not how we conduct our selves in this house,” Usman tweeted.

    Usman has referred to Masvidal and Covington as his “sons” after beating both of them twice. While both of his fights with Covington were closely contested, Usman earned a fifth-round TKO in their first fight followed by a unanimous decision win in their rematch.

    Usman defeated Masvidal via a unanimous decision at UFC 251 in a short-notice clash before knocking him out in their rematch at UFC 261.

    Usman later replied to a fan that alluded to the Masvidal/Covington brawl and promised “consequences” following the incident.

    “This is unacceptable,” Usman replied. “I will have a hard TALK with both when they get home.”

    Usman is expected to defend his title against top contender Leon Edwards later this year. The UFC’s top pound-for-pound fighter has also flirted with the idea of facing boxing world champion Canelo Alvarez in a crossover fight.

    Covington recently defeated Masvidal in their grudge match at UFC 272 via a unanimous decision. He could be on the verge of a potential third fight with Usman while Masvidal is looking to snap a three-fight losing skid in his Octagon return.

    What are your thoughts on Kamaru Usman’s response to the incident involving Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal?

  • Stefan Struve, Former UFC Fighter, Transitions To Broadcasting Career

    Former UFC heavyweight Stefan Struve has become the latest current or former fighter to make the transition to broadcasting.

    Struve hasn’t fought in the UFC Octagon since his first-round loss to Tai Tuivasa at UFC 254. He had lost five of his last six fights, including defeats to the likes of former champion Andrei Arlovski and Alexander Volkov.

    But despite Struve’s recent struggles outside of the cage, he’s making great strides outside of it as his MMA career comes to a close.

    In a recent tweet, Struve shared photos of him covering UFC London and introduced his social media following to his next career venture.

    “I’m happy to announce that at the beginning of this year the opportunity came up to start working for [EuroSport Netherlands] and [Discovery Plus Netherlands] as an analyst, commentator, and reporter,” Struve shared. “Great way for me to stay involved in the sport I love.”

    This piece of news is exciting for Struve, who announced his retirement from MMA last year following a stem of recent health issues. He later revealed that he had been dealing with an inner ear issue for the better part of a year and that training camps only made the injury worse.

    Struve made his UFC debut back at UFC 95 following brief stints in M-1 and a series of regional promotions in the Netherlands. During his UFC tenure, he earned massive wins over the likes of former champion Stipe Miocic and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

    Struve will look to join the ranks of Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen, and others who have made the transition to the broadcasting world. He is the latest example of a former UFC fighter who has achieved success in other areas after fighting.

    Which former UFC fighter, like Stefan Struve, is your favorite broadcaster?

  • Jimmie Rivera, UFC Veteran, Signs With BKFC And Set To Debut May 6

    Former UFC bantamweight Jimmie Rivera has signed with Bare Knuckle FC and will make his promotional debut on May 6.

    Rivera’s opponent for his first fight in bare-knuckle boxing is expected to be announced later this week.

    BKFC announced the signing in a press release and on their social media that Rivera will fight at the upcoming BKFC 25 event in Orlando, FL. He becomes the latest former UFC fighter to make the move to BKFC along with Chad Mendes, Paige VanZant, and Mike Perry.

    Rivera last fought in the UFC Octagon in Feb. 2021, losing a unanimous decision to Pedro Munhoz. Before that, he lost two of his previous three fights to Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling back in 2019.

    Rivera’s last UFC win came against Cody Stamann in July 2020 when he earned a unanimous decision victory and appeared on the path to bouncing back in the division. He was scheduled to fight at the recent Triller Triad Combat 2 event last month before the card was postponed.

    It’s not yet clear what division Rivera will compete in BKFC, but he’s fought at bantamweight for the majority of his MMA career. After falling short of a title on The Ultimate Fighter: Season 14 at featherweight, he went on to win 13 straight fights and, in the process, make it back to the UFC.

    Rivera’s signing with BKFC had been rumored to be in the works since last November when his manager Malki Kawa revealed the planned move in an interview with The Schmo.

    Who do you want Jimmie Rivera to face in his BKFC debut?

  • White Shares Pick If He Could Only Give One UFC London POTN Bonus

    UFC President Dana White gave out nine post-fight bonus checks following UFC London, but UFC featherweight Arnold Allen stood out most to him.

    White had a lot to choose from when it came to deciding who would get the post-fight bonus checks, so he opted to give out bonuses to the nine fighters who picked up finishes. This included Allen, who blitzed Dan Hooker in the opening seconds of the fight en route to a first-round TKO victory.

    Arnold Allen beat Dan Hooker at half-time to propel himself into the title fray, leaving Kiwi in limbo - DailyNationToday
    Arnold Allen vs. Dan Hooker, UFC London

    Allen seized his opportunity in the UFC London co-main event slot and has now won 11 in a row in his MMA career. His TKO of Hooker was his first stoppage victory since 2018 when he submitted Mads Burnell.

    During his UFC London post-fight press conference, White tabbed Allen as his choice if he was forced to give out just one Performance of the Night bonus check.

    “I’d have to go with Arnold,” White said. “He just beat the s**t out of f**ing Hooker, who just moved down a weight class to fight in a lower weight class, and he did it within seconds of the first round, it’s crazy.”

    Allen wasn’t the only UK fighter who shocked the masses at UFC London. Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, and Molly McCann all picked up massive wins on the main card.

    Allen picked up four straight unanimous decision wins over Sodiq Yusuff, Nik Lentz, Gilbert Melendez, and Jordan Rinaldi before his stunning performance at UFC London. He used his post-fight interview to call out Calvin Kattar for a fight later this year.

    Allen’s performance puts him right in the thick of things in the featherweight title picture. After drawing quite the reaction from his fellow UFC colleagues, he could face a top featherweight contender for his next UFC outing.

    Who do you want to see Arnold Allen fight next?

  • Israel Adesanya Jabs Till For UFC London Cage Jump, Till Fires Back

    UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya and middleweight contender Darren Till appear to not be as cordial as once previously thought.

    Till was in attendance to corner his friend, heavyweight contender Tom Aspinall, in the main event of UFC London. Following Aspinall’s first-round submission of Alexander Volkov, Till jumped on top of the cage with Aspinall to bask in the energy of the raucous London crowd.

    After watching the fight and the celebration, Adesanya wasn’t happy watching Till join in the post-fight pleasantries. He blasted Till during a UFC London live reaction posted to his YouTube channel.

    “Oh, sit down, Darren. It’s not your moment. Sit the f* down, it’s not your moment. Get the f* off.” (h/t MMA Fighting)

    Adesanya is fresh off his latest title defense against Robert Whittaker at UFC 271 and is expected to face Jared Cannonier next. However, he’s mentioned a potential matchup with Till happening if Till can get on another win streak.

    Darren Till Responds To Israel Adesanya

    After watching Adesanya’s reaction to Till jumping on top of the cage at UFC London, Till responded in a post on his Instagram story.

    “Adesanya you idiot, Tom Aspinall asked me to get on the cage with him,” Till replied. “Keep looking down on me for my losses, brother, it’s all good. I’ll be here one day, you watch…

    “You haven’t looked the best either in your last few fights. Stay off the cocaine, it’s not healthy for fighters…”

    Till is planning on a return to the Octagon later in 2022, in a potential fight with Uriah Hall. He has predicted an “epic fight” between him and Adesanya being inevitable.

    Adesanya has emerged as one of the UFC’s top stars after earning the belt over Whittaker in their first matchup at UFC 243. He has gone on to earn wins over Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, and Robert Whittaker in defending his title.

    Meanwhile, Till has lost back-to-back fights to Whittaker and Derek Brunson since moving to middleweight. If he hopes to settle his beef with Adesanya in the Octagon, he’ll need to get back in the win column for his 2022 debut.

    Do you think we’ll see Israel Adesanya vs. Darren Till in 2022?

  • Update Provided On Civil Case Against Conor McGregor

    A pre-trial evidence discovery order was granted on Monday in the civil case involving Conor McGregor and an alleged rape victim in Ireland.

    The plaintiff, an unnamed woman, is in the process of suing McGregor for personal injuries after an alleged sexual assault took place at McGregor’s penthouse suite in 2018. McGregor has denied all accusations against him and he was not criminally charged after the alleged incident.

    The granted discovery of documents and other materials such as CCTV footage could be used by her legal team to prove her claim that McGregor sexually assaulted her.

    McGregor and an unidentified associate are being sued by the victim in the civil case. The victim has alleged that she and McGregor grew up together in the same neighborhood and had exchanged “flirtatious” direct messages on social media before the encounter.

    The discovery process of the civil case is expected to be completed within the next 10 weeks.

    On December 9, 2018, the victim and the unidentified friend were sent a vehicle by McGregor back to his suite. After allegedly taking cocaine in the vehicle, the victim and McGregor’s friend entered the suite when McGregor then allegedly attempted to force a sexual act.

    The woman has also alleged that McGregor’s friend sexually assaulted her the following day. She was rushed to a hospital by her mother after returning home and treated for bruising and sexual assault. Local police opted not to press charges against McGregor and his associate.

    McGregor is in the process of planning his UFC comeback in 2022 and has teased a return at welterweight against Kamaru Usman. He has recently downplayed the idea of a return to 155 pounds following his leg break against Dustin Poirier in their UFC 264 trilogy last year.

    MMA News will continue to bring you the latest on this developing story.

  • Watch: Flying Knee Puts Kickboxer Through The Ropes At RIZIN 34

    A kickboxing match at RIZIN 34 ended with a brutal knockout when Yuki Kasahara threw a flying knee that sent Motoki through the ropes.

    Kasahara was looking to win his sixth match in a row at RIZIN 34 against Motoki, who was looking for his first professional victory. It didn’t take long for Kasahara to find his rhythm and timing with his strikes in the first round of the bout.

    With roughly 40 seconds left in the opening round, Kasahara forced Motoki up against the ropes and landed a powerful flying knee that sent Motoki flying out of the ring.

    Check out the incredible knockout below.

    RIZIN hasn’t provided an update on Motoki’s health following the vicious blow by Kasahara.

    The 20-year-old Kasahara moves to a 16-2 professional record with the knockout. The bantamweight matchup was on the main card that featured a featherweight headliner between Satoshi Yamasu and Kyohei Hagiwara.

    As for Motoki, he is now 0-3 in his professional career following the loss to Kasahara.

    RIZIN has made quite the leap in recent years and was at one point interested in signing Anderson Silva during his free agency. UFC President Dana White has also not ruled out the possibility of working with the promotion in the future.

    What is your reaction to this vicious flying knee from Yuki Kasakara?

  • Darren Till Gives Timeline, Preferred Opponent For UFC Return

    UFC middleweight contender Darren Till is looking forward to potentially bouncing back in a big way in 2022 following back-to-back losses.

    Till has been working with rising welterweight star Khamzat Chimaev in Sweden and Las Vegas ahead of his UFC return. The former welterweight title challenger Till has suffered back-to-back losses to former champion Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson.

    Till has struggled since losing his welterweight title shot against then-champion Tyron Woodley at UFC 228. He’s lost four of his last five fights and is looking to remain in the thick of things in the middleweight division.

    Till recently signed a new deal with the UFC ahead of his 2022 return to the cage. During a recent Fan Q+A ahead of UFC London, Till gave UFC fans an idea as to when he will return to the Octagon.

    “Few months, 2 or 3 months,” Till answered.

    Till was later asked who he would prefer to fight next and didn’t hesitate with his answer.

    “Uriah Hall,” Till proclaimed. “What have I done to deserve all the f**king s**t he’s given me on Twitter? He called me out. I’ve never turned down any fight, John, I came up to middleweight and fought the two best middleweights at the time in Whittaker and Gastelum. If he wants to fight me, I ain’t scared and I want to fight him next.”

    After getting word of Till’s comments, Hall took to Twitter to respond.

    “Ha fuck you too glad I’m on your mind bitch!” Hall said. “Unlike you I’m getting ready for someone who actually fights but you and I know you ain’t never going to fight again pussy.”

    Till and Hall have gone back and forth on social media in recent months, and the animosity between the two of them appears to be legit. Hall will fight André Muniz next month at a UFC Fight Night event after losing to Sean Strickland last July.

    At 29 years old, Till still has plenty of time to get back on track in the UFC. He’s long predicted that he’ll eventually be a UFC champion and he’ll have the chance to prove that claim in 2022.

    What are your predictions for Darren Till in 2022?

  • Jake Paul Says Kamaru Usman’s Boxing Skills Are “Fake”

    Jake Paul isn’t a fan of UFC welterweight Kamaru Usman’s chances in the boxing ring should he get an opportunity against Canelo Alvarez.

    Paul is coming off of an eventful 2021 for him in the boxing ring in which he earned three-straight wins to remain undefeated. He most recently knocked out former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in their short-notice rematch last December.

    Usman has flirted with the idea of challenging Alvarez for a crossover fight soon, with both sides expressing interest in promoting a potential bout. However, Paul thinks Usman may be making the wrong decision in targeting a matchup with Alvarez in boxing.

    Paul has proven to never be afraid to speak his mind, similar to Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz. In a recent interview, Abdelaziz predicted that Usman would make quick work of Alvarez if they were to fight.

    Abdelaziz took a shot at Paul and other YouTuber-turned boxers by referring to them as “fake fighters from boxing”. This prompted quite the response from Paul on social media.

    “Mr. Informant… do us all a favor and shut your peanut head ass mouth,” Paul told Abdelaziz. “The only thing fake is your boy Usman’s boxing skills. He won the belt from Tyron Woodley by decision. You seen what I did.”

    This isn’t the first time that Paul has taken a shot at Usman. In November, he claimed that the UFC’s pound-for-pound king is “past his prime” and wouldn’t be a difficult matchup for him.

    Abdelaziz has also had his own history with Paul after predicting that Usman would knock him out inside four rounds. While Usman has improved his striking considerably over his past few fights, he has yet to make a debut in the boxing ring.

    While the chances of a Usman vs. Alvarez boxing match remain unclear, this hasn’t stopped some like Paul downplaying the idea that Usman would stand much of a chance in the ring.

    Do you agree with Jake Paul’s take on Kamaru Usman’s boxing?

  • Smith Thinks Masvidal’s “Hate And Rage” Was A Factor in Covington Loss

    UFC fighter and commentator Anthony Smith thinks Jorge Masvidal’s hate for Colby Covington ended up being his downfall.

    Masvidal fell to his former friend turned bitter rival Covington in the UFC 272 main event via a unanimous decision. It was a culmination of bad blood and personalized trash talk that had built for months leading up to the fight.

    Covington went as far as invoking Masvidal’s personal life, specifically his ex-wife and children, into the mental warfare. This appeared to amp the intensity even more during fight week.

    After the fight, Masvidal explained that he felt “flat” with his wrestling and that it was a major factor in his loss. This prompted critiques from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and others on his post-fight comments.

    During a recent episode of the Believe You Me podcast with Michael Bisping, Anthony Smith gave a unique insight into why he believes Masvidal fell to Covington at UFC 272.

    “I could tell all week that there was something off,” Smith said of Masvidal. “But I thought that it was just a big fight, he hates him or whatever. But there was something off all week and I couldn’t put my finger on it. So I didn’t talk about it on the pre-fight show all week long because I couldn’t really figure out what it was.

    “But I figured it out afterwards after seeing him fight. He talked about being flat, but I think he was so mentally and emotionally exhausted from his absolute hate and rage. That kind of anger and hate, even if you’re holding it in and you’re not letting it come out in your fight style, that’s so much stress. And it’s exhausting, it’s mentally and emotionally exhausting, and that’s always gonna kinda transfer to your fight style and to your own conditioning. I think he hated him too much. “

    Covington hasn’t backed away from trash-talking Masvidal in the aftermath of their fight. He recently used Masvidal’s pre-fight “headline” prediction against him in an Instagram post.

    Masvidal has squashed speculation that he may opt to retire after the loss to Covington. He seems intent on a rematch with Covington down the line and returning to the magic he found in 2019.

    Do you agree with Anthony Smith’s take on Jorge Masvidal?

  • Mousasi Gives Inside Scoop On How UFC Negotiates With Fighters

    Bellator middleweight champion and former UFC fighter Gegard Mousasi gave a recent first-hand account of how the UFC negotiates with fighters.

    Mousasi, arguably one of the most underrated fighters in MMA today, has embraced his new home at Bellator since leaving the UFC. He earned the Bellator middleweight title over Douglas Lima at Bellator 250 and is coming off of back-to-back TKO finishes.

    Once thought of as a potential future UFC champion, Mousasi’s rise in the UFC came to a halt following some alleged tension-filled contract negotiations. He ended up signing with Bellator and is now pursuing titles in multiple weight classes.

    During a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Mousasi revealed what it was like doing business with the UFC when he first joined the promotion.

    “The first contract, they said because I was coming off Strikeforce, okay, I wasn’t doing very well in the UFC but they said you sign it or you leave,” Mousasi claimed. “They said no negotiation, you sign or you leave.” (h/t SportsKeeda)

    Mousasi fought in the UFC from 2013-2017, with his last victory with the promotion coming against former champion Chris Weidman at UFC 210. He would then sign with Bellator in free agency and make his promotional debut just six months later.

    Mousasi went on to detail how the UFC is perceived when it comes to negotiations, compared to the reality of how they handle business.

    “UFC can be hard in negotiations,” Mousasi said. “People think it’s all kisses and hugs, believe me they can be brutal. If they need you, Dana White will call you… If they don’t need you, you’re gonna find out on Sherdog that you’ve been released.”

    Mousasi’s comments come at a time when the UFC has been at odds with some of its biggest stars, most notably UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. In the leadup to Ngannou’s win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270, his negotiations with the UFC were a hot topic of conversation.

    The UFC and president Dana White have yet to respond to Mousasi’s comments.

    What are your thoughts on Gegard Mousasi’s comments?

  • Ilia Topuria: The UFC Would Have To Force Paddy Pimblett To Fight Me

    Ilia Topuria wants a fight with Paddy Pimblett next, but he isn’t confident that the matchup will take place.

    Topuria took care of business at UFC London with an impressive come-from-behind win over Jai Herbert. After getting rocked with a big head kick in the opening round, Topuria bounced back in a big way with a big right hook that slept Herbert in Round 2.

    Topuria was making his lightweight debut after competing at featherweight for the majority of his career. The fight was taken on short notice after Herbert’s original opponent, Mike Davis, withdrew with an injury.

    Topuria and Pimblett engaged in a heated altercation during fight week at their hotel, with the two fighters nearly getting into an all-out brawl. Topuria’s animosity towards Pimblett stems from Pimblett’s previous comments mocking Georgia, his home country.

    Topuria used his post-fight Octagon interview to call for a fight with Pimblett before Pimblett earned a first-round finish over Kazula Vargas.

    During his UFC London post-fight press conference, Topuria gave his thoughts on the chances of Pimblett agreeing to a fight with him.

    “Paddy? Never, never ever,” Topuria said. “I don’t think so, maybe if Dana stay with him with a gun, maybe yes. If they force him to go inside the cage with me, maybe. Otherwise, I don’t think so. I don’t think he has the balls to fight me.”

    Tensions between Topuria and Pimblett have escalated following their altercation. Topuria has recently claimed that if he and Pimblett were alone in a room, he would kill Pimblett.

    Topuria is now 12-0 in his professional MMA career with four straight wins in the UFC. Before his win over Herbert, he earned finishes over Ryan Hall and Damon Jackson at featherweight.

    Pimblett’s win over Vargas puts him at 2-0 since signing with the UFC last year. He won his debut last September in a first-round TKO of Luigi Vendramini.

    Pimblett appeared to downplay Topuria’s callout during his post-fight Octagon interview, referring to Topuria as a “sheep”. While it’s unclear if Topuria will fight at lightweight going forward, a fight between these two adversaries seems like a no-brainer.

    Do you think we’ll ever see Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett?

  • Dana White Says The UFC Will “Definitely” Go To France In 2022

    UFC President Dana White is ready to bring more events overseas following a successful night at UFC London, and France is a leading candidate.

    White and the UFC are fresh off one of the most memorable Fight Nights in recent memory in London, UK. The event included nine finishes, with all nine fighters earning post-fight bonus checks for their efforts.

    The return to London broke the record for the biggest live gate for a single-day sporting event at The O2 Arena, as White announced in his post-fight press conference. The crowd was electric from start-to-finish as many UK stars such as Tom Aspinall, Arnold Allen, and Paddy Pimblett earned massive victories.

    During his UFC London post-fight press conference, White spoke about his plans for planning more international events in 2022 and teased France as a main target.

    “I can tell you this, we will definitely do France this year,” White said.

    There was some speculation that the UFC could hold the Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane heavyweight title fight in France, but the promotion and White ended up putting the event in Anaheim, CA for UFC 270. While Ngannou will more than likely miss the planned France event after undergoing knee surgery, White’s announcement opens the door for fighters such as Gane, Nassourdine Imavov, and other France-based fighters to compete on the card.

    The UFC has never hosted an event in France, despite hosting a plethora of other cards in Europe. Now that more countries are lessening travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, White and the UFC could get back on track with a slew of international events in 2022.

    Who do you want Dana White to put as the headliner in the planned UFC France event?

  • Belal Muhammad Blasts Sean Strickland: “It’s All Talk, It’s All An Act”

    UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad isn’t a fan of Sean Strickland’s characteristics and persona in and out of the Octagon.

    Muhammad is set to face Vicente Luque in a rematch at an April 16 UFC Fight Night event. The winner will be one step closer to a chance to dethrone welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

    Muhammad and Strickland have had a bit of history, stemming from when both of them were in the 170-pound division. Strickland began his UFC tenure as a welterweight before eventually moving up to middleweight, where he now stands potentially one fight away from a title shot.

    UFC betting: Sean Strickland faces Jack Hermansson
    Sean Strickland

    Muhammad started the banter by calling Strickland a “piece of trash” after offering to step in to fight Strickland at UFC 268. Strickland was supposed to face Luke Rockhold, who would pull out with an injury.

    After getting word of Muhammad’s comments, Strickland went off on Muhammad and hinted at living out a desert fantasy with Muhammad in Las Vegas. Strickland went on to fight and defeat Jack Hermansson last month to rise in the middleweight title picture.

    During a recent interview with The Schmo, Muhammad gave his honest opinions about Strickland and why he has a strong disdain for him.

    “That guy is a joke,” Muhammad said. “Like what I told you, we had a chance to fight each other, his opponent pulls out, I called him out. He said ‘No, it wasn’t worth it’ but this guy is the killer, the murderer that wants to kill everybody, that’ll fight anybody. But as we see in his last fight, it’s all talk. It’s all an act.

    “Sean Strickland, stop acting. Just come out with it, it’s cool. You watch Saturday night cartoons we know that you’re fake. You’re not this crazy psycho guy, you’re just a normal guy that’s trying to be crazy. Just be yourself.”

    Muhammad and Strickland could be on the verge of UFC title shots with wins in their next appearances. While it appears that the matchup may not happen at 170 pounds, that is not preventing Muhammad from weighing in on Strickland and his peculiar ways.

    What are your thoughts on Belal Muhammad’s perception of Sean Strickland?

  • McGregor: The Fight Game Has Become “Very Forgetful” Of José Aldo

    Former UFC double champion Conor McGregor thinks fans need to give veterans like José Aldo more credit and not forget their prowess.

    McGregor and Aldo have come a long way since their heated buildup to their featherweight title fight at UFC 194. The two former featherweight champions were once as hostile as it gets with one another but have become cordial in recent years.

    Aldo has experienced a new chapter in his MMA career down at bantamweight with recent impressive wins over Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz, and Rob Font at 135 pounds. He could be on the verge of another bantamweight title shot despite having lost to Petr Yan for the then-vacant belt at UFC 251.

    McGregor is hoping for a bounceback of his own later this year in his Octagon return. He’s targeting a welterweight title shot against Kamaru Usman for his next fight if Usman can successfully defend his belt against Leon Edwards.

    Like Aldo, some have downplayed the idea that McGregor can still compete for UFC championships. During a recent interview with TheMacLife, McGregor praised Aldo for his recent successes despite some writing him off in the past.

    “The game is very forgetful…” McGregor said. “The disrespect Aldo received, for example, and people saying people are done. If you look at Glover Teixeira, who’s now a UFC champion, it’s important to just block out that noise because it’s dribble. It’s never what it is, and I’m very happy for José and seeing what he’s been doing, and I look forward to having the exact same thing myself.”

    McGregor lost back-to-back fights to Dustin Poirier in 2021 via stoppages, with the latest coming after he suffered a horrific leg break at UFC 264. He’s looking to recapture the magic he sustained after becoming a two-division UFC champion with wins over Aldo and Eddie Alvarez.

    Aldo has hinted at a potential matchup with TJ Dillashaw for his next UFC outing, although it’s unclear when Dillashaw will return from his knee injury. McGregor and Aldo were once the bitterest of rivals inside the Octagon, but have appeared to squash their beef as both look to reclaim UFC gold.

    Do you agree with Conor McGregor regarding José Aldo?

  • Darren Till Names UK Fighter Most Likely To Be Next UFC Champion

    UFC middleweight contender Darren Till has named who he believes the next UK fighter to claim UFC gold will be.

    Till is planning a UFC return for later this year after losing back-to-back fights at middleweight. He’s been seen training with rising star Khamzat Chimaev as he plans a potential rise back into the middleweight title picture.

    Till is in London ahead of the UFC’s Fight Night event this weekend, headlined by a heavyweight matchup between Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov. During a recent Fan Q+A session, he pointed to the next likely welterweight title challenger to Kamaru Usman as the next British UFC champion.

    “Probably Leon, probably Leon right now,” Till said.

    Edwards has won nine straight fights, including most recently against Nate Diaz at UFC 263. He was supposed to face Jorge Masvidal at UFC 269 before Masvidal pulled out with an injury.

    Till was the headliner of the last UFC London card in early 2019 but went on to lose to Masvidal in a vicious knockout. He and Edwards shared some trash talk ahead of the event before Edwards earned a unanimous decision win over Gunnar Nelson.

    But now, Till and Edwards seem to be cordial with one another and Till has long advocated for a title shot for Edwards. UFC President Dana White recently confirmed that Edwards will fight for the belt later this year.

    Till Names Another Future UFC Champion From The UK

    Paddy Pimblett
    Paddy Pimblett

    Till was also asked about his fellow countryman, Paddy Pimblett, ahead of his lightweight return against Kazula Vargas at UFC London. Till gave his thoughts on when he thinks Pimblett could earn a lightweight title shot.

    “Two years, give or take,” Till answered. “He’s rising fast, he’s only had two fights. He’s killing it!”

    Pimblett passed his first UFC test with flying colors, earning a first-round knockout of Luigi Vendramini in his debut last September. He was one of the biggest additions to the UFC roster in 2021 following a decorated tenure in Cage Warriors.

    While Till isn’t afraid to give credit to his fellow UK fighters, he’s looking to get back on track with his next UFC outing. He’s been a targeted matchup for middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and is looking to get on another streak to earn another title opportunity.

    Do you agree with Darren Till’s predictions?

  • Alexander Volkov: It Is A Dark Time For UFC Heavyweights

    UFC heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov isn’t sure what to make of the heavyweight title picture and the chances of another interim title bout.

    Volkov is set to face Tom Aspinall in the UFC London main event this weekend. He’s looking to get back in the thick of things in the heavyweight division following a win over Marcin Tybura at UFC 267. He’s won three of his last four with his lone defeat coming to former interim champion Ciryl Gane.

    The heavyweight division is at a bit of a standstill at the moment. UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou will miss nine months after undergoing knee surgery and has been at an impasse with the promotion over contract negotiations.

    This may open the door for Volkov and others to potentially compete in an interim title bout later this year.

    During his UFC London pre-fight press conference, Volkov spoke about the state of the heavyweight division.

    “I think an interim title would quite a logical decision now, because we frankly don’t know what will be,” Volkov said. “But the only question is, who will fight for this interim title? Gane lost, and Tuivasa only now entered, there’s a third… and right now it’s very dark times even for the UFC heavyweights.”

    One matchup that has been speculated is a fight between former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones for the interim belt. Rising contender Tai Tuivasa has also targeted a fight with Miocic, although it’s unclear if it’ll come to fruition.

    The UFC opted to go with an interim heavyweight title bout between Gane and Derrick Lewis at UFC 265, just months after Ngannou earned the title. Yet, Ngannou isn’t worried about the prospect of another interim title fight happening during his absence.

    Volkov has the opportunity to enter his name in the mix with an impressive performance this weekend against Aspinall. He’s looking to get back in the win column and potentially earn a top contender for his next fight.

    Do you agree with Alexander Volkov about the state of the UFC’s heavyweight division?

  • Usman Appears To React To McGregor Targeting Him For UFC Return

    UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman has appeared to mock Conor McGregor’s recent comments that he’s eying a showdown with him.

    Usman is certain to face Leon Edwards next for his latest UFC welterweight title defense. UFC President Dana White has also confirmed that the Usman vs. Edwards rematch will take place later this year, with an official announcement appearing imminent.

    McGregor is planning his Octagon return after nearly a year away recovering from a nasty leg break he suffered at UFC 264. He’s hinted at a move to welterweight for his next fight and has appeared to rule out a move back to lightweight.

    McGregor is targeting a fight with Usman next and has called it the “fight to make at 170 pounds. He hasn’t fought at welterweight since he defeated Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.

    After getting word of McGregor’s plans, Usman appeared to mock the idea of a McGregor title shot on social media.

    “You guys want a murder scene in the octagon”

    “He said he’s gonna do what????” Usman tweeted.

    This isn’t the first time that Usman and McGregor have gone at it from afar. Usman has previously expressed interest in a fight with McGregor and predicted that he would earn a finish. McGregor has also accused Usman of stealing his material amidst a potential boxing match with Canelo Alvarez.

    McGregor has hinted at a title shot for his UFC return, and a fight with Usman could happen with White not ruling out McGregor getting another shot at gold next. In the meantime, Usman will look to keep his place atop the UFC’s pound-for-pound list after a flawless 2021.

    Do you think Kamaru Usman vs. Conor McGregor will happen this year?

  • Henry Cejudo Says He’ll Corner Petr Yan On One Condition, Yan Responds

    UFC interim bantamweight champion Petr Yan is allegedly in need of cornermen and Henry Cejudo might be willing to join Sean O’Malley in being up for the job if his terms are met.

    It was reported by multiple outlets earlier this week that members of Yan’s corner were denied visas to travel to the U.S. for UFC 273. Yan will face bantamweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling in a title rematch about a year in the making.

    After news broke of Yan’s situation, he reached out to retired former UFC double champion Henry Cejudo to help out.

    “Hey coach [Henry Cejudo] what are your plans on April 9th?” Yan asked.

    Just hours after Yan reached out to Cejudo on social media, O’Malley recorded a video in which he appeared to agree to help corner Yan for his upcoming fight.

    “One corner spot is taken by [Sean O’Malley],” Yan responded.

    Henry Cejudo would respond by laying out his one condition to corner the Russian.

    “Get me a booster seat and I’ll work your corner…you kneed me” #andnew“

    Yan, ever the tough negotiator, responded with firmness.

    “I have one condition as well, don’t try to give me your shitty advices, just bring the water and ice bag between the rounds and we’re good.”

    Yan earned the interim title over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267 after Sterling withdrew from their originally scheduled rematch due to Sterling’s health issues. The rematch was postponed a second time for UFC 273 after the UFC 272 booking fell apart for conflicting reasons.

    Yan lost via disqualification to Sterling at UFC 259 after landing an illegal knee late in the fight. Before the infraction, Yan had taken control of the fight and had appeared to be on his way to a successful title defense.

    O’Malley and Yan share a bit of history from a distance. Among other interactions, O’Malley has predicted that a fight with Yan down the line would be the biggest fight in UFC bantamweight history.

    Despite Yan searching for help from Cejudo, the two have gone back-and-forth on social media over the past couple of years. Yan has questioned the timing of Cejudo’s retirement while Cejudo has previously teased coming out of retirement to fight him.

    Cejudo has recently teased a UFC comeback and threw his name into the conversation to fight Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 273. However, the UFC opted to go with Chan Sung Jung (aka The Korean Zombie) instead of Cejudo.

    Yan hasn’t had any visa issues ahead of UFC 273 and it appears that his cornermen are the only ones impacted by recent traveling challenges.

    Do you think we’ll actually see Sean O’Malley or Henry Cejudo corner Petr Yan at UFC 273?

  • Khamzat Chimaev Volunteers To Be Logan Paul’s First UFC Opponent

    UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev is willing to welcome Logan Paul to the Octagon if he were to ever sign with the top MMA promotion.

    Chimaev is set to face Gilbert Burns in a potential No. 1 contender clash at UFC 273. He’s undefeated in his MMA career and is coming off of a first-round submission of Li Jingliang at UFC 267.

    Paul is a YouTuber turned boxer who competed in high school wrestling in Ohio. He’s flirted with the idea of potentially moving to MMA down the line, along with his brother Jake.

    Eyebrows were raised when UFC President Dana White didn’t rule out Paul fighting for him in the future. After asking about his past grappling experience, White didn’t shut down the idea of Paul competing in the Octagon at some point.

    “I’m not saying no,” White said.

    After getting word of Paul’s UFC interest, Chimaev reached out to Paul on Twitter and proposed a potential matchup.

    “I’m waiting for you in UFC [Logan Paul],” Chimaev tweeted.

    Paul has recently confirmed that he’s received MMA offers in recent months and expects to enter the cage at some point. He also remains focused on his boxing career and a potential matchup with fellow YouTube sensation Whindersson Nunes.

    While White seems to have a cordial relationship with Logan, it’s been the complete opposite with Jake. He and Jake have gone back-and-forth on social media for months and have accused one another of using drugs.

    Chimaev has proven to not be one to turn down a fight in the Octagon, and he could be a willing opponent for Paul if the UFC signs him. For now, Chimaev remains focused on a shot at welterweight gold and a potential showdown with Kamaru Usman in 2022.

    Do you think Logan Paul will eventually fight in the UFC?