MMA News

Author: Curtis Calhoun

  • Tai Tuivasa: Either Mine Or Lewis’ Head Is Coming Off At UFC 271

    UFC heavyweight contender Tai Tuivasa isn’t expecting his UFC 271 co-main event bout against Derrick Lewis to go the distance.

    Tuivasa is on a four-fight winning streak heading into his showcase at UFC 271. All four of the wins have come by knockout against the likes of Augusto Sakai and Greg Hardy.

    Tuivasa and Lewis are both knockout artists, which is sure to entice fans watching the second UFC pay-per-view of 2022. While both men seem to have respect for one another, it’s no secret that anything other than a finish in their fight would come as a shock.

    During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Tuivasa gave his thoughts on the matchup and how he sees it playing out.

    “I’m excited man,” Tuivasa said. “We go out there to fight and we go out there to take people’s heads off. So it’s either gonna be mine or his. I’m excited. One of us is gonna get a hiding… It’s (KO) gonna come when it comes. I’ve gotta be a bit smart as well. He’s got the name ‘Knockout King’ for a reason. I’ve gotta go out there and be a bit smart about it.”

    Lewis is looking to get a second chance in front of his Houston, TX hometown after losing to Ciryl Gane for the interim title at UFC 265. He has since earned a dominant first-round knockout over Chris Daukaus last December.

    Tuivasa and Lewis are both fan favorites due to their persona in and out of the cage. Tuivasa is known for his post-fight shoeys, which he might’ve had when the bout was offered in the first place.

    The heavyweight showdown between Tuivasa and Lewis not only has potential title implications but is a chance for both men to make a statement in front of another raucous crowd.

    What is your prediction for Tai Tuivasa vs. Derrick Lewis?

  • Israel Adesanya “Feels 100%” Vindicated With New UFC Deal

    UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya is a happy man after signing a new deal with the highest platform in MMA.

    It was reported earlier on Wednesday that Adesanya has agreed to a new multi-fight deal with the UFC. This comes just days before his highly-anticipated rematch with Robert Whittaker at UFC 271.

    Adesanya has become a household name for the UFC since even before his first fight with Whittaker. From his interim title win over Kelvin Gastelum to his latest title defenses over Marvin Vettori and Paulo Costa, fans have come to belove the 185-pound champion.

    Dana White wishes Israel Adesanya didn't dance into the Octagon: 'I don't love it' - MMAmania.com
    Israel Adesanya, Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    Adesanya’s head coach at City Kickboxing, Eugene Bareman, recently alluded to his stance that he feels the UFC could do more to promote one of their biggest stars on the roster. He feels that the UFC has underpromoted his star pupil in the past.

    During his UFC 271 media day press conference, Adesanya was asked whether or not he feels valued now after signing a new contract.

    “100%. That’s the thing. The thing I want to know is, what’s my value to the company?” Adesanya said. “You can’t undersell my value. If you are, you’re kidding yourself. I bring so many different looks to this company, even without trying.

    “I’m Nigerian. I brought that whole nation. Me and the three kings, the continent of Africa is on our back. I wear it on my chest. We have the Oceania region looking at us. I’m a guy that crosses over to the mainstream so easily. And I have this appeal. I have that “it” thing. So I’m glad that the UFC is starting to see that.”

    “They’ve already known that. They’ve known this since the jump. Dana knew this since the jump. But yeah, I’m just the guy who deals with my dealings with the UFC behind the scenes. And I’m glad that we came to an agreement with this new deal. And I look forward to this effect trickling down to the rest of the fighters.”

    Adesanya is undefeated at middleweight after making the full-time move to MMA following an accomplished career in kickboxing. In their first matchup, Adesanya knocked out Whittaker to cement his status as the middleweight champion and one of the biggest stars in MMA. Adesanya’s lone blemish on his UFC record came against Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title at UFC 259.

    Another win over Whittaker would continue Adesanya’s path of attempting to lap the division. The winner of another UFC 271 fight, Jared Cannonier vs. Derek Brunson, will more than likely get the next title shot.

    Where do you rank Israel Adesanya among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world?

  • Report: Logan Paul Sues Mayweather Over Alleged Failed Payout

    Logan Paul has sued boxing Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather for an undisclosed amount after alleging he wasn’t paid for their fight.

    Paul and Mayweather competed in an eight-round exhibition last year in front of a crowd at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL. The bout was an exhibition, and a winner wasn’t declared at the end of the fight.

    Boxing fans have debated the fight on social media for months, with some believing that Mayweather won the fight with relative ease. But one thing that isn’t debated is that Paul and Mayweather both deserve to be paid their fair share.

    Now, Paul is accusing Mayweather of spurning him of his promised payout. During a recent press conference, his brother Jake revealed that Logan has sued Mayweather.

    “He really hasn’t [paid Logan],” Jake said. “There’s a lawsuit that was opened up last week or two weeks ago. They’re pressuring him both legally and behind-the-scenes, but it’s embarrassing for Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather to not have enough money to pay my brother.”

    Mayweather hasn’t publically responded to the allegations and it’s unclear whether an official suit has actually been filed.

    Paul is expecting a return to boxing later this year, possibly against Brazilian boxing sensation Whindersson Nunes. He’s also previously entertained the idea of fighting MMA legend Anderson Silva in the ring.

    As for Mayweather, he hasn’t communicated any serious interest in returning from retirement to compete in 2022. He seems content on promoting boxers around the sport, including Gervonta Davis.

    What is your reaction to Logan Paul’s accusations?

  • Watch: Russian MMA Event Features Mismatch Intergender Bout

    An intergender matchup between Aleksandra Stepakova and Grigory Chistyakov raised many eyebrows around the sport of MMA.

    EFC featured the matchup between female strawweight MMA fighter Stepakova against male heavyweight Chistyakov. To the surprise of many, Stepakova was able to go the distance and land a few brutal blows on the much larger and different gendered Chistyakov.

    Chistyakov had his way early, pinning Stepakova against the fence and not allowing her to get free in the early minutes. However, Stepakova was able to break free and briefly find her footing with her striking.

    https://twitter.com/Matysek88/status/1491346870102560771?s=20&t=kSB8FocMz2VxEidLPtcO8Q

    Chistyakov entered the bout with no professional experience in MMA. Stepakova, on the other hand, made one professional appearance before the event. She lost via third-round TKO against Daria Bankina at Opiot Challenge 112 in Moscow, RU.

    The intergender matchup is the latest in a series of eye-opening mismatches recently in MMA. This includes a wide physical disparity between two professional MMA fighters at Evolution of Combat 9 in September.

    What is your reaction to this matchup?

  • Joe Rogan Responds To Criticisms About Apologizing For Past Remarks

    Joe Rogan is hitting back at criticisms of his apology for a viral video that showed him repeatedly using a racial slur in past podcast episodes.

    Rogan has been under fire in recent weeks on a variety of issues. Many subscribers and musical artists on Spotify have called for him to be canceled after past race-related remarks along with alleged misinformation regarding COVID-19 vaccines.

    Shortly after a compilation of Rogan saying the ‘N-Word’ went viral courtesy of musical artist India Arie, Rogan took to Instagram to apologize for his past racial slur use. This prompted some, including former U.S. president Donald Trump, to question why Rogan felt the need to apologize for past statements published without context.

    During a recent stand-up comedy performance at the Vulcan Gas Company in Austin, TX, Rogan addressed critics of his recent apology video. The following was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

    “You should apologize if you regret something,” Rogan said. “This idea that you should never apologize. Like if you regret something, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with apologizing…

    “Somebody made a compilation of every time I said that word over 14 years and they put it on YouTube, and it turned out that was racist as f*ck. Even to me!” (h/t MMA Fighting)

    Many UFC fighters, including former champion Rashad Evans, have come to the defense of Rogan after the racial slur-filled video went viral. Rogan is expected to remain on the commentary team for the upcoming UFC 271 pay-per-view, headlined by a middleweight title fight between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker.

    Spotify has remained firm in its stance that Rogan’s JRE podcast will remain on the platform, despite a plethora of calls to have it removed.

    What are your thoughts on the recent Joe Rogan controversies?

  • Rashad Evans Denies Joe Rogan Is A Racist After Latest Controversy

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans thinks Joe Rogan saying a racial slur on his podcast in the past is wrong, but he isn’t racist.

    Evans and Rogan go back years from their respective time together in the UFC. Rogan has been a longtime color commentator for the promotion while Evans began his championship run after winning The Ultimate Fighter 2.

    Rogan has been under heavy fire from all sides as of late, particularly following a video compilation of him saying the ‘N-Word’ went viral on social media. During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Evans showed support for his longtime friend and answered whether or not Rogan has racial prejudice.

    “It’s very tough for me,” Evans said. “That compilation of the ‘N-Word’ it really is hard to go against that. But I know Joe, and I know the kind of person Joe is, and Joe’s never gave me any kinda feeling or any kind of indication that he’s racist or anything like that. I believe that people make some off-kilter remarks sometimes. And when you’re a comedian, you’re used to doing that.

    “Not to excuse any of this, but at the same time when you go back that far, I’m sure there’s going to be a compilation of a lot of unfavorable things that people have said that can come back and bite them.”

    Evans recently returned to MMA after a four-year hiatus at Eagle FC 44. He defeated Gabriel Checco via unanimous decision.

    Many former and current UFC fighters have spoken out of defense and support for Rogan after the video went viral. The UFC still plans on having Rogan on the UFC 271 commentary team this weekend.

    Do you agree with Rashad Evans regarding Joe Rogan?

  • Sean Strickland Names The One MW Fighter He’d Rather Not Fight

    UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland is as game as anyone when it comes to fighting, but not when it comes to fighting his friends.

    Strickland passed arguably the biggest test of his fighting career at UFC Vegas 47, outpacing Jack Hermansson en route to a unanimous decision win. His boxing led the dance once again as he overwhelmed Hermansson with his jab and combinations.

    Strickland appears to be just one fight away from a potential title shot at 185 pounds, shortly after making the move from welterweight to middleweight full-time. Israel Adesanya will face Robert Whittaker in a title rematch at UFC 271 and the next title shot is arguably still up in the air.

    Strickland is in a peculiar position in the middleweight division, but there’s one fighter who he’d rather not risk friendship in favor of competition.

    “Yeah, Marvin Vettori, he’s a good buddy of mine,” Strickland said during his UFC Vegas 47 post-fight presser. “I actually helped him train for Costa and Jack. So I mean, I was his main training partner. That’s a fight I wouldn’t want to fight.

    “They actually asked me when Costa drank too many wine and cookies, they offered me a lot of money to take his fight on a day notice. And I called Marvin and I was like, ‘Marvin, they’re offering me a lot of fuckin’ money. I have to say yes. Marvin being a good friend, he was like, ‘Dude, yes. I can’t blame you for saying yes.’ So that situation, I said yes, but if it’s just for what I’m making, I would rather bow my head. I’d let Marvin get another title shot before I fight him.”

    Marvin Vettori was slated to face Paulo Costa in a middleweight headliner at UFC Vegas 41. However, Costa entered fight week about 30 pounds overweight, and the bout was moved to a light heavyweight fight on short notice.

    Up until then, it was unclear if the UFC was planning to move forward with the bout. According to Strickland, the UFC involved him in their backup plans.

    Strickland has been criticized by some UFC fans and pundits regarding his pre and post-fight verbal banter. But even he has limits when it comes to his desired opponents.

    Who do you want to see Sean Strickland fight next?

  • Dan Ige Vs. Movsar Evloev In The Works For June 4 UFC Event

    A featherweight showdown between rising contenders Dan Ige and Movsar Evloev is close to being finalized for a June 4 UFC event.

    News of the targeted booking was first reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.

    Ige is coming off a Fight of the Year contender against Josh Emmett at UFC 269, despite losing via unanimous decision. He’s lost two of his last three, including to featherweight title challenger Chan Sung Jung last June.

    If the booking is confirmed, this will easily be the toughest test of the upstart Evloev’s young career in the Octagon. He’s undefeated in his UFC tenure and will enter the fight with a 15-0 professional record.

    Despite his recent losing skid, Ige remains one of the toughest featherweights in the UFC. He began his Octagon tenure on a six-fight winning streak after losing his debut against Julio Arce at UFC 220.

    During that streak, Ige picked up dominant wins over the likes of Mirsad Bektic and Edson Barboza. The Dana White’s Contender Series alum is still just entering the prime of his MMA career and has the chance to replicate his previous successes.

    Evloev has emerged as arguably one of the top prospects in the UFC. He most recently picked up wins in impressive fashion over fellow prospect Hakeem Dawodu and also MMA veteran Nik Lentz. Dan Ige could present some interesting challenges for Evloev, particularly with his striking.

    Evloev was originally supposed to face Ilia Topuria earlier this year before withdrawing just days before the fight.

    It’s unclear if the fight will be booked for a UFC Fight Night event or a pay-per-view card. But regardless, it’s a massive fight that is sure to garner the attention of fans.

    What are your thoughts on this featherweight matchup?

  • Jake Paul: Boxers Are Easier Competition Than MMA Fighters

    Jake Paul thinks he has what it takes to eventually silence the doubters and become a boxing world champion someday.

    Paul is coming off of an eventful 2021 in which he won three bouts in the ring. He started the year by knocking out former UFC welterweight Ben Askren followed by back-to-back wins over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley.

    Paul was originally supposed to face Tommy Fury at the end of 2021 before Fury pulled out with an injury. Woodley stepped up to fight on short notice and Paul knocked him out in Round 6.

    During a recent interview with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and Laura Woods on talkSPORT, Paul made an eye-opening claim regarding the comparison between boxers and MMA fighters. This after Hearn explained why he feels Paul won’t be able to become a boxing world champion because of his wrestling background.

    “I think boxers are easier to fight than MMA fighters,” Paul said. “They’re more predictable, and they don’t hit as hard, and they can’t take as big of a punch.”

    Paul is anticipating a return to boxing later this year and has already called out top UFC stars for a boxing match, including Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal. Both fighters are still under contract with the UFC, so it’s highly unlikely that they’ll be able to fight him anytime soon.

    One of the biggest criticisms of Paul’s fast rise in boxing has been his level of competition in the ring. While he’s put on impressive performances against elite athletes, he arguably has yet to put his true boxing skills to the test against a legitimate boxer.

    Paul has been open to potential boxing matches with Anderson Silva and Julio César Chávez Jr., among others. It’s possible we could get answers to just how skilled Paul is in the world of boxing sooner rather than later.

    Do you agree with Jake Paul?

  • Kamaru Usman Undergoes Hand Surgery, Targeting July 2 Return

    UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman underwent surgery on a hand ligament but is expected to recover in time for International Fight Week.

    Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, broke the news to ESPN on Monday. Despite the operation, Usman is still targeting a return to the Octagon for UFC 276 on July 2.

    Usman is widely expected to face top contender Leon Edwards next, but nothing has been formally announced by the promotion. He’s coming off of an eventful 2021 in which he earned knockout wins over Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal, while also winning the rubber match with Colby Covington.

    UFC President Dana White also shared a graphic photo of Usman’s operated hand in an Instagram post.

    WARNING: The photo below is extremely graphic.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZsnOOKJRSU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    “Pound for pound best fighter in the world [Kamaru Usman] had hand ligament surgery today,” White said. “This is the before and after. See you soon CHAMP.”

    White has recently confirmed that Usman will face Edwards next, despite the exact booking still under negotiation. It appears that UFC 276 could be the targeted date for the high-stakes welterweight rematch.

    Usman recently said during a podcast appearance that he suffered a broken hand just weeks before his rematch with Covington at UFC 268. He would go on to win the fight via unanimous decision.

    Usman claimed that he injured his hand during a sparring session with ferocious lightweight contender Justin Gaethje.

    Usman has won 19 fights in a row and is undefeated in his UFC career. He’s widely regarded as one of the greatest champions in the promotion’s history.

    Who do you want Kamaru Usman to fight in 2022?

  • Nick Maximov Calls Out Khamzat Chimaev After Second UFC Win

    There may be a slew of UFC fighters who are against the idea of competing against Khamzat Chimaev, but Nick Maximov isn’t one of those guys.

    Maximov seized the moment in his second career UFC fight at UFC Vegas 47. In his first promotional co-main event opportunity, he earned a largely dominant win over Punahele Soriano in which he scored a series of takedowns throughout the fight.

    Maximov, a protege of Nick and Nate Diaz, wants tougher competition for his next Octagon appearance. At 24 years old, he’s widely regarded as one of the top middleweight prospects in the UFC.

    Despite being just two fights into his UFC career, he’s open to the idea of facing the rising star Chimaev. During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Maximov promoted the idea of fighting Chimaev next.

    “I think so, too,” Maximov said when asked about a fight with Chimaev making sense. “Khamzat’s fighting all these little a** guys but I’ll like to fight him next. He tries to call out Nate and Nick, it’s like fight me then. We’re both in the same boat… but why are people scared of him, know what I’m saying? He hasn’t fought any wrestlers. He’s a wrestler, but he hasn’t fought any wrestlers. So I’m like, ‘What the fuck?”

    Maximov would then close with a final message for Chimaev.

    “Fight me next then, because he hasn’t fought any wrestlers. He’s fought MMA fighters and I’m a martial artist who can wrestle. I just made the record [for takedowns] in my second UFC fight. In my second UFC fight, I was the co-main event, so who else is doing that?”

    Chimaev is also undefeated in his professional MMA career and is coming off of another impressive finish over Li Jingliang at UFC 267. While nothing is set in stone just yet, he’s widely expected to face Gilbert Burns later this year.

    If the Burns fight falls through, Chimaev seems to have a willing opponent in Maximov. As showcased during his UFC debut win at UFC 266 and his lopsided victory on Dana White’s Contender Series, Maximov may present the type of grappling challenge that Chimaev hasn’t faced yet.

    Who do you want to see Nick Maximov fight next?

  • Cheick Kongo To Ryan Bader: “I’m Going To Murder You”

    Bellator heavyweight contender Cheick Kongo is looking to earn more than the heavyweight title in his upcoming rematch against Ryan Bader.

    Kongo has proved that age may be just a number during his recent run-in Bellator. The 46-year-old has won 9 of his last 11 fights, including most recently against Sergei Kharitonov at Bellator 265.

    Just minutes after Bader earned a unanimous decision victory against Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 273, the promotion announced that Bader will defend his belt against Kongo in May at an event in Paris.

    The Bader-Kongo rivalry is one of the most heated in recent Bellator history. The two top heavyweights fought to a no-contest after an accidental eye-poke by Bader stopped the fight. Bader later denied that he poked Kongo.

    Kongo is looking to earn a decisive win this time against Bader. During a recent interview with Mirror, he revealed what he told Bader during their staredown following Bellator 273.

    “I told him ‘karma is a b****’ and you did really good,” Kongo said. “I was impressed with his performance, it was a really good satisfaction. I wish he will be able to perform the same way [against me] but I’m going to kill you. When he left the cage, I told him ‘you better be ready, because I’m gonna murder you’. I wasn’t expecting to face him after three years, I thought it was just a utopia but they make it real. Now it’s happening. His salvation will probably for me to die with Covid or get hit by a car to not face me.”

    Kongo will have the opportunity to exact his revenge against Bader in front of the hometown crowd in Paris. He has his own gym and team in France called “Kongo’s Smashin’ Club”, which features top prospects such as Djati Melan.

    Kongo’s murder comments remind some fans of UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland, who has previously spoken about his desire to kill someone in the cage.

    The Kongo-Bader rivalry doesn’t show any signs of cooling down anytime soon, and their fight is expected to be one of the most highly-anticipated in Bellator in 2022.

    What is your prediction for Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo 2?

  • Volkanovski: If I Was Going To Fight Cejudo, It Would’ve Been At UFC 273

    UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski is hinting that a potential matchup against Henry Cejudo might’ve already come and gone.

    Volkanovski is slated to face Chan Sung Jung, otherwise known as “The Korean Zombie” at UFC 273. Volkanovski was originally supposed to face Max Holloway in a trilogy next before Holloway suffered an injury shortly after the booking was announced.

    One of the first names that put themselves in the conversation to step up and fight Volkanovski was Henry Cejudo. He has long hinted at a UFC comeback to challenge for the featherweight title and the chance to become a three-division world champion.

    The two have gone back-and-forth in a series of interviews and social media posts, but a fight between them hasn’t materialized. UFC President Dana White has been non-committal regarding a potential superfight between Volkanovski and Cejudo.

    During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Volkanovski gave his thoughts on a clash with Cejudo.

    “I don’t even mind the guy,” Volkanovski said. “Obviously, we have a bit of fun and he’s always trying to troll me and get under my skin and make that fight happen.

    “Again, I get people who are going to say I’m running and whatnot. The UFC never brought up his name, ever. And it was never mentioned to me, it was never even close to an option. How am I going to take it seriously if the UFC doesn’t take it seriously? And I don’t even know if Henry is really taking it serious. But man, I like the guy. He’s got great skills. You’ve you’ve done great things in other divisions. And you retired, so it just doesn’t make sense.

    “If there was ever a time that I was going to do it, it probably would be now,” Volkanovski added. “But again, the UFC weren’t going to bring it up. They’re thinking that what’s the point? You don’t deserve it. And then what if you do somehow get it done — you’re just going to retire and [drop the belt again]? Even though I heard Henry say, ‘Oh, if I do that, I’ll stay,’ I don’t think they believe that. But you wouldn’t have had to worry about that anyway.”

    White has been critical of how Cejudo and his management have handled their desire for a fight with Volkanovski. Cejudo announced his retirement from MMA following his bantamweight title defense against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249.

    Holloway has been cleared to resume training following his injury and could serve as the backup to UFC 273. While nothing is certain regarding the featherweight title picture, Holloway will more than likely get the Volkanovski/Korean Zombie winner next.

    Meanwhile, it appears that the Volkanovski vs. Cejudo window for a fight has been closed, at least for now.

    What is your prediction for a hypothetical fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Henry Cejudo?

  • Julianna Peña Questions White About Compensation For Nunes Rematch

    UFC Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña has grinded her way to the top of women’s MMA, and she wants to be compensated for it.

    Peña pulled off arguably the greatest upset in UFC history at UFC 269, dismantling Amanda Nunes on the feet and eventually securing a submission victory. After the win, she and UFC President Dana White began to hype up the idea of a rematch.

    Last week, it was revealed that the rematch between Peña and Nunes will take place after they coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter opposite one another. Prior to the announcement, White himself had already declared that the bout will be the biggest fight in women’s MMA history.

    During a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Peña explained why a rematch with Nunes has the chance to shatter records.

    “What did (Dana White) say? The biggest women’s fight in history,” Peña said. “In history. So I mean, makes sense. You gotta have a dance partner. It takes two to tango. It’s not just a one-stop shop here. You have to have somebody that’s gonna wanna dance with you. And what better opponent than somebody that just beat you and just put a blemish on your gigantic record of being the greatest of all time?”

    Peña went on to hint at her desire for a massive payday for the Nunes rematch, using White’s previous comments against him.

    “Biggest fight in women’s history sounds pretty big to me,” Peña continued. “And he said Kayla Harrison fighting Amanda Nunes was like a mega-million dollar fight. He’s quoted as saying ‘mega-million dollar fight.’ So if that’s the case, then what is this? I think it’s bigger.”

    It’s hard to debate against the Peña/Nunes rematch being among the biggest fights in women’s MMA history. And from the sounds of it, “The Venezuelan Vixen” wants to be given a massive paycheck for her part in it.

    How big of a fight do you think the rematch between Julianna Peña and Amanda Nunes will be?

  • Colby Covington Blasts Masvidal After Claim That Trump’s Taking His Side

    UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington denies the notion that Jorge Masvidal has the support of former U.S. president Donald Trump.

    After months and years of bad blood boiling between Covington and Masvidal, the two welterweights will go to battle at UFC 272. The former friends turned enemies will finally square off after a long period of fans clamoring for the matchup to happen.

    Covington has long claimed that he’s Trump’s favorite fighter, despite not voting for him during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. He did support Trump in 2020 and was a guest of his during one of the presidential debates against Joe Biden.

    The mental warfare between Covington and Masvidal is underway ahead of their fight. During the recent UFC 270 weigh-in show, Covington blasted Masvidal for claiming that the former president is rooting for him in their upcoming fight.

    “I’m still team captain,” Covington said. “I’m still Jorge’s daddy, and he’s just following in the footsteps of his daddy. He wants to be just like me so much that he wants to do everything I do. But let’s be honest, did Jorge even vote for Donald Trump? Because I know I did. I’d love for the voters out there to go look it up and see if Jorge actually voted for Trump. I don’t know if they let felons vote for Trump. It’s good we have a felon on the Republican side because there’s so many felons and criminals on the liberal side.”

    Covington and Masvidal are both coming off of losses to UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman in 2021. Masvidal got knocked out by Usman at UFC 261, while Covington lost in a title rematch at UFC 268.

    In addition to the desire for both fighters to stay relevant in the welterweight title picture, bragging rights are on the line between Masvidal and Covington. Depending on how their fight plays out at UFC 272, this could be the first chapter to a potential all-time rivalry in the UFC.

    What is your prediction for Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal?

  • MMA Fighter Arrested For Vehicular Assault & Six Other Charges

    Former ONE Championship MMA fighter Roman Alvarez has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a man with his car this weekend in Tumon, Guam.

    The Guam Daily Post was among the first to report the news of the incident.

    The 27-year-old Alvarez was arrested for felony aggravated assault, reckless driving, and driving under the influence, among other charges. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Blue Lagoon Plaza in Tumon.

    According to witnesses, a man was found bleeding and unconscious after being hit by a car driven by Alvarez in the early Sunday morning hours. Off-duty EMTs and medics responded to the scene and helped transport the man to the hospital.

    It’s unclear what led up to the assault and how Alvarez knew the victim. He is being held in the Department of Corrections in Tumon and will appear in a local court on Monday.

    Alvarez was arrested in 2020 on domestic violence charges, according to local prison records. He last competed in MMA in 2019 at ONE – Reign of Valor, losing via second-round TKO to bantamweight Rui Chen. Alvarez has a 6-3 professional MMA record and hasn’t fought since his loss to Chen.

    The investigation into Alvarez’s alleged incident is still ongoing.

    What is your reaction to Roman Alvarez’s arrest?

  • Dana White, Howler Head Whiskey Partner Up With NASCAR

    UFC President Dana White continues to make investments outside of the promotion, teaming up with one of the fastest-paced sports leagues.

    NASCAR and White revealed their partnership recently, with White teaming up with Trackhouse Racing to campaign two NASCAR Cup Series cars in 2022. One of his cars debuted this weekend at the Cup Series practice in Los Angeles.

    The cars will include the Howler Head Whiskey logo, which White has advertised often over the past year.

    White confirmed the partnership in a recent statement.

    “I love the vision that Justin Marks has for Trackhouse,” White said. “I’m excited to be a part of it, and my two favorite things are fast cars and Howler Head. I’m so excited that we’ll be making our first NASCAR appearance this weekend. This is an absolute badass car, and I can’t wait to see it compete on the track at the Coliseum on Sunday.”

    This isn’t the first time that White has dipped into the world of racing. He was the honorary grand marshall last year when the Cup Series made its trip to Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

    White is looking ahead to another successful year with the UFC, with just weeks removed from an exciting card at UFC 270. He’ll make the quick turnaround from his NASCAR partnership announcement next weekend in hosting UFC 271, featuring a middleweight title rematch between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker.

    Do you watch NASCAR?

  • Chad Mendes Says BKFC Debut Will Out-Pay Ngannou’s UFC 270 Purse

    Former UFC featherweight title challenger Chad Mendes is getting paid big money for his bare-knuckle boxing debut.

    Mendes is slated to return to combat sports after a lengthy hiatus. He’ll fight Joshuah Alvarez at BKFC’s upcoming Knucklemania II event on Feb. 19.

    Mendes hasn’t fought since his UFC finale against Alexander Volkanovski in 2018. After falling to Conor McGregor for the interim featherweight title at UFC 189, he would go on to lose two of his next three against Volkanovski and Frankie Edgar.

    Mendes excited his fans when he announced his return to fighting during a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. During an interview with MMA Junkie, he admitted that BKFC is giving him a big paycheck for his return, and he’s slated to make more than UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou did at UFC 270.

    “I’ll put it this way: I just saw what the UFC heavyweight champion of the world just got paid, and it’s gonna be more than that,” Mendes said. “It’s pretty crazy. I feel blessed for sure.”

    Mendes, one of the biggest standouts from the famous Team Alpha Male gym under Urijah Faber, had a very memorable run in the UFC’s featherweight division. He earned wins over the likes of Ricardo Lamas, Myles Jury, and Clay Guida during his time in the Octagon.

    While Mendes never earned a UFC featherweight title, he fought in an epic battle against José Aldo at UFC 179 in which some believed he was robbed of the decision. He would go on to get knocked out by McGregor in his last shot at a title a couple of fights later.

    McGregor's winning streak continues as he defeats Mendes

    Ngannou has been outspoken about how he feels he’s been treated by the UFC brass over the past few years. Ngannou wants flexibility with the UFC to pursue potential boxing fights with the likes of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and others, along with better pay.

    If Mendes’ claims about his upcoming paycheck are true, it certainly puts gas on the fire concerning Ngannou’s stance regarding fighter treatment in the UFC.

    What are your thoughts on Chad Mendes’ claim?

  • Jon Anik Explains Why CM Punk Was More UFC Likely Than Jake Paul Is

    UFC commentator Jon Anik has serious doubts regarding Jake Paul’s aspirations of fighting in the UFC.

    Paul is coming off of an eventful 2021 in which he continued his undefeated boxing career. He earned back-to-back wins over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley after knocking out former welterweight Ben Askren in a matter of seconds.

    Paul has recently alluded to transitioning to MMA at some point in time and more specifically fighting in the UFC. He’s challenged UFC President Dana White to sign him to a one-fight deal if White agrees to make changes to fighter pay and other components of the promotion.

    But Anik isn’t so sure that Paul is serious in his alleged desire to fight on MMA’s biggest platform. During a recent interview with DAZN, Anik compared Paul’s aim to fight in the UFC to that of professional wrestler and former UFC fighter CM Punk.

    “I just don’t think that he wants to scratch that competitive itch,” Anik said of Paul. “I think he is legitimately passionate about boxing. CM Punk, for lack of a better example, he needed to scratch that itch. It didn’t go the way he wanted it to. It didn’t go the way he thought it would. But he needed that for his own peace of mind. I think Jake Paul needed that in boxing.

    Jake Paul
    Jake Paul, Image Credit: RYAN HATTAWAY

    “But Jake Paul’s not going to have a better retirement or enjoy any part of his life by scratching that MMA itch. I don’t think that he wants to devote his training life the way he’d need to become a mixed martial arts athlete. I don’t think we see Jake Paul in the UFC. But if we do, hopefully, the matchmaking is done in an appropriate way.”

    Paul has shared footage of him practicing leg kicks in preparation for a potential move to MMA and has received interest in fighting for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC promotion, among others.

    Punk, otherwise known as Phil Brooks, fought for the UFC in 2016 and 2018. White and the UFC brass gave him an opportunity to compete in the promotion despite little MMA experience, losing to Mickey Gall at UFC 203 and a no-contest against Mike Jackson at UFC 225.

    Punk has returned to professional wrestling via AEW and remains a commentator for Cage Fury Fighting Championships. As for Paul, he remains at odds with White and the UFC as he works his way back to a boxing return later this year.

    Do you think Jake Paul will ever fight in the UFC?

  • Jack Hermansson Speaks Out On Sean Strickland Loss: “It Wasn’t Pretty”

    UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson has spoken out on social media for the first time since his decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC Vegas 47.

    Hermansson got out-paced and out-struck from start to finish against Strickland. He had issues getting the fight to the ground and dealing with Strickland’s clean boxing techniques.

    Hermansson has traded wins and losses over his last five fights and entered UFC Vegas 47 off of an impressive win over Edmen Shahbazyan. However, he was unable to replicate his earlier success and suffered a setback in his pursuit of a middleweight title shot.

    The day after the event, Hermansson addressed his fans and Strickland in an Instagram post.

    “I’m sorry fans, about tonight,” Hermansson said. “I had a bad performance, and I lost the fight. It wasn’t pretty, or technically sound. I could get the bastard to the ground. Sorry Sean this one went to a decision. Best of luck to murder your next competition.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZoVERBudoQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Hermansson is one of the few top middleweight contenders who hasn’t fought middleweight champion Israel Adesanya yet. He had an outside chance of potentially receiving the next title shot if he was able to get past Strickland.

    Hermansson has previously claimed that he feels he’s the toughest matchup for Adesanya. Now, his loss to Strickland will surely put him back on the outside looking into the title picture.

    At 33 years old, Hermansson still has plenty of time to potentially get on a winning streak and earn an elusive title shot. But he’ll need to bounce back in a big way against his next opponent.

    What do you think should be next for Jack Hermansson?

  • Sam Alvey Speaks Out On UFC Vegas 47 Loss, UFC Future

    UFC veteran Sam Alvey isn’t done fighting despite a disappointing loss to short-notice replacement Brendan Allen at UFC Vegas 47.

    Alvey’s loss to Allen came via submission in Round 2. He had some moments early in the fight on the feet, but Allen was able to put a torrid pace on him and eventually secure the rear-naked choke for the win.

    Alvey, who promised never to lose again following a 2018 defeat to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, has now gone winless over his last eight fights. His last win came against Gian Villante at UFC Fight Night 131 via split decision.

    Following his loss to Allen, many speculated that Alvey’s retirement announcement could be inevitable. But during a recent video on his TikTok page, Alvey sounded optimistic regarding his fighting future.

    “Hey guys, I’m fresh off my UFC fight and as I’m sure a lot of you saw, I did not — I didn’t get it done,” Alvey said. “I’ve lost a step. Something needs to change and I’m gonna make the correction.

    “I’m not done fighting but I love this sport and you know what? God has blessed me. God, I raise God’s name on a high. I would not have the career I’ve had without him and I really have had a good career. I’ve had a long career.

    “I’ve had — shoot, that was my 23rd fight in the UFC. I’ve had a career that people dream of. I’m not done fighting but I know I need to take a little bit of a hiatus.

    “My YouTube channel, I’m gonna really push that. I wanna help coach, I wanna help coach you guys. If you have questions, if you wanna learn from me, if you wanna teach me, follow me on there, follow me here. I’m gonna keep pushing. I wanna help others win, I’m winning again too.

    “I’m not done. I love you guys.” (h/t BJPenn)

    Alvey has a history of staying positive and outspoken following his losses. However, it’s clear that he feels especially defeated by this latest setback at UFC Vegas 47.

    Alvey made his debut with the UFC back in 2014, losing to Tom Watson before winning three-straight. He would go on to compete against the top middleweights in the promotion, earning wins over the likes of former UFC champion Rashad Evans and former Strikeforce champion Nate Marquardt.

    It’s unclear what Alvey’s UFC future holds, but he seems optimistic regarding a return to the cage to get his first win in nearly four years.

    What do you think Sam Alvey should do next?

  • Claressa Shields Dominates In Boxing Return, Confronts Marshall

    Claressa Shields put the rest of the boxing world on notice that she’s here to stay in the ring after a dominant win over Ema Kozin.

    Shields overwhelmed Kozin from start to finish in her boxing return in the UK, earning a 100-90 unanimous decision victory to move to a 12-0 professional boxing record. The win retained her WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles.

    Just minutes after the fight, Shields walked ringside to confront her rival, Savannah Marshall. She and Marshall competed once before on the amateur scene, with Marshall earning the win.

    The two went back-and-forth on the microphone and tempers flared fast and in a hurry at the Motorpoint Arena.

    Check out Shields’ and Marshall’s heated exchange below.

    It had been nearly a full calendar year since Shields last competed in the ring. She defeated Marie-Eve Dicaire via unanimous decision last March to retain her titles.

    In between boxing fights, Shields had been training in MMA and made her professional debut in the PFL in 2021. She competed twice, earning a debut TKO win over Brittney Elkin before falling short against Abigail Montes in an undercard fight at the 2021 PFL Championships.

    Shields has called out some of the biggest names in MMA, including Kayla Harrison and Cris “Cyborg” Justino. It’s unclear whether or not Shields will compete in the PFL lightweight tournament season or if she’ll fight in non-tournament bouts.

    Marshall is slated to face Femke Hermans next on March 12. With a win, Shields would more than likely be her next opponent, especially after the recent verbal exchange.

    Shields defeated Hermans via unanimous decision in 2018.

    Do you want to see the rematch between Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall next?

  • Jake Paul Provides Clarity Surrounding Possible MMA Move

    Jake Paul won’t be making the transition from boxing to MMA anytime soon after clearing the air in a recent interview.

    Paul is coming off of an eventful 2021 in which he proved to be one of boxing’s biggest names. He won back-to-back fights over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley while also earning a quick knockout over former UFC fighter Ben Askren.

    Paul has hinted at moving to MMA at some point, as evidenced by a recent video he posted on social media showing him practicing leg kicks. He has claimed to be in contact with American Kickboxing Academy to eventually train there, but AKA coach Javier Mendez has denied it.

    During a recent interview with Fox Business, Paul clarified if and when he’ll make the move to the cage from the ring.

    “I won’t be doing MMA anytime soon,” Paul said. “But eventually, I think I could see myself doing a fight because I have a wrestling background. So if just learn how to do some kicks, Jiu-Jitsu, rear-naked chokes, then I could be doing some damage in there.” (h/t EssentiallySports)

    Paul has recently called out some of the UFC’s biggest stars for fights in the boxing ring. This includes Nate Diaz, Jorge Masvidal, and Conor McGregor.

    Paul has also been in an ongoing feud with UFC President Dana White for months regarding how UFC fighters are treated and, more specifically, the issue of fighter pay. He has been vocal in his desire to enact change in how the roster is compensated for their efforts in and out of the Octagon.

    The Paul-White feud took a drastic turn when the two sides accused the other of using drugs. White accused Paul of using steroids while Paul alleged that White has a problem with cocaine use.

    It’s unclear when Paul will eventually move to MMA full-time, but it appears he has some unfinished business to take care of in boxing. He’s anticipating a return to the ring later this year, potentially against Julio César Chávez Jr.

    How do you think Paul would do in MMA?

  • Eddie Hearn Explains How McGregor Has Become The UFC’s Nightmare

    Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn thinks former UFC champion Conor McGregor surpassed the UFC’s overall star power and popularity on his own.

    McGregor is set to make his Octagon return later this year after recovering from a brutal leg break at UFC 264. Despite losing three of his last four fights in the UFC, he remains arguably the biggest box office star in combat sports.

    But Hearn believes that McGregor’s rise to stardom hasn’t been completely positive for UFC President Dana White and the rest of the brass. During a recent interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Hearn explained why he thinks McGregor’s fame might’ve done the UFC more harm than good.

    “For the UFC, where they’ve been very smart is by – it’s such an honor to get a UFC deal,” Hearn said. “You see these kids coming out of Bellator, or Cage Warriors, or wherever it is; but the thought of getting a UFC contract is everything. But I feel in the UFC, they don’t want you to get too big. And when you do – and I used to almost laugh at Conor because I could just imagine just the disruption that he was causing in that organization, because that’s not really the name of the game. We don’t want a star that is bigger than the UFC. Conor McGregor became bigger than the UFC. Really. And that’s a nightmare for those guys.” (h/t DAZN)

    Things appeared to become tense between the UFC and McGregor at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. After previously promising an active year in 2020, he fought just once and allegedly became frustrated with the lack of movement in the lightweight title picture.

    White recently stated that while McGregor is a handful to deal with, he’s one of the most loyal UFC fighters he’s ever come across. He put McGregor’s name in the conversation among the greats such as Ronda Rousey, Chuck Liddell, and Matt Hughes.

    McGregor has become a global superstar for the UFC, but Hearn believes this may be more of a detriment for the company as a whole.

    Do you agree with Eddie Hearn regarding Conor McGregor?

  • Shields Wants To Fight Nunes, Cyborg, & Harrison In MMA & Boxing

    Claressa Shields wants to face the best female fighters in combat sports in both MMA and boxing.

    Shields is set to make her boxing return against Ema Kozin to defend her various titles. She has remained adamant in her desire to remain active in both boxing and MMA simultaneously going forward.

    Shields has accumulated a 1-1 record in MMA, earning an impressive win over Brittney Elkin followed by a split-decision defeat to Abigail Montes in the PFL. She trains down at Jackson-Wink MMA in New Mexico alongside top MMA talents such as Holly Holm and formerly Jon Jones.

    Despite her relative inexperience in MMA, she has massive goals with this combat sports venture. During a recent interview with Sirius XM, Shields called out some of the best female MMA fighters for matchups in the future.

    Clarissa Shields & Kayla Harrison

    “I would love to get inside the cage, or the ring, with Amanda Nunes, Kayla Harrison, Cris Cyborg, all the girls who are at the top of MMA,” Shields said. “I would love to try my luck with them in MMA, and of course, in boxing. In MMA, we’ve never had a fight where it was two Olympic gold medalists to fight each other, so that would be me and Kayla Harrison.

    Kayla Harrison, Claressa Shields
    Kayla Harrison, Claressa Shields

    “Amanda Nunes is just a force to be reckoned with. She’s got a big punch, she can wrestle, she can do jiu-jitsu, she’s the best. Me being who I am, it’s like, I wanna train hard enough and for the right amount of time to where if I ever had to get inside the cage with her. I want the world to know I’m about to give this woman hell, even though she’s the best!” (h/t SportsKeeda)

    It’s unclear if Shields will compete in the PFL’s lightweight tournament for the 2022 season or compete in non-tournament fights as she did last year. PFL chief executive Peter Murray assured fans that Shields is committed to her MMA development alongside her boxing competitions.

    There’s no question that Shields poses some of the best striking in the PFL and arguably in women’s MMA today. However, her grappling is still a work in progress as she hopes to up her level of competition in years to come.

    How do you think Claressa Shields would match up against some of the best MMA fighters?