MMA News

Author: Curtis Calhoun

  • Robert Whittaker Supports Jake Paul’s Proposal For Increased UFC Perks

    Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker supports Jake Paul’s idea of the UFC brass providing healthcare to its fighters as well as other changes.

    Whittaker is set to face middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in a title rematch next month at UFC 271. He has managed to get back to the title shot after winning three straight bouts, including most recently against Kelvin Gastelum and Jared Cannonier.

    Paul recently offered to retire from boxing and sign a one-fight deal with the UFC if company president Dana White meets certain demands. This includes long-term healthcare for fighters, along with increasing fighter pay.

    During a recent interview with Mirror, Whittaker praised the idea of giving UFC fighters additional benefits that extend long after their careers are over.

    “It’s hard to say, all the chips are in the company’s playing field,” Whittaker said. “I would certainly love some healthcare, I would love that long-term post-fighting career security and I’m sure every fighter would. I would like different things to change.

    Robert Whittaker
    Robert Whittaker (Photo: Fernando Quiles Jr./MMA News)

    “But I’m not crying over spilt milk, it is what it is. I’m very blessed to be able to do what I do for a living anyway. Instead of asking for what I don’t have, I’m grateful for what I do have.”

    In a preliminary response to Paul’s challenge, White hit back at Paul and accused him of steroid use. Paul had previously accused White of using cocaine without sufficient evidence.

    Many fighters, including Whittaker and UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal, have called for changes to be made to how fighters are treated by the promotion. The ongoing debate over UFC fighter pay has ramped up over the past year.

    It’s unclear if the UFC has any upcoming plans to add benefits for its fighters, but Whittaker is certainly on board with Paul regarding long-term health care.

    Do you think UFC fighters should receive long-term healthcare?

  • Dustin Poirier Has Accepted Short-Notice Bout With Nate Diaz

    Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has accepted a fight with Nate Diaz on just weeks’ notice if Diaz wants it.

    Poirier is coming off of his lightweight title loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269. It was the second time in his career that he fell short of the lightweight title after losing previously to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019.

    But Poirier appears to already be thinking about what’s next in his UFC career and has recently alluded to a move to welterweight. Just days after the loss to Oliveira, Poirier named Diaz as the one opponent who would excite him for his next trip to the Octagon.

    The two have gone back-and-forth on social media for years, stemming from their scheduled fight that fell apart in 2018. Poirier and Diaz have teased a potential fight for the start of 2022, and according to Poirier, he’s been issued an official bout agreement to make it happen.

    Dustin Poirier Is Waiting For Nate Diaz To Sign The Contract

    Nate Diaz, Dustin Poirier
    Nate Diaz, Dustin Poirier (Image Credits: Steven Ryan/Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

    During a recent interview with Teddy Atlas, Poirier revealed that he’s received an offer to fight Diaz with a notice of just six weeks.

    “Honestly – another thing that kinda got that flame going is a couple of days ago, I got a phone call – but I can’t talk about it,” Poirier said. “It’s a very short notice thing. Something I would hate to do is stack things against myself and take a fight on short notice, but, we’ll see what happens, man. I don’t want to give too much ‘cause I don’t know what I can say. No contract has been signed yet, but if this goes go through, I’m gonna take it. I said yes, now we’re waiting on him.” (h/t LowKickMMA)

    It’s unclear if Diaz will ultimately agree to fight Poirier after saying that Poirier wasn’t worthy of fighting him. Diaz most recently fought Leon Edwards at UFC 263 and has been waiting for an opponent ever since for his return.

    Assuming that Poirier is correct, it sounds like the Diaz fight has a 50-50 chance of actually coming to fruition. Now, we await Diaz’s response and whether or not he’ll sign off on the short-notice bout.

    Do you think Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz will happen in 2022?

  • Kron Gracie’s MMA Future Remains Uncertain According To Father

    Kron Gracie hasn’t fought in the UFC in more than two years, and it’s unclear when he’ll return after his first professional MMA loss to Cub Swanson.

    Kron’s father, Rickson is arguably one of the greatest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners as part of the famous Gracie legacy. Rickson has been a mainstay in Kron’s corner during his professional MMA career.

    Kron followed up an impressive UFC debut against Alex Caceres with a disappointing loss to Swanson. While he had his moments throughout the fight, Swanson proved to be the more experienced MMA fighter and earned a unanimous decision victory.

    Things seemed tense between the father-son duo following the loss to Swanson. Rickson was frustrated with the lack of adjustments that Kron made in the fight overall. Following the bout, Swanson had advised Kron to humble himself in the face of defeat.

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Rickson provided an update on Kron’s status in the sport and potential return to the Octagon.

    “Right now we’re giving each other some space, you know?” Rickson said when asked about Kron. “We had some small arguments and now he’s moved to Montana, he’s with his new gym there, he’s training. I don’t know exactly what his plans are for MMA, but I root for him.

    “I know he has great potential, not only as a fighter but also as a great teacher, a great man. I’m rooting for him, and I’m also curious, like everybody else, to know what he’ll do next.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)

    Before signing with the UFC, Kron had enjoyed success in Rizin and Real Fight Championship, earning four-straight submission wins. His loss to Swanson was the first time in his MMA career that a fight of his had gone the distance.

    The 33-year-old featherweight has also previously worked with Nick and Nate Diaz in California to prepare for his MMA fights. It’s unclear if Kron intends on training with the Diaz brothers for an eventual return.

    Living up to the Gracie tradition in MMA has proven not to be an easy feat for Kron, and it’s unclear if he’ll return to the Octagon for a chance at redemption.

    Do you think Kron Gracie will eventually return to the UFC/MMA?

  • Bisping Says He’d “Smash” St-Pierre In Hypothetical Rematch

    Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping thinks he would get the last laugh against Georges St-Pierre if they were to fight again.

    Bisping made his second title defense against the returning St-Pierre at UFC 217. After going back-and-forth on the feet, St-Pierre would eventually get the fight to the ground and put Bisping to sleep with a rear-naked choke.

    Despite being the larger man in the matchup, Bisping appeared to have issues with St-Pierre’s athleticism and grappling throughout the fight. Bisping would go on to lose to Kelvin Gastelum following the title loss, before retiring shortly afterward.

    Bisping has transitioned to a career in broadcasting as a part of the UFC on ESPN crew. But he feels if he were to get a rematch against St-Pierre, things would’ve gone differently.

    Michael Bisping Believes He Would ‘Smash’ Georges St-Pierre

    “I would smash him,” Bisping said during a recent Q+A. “I would have smashed him that night (UFC 217) but I was injured. I was very injured and–I had one eye, and I had my ribs torn.

    “You know what, and to be honest, I’m not diminishing Georges–I was impaired in that fight, I was injured and whatever. Yeah, there was nothing that really troubled me–until the shot that dropped me. I mean, we knew going into it he’d be a tremendous wrestler and that was a big part of the training camp. I couldn’t move well because of my ribs. Georges was aggressive in that fight, but he never really hurt me till the third round, when obviously he caught me with that left hook. It was a great shot and he choked me out, so God bless him for that one.” (h/t LowKickMMA)

    St-Pierre vacated the middleweight belt following UFC 217. He later alluded to a possible matchup with Khabib Nurmagomedov, but negotiations never materialized.

    Both athletes are in their 40s now and haven’t expressed significant interest in returning to MMA anytime soon. For now, it remains speculative as to how a Bisping vs. St-Pierre rematch would’ve played out.

    What are your thoughts on Michael Bisping’s comments?

  • Serrano Piggybacks Paul’s UFC Proposal By Offering To Fight Shevchenko

    Boxing star Amanda Serrano is game for a crossover fight with UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko if the UFC allows it to happen.

    Serrano’s Most Valuable Promotions colleague Jake Paul made a recent offer to UFC president Dana White to retire from boxing if certain points are met. Paul has repeatedly called for White to increase UFC fighter pay and provide health care benefits to his athletes in exchange for an MMA fight with Jorge Masvidal.

    While it’s fairly unlikely that White will agree to Paul’s demands, Serrano gave her two cents on the offer and proposed a UFC fight with Shevchenko.

    Serrano responded to Paul’s offer to White with an additional caveat of her own on Twitter.

    “I will gladly sign a one-fight deal with the UFC to challenge Valentina for the flyweight championship if UFC agrees to Jake’s offer,” Serrano tweeted. “Let’s make history.”

    White has accused Paul of using performance-enhancing drugs in his boxing career in a sharp response to Paul accusing him of cocaine use. Neither accusation has been backed up with much evidence, but Serrano seems interested in a matchup with Shevchenko.

    Shevchenko is coming off of a dominant 2021, in which she dismantled top flyweight contenders Lauren Murphy and Jéssica Andrade. She has arguably cleaned out the flyweight division at the moment, making a matchup with Serrano somewhat feasible as a way to occupy Shevchenko’s time.

    Serrano has captivated the boxing world with a 42-1-1 record, including a 28 fight winning streak. She also has an undefeated record in MMA, earning submission wins over Valentina Garcia and Erendira Ordonez.

    Serrano most recently put on dominant boxing performances against Miriam Gutierrez and Yamileth Mercado in a pair of co-main events on Paul-led boxing cards. While it’s unclear if Shevchenko has any interest in boxing, it certainly seems that Serrano is intrigued by the idea of moving into her world in the UFC Octagon.

    What MMA/Boxing crossover fights do you want to see in 2022?

  • Iago Kiladze, Heavyweight Boxer, Strikes Referee After Getting Finished

    Iago Kiladze wasn’t happy when the referee called a stop to his fight with Viktor Faust, and he took out his frustration by punching the official.

    Kiladze, a heavyweight boxer who was competing on the Luis Ortiz vs. Charles Martin boxing undercard, was in a back-and-forth battle with Faust. At one point, Kiladze appeared completely off balance, which forced referee Samuel Burgos to end the bout.

    The crowd at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino wasn’t happy with the stoppage either, erupting with boos directed at Burgos. But Kiladze took things to another level when his verbal altercation with the referee turned physical.

    Watch Boxer Iago Kiladze Punch Referee Samuel Burgos

    Kiladze threw a lead right that appeared to clip the chin of Burgos, but the strike was mostly blocked by the referee’s arm. Luckily, Burgos didn’t appear to be seriously injured by the blow and appeared stunned by Kiladze’s actions.

    Kiladze will likely face financial penalties for the incident.

    The loss to Faust was Kiladze’s fifth defeat over his last seven fights. During his time in the ring, he’s competed against the likes of Joe Joyce and Mathew McKinney.

    What is your reaction to this incident?

  • Ciryl Gane Admits Ngannou Sparring Footage Made Him Look Good

    UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane agrees with Francis Ngannou that their leaked past sparring sessions were to his benefit.

    Gane is set to face Ngannou for the UFC’s unified heavyweight title at UFC 270. The heavyweight slugfest will help ring in the new year for the promotion as the first pay-per-view main event of 2022.

    Recently leaked sparring footage from Gane and Ngannou’s time together at MMA Factory in France has increased speculation for how the fight will play out. Ngannou has recently voiced his displeasure for the leaked clips, alluding that the footage made Gane look better than he is.

    During a recent interview with French publication La Sueur, Gane gave his reaction to Ngannou’s latest comments about the footage.

    “It’s true that in that clip – I’m not going to lie – it was a soft sparring and I could confidently develop my game,” Gane said. “There were other sparring sessions where he [Francis Ngannou] had more the edge. One time it was me, one time it was him. To say that he was far ahead, no, it’s not necessarily true. But it’s true that this particular clip made me look good.” (h/t LowKickMMA)

    Ciryl Gane, Francis Ngannou Have A Complicated Relationship

    While Gane and Ngannou appear to have mutual respect for one another ahead of their matchup, there has been tension between the two sides. Ngannou has a fractured relationship with his former coach, Fernand Lopez, who has helped direct Gane’s rise to the top of the heavyweight division.

    Lopez has accused Ngannou of being a bad teammate during his time at MMA Factory and allegedly failing to pay an annual fee to train at the gym. Ngannou and Gane also had an awkward run-in backstage while both attended UFC 268.

    While it’s debatable who got the better of the exchanges in their past sparring sessions, Gane and Ngannou will put it all on the line in their highly anticipated heavyweight battle.

    What is your prediction for the UFC 270 main event?

  • Ricky Simon Reacts To Michael Bisping Interview Criticism

    UFC bantamweight Ricky Simon has responded to Michael Bisping calling him a ‘little s**t’ after their uncomfortable UFC Vegas 45 interview.

    Simon most recently earned a big win over bantamweight veteran Raphael Assuncao at UFC Vegas 45, knocking him out in the second round. After the bout, Bisping falsely stated that this was Simon’s first win over a ranked opponent, which seemed to irk Simon.

    Bisping appeared to set up Simon for another callout of Sean O’Malley after the two had exchanged words and expressed interest in a fight in the past. While Simon ended up calling out O’Malley, the setup didn’t go as planned.

    In a recent YouTube Q+A, Bisping explained his interview with Simon.

    “He goes, ‘I’ve beaten ranked guys before,’” Bisping said. “I said, ‘Well, you definitely weren’t ranked,’ because he wasn’t ranked. He was trying to make me look silly. I’m literally relaying the information that I was told to say [by the producer].

    “So how about you direct your venom at him and tell him not to be such a little sh*t.”

    Bisping’s response raised eyebrows on social media, with many feeling that he didn’t take responsibility for the minor blunder. During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Simon reacted to Bisping’s latest comments regarding their awkward post-fight encounter.

    Ricky Simon Responds To Michael Bisping’s ‘Little S**t’ Comment

    “Maybe he didn’t want to be corrected,” Simon said. “I mean, is there a rule that I’m not allowed to correct him on-air or something? I don’t know if there is, maybe I should’ve said something after, but this is my life. This is what I put everything into. Everything that I do is to wake up in the morning and get better at this specific sport.

    “And I have the receipts: I’ve fought a ranked guy before. I beat a ranked guy. I was ranked before. I just thought that I would clear that up.”

    Simon has now won four-straight fights and is quickly rising in the stacked bantamweight division. Following back-to-back losses to Rob Font and Urijah Faber, he has rebounded nicely and appears set to possibly earn a big-name opponent for his next fight.

    There were plenty of off-kilter post-fight interviews in the UFC in 2021, but Simon and Bisping’s odd moment is probably near the top of the list. Regardless, it’ll be interesting to see if Simon and Bisping bury the hatchet at some point.

    What was your reaction to the awkward Ricky Simon/Michael Bisping interview?

  • Scott Coker Reveals Fedor Emelianenko Wants Ryan Bader Rematch

    MMA heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko wants a title shot against Ryan Bader for his retirement bout, according to Bellator’s Scott Coker.

    Emelianenko most recently made his return to the Bellator cage at the promotion’s Russia event in October. After a two-year hiatus, he knocked out former interim title challenger Tim Johnson less than two minutes into the fight with a barrage of punches.

    Bader is slated to face interim champion Valentin Moldavsky for the title unification at Bellator 273. Depending on how things play out, Coker says Emelianenko could get the next title shot, as he’s allegedly already requested.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Coker revealed a recent conversation with Emelianenko for his next, and more than likely last, appearance in the cage.

    “That’s what Fedor asked me,” Coker said. “If Ryan Bader beats Moldavsky, I want Bader, that’s what he said. I’m going to give him some other options for the beginning of January and go from there. So we’re going to see how the fight plays out, and then make a business decision.”

    Fedor Emelianenko Fell To Ryan Bader In 2019

    Emelianenko lost to Bader back at Bellator 214 for the then-vacant heavyweight championship via first-round TKO. Many speculated that the Russian legend would retire following the loss, but he ended up taking a fight against Rampage Jackson later that year, earning a knockout.

    Emelianenko is arguably the greatest heavyweight in MMA history, with a decorated record against some of the top names in the sport. He won 31 of his first 32 professional fights, including titles in Strikeforce and PRIDE.

    Some in the MMA community, including former UFC champion Daniel Cormier, have called for Emelianenko to ride into the sunset after his knockout in his home country.

    As of now, Emelianenko is the third-ranked Bellator heavyweight in the latest rankings, and a title shot next wouldn’t be too far-fetched. Depending on how things play out, we could see Bader and Emelianenko battle in the cage once again before ‘The Last Emperor’ calls it quits.

    What are your favorite memories from Fedor Emelianenko’s career?

  • Kevin Lee: I Knew I Wasn’t Ready For Tony Ferguson

    Former UFC interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee wasn’t ready for the spotlight that came with his fight against Tony Ferguson.

    Lee was recently released by the UFC in a stunning move by the promotion. Despite losses in four of his last five fights, he had faced stiff competition, including Charles Oliveira and Rafael dos Anjos.

    Lee’s first true taste of free agency didn’t last long, as he opted to sign with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC promotion. It was arguably the biggest signing by a mid-tier promotion in 2021.

    Lee was once thought of as one of the top lightweight prospects in the world, leading up to his loss to Ferguson at UFC 216. He had risen to the top of the lightweight division with wins in nine of his previous ten bouts.

    During a recent interview with The Schmo, Lee was blatantly honest when discussing if he would’ve done anything different during his UFC tenure.

    “I’m not gonna say I would do it differently because I don’t regret anything. I might have done some stuff better though,” Lee said. “When I first made like, the big push, when you see me do the Michael Chiesa thing. I didn’t know that that was gonna happen, no regrets, no regrets. But even afterwards, the calling out Tony Ferguson, and getting that fight way too soon, way before I was supposed to get that fight.

    UFC 216 Results: The Real Winners and Losers from Ferguson vs Lee Fight Card | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights
    Tony Ferguson (left) and Kevin Lee (right)Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

    “Sometimes I regret it, I’m not gonna lie to you. Sometimes I regret having that overriding confidence to do something you know you shouldn’t do. I knew I wasn’t ready for Tony, at the time I took that fight. I just was like, ‘Alright, we gonna do it. Gonna put my balls out there and we’re gonna see what it is.’ My balls was bigger than my brain.”

    Lee has previously discussed just how brutal the buildup was to his fight with Ferguson. He’s mentioned that the weight-cutting process for the interim title bout made him delirious and physically depleted as he cut down to the 155-pound limit.

    Lee is slated to make his Eagle FC debut against Diego Sanchez in March in a 165-pound matchup. It’ll be his prime opportunity to get back on track after recent struggles in the UFC.

    Do you think Kevin Lee will ever eventually return to the UFC?

  • Julianna Peña: Amanda Nunes Will Always Be Considered The GOAT

    UFC bantamweight champion Julianna Peña knew what she was signing up for when she agreed to battle Amanda Nunes at UFC 269.

    Nunes was expected by many to run through Peña in their matchup. Instead, the fiery Peña proved to be a game opponent in the opening minutes and came out with a barrage of punches in Round 2.

    After exhausting Nunes, Peña secured a hard takedown and sunk in the rear-naked choke for the victory. It was arguably the biggest upset in UFC history.

    Nunes didn’t look like her usually dominant self in the eyes of many. She looked sluggish and fatigued after just minutes of action in the Octagon.

    During a recent interview with Fox Sports Australia, Peña said she wasn’t surprised by what Nunes brought to the cage and believes Nunes’ place in MMA history is secure in spite of her UFC 269 loss.

    “Honestly, that’s the hardest I’ve ever been hit, and those leg kicks really hurt me,” Peña said. “A lot of her shots were very powerful, they were the strongest that I have ever felt. She is the GOAT for a reason, and she is considered and still will always be considered the greatest of all time, so I literally took those shots, and I thought, ‘Holy cow, I just got hit by a Mack Truck.’ I knew, though, that I had to weather the storm in order to keep the grind on her and to get the win. So I wasn’t deterred at all by the power that I felt.”

    Julianna Peña, Amanda Nunes Could Be On Track To Battle Again

    Amanda Nunes, Julianna Pena
    Amanda Nunes, Julianna Pena, Image Credit: Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

    An immediate rematch between Peña and Nunes could be next in the bantamweight division. Both women agreed to it, and UFC President Dana White touted it as “the biggest women’s fight of all time.”

    However, Nunes has hinted at taking some time off, and it’s unclear as to when we’ll see these two square off once again. Things took a heated turn after the fight when Peña claimed the title of the UFC’s first “mom champ,” much to the chagrin of Nunes and others.

    After one of the most remarkable moments in modern MMA history, the Peña/Nunes rivalry appears to just be getting started.

    What is your early prediction for an Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Peña rematch?

  • Kevin Holland: Chimaev Will Give Everyone Problems

    UFC middleweight prospect Kevin Holland thinks Khamzat Chimaev is for real and could present issues to some of the best fighters in the UFC.

    Holland is looking to return sometime in January or February after multiple attempts at rebooking his fight with Kyle Daukaus have failed. He and Chimaev are two of the brightest young prospects on the UFC roster.

    Holland, like many of his other UFC colleagues, hasn’t ignored what Chimaev has been able to do in the Octagon so far. During an interview with MMA journalist Helen Yee, Holland spoke about what impresses him about Chimaev’s rise.

    “I think he’s big for welterweight,” Holland said. “He’s big for welterweight. He’s gonna give everybody problems, you know what I mean. The way he went through Jingliang. Man, that was crazy. It’s like, if you doubted him before that, it’s kinda hard to doubt him after that. I think he’s doing pretty good.”

    “We were talking about it, me and my manager, and then me and one of my coaches, and honestly, I think that he gets straight to the title,” Holland said. “One more win and he gets a title shot. The motherf*cker’s just rag-dolling people. So, yeah, be good to see.”

    Chimaev is coming off arguably the biggest win over his career at UFC 267 over Li Jingliang. He’s anticipating a return to the Octagon in early 2022 against a top contender.

    Meanwhile, Holland is planning to commit to the welterweight division next year. While there’s respect for Chimaev from Holland, the two young UFC stars could be on a collision course if both find their footing in the welterweight division.

    Do you agree with Kevin Holland’s comments?

  • Dana White Names Conor McGregor As One Of The Most Loyal Fighters

    UFC President Dana White has had some difficult fighter relationships during his time with the promotion, but Conor McGregor is an exception.

    McGregor is in the middle of his planned comeback to the UFC Octagon next year, after suffering a brutal leg injury at UFC 264. In the meantime, he’s managed to stay active on social media and in the gym.

    White has never been afraid to speak his mind, especially when it comes to the fighters on his roster. He and McGregor have always seemed to have a cordial relationship, even when McGregor hasn’t shown up on time.

    During a recent interview with Teddy Atlas, White explained how McGregor has stood out among the rest.

    “You know better than anybody, how f*cking dirty the fight business is, man,” White said. “It doesn’t take much to get somebody to cut somebody’s throat in the fight business. But there’s been a lot of fighters that have been incredibly loyal to me, and I’ve been incredibly loyal to them. Conor McGregor is one of them. Conor’s a f*cking handful, boy.

    Conor McGregor, Dana White
    Conor McGregor and Dana White Miles Apart On Pacquiao Fight

    “But when you look at the way fighters are built, they’re different than everybody else on this planet. But the Ronda Rouseys, the Chuck Liddells, Matt Hughes, Conor McGregor, there’s a lot. And I don’t wanna mention people, but there’s been a lot of fighters over the past 20 years that have been very loyal.” 

    A big reason why the UFC, and MMA in general, have grown immensely over the years is its global superstars. McGregor is one of the most notable names, bringing a brash and exciting style into the UFC ranks.

    Despite his large fortune, McGregor doesn’t seem like he’s planning on retiring anytime soon. He’s looking forward to getting back on track after back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier in 2021.

    What are your thoughts on Dana White’s comments?

  • New Zealand Gym Fined Hefty Penalty For Defying Vaccine Mandate

    Oliver MMA, a combat sports gym located in Auckland, NZ, has been fined $12,000 NZD ($8,000 USD) for defying the country’s COVID-19 mandate.

    New Zealand’s workplace and safety agency, WorkSafe, found the gym in violation of a mandate that requires all gyms and businesses to ensure fully vaccinated staff and patrons against COVID-19.

    During a recent interview with the New Zealand Herald, WorkSafe issued a statement on the penalty to Oliver MMA.

    “Egregious breaches like this will be treated seriously,” said Simon Humphries, Head of Specialist Interventions at WorkSafe. “This business has continued to operate in breach of the rules. That’s not fair to the high number of businesses and organizations who have changed how they operate to keep people safe.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)

    The Gym Owners Are Determined To Keep Oliver MMA Open

    The gym’s ownership, consisting of Steve and Krissy Oliver, told the publication that they intend to remain open for the foreseeable future after hundreds of New Zealanders had been turned away elsewhere. Steve expressed his empathy for the community.

    “We care about them and have put in extra measures to ensure that we are helping them to get the right support and to be there for them,” the owner said.

    It is unclear if the gym will receive more severe penalties in the future for its intentions to defy the COVID-19 mandate. The gym is home to a couple of amateur fighters and is mostly utilized as a training gym, hosting classes daily.

    What are your thoughts on vaccine mandates?

  • Dominick Cruz Denies Jabbing Keith Peterson In Praise Of Marc Goddard

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz cleared the air on his UFC 269 post-fight remarks that he was happy with referee Marc Goddard.

    Cruz’s praise of Goddard was particularly notable after he blasted Keith Peterson following his loss to Henry Cejudo at UFC 249. He lost to Cejudo via TKO after Cruz suffered heavy blows on the ground and the feet, though he claimed he was still defending himself.

    Cruz’s wishes for not having Peterson officiate his next fights were granted in recent wins over Casey Kenney and Pedro Munhoz. Following his win over Munhoz, Cruz praised Goddard for allowing him to continue fighting through an early barrage.

    During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Cruz denied that praising Goddard was in some way an indirect slight at Peterson.

    “I gave kudos to Marc Goddard and the Las Vegas commission for the great job they did with the show,” Cruz said. “And I heard it in that moment in the interview. He said, ‘Well, look, you took a stab at Keith Peterson, I noticed, and you gave kudos to Marc Goddard.’ And I said, ‘Hold on one second. That’s exactly what happened with me and Cormier right there,’ is whatever got said you can twist it and hear your interpretation and write a headline that everyone’s gonna click. 

    “That’s the world we live in today,” Cruz continued. “But the truth is I never said (anything) about Keith Peterson. You did. And I gave kudos to Marc Goddard and that got turned into me talking bad about Keith Peterson? How does that happen?”

    Dominick Cruz Has Never Been One To Hold Back His Opinions

    Along with his successes in the Octagon, Cruz has turned into arguably one of the top UFC commentators in the promotion. He’s become a main fixture of many UFC Fight Night events, especially during the UFC’s time broadcasting events at the UFC Apex.

    Cruz has also been in a bit of hot water with some fans and fellow athletes after he publically criticized Daniel Cormier’s commentary. He later went on to point out that he made the comments in the middle of weight cutting.

    Cruz is now much closer to re-entering the bantamweight title picture after back-to-back wins in the Octagon, and he could earn more of a spotlight if he can keep up his recent winning ways.

    What are your thoughts on Dominick Cruz’s latest comments?

  • Frankie Edgar Details Recovery Following Back, Hip Surgeries

    UFC bantamweight Frankie Edgar had quite the eventful aftermath to his disappointing loss to Marlon Vera at UFC 268.

    Just days after the knockout defeat, Edgar underwent surgery to remove part of a bulging disc in his lower spine. The surgery was successful but requires quite a lengthy recovery process.

    The former UFC lightweight champion has had his fair share of struggles since moving down to bantamweight. After falling short of featherweight gold, he’s lost two of his last three fights at 135 pounds, including knockouts to Cory Sandhagen and Vera.

    During a recent segment of his Champ and The Tramp podcast, Edgar gave an update after undergoing two significant procedures.

    “So far, so good,” Edgar said. “Obviously a little sore, but the reason I went there – it feels like it worked. I always push too hard, sometimes. I feel really good. I want to do more. I can’t twist and turn and bend over. I feel like I can do all that, but I’m trying to sustain myself in the meantime.

    “I feel like I can do all of this, but I’m trying to make ends meet for now. I’m glad I did it. I hope it stays feeling like it is now. Two surgeries and now I’m fine walking around.” (h/t ESPN)

    Last month, Edgar denied that he’s seriously considering leaving MMA just yet. During a podcast episode last month, he was adamant in his stance that he isn’t ready to retire, despite being 40 years old.

    UFC President Dana White seemed vague about Edgar’s future with the promotion after his latest defeat, and he’ll likely need a win in his return to remain on the roster. For now, all things are looking positive when it comes to Edgar’s health.

    Who would you like to see Frankie Edgar fight in his return to the cage?

  • Brendan Schaub Defends Jake Paul: “Give The Guy Credit”

    Commentator and former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub thinks Jake Paul’s critics need to pump the brakes when ripping Paul’s boxing career.

    Paul is coming off of his sixth-round knockout win over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley to remain undefeated. He was originally slated to face Tommy Fury before Fury suffered an injury just weeks before the bout.

    While Paul remains unscathed in his young boxing career, he hasn’t faced a true boxer so far during his 5-0 run.

    During a recent episode of the King and the Sting podcast, Schaub came to Paul’s defense when it comes to his perceived lack of tough competition.

    “Here’s the thing though, all the hate on Jake Paul and stuff I get; no, I get it,” Schaub said. “Everyone’s like, ‘Oh, fight a real boxer,’ like that. Go to any; name a boxer you guys like – Tyson Fury, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Julio Chavez Senior, Junior, whoever the f**k you want, ‘Canelo’ [Alvarez], their first four fights, they were fighting cans. That’s how it should be. Jake Paul’s first four fights are way more difficult than anything your favorite boxer fought. You have to give the guy credit at some point.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

    Jake Paul Has Been Criticized For Lack Of High-Caliber Competition

    Before knocking out Woodley, Paul had defeated the former UFC standout via split decision earlier this year. He has also recorded knockouts against former UFC wrestling specialist Ben Askren, former NBA star Nate Robinson, and fellow YouTuber AliEsonGib.

    Paul called out UFC stars Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal after defeating Woodley. He remains particularly interested in a fight with Masvidal, as the two have gone back-and-forth on social media recently.

    White has remained adamant that he will not allow any current fighters on the UFC roster to break their contract to box Paul. However, Paul remains hell-bent on fighting MMA standouts for now. Nevertheless, a bout against a true boxing specialist could come soon as his star power continues to rise.

    What are your thoughts on Brendan Schaub’s take?

  • Kickboxing Fighter Dies After Brutal COVID-19 Battle, Anti-Vax Stance

    Former Belgian kickboxing champion Frederic Sinistra has passed away at his home after a severe case of COVID-19.

    Sinistra had been admitted into the hospital back in November at the request of his kickboxing coach. Just weeks later, Sinistra checked himself out of the hospital against the advisement of doctors and opted to treat himself with oxygen at his home.

    About a month later, he would suffer from cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead due to complications stemming from the virus.

    Following his death, his wife posted a lengthy message on social media and defended her husband.

    “[I] will fight to the end so that the truth is restored and his name is washed away from all these slanderers both family and around his death,” she said on his Facebook page. (h/t MSN)

    Sinistra had been scheduled to fight on December 4th before COVID-19 restrictions forced the event to be canceled.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWv51p_tnnd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Frederic Sinistra Had Previously Mocked The Pandemic

    The 41-year-old Sinistra refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine despite the virus surging throughout Europe. He also downplayed the pandemic as “the little virus” in late November.

    “I was born premature and I will continue to fight to the death like a man without ever giving up and dying without regrets,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

    The COVID-19 pandemic has rocked sports around the world, but MMA and combat sports have managed to stay afloat. The UFC, in particular, helped lead the charge to re-boot events as the world began to shut down in early 2020.

    Sinistra accumulated a 39-9 heavyweight kickboxing record while also earning a national title back in 2004. At one point, he had been nicknamed as “Belgium’s strongest man”.

    What is your reaction to Frederic Sinistra’s death?

  • Daniel Cormier Pivots, Touts Kamaru Usman As Male Fighter of The Year

    After he originally named Ciryl Gane as the top male fighter of 2021, Daniel Cormier has changed his mind and tabbed Kamaru Usman with the top spot.

    Usman went 3-0 in 2021, with dominant performances over the likes of Jorge Masvidal, Gilbert Burns, and Colby Covington. After earning the title over Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 in 2019, he’s emerged as arguably the best MMA fighter on the planet.

    Cormier has turned into one of the most prominent voices in MMA media after an accolade-filled UFC career. He recently named Gane as his Fighter of the Year after earning the interim heavyweight title.

    During a recent segment of his “DC & RC” show, he explained his reasoning for changing his mind in favor of Usman.

    “I did the weigh-in show a few weeks ago, and I picked Ciryl Gane,” Cormier said. “Because he beat Alexander Volkov, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and beat Derrick Lewis for the interim title to face Francis Ngannou. But then when I started to think about it and looked at who Kamaru Usman has beaten, how he’s beaten them. We don’t get champions like him who is as dominant and fights as often. He’s not only defended the belt three times but has also made a jump in terms of his profile, visibility, and marketability. Everything is at an elite level after beating those top guys.”

    Kamaru Usman Ended 2021 As The UFC’s Pound-For-Pound No. 1

    Usman had arguably the best year of his career in 2021 and capped it off with the top spot on the UFC’s pound-for-pound list. He earned the top spot over stars such as Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones.

    Usman’s final hurdle of the year came in a highly-anticipated title rematch against Covington. It was another back-and-forth battle, but Usman was able to endure Covington’s late surge and retain the title.

    Usman has also teased a potential boxing super-fight against Canelo Alvarez, although it remains to be seen if it’ll come to fruition.

    There are arguably a plethora of MMA fighters worth of Male Fighter of the Year, but Cormier thinks Usman deserves the award more than anyone in the sport.

    Do you agree with Daniel Cormier?

  • Amateur MMA Fighter’s Remains Found After Lengthy Search

    The remains of David Koenig, an amateur MMA fighter in Missouri, have been found after a lengthy missing person’s search.

    Branson, MO Police say a man who was looking for deer antlers in a wooded area of Branson came upon human remains last Wednesday. A forensics team was later able to confirm that the remains belonged to Koenig, and the search also found most of his personal items.

    It had been previously rumored that Koenig had been murdered, but police later confirmed that this wasn’t the case.

    “The examination of the remains conducted by a forensic pathologist determined that there was no trauma and that the death did not appear to be the result of foul play,” Branson PD said in a statement. (h/t Springfield News-Leader)

    “Our department and the amazing group of volunteers never stopped in our efforts to find Mr. Koenig. While this is not the ending we hoped for, we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Koenig.”

    A Search For David Koenig Began In March 2020

    Koenig’s mother Tracy alleges that her son stayed at the town’s Peach Tree Inn shortly before his disappearance. It’s unclear where he went after leaving the hotel.

    Koenig had last competed in MMA in 2017 and hasn’t fought since. He earned back-to-back wins on the regional scene in promotions such as ShoFight and RFA 46.

    An exact cause of death hasn’t been determined at this time.

  • Sean O’Malley Names Two UFC Fighters Who Could Out-Box Jake Paul

    UFC bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley thinks a couple of UFC stars could give Jake Paul issues in the boxing ring.

    O’Malley knows a thing or two about boxing, as he’s widely regarded as arguably one of the best boxers in the UFC. He most recently earned a dominant knockout win over Raulian Paiva at UFC 269.

    Paul has attracted the attention of many around the MMA community, especially after his knockout over Tyron Woodley. Paul has managed to keep up the MMA vs. boxing narrative with his fights and callouts.

    During a recent segment of his YouTube podcast, O’Malley tabbed two top UFC welterweights as fighters who could challenge Paul.

    “Masvidal or Kamaru would be the toughest fights for Jake boxing-wise,” O’Malley said.

    After his knockout over Woodley, Paul also called out Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor as two potential opponents. Despite O’Malley’s endorsements of Usman and Masvidal to face Paul, he explained the difficulties of negotiating the potential bouts.

    “Diaz, Masvidal, Kamaru, that can’t even be negotiated,” O’Malley continued. “You cannot negotiate under UFC contract, so those fights will not happen unless Dana really wants to see Jake lose and is very, very confident in one of his fighters, that they can beat him. But even then, I don’t know if he would let them fight. I don’t know. We’ll see what’s next. I don’t think it’ll be anyone on the UFC roster.”

    Sean O’Malley, Jake Paul Planning On Big 2022

    O’Malley has praised Jake and Logan Paul in the past, going as far as to say he’s felt inspired by watching their career transitions. The Paul brothers have managed to take their large following from content creation into the sport of boxing.

    O’Malley and Paul are both on winning streaks to wrap up 2021. Paul is undefeated in his young boxing career, while O’Malley has won three UFC bouts in a row.

    O’Malley and Paul are two of the more polarizing young stars in their respective sports, but that hasn’t stopped the two of them from having mutual respect for one another.

    Do you think Kamaru Usman or Jorge Masvidal would outbox Jake Paul?

  • Michel Prazeres Rips USADA After Being Handed Lengthy Suspension

    UFC veteran welterweight Michel Prazeres has hit back at USADA after handing him a four-year suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.

    Prazeres tested positive for clomiphene and oxandrolone ahead of his previously scheduled fight with Clay Guida earlier this year. The suspension more than likely ends his time with the UFC at 40 years old.

    Prazeres allegedly contemplated retirement shortly after news of the suspension but later backtracked after learning that he can still compete in other countries. It’s unclear if Prazeres will opt to fight for a smaller promotion, including in his native Brazil.

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Prazeres gave his side of the story regarding him testing positive for the drugs and his overall experience testing with USADA.

    Michel Prazeres Says He Used The Drugs For Fertility Treatment

    “I told [USADA] everything. I said my wife and I were doing treatment to have another baby,” Prazeres said. “This is not a steroid, this is a medication. They interviewed me, my wife, and my doctor, they took all the receipts and medical records, the exams I’ve done, and these sons of b*tches still do that?

    “I couldn’t give a sh*t [about USADA]. I can fight in Brazil, I can make money in Brazil.”

    Despite Prazeres’ defense, clomiphene and oxandrolone are both considered to be performance enhancers under USADA’s policies. Prazeres has yet to appeal the ruling.

    Prazeres has enjoyed a long tenure in the UFC, making his promotional debut in 2013. To put things in perspective, Prazeres’ second fight in the fight was at UFC 165, which is where former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson had their all-time great first matchup.

    Prazeres’ suspension by USADA is arguably their highest-profile case since former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw in 2019.

    Prazeres earned big wins over the likes of Gilbert Burns and Bartosz Fabinski during his time in the Octagon.

    What is your reaction to Michel Prazeres’ suspension and response?

  • Krzysztof Jotko Alleges Alex Pereira Ducked Him Due To Grappling

    UFC middleweight Krzysztof Jotko is still awaiting an opponent for his Octagon return, but he recently accused Alex Pereira of turning him down.

    According to Jotko, an offer was made for him to fight Pereira on the upcoming UFC 271 card in February. However, he alleges that Pereira turned down the fight immediately.

    Jotko most recently defeated Misha Cirkunov via split decision at UFC Vegas 38. Before that, he had won three in a row leading up to a disappointing loss to rising contender Sean Strickland.

    Pereira, arguably the biggest signing by the UFC in 2021, put on a show in his UFC debut. The elite striker overwhelmed Andreas Michailidis en route to a TKO finish at UFC 268.

    Pereira recently agreed to fight with Bruno Silva after the alleged offer to fight Jotko. After the fight was announced, Jotko ripped Pereira on his Twitter page.

    “Look at this clown,” Jotko said. “I agreed to fight you on February 12! And, you out here running scared fighting someone else cause you can’t wrestle. Why you scared?”

    Pereira is widely regarded as one of the best kickboxers in the world, having won multiple titles in Glory Kickboxing before coming to the UFC. He has been criticized by many, including Jotko, for his relative inexperience with grappling.

    After getting word of Jotko’s comments, Pereira didn’t respond kindly, via a recent Instagram post.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CX-DqPtMK1g/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    “I had never heard of that guy, but my manager mentioned him to me and we came to the conclusion that he was a totally unremarkable and uninteresting opponent,” Pereira said. “I want an opponent who can put on a show like me, not a girlfriend, I’m already a married man.”

    Pereira is the only fighter to ever finish the current UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya in any sport. He and Jotko are both vying for a spot in the UFC middleweight rankings.

    While it appears that these two won’t fight next, their recent back-and-forth on social media could create the push for a clash down the line.

    Who would you like to see Krzysztof Jotko fight next?

  • Logan Paul Alleges Floyd Mayweather Failed To Pay Him For Fight

    There might’ve not been an official winner in the Logan Paul vs. Floyd Mayweather bout earlier this year, but Paul claims he’s the financial loser.

    Paul and Mayweather went the full eight rounds, with both having their moments in the ring. The bout wasn’t officially sanctioned due to the large size disparity between Paul and Mayweather, so the result was left in the hands of the viewers without an official judging decision.

    Paul and Mayweather had quite the heated buildup to their exhibition, with the two sides nearly brawling at a pre-fight media day in Miami. But they appeared to squash their beef after the fight, with Mayweather going as far as to say he was impressed by Paul’s skills.

    The mutual respect has appeared to run thin in recent days, as Paul accused Mayweather of failing to pay him his share for the event. He ripped the boxing legend in a recent Instagram Story post.

    “Pay me my money you f***ing cornball of a human,” Paul said. (h/t The Mirror)

    The Paul vs. Mayweather exhibition was a massive pay-per-view success, with the event topping at least 1 million buys on Showtime. After the fight, Mayweather seemed content on retirement and not making the Paul exhibition into a new chapter of his legendary career. He later claimed after the fight that he earned $100 million for the event.

    Logan and his brother Jake took the boxing world by storm in 2021. Jake earned knockout wins over former UFC standouts Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley, while Logan managed to go the distance against arguably the best boxer of all time.

    It’s unclear if Paul’s allegations hold any merit, but it appears that the tension between Mayweather and the Paul brothers doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon.

    What are your thoughts on Logan Paul’s accusations?

  • Henry Cejudo: Tyron Woodley Has Made Jake Paul A Star

    Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo believes Tyron Woodley didn’t just lose to Jake Paul but also helped build Paul’s boxing reputation.

    Paul viciously knocked out Woodley in their rematch just days ago, hitting Woodley with a big right hand that dropped him immediately. Paul remains undefeated in his young boxing career after an accomplished time in content creation.

    Paul’s knockout over Woodley is arguably the most impressive of his time in the ring so far. Before the rematch with Woodley, he earned knockouts over former NBA star Nate Robinson and former UFC fighter Ben Askren.

    During a recent podcast episode with The Schmo, Cejudo gave his take on how Woodley’s loss helped grow Paul’s star power.

    “Man, I tell you what. This fight had to be about sleeping until that sixth-round came and it’s unfortunate because Tyron Woodley was actually winning that boring fight,” Cejudo said. “But he happened to just keep those, he just kept that left hand down, and slowly but surely Jake Paul threw that hammer and knocked him out.

    “The fight was boring, the knockout was great. I mean, talk about a complete face plant by Tyron Woodley. Jake Paul, whether we hate him or love him, the dude has taken this by storm and if you really think about it man, Tyron Woodley is making this dude into a star. Made him into a star because of the simple fact that he beat a former UFC champion.” (h/t EssentiallySports)

    This isn’t the first time that Cejudo has appeared to take a jab at Woodley. He most recently gave Woodley the title of the second-most cringy MMA fighter behind himself.

    It’s Unclear What Could Be Next For Tyron Woodley’s Career

    Despite the loss to Paul, Woodley seemed optimistic about his fighting future. Leading up to the rematch, Woodley had made his plans clear that he wants to have multiple MMA and boxing fights in 2022.

    Woodley had been rumored to be in fight camp to take on former UFC fighter Dan Hardy in the new year before the Paul rematch came up. That could be a possible matchup for his return to the ring.

    As for Paul, his stock continues to grow in the sport, and one could make the argument that Woodley is directly responsible for making that happen.

    Do you agree with Henry Cejudo’s comments about Tyron Woodley?