MMA News

Author: Curtis Calhoun

  • Dominick Cruz Seeks Rematch With ‘Dork’ Henry Cejudo After UFC 269

    Just minutes after his impressive win over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 269, Dominick Cruz had a familiar foe on his mind for his next outing.

    Cruz got out of some early trouble against Munhoz and showcased his elite footwork and striking for the unanimous decision win. It was a vintage Cruz performance in many eyes as he looks to push towards another potential title shot.

    Following his win over Munhoz, Cruz called for a rematch with Cejudo nearly two years after his loss at UFC 249. Cejudo would retire immediately following the fight and has remained inactive ever since.

    “I’d prefer to fight Cejudo again,” Cruz said to reporters following UFC 269. “I needed more time to get going. I don’t want to make excuses, I pushed for that fight. I got five weeks and sparred 10 fights leading up to that fight following my shoulder surgery. With this version of me, it’s a different fight with him. He’s an Olympian, knows how to fight, but still a little dork though.”

    Dominick Cruz Lost Controversially To Henry Cejudo

    Dominick Cruz Henry Cejudo Keith Peterson
    Image Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

    Cruz fell at UFC 249 via TKO after taking a barrage of hard ground-and-pound strikes from Cejudo. Cruz appeared to be still making an effort to defend himself, but referee Keith Peterson stopped the fight, much to the dismay of the former champion.

    Cejudo has hinted at a potential comeback at either bantamweight or featherweight. He most recently called out Alexander Volkanovski for a featherweight title shot and an opportunity to become a three-division champion.

    If Cejudo ends up coming back and Cruz keeps up his current winning streak, the two could be on a collision course once again in the stacked bantamweight division. For now, it appears that apparent beef between the two former champions doesn’t appear to be fading away anytime soon.

    Would you want to see Dominick Cruz vs. Henry Cejudo 2?

  • Dana White Clarifies Rumored Michael Chiesa Incident At UFC 269

    UFC President Dana White explained what went down with welterweight fighter Michael Chiesa following Julianna Peña’s win at UFC 269.

    Word quickly spread on social media that Chiesa was involved in a scuffle with security personnel at T-Mobile Arena while attempting to get into the Octagon to celebrate his former teammate’s win over Amanda Nunes. Peña pulled off arguably the greatest upset in UFC history with her submission of the legendary Nunes.

    It wasn’t surprising that Chiesa wanted to be involved in the post-fight celebration with Peña, but it was surprising how he went about it. During his UFC 269 post-fight press conference, White clarified what led to Chiesa being escorted out of the arena.

    “How do I say this without embarrassing this guy?” White said. “[Chiesa] had a little too much to drink this evening. When she won, he freaked out and tried to jump into the Octagon and fell down on his face, cut his eye, and busted his eye open, then was arguing with the police that he needed to get in the Octagon and be with her ’cause that’s his teammate. They dragged him out, got him outside, and calmed him down in the back, and I went back and talked to him for a minute, and we’re all good.” 

    Michael Chiesa 'very happy' for Poirier, thinks trilogy with McGregor makes most sense - Bloody Elbow

    Chiesa has become one of the top UFC analysts on Fight Night broadcasts and remains an active UFC welterweight. While he’s dropped his last two fights against Sean Brady and Vicente Luque, he remains focused on a bounceback in 2022.

    Chiesa and Peña are two of the most notable MMA talents to fight out of Spokane, WA, as both fought at Sikjitsu Gym together. They’ve been close friends since Peña won The Ultimate Fighter in 2013.

    For now, it appears that White and the UFC brass won’t seek to punish Chiesa further for his actions at UFC 269.

    What are your thoughts on the Michael Chiesa incident at UFC 269?

  • Justin Gaethje Changes Tone On Charles Oliveira After UFC 269 Outcome

    UFC lightweight contender and former interim champion Justin Gaethje is pivoting on his earlier remarks about Charles Oliveira.

    Oliveira shut down Dustin Poirier’s second attempt at a UFC lightweight title, submitting him in the third round. Oliveira survived an early barrage of strikes by Poirier to wear him down and show off his elite grappling prowess. Now, he’s looking ahead to a potential fight with Gaethje.

    Just weeks after Gaethje took shots at Oliveira in the media, going as far as labeling him a “quitter”, he now respects Oliveira’s place as the UFC’s lightweight king.

    This prompted responses from many around the UFC; including Poirier, who gave Oliveira plenty of credit ahead of their fight.

    Justin Gaethje Changes His Tone On Charles Oliveira

    During the UFC 269 post-fight show, Gaethje praised Oliveira for his performance against Poirier.

    “I absolutely loved it,” Gaethje said. “I will give no disrespect to Charles. He is now the undisputed champion and I cannot wait to fight him. I don’t care where or when.”

    While Gaethje has a newfound appreciation for Oliveira’s rise to the top of the heap, he thinks he has the approach to give the champion issues in a potential matchup.

    “I saw a competitor tonight,” Gaethje said. “I saw a dog and I can’t wait to break his face. He gets hit a lot.

    “He better pray and hope for the next however many days until our fight that he takes me down, gets his choke. Because if not, we see what happens.”

    When asked to give a prediction on how a fight with Oliveira would play out, Gaethje continued to keep it real.

    “He just won a championship. I should build it up,” Gaethje said. “At the end of the day, it’s me trying to knock him out versus him trying to get it to the ground. That’s who we are. That’s who he’s been. That’s who I am.

    “Whether it’s in Brazil, in America, preferably not Abu Dhabi. I’m all in. So I can’t wait.”

    Justin Gaethje Vs. Charles Oliveira Is A Fascinating Stylistic Matchup

    Gaethje vs. Oliveira has the potential to be one of the greatest lightweight title fights in recent memory. Both have proven to be tough as nails and have a balanced style on the ground and the feet.

    Gaethje is mostly known for the power with his striking but also has a solid wrestling background. Oliveira has very technical, opportunistic kickboxing to go with an other-worldly Jiu-Jitsu game.

    Gaethje is coming off his UFC 268 win over Michael Chandler that may have been the most exciting fight in 2021. While his stock is arguably higher than ever, a title fight between Oliveira and Gaethje could be an exciting fight for both sides, and it is one that Dana White has already confirmed is the current plan for the promotion.

    How do you think a Justin Gaethje vs. Charles Oliveira title fight would play out?

  • Charles Oliveira Ready To Begin New LW Era After UFC 269 Win

    UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira feels he’s reeling in a new era in the division after he dispatched Dustin Poirier at UFC 269.

    It wasn’t easy for Oliveira early, as he suffered some hard blows to the head from Poirier in the opening minutes. But, he was able to land some hard shots to the body that began to fatigue Poirier quickly.

    After finding his rhythm with his grappling in Round 2, he was able to get Poirier’s back in Round 3 and sink in a standing rear-naked choke to earn the finish. Oliveira extended his UFC record with 15 total submission wins in his tenure with the promotion.

    Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov congratulated Oliveira on Twitter following the win, despite picking Poirier earlier in the week. During his UFC 269 post-fight press conference, Oliveira spoke about whether Nurmagomedov’s endorsement of Poirier motivated him and what it means to build his legacy.

    “I don’t care what people think,” Oliveira said. “He was a great fighter, a great champion, he had his legacy. But now, history and legacy have a new name, and it’s Charles Oliveira. There’s no thought about [a fight with Nurmagomedov] getting away, it’s all that we could do.”

    Charles Oliveira Will More Than Likely Face Justin Gaethje Next

    After finishing Poirier, Oliveira is now looking ahead to another potential challenge in the form of former interim champion Justin Gaethje. Following his win over Michael Chandler at UFC 268, Gaethje called for the next title shot and appears to be in the driver’s seat for the next opportunity.

    Oliveira and Gaethje have had their fair share of tension in recent weeks, with Gaethje questioning Oliveira’s heart if the two were to meet in the Octagon. However, Oliveira has silenced the doubters once again with his win over Poirier and will plan to do the same against Gaethje shortly.

    What were your thoughts on Charles Oliveira’s win at UFC 269?

  • Amanda Nunes Reacts To Stunning UFC 269 Loss To Julianna Peña

    UFC superstar Amanda Nunes has spoken out on social media for the first time since her bantamweight title loss to Julianna Peña.

    Nunes got off to a strong start against Peña at UFC 269, dropping her with a big right hand just minutes into the fight. However, Peña was able to survive the early onslaught and come out strong in the second round.

    After a wild flurry of strikes by both women on the feet, Peña earned a hard takedown and quickly got Nunes’ back with relative ease. Peña secured the stunning victory with a rear-naked choke to pull off the monumental upset.

    Just minutes after the loss, Nunes spoke with Joe Rogan about what went wrong against Peña.

    “Nothing was surprising at all,” Nunes said in her Octagon interview. “I knew she was going to come forward. Just today, I checked out. I need to work on a couple of things and fix it, get back in the gym, and come back soon. Congratulations to Julianna, she’s a warrior.”

    Amanda Nunes Posted A Family Picture Following UFC 269

    The day after the loss, Nunes took to Instagram to thank her fans and share a picture with her family and coach.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXY9r6jLBU3/

    “Thank you so very much everyone!” Nunes said. “Life goes on.”

    Nunes’ loss to Peña was undoubtedly one of the most stunning upsets in combat sports history. Nunes has dominated the competition for years and earned both the bantamweight and featherweight titles, which has defended simultaneously.

    Before losing to Peña, Nunes hadn’t lost a fight since her defeat to Cat Zingano at UFC 178. This would be the turning point in her career as she would go on a 12-fight winning streak against some of the best female fighters in the UFC.

    An immediate rematch is certainly warranted for Nunes, assuming that she wants to run it back right away with Pena. For now, she’s looking ahead to a bounceback in 2022.

    What should be next for Amanda Nunes?

  • Uzbek Amateur MMA Fighter On The Run In Russia After Custody Escape

    28-year-old MMA fighter Bunyod Tukhtayev is wanted by Russian police after he recently escaped custody in St. Petersburg following an attack.

    Tukhtayev had been arrested earlier this week on charges of trading QR codes, which are required in public places around the area during the COVID-19 pandemic. The codes are used to verify vaccination status to enter certain areas of the city.

    The MMA fighter is also accused of trading fake migration documents with people in the area.

    Tukhtayev was also charged with resisting arrest after a brief incident with officers during the detainment process.

    Footage of him resisting arrest can be viewed below.

    https://twitter.com/isterikakaratek/status/1469258226407460869?s=20

    Bunyod Tukhtayev Most Recently Competed On The Amateur Level

    Later, Tukhtayev allegedly asked to use the restroom before planning his escape when he was returned to his designated detention room.

    Tukhtayev most recently fought against fellow Uzbek, Dostonbek Dostmurodov during an R3 Fighting Championship event earlier this year in St. Petersburg. He suffered a loss in the fight after refusing to continue the action for the second round of the bout.

    As of now, it’s unclear where Tukhtayev could’ve fled to, but he’s widely expected to still be in the St. Petersburg area. Tuktayev didn’t have a substantial criminal history before this recent incident.

    What is your reaction to this wild story?

  • Dana White Uninterested In Nunes/Shevchenko Trilogy

    UFC fans are starting to talk about a possible Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko trilogy, but UFC president Dana White isn’t keen on the idea.

    Nunes is set to face Julianna Peña in her first bantamweight title defense in two years at UFC 245. She’s recently put on dominant performances as she defended her featherweight title against Felicia Spencer and Megan Anderson.

    Nunes is beginning to run out of potential contenders at both bantamweight and featherweight, and talks of a Shevchenko trilogy have resurfaced. However, White isn’t as interested in a third fight happening between the two top female UFC fighters as most could be led to believe.

    “I don’t know if that fight needs to happen,” White said in a recent interview with TSN. “I don’t know. I’ve thought about it a lot. You know they’re both incredible in their weight classes. They already fought twice. Why do it again?”

    Amanda Nunes Valentina Shevchenko
    Image Credit: Dave Mandel of Sherdog.com

    Nunes and Shevchenko are arguably the two top female fighters in MMA history and have managed to each dominate their respective weight classes since their two matchups in the Octagon. Shevchenko’s losses to Nunes are the only blemishes she has had during her time in the promotion.

    White isn’t completely closed off to the idea of a third fight, but the fans would need to let their voices be heard.

    “I would imagine if they wanted to do it bad enough and the fans wanted it bad enough, I would do it but I don’t see much point in it.”

    Nunes has had issues in her recent bantamweight title fights cutting down to 135 pounds but is also running out of potential suitors at 145. It’s unclear who could be next for her as she looks to defend each of her titles.

    While Shevchenko hasn’t been pleading for another shot at Nunes, she’s remained open to the idea of a trilogy. It’s unclear whether or not Nunes feels the same and whether or not it’ll be enough to warrant a third matchup.

    Would you like to see an Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko trilogy?

  • Graphic: Jordan Nash, BKFC Fighter, Suffers Nauseating Eye Injury

    It takes a unique type of human to be willing to fight in a cage, and BKFC fighter Jordan Nash further proved that at a recent event.

    Whenever fans watch a combat sports event, chances are you’ll see something that you haven’t seen before. Injuries happen in this brutal sport from time to time, but rarely to the level that Nash suffered against Noah Cutter at a recent BKFC Fight Night.

    Things were going well for Nash early in the fight before Cutter put on the pressure in the later rounds and turned his face into a bloody mess. On top of this, Nash suffered a gruesome eye injury that resulted in a hanging eyelid.

    Warning: This photo below is extremely graphic. View with caution.

    Jordan Nash’s Injury Showcases Bare Knuckle’s Brutality

    BKFC, and bare-knuckle boxing in general, has often been criticized by some of the most prominent personalities in combat sports. This includes UFC commentator Michael Bisping, who referred to it as a “backwards step” in combat sports.

    Nash came into the BKFC Fight Night event off of his first win since joining the promotion, as he earned a unanimous decision win over Brandon Allen earlier this year. Before that, he had briefly competed in Combat Night Pro, accumulating a 1-1 professional record in MMA.

    As of right now, there is no medical update on Nash as he continues to recover from the nasty injury.

    What is your reaction to Jordan Nash’s brutal eye injury?

  • Henry Cejudo Goes After Dominick Cruz Over DC Criticism

    Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo wasn’t happy when he heard that Dominick Cruz ripped Daniel Cormier’s commentary this week.

    Cejudo and Cruz have a bit of history, stemming from their battle at FUC 249. Cejudo earned a second-round TKO win that didn’t come without controversy, as Cruz immediately protested the stoppage and claimed he was still defending himself.

    Cruz made headlines earlier this week after he blasted Cormier’s commentary and accused him of “not doing his homework” when it comes to preparing for fights.

    Cruz and Cormier have appeared to hash out their apparent differences shortly after the comments, but Cejudo took the chance to mock Cruz for the controversy. This came after Cruz appeared to falsely call Cormier a former Olympic Gold Medalist.

    “Shut your d**n mouth Dominick Snooze,” Cejudo tweeted. “You must’ve not done your homework when I slept you. Did you forget about my Olympic gold medal then? Even [referee Keith Peterson] can’t save you from your boring a** commentary. There’s a reason you’re on the prelims!”

    Henry Cejudo Has Hinted At A UFC Comeback

    Cejudo announced his retirement in the Octagon at UFC 249 just minutes after beating Cruz. The former flyweight and bantamweight champion has hinted at a return to MMA in recent months, calling out fighters such as Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling.

    Cruz is slated to face Pedro Munhoz at UFC 269, as he looks to continue to push forward towards another potential title shot. If Cejudo returns to the UFC, these two may potentially be on a collision course once again.

    What are your thoughts on Dominick Cruz’s comments about Daniel Cormier’s commentary?

  • Sean O’Malley: I Don’t Think Marlon Vera Truly Believes He Beat Me

    UFC bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley still considers himself undefeated in MMA ahead of his fight against Raulian Paiva at UFC 269.

    O’Malley’s lone defeat in the UFC came courtesy of Marlon Vera at UFC 252. It was a controversial TKO finish in which O’Malley suffered a nasty injury and ended up leaving the UFC Apex on a stretcher after injuring his leg.

    During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, O’Malley opened up on why he still considers himself undefeated despite the Vera loss.

    “Yeah, I mean, that fight, I didn’t feel like I lost because his (Vera) skills were better,” O’Malley said. “I don’t think he truly, truly thinks he won that fight. The way that fight played out. it’s a rare occasion that that happens. Look at how many times I got kicked in the leg last fight against Kris (Moutinho), how many times I got kicked in the leg against Thomas (Almeida); you didn’t see my whole leg go completely numb from their toes or their shins.”

    “It was a crazy thing that happened,” O’Malley continued. “I don’t feel like, mentally, I lost that fight. I go out there, have a rematch, and he beats me in a decision or finishes me fair and square, I have no issue saying I lost the fight. I lose in sparring, I lose in grappling. I’m not worried about losing. I just don’t feel like I lost that fight and a lot of people hate that I say that.”

    Sean O’Malley Remains One Of The Top UFC Prospects

    O’Malley has managed to rebound nicely from his loss to Vera, earning back-to-back finishes over Kris Moutinho and Thomas Almeida. His fight against Moutinho, in particular, opened many fans’ eyes as to how dominant O’Malley can be in the striking department.

    Despite the strong start to O’Malley’s MMA career, he has yet to enter the UFC bantamweight rankings. This is mostly due to his level of competition to date, but that could change sooner rather than later.

    O’Malley has recently called for a fight against Dominick Cruz next, as both get ready to compete on the same card. If he’s able to get past a tough Paiva at UFC 269, he could finally earn a spot in the stacked bantamweight rankings.

    What are your thoughts on Sean O’Malley’s comments?

  • Dana White On Potential Jose Aldo/TJ Dillashaw Fight: “I Love It”

    Former champions José Aldo and TJ Dillashaw could be on a collision course at bantamweight, and UFC president Dana White wants to book it.

    Aldo and Dillashaw are undoubtedly two of the top bantamweights in the world at the moment after each earned wins this year. UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling will more than likely face Petr Yan in a rematch next, which opens the conversation to who could be the next top contender.

    In a division that is stacked from top-to-bottom, Dillashaw and Aldo have managed to beat some of the top guys to earn a spot in the title picture.

    During a recent interview with Barstool Sports, White explained why an Aldo vs. Dillashaw fight makes sense.

    “I love it,” White said. “Yeah, I love it. That’s a fun fight. And it’s #2 versus #3.  Do that fight, see who gets the next title shot.”

    José Aldo Vs. TJ Dillashaw Would Surely Be A No. 1 Contender Fight

    Aldo most recently dominantly defeated Rob Font in the UFC Vegas 44 main event. In a matchup of two elite strikers, Aldo proved that he remains on top of his game despite being the promotion for many years.

    Dillashaw recently returned from a lengthy USADA suspension to squeak out a split decision win against the always-dangerous Cory Sandhagen in July. After undergoing recent knee surgery, he’s been sidelined and is anticipating a return sometime early next year.

    Aldo and Dillashaw at one point were considered two of the top fighters in the world, as both men earned titles at featherweight and bantamweight, respectively. White sounds just as pumped up as nearly everyone else for a potential matchup between the two.

    How do you think a TJ Dillashaw vs. José Aldo fight would play out?

  • Roberto Abreu, BJJ Standout, Sued Over Alleged Sexual Assault Cover-Up

    Former Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion Roberto Abreu has been sued by a woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted at his gym.

    This comes after Marcel Goncalves, a former instructor at Abreu’s gym in Naples, FL, had been charged with sexual assault of a minor. A warrant was then issued for his arrest and it is widely believed that Goncalves is on the run in his native Brazil.

    Abreu has not been directly accused of sexual assault but has been accused of covering it up at his gym. The lawsuit insinuates that Abreu was aware of the assaults and failed to put an end to them and protect the alleged victims.

    Michelle Simpson Tuegel, the victim’s attorney who also was involved in the Larry Nassar/U.S. Gymnastics case, put out the following statement on the lawsuit against Abreu.

    “While Marcel Gonçalves committed these despicable acts, Abreu and Fight Sports enabled the abuse and failed to ensure the safety of the minors under their care,” Tuegel said. “We sadly expect there are other victims in this sport, and we would encourage them to report the abuse so the adults who failed to protect minor athletes are held accountable.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)

    The investigation into Abreu, Goncalves, and the alleged sexual abuse at the gym is ongoing and it’s unclear whether Abreu will face criminal charges.

    What is your reaction to the latest Roberto Abreu news?

  • Charles Oliveira’s Coach Thinks Dustin Poirier “Afraid” To Grapple

    UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira knows his best path to victory against Dustin Poirier could come with his grappling at UFC 269.

    Oliveira earned the lightweight title by defeating Michael Chandler earlier this year. After getting into some trouble on the feet early in the fight, he rebounded in Round 2 to earn a TKO victory to get the vacant belt.

    Oliveira is best known for his other-worldly grappling prowess, with a UFC record of 14 submissions during his time with the promotion. He’s found a true home at lightweight after an up-and-down tenure earlier in his career at featherweight.

    Oliveira is ready for all scenarios for his matchup with Poirier. During a recent interview with MMA Fighting’s Trocacao Franca podcast, Oliveira’s coach, Diego Lima, spoke about the matchup on the ground.

    “We have someone who’s very afraid of Charles’ ground [game],” Lima said. “In my opinion, Poirier doesn’t want to take this fight to the ground. People that watch Charles’ fights and Poirier’s fights will say, ‘F*ck, Poirier better keep this fight on the feet.’

    “That’s the reality. One thing is for sure, this fight won’t go to the judges.”

    Charles Oliveira Faces Dustin Poirier In His First Title Defense

    Oliveira faces a tough test in Poirier, who many believe is arguably the ‘people’s champ’ after turning down an earlier title shot for a trilogy with Conor McGregor. Poirier has fought for the lightweight title once before, falling to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242.

    While Poirier is most commonly known for his boxing, his grappling isn’t anything to devalue as well. He’s showcased his vastly improved ground game in fights against McGregor, Anthony Pettis, and others.

    Oliveira and Poirier don’t appear to have any bad blood between the two of them, but all respect will be thrown out of the cage when they square off in the UFC 269 main event.

    What is your prediction for Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier?

  • Rashad Evans Explains MMA Return: “For Me To Compete Is My Reward”

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans is humble ahead of his return to MMA at an upcoming Eagle FC event next month.

    Evans will compete in his first fight back on Jan. 28 against a to-be-determined opponent. Eagle FC is the promotion that former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is the lead promoter of, and this will be the first Eagle event on U.S. soil in Miami, FL.

    Evans retired in 2018 after a string of losses to some of the best contenders at light heavyweight and middleweight. His return to MMA may be surprising to some after Evans hinted at a possible transition to boxing against either Logan or Jake Paul.

    During a recent interview with SiriusXM, Evans explained what his motivation is ahead of his highly-anticipated return to the cage.

    “I’m not crazy, I know what this is and what this is about,” Evans said. “It doesn’t take away the significance of it. Sometimes we get to the mindset where we’re like ‘if I’m not chasing the belt, then I’m not chasing anything’. But for me, to compete is my reward. For me to do it in a way and a shape that I want to, that’s all I need to be honest. I just see life differently. I know what I’m capable of when I’m at my best and I just want to feel that feeling again.”

    Rashad Evans Has Changed A Lot In His Approach To Competition

    Rashad Evans
    Image Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    Evans was once thought to be arguably one of the brashest and cocky fighters in the UFC at one point in time. Stemming from his time on Season 2 of The Ultimate Fighter, many fighters in the sport took issue with Evans’ attitude.

    But Evans has clearly changed over the years as he’s taken on a mentor role for many top MMA fighters, including UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. He’s also remained an integral part of Sanford MMA down in south Florida and has continued to train.

    Evans’ first fight back in the cage could potentially be the start of something special for the former UFC star. Despite being 42 years old, the result could go a long way in determining his next move in combat sports.

    What are your thoughts on Rashad Evans’ return to MMA?

  • Jon Jones’ New Team Explains Decision To Bring Him On

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has joined Fight Ready in Phoenix, AZ, and he’s allegedly fitting in great in the gym.

    Jones moved his camp to Arizona after a tumultuous end to his tenure with Jackson-Wink MMA in New Mexico. He was recently kicked off the team after his latest arrest in Las Vegas on battery domestic violence charges.

    Jones made the move to Fight Ready after hearing success stories from Henry Cejudo, Zhang Weili, and others at the gym. During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Jones’ new striking coach, Eddie Cha, explained the decision to bring the former 205-pound king aboard.

    “Henry gave me a call and told me that Jon reached out to him and was interested in coming out,” Cha said. “We kind of prepared some things to work on and we’re super excited to have him here.”

    “For me, it was a no-brainer,” Cha continued. “I think that people make mistakes — whether they make one, two, or three. Jon’s just under a microscope. Whenever he does anything wrong, it’s magnified. But if you know him as an individual, and I don’t know him as well as other people, but I’ve heard from other people doing my research, Greg [Jackson] has never had a problem with him, [Brandon] Gibson has never had a problem with him as an individual.”

    Jon Jones Is Still Working Towards His Heavyweight Debut

    Jones is planning on a return to the Octagon after a nearly two-year hiatus from the sport. He last competed against Dominick Reyes in his final light heavyweight title defense at UFC 247, before vacating the title for a run at heavyweight.

    Jones has been at odds with the UFC brass over a new contract to move up in weight. He’s swapped management teams in hopes of creating a more stable relationship with the promotion and UFC president Dana White.

    Jones has received numerous chances to better himself outside of the gym and is looking ahead to this latest new chapter in his career and life. By the sounds of it, he’s off to a great start with his new team.

    Who would you like to see Jon Jones face in his return?

  • Quote: Tommy Fury Pulled Out Due To Partying, Not Injury

    Tommy Fury’s former rival Anthony Taylor is accusing him of pulling out of the Jake Paul fight due to not being in boxing shape.

    Fury recently announced that he was forced to withdraw from the upcoming fight with Paul after suffering from a chest infection and an injured rib. Tyron Woodley will now face Paul in a rematch of their fight earlier this year.

    Despite Fury and his team stating that the reasoning for the withdrawal was strictly medical, Taylor alleges that he pulled out after recent partying escapades and not due to anything injury-related.

    Taylor made the claims during a recent interview with BetWay Insider.

    “It was big John Fury’s decision to pull Tommy out,” Taylor said of Fury. “Big John’s the head trainer and he decides whether Tommy fights or not. I can’t believe it. Big John should have told Tommy to suck it up.”

    “The real reason he’s out of this fight isn’t because of some injury, it’s because of his physical conditioning,” Taylor continued. “He was so busy partying with his brother after Tyson won that fight [over Deontay Wilder], that he’s now in no good condition to fight.”

    Tommy Fury Hopes To Reschedule The Jake Paul Fight

    Tommy is the younger brother of Tyson Fury, the boxing heavyweight champion who most recently knocked out Deontay Wilder in their trilogy.

    Fury has been criticized for his lower level of competition in his young boxing career. Entering his most recent bout with Taylor, his opponents held a combined record of 14-174-5.

    After announcing his withdrawal from the Paul fight, Fury made his intentions clear that he hopes to reschedule the bout for some time in 2022. As of now, Fury has yet to respond to Taylor’s claims.

    Fury and Taylor had quite the heated buildup to their fight on the recent Paul vs. Woodley card but seemed to walk out of the ring on respectful terms after Fury earned a decision win. That appears to have fizzled out as Taylor has made these scathing claims.

    What do you think was Tommy Fury’s reasoning for pulling out of the Jake Paul fight?

  • Tyson Fury Vs. Dillian Whyte In The Works After Mandatory Order

    WBC heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury will make his next title defense against Dillian Whyte, and negotiations for the bout are underway.

    This after the WBC officially ordered Fury to get back in the ring to defend his title against Whyte next. The two sides are in a mandatory 30-day negotiation period to agree to a bout, or purse bids will be called.

    Fury was originally expected to face Oleksandar Usyk next, but Anthony Joshua put his rematch clause into action, and Usyk vs. Joshua 2 is in negotiations.

    Whyte earned the interim heavyweight title over Alexander Povetkin earlier this year after Fury began negotiations for his trilogy with Wilder. The win over Povetkin was a rematch after Whyte fell to him by TKO last August.

    Tyson Fury Is Coming Off His Deontay Wilder Trilogy Win

    Fury went on to defeat Wilder in the trilogy on Oct. 9, dominating the fight and eventually earning a late KO finish. This was after months of fight cancelations and postponements due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

    Tyson had recently been busy helping to train his younger brother, Tommy get ready for a fight with Jake Paul, but Tommy pulled out of the fight due to injury. Paul will now face Tyron Woodley on Dec. 18 in a rematch.

    For now, it appears that fan-favorite matchups with Usyk and Joshua are now on the back burner for Fury. It’s unclear when the Whyte fight will take place, but it’s expected to happen in the first quarter of 2022.

    What is your early prediction for Tyson Fury vs. Dillian Whyte?

  • Julianna Peña Breaks Down What’s Made Amanda Nunes Successful

    UFC bantamweight contender Julianna Peña is planning to use the failures of Amanda Nunes’ past opponents to her advantage at UFC 269.

    Peña will meet Nunes for the bantamweight title in the UFC 269 co-main event on Dec. 11. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime for Peña, who has long called for a title shot against Nunes.

    Peña presents one of the few remaining new challenges to Nunes, who has virtually cleared out both the bantamweight and featherweight title pictures.

    During a recent interview with ESPN, Peña explained how she’s preparing for Nunes by analyzing the mistakes of previous title challengers.

    “I think in the beginning, when Amanda started her title reign, I don’t think everyone was taking her quite as serious as maybe they should have,” Peña said. “They didn’t realize at what strength and at what power she was coming. And I think that kind of had a role in it as well as the whole Ronda Rousey-type of thing where you’re already defeated before you get in there with her and you lose in 30 seconds. So I think a combination of those two things is what has made her very successful.”

    “Either they’re already mentally defeated before or they weren’t taking her strength quite as serious when they had to face her,” Pena continued. “They didn’t take the intensity quite as serious.”

    Julianna Peña Finally Gets Her Shot Against Amanda Nunes

    Peña signed with the UFC after defeating Jessica Rakoczy for The Ultimate Fighter: Season 18 championship. She went on a three-fight winning streak which included dominant performances over former UFC title challengers such as Jessica Eye and Cat Zingano.

    Peña rebounded from a tough loss to Germaine de Randamie at UFC Fight Island 4 with a submission finish over Sara McMann at UFC 257. Ever since her win over McMann, Pena has been pleading for a shot at Nunes’ title and has gone on quite the tirade of media attacks against the 135-pound champion.

    Peña has previously accused Nunes of running from her and avoiding a fight against her to defend her bantamweight title. After all the talk, she’ll finally get her chance to potentially pull off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history at UFC 269.

    Do you agree with Julianna Peña’s comments?

  • MMA Fighter Knocks His Opponent Out Of The Cage With Flying Knee

    Brazilian MMA fighter Romero Reis put on quite the performance at a recent event, knocking his opponent out of the cage with a flying knee.

    Reis had come into the fight with a 5-5 record, but he earned what was arguably the most impressive win of his career at Home Fight Championship 3. After landing some hard low kicks on Diogo Galo, he followed it up with a flying knee that landed flush near the cage door, sending Galo flying.

    Check out Reis’ incredible moment below.

    Romero Reis’ Finish Is One Of The Most Unusual KOs In Years

    Reis’ win over Galo was a rematch a little over a year in the making, after he knocked out Galo with a similar combination at a Pitbull Fight Championship event. Entering his rematch with Galo, Reis earned a first-round submission earlier this year against Alberto Baydek Monteiro Junior.

    The flying knee knockout has become increasingly more common since Jorge Masvidal viciously finished Ben Askren with the technique at UFC 239.

    After losses in three of his first four professional fights, Reis has surely risen his stock with another wild knockout on the Brazilian regional MMA scene. He could be a name to watch over the next few years as his skill set continues to develop.

    What is your reaction to Romero Reis’ vicious knockout?

  • Tommy Fury Speaks Out On Jake Paul Fight Withdrawal

    Tommy Fury has issued a statement after withdrawing from his scheduled boxing match with Jake Paul due to injury.

    Fury and Paul had gone back and forth on social media for months and were expected to settle their beef in the ring in Tampa, FL. But just two weeks away from the bout, news broke that Fury had pulled out of the fight.

    Fury explained his reasoning for the withdrawal via a statement through his team and promoter Frank Warren.

    “I am absolutely heartbroken that I have been forced to withdraw from my fight with Jake Paul due to a bacterial chest infection and a broken rib,” Fury said. “The beginning of my camp was going so incredibly and I never expected anything to come in my way from a victory on December 18th. I can’t express how disappointed I am and I really do hope we can get this fight rescheduled in the new year. I want this fight to still happen more than anything.”

    “I’m now regretfully putting my focus on recovery and a further reschedule date.”

    After Tommy Fury Pulled Out, Paul Vs. Woodley 2 Will Happen

    While Fury pulling out of the highly anticipated fight is disappointing to most fans, the attention will now turn towards a rematch between Paul and former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. Paul confirmed that Woodley had agreed to step in on short notice and fight him in a rematch.

    The Fury vs. Paul fight was set despite Woodley agreeing to get the infamous “I Love Jake Paul” tattoo that was agreed upon following their fight earlier this year. Paul defeated Woodley via split decision in a back-and-forth war.

    For now, the Paul vs. Fury fight is on hold as the Paul/Woodley rivalry resurfaces.

    What are your thoughts on Tommy Fury pulling out of his fight with Jake Paul?

  • Ciryl Gane: Francis Ngannou Knows I Can Manage His Power

    UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane isn’t worried about Francis Ngannou’s game-changing power ahead of their unification bout.

    Gane earned the interim heavyweight title over Derrick Lewis earlier this year at UFC 265, in a dominant performance that led to a TKO finish. He is undefeated in his still relatively young MMA career.

    Ngannou earned the heavyweight belt over Stipe Miocic by a vicious knockout at UFC 260. While Gane knows the challenges that Ngannou presents, he isn’t scared about getting hit with a big strike on the feet.

    “I think Francis did a lot these last years, and he proved he improved and he’s more intelligent,” Gane said in an interview with BT Sport. “And that’s great. He’s well-rounded now. And I think it’s gonna be more like that. Because he (knows) I can manage the power. I think he knows I can manage the power.”

    Ciryl Gane And Francis Ngannou Trained Together At MMA Factory

    Gane and Ngannou trained together briefly at MMA Factory in France before Ngannou had an alleged falling out with management and moved stateside. Ngannou now trains at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, NV where he most recently trained with Glory kickboxing champ Rico Verhoeven.

    Gane has picked up plenty of eye-opening wins since signing with the UFC in 2019. After winning his UFC debut over Raphael Pessoa, he’s earned wins over the likes of top contenders Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Junior dos Santos and Alexander Volkov.

    Gane’s kickboxing, in particular, has impressed, as he showcased in his finish over Lewis for the interim title.

    Gane vs. Ngannou is expected to be a back-and-forth war at UFC 270 and could be a perfect way for the UFC to kick-off 2022. While there appears to be some mutual respect between the two heavyweights, former teammates will become sworn enemies inside the Octagon.

    What is your prediction for Ciryl Gane vs. Francis Ngannou?

  • Cheyanne Vlismas Talks UFC Vegas 44 Win Weeks After COVID Bout

    UFC strawweight Cheyanne Vlismas had COVID-19 just weeks before her win at UFC Vegas 44 over Mallory Martin and she bet on herself to fight.

    Vlismas alluded to personal challenges, trials, and tribulations leading up to her impressive performance against Martin that took home Fight of the Night. While she wouldn’t get into details regarding some of the issues she went through, she revealed that she tested positive for COVID just weeks before the fight.

    Remarkably, Vlismas was able to garner the strength needed to compete as she earned a unanimous decision win on another big stage. She most recently defeated Gloria de Paula in her UFC debut earlier this year.

    During her UFC Vegas 44 post-fight press conference, Vlismas spoke about the various challenges she went through just to get to the fight.

    “I was a COVID patient just two weeks ago,” Vlismas said. “My best friends, my parents didn’t want me to fight. I was throwing up, and I didn’t know if I was going to heal. But I believed in my skills, my team and went on there and executed. My parents thought I was nuts to go out and compete. I couldn’t even breathe at one point, but I told myself that I could do it.”

    Cheyanne Vlismas Adds Another Elite Striker At Strawweight

    UFC Vegas 44: Speed, Striking of Cheyanne Vlismas Too Much for Mallory Martin
    Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

    The fact that Vlismas was able to get back to training, nonetheless fighting, so soon after testing positive for COVID-19 is pretty remarkable. Many MMA fighters such as Diego Sanchez and Jim Miller have suffered from the virus this year.

    Vlismas doesn’t lack confidence entering the Octagon. She’s a potential up-and-coming star at 115 pounds with lightning-fast striking to go with a solid ground game.

    Vlismas has the opportunity to face another tough contender for her next Octagon appearance and plans on seizing the moment and making her way up the strawweight ranks.

    What were your thoughts on Cheyanne Vlismas’ win at UFC Vegas 44?

  • Rafael Fiziev Admits Head Kick KO Over Brad Riddell Was Bittersweet

    UFC lightweight Rafael Fiziev earned a highlight knockout over Brad Riddell at UFC Vegas 44, but he felt conflicted after beating his longtime friend.

    Fiziev and Riddell are former training partners at Tiger Muay Thai gym in Thailand. While the two agreed to remain friends regardless of the outcome at UFC Vegas 44, Fiziev and Riddell knew their matchup would be a bit unorthodox and uncomfortable.

    Fiziev said earlier on UFC Vegas 44 media day that he didn’t anticipate a lot of difference with fighting Riddell as opposed to his past opponents such as Bobby Green. But after securing a vicious head kick knockout over Riddell, he felt mixed emotions about his performance.

    “I feel uncomfortable when I started,” Fiziev admitted in the post-fight press conference. “Not too much. I understand this is a real fight. Maybe he would knock me out, but it’s still a little bit uncomfortable.”

    Fiziev showed some remorse despite earning arguably the biggest win of his young UFC career.

    “I don’t know if I’m sad or I’m happy because it’s not so good when your friend’s like that,” Fiziev continued. “Of course, I’m happy and sad, and happy. I don’t know.”

    Rafael Fiziev Has Been On A Roll Since Joining The UFC

    With the victory over Riddell, Fiziev has now won five fights in a row since joining the UFC in 2019. After a tough loss to Magomed Mustafaev in 2019, he’s earned dominant wins over the likes of Marc Diakiese, Green, and Renato Carneiro.

    Fiziev’s win over Riddell will more than likely propel him further up the lightweight rankings. However, he is still dealing with the emotions of competing against his good friend on the sport’s highest stage.

    Who would you like to see Rafael Fiziev fight next?

  • Colby Covington Stands By Brazilians “Filthy Animals” Comment

    UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington isn’t backing down from calling Brazilians “filthy animals” four years after his comments.

    Covington most recently fell to UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 268 in an epic title rematch two years in the making. His journey to the top of the welterweight division has been impressive, but not without controversy outside of the Octagon.

    Following his 2017 win over Demian Maia in Brazil, he cut quite the blistering promo and infamously called the country “a dump” and the people “filthy animals”. This was followed by immediate backlash and nearly resulted in all-out chaos as Covington attempted to leave the country.

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Covington spoke about when his hate of Brazil started and accused Rafael dos Anjos of doping ahead of their bout in 2018.

    “Yeah, definitely after the RDA (Rafael dos Anjos) fight,” Covington said. “When I was fighting him in his prime and he was at his absolute best. He was on all Brazilian vitamins. He was juiced up, hungry to defend his country, Brazil.”

    “You know those people are filthy animals,” Covington continued. “I called that place a dump because it was a dump. I didn’t enjoy my experience. There, they treated me like shit. They yelled mean things at me said I was gonna die.”

    Covington has most recently picked a fight with his former teammate and close friend, Jorge Masvidal. The two top welterweights could be on a collision course as fans have clamored not only for a fight between the two but also for both men to coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.

    Covington’s rise to one of the UFC’s most polarizing figures seemed to begin with his comments about Brazil and has catapulted him to a pay-per-view star. A matchup with Masvidal could be the next chapter in his controversial journey to the top of the UFC ranks.

    What do you think should be next for Colby Covington?

  • Chael Sonnen Thinks Brock Lesnar Won Because Of Size, Not Skill

    Former UFC middleweight contender Chael Sonnen thinks Brock Lesnar, like his old rival Anderson Silva, absolutely sucks.

    Sonnen has never been one to hold back his thoughts on MMA fighters and the latest headlines around the sport. He’s transitioned nicely from a decorated fighting career to a career in the booth, hosting multiple ESPN shows and his own podcast.

    Sonnen, like Lesnar, knows a thing or two about promotion. Lesnar is one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling and has played the role of a heel well in both the WWE and the UFC.

    But aside from his marketing skills, Sonnen doesn’t think that Lesnar amounted to much inside the Octagon. During a recent segment on his Beyond the Fight YouTube show, Sonnen said Lesnar’s success in the UFC was mostly due to his sheer size and physical gifts.

    “Nobody else talks about it,” Sonnen said. “I bring it up to try to prove a point. When you have Francis Ngannou who’s 260 pounds of steel and you put him in with Stipe Miocic who’s 230 pounds, there are 30 pounds the right way disadvantage to Stipe. Brock Lesnar does not enjoy my company. I’ve been around Brock and he’s been a gentleman. But I can tell he’d rather be anywhere else but me.

    Brock Lesnar
    Brock Lesnar

    “But one point that I make about Brock, it’s not meant to (slight) him. Brock was not a very good wrestler. That’s true. Brock never had Olympic aspirations. Brock was 265 pounds of steel. In the NCAA finals, he took on someone who weighed 220 pounds. There is a 45-pound weight discrepancy. It’s a fair point by me and it irritates Brock. But I’m right. I am right when I say it about Francis.”

    Chael Sonnen, Brock Lesnar Are Both Former NCAA Wrestling Stars

    Lesnar exceeded the expectations of many fans when he earned the UFC’s heavyweight title upon signing with the promotion. In what was seen as a sideshow originally, Lesnar developed into one of the biggest stars in the UFC in the late 2000s.

    Sonnen and Lesnar were both standout wrestling during their times in the UFC, and going all the way back to their times competing on the NCAA level. Lesnar earned the 2000 NCAA heavyweight wrestling title at Minnesota, while Sonnen enjoyed moderate success in the Pac-10 conference at Oregon.

    Lesnar and Sonnen are both retired from MMA, despite rumors that Lesnar was interested in a potential return to compete for the UFC heavyweight title. Sonnen left the fight game after his loss to Lyoto Machida at Bellator 222 in 2019.

    Do you agree with Chael Sonnen?