MMA News

Author: Curtis Calhoun

  • Bisping Questions Dan Hooker’s FW Move: Looking For Smaller Guys?

    Michael Bisping isn’t sure what Dan Hooker’s motivations are for making the move to featherweight ahead of the UFC London card.

    Hooker will make his return to 145 pounds against the red-hot Arnold Allen at UFC London this weekend. He opted to make the move out of the lightweight division following losses in three of his last four fights.

    This will be Hooker’s first fight at featherweight since falling via a unanimous decision to Jason Knight in Nov. 2016. He went on to move to 155 pounds and win seven of his next eight fights.

    During the BT Sport UFC London live preview show, Bisping questioned why Hooker would opt to move back down to featherweight at this point in his career.

    “Well, I don’t know. I think he’s trying to find himself,” Bisping said of Hooker. “I mean, obviously he’s lost three out of his last four against very, very good opposition, so no shame in that. But he went up to 155, now he’s come back down to 145. He says that that’s his natural weight class. I don’t know if it is. I think maybe he’s looking for, not easier competition because it’s not easier, but maybe smaller guys? Maybe less wrestlers? I don’t know.”

    Hooker has also had to adapt to the wild past couple of years that his gym, City Kickboxing, has had to go through during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ahead of his fight against Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266, Hooker had issues getting to the U.S. from New Zealand and showed up to fight week just days before the scheduled bout.

    Another interesting angle to Hooker’s move is a potential title fight down the line with his teammate and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. While he is getting ready to face ‘The Korean Zombie’ at UFC 273, Volkanovski hasn’t ruled out a future matchup with Hooker if he moves into title contention.

    First thing’s first for Hooker, who faces a tough challenge in Allen who has won 10 bouts in a row. If he’s able to get past Allen at UFC London, Hooker could be well on his way to making his second stint at featherweight into a potential career-changer.

    How do you think Dan Hooker will perform in his featherweight return?

  • Covington Shares Evidence Of Masvidal Allegedly Attempting Eye Poke

    UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington has hit back at Jorge Masvidal after the latter accused him of an intentional eye poke at UFC 272.

    Covington defeated Masvidal via a unanimous decision in their UFC 272 grudge match. The two former American Top Team teammates turned bitter rivals had been on each other’s nerves for years ahead of their eventual showdown.

    Masvidal has stated that he wants revenge against Covington and shared the aftermath of an alleged eye poke that he suffered in their matchup. After getting word of Masvidal’s accusation of Covington being a “cheating f***” for the eye poke, Covington shared an image of Masvidal possibly attempting an eye poke of his own.

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

    “At least you tried…” Covington posted.

    The banter between Covington and Masvidal has appeared to escalate since the fight. The two nearly brawled after the fight came to a close at UFC 272, and Masvidal has threatened to finish his beef with Covington on the streets of Miami.

    Covington has called for a fight with another former ATT teammate, Dustin Poirier, although it’s unclear whether or not Poirier will make the move to 170. Covington is looking to potentially get a third matchup with UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman with another win streak.

    Masvidal has lost three-straight bouts, with his last victory coming against Nate Diaz for the BMF title at UFC 244. Nevertheless, he’s squashed retirement speculation and appears ready to return to the Octagon later this year.

    Do you believe Jorge Masvidal attempted to eye poke Colby Covington in retaliation?

  • Dana White Sends Paddy Pimblett A Reminder Ahead Of UFC London

    UFC President Dana White knows lightweight Paddy Pimblett has a large following, but it may not matter without wins inside the Octagon.

    Pimblett will make his return to the Octagon this weekend at UFC London against Kazula Vargas. The former Cage Warriors featherweight champion earned a first-round knockout over Luigi Vendramini in his UFC debut last September.

    Pimblett has been known to up the ante when it comes to his trash talk and mental warfare. He’s also managed to get under the skin of fighters that aren’t his opponents, including most recently with Ilia Topuria.

    During an appearance on the BT Sport Live Preview Show for UFC London, White gave his thoughts on Pimblett and his potential but also hinted that the prospect should worry about his in-flight performances.

    “Yeah, he’s fun. He’s a fun guy. Smack talk’s fun, but you’ve gotta win,” White said of Pimblett. “So, you know, everybody keeps talking about the excitement of the walkout and all this stuff, you gotta win fights. Believe me, he comes in, has an incredible walkout and the crowd goes crazy, and he wins? Awesome… He’s one of those guys that has that thing and he has the potential to be a star. But, here, you gotta win fights. It’s not just about being popular (and) how many people like you. You’ve gotta get in there and win.”

    Paddy Pimblett
    Paddy Pimblett

    Pimblett was one of the biggest signings by the UFC in 2021 following back-to-back wins in Cage Warriors over Davide Martinez and Decky Dalton. He’s been tabbed by some as the ‘people’s main event’ against Vargas at UFC London.

    Pimblett has been tabbed by some as a potential future UFC box office star at the levels of Conor McGregor, Jorge Masvidal, and others. McGregor has recently called Pimblett a “great representation for the UK”.

    Pimblett has never been short of confidence, as evident by his recent claim that he’ll never get knocked out in the UFC. However, a loss to Vargas could erase the momentum and star power that he has already accumulated.

    Do you think Paddy Pimblett has what it takes to be a UFC champion?

  • Alexander Volkov Embracing “Heel” Role Ahead Of UFC London Headliner

    UFC heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov knows he’s the villain ahead of his fight with Tom Aspinall at UFC London, but he’s fully embracing it.

    Volkov will look to earn his second straight win over Aspinall in the UFC London main event. Aspinall is regarded as one of the top MMA fighters competing out of the UK at the moment and will no doubt earn the energy of the crowd this weekend.

    Volkov knows that he’ll have very few fans in attendance in London, but he isn’t worried about how it could potentially impact his performance. The 34-9 veteran is coming off of wins in three of his last four fights, with his lone defeat over that stretch coming against former interim champ Ciryl Gane.

    During his UFC London pre-fight press conference, Volkov explained why he’s basking in the added attention and being seen as an enemy by the London faithful.

    “There is always face and heel in this business and right now I am the heel,” Volkov said. “But I’m happy with it because if the fight has attention, a story, power behind it, I’m very happy. And it’s always great when fans are very interested in the fight. They want to see me losing, they want to see him winning. That’s always good for business. I’m happy with it.” (h/t SportsKeeda)

    Alexander Volkov
    Image Credit: Getty Images

    Leading into fight week, it was a bit unclear whether or not Volkov would be able to compete at UFC London amidst the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. UFC President Dana White had foreseen many potential problems for Russian fighters competing on the London card, but there have been only a limited number of cancelations leading up to the event.

    Aspinall has been on a roll since winning his UFC debut over Jake Collier in July 2020. He’s won four straight with the promotion, including recent finishes over former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski and Sergey Spivak.

    Volkov will face plenty of hostility from the London crowd when he makes his walk to the Octagon, but he appears ready and willing to deal with all of the extra potential chaos on fight night.

    What is your prediction for Alexander Volkov vs. Tom Aspinall?

  • Pimblett Claims He’ll Never Be Knocked Out Despite Stand-Up Criticisms

    UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett thinks if history has taught him anything, it’s that he’ll never get knocked out in the UFC Octagon.

    Pimblett is coming off of a successful UFC debut against Luigi Vendramini last September and will face Kazula Vargas at UFC London this weekend. It’ll be his first fight in the UK since he left Cage Warriors to pursue stardom in the UFC.

    Pimblett has never been one to lack confidence and he was among the biggest signings by the UFC in 2021. However, he may be the most confident he’s ever been ahead of his Octagon return.

    During a recent interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Pimblett denied that any opponent will be able to knock him out in the UFC and addressed critics who say he leaves his chin exposed in his fights.

    “Everyone said that about me,” Pimblett said. “I’ve had nine amateur fights and 20 pro fights. For years, everyone’s been ‘He’s got his chin up, he’s got his chin up’, but I’ve never been knocked out and I never will be. I’ve never been knocked when doing 19-pound fight cuts overnight and 17-pound weight cuts overnight. You think any shot now is going to phase me at all when I have 10 pounds to lose now? The ‘Scousers don’t get knocked out’ thing could get me turned into a proper meme over the years if I do get knocked out. But that’s the risk we’ve taken.”

    Not everyone has been a fan of Pimblett’s antics, though. During UFC London fight week, he was involved in a near-brawl with Ilia Topuria at the fighter hotel.

    Before signing with the UFC, he earned the Cage Warriors featherweight title over Julian Erosa and enjoyed moderate success at lightweight with the promotion. He has been compared to UFC star Conor McGregor with his brash personality and ability to promote a fight.

    Pimblett will no doubt have the crowd on his side against Vargas this weekend, and he’ll look to take the next step in his development into potentially one of the UFC’s biggest stars.

    What are your predictions for Paddy Pimblett’s UFC career?

  • Brian Ortega Stuck In Mexico After Squabble With Local Police

    UFC featherweight contender Brian Ortega is stuck in Mexico after a run-in with the cops that resulted in his license being taken from him.

    Ortega last fought in the UFC Octagon at UFC 266, falling short against Alexander Volkanovski via a unanimous decision in arguably one of the best fights of 2021. A fight between him and Yair Rodriguez is reportedly in the works for later this year.

    But MMA is more than likely one of the last things on Ortega’s mind at the moment. In a recent post to social media, he revealed that he was involved in some sort of undisclosed police incident this week and isn’t able to return to the U.S. after his license was taken by officers.

    https://twitter.com/ARomeroXVII/status/1504034211841380354?s=20&t=IvPeateTRXkC_sRFSvA7Yw

    “Bitch ass corrupt cops wanted my money I told them fuck you so they took my license so I won’t be able to get back home,” Ortega shared on his Instagram story.

    While Ortega’s activity in the UFC has been lacking in recent years, he remains one of the top featherweights in the promotion. Before the loss to Volkanovski, he earned big wins over the likes of ‘The Korean Zombie’ and Frankie Edgar in the cage.

    There is no official update on Ortega’s whereabouts and status of returning stateside, but MMA News will keep you updated with the latest developments.

    What is your reaction to Brian Ortega’s situation?

  • Gilbert Burns Unconvinced That Chimaev Fight Is A #1 Contender Bout

    UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns isn’t sure whether or not to 100% trust that a win over Khamzat Chimaev will earn him a title shot.

    Burns will square off with the rising star Chimaev at UFC 273. He is coming off of an impressive win over Stephen Thompson at UFC 264 and is looking to get back into the welterweight title chase.

    During a recent interview with MMA journalist Helen Yee, Burns explained why he doesn’t fully trust White’s recent comments about his Chimaev fight being for a No. 1 contender spot.

    “Yeah, but Dana also said that women (are) never gonna fight MMA,” Burns said. “He said a lot of things that I respect that when you have one opinion, but later on, you change it. And it can change. We will see. I think everything is about performance. I gotta go there and get a finish, and then I can have a title shot. But it’s all about performance. If the fight (ends) up being boring or being not what people expect, for sure we gotta do one more fight.”

    Khamzat Chimaev on Twitter: "Who is next @danawhite ? ????? ????? https://t.co/6J67AWh2Sq" / Twitter

    Burns’ thoughts on White aren’t exactly far-fetched. White has repeatedly pivoted on various UFC-related issues, including his once unmistakable enthusiasm about getting into boxing.

    White also hinted at “very good” chances that Nate Diaz will get a new UFC contract but was later contradicted by Diaz on social media. He has also switched stances repeatedly on a potential super-fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Henry Cejudo.

    Burns is looking to earn another shot at the welterweight title after losing to Kamaru Usman at UFC 258. Before that, he earned dominant wins over the likes of Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia.

    Chimaev has surged into the welterweight title picture following an undefeated run in the UFC. He most recently defeated Li Jingliang at UFC 267.

    Burns will look to force White and the UFC’s hand with an impressive win and potentially another welterweight title shot next.

    What is your prediction for Gilbert Burns vs. Khamzat Chimaev?

  • Paddy Pimblett Blasts Cormier, Bisping For Commentary Of Debut

    UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett heard some criticisms of his performance early on in his UFC debut, and he used it to eventually earn a finish.

    Pimblett made his long-awaited UFC debut against Luigi Vendramini last September. After suffering some heavy blows early on in the fight, he would go on to blitz Vendramini and earn a first-round knockout.

    Pimblett was arguably the biggest signing by the UFC last year after a successful run in Cage Warriors, which included a featherweight title win over Julian Erosa. Some questioned if Pimblett was ready for the big stage in the UFC despite his recent successes.

    During a recent interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Pimblett explained how he used Cormier and Bisping’s commentary during his debut to his advantage.

    “Yeah, they were just going against me to be honest,” Pimblett opined. “That’s why at one point I heard DC go like, ‘He’s losing this round’, and then I was like, ‘Am I yeah? I’m losing this round?’ and that’s when I bit down on me gummy and started going on him. I think it’s hard to take him down and then when we got straight back up, I went at him and started throwing punches. I knew I broke him, he hit me with his biggest shot and I stood there. And then I heard DC and Bisping and went forward and put it on him.”

    UFC fans excited by 'next big thing' Paddy Pimblett | The Independent

    Pimblett isn’t the only one to criticize Cormier for his commentary. Rising UFC bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley blasted Cormier for perceived biased commentary during his UFC 264 victory over Kris Moutinho.

    The only time Pimblett has been finished in MMA came against Cameron Else via anaconda choke submission at Cage Warriors 60. After that, he would go on to win nine in a row including the featherweight title.

    Pimblett will face a tough task in the form of Kazula Vargas at UFC London this weekend. While Vargas has had his fair share of ups and downs in the UFC, he’s an experienced fighter who could test Pimblett in a plethora of ways.

    Pimblett is expected to receive quite the reception when he makes his walk to the Octagon on Saturday night. He’ll look to continue to silence his critics and continue his climb in the UFC.

    What is your prediction for Paddy Pimblett’s UFC return?

  • Stephen Thompson Wants Jorge Masvidal Rematch For Next UFC Outing

    UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson wants to run it back with Jorge Masvidal as both fighters look to stay in the title chase.

    Thompson and Masvidal are both on losing streaks in the UFC’s welterweight division, which would’ve surprised many back in 2019. Masvidal most recently fell to Colby Covington at UFC 272, while Thompson lost a lopsided unanimous decision to Belal Muhammad last December.

    Thompson still has aspirations of another UFC welterweight title shot before he calls it a career. Now, he feels the time is right to fight Masvidal in a matchup between two welterweights in desperate need of a win.

    UFC 217 live blog: Stephen Thompson vs. Jorge Masvidal - MMA Fighting
    Stephen Thompson, Jorge Masvidal

    Thompson fought Masvidal at UFC 217, earning a unanimous decision victory. This was Masvidal’s last fight before his self-proclaimed “resurrection” in which he won three straight in 2019.

    During a recent interview with BJPenn.com’s Just Scrap Radio, Thompson explained why a Masvidal rematch makes sense for his next fight.

    “I would like to fight in May, we will see though. I had some names thrown at me like Robbie Lawler and now Masvidal came off the loss so that would be a fun rematch,” Thompson said. “The NMF vs. the BMF, so yeah man those are the kind of the guys I’m looking at. Give me a striker for my next fight. Don’t give me a wrestler, and the wrestlers are just a different pedigree. I’ve fought wrestlers in the past but now they are on a different level.”

    Masvidal has squashed speculation that he may retire after the loss to Covington and seems intent on a quick return to the Octagon later this year. The timing may make sense for a fight with Thompson on an upcoming pay-per-view card.

    Masvidal is looking to potentially get another shot with his former friend turned rival Covington shortly. If he wants any chance at redemption, a win over Thompson could be a big step in the right direction.

    Do you want to see Stephen Thompson vs. Jorge Masvidal 2?

  • Dana White Says We’re In ‘Scary Times’ After YouTube Censors Trump

    UFC President Dana White isn’t happy with YouTube’s decision to take down a recent podcast appearance by former US President Donald Trump.

    White and Trump have been friends for years, stemming from Trump’s previous involvement with the UFC in the early Zuffa years when the promotion struggled to find venues for events. The UFC held events at Trump’s Taj Mahal hotel in Atlantic City, NJ for UFC 28, UFC 30, and UFC 31.

    White has also been a proud supporter of Trump’s recent U.S. presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020. He was a speaker at various rallies and conferences in support of Trump’s political aspirations.

    Controversy ensued during Trump’s recent appearance on the FULL SEND podcast, and White has a strong relationship with the hosts of the show. Trump used part of his appearance to claim that the 2020 US Presidential election was stolen from him in favor of Joe Biden.

    Just days after the full podcast episode was posted to YouTube, the website took it down allegedly because of Trump’s controversial remarks about the election.

    In a recent appearance on Logan Paul’s IMPAULSIVE podcast, White ripped YouTube for their decision to censor Trump.

    “Total crock of shit. Total crock of shit, White said. “But you saw in the podcast, Trump told them, ‘This podcast will be taken down.’ He told them that. He knew it. It’s crazy…

    How the UFC became the sports arm of Donald Trump's Maga regime | UFC | The Guardian
    Dana White, Donald Trump

    “The fact that Trump’s podcast with FULL SEND got taken down is fuckin’ disgusting and, more importantly, it’s scary. Very fuckin’ scary.”

    The topic of cancel culture has been a hot topic in recent years. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook have taken controversial stances to silence people with different viewpoints, like Trump.

    White went on to elaborate on why YouTube’s decision could create a bad precedent.

    “First of all, you have to start looking at alternative social media platforms that don’t censor. And it’s easy (when) you got a guy that you don’t like, like Trump. ‘Oh, fuck him,’ you know what I mean? ‘Good. We don’t have to see his tweets and we don’t have to do this and that.’ Till you say something they don’t like or until somebody else says something they don’t like. This country was built on free speech, man. It’s our god-given right…

    “When you have a company, or corporation, or government that can come in and fuckin’ tell you what you can and can’t say, we’re in a scary place.”

    Trump has hinted at a third run for president in 2024, although it hasn’t been formally announced that he intends to run again.

    As for White, he’s expected to be in attendance for the UFC’s return across the pond at the UFC London event this weekend, headlined by a heavyweight matchup between Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov.

    Do you agree with Dana White?

  • Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza Reportedly Set For UFC 274

    UFC Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas will reportedly defend her title against Carla Esparza next in a rematch years in the making at UFC 274.

    News of the booking was first reported by Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated.

    Namajunas is coming off of back-to-back wins over Zhang Weili in 2021, including most recently in an immediate title rematch at UFC 268. She reclaimed UFC gold by knocking Weili out with a head kick at UFC 261.

    Namajunas has won three straight fights since losing her strawweight title to Jéssica Andrade at UFC 237, before getting revenge against Andrade in a non-title bout at UFC 251.

    Carla Esparza
    Carla Esparza, Image Credit: Getty Images

    Esparza makes her return to the strawweight title fight following five-straight wins. She most recently earned a dominant second-round submission of Yan Xiaonan last May after winning a close split decision over Marina Rodriguez.

    Esparza won the then-vacant strawweight championship following a win over Namajunas on The Ultimate Fighter 20. She went on to lose to Joanna Jędrzejczyk in her first title defense at UFC 185.

    Namajunas hasn’t had many stumbles since the loss to Esparza. She has earned dominant wins over Jędrzejczyk, Paige VanZant, and Michelle Waterson, to name a few.

    UFC 274 will be headlined by a lightweight title bout between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. It’s expected that Namajunas vs. Esparza 2 will serve as the co-main event.

    UFC 274 will take place in Phoenix, AZ at the Footprint Center on May 7. UFC president Dana White has recently hinted that the winner of the matchup will face Rodriguez for the next title bout.

    What is your prediction for Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza 2?

  • Aljamain Sterling Tells Yan To Accept Loss Like A Man, Petr Yan Fires Back

    UFC bantamweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling and former champ Petr Yan are back at it again on social media ahead of their rematch.

    Sterling and Yan will finally meet in their highly-anticipated bantamweight title rematch at UFC 273. This comes nearly a year to the day of their first matchup when Sterling earned the belt via disqualification after Yan landed an illegal knee late in the fight.

    In a recent tweet, Sterling roasted Yan for how he’s handled the loss in their first fight last year.

    “In order to grow you need to accept your losses like a man,” Sterling said. “The first step in the process of healing is accepting your short-comings. In other words, bro, you lost!”

    If recent history was any indicator, it didn’t take Yan long to respond to Sterling’s banter. He responded by attacking how Sterling handled his controversial win over him at UFC 259.

    https://twitter.com/PetrYanUFC/status/1504077148898066434?s=20&t=3G5rx8AwLV5ZYSZPM8sRmQ

    “At least I didn’t (lose) my dignity like you,” Yan replied. “I can envision yourself crying after our next fight again. I will beat the living shit out of you dog. Looking forward to your healing process.”

    While Yan fired back in a big way, it was Sterling that would get the final word for now, making a play on words on Yan’s first name.

    “The only tears I’ll be shedding are for your funeral, after I body bag you April 9th for the world to see,” Sterling responded. “You “Betr” show up!”

    The rematch between Sterling and Yan was supposed to take place on multiple occasions in 2021, but the fight was moved due to various circumstances. Sterling has been battling injuries over the last few months and appears fully recovered and ready for his rematch with Yan.

    After Sterling pulled out of their originally scheduled bout at UFC 267, Yan would fight and defeat Cory Sandhagen for the interim bantamweight title. Before his controversial loss to Sterling, Yan earned the then-vacant title over José Aldo at UFC 251.

    We are just weeks away from the Sterling/Yan rematch and fans can expect plenty of banter back-and-forth between these two top 135-pounders.

    What is your prediction for Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan 2?

  • Kazula Vargas Thinks ‘Kid’ Paddy Pimblett Is Overrated

    UFC lightweight Kazula Vargas doesn’t think Paddy Pimblett’s fame and popularity are warranted ahead of their matchup at UFC London.

    Vargas and Pimblett will square off on the UFC London main card in front of what should be a raucous crowd at The O2 Arena. This will be Pimblett’s second fight in the UFC, and first in the U.K. since his time in Cage Warriors.

    Vargas is looking to steal the show and earn a big win over Pimblett. He’s coming off of a unanimous decision win over Zhu Rong at UFC 261 last year.

    Pimblett earned the main card slot due to a massive following. But, Vargas isn’t sure if Pimblett is deserving of the added attention this early in his UFC tenure.

    During his UFC London pre-fight press conference, Vargas questioned whether or not Pimblett’s accolades in MMA are worth the intense hype ahead of their fight.

    “It’s normal for him to have all this hype, he’s from London and most of his fights have been here. But I actually think he’s a bit of a kid. He’s got good things, but he’s got a lot of bad things as well.

    “He’s probably overrated.”

    Vargas went on to explain why he feels Pimblett is overrated and what he’s taken from his past performances.

    “I haven’t seen all of his fights, but I’ve seen about five or six. I think he’s got a lot of holes in his fights and we’ll try to take advantage of that. But like all UFC fighters, we’re here because we’re the best and we’ll try to take advantage of those holes.”

    Pimblett was arguably the biggest signing by the UFC in 2021, following a decorated stint in Cage Warriors. His debut arguably lived up to the immense hype with a first-round knockout of Luigi Vendramini last September.

    Vargas is looking to back up his claim that Pimblett is overrated this weekend at UFC London. If he’s able to earn a win over Pimblett, he may steal some of his hype in the process.

    What is your prediction for Kazula Vargas vs. Paddy Pimblett?

  • Major Update On Potential Kamaru Usman/Canelo Álvarez Clash

    Canelo Álvarez’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is open to potentially negotiating a crossover match with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

    Usman teased the idea of a potential fight against Canelo in the leadup to his fight against Colby Covington at UFC 268. After defeating Covington for a second time, the interest in a matchup with Álvarez has remained afloat.

    Álvarez is getting ready for his fight against Dmitry Bivol for the WBA super light heavyweight title on May 7 in Las Vegas. At the same time, he also hasn’t dismissed the idea of a big-money fight with Usman happening in the future.

    During a recent appearance on The DAZN Boxing Show, Hearn addressed the potential of a Usman vs. Canelo fight coming to fruition.

    “He’s under contract with UFC, but if Dana White wants to do it, we’d love to discuss it,” Hearn said. (h/t Mirror)

    Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has already communicated his interest in a matchup with Álvarez. He went as far as predicting that Usman would defeat the boxing superstar inside of three rounds.

    While Usman and Canelo’s respective management teams seem on board with the prospect of a fight, UFC President Dana White and his promotion could be a major hurdle. White has shut down the idea of a Usman vs. Canelo fight, although he has been known to change his mind on various topics.

    Usman and Canelo are both considered at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings in their respective disciplines. Usman is likely to face Leon Edwards in the UFC later this year but may focus on a potential fight with Canelo with a win.

    Do you think we’ll see Kamaru Usman vs. Canelo Álvarez at some point?

  • Sanchez On MMA Future Following Eagle FC Loss: “This Is Just The Start”

    Former UFC fighter Diego Sanchez seems optimistic about his fighting future despite a tough loss to Kevin Lee in his Eagle FC debut.

    Sanchez went toe-to-toe with the former UFC interim title challenger Lee at Eagle FC 46. He made his first appearance at 165 pounds after fighting at different weight classes throughout his career in MMA.

    Sanchez signed with Eagle FC following a controversial end to his UFC career. Despite being 40 years old, he showed up to fight week in good physical shape and challenged Lee in multiple facets of the bout.

    In a post-fight interview with MMA journalist Helen Yee, Sanchez provided clarity on his future and sounded far from a defeated fighter.

    “My body’s starting to feel better and I’m just coming into form,” Sanchez said. “I think this is just the start of the comeback. I got these two other fights, and I only got three weeks on the mitts with my new coach Frank Lester. So we’re going to put some work in, develop some styles, develop some concepts and principles on our own and we’re gonna do good. We’re gonna come back and be victorious.”

    Sanchez is regarded as a pioneer in the sport after winning Season of The Ultimate Fighter. He has competed against some of the top fighters in the UFC, including BJ Penn and Gilbert Melendez.

    Sanchez has two more fights left on his deal with Eagle FC and appears willing to fulfill the terms of the contract.

    Sanchez suffered from a tough bout with COVID-19 and a split from controversial coach Joshua Fabia last year. However, he appears to be in good spirits ahead of his MMA return.

    Who do you want to see Diego Sanchez fight next in Eagle FC?

  • MMA Fighter Cody East Behind Bars For Alleged Domestic Violence

    Cody East is back behind bars following an alleged domestic violence incident between him and his wife over the weekend in New Mexico.

    According to Albuquerque, NM television news station KRQE, East has been charged with child abuse, false imprisonment, and battery after the incident.

    The MMA fighter East allegedly got into a fight with his wife and is also accused of refusing to let their children out of his car. He was arrested for similar charges back in 2017 after kneeing his then-girlfriend and threatening to kill her 10-year-old boy.

    East was also charged with aggravated battery against a family member back in 2016 and was also arrested on two prior domestic violence charges between 2006 and 2010.

    East is a former UFC heavyweight who lost back-to-back fights to Curtis Blaydes and Walt Harris during his time with the promotion. He’s also competed in smaller promotions such as Legacy and King of the Cage.

    East last competed in MMA at RUF MMA 41, losing to Michael Quintero via first-round knockout. His last win of any kind came in a kickboxing match at SCL 74 against Jared Torgeson.

    What are your thoughts on Cody East’s latest arrest?

  • Conor McGregor Sends Donation To Couple Hurt In Pedestrian-Car Crash

    Conor McGregor has earned loads of money over his illustrious career, and he recently donated to help a couple suffering from a recent accident.

    Mick and Michelle Cardiff were out for a leisurely walk when a car involved in an accident swerved off the road and hit both of them. Mick underwent a leg amputation while Michelle has undergone a slew of surgeries stemming from the accident near Dublin, IE.

    As has become increasingly more common in recent years, friends and family of the Cardiff’s made a GoFundMe page to help with the medical expenses. The goal of €40,000 was surpassed after McGregor covered half of the desired fund with a €20,000 donation.

    Michelle & Mick Cardiff

    This isn’t the first time that McGregor has used his large fortune to help those less financially capable. Last December, he donated $11,000 to help support a Bellator MMA fighter who was paralyzed from a training accident last summer.

    Before that, McGregor helped an Irish woman with a €10,000 donation during her battle with breast cancer. The 35-year-old Gemma Devoy has recently begun chemotherapy, largely due to McGregor’s generosity.

    McGregor was named to the Forbes’ highest-earning athlete of 2021, despite competing just twice last year in back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier. He’s currently working towards a return to the UFC Octagon later this year, potentially as soon as this summer.

    Do you believe Conor McGregor does not get enough recognition for his charitable donations?

  • Watch: Paddy Pimblett & Ilia Topuria Involved In Backstage Altercation

    UFC fighters Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria may not be fighting each other this weekend at UFC London, but that didn’t stop them at the fighter hotel.

    Pimblett will face Kazula Vargas in his second fight in the UFC’s lightweight division, in front of what should be a raucous crowd at The O2 Arena in London. He won his UFC debut over Luigi Vendramini last September.

    This will also be Pimblett’s first fight in the UK since he fought in Cage Warriors.

    Topuria will also fight at lightweight at UFC London despite competing at featherweight for the majority of his career. He’ll face rising British MMA prospect, Jai Herbert, on the main card.

    In a video of the incident, Topuria appears to throw a punch at Pimblett while he and his team passed him before personnel intervened and separated the two fighters.

    Topuria shared footage of the incident in a recent tweet and sent a message to Pimblett.

    “I wanted you!” Topuria said. “This is what happens when you disrespect me and my country! You saw me and wanted to greet me because you shit your pants… and you should thank my team because of it wasn’t for them separating me, I would have taken your head off.”

    Topuria’s animosity towards Pimblett appears to stem from Pimblett’s previous comments about the country of Georgia, Topuria’s home nation. UFC fighter Liana Jojua highlighted Pimblett’s comments in a tweet last April.

    “Lad how stupid are these Georgians man,” Pimblett appears to tweet. “No wonder the Russians terrorise their lives.”

    The UFC has yet to issue a statement on the near-brawl and both Pimblett and Topuria will remain on the main card for UFC London. Both lightweights could be on a collision course if both continue their recent winning ways.

    What is your reaction to this Paddy Pimblett/Ilia Topuria altercation?

  • Volkanovski On Dream McGregor Clash: “I’d Fight Him At Any Weight”

    UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is eying a matchup with Conor McGregor before he eventually calls it quits.

    Volkanovski is set to make his next featherweight title defense against Chan Sung Jung (otherwise known as ‘The Korean Zombie’) in the upcoming UFC 273 headliner. He’s coming off of a largely dominant win over Brian Ortega at UFC 266.

    Volkanovski was supposed to face Max Holloway next before Holloway pulled out with an injury. Jung is the next man up, but a fight with McGregor remains on the 145-pound champion’s mind.

    In an exclusive interview with MMA News’ James Lynch, Volkanovski spoke about what the effect would be of a McGregor fight for his legacy.

    “Obviously, Conor’s always gonna get his name out there,” Volkanovski said. “You’ve gotta remember, he was a featherweight, he was a champion of my division. So, I’ve taken out the featherweight champs, so to take out, the only one left, isn’t he? Yeah, it’s just Conor. There was me, Aldo, Max, and Conor. So it makes a lot of sense. Obviously, it would be a dream. And then I’ve taken out all the other champs in my division. So that would be incredible.

    Conor McGregor
    Conor McGregor (Photo: Sportsfile)

    “You talk about the payday and the circus around it would be great, but at the same time, when you talk about legacy that’s definitely—and he’s undefeated at featherweight, too. So that’d mean something.”

    McGregor hasn’t competed at featherweight since he won the unified title over José Aldo at UFC 194. He went on to fight at welterweight and lightweight, eventually earning the 155-pound title over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205.

    Volkanovski fought at welterweight and lightweight to begin his professional career on the Australian regional scene, but a majority of his career has been at featherweight. Volkanovski went on to allude to the flexibility when it comes to the weight class that a McGregor fight would be competed at.

    “I don’t think he’s making featherweight anytime soon [LAUGHS]. Obviously, with that fight, you’d do it at any weight. I’d do that at welterweight if I had to, whatever. We’ll see. I’ll just worry about Zombie, cause Zombie’s in front of me, and we’ll see. You might get some drunk tweets from Conor again and maybe we can ride off that, see what happens from there… 100% I would (fight McGregor at welterweight). I’d fight him at any weight.”

    Volkanovski earned the featherweight title over Holloway at UFC 245, before winning a controversial split decision in an immediate rematch at UFC 251. He’s arguably one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history and continues to climb the ranks in the all-time great discussion.

    McGregor is targeting a return to the Octagon later this year after a nasty leg break at UFC 264. It’s unclear what weight McGregor will fight at for his return, but a fight with Volkanovski may not be out of the cards as soon as this year.

    You can view MMA News’ full interview with Alexander Volkanovski below!

    Do you think we’ll ever see Alexander Volkanovski vs. Conor McGregor?

  • Kevin Holland Helps Stop Active Shooter At Houston-Area Restaurant

    UFC welterweight Kevin Holland continues stopping crime in his native Houston, TX after halting an alleged shooting at a local sushi restaurant.

    Holland and another MMA fighter, Patrick Robinson, were out to eat at RA Sushi late Monday night when an unidentified suspect fired a shot into the air near the bar area around 11:30 p.m. This is when Holland, Robinson, and a third diner charged at the suspect and apprehended him.

    According to Houston Police, there were an estimated 40-50 people inside the restaurant at the time of the shooting. Remarkably, none of the customers were injured.

    Police say the 24-year-old suspect had a warrant out for his arrest after failing to appear in court on a separate criminal mischief charge.

    Shortly after police officers arrived, Holland posted a reaction to his social media accounts, as shared by MMA Junkie.

    This isn’t the first time that Holland has used his MMA training to stop local crime. Last October, he helped apprehend an alleged carjacker in a vehicle and foot chase.

    Holland has also shown he’s unafraid of online trolls, inviting multiple harassers to his gym before tapping them out and hitting them with nasty strikes. He has also claimed that his recent confrontations with some trolls have only fueled their fire and made the challenges more frequent.

    Holland rose to fame after an electric 2020 in which he won five straight fights at middleweight. This included vicious knockouts over the likes of Jacare Souza and Joaquin Buckley.

    After going winless in three straight bouts in 2021, he rebounded in a big way to begin 2022 with a TKO of Alex Oliveira at UFC 272. This was his welterweight debut after making the move down from 185 to 170 pounds.

    In addition to his Octagon accolades, it’s apparent that Holland isn’t afraid to make a difference in his local community. He and Robinson’s heroic actions at the scene of an active shooter saved countless lives.

    What is your reaction to Kevin Holland’s latest heroic actions?

  • Daniel Cormier Writes Letter To Court In Support Of Cain Velasquez

    Former UFC multi-division champion Daniel Cormier wrote a letter to Santa Clara County Superior Court in support of Cain Velasquez.

    Cormier and Velasquez have been friends for years, stemming from their time as teammates at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, CA. They helped one another get ready for various title fights in the UFC during their times competing in the Octagon.

    Just weeks ago, Velasquez was arrested on an attempted murder charge for allegedly attempting to kill the alleged molester of one of his younger relatives. After chasing down Henry Goularte with his SUV, he shot and accidentally hit Goularte’s stepfather, with the victim suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

    If convicted, Velasquez could face a minimum of 20 years in prison for attempted murder and other various charges relating to the incident.

    cain velasquez mugshot
    Cain Velasquez Mugshot

    Many around the MMA community have spoken in support of Velasquez in recent weeks. UFC President Dana White, and former and current fighters such as Khabib Nurmagomedov and Colby Covington, have spoken out in favor of Velasquez for his actions.

    In a letter obtained by ESPN, Cormier spoke about his former AKA teammate Velasquez in a positive light in a hinted ask for leniency.

    “Cain has helped me on more occasions than I can count,” Cormier said. “Like me, he is a father and husband so he knows the demand of trying to do it all. Throughout the years, he has traveled with me, supported me, and even helped me prepare for a coaching job at the high school while I retired from my fighter career. Cain has taken it upon himself to help every chance he gets. During the pandemic when many gyms and restaurants were closed, Cain opened his home and provided a place for wrestlers to train and eat. He even housed them.”

    Goularte is under investigation for an alleged lewd act upon a child under the age of 14. He was released from temporary custody on Feb. 25 and has been sentenced to home detention.

    Cormier has had a lot to deal with in recent weeks. His mother also passed away in his hometown of Lafayette, LA and he has taken a leave of absence from his UFC broadcasting obligations.

    Velasquez has also recently been denied bail and is scheduled to reappear in court on April 12.

    What is your reaction to Daniel Cormier’s letter in support of Cain Velasquez?

  • Watch: Sean Strickland Gets In Road Rage Run-In With Female Driver

    UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland has been known to have a short temper, as recently demonstrated by a road rage incident.

    Strickland has divided some UFC fans for his brash, and often controversial, persona in and out of the cage. He also isn’t afraid to detail his real-life interactions with people that become heated fast and in a hurry.

    It all started when a female driver allegedly almost hit Strickland while on a ride on his motorcycle. While the alleged near-accident wasn’t captured on video, the heated aftermath between Strickland and the unidentified driver was shared on his social media.

    Strickland shared a brief explanation of what happened and what led to the altercation on the side of the road.

    “Almost hits me and they flags us down to get our license plate,” Strickland said. “God I fucking hate old rich white women!!!!!”

    This isn’t the first time that Strickland has captured video of a nearly violent road rage incident. Last November, he challenged a driver to a fight during a heated verbal altercation and asked if the driver had any guns or knives.

    Strickland was also injured in a motorcycle accident back in 2018 but luckily walked away from a brief hospital stay with no lasting damage to his body.

    Strickland has surged into the UFC middleweight title picture with six straight wins, including most recently against Jack Hermansson. He could be one win away from a potential title shot against Israel Adesanya, who he has accused of using steroids.

    Whether or not people like Strickland as a person and as a fighter, he doesn’t care how he is portrayed in the public and is unafraid to be himself.

    What are your opinions on Sean Strickland’s antics?

  • Bryce Mitchell Willing To Be Backup For UFC 273 Main Event

    UFC featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell is ready and willing to step up on short notice if needed to fill for the UFC 273 headliner.

    UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski will make his next title defense against Chan Sung Jung (otherwise known as ‘The Korean Zombie’) at UFC 273 on April 9. Mitchell recently defeated Edson Barboza in an impressive performance on the UFC 272 main card.

    Mitchell has been on a roll in the featherweight division and continues to climb up the rankings. If the UFC needs a backup plan should Volkanovski or Jung pull out, Mitchell appears ready to be on-weight if needed.

    Mitchell offered his services in a recent tweet to the UFC.

    https://twitter.com/ThugnastyMMA/status/1502816249071513603?s=20&t=ef8AbdA1-Jk7e19O6-T_kQ

    “If Volkanovski or Zombie backs out – call me [UFC],” Mitchell said.

    If Mitchell doesn’t end up being needed as a backup to UFC 273, he appears to have a ready opponent in Sodiq Yusuff. Following an impressive win over Alex Caceres at UFC Vegas 50 last weekend, Yusuff called out Mitchell for a fight between two rising featherweights.

    Mitchell has won six straight fights since his time on The Ultimate Fighter Season 27. His win over Barboza came after a nearly two-year layoff due to various health issues.

    Before his hiatus, Mitchell earned dominant wins over the likes of Charles Rosa and Andre Fili. Mitchell’s victory over Barboza proved that he’s a potential force in the featherweight division going forward.

    Volkanovski most recently defended his title against Brian Ortega at UFC 266. He was originally supposed to face former champion, Max Holloway, in a trilogy this year before Holloway pulled out with an injury.

    Mitchell has been the subject of conversation after speaking out on various political and societal issues. He also made an appearance on Fox News for an interview with commentator Tucker Carlson.

    While Mitchell appears to be enjoying the limelight of speaking his mind on various issues, he’s looking forward to his next appearance in the Octagon. If anything happens with the UFC 273 headliner, Mitchell could have his next fight booked sooner rather than later.

    Who do you want to see Bryce Mitchell fight next?

  • MMA Fighter Allegedly Rapes Two Women After Release From Jail

    MMA fighter Charles Goodwin has allegedly sexually assaulted two women at Liverpool University shortly after being released from jail.

    Goodwin had been released by local police despite being under investigation for a separate sexual assault accusation. A student at Liverpool University, Goodwin went on to allegedly assault two more women at a residence hall shortly after being released from custody.

    The alleged victims reported the incidents to local police and Goodwin is back behind bars.

    A jury at Liverpool Crown Court has found Goodwin guilty of rape, assault by penetration, and sexual assault of two additional women in the area. Judge David Swinnerton warned the MMA fighter in court to expect a severe penalty for his crimes.

    “I am going to order a per-sentence report to be prepared by probation to include the extent to which you present a danger to women and the outcome of that may affect sentence,” Swinnerton told Goodwin. “Please prepare yourself for a lengthy period of imprisonment.” (h/t DailyMail)

    During the investigation, Goodwin has allegedly described himself as a “sex god” and “hopeless romantic” in defense of his actions.

    Goodwin’s MMA background has not been made public and it can be presumed that he has potentially competed on the amateur scene near Liverpool, UK.

    What is your reaction to Charles Goodwin’s rape case?

  • Davi Ramos Appears To Have Wish Granted For UFC Release

    UFC lightweight Davi Ramos has appeared to be released by the UFC just days after asking to part ways with the promotion.

    In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Ramos hinted at a desire to be released from the UFC due to a lack of fights. He hasn’t fought since his unanimous decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan in July 2020.

    A recent tweet by UFC Roster Watch appears to indicate Ramos’ desired split from the UFC has been granted.

    Ramos made his UFC debut back in March 2017, losing via a unanimous decision to Sergio Moraes. He would compete at lightweight for a majority of his UFC tenure, earning finishes over the likes of Chris Gruetzemacher and Nick Hein.

    A four-fight winning streak would come to a screeching halt against Islam Makhahev at UFC 242. Makhachev would smother Ramos on the ground with his wrestling and not allow Ramos much of an opportunity for output.

    Ramos has recently competed in grappling matches in Fight 2 Win and Polaris. He also fought in back-to-back grappling draws against Daniel Pineda and Anton Berzin at the recent UFC Fight Pass Invitational last December.

    It’s unclear if Ramos intends on continuing his MMA career with another promotion or will focus solely on grappling going forward.

    Where do you think Davi Ramos will fight next?