MMA News

Author: Harvey Leonard

  • Volkanovski Accuses Holloway Of Faking Injury, Rejects Backup Fight

    UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski has sent an emphatic response to rival Max Holloway’s request to be backup for the UFC 273 title fight.

    Volkanovski and Holloway were set to collide for a trilogy clash at UFC 272 on March 5. However, mere days after news of the matchup broke, “Blessed” was forced to withdraw after aggravating a previous injury. That led to a search for a new championship challenger and the announcement of a new date for the Australian’s next defense – UFC 273 on April 9.

    Late last week, ESPN revealed Holloway had been cleared to return to training and was open to serving as a backup fighter for the UFC 273 main event. It’s fair to say that development hasn’t thrilled the reigning titleholder.

    Taking to Twitter, Volkanovski lambasted Holloway, accusing him of faking his injury. He ended the rant by seemingly declining the Hawaiian’s backup request.

    “@BlessedMMA wants to be the backup fighter for the fight he was originally scheduled to fight. so in other words…he was never injured. Just hoping he doesn’t have to fight me or fight me while I’m preparing for someone…but hey ‘if you ain’t cheating you ain’t trying’…NO”

    Volkanovski and Holloway have already shared the Octagon twice. At UFC 245 in December 2019, “The Great” dethroned “Blessed” via unanimous decision, securing his place on the featherweight throne as an undefeated UFC fighter. Seven months later, the pair met for the second time at UFC 251 on Fight Island. In an even tighter contest, it was Volkanovski who fell on the right side of a split decision.

    Despite acknowledging that Holloway’s five-round victories over Calvin Kattar and Yair Rodriguez in 2021 certainly cemented the 30-year-old as the #1 contender, Volkanovski previously suggested Holloway may be keen to avoid a trilogy fight in order to prevent his legacy from being damaged by a third defeat to the Aussie.

    Holloway’s injury and subsequent recovery have clearly fueled that hypothesis in the mind of the featherweight king.

    Volkanovski Has His Sights Set On The Zombie

    After the Holloway scrap fell through, the UFC and Volkanovski were certainly not short on potential replacement opponents. From Giga Chikadze and Yair Rodriguez to Josh Emmett and Henry Cejudo, a heap of names wanted a shot at the 33-year-old’s belt.

    The man chosen, however, is a fan-favorite divisional veteran who has thrilled UFC fans since his debut in 2011. At UFC 273, “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung will have his second chance at reaching the top of the featherweight food chain.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZnhjU5tQNd/

    While it stands to reason the victor will face the challenge of Holloway later in the year, Volkanovski is clearly skeptical of that happening if he has his hand raised on April 9.

    Who do you think will leave UFC 273 with featherweight gold, Alexander Volkanovski or “The Korean Zombie?”

  • Julianna Peña Wants Attention To Shift From Title Win To Nunes Rematch

    UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña is hoping to turn the attention to her first title defense following her incredible crowning at UFC 269 last month.

    Despite being over a month removed from her gold-winning performance at the final pay-per-view of 2021, talk of Peña’s upset win in Las Vegas has barely died down. At UFC 269, she was tasked with ending the 12-fight win streak of then-two-division titleholder Amanda Nunes, and with becoming the first woman to defeat the Brazilian since 2014.

    On paper? A difficult, if not impossible, task. In reality? A task Peña expected to complete.

    With the majority of fans and pundits not giving her a chance, “The Venezuelan Vixen” entered the Octagon and delivered the performance of a lifetime. After escaping the opening round, Peña turned the heat up on a fatigued and visibly wobbly “Lioness.”

    After rocking Nunes on the feet, Peña dragged her to the mat and submitted her, leaving the commentators, fans in attendance, and MMA community in shock. But one person without any surprise on her face was the newly-crowned 135-pound queen.

    Peña: “I Just Wanna Talk About Moving Forward”

    Given the feat Peña achieved, one that is widely considered the greatest upset in UFC history, it’s no surprise that questions about her reaction to the result and thoughts on becoming champion are still ever-present in her interviews.

    However, Peña wants talk to turn to her next step; defending the gold for the first time in a rematch against Nunes.

    In an interview with Caroline Pearce for BT Sport, the champion suggested she’s keen to move forward and focus on the first challenge to her reign, which will come after a stint coaching this year’s season of The Ultimate Fighter alongside the “Lioness.”

    “I feel exactly the same. I expected to win that night. I expect to win in the future. It was what I expected from myself, so it wasn’t a surprise to me. I just wanna talk about moving forward, what’s gonna happen, and getting this rematch underneath my belt… I would love to stay active.”

    After Peña’s memorable triumph at UFC 269, both her and UFC President Dana White wasted little time in confirming the planned next step. At the post-fight press conference, White said Nunes would certainly be offered an immediate chance at redemption, something the Brazilian welcomed with open arms.

    With the inevitable back and forth that comes with a TUF season, it stands to reason their second clash will be a fiery affair.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZkxe7fPyiM/

    Having been the consensus female fighter of the year in 2021, Peña will look to create a similarly successful 2022, which will need to start with a second victory over the woman most regard as the greatest female fighter of all time.

    Do you think Julianna Peña can defeat Amanda Nunes for a second time when they meet for a rematch later this year?

  • Amanda Nunes: Peña Defeat Was A “Combination Of A Lot Of Things”

    UFC Women’s Featherweight Champion Amanda Nunes has opened up on her upset defeat to Julianna Peña at UFC 269.

    In a year that saw Mexico’s Brandon Moreno and Brazil’s Glover Teixeira crowned as unlikely champions, it was a certain “Venezuelan Vixen” who took the cake in terms of shocking title-winning performances.

    At the final pay-per-view of 2021, then-two-division UFC champion Nunes looked to extend her win streak to 13 and maintain her dominance over the 135-pound weight class.

    Hoping to hand the “Lioness” her first defeat since 2014 was Peña, an outspoken and confident challenger who represented a pre-fight approach we hadn’t seen versus Nunes for some time.

    While many doubted as much, The Ultimate Fighter‘s first female winner proved that her confidence was well placed by dethroning Nunes in a memorable fashion inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

    Nunes: My Camp For Peña Was A “Mess”

    Now, with her chance at redemption confirmed for later this year, the former bantamweight queen has looked back on her upset loss on December 11, and detailed the issues she thinks led to her disappointing performance.

    In addition to the damage done to her training and routine by the pair’s canceled bout in August, which came after Nunes returned a positive COVID-19 test, the Brazilian has revealed she was suffering through injuries before and during her clash with “The Venezuelan Vixen.”

    Those factors led to what Nunes described as a “mess” of a pre-fight camp, and ultimately a defeated performance at UFC 269.

    “Honestly, I feel like it was a combination of a lot of things,” Nunes said during a recent media scrum. “You know, we were going through a lot of things before the fight, especially injuries and trying to train with injuries, all those things. I think I look back on my training camp preparing for Julianna; it was a mess. If you look back, the first fight (booking), I had Covid. I was doing good in that camp, and then I get Covid, and I have to stop; to really start over.

    “Finally, I start over, I get a couple issues that I had to go through with it, but I (didn’t) wanna let that fight go again,” Nunes added. “So I thought it wouldn’t look good if I let that fight fall through one more time… I didn’t have a very good camp. That is the honest thing.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZkxe7fPyiM/

    With the pair set for a coaching stint on TUF before their intriguing rematch, Nunes will hope to make it to her chance for redemption at 100%. If she does so, Peña will certainly have a tough opening defense for her newly begun reign atop the bantamweight mountain.

    Do you think Amanda Nunes will exact revenge on Julianna Peña in their rematch?

  • Coach: The UFC Isn’t Pushing Israel Adesanya The Way They Should

    City Kickboxing head coach Eugene Bareman believes UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya is being under-promoted by MMA’s leading organization.

    Adesanya has ruled over the 185lbers for over two years. Since dominantly dethroning Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 in Melbourne, “The Last Stylebender” has fought off the challenges of Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, and Marvin Vettori.

    While he ultimately failed in the pursuit of two-division glory, recording his first professional MMA loss at the hands of then-light heavyweight titleholder Jan Blachowicz last March, Adesanya’s middleweight record has remained unblemished.

    The next man to try and change that will be former champ Whittaker. Having bounced back from his title defeat to Adesanya in style with impressive victories over Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, and Kelvin Gastelum, “The Reaper” will attempt to exact revenge on the Nigerian-New Zealander and reclaim the throne this weekend in the UFC 271 main event.

    Bareman: Adesanya Is “One Hundred Percent” Under-Promoted

    Adesanya’s opening title defense of 2022 will come just three weeks after his African counterpart Francis Ngannou pushed through a heap of adversity to keep hold of his title at UFC 270. One of the main narratives heading into the opening pay-per-view of the year was a perceived under-appreciation and disrespect towards “The Predator.”

    Ngannou’s manager, Marquel Martin, claimed that, rather than money, his client’s dispute with the UFC derived from the lackluster promotion of the heavyweight champ, among other things.

    That sentiment has now been shared by the coach of Adesanya.

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Bareman, who also coaches the likes of Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France, and Brad Riddell, was asked whether he thought the UFC’s promotion of the 185-pound king was lacking.

    While the 42-year-old New Zealander was clearly hesitant to criticize the organization, he did suggest the sentiment was the “correct observation.”

    “You are correct; a hundred percent correct. But I’m not, at the moment, willing to talk about this particular subject,” said Bareman. “At the moment, I’m sorry, boys. I can’t. It’s one hundred percent the correct observation. The correct observation – He’s not being nowhere near pushed the way he should. But there’s stuff that I can’t talk about regarding that. So, I’ll just leave it as a no comment. But your assumption is correct. They can (promote Adesanya more). At least I agree with that.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZfQZv_s0Bf/

    With Ngannou standing firm on his demands and potentially leaving the UFC to explore free agency at the end of the year, it’s hard not to wonder whether Bareman’s comments are a sentiment shared by Adesanya himself, who is also likely to fight out his deal this year.

    Should he do so, perhaps Ariel Helwani’s question surrounding a possible mass exodus of UFC stars in 2022 will begin to come to fruition.

    For the moment, though, Adesanya’s focus will be on defending his title for the fourth time and once more establishing his dominance over Whittaker.

    Do you agree with Eugene Bareman? Should Israel Adesanya be promoted more by the UFC?

  • Whittaker Unloads On The “Just Take Adesanya Down” Brigade

    Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has given a firm and hilarious response to those suggesting a victory over Israel Adesanya is as simple as “take him down.”

    Whittaker and Adesanya are set to share the Octagon for the second time in this weekend’s UFC 271 main event. The pair first collided at UFC 243 in 2019. Having seen the gold ripped from his grasp in his home country, “The Reaper” will be out for revenge and redemption come February 12.

    While both men have been in fine form at 185 pounds since their meeting, racking up three wins each, Adesanya did suffer his first professional defeat in the period between his Whittaker matchups.

    The first blemish on his record came last March in his pursuit of two-division championship glory. Against then-titleholder Jan Blachowicz, “The Last Stylebender” was beaten on the scorecards after being taken down and controlled in the championship rounds.

    Unsurprisingly, some fans pointed to Blachowicz’s performance and labeled it the “blueprint” to beat Adesanya. But just three months later, the Nigerian-New Zealander maintained his middleweight dominance by defending Marvin Vettori’s takedown attempts and outpointing the Italian across five rounds.

    Why, then, are we still seeing the same hypothesis on Adesanya’s wrestling being thrown around? Whittaker believes it’s because those who haven’t fought professionally don’t have a grasp on the mechanics and mindset involved in fighting.

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, “The Reaper” suggested there’s no way anyone who hasn’t competed at the highest level of fighting can comprehend the feeling of being in a scrap.

    “I don’t think anyone, anyone who doesn’t fight at the highest level has any real grasp on what it feels like to be in a fight,” said Whittaker. “And I mean anyone, anyone who hasn’t fought at the highest level; they can’t fully grasp how hard it is to do certain things in a fight, or what’s going through your mind during a fight, or how high the stakes are, and how heavy the pressure is. Unless you fight at the highest level, nobody knows. You can’t know.”

    With that sentiment in mind, it’s no surprise Whittaker is so frustrated at one portion of the MMA fanbase…

    Whittaker: If It’s That Simple, Why Hasn’t Anybody Done It?

    Taking the opportunity to vent his annoyance at one pre-UFC 271 narrative, Whittaker laid into those who continue to brand his path to victory against Adesanya as being as simple as a takedown.

    Understandably, he said if it’s that simple, why have 20 middleweights failed to have their hand raised against Adesanya?

    “People are saying, ‘You just gotta get him on his back.’ Why hasn’t anybody done it?! Why hasn’t anybody done it?! If it’s that simple, why has nobody in the history of Adesanya’s career just taken him down and held him down for five rounds? Why? Because he’s fucking hard to take down! You know what I mean? He is a nightmare to take down. He’s got long limbs, he’s got long arms, and I’m pretty sure he works a little bit of wrestling defense; I just have an inkling that’s what he does,” Whittaker added with sarcasm.

    “When I see people just like, ‘Ah, it’s simple, you just take him down.’ Yeah, it is simple. You know what else would be simple? If I get a piece of paper and write down a game plan that says, ‘Punch him in the chin.’ That’s a simple game plan that is sure-fire to win,” Whittaker continued. “It’s a little harder to pull off, you know, when you have all the factors of a title fight going through that.”

    Concluding his entertaining rant, Whittaker reminded the “just take Adesanya down” brigade that game plans are met with a moving opponent attempting to defend against it, something that is often not considered.

    “Remember, it’s not like a game plan where you give it to someone and then all they have to do is execute that game plan on a dummy that isn’t moving; that isn’t trying to actively counter-act whatever the hell it is that you’re doing [LAUGHS]. I went on a bit of a rant there,” concluded Whittaker.

    It’s safe to say that if you see Robert Whittaker walking around Houston this week, don’t say the words, “take Adesanya down” or “just do what Blachowicz did…”

    Do you think Robert Whittaker has what it takes to dethrone Israel Adesanya?

  • Rakhmonov Targets Pereira Following UFC Vegas 47 Knockout

    UFC welterweight prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov is targeting a clash with the unorthodox Michel Pereira next.

    Rakhmonov returned to action this past weekend at UFC Vegas 47 for his third Octagon outing. Having arrived on MMA’s biggest stage as a highly touted 13-0 prospect, the Kazakhstani made a splash on debut by submitting divisional veteran Alex Oliveira inside one round at UFC 254 in 2020.

    After submitting Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Michel Prazeres in his sophomore appearance last June, Rakhmonov was presented with the challenge of Carlston Harris for his opening fight of 2022.

    Venturing away from his imposing submission game, the 27-year-old put his knockout power and striking ability on full display inside Las Vegas’ Apex facility. After flooring his Guyanese opponent with a spinning hook kick, Rakhmonov swarmed Harris on the ground and knocked him out with some brutal ground-and-pound.

    Rakhmonov Hopes To Add Another Brazilian To His Record

    Having defeated two Brazilian natives and a longtime Brazilian resident fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rakhmonov is hoping to continue his decimation of the country’s welterweights in his next outing.

    At the UFC Vegas 47 post-fight press conference, Rakhmonov called out a name not many seek to face, Michel Pereira. Having seen his Sanford MMA teammate Andre Fialho beaten by the Marabá native, “Nomad” wants his hands on “Demolidor” next.

    “If you’re asking about who (is next), let’s give me Michel Pereira. He fought with my teammate Andre Fialho, so I want to fight with him.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

    Pereira’s victory over Fialho at UFC 270 extends his win streak to four. Prior to his triumph over the Portuguese striker, the 28-year-old took home decision victories over Niko Price and Khaos Williams and submitted Zelim Imadaev. He was also well on his way to a triumph against Diego Sanchez before an illegal knee led to his disqualification.

    If this matchup comes to fruition, on one side we’d have one of the most entertaining and unique fighters on the UFC roster, and on the other, one of the most highly-touted rising prospects in the promotion.

    While Rakhmonov is undoubtedly one to watch moving forward, a victory over an established name like Pereira would certainly accelerate him towards the top.

    Would you like to see Shavkat Rakhmonov face Michel Pereira next?

  • Coach Explains How Whittaker Is A “Whole Different Beast” On The Feet

    Robert Whittaker’s coach Alex Prates has revealed how the former champion has grown into a “whole different beast” on the feet ahead of his rematch with Israel Adesanya.

    At the start of 2019, Whittaker was on the UFC’s middleweight throne, riding a nine-fight win streak, and was unbeaten since 2014. That form came crashing to a halt at UFC 243 in Melbourne. Spoiling the champ’s homecoming, then-interim titleholder Adesanya showed his striking superiority by TKOing “The Reaper” in the second round.

    But after taking a break from the sport and finding his love for martial arts again, Whittaker has returned to his best. In three outings since his title loss, the New Zealand-born Australian has outpointed Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, and Kelvin Gastelum. In doing so, he’s secured a shot at redemption.

    In the UFC 271 main event this weekend, Whittaker and Adesanya will share the Octagon for a second time.

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

    Whittaker Has Had A Helping Hand From An Aussie Legend

    Whittaker has been extremely open about his 2019 defeat. From the pressure placed on him by accentuated media narratives to issues with ego, the former middleweight king hasn’t been shy in discussing what went wrong on the night, which saw him approach the fight in a rash and unusually rushed fashion.

    But while he was comfortably outstruck and pieced up by Adesanya, an elite striker who has since outpointed Yoel Romero and Marvin Vettori, and finished Paulo Costa, Whittaker’s team are confident the necessary adjustments have been made.

    During an interview with Sherdog, Coach Alex Prates discussed the constant improvements Whittaker has been making between his recent appearances. With big progress in the last year, Prates says fans should expect to see the “best Robert Whittaker” to date this weekend.

    “We started to adapt a little bit. I think we learn a lot from that loss to Israel. A few things that make Rob a very dangerous opponent… I think he was coming from nine wins in a row before he lost to Adesanya. We learned a lot,” said Prates. “When you get to a level of striking, a few things, the basics, have to be astounding. So we start to change a little bit, we start to adapt… get all the fundamentals right. He got better. He got a little bit better with Darren Till, he got better with Cannonier, he got better with Gastelum.

    “But the biggest improvement, I have no doubt, the biggest improvement that was made in Robert’s game was in-between the last fight with Gastelum and this fight with Adesanya,” added Prates. “He’s probably gonna be, potentially, the best Robert Whittaker you guys have ever seen.”

    While a number of factors have helped Whittaker expand his weaponry and fine-tune his arsenal, Prates says one addition to the team has made him a “whole different beast” on the feet. That helping hand has come from renowned Aussie boxing trainer Johnny Lewis.

    With the aid of a trainer who’s coached six world champions, Prates believes Whittaker now has what it takes to match “The Last Stylebender” punch for punch.

    “He’s sharp, his hands look sharp. We are having the help of a very famous boxing coach in Australia, Mr. Johnny Lewis,” Prates continued. “He’s a guy who trained six world champions. I think Johnny is about 70… He was retired but he came back to train a bronze medalist, that won the bronze medal for Australia in Rio and became professional.

    “I know Johnny for a while few a through common friends. So I asked for a favor from him to oversee Rob’s boxing for this fight and he took us on board. I’m very grateful. And the results are showing. Rob’s hands… he looks a whole different beast now,” concluded Prates.

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

    While Whittaker has undoubtedly improved and found the form of his life in his three fights since the crushing loss to Adesanya, whether he can hand the Nigerian-New Zealander his first defeat at middleweight is another question.

    We’ll find out if he’s made enough of an adjustment on February 12.

    Who do you think will leave UFC 271 with the middleweight gold, Robert Whittaker or Israel Adesanya?

  • Tom Aspinall Ready To Begin Heavyweight Takeover At UFC London

    UFC heavyweight contender Tom Aspinall is raring to go in 2022 and plans on beginning a heavyweight takeover with a main event victory over Alexander Volkov at UFC London.

    Early this week, the headlining fight for the UFC’s long-awaited return to England’s capital was confirmed. Unbeaten rising star Aspinall will collide with UFC veteran and former Bellator heavyweight champion Volkov.

    For Manchester’s Aspinall, the event will mark the first time he’s fought in front of a capacity UFC crowd, having defeated his first four opponents, Jake Collier, Alan Baudot, Andrei Arlovski, and Sergey Spivak, inside Las Vegas’ Apex facility and on Fight Island. What better way to arrive in front of a sold-out audience than in his home country?

    Opposite him in the Octagon on March 19 will be a talented and unique Russian striker standing six feet and seven inches tall. Incredibly, UFC London will mark Volkov’s sixth main event in just 12 UFC appearances.

    After having his title charged stalled at the hands of Ciryl Gane last summer, “Drago” will look to ride the momentum from his rebound victory over Marcin Tybura into his first outing of 2022, and set himself back on a winning streak.

    Aspinall: “I’m Gonna Be Up There”

    Many have been comparing Aspinall’s potential to that of Gane at the start of 2021. Last year was a breakout period for “Bon Gamin,” who made his main event debut against Jairzinho Rozenstruik in February, before defeating Volkov in a five-rounder four months later and having interim gold wrapped around his waist in a pay-per-view main event against Derrick Lewis in August.

    With Aspinall boasting an unblemished UFC record and getting set for his first headlining bout in the first quarter of this year, many expect the Englishman to replicate the 2021 of his French UFC peer. If he’s to do so, Aspinall will have to get past Volkov, a task the Manchester native is confident he can complete.

    During an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Aspinall suggested he’s ready to make the most of his UFC London opportunity and begin his takeover at heavyweight.

    “These opportunities don’t come around all the time. I just feel like I’m ready, man. I just feel like this is my time man,” said Aspinall. “I just wanna go in there and show everybody just what I can really do, because everybody thinks they know what I’m good at and what I’m not good at, but nobody really knows. The only people who really know are the people around me. Mate, I’m gonna be up there and I’m gonna be flying the flag, and I’m gonna take over this shit.”

    Similar to UK stars like Arnold Allen, Paddy Pimblett, Jack Shore, Nathanial Wood, Mike Grundy, Molly McCann, and Muhammad Mokaev, Aspinall will be hoping to leave his mark when he enters the cage inside London’s O2 Arena on March 19.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC London in March, Tom Aspinall or Alexander Volkov?

  • Adesanya Reveals His Main Motivation For Whittaker Rematch

    UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has revealed his main motivation ahead of his rematch with Robert Whittaker next weekend at UFC 271.

    Adesanya will look to continue his dominant reign atop the 185-pound mountain when he runs it back with Whittaker. The pair first met at UFC 243 in 2019. With a second-round finish, “The Last Stylebender” secured his place on the throne.

    Since that fight, both men have been in fine form. The champion has successfully defended his belt against Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, and Marvin Vettori. Despite falling to his first loss in professional MMA when he attempted to challenge for Jan Blachowicz’s light heavyweight title last March, Adesanya has remained unbeaten at middleweight.

    Whittaker, meanwhile, has rebounded from his championship defeat with two main event triumphs against Darren Till and Kelvin Gastelum plus a pay-per-view co-main victory over top-five contender Jared Cannonier.

    The pair will now share the Octagon for the second time inside Houston’s Toyota Center on February 12.

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

    Adesanya Targets “Devastating” Finish

    The consensus for the clash appears to be split. While some look at Adesanya’s 2019 victory over Whittaker and expect a similar level of dominance, others have pointed to the former titleholder’s form and fight IQ and suggested he’ll be bringing a much tougher test to the champ this time around.

    While some fighters may fall victim to complacency when facing an opponent they’ve already comfortably had their hand raised against, Adesanya is not worried about that.

    During a recent interview with Chisanga Malata, “The Last Stylebender” suggested his desire to finish the rematch in an even more devastating way is what motivates him ahead of 2022’s second pay-per-view card.

    “That’s not been the case this time (complacency after UFC 243 win),” said Adesanya. “It’s actually made me more motivated to do it again and do it more decisively, if that’s even possible, which it is. That’s what my motivation is for this fight, that’s what got me up for this fight, was to do it again, and (in a) more devastating fashion.”

    According to Whittaker, Adesanya’s latest defense against Vettori proved he was beatable at middleweight. The New Zealand-born Australian will hope to prove that to be the case when his chance for redemption arrives next weekend.

    Who do you think will leave UFC 271 with the middleweight gold, Israel Adesanya or Robert Whittaker?

  • Whittaker: Media Narratives Got Too Much For Me In First Adesanya Fight

    UFC middleweight contender Robert Whittaker has detailed how the media tone leading up to UFC 243 played a part in his defeat to Israel Adesanya.

    Whittaker and Adesanya are currently gearing up for their long-awaited rematch. The pair first collided inside Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium in 2019. At the time, “The Reaper” sat on the middleweight throne and was riding a nine-fight, five-year win streak that included victories over Yoel Romero, Ronaldo Souza, Derek Brunson, and Uriah Hall.

    Adesanya, meanwhile, was unbeaten in professional MMA and earned interim gold six months prior in a Fight of the Year-worthy clash with Kelvin Gastelum. “The Last Stylebender” secured undisputed status by finishing Whittaker in the second round at UFC 243.

    Now, with both men finding immense success at 185 pounds since 2019, the two elite middleweights will run it back in the main event of Houston’s UFC 271 pay-per-view next weekend.

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

    Media “Tone” Affected Whittaker At UFC 243

    Following his devastating loss to Adesanya, Whittaker admitted he’d been suffering mentally and from burn-out and would be taking an extended layoff from the sport of MMA.

    Now, as a revitalized and motivated fighter, the New Zealand-born Australian has looked back on his only setback in his last 13 Octagon outings and assessed what created the overwhelming emotion that proved to be his downfall.

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Whittaker discussed the effect the media narratives and tone had on his mindset and performance. According to “The Reaper,” the enhanced Australia vs. New Zealand rivalry and a number of other scenarios meant his ego “got away” on him.

    “The thing is, I think it was just an accumulative effect. It was an effect that was just making everything much harder than it should have been, or making things affect me a lot more than they would have, because of the ego,” said Whittaker. “I think, we all have egos, and I think in places and in quantities, I think ego is a good thing, especially for fighters. We’re fighting with people; people are trying to take away what’s ours.

    “But I think it got away a little bit on me, just because of the media, and because of, I guess, the scenario, and the situations, and atmosphere; the tone the media was selling to the fans of this rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, the tone about the arena and of fighting at home, and of this, and of that. It just got a bit much, that’s all,” concluded Whittaker.

    Having delivered three impressive performances since returning to the Octagon in 2020, including main event wins against Darren Till and Kelvin Gastelum, Whittaker has certainly been back to his best and has also been sporting a visibly relaxed mindset and attitude ahead of his chance for redemption.

    It remains to be seen if that’ll be enough for him to add the first blemish to Adesanya’s middleweight record when they meet in the Toyota Center on February 12.

    Do you think a revitalized and motivated Robert Whittaker can dethrone Israel Adesanya at UFC 271?

  • Strickland Vows To Go “Full Conor McGregor” If He Becomes Champion

    UFC middleweight Sean Strickland is excited for the Conor McGregor-esque freedom he’ll have if he becomes a champion in the promotion.

    While McGregor has undoubtedly grown into the biggest star the sport of MMA has ever seen, largely thanks to the Octagon success that saw him become the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion, much of his behavior outside the cage has left a lot to be desired.

    From his controversial verbal attacks on José Aldo, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Dustin Poirier, which included some distasteful comments about family; religion; and some nations, to incidents beyond the sport; the “Notorious” Irishman is certainly a polarizing figure.

    Aside from punching an elderly man in a Dublin pub, multiple arrests, an accusation of assault from an Italian DJ, and seemingly looking for a fight against multi-platinum recording artist Machine Gun Kelly, perhaps McGregor’s most notable incident came prior to the UFC 223 event in 2018.

    The former two-division titleholder threw a steel dolly through a bus carrying a number of fighters scheduled to compete at the pay-per-view, including rival Khabib. The incident left Michael Chiesa with a cut, Ray Borg with glass in his eye, and Rose Namajunas with long-lasting trauma.

    But despite his multiple run-ins with the law and criticized actions, McGregor’s place at the top of the UFC has remained secure and his status as one of the biggest superstars in sport untouched.

    That’s a level of freedom that intrigues one controversial fighter…

    Strickland: “When I’m Champion, I Can Go Full Conor McGregor”

    One man who’s certainly joined McGregor in the upper-echelons of controversy is #7-ranked middleweight Strickland. While his carefree attitude has entertained some, his questionable remarks, including about homosexuality, have caused anger across some parts of the MMA community.

    At UFC Vegas 47 media day on Wednesday, “Tarzan” revealed he’d toned down his personality early on in his career to ensure he made it to the big leagues. Now that he’s there and competing towards the top, he’s enjoying the freedom to express himself and say “offensive” things.

    While some would suggest becoming a champion would require a level of company representation, Strickland looks at McGregor’s past and licks his lips.

    “It’s even better, because when I’m champion I can go full Conor McGregor,” Strickland told reporters. “I can go and fucking hit an old guy in a bar, fucking throw a fucking (dolly), try and fucking assault Khabib’s manager Ali (Abdelaziz), it’s fucking even better dude.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZfZnjzt-u9/

    In Strickland’s way of jumping closer to Israel Adesanya’s gold and a McGregor level of freedom is Jack Hermansson. The pair will collide in this weekend’s UFC Vegas 47 main event, with both looking to stake their claim for a title shot.

    Would you like to see Sean Strickland reach the top of the UFC’s middleweight food chain?

  • Jamahal Hill On Kamaru Usman’s LHW Ambitions: For 205, He’s Tiny

    UFC light heavyweight Jamahal Hill has given his take on a potential transition to 205 pounds for reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman.

    Usman, who dethroned Tyron Woodley in 2019 and has since defended the title five times, secured his place atop the UFC’s male pound-for-pound mountain in 2021 after a period of dominance that saw him defeat Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal (twice), and Gilbert Burns. He further cemented his #1 position with a second victory over “Chaos” last November.

    With the hope of proving his P4P superiority, “The Nigerian Nightmare” has considered pursuing gold in a second weight class. But with friend and compatriot Israel Adesanya ruling over the middleweights, light heavyweight was his target.

    In an interview with MMA News, rising 205-pound contender “Sweet Dreams” Hill gave his thoughts on the potential arrival of Usman in his weight class, as well as his upcoming clash with Johnny Walker on February 19, and the UFC 274 title fight between champion Glover Teixeira and the #2-ranked Jiří Procházka.

    Hill: “Come On In”

    Usman’s consideration for two-division glory came while Polish powerhouse Jan Blachowicz was at the top of the food chain. Despite the 38-year-old’s size and emphatic shutdown of Adesanya’s own desire for double champ status last March, the welterweight titleholder fancied his chances.

    But just like top contender Procházka, Hill doesn’t like Usman’s odds. The #12-ranked light heavyweight told MMA News that while “The Nigerian Nightmare” may be big for 170 pounds, he’d be “tiny” for 205. Nevertheless, he invited Usman to come and mix it up with the “big boys.”

    “Seems like he’s picking and choosing where you wanna fight, picking and choosing which champion you wanna fight,” Hill said to James Lynch. “You’re skipping over a whole weight class just because he’s (Israel Adesanya) your boy and shit, which is cool, I get it. But I don’t know, what am I supposed to think about it?

    “He’s small. Don’t get me wrong, welterweight he’s a big dude. But for 205? He’s fucking tiny. Anybody that feel like they wanna come play with the big boys can come on in.”

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

    With his lap back around his previously beaten foes set to continue this year with a defense against Leon Edwards, Usman has certainly cleared out a hefty portion of his challenges at welterweight. With that said, a push for a fresh challenge at a new weight class seems likely.

    With his clear reluctance to share the Octagon with “The Last Stylebender,” a venture to light heavyweight could be a viable option for Usman in the near future.

    How do you think Kamaru Usman would fare at light heavyweight?

  • Sean Strickland Targets Title Shot: “I’ll Make Fun Of Stylebender’s Titty”

    UFC middleweight Sean Strickland is hoping to secure a title shot and the opportunity to “make fun” of champion Israel Adesanya’s swollen pectoral muscle during the build-up to it.

    Strickland, the current #7-ranked contender at 185 pounds, will have the chance to jump towards a championship opportunity this weekend at UFC Vegas 47. In his second consecutive main event on MMA’s biggest stage, “Tarzan” will face Swedish-born Norwegian Jack Hermansson.

    Having defeated Jack Marshman, Brendan Allen, Krzysztof Jotko, and Uriah Hall since his return to action in 2020, Strickland will hope to add the elite name of “The Joker” to his record inside Las Vegas’ Apex and, in doing so, further climb the middleweight ladder.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZH1SWBvdk2/

    While some fighters’ pursuit of gold derives from the desire to build a legacy, provide for their family, and establish their dominance in the sport of MMA, Strickland’s championship aspirations rest heavily on his enjoyment of making fun of Adesanya’s swollen right pectoral muscle.

    During UFC Vegas 47 media day on Wednesday, Strickland discussed his chances of earning a title shot with a victory this Saturday. While winning the belt isn’t crucial to him, the opportunity to go back-and-forth with “The Last Stylebender” during fight week is certainly an exciting prospect for the North Carolina native.

    “I mean, ideally, Brunson beats Cannonier and maybe, if I can do an impressive performance and, you know, dump and dodge and get a title shot; that would be the perfect world,” said Strickland. “But at the end of the day man, I’m just here to fight and make some money. If I get a title shot, fuck yeah, let’s go. I’ll make fun of Stylebender’s fucking titty all day long.”

    Strickland Has Consistently Accused Adesanya Of Steroid Usage

    Talk surrounding potential steroid usage has existed for Adesanya since UFC 253 in September 2020. While comfortably beating then-undefeated contender Paulo Costa, the Nigerian-New Zealander sported a visibly swollen pectoral muscle.

    The medical term for swelling in male breast tissue is Gynecomastia. The condition can be caused by a host of different factors, such as drugs and alcohol consumption, some medications, and a number of herbal products. One of the more well-known triggers is the use of anabolic steroids, an accusation many directed at Adesanya. Those detractors include Strickland.

    Having backed the champion to “starch” upcoming opponent Robert Whittaker, “Tarzan” recently suggested that everybody knows Adesanya uses steroids.

    “I mean, Israel’s just a crafty motherfucker,” Strickland told combat sports journalist Helen Yee. “Like, don’t get me wrong, we all know he does steroids, and that probably helps his performance. We all seen him fight with the titty that hung down. I mean, have you ever seen a man fight in the UFC with gyno from weed? I mean, look at Nate Diaz; if that was the case, Nate Diaz would have tits down to his knees. Get out of here with this.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZcZDbFp9Xv/

    Given Strickland’s accusations and attacks on Adesanya in recent months, it’s hard to imagine the level of trash talk the rising contender would bring to the current middleweight king during a fight week or at a press conference if he makes his way into the title picture soon.

    Would you like to see Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya share the Octagon together in the near future?

  • Strickland Reveals Why He’s More “Offensive” Than Early In His Career

    UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has explained why he feels more freedom to say controversial things now than he did early on in his career.

    There aren’t many figures more polarizing in MMA today than Strickland.

    While he’s entertained with his gym stories, his comments on sparring heavyweight powerhouse Francis Ngannou, his view on the sport of boxing, and his unique (and perhaps partly worrying) hunger for blood and destruction inside the Octagon, he’s also caused controversy with a number of remarks that were perceived to have crossed the line by some.

    But while he’s split opinion with his words and mindset outside the cage, not many can differ from the consensus view on Strickland’s fighting ability. In 27 professional fights, “Tarzan” has had his hand raised 24 times and defeated the likes of Court McGee, Brendan Allen, and Uriah Hall.

    When you’ve only been beaten by reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman, Santiago Ponzinibbio, and an Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos spinning wheel kick across 13 years, you’re doing something right…

    Strickland Enjoys The Freedom To Say “Offensive Shit”

    While Strickland’s reputation as an eccentric, outspoken, and outright bizarre fighter has always existed to an extent, its prominence has certainly increased in recent times.

    Since putting his in-fight trash talk and vocal style on full display when he returned to action against Jack Marshman in 2020, Strickland’s antics have become more and more controversial, culminating in his comments surrounding homosexuality.

    The question many will ask is where was this Strickland at the start of his UFC run? Well, he was in hiding.

    During UFC Vegas 47 media day on Wednesday, “Tarzan” explained why he had to tone down his “offensive” takes early in his career.

    “You know what it is? I’m getting to a point where I can say shit and not get cut from the UFC,” said Strickland. “So before, it was like, man, I wasn’t good; I couldn’t say shit cause Dana White would be like, ‘Hey, go fuck that white trash motherfucker, get him out of here.’ But now, since I’m getting a bit more like, more of a fanbase and people wanna watch me fight, I can say a lot more offensive shit, so it’s nice.”

    Strickland went on to reveal his coaches and manager used to remind him not to say controversial remarks so that getting signed by the world’s premier organization remained a possibility. But now that he’s there and thriving, it’s “white trash motherfucker” from here on out.

    “Every coach or manager I ever had were like, ‘Sean, shut up, they’re not gonna sign you.’ They’re like, ‘Shut up, they don’t want that, they want an image.’ And then now, I’m just gonna be the white trash motherfucker that I am, it’s nice.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZH1SWBvdk2/

    Strickland, who is unbeaten at middleweight in 18 appearances, will face his toughest test to date in the 185-pound division in this weekend’s main event. At UFC Vegas 47, he’ll be tasked with facing perennial contender Jack Hermansson.

    In this clash, we’ll see a smiling Swedish-born Norwegian fishing enthusiast throw down with a self-professed pornography-loving UFC “prostitute” looking for blood and more blood.

    Who will move closer to a title shot this Saturday night, Sean Strickland or Jack Hermansson?

  • Khabib: My Fight With McGregor Was Bigger Than MayMac

    Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov believes his UFC 229 main event with Conor McGregor was a bigger fight than the Irishman’s blockbuster boxing showdown with Floyd Mayweather.

    2017 saw a collision billed as “The Money Fight” and “The Biggest Fight In Combat Sports History.” It pitted undefeated 11-time five-division boxing world champion Mayweather against former two-division UFC titleholder and then-155-pound king McGregor.

    While the battle of boxing vs. MMA has essentially become a norm in today’s crossover culture, back then it was as historical as it was lucrative.

    Following one of the most covered and notable international media tours and build-ups combat sports has ever seen, the pair shared the squared circle inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. After going nine rounds with the boxing GOAT contender, McGregor was finished in the 10th frame.

    The numbers behind the clash were staggering. The contest grossed a remarkable $938 million, sitting in second on the all-time list behind only Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao’s 2015 match ($960 million). That feat certainly doesn’t need any more context, but here’s some anyway; the third highest-grossing fight (Mayweather vs. Canelo Álvarez – 2013) raked in $304 million, over $600 million less than ‘The Money Fight’.

    With that number in mind, it’s no surprise where Mayweather vs. McGregor sits on the pay-per-view buys ladder. Once again second to only Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, the 2017 crossover fight jumped to the #2 spot after attracting 4.3 million buys, nearly two million more than the third-placed bout.

    What did all that help secure? A reported $280 million purse for “Money” Mayweather and a $130 million boost for the “Notorious” McGregor.

    Khabib: McGregor vs. Mayweather Was More “Fake”

    While Mayweather vs. McGregor is widely regarded as one of, if not the, biggest fights of all time, one man shares a different sentiment.

    Khabib Nurmagomedov, one of the leading contenders in the debate surrounding the greatest of all time in the UFC, believes his own grudge match with McGregor clearly surpassed Mayweather’s.

    During an appearance on the Full Send Podcast, “The Eagle” cited the background to the UFC 229 main event and the memorable nature of the fight as the reasons why no other matchup comes close, especially not the “sparring” session between Mayweather and McGregor.

    “For sure this is biggest fight in history of martial arts. Nothing close, I think,” said Khabib. “Even when he fight with Mayweather, it’s like, ‘OK.’ But not many people care about this fight. It was historical event: MMA champion vs. boxing champion. 

    “But inside the fight, many people, they don’t even remember what happened inside the fight. For example, in what round referee stop this fight? Most of the people don’t remember,” continued Khabib. “They don’t remember because it was like sparring fight. For me, it was not real fight because (McGregor) is not real boxer. And Mayweather, what he did—for me, it was like more fake fight. This just my opinion, maybe not.

    “And then what was between us, it was real. And everything (that) happened before the fight, inside the fight, after the fight (was real),” concluded Khabib.

    Whether for positive or negative reasons, UFC 229 was undoubtedly one of the most memorable events in UFC history.

    From the pre-fight exchanges, which saw McGregor attack Khabib’s family, religion, and country, to the fight itself, which saw the Dagestani extend his unbeaten record with a fourth-round neck crank submission, to the post-fight brawl, it’s hard to forget what transpired on October 6, 2018.

    While it attracted 2.4 million PPV buys, leaving daylight to the UFC’s second-highest tally in that regard, can it be regarded as “bigger” across all aspects than Mayweather vs. McGregor? It’s certainly an interesting debate to have.

    Do you agree with Khabib Nurmagomedov?

  • Hermansson: People Want To See Me Put Sean Strickland Down

    UFC middleweight contender Jack Hermansson says he’s never received more messages of support before a fight than he has ahead of his main event clash with Sean Strickland this weekend.

    With his position one spot outside the 185-pound top five, Hermansson will be hoping to jump closer to a title shot when he enters the Octagon for the first time this year.

    Having fallen short of doing so in a headliner versus Marvin Vettori in late 2020, “The Joker” got back on track last May with a comfortable decision triumph over the once-highly-touted prospect Edmen Shahbazyan. Since then, Hermansson has been watching matchups unfold and waiting for his next foe.

    That rival has come in the form of outspoken and controversial hard-hitter Strickland. The pair will close out Saturday’s UFC Vegas 47 card inside Las Vegas’ Apex facility, with a place in the championship conversation at stake.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXDeoWKq-rL/

    Fans Urge Hermansson To “Kill This Dude!”

    It’s fair to say that in his 28-fight career, Hermansson hasn’t come up against an opponent like Strickland. The Swedish-born Norwegian couldn’t be more different than his American counterpart when it comes to personality and voice.

    With Strickland’s antics, which have split opinions among fans, pundits, and fighters, it’s no surprise a portion of the MMA community want to see the #7-ranked middleweight beaten. That sentiment has apparently been clear in the DMs of Hermansson.

    During a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, the 33-year-old claimed the wave of support and backing he’s received ahead of his contest with Strickland is like nothing he’s experienced before in the UFC.

    “I was actually suggesting Sean Strickland (as an opponent),” said Hermansson. “Because he’s ranked one behind me, and he’s on a good win streak. I think he’s undefeated in the middleweight division, and he has some hype right now… He’s a little bit different [LAUGHS].

    “I’ve seen (his interviews) and he’s a funny character. Some things he says might be over the line. But what I do know is that I have never faced an opponent where so many people are messaging me, writing to me, like, ‘Man, kill this dude! You have to win this!’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m always trying to win fights.’ People wanna see him go down, that’s for sure,” concluded Hermansson.

    While the pair may differ in their fight week, social media, and interview attitudes, one thing they have in common is their talent and toughness when the cage door shuts. They’ll both look to put that on full display come Saturday night.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised in the UFC Vegas 47 main event, Jack Hermansson or Sean Strickland?

  • Figueiredo Wants To Avoid A Mexico Fight Following Post-UFC 270 Abuse

    UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo does not want to defend his title in Mexico due to the “prejudiced” nature of the country.

    Figueiredo began his second reign on the 125-pound throne at the opening pay-per-view of 2022 last month. In the UFC 270 co-main event, “Deus da Guerra” shared the Octagon with Brandon Moreno for the third time.

    Having failed to defeat “The Assassin Baby” in a December 2020 draw and losing the gold to the Mexican last June at UFC 263, Figueiredo hoped to level the score in Anaheim in front of a largely hostile crowd.

    After five rounds of action, the Brazilian did just that. Seemingly thanks to knockdowns in the third and fifth frames, Figueiredo was awarded the unanimous decision verdict, with all three judges seeing the fight 48-47 in his favor.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZD5QIvLvs8/

    Figueiredo Pours Cold Water On Moreno’s Hopes Of A Mexico Crowning

    With the pair’s feud now at 1-1-1, this chapter of their careers seems to be far from over and could see an immediate historical tetralogy go down later this year, something Moreno believes he more than deserves.

    But while the newly-crowned champion and his manager appeared to envision a fourth fight with the Mexican happening soon, the tune appears to have changed. Having recently claimed it would take a million-dollar check to get him back in the cage with “The Assassin Baby” and suggested an interest in facing top contender Kai Kara-France, Figueiredo has now shut down talk of a possible defense in Mexico.

    During a recent appearance on Combate’s Mundo da Luta podcast, the flyweight king revealed his team is targeting a Brazil outing. Despite previously expressing a desire to defeat Moreno on the former champ’s home turf, post-fight “prejudiced” comments have left “Deus Da Guerra” with little desire to venture to his rival’s nation.

    “If we fight in Mexico, we’re sure not to go out with Cejudo from there because people want his head in Mexico,” said Figueiredo. “We’re going to ask this fight for Brazil, or anywhere else, except Mexico. Even I don’t want to go there. Guys are pretty prejudiced too, some Mexicans come to me calling me ‘monkey’ and stuff. Through that, I don’t want to fight in Mexico.” (h/t BJPenn.com)

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZH2Y_nv3UG/

    With the likes of Kara-France, Askar Askarov, and Alexandre Pantoja waiting in the wings for a shot at gold, a fourth fight between Figueiredo and Moreno is certainly not an obvious and clear-cut choice for the UFC.

    Nevertheless, if the promotion does choose to go down that path, it appears unlikely “The Assassin Baby” will have the chance to dethrone Figueiredo in front of a home crowd, especially while the champ is training with Henry Cejudo.

    Would you like to see Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno meet again for a historical fourth fight?

  • Whittaker Explains What His Biggest Mistake Was In Adesanya Loss

    UFC middleweight contender Robert Whittaker has revealed what he believes was the biggest mistake he made against Israel Adesanya at UFC 243.

    Midway through 2019, Whittaker held the 185-pound gold and hadn’t been beaten since a loss to Stephen Thompson in 2014. In his nine-fight win streak, “The Reaper” defeated the likes of Brad Tavares, Uriah Hall, Derek Brunson, and Ronaldo Souza; won the interim title against Yoel Romero, after which he was promoted to undisputed king; and defeated the Cuban powerhouse for the second time.

    Adesanya, meanwhile, defeated Brunson, Tavares, Marvin Vettori, and Anderson Silva on his way to an interim title shot earlier in the year. In a Fight of the Year contender, he defeated Kelvin Gastelum, setting up a unification showdown with Whittaker at UFC 243.

    In phenomenal fashion, “The Last Stylebender” dominated the short-lived contest. After knocking his foe down at the end of round one, Adesanya secured his place on the middleweight throne with a second-round knockout inside Melbourne, Australia’s Marvel Stadium.

    Whittaker: I Was Too Reckless

    Given Whittaker’s prior performances, the way in which Adesanya was able to dispatch him came as quite a shock. But following a break from the sport, the New Zealand-born Australian returned with a vengeance.

    Having comfortably defeated Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, and Gastelum on the scorecards since losing his title, three of the best performances of his career, Whittaker has earned his shot at redemption. And he believes he’s rectified the mistakes that led to his downfall in October 2019.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun, Whittaker was asked whether he’s identified the greatest error he made against Adesanya. Aside from getting hit very hard in the face, “The Reaper” named his reckless attitude in the Octagon as the leading cause for his loss.

    “Getting hit in the face [LAUGHS]. Definitely that one. Probably my recklessness,” said Whittaker. “I was recklessly charging in, I was falling into every one of his baits, every one of his traps, and just, you know, stubbornly just trying to press forward, press the attack, and rip his head off. That’s what was going through my head, and yeah, it didn’t work.

    “That’s not how I usually fight. You don’t see me fight like that in a lot of other fights,” added Whittaker. “So I have addressed it, I’ve reflected on it, and we’re gonna try and get in there and do something different this next time.”

    Whittaker will have the chance to prove he’s eliminated the mistakes from his game when he steps inside the Octagon with Adesanya for the second time. The pair are set to headline Houston’s UFC 271 pay-per-view on February 12.

    Do you think Robert Whittaker has what it takes to hand Israel Adesanya his first middleweight loss?

  • Jędrzejczyk Explains How She’s Trying To Extend Her Legacy

    Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk has explained how she’s harnessing her business acumen to extend her legacy outside the Octagon.

    Jędrzejczyk held gold on MMA’s biggest stage between 2015 and 2017. After dethroning Carla Esparza at UFC 185, the Polish star went on to defend the belt five times against Jessica Penne, Valérie Létourneau, Cláudia Gadelha, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Jéssica Andrade.

    But since her victory over the Brazilian, Jędrzejczyk has gone 2-4, including consecutive losses to current titleholder Rose Namajunas and a setback against reigning flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko.

    The 34-year-old’s last appearance saw her share the Octagon with then-champ Zhang Weili in March 2020. In one of the greatest fights of all time, the pair traded blows for 25 minutes. In a close contest, many believe the level of visible damage on the head of the challenger, including a gruesome hematoma, perhaps swayed the decision in the Chinese star’s favor.

    Jędrzejczyk: “I Was Always Into Business”

    While some fans will look down on a two-year layoff and often criticize inactivity, Jędrzejczyk has certainly paid her dues in the sport and has been making an impact beyond the realms of fighting since her last outing.

    From commercials to projects, Jędrzejczyk has been making a splash in the business world, as many fighters have attempted and succeeded in doing over the past few years.

    Having developed a business acumen from a young age, Jędrzejczyk is hoping to stretch beyond the confines of being an “athlete” and extend her legacy through partnerships and self-made businesses.

    “I do lots of media, lots of sponsorships; I’m trying to build my own businesses,” said Jędrzejczyk on a recent episode of American Top Team’s Punchin’ In podcast. “The other things, I love doing sponsorship obligations, media, TV, but training is always first. This is what made me. This is who I am. This is why I’m here, because of all my wins, trophies, sports legacy, sports success; it helped me become kind of a celebrity. I think after I lost the belt, people learn more about the Joanna Jędrzejczyk as a woman, a human, than only an athlete. I was like, a robot, only an athlete back in the day. Only training, training training. But I was always full of passions and hobbies.

    “I was doing businesses since I was a little girl. I was always into business and doing things. So, this is what I love,” added Jędrzejczyk. “Now people know that I’m not only high-quality athlete, they know that I’m high-quality business woman, and I’m high-quality role model, and I’m high-quality human being. That’s why they want to hang out with me, they want to do deals, they want to promote things…

    “What I’m trying to build, I’m not trying to only build business relationships, in every business relationship, I’m trying to bring friendship and family relationships. This is what’s important to me. I’m trying to extend my legacy, so I’m trying to build my own businesses as well.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZe7ByiOa7f/

    Having further developed her brand in her native Poland, Jędrzejczyk is now back on US soil and training at ATT ahead of her long-awaited return to the Octagon.

    With Esparza set to challenge for Namajunas’ gold next, the veteran will seemingly have to face another top contender for her comeback before jumping back to the title, as she’d hoped to do in March or April this year.

    Given Zhang’s two 2021 setbacks against “Thug Rose,” now may be the perfect time for her to run it back with Jędrzejczyk. And with the Pole seemingly down for a second scrap with “Magnum,” the ball appears to be in the UFC’s court.

    Given the way their first fight went, it’s hard to believe anyone would be turning their heads at the chance of seeing the pair share the cage again.

    Who would you like to see Joanna Jędrzejczyk face when she returns to the Octagon?

  • Manager Targets Immediate Gane/Ngannou Rematch In Paris

    MMA Factory Coach Fernand Lopez wants to see Ciryl Gane and UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou run it back in Paris, France.

    At UFC 270, Gane’s rapid rise from MMA newcomer to the top of the heavyweight food chain met its first hurdle. That hurdle? Former teammate and Cameroonian powerhouse Ngannou.

    In the opening two rounds, it looked like “Bon Gamin” was well on his way to outlasting “The Predator” and reaching the undisputed throne as an undefeated fighter. That all changed with one caught kick and one takedown.

    From rounds three to five, Ngannou imposed his wrestling will and maintained heavy top control. In doing so, he upset the odds and added the first blemish to the record of Gane. But much more than that, he had the last laugh in his bitter public feud with his former coach.

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

    In the build-up to UFC 270, Lopez unleashed a host of revelations about Ngannou’s time at Paris’ MMA Factory gym, from refusing to pay the membership fee to attempting to sabotage Gane’s UFC signing.

    While the hatchet has seemingly been buried in the aftermath of the pay-per-view, largely due to the peace-keeping mission of Kamaru Usman, Lopez doesn’t want the possibility of a rematch between Gane and Ngannou to similarly simmer down.

    Lopez: Close Fights Usually Get Rematches

    During an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Lopez was asked what’s next for the former interim titleholder. While he acknowledged Jon Jones will be the promotion’s target, the 43-year-old admitted the ideal scenario for his party would see Ngannou and Gane run it back in France later this year.

    “I would like that fight with Francis to happen in France (next) if that’s possible. But, that’s the last thing the UFC is thinking right now,” said Lopez. “If they solve the problem with Francis, what they’d like to do, what everyone would like to have, is Jon Jones/Francis.

    “But again, as a manager, Ciryl made a lot of money for this fight (UFC 270), a lot; enough, actually,” added Lopez. “And he has time. We can wait six months, seven months. We have time to wait until maybe they can sort out the problem with Francis at some point. What I’m saying is that I don’t know about you, but I feel the fight was close, and when the fight is close, generally we’re talking about immediate rematches, which can make sense. But I’m realistic.”

    While Gane is a native of La-Roche-sur-Yon, France, Ngannou emerged from the streets of the country’s capital to make it as a successful mixed martial artist. With the interest in both men in the region, Lopez believes a rematch in Paris would be beyond huge.

    “If you ask me as a manager, I’m like, let’s go for the immediate rematch in Paris. If they fight in Paris, because of Ciryl, if they fight in Paris, Francis would make good money in Paris. I mean like, France is going nuts about this fight, African people are going crazy about this fight. Most of the followers of Francis are African people living in Paris or Europe. That would be bananas if they have this fight in France,” concluded Lopez.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZMLZdsMaT9/

    With the reception he received upon his arrival back in France, it’s clear Gane is immensely popular across the Atlantic and growing into a popular fan-favorite among the French population.

    While Ngannou certainly has his supporters there as well, he recently commented on the fickle nature of the French media, who, in his mind, brand him as French when he wins and Cameroonian when he loses.

    With the attitude of the media members who made the long trip to Las Vegas for UFC 270, which was shown during a heated back-and-forth between Ngannou and a French reporter at the press conference, it would be interesting to see how Ngannou is received and treated by the media if a rematch goes down in Paris.

    Would you like to see Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane run it back in Paris, France?

  • O’Malley Expects “Smart” Sterling To Have A Better Plan In Yan Rematch

    Rising UFC bantamweight star Sean O’Malley has given his take on the upcoming unification showdown between champion Aljamain Sterling and interim titleholder Petr Yan.

    Since their controversial clash at UFC 259 last March, which saw Sterling crowned champion via disqualification, a rematch between “Funk Master” and Yan has been inevitable.

    While it may have been initially delayed after Sterling underwent neck surgery and later pulled off the UFC 267 card last October, we finally appear set to see the two rivals settle their score inside the Octagon.

    After Alexander Volkanovski’s next defense was moved from UFC 272 to UFC 273, the upcoming bantamweight title fight went with it. Yan and Sterling will now throw down for all the marbles on April 9.

    O’Malley Believes Sterling Has The Skills To Beat Yan

    Given the fact Yan appeared to be on his way to a comfortable victory in their first clash and has since had interim gold wrapped around his waist following an impeccable performance against Cory Sandhagen in Abu Dhabi, it’s unsurprising that “No Mercy” is being considered the favorite ahead of the rematch.

    But while the Russian is in hot form and is yet to be beaten in the UFC outside of his DQ setback, one ranked 135lber is warning against counting Sterling out.

    During an appearance on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast earlier this month, O’Malley insisted Sterling is too “smart” to make the same mistakes and follow the same game plan he brought into UFC 259 last year. While “Sugar” doesn’t necessarily believe “Funk Master” will beat Yan, he does believe the champ has the tools to do it.

    “I do-ish (see the rematch going down the same way). But I also think Aljamain is smart. He’s not a stupid guy. He’s very, very high level, his résumé speaks for itself,” O’Malley said. “I think he went in with the wrong game plan (at UFC 259). He went in and gassed out in a couple rounds. If you watch Petr’s fights, you know he’s gonna cruise for a little bit, try to figure you out, and then start putting on the pressure in the later rounds. He does that every fight.

    “Aljamain Sterling’s gotta see that, gotta recognize that, and come in with a different game plan,” added O’Malley. “I think Aljamain has skills, and he has the skills; he could beat Petr. I don’t necessarily see it happening, but I’m not counting him out. He’s a top, top bantamweight for a reason, and I think it’s gonna be a very interesting fight.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CYLfci5rx4x/

    While his status as champion has been disputed and looked down upon by some, Sterling’s ability can’t be denied, as was proven during his run before facing Yan. His five straight victories prior to UFC 259 included triumphs against Sandhagen, Pedro Munhoz, Jimmie Rivera, and Cody Stamann.

    While Yan will be looking to regain the undisputed belt he doesn’t believe he rightfully lost, Sterling will be hoping to prove many in the MMA community wrong at UFC 273 and legitimize his place on the bantamweight mountaintop.

    Who do you think will leave UFC 273 as the undisputed bantamweight king, Aljamain Sterling or Petr Yan?

  • Quote: Harrison Is P4P Best Female Fighter Ever, Not Rousey/Nunes

    According to Dominance MMA Management CEO Ali Abdelaziz, Kayla Harrison is the pound-for-pound greatest female fighter of all time.

    In the space of three-and-a-half years, Harrison has rapidly grown from a newcomer to the sport to the hottest free agent in MMA. In doing so, she’s collected 12 wins, including five by knockout and five by submission, two PFL world championships, and a handsome $2 million in prize money.

    Having added those accolades to her already illustrious career in combat sports, which includes back-to-back Olympic gold medals at London 2012 and in Rio de Janeiro four years later, the 31-year-old has quickly entered the female GOAT conversation, at least according to her manager.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CYrLabTh4XJ/

    While some believe she first has to prove herself in the UFC before surpassing the likes of former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and former two-division titleholder and reigning featherweight queen Amanda Nunes, Harrison’s manager sees things differently.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Danny Segura, Abdelaziz, who also manages the likes of Kamaru Usman, Henry Cejudo, Justin Gaethje, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, claimed Harrison has already established herself as the best P4P female fighter we’ve ever seen enter the cage.

    “Listen, let’s make this clear today, Kayla Harrison is the pound-for-pound greatest female fighter we’ve ever seen,” said Abdelaziz. “It’s not Ronda, we’ve seen what happened to Amanda, it’s not Julianna Peña, it’s Kayla Harrison. This girl, she was born to collect gold. There’s not a woman on the planet, and some of the men too, born to beat Kayla Harrison.”

    PFL Is The “Frontrunner” For Harrison’s Signature

    Harrison has been a free agent ever since her dominant victory over Taylor Guardado at the 2021 PFL Finals last October. Having previously suggested the rising promotion would have to offer her a significantly more lucrative deal to retain her services, and after appearing at both Bellator and UFC events, it seemed an arrival on fresh land was likely.

    However, it now looks like fans could be set for another season of Harrison inside the PFL cage. During his conversation with Segura, Abdelaziz confirmed that the PFL is the frontrunner for her signature. However, he said nothing has been signed as of yet.

    “Right now, PFL is the frontrunner. I’ve seen a report that she’s signed with the PFL, that is not a correct,” asserted Abdelaziz. “She’s still a free agent. But at the end of the day, listen, PFL have been great to her. They’re being great to all of us… A couple things need to happen, and is in the process, and I think, you know, PFL is looking really good right now.”

    In another interview from Segura, Harrison herself confirmed the report, which came out a number of weeks ago. Despite revealing that the UFC had made a “good starting offer,” she suggested her immediate future will likely see her target a third PFL title and a third $1 million check.

    Do you think another season with the PFL is the best choice for Kayla Harrison’s career?

  • Coach: We Knew Ngannou’s Injury Was Leaked When The Odds Moved

    Francis Ngannou’s coach Eric Nicksick has revealed what convinced him and his team that the UFC heavyweight champion’s knee injury had been leaked prior to UFC 270.

    At the opening pay-per-view of 2022, Ngannou overcame adversity, pressure, and the odds to secure his status as the undisputed heavyweight king. In a battle against undefeated Frenchman Ciryl Gane, who was widely expected to bring a new breed of technical heavyweights to the top, “The Predator” adapted and re-strategized to hunt down his prey.

    After struggling to get close to Gane on the feet in the opening two rounds, Ngannou capitalized on a caught kick and took the fight to the ground. From there, he showed his improved wrestling game and maintained top control for much of the remaining minutes and, in doing so, secured a unanimous decision victory.

    As if the performance wasn’t impressive enough, Ngannou revealed in his post-fight interview that he’d fought through a torn MCL and damaged ACL. While rumors of a potential knee injury appeared to have been proven true when he entered the Octagon wearing knee wraps, not many would have expected the extent of the injury to have been as serious as it was.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZFgy3PsLf_/

    Nicksick Explains Why Ngannou’s Injury Was Always Going To Get Out

    Despite some rumors floating around, talk of a potential injury wasn’t as prevalent as many would have expected given the nature of it. That discussion came up during a recent episode of Bruce Buffer’s It’s Time! podcast. Co-host TJ De Santis questioned how the lines, which had Ngannou as an underdog, would have looked had news of the injury broke.

    Eric Nicksick, who appeared on the podcast alongside Ngannou and the champ’s manager Marquel Martin, pointed out that they knew people were aware of the damage prior to UFC 270. According to the Xtreme Couture coach, the leak was obvious once the betting lines began to shift.

    “They knew, TJ,” said Nicksick. “‘Cause I said to Marquel, ’cause we’re Vegas boys, I said to Marquel, like two weeks out, I go, ‘Hey, when we start seeing these lines move, the lines start moving, we’ll know that the word is out that he’s messed up.’ There’s enough eyes, enough people around, and it’s not like, malicious; it just happens to be that way.”

    Nicksick added that news of Ngannou’s hurt knee was always likely to get out, especially in Las Vegas.

    “If he’s at the PI getting his knee wrapped or he has a knee brace on, if one person sees it, he’s gonna tell three or five people,” added Nicksick. “And in Vegas, we know, we’re born and raised here, so they’re looking for any way they can to move that line. I told Marquel, ‘Hey, that line’s moving, the word is out.’”

    In late December, Ngannou was set as a narrow favorite by FanDuel, a line that flipped in the weeks prior to the event.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZISzJ7Prar/

    In the aftermath of 2022’s first UFC PPV, the seriousness of Ngannou’s injury was put into perspective. According to the Cameroonian, he’d been warned against fighting by a doctor due to the possibility of “irreversible damage.”

    Having bet on himself and on his knee, and won, Ngannou has emerged from the other side in a strong position, both in terms of his status in the heavyweight division and in contract negotiations with the UFC.

    What did you make of Francis Ngannou’s performance at UFC 270, especially given his knee injury?

  • Tai Tuivasa Admits To Accepting Derrick Lewis Fight While ‘Blind Drunk’

    UFC heavyweight contender Tai Tuivasa has admitted to being “blind” drunk when he agreed to go toe-to-toe with Derrick Lewis at UFC 271 next weekend.

    In a rare example of a fight where a knockout is almost guaranteed, #3-ranked Lewis and #11-ranked Tuivasa will meet in Houston’s Toyota Center for an Octagon-sharing heavyweight collision on February 12.

    For “Bam Bam,” the co-main event contest will represent the opportunity for him to extend his win streak to five and climb to within touching distance of a title shot that was beyond unlikely just two years ago.

    Lewis, meanwhile, fell short of UFC gold again last August when he was finished by Ciryl Gane at UFC 265. Now, “The Black Beast” is after fun and pressure-free fights for the remainder of his UFC days. There aren’t many fighters who encapsulate the word “fun” quite like Tuivasa.

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

    While a clash with Lewis would be seen as a daunting task by most, and also a fantastic opportunity for Tuivasa to rise the ranks, “Bam Bam” has revealed he may not have been thinking clearly when he agreed to trade blows with the Louisiana native…

    “I was on the piss; I was blind [drunk],” Tuivasa revealed to ESPN. “I didn’t notice until the next morning that [UFC matchmaker] Mick Maynard messaged me and I had messaged back. He messaged, ‘Are you awake,’ and I was like, ‘Yeah.’ It was like 4:30 in the morning. And then I woke up to 20 missed calls from my manager, from my coach Sully [Shaun Sullivan] and sh*t like that, so I was like, ‘Something must have happened.’

    “And then it come up, and why not? Why wouldn’t I?” Tuivasa continued. “It’s a great opportunity. Obviously, he’s #2 or #3 or whatever he is. He’s a fan favorite; I’m a fan favorite. I really respect Derrick, what he’s done and the person he is… Why wouldn’t I say yes? I think it’s all win-win, it’s an opportunity for me, so I’m all in. And I think it’s my time, it’s my time to take over and become the new [revered] fighter of my generation, just like he was before me. I think it’s my time to take over.”

    While a fighter accepting a bout while five-plus beers deep would usually be surprising, this isn’t, for a few reasons.

    Firstly, one would imagine you’d have to be slightly intoxicated to accept a fight with Lewis. “The Black Beast” is the most prolific knockout artist in UFC history. Out of his 17 victories in the promotion, 12 have come via knockout. Not only is he a terrifying beast when the cage door shuts, but he’s currently a beast in form, having brutally knocked rising contender Chris Daukaus out cold less than two months ago.

    Secondly, Tuivasa is Tuivasa.

    I could almost leave it at that, but I’ll provide some context. “Bam Bam,” you could say, is partial to a beverage. Almost in the same way Tom Brady is partial to throwing a football…

    From the man who brings us copious amounts of shoeys after each victory and has even created his own drinking device called the “shoeyvasa,” is a drunk fight acceptance all too surprising? It seems like the classic Tuivasa fans have come to know and love.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CY9kbzsMZn0/

    Lewis Brands Tuivasa’s Shoeys As “Nasty”

    Tuivasa’s post-fight shoeys following his first-round KO triumphs over Greg Hardy and Augusto Sakai last year had Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena roaring and fans across the world entertained. But if Lewis could use one word to describe the beer-drinking practice, it would be “nasty.”

    During a recent interview on Fox Sports’ Main Event, “The Black Beast” praised Tuivasa for finishing Hardy last July, but also questioned his post-fight tradition. Those expecting a Lewis shoey anytime soon will be bitterly disappointed.

    “Yeah, he’s good man. I like him, I like Tai. And I really appreciate him knocking out Greg Hardy like he did in that fight. Greg was talking a lot of trash at me. So I appreciate him,” said Lewis. “But I just don’t like the shoe, the beer drinking out the shoe, what y’all do out there. I don’t like it, that’s nasty. My feet smell cheesy.”

    It seems like Lewis’ feet often get hot, as well as his balls…

    While Tuivasa has established the shoey as his trademark post-fight celebration, Lewis is yet to bring out a quirky tradition that involves the fans in attendance. That’s except for throwing his cup into the Apex crowd last time out in Vegas.

    How about a wager? If Tuivasa wins, Lewis has to do a shoey inside the Octagon, but if Lewis wins, Tuivasa has to take Lewis’ cup home? Although, knowing the Aussie’s care-free attitude, he’d probably frame it and hang it on his wall…

    Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 271, Tai Tuivasa or Derrick Lewis?

  • Pimblett Reveals Why He’s Glad Gordon Fight Didn’t Come To Fruition

    UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett has explained why he’s partly pleased that a fight with previously-rumored opponent Jared Gordon didn’t come to fruition.

    2021 was certainly a breakout year for Pimblett on the global MMA stage. The former Cage Warriors champion made his long-awaited promotional debut on a European-heavy UFC Vegas 36 card last September. His first task was to dispatch Luigi Vendramini.

    After the opening exchanges, it looked like that was going to be a bigger challenge than first expected. After being rocked by some clean shots and taken down, the early momentum was with the Brazilian. That didn’t last. Making good on his pre-fight prediction, the Liverpudlian flipped the script towards the end of the first round and knocked Vendramini out.

    Now, after a longer-than-desired layoff, Pimblett is preparing for his sophomore Octagon outing. It’ll come in front of a home crowd at UFC London on March 19. In his way of a continued rise up the 155-pound ladder will be Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas.

    Pimblett Doesn’t Want To Face UFC Vets Yet

    Prior to the official fight announcement, Paddy Pimblett was expected to face a lightweight he’d interacted with in the past and had expressed interest in facing, Jared Gordon. All signs pointed towards the matchup being made and UFC President Dana White confirmed as much.

    But after both parties disputed White’s remarks and denied that the fight had been offered to them, news broke that Pimblett’s return to action would come against 1-2 UFC fighter Vargas.

    While a clash with Gordon would have represented a big step-up in competition, as well as the chance to avenge his teammate Chris Fishgold’s 2020 defeat to “Flash,” Pimblett is actually glad he’s been booked against another relative newcomer instead.

    During a recent appearance on the UFC Unfiltered podcast, “The Baddy” suggested he’d rather wait to fight UFC veterans like Gordon until he secures a more lucrative contract with the promotion.

    “He (Gordon) never got floated at my team to be honest. No fighter actually got put forward until Rodrigo Vargas. The first opponent I got given was Rodrigo Vargas. But I would have happily fought Jared Gordon, but at the same time, I looked at it and he’s had nine UFC fights. How much money do you think he’s getting? He’s getting a lot more than me, lad. So, thinking about it that way, I’m glad I never ended up fighting Jared Gordon, ’cause I want a better and bigger contract before I fight people like that.”

    Having previously asserted he won’t be fighting any top-10 lightweight without a six-figure contract, it’s clear Pimblett will be attempting to bring a rising pay bracket with him as he jumps up the UFC ranks.

    https://twitter.com/theufcbaddy/status/1486745774444662787

    While he may be facing an arguably lesser level of competition than Gordon on March 19, Pimblett appears to harbor hope of facing “Flash” down the line, a sentiment shared by Gordon on social media.

    For now, “The Baddy” will hope to extend his winning start in the promotion with a triumph against Vargas and begin what he hopes to be a 3-0 year in MMA’s premier organization. Perhaps #2 or #3 can come against Gordon if Pimblett can get past “Kazula.”

    Would you like to see Paddy Pimblett and Jared Gordon share the Octagon down the line?