MMA News

Category: MMA

  • Jon Jones Shares Emotions After Fiancée Split & “Embarrassing” Video

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has provided an update on how he’s dealing with the split from his fiancée.

    Jones posted on his social media earlier this week that he and his long-time fiancée, Jessie Moses, have recently called it quits. This comes just months after Jones’ alleged battery domestic violence incident with her at a Las Vegas hotel.

    Jones was also arrested that night on vehicle tampering charges for headbutting the hood of a police vehicle. He recently plead no contest to the battery domestic violence charges in exchange for having them dismissed and paying for the vehicle damage.

    It’s not yet clear what officially ended the partnership, but one can deduce that the incident in September may have been the icing on the cake.

    Jones updated his followers on his wellbeing in a series of recent tweets. He began by addressing the bodycam footage of his arrest in Las Vegas, which was made public this week.

    https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1496904521691267072?s=20&t=zDD5HKbReQX-6fuHAzMTOw

    “Lol, I was hoping that video got lost in some files somewhere,” Jones said.

    After one fan checked in on him in a Twitter reply, he elaborated on his overall mood and where he intends to go from here.

    https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1496910253778030592?s=20&t=zDD5HKbReQX-6fuHAzMTOw

    “I can deal with embarrassment, it’s the loneliness that gets me,” Jones admitted. “Taking things one day at a time.”

    Jones addressed his haters following his announced split from his fiance, hinting that they may be celebrating his recent missteps. He sounded optimistic when approached with the topic.

    https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1496914031495434243?s=20&t=PAuQgHvkzLJFDRbxnSaR3w

    “No way my guy, the story is far from over,” Jones replied to a fan. “I’m wise enough to know that we all go through seasons in life. I’ve had many great ones and several bad ones. I’m excited for the next one, about to be heavyweight champion of the world, capable of so many things, loved.”

    Jones is planning a return to the Octagon in 2022 as he prepares for his heavyweight debut. He’s recently hinted at a fight with the “heavyweight GOAT” Stipe Miocic, although nothing is in motion just yet.

    UFC President Dana White and the rest of the brass have yet to comment publicly on the bodycam footage and the development in Jones’ family life.

    What is your reaction to Jon Jones’ downfall?

  • Bobby Green To Beneil Dariush: “We’re Even Now”

    UFC lightweight Bobby Green is happy to fill in for Beneil Dariush at UFC Vegas 49 after Dariush stepped up for him earlier in their careers.

    Green is set to face rising lightweight contender Islam Makhachev in the UFC Vegas 49 main event. Green most recently earned a unanimous decision win over Nasrat Harparast just days ago at UFC 271.

    Dariush pulled out of his originally scheduled main event bout with Makhachev after suffering an injury in his training camp. The UFC quickly moved to find a replacement, with Green raising his hand without hesitation.

    During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Green sent Dariush a message after stepping up for him on short notice.

    “Dariush filled in for me for a fight where I got hurt,” Green said. “So Dariush, heal up, get better, I got your back. You filled in for me, now I filled in for you. We’re even.”

    Green is likely referring to when he and Dariush were supposed to square off at UFC 222 in 2018 before Green pulled out with an injury. Dariush would stay on the card and face Alexander Hernandez, suffering a first-round knockout.

    UFC 222 results: Alexander Hernandez shocks Beneil Dariush with first round knockout
    Getty Images

    Green has won back-to-back fights over Haqparast and former lightweight title challenger Al Iaquinta after suffering defeats to Rafael Fiziev and Thiago Moises. He made his UFC debut against Jacob Volkmann back at UFC 156.

    Before suffering an injury, Dariush appeared to be on the verge of a title shot in the lightweight division. He has won seven straight including recent dominant wins over Tony Ferguson and Scott Holtzman.

    It’s unclear how long Dariush will be sidelined as he recovers from his injury. But for now, Green is ready and willing to fill the void and help save the UFC Vegas 49 card.

    What is your prediction for Bobby Green vs. Islam Makhachev?

  • Korean Zombie Plans To Pick Ortega’s Brains Ahead Of Volkanovski Fight

    UFC featherweight contender Chan Sung Jung, otherwise known as ‘The Korean Zombie, plans to utilize his old rival for Alexander Volkanovski.

    Jung has been training at the growing Fight Ready gym in Arizona, alongside former UFC champions such as Jon Jones and Henry Cejudo. He has also come across Brian Ortega, a former rival of his who recently fell to Volkanovski at UFC 266.

    Jung will step up and fight Volkanovski in substitute of Max Holloway, who pulled out of UFC 273 just days after it was first announced. This will be Jung’s second title shot after falling to José Aldo at UFC 163.

    Jung plans to use all resources he can to prepare for arguably the biggest fight of his career against Volkanovski. During a recent interview with The Schmo, Jung hinted at working with Ortega in the lead up to his fight with Volkanovski.

    “I’d love to pick his brain a little bit,” Jung said. “I know he went back to California yesterday, so I’m looking for him to come back so we can talk about it a little more.”

    Jung earned the next title shot after winning three of his last four fights in the Octagon. He most recently put on a dominant performance against Dan Ige last June after falling to Ortega in a lopsided defeat.

    Volkanovski earned the title over Holloway at UFC 245 before defending it against him at UFC 251. The rematch was controversial, and some believe Holloway deserved to get the win on the scorecards.

    Regardless, Jung will get the next featherweight title shot and an opportunity to become the first Korean-born UFC champion. He’ll look to shock the world at UFC 273, with potentially the help of his former adversary Ortega.

    What is your prediction for The Korean Zombie vs. Alexander Volkanovski?

  • Jorge Masvidal Explains Why Beating Covington Must Mean Title Shot

    UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal thinks a win over former American Top Team teammate Colby Covington will earn him a title shot.

    Masvidal will face his friend-turned-foe Covington in the main event of UFC 272. The two top welterweights will settle their ongoing beef in the Octagon in a matchup set for five rounds.

    Masvidal and Covington are both looking to get back into the welterweight title picture after losses to Kamaru Usman. Covington most recently fell to Usman via unanimous decision at UFC 268, and Masvidal is coming off back-to-back losses to Usman at UFC 251 and UFC 261.

    Masvidal and Covington’s chances at another shot at Usman appear to be on life support after falling short in multiple opportunities. But during a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Masvidal sounded optimistic about what a win over Covington would do for his title shot odds.

    “He’s got the number-one ranking, so it’s gotta do something, right?” Masvidal said. “Because those rankings, as much bullshit that I think they are, he does have the number one. So there’s no denying me. If I’m number one, there’s no denying me, and that’s it. What has to happen has to happen.”

    Masvidal was supposed to face Leon Edwards at UFC 269 before pulling out with an injury. He is fully recovered from his injury and appears ready to potentially make another run at the belt in 2022.

    Before his back-to-back losses to Usman, Masvidal earned finishes over Ben Askren and Darren Till, along with a doctor’s stoppage win over Nate Diaz. He remains one of the UFC’s biggest stars and will look to capitalize on another main event opportunity at UFC 272.

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

  • Whittaker: I Thought I Had Won At Least Three Rounds Against Adesanya

    UFC middleweight Robert Whittaker says he feels he won a minimum of three rounds in his recent UFC 271 loss to Israel Adesanya.

    The former UFC middleweight champion lost the fight via unanimous decision after a competitive back-and-forth fight against the man who captured his belt back in 2019. Whittaker began the fight on the back foot but picked up the pace as the fight went on yet fell just short on the judges’ scorecards.

    Many believe the Australian had done enough to win the fight having mixed in takedowns and octagon control in a tactical approach many expected from Whittaker. The 31-year-old was visually disheartened to hear the verdict from Bruce Buffer after a grueling five-rounds against Adesanya.

    Whittaker: “I Thought I Had, At A Minimum, Won Three Rounds”

    Robert Whittaker
    Robert Whittaker, Image Credit: Getty Images

    Speaking to Submission Radio, Whittaker reflected on his disappointment of coming short in his battle against Adesanya.

    “There’s that underlying current of disappointment that I didn’t get the nod,” Whittaker explained. “That I didn’t get the W that I believe I should have. But in saying that, on the back of it though, I have that satisfying feeling of that I went in there and took it to him. I believe I made a great account of myself and I really really took it to him to the point where I’m satisfied with my performance I guess.”

    Whittaker was defeated in his first fight with Adesanya in the 2nd round and was motivated to at least showcase he is capable of defeating the champion at UFC 271. He did so in taking down ‘The Last Stylebender’ four times throughout the fight. He feels that those takedowns along with his striking edged him at least three rounds.

    “I thought I had, at a minimum, won three rounds. That’s why I wasn’t fighting with a sense of a guy with his back against the wall. But yeah, it is what it is. I think every time we threw hands, I got the better exchange of the strikes, as well as the introduction of the takedowns. So I was confident,” Whittaker said.

    Whittaker has recently opened up on his interest in facing Marvin Vettori in his next fight, meaning a return to the Octagon could soon be around the corner for the former champion.

    Do you agree with Whittaker that he won at least three rounds? Or do you feel as though Adesanya rightfully retained his title?

  • Jędrzejczyk Responds To Notion She Should Accept An “Easy Fight”

    Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk is ready to return to the title picture and not take a tune-up fight for her 2022 debut.

    Jędrzejczyk has been inactive since UFC 248 in early 2020 when she lost in a split decision to then-strawweight champion Zhang Weili. Before that, she had won two of her previous three to get back into the thick of things in the strawweight division.

    Some fans may believe that the two-year layoff that Jędrzejczyk has taken from the Octagon may be to her detriment. But she remains as poised and confident as ever ahead of her planned return to the cage later this year.

    During a recent interview with MMA journalist Helen Yee, Jędrzejczyk explained why she doesn’t see a point in taking a fight against a less experienced opponent.

    “People are like, ‘Oh, you should get an easy fight.’ There’s no easy fights in the UFC, especially this whole sport,” Jędrzejczyk said. “And the strawweight division, the women’s division is growing up. So the fight is a pleasure. And the hardest part is done so many weeks before, and it’s the training. So I never train easy. I always train hard…so I prefer to get the big fight and the money fight, and (I’m) patiently waiting, preparing here. And I will just be getting stronger and better.”

    As for who Jędrzejczyk will face in her Octagon return, that remains unclear. Jędrzejczyk recently claimed that she had been offered a world title fight but opted not to sit out for the required time.

    A rematch with Zhang Weili would certainly make sense for both women. Following her win over Jędrzejczyk, Weili went on to lose back-to-back fights to Rose Namajunas in 2021.

    Who do you want to see Joanna Jędrzejczyk fight in her return to the cage?

  • Islam Makhachev Roasts Bobby Green’s Wrestling, Green Isn’t Amused

    Islam Makhachev got a good chuckle when the subject of Bobby Green’s wrestling skills was brought up in a recent interview.

    Fans who have been following Islam Makhachev’s UFC career can attest to just how much his English skills have improved over the years. Makhachev has gone from not speaking English, barely being able to put a sentence together, speaking a moderate amount of English, to now becoming a full-blown roastmaster, at least when it comes to Bobby Green’s wrestling skills.

    At UFC Vegas 49, Makhachev will be facing Green at a 160 lbs. catchweight bout, with Green serving as a replacement for the injured Beneil Dariush. Makhachev appeared on the ESPN program DC & RC, which is co-hosted by a mentor and teammate of Makhachev’s over at American Top Team, Daniel Cormier.

    Makhachev told Cormier and Ryan Clark that his game plan never changes, even when his opponent does. However, Bobby Green was an all-state wrestler at the high school level. With this in mind, Cormier tried to educate Makhachev about Green’s wrestling background that complements his striking, and Makhachev responded by laughing in his face.

    Their dialogue was as follows:

    Daniel Cormier: But with Bobby Green, he’s got a very different style, Islam. He’s very talented, he’s slick, and he’s good on the standup. But what many people miss is how good of a wrestler Bobby Green is. He’s really good at defending takedowns. He has a wrestling background.

    Islam Makhachev: Who said? <laughs>

    Daniel Cormier: Listen, I’m telling you. What do you mean, ‘Who said?’ <laughs> What do you mean?”

    Islam Makhachev: Brother, he got good boxing and that’s it, brother. <wide smile>

    Daniel Cormier: He has a wrestling background, Islam.

    Islam Makhachev: Maybe he watch some wrestling match. That’s it, brother.

    <Cormier & Ryan Clark break out laughing>

    Islam Makhachev: I wrestle, brother, all my life. Wrestling background? <takes swig of water>

    You can view the bulk of the exchange below.

    Bobby Green Isn’t Amused

    During a UFC Vegas 49 media day scrum, it seemed as though Bobby Green had caught wind of Makhachev’s remarks. Green did not directly reference the DC & RC segment, but he clearly has reason to believe that Makhachev is not taking him seriously as a competitor and that Daniel Cormier will continue trying to get through to him.

    “I feel like he doesn’t respect me. He doesn’t understand me, either,” Green said. “I don’t know if he’s been watching, but I know DC is one of his guys. And DC’s gonna let him know. ‘Hey, do this, and do this, and do this.’ DC’s been paying attention to me. We’ll see.”

    If Green has his way, he won’t need to prove his wrestling credentials to Islam because he’s made no secret that he wants the fight to be a standup battle. He has stated that he will be the first person to put Makhachev in a real fight and that it will not be a wrestling match on Saturday but a fight.

    Makhachev has other ideas. He has not hidden his game plan of wrestling with Green. And judging from his reaction to Cormier’s scouting report, he does not believe Green will be equipped to do anything to prevent being put on his back and submitted.

    Do you think Islam Makhachev is underestimating Bobby Green?

  • Kevin Lee Speaks On The Controversy Surrounding Joe Rogan

    Ex-UFC Veteran Kevin Lee has shared his dislike for the surge of negativity against Joe Rogan in the media.

    Lee will debut at Eagle FC on March 11 against Diego Sanchez in a catchweight bout. The match follows his recent, sudden release from the UFC.

    There were some hardships that led up to Lee’s release from the promotion. USADA gave him a 6-month suspension for the use of Adderall weeks prior. In addition, leading up to the end of his UFC career, he took home only one victory in his last 5 fights. The losses brought some uncertainty to his future with the promotion.

    And like every other fighter in any promotion, with a loss comes criticism and hate from the public.

    It is a cold world. Trolls on social media tried to tear him down after every defeat. So Kevin Lee may know, through experience, how Joe Rogan feels at the moment.

    Following accusations of spreading COVID-19 misinformation on his podcast and videos showing him using racially insensitive language, many have called for The Joe Rogan Experience to be shut down and taken off of Spotify.

    In Rogan’s defense, he claims his words were taken out of context. Kevin Lee admits to having a similar experience because social media has also misconstrued his words in the past as well.

    “Sometimes I hate being on social media. Sometimes I hate communicating with people because it can always be taken out of context. So it’s like, maybe I should just do actions and not say anything. Even though that’s not where we want to be either. You got a voice, it’s worth something. It’s not always worth something bad, especially if you don’t have no ill intention behind it,” Lee explained in an interview with Middle Easy.

    Joe Rogan Vs. “Cancel Culture”

    Joe Rogan
    Joe Rogan, Photo Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

    Times are rough for Joe Rogan at the moment, and it doesn’t help that his podcast also has long-standing accusations of transphobic comments and spreading misinformation about the community.

    No matter how much Joe Rogan apologizes for certain behaviors, it seems much of the public cannot be pleased. And Kevin Lee, among others, has spoken out in his defense.

    Lee blames the “culture” for the negative spotlight on Rogan.

    “One day maybe we’ll figure out a way to solve these types of issues. But one thing we can’t do is turn our back on each other, even when you do like make little mistakes or slip up. That comes in everybody’s life. At some point, I’m going to say some dumb sh*t. I have said some dumb sh*t. It’s real easy for people to write people off. I think that’s just a f*cked up way to be. It’s just a f*cked up culture,” Lee continued to say.

    “Cancel culture” has taken aim at the careers of many. One prime example is Gina Carrano, who claims she was ‘canceled’ when she was removed from LucasFilm after using social media to voice some of her political opinions.

    Many UFC fans missed Joe Rogan at UFC 271. And according to Dana White, he could have been there.

    The absence produced many questions and sparked a debate: Was it because of scheduling conflicts, or is the recent controversy at fault?

    What are your thoughts on Kevin Lee’s opinion of the Joe Rogan controversy?

  • Miesha Tate Wins Celebrity Big Brother Reality TV Show

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate can now claim that she is now a champion of a major reality television show.

    Tate was named the winner of Celebrity Big Brother, a Survivor-style show where various celebrities spend time in a house and compete in various competitions. Tate was considered the frontrunner after winning the opening Head of Household, the role who controls who gets evicted and kicked off the show.

    Tate could be seen training MMA and exercising during the show as she gets ready for her return to the Octagon. She’ll return later this year at a May UFC Fight Night event in her flyweight debut against Lauren Murphy.

    Tate would win a grand prize of $250,000 for winning this season of the show.

    Tate’s last appearance on a reality television show came as a coach on Season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter opposite Ronda Rousey. The two bantamweight rivals would face off at the end of the season, with Rousey winning by submission.

    Tate most recently lost to Ketlen Vieira back in November, her second fight back after returning from retirement. Upon her return to the cage, she earned a dominant win over Marion Reneau.

    Who do you want to see Miesha Tate fight next?

  • Alexis Davis Departs UFC Following Recent Victory

    UFC veteran Alexis Davis has not been offered a contract by the UFC following the expiration of her current deal and will now test free agency.

    UFC Roster Watch were first to reveal the news of Davis’ apparent exit from the UFC to the shock of the fans. Later, TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter revealed that the organization opted against renewing her contract rather than releasing the bantamweight.

    Davis is coming off a victory less than three weeks ago at UFC Vegas 47 where she defeated Julija Stoliarenko. This saw her achieve two victories out of her last three fights, yet this still wasn’t seen as enough to warrant her place in the organization as she is now a free agent.

    The Canadian had recently gone through a rough ride in the UFC which saw her lose three consecutive fights in a spell between 2018 and 2019. Before she rebounded with a win over Sabina Mazo more recently in 2021.

    Davis is well known for being a former challenger for the UFC bantamweight title against Ronda Rousey. On that night, the ‘Ally-Gator’ was unable to achieve her dream as Rousey finished her within 16 seconds following a slam and follow-up strikes.

    Before that loss, Davis had entered the UFC with some serious momentum winning her first three fights, defeating the likes of Jessica Eye in the process. Davis is also one of few to have defeated who many recognize as the ‘GOAT’ of women’s MMA, Amanda Nunes, having defeated the Brazilian outside of the UFC back in 2011 on Strikeforce.

    It is unknown what is the reasoning behind the UFC’s decision to go against offering the veteran a new deal. However, Davis will now be able to explore her options elsewhere as she becomes a free agent.

    What do you make of the UFC’s decision to opt against renewing Alexis Davis contract?

  • Triller Purchases Majority Stake In Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

    Bare Knuckle FC President David Feldman has announced that Triller has purchased a majority stake in his promotion.

    Feldman announced the news during a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour (h/t MMA Fighting).

    “We grew this thing to a point where we thought that we got it as far as we could take it by ourselves right now,” Feldman said of BKFC. “We’ve overcome so many obstacles and so many people telling us no and, ‘this will never happen, you’ll never make it work.’ And we got to a point where we’re pretty well accepted among the combat sports community right now, and we needed to make a partnership that was going to take us to the next level, create more opportunities, more resources, more funding, more things like that to acquire some more fighters, take care of the fighters that are already there, and just create more opportunities for everybody.

    “So we have entered into an agreement to have the majority stake of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship be acquired by Triller Verzuz. So Triller will acquire the majority stake in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, like I said, to allow more opportunities, more resources, more funding, just everything that we really need to vie for that No. 1, No. 2 spot in combat sports.”

    BKFC has most recently hosted their KnuckleMania 2 event, featuring a matchup between former UFC fighter Mike Perry and former The Ultimate Fighter standout Julian Lane. Other former UFC fighters such as Paige VanZant and Chad Mendes have also signed with the promotion.

    Triller expanded into fight promotion back in 2020, with their first event featuring a boxing exhibition between legends Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. Former UFC champions Anderson Silva and Tito Ortiz have also competed for Triller in recent months.

    What is your reaction to the BKFC-Triller ownership merge?

  • Brock Lesnar Reveals What He Asked Dana White Before MMA Debut

    UFC President Dana White gave former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar his own makeshift Octagon to get ready for his MMA transition.

    Lesnar last fought in MMA at UFC 200, earning a decision win over Mark Hunt that was later overturned to a no-contest. This was after Lesnar tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in a pre-fight test.

    But Lesnar’s MMA career included arguably the best start in the sport’s history. After a professional debut win against Min Soo Kim in K-1 Hero’s, he would win four of his first five fights in the UFC including his heavyweight title win over Randy Couture at UFC 91.

    Lesnar would go on to defend the title against Frank Mir and Shane Carwin before losing it to Cain Velasquez.

    Lesnar made his transition to MMA after a long tenure in professional wrestling. He continues to be a massive star in the WWE, and it wasn’t an easy move to MMA for him.

    During a recent interview on The Pat McAfee Show, Lesnar told a story about the lengths he went to become physically and mentally ready for his UFC debut.

    “Like when you go through the door… I built or ordered an Octagon so I could, didn’t have at first, like, jitters of getting in an Octagon,” Lesnar admitted. “I’m like, ‘Dana, I want an Octagon’ and like, ah boom, [the UFC] shipped an Octagon. So I can fight in it and practice in it, you know? But then you’re in front of 20,000 people and they shut the door and it’s like, ‘Ahhh’.”

    “Boom, then it took off. I fought Heath Herring and then I got Randy Couture and won the belt.” (h/t The Sun)

    While Lesnar has alluded to his cordial relationship with White, he has admitted that he feels he should’ve been compensated more for his efforts. This comes amidst current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou’s call for a better pay structure for fighters.

    Lesnar continues to be a prominent figure in the WWE and can be seen competing in the promotion’s Monday Night Raw shows, among others.

    Where would you rank Brock Lesnar amongst the best all-time UFC heavyweights?

  • Adesanya Gives Jake Paul’s Campaign For Improved Fighter Pay A Nod

    Israel Adesanya is giving props to Jake Paul.

    Israel Adesanya is fresh off his latest title defense when he defeated Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 271. Right before that fight, Adesanya closed a massive deal with the UFC. He signed a new deal with an undisclosed amount of money involved, but according to his management made him one of the highest-paid fighters on the roster.

    Now that Adesanya is where he should be moneywise, he is giving Jake Paul some admiration for his battle for better fighter pay.

    “I think Jake Paul was the right guy to [challenge Dana White] at the time,” Adesanya told talkSPORT (via Daily Mail). “He was one of the guys to get this conversation going that Francis [Ngannou] jumped in. You have me even now speaking about it. I’m talking about the guy who is having the second fight in the UFC, I think they should be paid well enough that they can have a 12-week training camp without having a second or third job.”

    Paul has been vocal about wanting to help UFC fighters raise their paychecks. He has gone back-and-forth publicity with Dana White regarding the urge to pay the fighters more money. Paul has just a handful of boxing fights on his résumé but is making a lucrative living. Not only is he living well through fighting, but he says he wants to help others do the same.

    Paul has taken it upon himself to buy some stock in UFC’s parent company Endeavor in hopes of having a say in the decision-making process regarding fighter pay. Although he has not made an impact formally just yet, Adesanya thinks that Paul bringing the subject too light is helping. Adesanya explained that he had a chance to speak with Paul personally and believes that he is sincere in his campaign to help other fighters.

    “I ended up at his house after the fight and we went deep into some conversations and talking to him, you realize ‘man, this guy is really serious. Like, he’s not just doing this for [clout, etc],” Adesanya said. “Because if you don’t know him, you just kind of fall into that ‘Ah, this snobby little kid we think he’s just doing this for attention, for likes or clout, but you talk to him and it’s like ‘Yo, he’s really serious.’”

    It is not only the new UFC fighters or the prelim fighters that are having issues regarding money. The top fighters are also looking for higher wages. UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou has been vocal about wanting more money and freedom from the UFC. Now, perhaps with Adesanya being paid more, the door will be open for other fighters as well.

    Do you agree with Israel Adesanya? Is Jake Paul’s outspokenness on fighter pay is helping?

  • Colby Covington Roasts Jon Jones After Fiancée Allegedly Leaves Him

    UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington jabbed Jon Jones after Jones announced on his Twitter that his fiancée had recently left him.

    Covington is set to face former friend and teammate Jorge Masvidal in the UFC 272 main event. It’s arguably one of the biggest fights of 2022 and is a grudge match that fans have waited for a long time to see play out.

    Jones hinted that his now allegedly former fiancée, Jessie Moses, has recently split with him. This comes just a few months after Jones was accused of battery domestic violence just hours following his UFC Hall of Fame ceremony in Las Vegas.

    Bodycam footage has been published of Jones’ arrest, which shows a disturbing scene with Jones headbutting a police vehicle.

    After Jones announced to his “haters” that he and his fiance had split, Covington took the opportunity to blast his former college roommate.

    “Tremendous news,” Covington said of the alleged split. “Guess you finally knocked some sense into her, [Jon Jones].”

    Covington and Jones have had a tumultuous relationship over the years and have blasted each other on social media. Jones also has accused Covington of being a “pathological liar” and overblowing their time as roommates at Iowa Central Community College.

    Jones is anticipating a UFC return in 2022 at heavyweight, nearly two years after vacating the light heavyweight title. He hasn’t fought since his win over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247.

    Covington has fully embraced his role as a heel in MMA circles, but even by his standards, he may have taken things a bit too far with these latest remarks.

    Do you think Colby Covington took things too far with these comments about Jon Jones and Jessie Moses?

  • Volkanovski Explains Why Korean Zombie Fight Is Personal

    UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski feels his upcoming fight against the “Korean Zombie” is personal.

    Alexander Volkanovski will defend his featherweight title against Chan Sung Jung at UFC 273 on Apr. 9 at the Vystar Veteran Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. While Volkanovski feels disappointed that UFC replaced Holloway due to injury, he looks forward to settling his feud with Jung.

    Alexander Volkanovski Discusses Upcoming Chan Sung Jung Fight

    Volkanovski appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani recently to discuss his upcoming bout against Jung. Jung had previously called Volkanovski’s title reign “shameful” after his split-decision win over Halloway at UFC 251 on July 11, 2020 and believed he could beat the champion without needing the judges. The featherweight titleholder later responded to Jung’s remarks. (h/t MMA Fighting).

    “Of course. It is,” Volkanovski replied when asked if the matchup is personal. “There was a time where he, I guess, decided to play the heel or his manager, or someone did anyway. And he was there calling us out and saying some things. So yeah, there is a bit of history there. You’ve got to remember, that was before—that’s why he was fighting for that No. 1 contender when Brian [Ortega] and him fought, so it shows you that he was close to that title shot, but it didn’t go his way, so that’s why I fought Brian.

    “Now, he went back and did what he had to do. And he’s lucky—obviously, if Max didn’t pull out, none of these guys would be getting the opportunity maybe. We don’t know, but that’s what happened. So I want to fight, and the UFC wanted us to still fight, so we all agreed that Zombie was the guy to do it with. Again, there is a bit of history. He’s an OG of the division. So let’s make that happen.”

    Jung became a top contender after he won his previous fight against Dan Ige on Jun. 19, 2021, and has won three out of his last four contests.

    Volkanovski is undefeated in the UFC and has won 20 fights in a row. Volkanovski’s win streak also includes his most recent title defense against Brian Ortega at UFC 266.

    The UFC may not have initially wanted Volkanovski vs. Jung, but the champion’s animosity could help make the fight intriguing to promote.

    What do you think about Alexander Volkanovski’s comments?

  • Maryna Moroz On Ex-Teammate Mariya Agapova: “This Girl Is Garbage”

    Maryna Moroz is doubling down on her callout of ex-teammate, Mariya Agapova.

    Moroz recently claimed Agapova struggled with jealousy and was a drug addict which is why she got kicked out of American Top Team. Along with that, Moroz claims Agapova was flirting with other fighters as well as trying to hurt them in purpose in training. However, Agapova was quick to deny those allegations and instead said she wanted to fight Moroz.

    Now, the former teammates are set to face one another at UFC 272 on March 5 and ahead of the scrap, Moroz doubled down on the trash-talk of Agapova. The event will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be headlined by a grudge match between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal.

    “Before, I said she’s a dangerous person and it’s true. She used drugs, we have all the proof. Videos, screenshots, everything. And of course, I didn’t post it. I don’t need to. I don’t need my Instagram showing garbage,” Moroz said to CageSide Press. “This girl is garbage. I don’t want my Instagram looking like garbage. I show OnlyFans, beautiful pictures, but now I can show the journalists who is real and who is who. ‘Mashka’ is a person who is a liar, very dangerous. In interviews, she’s ‘Oh, I’m nice girl, I’m training,’” Moroz continued. “Of course, she trains, but she used drugs. She was crazy and dangerous saying she’d kill me and want to cut my face.”

    Given the history between the two, this fight will be highly anticipated. Agapova called for it to happen and got her wish, as she said that she wanted to punish Moroz for her comments. She will get her chance to do so at UFC 272.

    What do you make of Maryna Moroz’s trash talk about her former teammate in Mariya Agapova?

  • Robert Whittaker Can “Definitely” See Himself Fighting At Light Heavyweight

    Robert Whittaker could have a new path to a UFC title, at 205 pounds.

    Robert Whittaker has been trying to regain the UFC middleweight championship for years now. He worked his way back up to a rematch with Israel Adesanya but unfortunately lost at UFC 271 earlier this month. Now he might be finding a new path to take, which might include a change of weight classes at some point in the future.

    “I can definitely see myself fighting at 205. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, just because I have to cut to middleweight, and cutting sucks,” Whittaker said in a recent appearance on Submission Radio. “So I think it might be fun. Obviously, I do understand the gravity of going up to 205—the bigger guys, the tall guys, longer reach, heavier set guys, more power. But stylistically, I have the style that can handle moving up to a heavier-pound division. But honestly, I’ll take it as it comes.”

    Whittaker has been unstoppable in recent years to everyone not named Israel Adesanya. Whittaker ruled the middleweight division for a short amount of time as champion but has been a staple in the division for much longer. After some time away from the sport following the first loss to Adesanya, he returned with a newfound purpose and motivation. If Adesanya remains at the top at 185, Whittaker might be wise to look elsewhere for a title shot.

    Although the UFC has been booking trilogies without thinking twice, the middleweight division has other options for the champ. On the other hand, Whittaker would be fresh blood at light heavyweight and a problem for many of the top fighters there.

    The top five at light heavyweight at this time are Jan Blachowicz, Jiří Procházka, Aleksandar Rakic, and Anthony Smith, who are all waiting for their shot at champion Glover Teixeira. If Whittaker could position himself in that mix, he could make his way to a title shot with a win or two. All things considered, there may be no better time for Whittaker to make the jump than now.

    What do you think of Robert Whittaker making the move to light heavyweight?

  • Jon Jones Says Fiancée Has Left Him, Calls For His Haters To Celebrate

    Jon Jones has revealed that he is no longer with ex-fiancée Jessie Moses after spending over 10 years together.

    Late last night, a video of Jon Jones’ latest arrest was made public. In the video, Jones can be seen in a very emotional state while evidently under the influence of alcohol. At one point, Jones even headbutted the police vehicle, an act that he later had to pay $750 in damages for.

    The arrest was made in connection to allegations of battery domestic violence against Jessie Moses. Jones has denied assaulting Moses, and this charge was dropped in December, with the former UFC champion being required to attend anger management counseling.

    After the arrest, all seemed to be repaired on the Jones home front. Jones posted a video of him and Moses doting on one another soon after the alleged domestic violence incident. He also posted a playful video of him, Moses, and their children celebrating Halloween together.

    However, according to a Wednesday tweet , Jones’ engagement to Moses is now off.

    “My fiancé left me about two months ago, today she finalized that she won’t be coming back. If you are a Jon Jones hater, have a toast, I feel like shit.”

    The timing of the post is certainly noteworthy, as it comes one day after the video of Jones’ Las Vegas arrest was made public.

    In any event, despite Jones’ recent legal woes and upended personal life, he is still expected to get his professional career back on track when he makes his anticipated heavyweight debut later this year. There is no word yet on who his opponent will be, but early signs point to a possible dream match against Stipe Miocic.

    MMA News will keep you updated if there are any additional comments from Jon Jones on this matter.

  • Georges St-Pierre Recently Settled A Coffee Debt With McDonald’s

    Georges St-Pierre paid back the money he owed McDonald’s for a coffee he “begged” for earlier in the week.

    During his reign in the UFC, GSP was an almost unstoppable force. He is known as one of the greatest fighters to grace the octagon.

    GSP is a former two-division champion, holding titles in both the middleweight and welterweight divisions. In addition, he is a former three-time welterweight champion in the UFC.

    St-Pierre left the UFC on a 13-fight win streak and as the welterweight champion. He suffered only two losses in his 28-fight professional MMA career, and he won the rematches for both.

    With such an exemplary career, GSP was undoubtedly one of the promotion’s most lucrative fighters. He took home millions of dollars and made more outside of the cage.

    Certainly, a McDonald’s coffee won’t break the bank, right?

    “I always pay back my debt,” GSP wrote as the caption for the Instagram video explaining the story.

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

    “Earlier this week I’m going to the McDonald’s to order a vanilla coffee. And after I ordered it I realized that I forgot my wallet at home. So when it’s time to pay I look down and because I have no wallet I have like four dollars and a change. The woman looks at me and goes Hey, you’re Georges St Pierre and you’re begging for coffee. I was like yes it was freaking embarrassing and yeah now I have to go back and pay my debt,” said GSP (via Sports Manor).

    As one of the most likable MMA fighters to ever grace the Octagon, it’s no shock the cashier was willing to give him the coffee. But returning to repay the debt certainly solidifies the good nature of the Canadian native.

    What are your thoughts on Georges St. Pierre paying off a coffee debt to McDonald’s?

  • Julianna Peña Disputes Amanda Nunes’ “I’m Better” Claim: “Where At?”

    UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña has questioned which areas Amanda Nunes believes she has the edge over her in.

    At UFC 269, the final pay-per-view event of 2021, Nunes’ seemingly unstoppable two-division rule was brought to a crashing halt. Having remained unbeaten since 2014, had her hand raised in 12 consecutive Octagon outings, and won gold at both 135 and 145 pounds, the “Lioness” was expected by most to breeze past her final challenge of last year.

    Embracing the underdog role, Peña exuded immense confidence throughout fight week. Those who branded it as delusion were left with egg on their faces come fight night when “The Venezuelan Vixen” shocked the world with a second-round submission.

    While she handled the loss graciously inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, Nunes recently provided some context behind her loss, suggesting she’d entered the fight with injuries and off the back of a rough camp.

    With that in mind, the reigning featherweight titleholder has vowed to prove she’s better than Peña when they meet for the second time later this year.

    “Honestly, of course, the belt is something that all of us chase,” Nunes said in an interview with ESPN. “At this point in my life, I just want to show up 100 percent how I want to be. So with the belt, without the belt, I just want to really, really prove I’m better than her.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

    It’s safe to say “The Venezuelan Vixen” disagrees with that assessment.

    Peña: Nunes Got To See All My Strengths At UFC 269

    During her own interview with ESPN, Peña responded to her rival’s claims. The newly-crowned champ said Nunes felt all aspects of her well-rounded game at UFC 269, and with that in mind, questioned where the Brazilian could possibly expect to have an edge.

    “I think she got to see it all. We sparred on the feet, we grappled, you know, she was in dangerous positions when we were grappling,” said Peña. “She says that she wants to prove that she’s absolutely 100% better than me, but I’m like, ‘Where?’ We can grapple right here, right now if you want and I’ll show you that.

    “You wanna box? We can do that, too. I’ll show you that, too. So this, ‘I can’t wait to show how much better that I am than her,’ where at? Where do you think that? I don’t think that, I don’t agree with that,” added Peña. “The beauty of fighting is we’re gonna go find out and we’re gonna get to do it all over again.”

    Like Peña says, we’ll soon find out who is right. After a stint coaching this year’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter, the pair are set to run it back.

    While “The Venezuelan Vixen” will be hoping to record her first successful defense and firmly establish her superiority over the consensus female MMA GOAT, the “Lioness” will be out for redemption.

    Do you agree with Julianna Peña? Is she better than Amanda Nunes in all areas?

  • Masvidal Disagrees With Trans Swimmer Competing Against Women

    Jorge Masvidal thinks “it’s not fair” transgender Ivy League swimmer Lia Thomas is allowed to compete in the women’s division.

    Recent controversy has stirred up from the dominant performances Lia Thomas puts on for the University of Pennsylvania. As Thomas used to swim for the university’s men’s team, the ongoing debate of transgender persons in sports has reignited.

    Thomas broke several records and received several awards while swimming on the Quakers women’s team. And her achievements have come under heavy scrutiny.

    Lia Thomas
    Lia Thomas, Photo credit: Getty Images

    There is a harsh spotlight beaming on the star transgender athlete. From news channels to the opinions of other athletes, Thomas is unable to swim without immense pressure.

    There are many who disagree with transgender women in women’s sports. For example, Caitlyn Jenner also thinks it is “unfair” to allow transgender women in women’s sports.

    And UFC veteran Jorge Masvidal shares that opinion. (h/t SportsKeeda)

    “It’s such a no-brainer right? It’s not fair. It’s just not. Men should compete against men. If you don’t want to compete against men, it’s not fair to go and compete against women… I’m not trying to diss girls but it’s just different you know. Girls should compete against girls,” said Masvidal.

    He not only disagrees with transwomen in women’s sports, but Masvidal also refuses to let his daughter compete in sports where it is allowed.

    Masvidal has never been one to shy away from honesty. Colby Covington and Nate Diaz can surely attest to that.

    But regardless of the existing members of an unsupportive audience, Thomas has a great future in the sport and at the school. She continues to prove that pressures outside of the pool have yet to diminish her athletic spirit.

    Transgender Women In MMA

    MMA is no stranger to the heavily debated topic, and Masvidal is not the only fighter opposed to it.

    When transgender fighter Fallon Fox was competing, Ronda Rousey refused to fight her, and Joe Rogan was openly honest about his disapproval of her as a contender in the women’s league.

    Fallon Fox
    Fallon Fox, Photo Credit: Championship Fighting Alliance

    Now that Fallon is retired, MMA newcomer and former member of the U.S. Army special forces transgender fighter Alana McLaughlin is the new face of trans women in MMA. And that has come with a lot of backlash.

    Michael Bisping, Joe Rogan, Sean Strickland, and others have voiced their negative opinions about McLaughlin.

    She won her first and only fight last September via submission. However, the win was met with a lot of anger and ridicule.

    Alana McLaughlin
    Alana McLaughlin, Photo Credit: Barcroft Images / Alana McLaughlin

    As of now, it is unclear when she fights again.

    The heated and controversial debate seems to thicken with every transgender athlete’s achievement.

    Although not yet finished making strides, women in sports have come a long way. But the transgender community still has many roadblocks to face.

    What are your thoughts on Jorge Masvidal’s opinion of Lia Thomas competing on UPenn’s women’s swim team?

  • Green: I’m Gonna Be The First Person To Put Makhachev In A Fight

    UFC veteran Bobby Green has vowed to take the fight to Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC Vegas 49.

    The UFC lightweight is set to take on Makhachev after having stepped up on ten days’ notice. Beneil Dariush was originally scheduled to face the #4 ranked UFC lightweight; however, he was forced to withdraw with an ankle injury.

    Green is coming off a dominant victory over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 271 less than two weeks ago where he secured an impressive unanimous decision win. Despite having now 41 professional fights under his belt, Green continues to age like fine wine inside the octagon.

    Green: ‘I’m Ready For Everything Makachev Will Bring’

    Bobby Green, Nasrat Haqparast
    © Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

    Speaking on his latest matchup to MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, Green spoke on how he feels he differs from other fighters.

    “It’s G shit. I do G shit. I do shit that motherfuckers don’t want to do. My whole thing is about standing in fires longer than most men could or doing things that most men wouldn’t do. That’s my whole life, and that’s my whole mindset,” said Green.

    If the 35-year-old were to pull off the upset he would snap his opponent’s nine-fight win streak while simultaneously hampering Makhachev’s title ambitions. Green affirmed he is ready for the challenge he faces in bringing down one of the UFC’s biggest talents.

    “So a lot of these guys have been watching and going to Islam, and going in there and fight with Islam,” Green continued. “They never bought the fight to him. I feel like he hasn’t been in a fight yet. I feel like it’s just been a match. It don’t even feel like a fight. It’s a match. It’s a wrestling match.

    “Oh, nah, nah, I’m gonna be the first person that puts him into a fight. He’s about to get into a fight. K? And yeah, he’s gonna try to shoot, and yeah, he’s gonna try to do those things. I’m ready for that. But it’s gonna be a fight. It’s not just no fuckin’ match.”

    Green hails the nickname ‘King’ inside the Octagon but has been labeling himself a gangster in the build-up to this bout. Having taken the fight on short notice, it will officially be a catchweight bout of 160lbs.

    No matter the outcome on Saturday, the veteran will most certainly deserve the spotlight that will come with the main event slot.

    Who do you see leaving victorious at UFC Vegas 49? Does Bobby Green spring an upset, or does Islam Makachev collect yet another win?

  • Islam Makhachev Provides A List Of Names Who May Have Rejected Fight

    UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev is naming names.

    This weekend at UFC Vegas 49, Makhachev will look to extend his winning streak to 10 when he takes on Bobby Green in the main event. While a 10th straight victory is always a great look on a fighter’s résumé, it carries much more weight when it comes against a top-3 fighter.

    That was the original plan for the surging Makhachev when his sights were set on Beneil Dariush for February 26. That is until Dariush had to pull out of the fight due to injury last week. This caused Makhachev and the UFC to frantically search for a replacement to step in.

    Bobby Green: UFC 258 fight cancellation was due to lung, kidney issues - MMA Fighting
    Bobby Green, Image Credit: Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

    That replacement would turn out to be Bobby Green. While Green is a proven UFC veteran who has displayed his high level in his last two strong outings. the fact remains that he is not ranked in the lightweight division. This begs the question: Who did the UFC turn to first before they landed on Green?

    Makhachev Provides List Of Names He Tried To Fight At UFC Vegas 49

    One person who knows something about accepting the daunting task of a short-notice Islam Makhachev fight assignment is Dan Hooker. Hooker accepted a fight against Islam Makhachev on a few weeks’ notice when he agreed to face the Dagestani at UFC 267.

    Both Hooker and Green came to the same conclusion that there had to be lightweights who rejected the Makhachev fight because they felt the risk did not match the reward.

    Makhachev has implied that he has first-hand knowledge that this is exactly what happened when he and the UFC brass came a-knockin’ and only one person arrived at the door.

    “When [Manager Ali Abdelaziz] say Beneil have injury, I tell him, ‘Hey, we have [Rafael dos Anjos]. He’s supposed to fight with [Rafael Fiziev], but [Fiziev] have some problem with visa. I say, ‘Hey, he’s ready, I think. Call him. And he say he don’t want.

    “I say, ‘Call Tony [Ferguson], call [Gregor] Gillespie, Michael Chandler, someone. And just Bobby. Just Bobby give me answer. And I think this guy need a little bit money, that’s why,” Makhachev said on ESPN’s DC & RC recently.

    Makhachev and dos Anjos were supposed to fight last year, but the fight fell through multiple times, with the Dagestani questioning the legitimacy of dos Anjos’ injury when he withdrew from their UFC 267 bout.

    As Makhachev alluded to, dos Anjos is currently scheduled to fight Rafael Fiziev only one week later at UFC 272. Fiziev has recently experienced visa issues, so Makhachev thought it to be a practical solution for dos Anjos to replace Dariush, especially since the two were supposed to fight last year anyway.

    Instead, we will see Makhachev face Bobby Green this weekend. For Makhachev, it doesn’t make a difference who his opponent is against. He stated that his game plan will remain the same: pressure, wrestle, and submit. If implemented successfully and he gets his hand raised for a 10th consecutive time, he will be expecting a world title shot next.

    “Who we have now for the title fight? Justin [Gaethje] and Charles [Oliveira] gonna fight. Who we have? Beneil (is injured) maybe five, six months. But other people, who we have?…

    “I really believe (I’m next) because I deserve. This is gonna be 10-fight win streak. And I think 10 fight, this is like key for the title.”

    Who would you have liked to see step up to replace Beneil Dariush against Islam Makhachev at UFC Vegas 49?

  • Beneil Dariush Updates On Broken Fibula After UFC Vegas 49 Pullout

    UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush may not require surgery on his broken fibula after all, which could speed up his timetable for a return.

    Dariush had to pull out of his originally scheduled main event against Islam Makhachev at UFC Vegas 49 just days before the fight. The severity of Dariush’s injury was somewhat unclear after the news broke, but he recently provided an update to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.

    While Dariush opting to move towards physical therapy instead of surgery may be a risky move, it could potentially speed up his return to the cage. Dariush has won seven straight, including most recently against Tony Ferguson at UFC 262.

    Many saw Dariush’s fight against Makhachev as a potential No. 1 lightweight contender bout. Makhachev has also been on a lengthy winning streak and is viewed as one of the top grapplers in MMA today.

    Shortly after news of Dariush’s withdrawal broke, Bobby Green volunteered to step in and fight Makhachev in his first career UFC main event. Green most recently competed at UFC 271 and earned a unanimous decision win against Nasrat Haqparast.

    Dariush could still conceivably undergo surgery with a change of heart and if any potential setbacks occur, but for now he appears focused on a swift return to the lightweight title picture.

    Who do you want Beneil Dariush to face in his eventual return to the UFC?

  • Mike Perry: A Loss To Julian Lane “Would Have Been It For Me”

    Mike Perry is relieved he won his BKFC fight against Julian Lane.

    Mike Perry just had his first bare-knuckle fight this past weekend, and he is happy he won, or else it could have been his last. Perry beat former UFC fighter Julian Lane in the main event of BKFC Knucklemania 2. This bare-knuckle venture for Perry was not supposed to be an “end of the road” type situation, but Perry explains how it could have turned out that way.

    “He brought it as far as talkin’ trash, being there in the fight even after I hurt him—he tried,” Perry told MMA Fighting. “He brought it, he wanted to win, and I didn’t let him. And had it gone the other way, that would have been it for me. Like, you can’t lose to that guy, close or not. That’s the pressure that was on me.”

    BKFC result: Mike Perry out-slugs Julian Lane, wins unanimous decision
    Mike Perry vs. Julian Lane at BKFC Knucklemania 2

    This BKFC fight came after Perry fought out his UFC contract. During his time with the UFC, he went 7-8. The last few years were particularly bad, with Perry losing seven of his last ten fights. His release may have come much sooner had he not been such a colorful character. Perry’s attitude and antics outside the cage make him a draw and fans typically either love him or hate him.

    Perry has also been in hot water with the law several times over the last few years. After his UFC departure, this opportunity at BKFC could have served as a new beginning. Now that he has won the fight bout via unanimous decision, there are plenty of opportunities for him in this promotion, if he chooses to stay. Bare-knuckle boxing has become very popular over the last year or so and having a character like Perry headlining cards is sure to make people want to tune in.

    Perry is fitting the part with his ongoing unpredictable behavior. He even showed up to the pre-fight press conference with a baseball bat! “Platinum Mike” is certainly playing the part perfectly and maybe could find his way back to MMA soon.

    Do you think Mike Perry would have quit fighting with a loss at BKFC to Julian Lane?