MMA News

Category: MMA

  • Dustin Poirier Hints At Renewed Sense Of Focus After Past Retirement Talk

    Dustin Poirier seems to have a renewed focus after publicly questioning how much longer he will be competing in the sport of MMA.

    Since the very first day of 2011, there is one thing in the UFC that has been a constant: A year would not go by without Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier fighting at least one time.

    When Poirier says he is “paid in full,” he is referring to the now 36 career fights that you see on paper and the bloodshed he’s spilled that leaves a permanent mark on it.

    But even someone as dedicated to the game as Poirier reaches a “breaking point,” where the mind and body has had enough. After a decade of hard toil in this sport, Poirier finally received a chance to become undisputed UFC champion when he faced Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242. That bout ended with Nurmagomedov temporarily strangling Poirier’s dreams with a rear-naked choke in the third round.

    In true Poirier fashion, “The Diamond” would hit the bounceback button and shine in his next three performances to earn another opportunity at undisputed UFC gold. But at UFC 269, Charles Oliveira, much like Khabib before him, showed Poirier that it was not his time. And he, too, took the air out of Poirier’s dreams via rear-naked choke.

    WOW! Jon Jones Khabib Nurmagomedov and Other UFC Stars React as Charles Oliveira Chokes Out Dustin Poirier at UFC 269 - EssentiallySports
    Charles Oliveira Submits Dustin Poirier At UFC 269

    What’s Next For Dustin Poirier?

    After a second championship heartbreak fresh on his mind and 12 years of wear and tear on his body, Poirier was uncertain if he would ever fight again. He did say that if he were to fight again, there was only one opponent that excited him: Nate Diaz.

    With those fight negotiations having stalled for the time being, where does that leave Poirier and his plans for 2022? Judging by the following Instagram post, it leaves him as a man who has once again rediscovered the fire within and all the optimism that comes with it.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CaKrVYCF8E2/

    “My next performance will be my best. Someone is getting clapped,” Poirier posted on Instagram.

    A short post indeed, but plenty to read there.

    Firstly, Poirier’s two-sentence post began with the phrase “My next performance,” which implies that there could be more fights to come afterward. While a “next” performance and a “last” performance is not necessarily mutually exclusive, if nothing else, his vow that it will be his “best” one reveals his confidence in how much he has left to give as a competitor.

    As for the second sentence, “Someone is getting clapped,” this line takes a reprieve from his competitive gaze being focused solely on Nate Diaz and appears to reveal a more open, flexible mindset about his next booking.

    Speculation aside, there is one thing that can be safely deduced from Poirier’s Instagram post: Much like each of the previous 12 years of his professional MMA career, you can expect 2022 to host a Dustin Poirier performance—as he once again takes to the bounceback trail.

    Who would you ideally like to see Dustin Poirier fight in 2022?

  • Amanda Nunes: Losing The Belt Has Brought My Fire Back

    Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion and reigning featherweight titleholder Amanda Nunes says losing the 135-pound belt to Julianna Peña has brought her “fire” back.

    At UFC 269 in December, Nunes saw her 12-fight win streak and three-year two-division rule collapse at the hands of an unlikely character. Like many before her, Peña’s chances of dethroning the “Lioness’ were dismissed and her confidence branded delusional.

    But writing the story completely different to most fans and pundits expected, “The Venezuelan Vixen” created a chapter of UFC history that will long be remembered. In the second round of their co-main event clash, Peña rocked Nunes on the feet before dragging her down and submitting her.

    For the T-Mobile Arena crowd and the millions watching at home, the sound of “And New” was about as surprising a moment as any since the promotion’s inception.

    Nunes “Can’t Wait” To Start Over

    While Nunes would be forgiven for being distraught and disheartened after suffering her first setback since 2014, the Brazilian has remained as positive as ever.

    After a gracious post-fight interview, she promised to come back strong. If the featherweight champ’s recent comments are to be believed, her return this year will signify the arrival of a Nunes who is hungrier than ever.

    During a recent media scrum, the consensus female MMA GOAT suggested losing the bantamweight gold and now having something to “chase” has brought her fire back.

    “Honestly, after I lose that belt, the fire is like, built up again,” said Nunes. “I’m telling you, damn, I can’t wait to start over. I have something to chase. It’s not like, ‘Oh my god, I lost my belt,’ and staying home crying. That’s never gonna happen with me. Actually, UFC changed my life. How I’m living, whatever happens right now is like, amazing. UFC changed, literally, my life. I don’t have time to be sad.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZsPA1hPwsh/

    With her fire back and her physical condition hopefully at 100%, Nunes will get her chance for redemption later this year. After coaching this year’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter, Peña and Nunes will run it back, with the status of bantamweight queen on the line.

    Do you think Amanda Nunes will reclaim the bantamweight gold from Julianna Peña in their rematch?

  • Quote: Gregor Gillespie Could’ve Beaten Khabib Nurmagomedov

    Chael Sonnen thinks Gregor Gillespie could’ve gotten the upper hand against former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in the Octagon.

    Gillespie’s lone defeat in his MMA career came by way of a head kick against Kevin Lee at UFC 244. Outside of that, he has mauled all of his opponents, including most recently Diego Ferreira last May.

    Gillespie’s always been known to have a grappling-first style when it comes to fighting. Sonnen believes this could’ve challenged Nurmagomedov as he made his rise in the lightweight division and his tenure as the champion.

    During a segment on his YouTube channel, Sonnen explained why he believes Gillespie could’ve beaten Nurmagomedov while both were competing in the UFC.

    “When I would have private conversations… people would ask me all the time, is there anyone that could beat Khabib. Who’s the guy that can stop Khabib and in private conversations I would say we actually have a guy now,” Sonnen said. “He’s 11-0, he’s a national wrestling champion, nobody’s ever come close to taking him down, he’s taken absolutely everybody down, oh, and by the way, he can hold up.

    Gregor Gillespie | UFC
    A victorious Gregor Gillespie, Image Credit: UFC.com

    “One thing that Khabib could do was push a pace that was much higher than what the opponent could push back. (Gregor) made his living getting people tired. That’s how highly I personally think of him. Now in all fairness, I did not do that publicly but the reason I didn’t do that publicly was you didn’t know what a Gregor Gillespie was.” (h/t PunditArena)

    Gillespie’s loss to Lee knocked him out of the lightweight title picture, and he’s still hoping to get back in the thick of things at 155 pounds. He’s allegedly had trouble finding a next opponent, but he recently called out former interim champ Tony Ferguson for a fight.

    Nurmagomedov left the fight game in 2020 after the death of his father, Abdulmanap. His last fight in the Octagon came against Justin Gaethje in a second-round submission.

    Sonnen is never afraid to speak his mind, but many might classify this as a “hot take.” Nurmagomedov retired as arguably the best UFC fighter of all time while Gillespie is still finding traction in his UFC run.

    Do you agree with Chael Sonnen?

  • Mitchell Details Facing “Drugged” Fighter In First MMA Gym Experience

    UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell has detailed facing a “drugged out” amateur fighter during his first experience inside an MMA gym at the age of 16.

    Mitchell is as tough as they come. From backyard boxing matches to professional fights, “Thug Nasty” has seen and faced it all on his journey to the Octagon. That journey has allowed him to enter the group of ranked contenders at 145 pounds.

    After going 9-0 on the regional scene, the Arkansas native had his chance to join the big leagues on The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated in 2018. Despite falling short in the semifinals, Mitchell had the opportunity to make a splash on MMA’s biggest stage at the finale event, where he defeated Tyler Diamond.

    Since his debut, the 27-year-old has grown from strength to strength. In four wins, he’s defeated established names like Charles Rosa and Andre Fili and recorded only the second twister submission in UFC history.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CRgt6kMCTEe/

    Like most in the volatile sport of MMA, the road towards the top wasn’t easy. In Mitchell’s case, it involved getting his first taste of a gym by sparring with some drug-using amateur fighters.

    During a recent interview with UFC play-by-play commentator Brendan Fitzgerald, “Thug Nasty” looked back on his early days in the sport and his earliest day in an MMA facility. It’s safe to say he and his friend received a shock to the system when they were welcomed to the gym by a “drugged out” fighter.

    “I quit basketball, wrestled, and then went to train in MMA. I went to this MMA gym. First, when I went in, the dude was a little bit drugged out,” said Mitchell. “And you know, he wasn’t like, crazy on it, but one of the dudes at the gym was a little bit on some shit. I tell you what, some of that shit that you can get like that, you don’t get tired, you know what I’m saying? This dude was whipping my ass when I was 16.

    “Me and my buddy Tyler went into this gym, where these guys, I mean, these are rough guys man. They’re on some heavy drug usage, okay, amateur fighters, pretty high ranked. Me and my buddy walked in this gym, my buddy gets kicked in the fucking head,” Mitchell added. “Tyler’s a tough dude, Tyler kicked my ass one time in training. He got kicked in the head and then I was up to spar that guy next, that kicked Tyler in the head; dropped him. And I was like, ‘Oh shit…’ I’m going up against this guy, and I didn’t know he was drugged out, but this motherfucker was all ripped up, muscles and shit, and he doesn’t get tired. He didn’t drop me, but he got me pretty good. I’m, telling ya, it was rough.”

    It’s certainly no mystery where Mitchell got his toughness from, and he’ll certainly need to have that on full display when he returns to action next month.

    Mitchell Will Return To Action At UFC 272

    Mitchell hasn’t entered the Octagon since his October 2020 victory over Fili. After well over a year on the sidelines, “Thug Nasty” will be looking to extend his unbeaten professional record in 2022 and climb closer towards the top of the featherweight ladder, starting with a victory over UFC veteran Edson Barboza.

    The #11-ranked Mitchell will face the Brazilian legend at UFC 272 on March 5. While he’s impressed on his way to the top 15, a win over Barboza would certainly be the biggest of Mitchell’s career to date and would firmly establish him as a top contender in a stacked 145-pound weight class.

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

    Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 272, Bryce Mitchell or Edson Barboza?

  • Demetrious Johnson Puts Full-Time Twitch Streamer Dream On Hold

    ONE Championship’s Demetrious Johnson is putting his goals of streaming on Twitch full-time on the back burner.

    There’s a list of fighters who found stardom on Twitch, including Max Holloway, Angela Hill, and “Rampage” Jackson. But Johnson has been in the game longer and feels the streaming service comes with a few obstacles to conquer.

    During his successful streaming career, Johnson hardly had any time for his family. He would train, stream, and repeat. Exhaustion eventually caught up with him, and it was time to put the sticks down and focus on the important things.

    Demetrious Johnson
    Demetrious Johnson, Photo Credit: Game Informer

    “My schedule basically consisted of this: I would go to the gym, train for a session, stream afterward, then get my second session in, come home, eat dinner, kiss my wife, and then go downstairs and stream for another two hours,” Johnson said. At the time, he was making around $3,000 per month from streaming, enough to cover his mortgage. “But then it came to a point where I was like, ‘Why am I doing this? I don’t get to go to bed with my wife. I’m absolutely exhausted. It’s just not worth it,’ ” Johnson told The Washington Post.

    He’s sorry for streamers’ who experience a fluctuation in their followers and subscribers. The thought of being dependent on subscribers to support himself financially does not entice him. Furthermore, the point of him playing video games is simply for enjoyment.

    Training as a mixed martial artist probably sounds daunting to the average gamer. Being one of the greatest fighters in the world is far from easy, but to Johnson, it makes a lot more sense than swimming in Twitch’s algorithm pool and maintaining the support of subscribers.

    Once, “Mighty Mouse” wished to live the seemingly exciting life as a gamer on Twitch. Now, those plans have come to an end.

    The more conversations he has with current streamers and channels he views, the less desirable the idea becomes. Now, Demetrious Johnson fights with ONE Championship.

    “Wake up every day and stream full time? … Oh god no. I couldn’t do it,” Johnson said during an interview on The Washington Post’s Friday live stream, Press Play. “Sometimes I feel bad for some of the streamers; one moment they have a s—load [of subscribers], and then next thing you know, they take a little time off, and their subscriber numbers just drop. I’ll play video games because I enjoy it, but I don’t want it to be my livelihood,” Johnson continues to say.

    Johnson’s love for video games will never diminish. However, now just isn’t the time for him to pursue a full-time streaming career on Twitch.

    At this time, his focus is on his next bout with ONE Championship. On March 26 he faces off with flyweight Muay Thai Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in a special rules match.

    What are your thoughts on “Mighty Mouse” Demetrious Johnson giving up being a full-time Twitch streamer?

  • Sterling Says He’ll Be “So Petty” If He Beats Yan In The Rematch

    The UFC bantamweight champion has once again taken aim at his detractors. 

    Aljamain Sterling has had a rough 2021. After becoming the first champion to win the belt via disqualification, Sterling became the target of MMA fans. Petr Yan landed an illegal knee in their title bout, and Sterling was unable to continue. Yet, fans were quick to point out that they felt Sterling overreacted to the blow. 

    While dealing with the blowback, Sterling was forced out of their rematch because of lingering issues from neck surgery. The withdrawal fueled the vitriol hurled at “The Funkmaster.” 

    If you’ve been following Yan and Sterling on social media, it’s no secret they don’t like each other. The fighters have gone back and forth on social media and memes disparaging Sterling are aplenty around the web. All this seems to feed Sterling.

    Prior to the fight being rebooked for UFC 273 in April, Sterling went on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour to explain one of the incentives to beating Yan in the rematch: rubbing it in others’ faces. 

    “So it’d be nice to make some money. And I can’t wait to do it and shove it up everyone’s asses and have them just—I’m gonna be so petty, man. I try to be humble about my wins. I always talk shit before the fights with all my opponents, but I always be humble about the wins. But this one, there’s just something different where I feel like it’s deserved.

    Aljamain Sterling Put Everything Together At The Right Time
    Aljamain Sterling, Image Credit: UFC.com

    “And either way. Knock on wood, if things don’t go my way and he decides to do the same thing, that’s fine. I’ll eat it. I’ll eat it. I’m a man of my word, I back up my words, and I have no problem eating shit if I lose. But at the same time, I really do in my heart feel like I’m better than this guy and I can’t wait to have everyone just suck it.”

    When Sterling pulled out of the rematch at UFC 267, Cory Sandhagen stepped up to fight the Russian destroyer. Sandhagen and Yan put on an entertaining display of technical mastery that ended with the interim belt around Yan’s waist.

    Sterling has been absent from the Octagon since winning the title back in March. That will change when he steps into the Octagon to finally settle the score with Petr Yan in April.

    How do you think the Yan/Sterling rematch goes down?

  • Chimaev: Usman Needs Two-Division Success To Catch GSP

    UFC welterweight Khamzat Chimaev has claimed that Kamaru Usman needs to become a two-division champion to compete with Georges St-Pierre‘s greatness.

    Chimaev is currently eyeing up the possibility of facing the champion in a fight or two, with the Swede scheduled to face top-ranked contender Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 on April 9th.

    It appears visa issues are delaying confirmation of the fight taking place, with Chimaev’s current visa expiring in late March.

    Chimaev: Usman Needs Two-Division Success To Be Considered GOAT

    Kamaru Usman
    Kamaru Usman, Image Credit: Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.

    Speaking to RT Sport MMA, Chimaev referenced St-Pierre’s success of becoming a double champion in the UFC when asked whether he considers the current welterweight champion the division’s greatest of all time.

    “Kamaru has been the champion at one weight,” Chimaev said. “Georges has done it at two or three weight classes, right? Two. So if Kamaru does what GSP did, then he will catch up with him. If he does more, he will surpass him.”

    St-Pierre defended his welterweight title nine times as a champion, cementing his place in the Hall of Fame and as arguably the greatest welterweight of all time. Meanwhile, Usman has defended his belt five times, entering the GOAT discussion himself. He also holds the record for most consecutive wins in the division.

    Potentially, Chimaev will be looking to spoil any chances of Usman achieving such fate as surpassing St-Pierre’s welterweight records by defeating ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ further down the line.

    The current #11-ranked welterweight had threatened to ‘smash’ Usman when the UFC welterweight champion spoke on proposed plans to jump to light heavyweight to take on Jan Blachowicz when he was the title holder.

    Leon Edwards is likely up next to try dethrone Usman, who recently undertook surgery on his right hand to repair a ligament. That bout is rumored to take place on international fight week, which will host UFC 276.

    Who do you see as the welterweight GOAT? Georges St-Pierre or Kamaru Usman?

  • Julianna Peña Considers Trying Stand-Up Comedy, May Fight Hecklers

    While she certainly has undeniable talent inside the Octagon, UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Julianna Peña hopes to one day try her hand in the art of stand-up comedy.

    The past few months have seen Peña rise from an unlikely contender to one of the most prominent names in MMA. While her title-winning performance against Amanda Nunes at UFC 269 certainly played a key part in that, the champ’s charisma and confidence with a microphone in her hand have played an enhancing role.

    Before the final pay-per-view of 2021, Peña’s confidence and self-belief were branded as delusional by many, including then-two-division titleholder Nunes. But with a second-round submission, “The Venezuelan Vixen” silenced her critics and shot into the mainstream.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CYHysQivvs7/

    Peña’s Aspirations Always Went Beyond Fighting

    While the result was surprising for many and was even branded the sport’s biggest shock by some, there was nothing untoward about it for Peña. For her whole life, she’s aspired to be great and to achieve her goals.

    While combat sports success has always been a target, the Washington native’s UFC triumph is just one of many ambitions she’s harbored throughout her life. The others? A dabble into rap music and a successful stand-up comedy show.

    During her appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, Peña revealed she’d recently been approached about an opportunity to perform a comedy set. While that might seem like a left-field offer to some, the bantamweight queen said that becoming a comedian was one of three potential career paths she’d identified during her early years.

    “(Comedian Adam Hunter) just texted me the other day and asked me if I would be willing to do a five- or seven-minute set,” said Peña. “So when I was growing up, the three things I wanted to be: rapper, boxer, and comedian. Like, I remember growing up and being like, ‘I wanna be either of these three things.’ And so I love comedy. I’m a massive comedy fan… I told him I think I will.”

    In comedy, one thing is needed: tough skin. With heckling rife in the occupation, comedians have to be able to handle potential abuse and be able to dish it back.

    That is certainly one thing that wouldn’t phase Peña, although given how she tried to handle an abusive co-worker during her restaurant days, perhaps she’d attempt to deal with it too well…

    “And I think about that. I don’t think I could handle that, right? Get some heckler in the crowd I’d be like, ‘Let’s step outside, guy. You got something to say to me?’” 

    It was perhaps apt that she also discussed the need to avoid stepping over lines and causing offense, something Rogan has come to know a lot about since Peña’s appearance on his podcast.

    “And that’s the thing, too, like what’s offensive and what’s funny? Like, I think masks are hilarious. But you start talking about masks and people wearing masks, and then people are going to get offended because all these people have died and yadda, yadda, yadda,” said Peña.

    Given her remarks on motherhood and COVID-19, it’s safe to say Peña doesn’t have a knack for avoiding controversy…

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

    So, as well as an upcoming coaching stint on this year’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter and her first title defense against Nunes, perhaps we can expect a rap album and a comedy tour from “The Venezuelan Vixen” in the near future.

    Would you go to a Julianna Peña stand-up comedy show?

  • Jim Miller Intrigued By Idea Of Main Event Fight Vs. Joe Lauzon

    UFC veteran Jim Miller wouldn’t mind running it back one more time with Joe Lauzon before their careers come to a close.

    Miller earned a dominant win over Nikolas Motta at UFC Vegas 48 via second-round TKO. The victory put him in a tie with Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone for most UFC wins by a single fighter.

    Miller has now won back-to-back fights after 14 years in the Octagon, dating back to his debut win against David Baron at UFC 89. Leading up to UFC Vegas 48, he dismantled an up-and-coming Erick Gonzalez with a brutal knockout last October.

    Miller and Lauzon are two of the most veteran fighters in the promotion and have gone to battle twice before. Both men are arguably in the twilight of their careers and their days in the cage may be numbered.

    UFC Vancouver Adds Jim Miller vs. Joe Lauzon II
    Jim Miller vs. Joe Lauzon II, Image Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

    During his UFC Vegas 48 post-fight press conference, Miller named Lauzon as a possible next opponent and likes the idea of their trilogy taking place in a main event.

    “No—I mean, you’ve got Lauzon and Cerrone fighting again, and I don’t know what the plans are after that,” Miller said. “I mean, they’re both guys I’ve shared time in the Octagon with, and it’s like, ‘hey, I’ve got two against Joe, and do you go and do it again?’ Fuck yeah, we’ll do it again. I love that guy. If we could sell it, and main event a small card or something like that—because we’re two old guys that have been around for a while— then let’s do it and get the main event bonus. And a guy like Cerrone, another one, I’ve got a ton of respect for him, and if he wants to do it, let’s do it.”

    Miller and Lauzon last fought against one another at a UFC Fight Night event in 2016, with Miller earning a controversial split decision win. It was a close fight that divided fans as to who came out as the victor.

    Their first fight took place at UFC 155 with Miller earning a unanimous decision win.

    Lauzon is slated to face Cerrone at UFC 274 later this year. It’s unclear what the interest would be from Lauzon regarding a trilogy with Miller, but it could help bring clarity to the matchup of two of the most seasoned athletes in UFC history.

    Who do you want Jim Miller to face next?

  • Johnny Walker Addresses Fans Following Violent Knockout Loss

    UFC light heavyweight contender Johnny Walker has spoken out for the first time since his knockout loss to Jamahal Hill at UFC Vegas 48.

    Walker has now lost four of his last five fights after the brutal knockout to Hill in his second-straight UFC main event. He had lost to former title challenger Thiago Santos in his last outing via a unanimous decision.

    Walker and Hill slugged it out in the opening minutes of the fight before Hill caught Walker with a massive right hand that sent Walker falling backward and onto the canvas below. Hill has rebounded with back-to-back wins since his first UFC loss to Paul Craig.

    In a recent Instagram post, Walker updated his fans on his health following the loss and where he plans to go from here.

    “I’m OK,” Walker said. “Just a little cut. I (go to) sleep in the fight, so something happened wrong.

    “Let’s eat and be happy. And let’s go to the next one.”

    Walker made his UFC debut against Khalil Rountree in 2018 following his appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series. He began his UFC career with three-straight wins over the likes of Rountree, Justin Ledet, and Misha Cirkunov.

    But things have taken a different turn for Walker since his last winning streak. He has suffered lopsided defeats at the hands of Nikita Krylov and Corey Anderson before bouncing back with a win over Ryan Spann.

    At 29 years old, Walker still has plenty of time to get back on track in his UFC tenure. However, it’ll take a lot for him to work out of his series of recent struggles inside the cage.

    What do you think is next for Johnny Walker’s UFC career?

  • Ngannou Stands 100% Behind Jake Paul’s Calls For Better Fighter Pay

    UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou believes that Jake Paul’s promotion of better fighter pay is legitimate and not an act.

    Ngannou is fresh off his win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in his first title defense as a UFC champion. But he is expected to miss a significant amount of time due to a lingering knee injury he suffered in his training leading up to the fight.

    Ngannou has continued to push for the UFC to change its current pay scale model amidst tense contract negotiations. It remains unclear whether or not Ngannou and the UFC brass will end up coming to terms on a new deal.

    One of most vocal presences in the fighter pay conversation has been Paul, who has gone at it with UFC President Dana White regarding how the promotion treats its roster. The controversial YouTuber turned boxer has previously offered to sign a one-fight deal with the UFC if the brass promises to add benefits such as long-term healthcare.

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Ngannou addressed Paul’s comments in support of giving UFC fighters more incentives away from the cage.

    “I follow all those stuff and I am aware of what’s happening,” Ngannou said. “You know Paul has his own way of communicating, which is a little bit different. Maybe not the same way as I will. But in the meantime, I can’t blame him. I’m 100 percent with him for what he says.

    “When he claimed for fighter healthcare, I am 100 percent down with that. He claimed for fighter pay increase, I’m a 1000 percent down for that. So the fighters are not protected, they are all out there on their own and nobody look up to them… They are putting their body on the line for something. At least [give them] healthcare.” (h/t SportsKeeda)

    One of Ngannou’s biggest gripes with the promotion has been the lack of freedom fighters like him have when it comes to pursuing other avenues. This includes boxing, where Ngannou has gone back-and-forth on social media with heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

    Ngannou admitted during a recent interview that Paul’s management reached out to him to inquire about his interest in boxing. The UFC then allegedly threatened legal action against his manager for being in contact with Paul’s team.

    But not all UFC fighters agree with Ngannou. Some veterans such as Sam Alvey have called Paul’s interest in UFC fighter pay “fake” and an effort to promote himself.

    It’s unclear if and when Ngannou will return to the Octagon, but in the meantime, he’ll continue to voice his displeasure in how fighters are compensated for their efforts in the cage.

    What are your thoughts on Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul’s calls for better UFC fighter pay and treatment?

  • Jorge Masvidal Takes Full Credit For UFC 272 Main Event Placement

    Jorge Masvidal is taking all the credit for being the main event at UFC 272.

    Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington are headed to the main event clash together at UFC 272. This is a rare occasion where a non-title fight is main eventing a pay-per-view. For the UFC to consider a non-title fight for a main event, the bout has to be one that fans are dying to see. The ongoing feud and interest in these two men bring enough fuel to be a good fit for a headliner.

    However, Masvidal believes that it is his star power, not Covington that made this fight worthy of the main event slot.

    “Definitely about (my star power), though he’ll try to take credit for it,” Masvidal told MMA Junkie about what was responsible for the main event billing. “He hasn’t broke, in all his pay-per-views combined, 500,000 pay-per-views. I don’t have to say what I’ve sold. Everybody knows. So it’s definitely solely because of my star power, nothing to do with his.”

    Masvidal and Covington have a long history together. They used to be friends, training partners, and roommates. They had a falling out and have been trash-talking to each other ever since. They are both in the same boat as title contenders in the welterweight division, and them fighting each other seemed to be inevitable.

    Both men have recently lost twice to champion Kamaru Usman, and both are trying to get back to that title shot. Masvidal has been rising in popularity over the last few years with his personality and impressive wins in the Octagon. However, Covington is also one of the more recognized if not popular fighters on the roster. Masvidal feels he is the star in this one, but Covington most likely feels the same way.

    Who do you think holds the bigger star power, Jorge Masvidal or Colby Covington?

  • Maycee Barber: Modafferi Chose Favorable O’Neill Fight Over Rematch

    UFC flyweight Maycee Barber wishes Roxanne Modafferi wouldn’t have retired before a potential rematch against her.

    Barber is set to face Montana De La Rosa at an upcoming UFC Fight Night event on April 23. She got back in the win column with a decision win over Miranda Maverick in her last fight at UFC Vegas 32.

    Barber’s first setback in the UFC came against Modafferi at UFC 246, as she lost the fight via unanimous decision and suffered a gruesome leg injury. She had to be carried out of the arena by her teammates following the fight’s conclusion.

    Modafferi announced her retirement before her last fight at UFC 271 against Casey O’Neill. Despite losing via a split decision, Modafferi seemed content to have her MMA career come to a close.

    During an exclusive interview with MMA News’ James Lynch, Barber expressed some frustration regarding Modafferi’s opponent choice for her retirement fight.

    “I meant to make a post to congratulate Roxy on a great career,” Barber said. “Obviously as a fighter who fought her, and busted my knee up, I tried to get that fight back and asked for it back. But she was at the last fight of her career and she definitely wanted one that was gonna be in her favor, and I completely understand that.”

    Barber went on to explain why the Modafferi rematch being off the table going forward is a bit of a nuisance.

    “Yeah, I mean, part of you is like, as a fighter, it sounds like a loss. But at the same time, I know how that fight went out (against Modafferi). So it’s not like one, you know, if you go out and get beat down and you lose on a healthy body, and you’re like, ‘Dang, I lost, I wanna get that back.’ I know I was compromised and I know where my heart was and how my body was. Honestly, that was her fight to win. Good for her. I’m not gonna lose sleep over it.”

    The loss to O’Neill was Modafferi’s third straight on her way out of the sport. She last won against Andrea Lee last September via unanimous decision.

    Barber is looking to be a mainstay in the flyweight division for years to come, similar to her former rival Modafferi. She’ll look to continue her momentum later this year as she gets ready to make her 2022 debut.

    How do you think Maycee Barber will perform in 2022?

  • Burns Says He’s Getting Constant Messages To End Chimaev Hype

    Gilbert Burns is ready to end the hype associated with Khamzat Chimaev.

    Gilbert Burns has been atop the welterweight rankings for some time. He had a title fight against champion Kamaru Usman back in February of last year and has been trying to get back to that ever since.

    Burns has been gunning for almost all of the top five fighters in the rankings. Unfortunately for him, none of them have agreed to fight him. One man is interested, however, and that man is rising star Khamzat Chimaev.

    Chimaev burst onto the UFC scene in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. The UFC was doing a series of events in Abu Dhabi on Fight Island and Chimaev quickly became the star of that show. He fought twice on Fight Island in two weeks and won both by way of stoppages. He made another quick turnaround fighting two months later and kept the hype train moving. After falling ill from COVID, Chimaev took some time off, but fans haven’t forgotten his talent.

    Chimaev has been calling out ranked fighters left and right. He wants to quickly make his rise up the ranks and fight for the title soon. He has the backing of other fighters and fans around him. He might be the most hyped fighter on the roster at this point, and Burns is ready to stop that if they get the chance to fight.

    “I’m getting messages from everybody from everywhere,” Burns told The Schmo. “‘Finish that guy,’ ‘Stop the hype,’ and everything. I appreciate you guys. And tune in on April 9th. It’s not a done deal yet, but I believe it will be very soon. So tune in April 9.”

    The fight between these two has been rumored for quite a while now. Chimaev wants it because Burns is sitting in the number two spot and Burns wants it partly because everyone is high on Chimaev. This potential fight has a lot riding on it, with the winner potentially being next in line for champion Kamaru Usman.

    Do you think Gilbert Burns can end the hype behind Khamzat Chimaev?

  • Hill Explains Why A Fight Against Procházka Is A Promoter’s Dream

    Immediately after sleeping Johnny Walker in the UFC Vegas 48 main event, Jamahal Hill is already laying out plans for what would be the biggest fight of his career.

    Jamahal Hill once complained that the UFC was not promoting him as well as they are other fighters. With performances like what he turned in last night, he has done a fine job of promoting himself while making it harder for the UFC to not promote him to his liking as well.

    Shortly after the halfway point of the first round, Hill showed why he entered the bout as the favorite while putting to sleep any doubters that may have lingered, right alongside Johnny Walker.

    Now with back-to-back first-round KO wins and a top-10 ranking likely in his near future, Hill is already plotting his next move, not unlike other stars who masterminded their ascent into superstardom.

    The next phase of Hill’s self-rocketing push is facing another flashy KO artist and one who has captured the imaginations of MMA fans worldwide: Jiří Procházka.

    “Right now, like other than really the Jiří (Procházka) fight, not really,” Hill responded when asked of ideas for his next opponent during the UFC Vegas 48 post-fight press conference. “Nobody else is really, like, everybody else is tied up.

    “The reason I want Jiří so bad is ’cause I feel like that’s a fight that, like, from both ends, it would be a banger. It would be a banger. I think it would be promoted well, and I think not that many other people have that star ability. Like, I feel like I talk well, I feel like I dress well, I feel like I fight well, you know what I mean? So I feel like I got that swag, and I feel like he’s one of those guys, so, yeah.”

    It goes without saying that Hill’s wish is likely only plausible if Procházka were to lose his upcoming title fight against champion Glover Teixeira at UFC 274 in May. Should Procházka win, there would be quite a few potential opponents who are ranked higher than Hill that the promotion would probably select ahead of him.

    Still, Hill is climbing the ranks after another big KO, so if he is willing to fight someone not named Jiří Procházka for his next fight and earn yet another KO, then who knows, maybe he will get that dream fight that he’s looking for, whether or not “Denisa” possesses the light heavyweight gold.

  • Bellator 274 Results & Highlights: Storley def. Gracie

    Bellator 274 has wrapped up, and we’ve got you covered with the live results and highlights!

    In the main event, the #4 Bellator MMA ranked welterweight Neiman Gracie took on the #5-ranked Logan Storley in a five-round main event. In the co-main event, the #9-ranked Andrey Koreshkov took on UFC vet Chance Rencountre. Below, you can find the highlights from both bouts followed by the fast results of Bellator 274!

    Andrey Koreshkov def. Chance Rencountre 

    Logan Storley def. Neiman Gracie

    Bellator 274 Quick Results

    MAIN CARD

    • Logan Storley def. Neiman Gracie via unanimous decision (48-47, 50-45, 49-46)
    • Andrey Koreshkov def. Chance Rencountre via TKO (spinning back kick): R1, 0:38
    • Adam Piccolotti def. Georgi Karakhanyan via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28×2)
    • Brennan Ward def. Brandon Bell via TKO (punches): R 2, 0:32
    • Davion Franklin def. Said Sowma via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

    PRELIMINARY CARD 

    • Nick Browne def. Mandel Nallo via TKO (punches): R2, 2:20
    • Jaylon Bates def. Chris Disonell via submission (rear-naked choke): R3, 3:39
    • Bobby King def. Aviv Gozali via TKO (doctor’s stoppage): R1, 5:00
    • DeAnna Bennett def. Justine Kish via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26×2)
    • Jordan Newman def. Cody Herbert via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27×2)
    • Justin Montalvo def. Corey Samuels via TKO (punches): R1, 2:43
    • Isaiah Hokit def. Theodore Macuka via submission (rear-naked choke): R1, 3:59
    • Jonathan DiLorenzo def. Orlando Mendoza via submission (D’arce choke): R1, 1:07

  • BKFC Knucklemania 2 Results & Highlights: Perry & Mendes Both Win

    BKFC Knucklemania 2 took place tonight, and the card featured four premier bouts on the lineup.

    First, we saw Mike Perry make his BKFC debut against Julian “Let Me Bang, Bro” Lane. The two were involved in a confrontation during a BKFC event last December and fired barbs at one another prior to that incident.

    The card also featured former UFC veteran Chad Mendes making his boxing debut against Joshuah Alvarez, who came into the bout at 1-1. Additionally, Britain Beltran, who holds a BKFC victory over Paige VanZant, took on Christine Ferea for the inaugural women’s flyweight championship. And of course, there was the lightweight championship bout between champion Luis Palomino and challenger Martin Brown.

    The event was available on the Bare Knuckle TV app with a $4.99 monthly subscription. You can catch the highlights from Mike Perry’s and Chad Mendes’ victories below followed by the quick results!

    Chad Mendes def. Joshuah Alvarez

    Mike Perry def. Julian Lane

    https://twitter.com/FiteTV/status/1495242084701425666
    https://twitter.com/FiteTV/status/1495244601137012745

    BKFC Knucklemania 2 Quick Results

    • Luis Palomino def. Martin Brown via unanimous decision (49-46×2, 50-45) 
    • Mike Perry def. Julian Lane via unanimous decision (48-46×3)
    • Chad Mendes def. Joshuah Alvarez via TKO (punches): R4, 1:34
    • Christine Ferea def. Britain Hart via unanimous decision (48-47×2, 49-46) to become inaugural women’s flyweight champion.
    • Gustavo Trujillo def. Stephen Townsel via knockout: R1, 1:41
    • Christine Vicens def. Jade Masson-Wong via TKO (doctor’s stoppage): R3, 0:49
    • Francesco Ricchi def. Jake Bostwich via unanimous decision (48-44×3)
    • Ulysses Diaz def. Sawyer Depee via knockout: R2, 1:00
    • Edgard Plazaola def. Chevvy Bridges via TKO (punches): R3, 1:09
    • Yosdenis Cedeno def. Mario Vargas via unanimous decision (48-45, 49-44, 47-46)
    • Jomi Escoboza def. Zion Tomlinson via knockout: R4, 1:16

  • UFC Vegas 48 Bonuses: Four Fighters Nab Performance Checks

    The UFC Vegas 48 bonuses have been released.

    The event took place in Las Vegas, Nevada at the UFC Apex facility. Headlining the card was a light heavyweight clash between Johnny Walker and Jamahal Hill. This fight didn’t last long as it ended in the first round when Hill landed a right hand on the temple. 

    Walker was out right away as he fell back and landed up against the cage with impact. Hill with a big right hand on the ground for extra measure. 

    The co-main event saw more action between Kyle Daukaus and Jamie Pickett in a catchweight bout. 

    This fight saw Kyle get an early first round takedown into half guard while Pickket had him in a guillotine choke until he let it go. Pickett eventually scrambled to his feet so they ended up clinching. Kyle scored another takedown into half guard and tried taking his back, but this allowed Pickett to stand up. Moments later, Kyle got a third takedown into half guard and locked in the d’arce choke for the win. There was one second left on the clock. 

    Peep the full list of performance bonus winners below.

    Jamahal Hill

    Kyle Daukaus

    Stephanie Egger 

    David Onama.

  • Fighters React To Jamahal Hill KO’ing Johnny Walker At UFC Vegas 48

    Johnny Walker vs. Jamahal Hill was a memorable main event fight. 

    The two fighters met in a bout on Saturday night (February 19, 2022) at the UFC Vegas 48 event from Las Vegas, Nevada at the UFC Apex facility. Just minutes into the first round, Hill landed a right hand on the temple and Walker was out on his feet. Hill with a big right hand on the ground for extra measure. 

    Peep the highlights of the fight courtesy of the UFC’s official Twitter account:

    https://twitter.com/UFC_CA/status/1495217848213463042

    Let’s see how the fighters reacted to the outcome of this fight: 

    https://twitter.com/Actionman513/status/1495217874733916161

    Walker had been undefeated during his time with the Las Vegas-based promotion, but that changed when he was finished by Corey Anderson at the UFC 244 pay-per-view event from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. He previously picked up KO wins over the likes of Khalil Rountree Jr. and Justin Ledet, as well as Misha Cirkunov on March 2, 2019, at UFC 235 via TKO in the first round. He dropped a decision loss to Nikita Krylov in March 2020, but rebounded with a KO win over Ryan Spann in September 2020. In his previous fight, he lost to Thiago Santos at UFC Vegas 38 by decision. 

    Hill entered this fight with a 9-1-1 record. He earned his way to the promotion through Dana White’s Contender’s Series. He went to a no contest with Klidson Abreu at UFC on ESPN 9 then beat Ovince Saint Preux by TKO in December 2020. He lost to Paul Craig by TKO at UFC 263 and then beat Jimmy Crute by KO in December 2021. 

    UFC Vegas 48 Results & Highlights: Johnny Walker vs. Jamahal Hill

    MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC Vegas 48. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.

  • Fighters React To Kyle Daukaus Tapping Jamie Pickett At UFC Vegas 48

    Kyle Daukaus vs. Jamie Pickett was a solid co-headliner. 

    The two fighters met in a bout on Saturday night (February 19, 2022) at the UFC Vegas 48 event from Las Vegas, Nevada at the UFC Apex facility. The first round opened with Kyle scoring a dump takedown and getting into half guard. Pickett held onto a guillotine choke, but let it go. In the middle of the frame, Kyle got a takedown and took his back. A third takedown took place late in the round and Kyle locked in the d’arce choke for the win with a second left. 

    Peep the highlights of the fight courtesy of the UFC’s official Twitter account:

    Let’s see how the fighters reacted to the outcome of this fight: 

    https://twitter.com/Actionman513/status/1495212757599207426
    https://twitter.com/GroovyLando/status/1495212643514130435

    Daukaus went undefeated to earn a contract with the UFC after winning a fight on Dana White’s Contender Series and two bouts after that under the CFFC banner, both coming by submission. He dropped a decision loss to Brendan Allen in June 2020. This bout marked his promotional debut. He rebounded with a win over Dustin Stoltzfus at UFC 255 by decision before dropping a decision loss to Phil Hawes in May 2021. His previous fight against Kevin Holland ended in a no contest due to a clash of heads at UFC Vegas 38. 

    Pickett entered this fight with a 13-6 pro-MMA record and on a two-fight winning streak with decision wins over Laureano Staropoli and Joseph Holmes. 

    UFC Vegas 48 Results & Highlights: Johnny Walker vs. Jamahal Hill

    MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC Vegas 48. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.

  • Archives: Leave It To Mike Perry To Lose Skateboard In A Sewer (2019)

    Here’s a story about tonight’s BKFC 2 Knucklemania headliner Mike Perry doing Mike Perry things…accidentally.

    The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 3, 2019, 11:49 AM]

    Headline: Leave It To Mike Perry To Lose Skateboard In A Sewer

    Author: Fernando Quiles Jr.

    One minute Mike Perry was practicing an ollie, the next his skateboard fell down a sewer.

    It’s easy to see why Perry is in search of new hobbies. Known for being quite a unique character, Perry isn’t one to sit still. “Platinum” suffered a gnarly broken nose following his split decision loss to Vicente Luque last month. Perry is expected to take it easy to let the nose heal.

    Mike Perry’s Skateboard Falls Down A Sewer

    Perry’s efforts to start a new hobby in skateboarding didn’t exactly get off to an ideal start. On his Instagram page, “Platinum” posted a video revealing the dreadful fate of his skateboard.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B17OGaPAFKy/?utm_source=ig_embed

    “Watch this sh*t lmao can’t even practice new hobbies.”

    When Perry is eventually cleared to return, he’ll look to get back in the win column. Perry hasn’t been able to string together two straight wins since Sept. 2017. Since that time, “Platinum” has gone 2-4. He scored wins over Paul Felder and Alex Oliveira, but fell to Santiago Ponzinibbio, Max Griffin, Donald Cerrone, and Luque.

    While Perry has had a bit of a rough go inside the Octagon lately, it isn’t all doom and gloom. Some believe Perry should’ve been awarded the win against Luque. “Platinum” also has an exciting fighting style that is always fan-friendly and he’s not too shabby in the bonus department. It also helps to have a strong personality in the Endeavor era of the UFC.

  • Archives: Jamahal Hill: UFC Not Promoting Me Like Others (2021)

    Last year, Jamahal Hill stated that he did not feel the UFC was promoting him properly. Tonight, he finds himself in his first main event with the opportunity to sell himself to the world.

    The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JANUARY 31, 2021, 9:34 PM]

    Headline: Jamahal Hill: UFC Not Promoting Me Like They Have Others

    UFC light heavyweight Jamahal Hill does not think the UFC is documenting his ascent the way they have done others before him.

    Khamzat Chimaev. Sean O’Malley. Maycee Barber. Mike Perry. Johnny Walker. These are just a few names who were considered “hype trains” shortly after their arrival in the UFC. There have been many others who have been given the red-carpet rollout to announce their disruptive arrival, sometimes prematurely, other times right on schedule, but rising UFC lightweight Jamahal Hill is still awaiting the same premium treatment after the hot start to his UFC career.

    The Contender Series graduate is 2-0 in the UFC (would be 3-0 if not for a marijuana-related no-contest), with one win being against contentious gatekeeper Ovince Saint Preux in December. Before and after being one of the select few to finish Saint Preux, Hill believes that the UFC has not given him the same love as some others who have shown high promise.

    “Here’s how I look at it: I see how the attention of how they shine the spotlight on certain things fighters do,” Hill recently told MMA Junkie Radio. “Things like that and that turn people up and blow them up and get the attention of the whole MMA world, that hasn’t happened to me. Even with the win over ‘OSP,’ that didn’t happen for me.

    UFC Vegas 16 video: Jamahal Hill stops Ovince Saint Preux with barrage of punches in co-main event - MMA Fighting
    Jamahal Hill lands a big left on Ovince Saint Preux. Image: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

    “And so the ‘OSP’ fight, I didn’t, I wasn’t promoted at all. I’ve seen this video, ‘prospects to watch,’ and I wasn’t even on that, co-main event and undefeated. You know what I mean? Little things like that. The spotlight isn’t shining on me like it is on other people. Which is cool. You know what I mean? ‘Cause at the end of the day, what I can do, my abilities, you can’t ignore it.”

    Although Jamahal Hill feels he has been shorted on the hype, he has been given his respect by the UFC rankings committee, with the 29-year-old making the list at #15 following his win over Saint Preux. Hill is now set to face Paul Craig, who is placed one spot above him at #14. Perhaps Hill will be keeping tabs on how he is being promoted in the build-up to the fight, but he will surely look to build on the hype in his next performance with a skill set that makes the job of the UFC marketing team a lot easier.

    Do you agree with Jamahal Hill? Has he been underhyped by the UFC?

  • (Archives) Bisping: Johnny Walker Is The Biggest Threat To Jones (2019)

    Three years ago, Johnny Walker was viewed as the biggest threat to Jon Jones’ rule over the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Since the following article was written, he has gone 1-3 in his last four fights. Tonight at UFC Vegas 48, Walker will be headlining against Jamahal Hill with an opportunity to remind the world of his potential.

    The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JULY 19, 2019, 1:41 PM]

    Headlines: Michael Bisping: I Think Biggest Threat To Jon Jones Is Johnny Walker

    Author: Fernando Quiles Jr.

    UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping feels Johnny Walker may have the best shot at dethroning Jon Jones.

    Walker has been making a name for himself in a short amount of time. Walker has only had three fights in the UFC, but there’s already buzz surrounding the 27-year-old Brazilian bruiser. All three of Walker’s UFC wins have come via KO or TKO. None of those bouts made it to the two-minute mark. He’s also riding a nine-fight winning streak and hasn’t lost since June 2016.

    Bisping Says Walker Is Credible Threat To Jones

    Bisping has responded to Jones saying that Walker isn’t quite ready for a title opportunity. “The Count” agrees, but he still believes that Walker may pose the toughest challenge for “Bones.” Here’s what he had to say on his Believe You Me podcast.

    “I think the biggest threat right now to Jon Jones is Johnny Walker. I think Johnny Walker gives him a lot of problems, but I understand it from Jones’ perspective. He’s still not well-known enough to the average MMA fan. He’s had a big splash, he’s had a few big wins in very, very quick time. And in fact, he’s injured right now because he injured himself with his post-fight celebration. That’s the most damage he takes in his fights, in his own f*cking celebrations.”

    Bisping went on to talk about the benefits of not hot-shotting Walker to a title opportunity.

    “But he’s not there yet. He needs another win or two. For one I think it would be rushing Johnny Walker and potentially bringing him on a little too far, too soon. And Jones is right. Another couple more wins, put him in a co-main event, even a Fight Night main event against a big name and then all of a sudden you’ve got a real star on your hands. And then that makes the pay-per-view bigger for everybody involved. So, I agree with Jones.”

  • Israel Adesanya Grills Whittaker On How He Thinks He Won Rematch

    UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya isn’t happy with how Robert Whittaker has handled the aftermath of their rematch at UFC 271.

    Adesanya earned a unanimous decision victory over Whittaker in their main event rematch at UFC 271. It was a back-and-forth competitive fight, but Adesanya earned the win on the judges’ scorecards.

    Despite the final result, some fans along with Whittaker himself had the fight scored the other way. Whittaker admitted he felt he won the fight during his post-fight press conference.

    Adesanya had a similar situation happen with another of his previous opponents, Marvin Vettori. During their post-UFC 263 banter, Vettori claimed that he felt he won the fight over Adesanya.

    During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Adesanya compared how Whittaker and Vettori handled their losses.

    “He and Vettori are sippin’ the same wine that Costa was sippin’,” Adesanya said.

    Adesanya went on to claim that he allegedly heard Whittaker’s team having the opposite opinion mid-fight.

    “But yeah, everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I’m not gonna try to change their opinion. But from what I’ve heard, his corner was telling him in the corner, like, ‘You’re losing this fight. You need to step up.’ That’s what I’ve heard. How the fuck you gonna think you won when your corner’s telling you you’re losing the fight?”

    Israel Adesanya Is Expected To Face Jared Cannonier Next

    Israel Adesanya’s next fight might be against Jared Cannonier later this year. Cannonier earned a gruesome knockout win over Derek Brunson on the UFC 271 main card, setting up a showdown for the middleweight title.

    Adesanya has previously expressed interest in a fight with Cannonier, and it appears that it’ll finally come to fruition. Before the win over Brunson, Cannonier had earned big wins over the likes of Jack Hermansson and Kelvin Gastelum.

    For now, it appears that any hope of a third fight between Adesanya and Whittaker is on hold. Whittaker will need to go on another win streak to potentially earn a third chance at Adesanya.

    How did you score Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2?

  • Archives: Mike Perry Details Night Of Drinking With Jon Jones (2018)

    Tonight, Mike Perry will compete at BKFC 2: Knucklemania against Julian Lane. If things go his way, he might hit the bars to celebrate after the event. In the following article, we get a glimpse into what it’s like to spend a night drinking with Mike Perry…and Jon Jones.

    The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JUNE 26, 2018, 2:58 PM]

    Headline: Mike Perry Details Night Of Drinking With Jon Jones

    Author: Jon Fuentes

    Mike Perry and Jon Jones aren’t just Jackson Wink teammates now, but it appears they’re drinking buddies as well.

    Platinum has since relocated from Florida to the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based mixed martial arts (MMA) gym as he prepares for his UFC 226 pay-per-view (PPV) clash with Yancy Medeiros on July 7th. Jones took the liberty of showing his new teammate around town.

    They wound up at a bowling alley where they had “like 100 shots of tequila” (via MMA Junkie):

    “He kept buying drinks, man,” Perry said on the “JW Raw” podcast. “I feel like he was buying shots and would look at me, and I would take the shot, and then he’d be like (throwing back the drink).”

    Jones and Perry would hit the town again the following night, but Bones declared that “We ain’t gotta go as hard as we did last night.”

    “I was like, ‘OK,’” Perry said. “He bought me a shot of something, and I was like, ‘Alright, I’ll take this one. Don’t buy me another one.’

    “He was buying drinks for all these people. It was like a big old shot. And I looked at him, and he’s holding his drink, and he’s putting it up to his mouth, and he tilts the cup a little bit. I see him do that, and I’m like, alright, he’s taking it.

    “So I took it, and then he goes, ‘Ah, man, I’m not even gonna.’ And I was like, ‘Aw, dang, bro! You’re getting me messed up out here!’”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bihzu3zgMo4/?utm_source=ig_embed

    What do you think about Jones and Perry getting their drink on together in Albuquerque? Let us know below!