MMA News

Category: UFC

Latest UFC news articles, interviews and more covering the world’s top Mixed Martial Arts promotion.

  • Askren Slams Masvidal For UFC 272: You Had 25 Mins To Do Something

    Former UFC, Bellator, and ONE welterweight Ben Askren has criticized Jorge Masvidal’s conduct following his loss to Colby Covington at UFC 272.

    At last weekend’s pay-per-view, one of the promotion’s long-awaited grudge matches took center stage. As former teammates, roommates, and friends, and now bitter rivals, the lead-up to the Las Vegas held event was always going to be a fiery affair.

    That certainly turned out to be true, with a host of insults and jibes flying back and forth during fight week, at the press conference, and even during the five-round contest.

    After 25 minutes of action, Covington, who had dominated much of the contest, was awarded a comfortable unanimous decision victory.

    While “Chaos” had put his previous feud versus reigning welterweight king Kamaru Usman to bed following their fight last November with a show of respect, that certainly wasn’t the case at UFC 272.

    After the final horn, security had to swarm the cage as the pair continued their exchanges. That certainly confused Askren, a former opponent of Masvidal, who questioned why “Gamebred” searched for a scrap after having 25 minutes to do what he wanted to Covington.

    “It was kinda what we expected. The thing that I get annoyed about is Jorge wants to fight him after the fight, and it’s like, listen, you just had 25 minutes to do almost anything you want,” Askren pointed out during an appearance on The MMA Hour. “You can’t eye gauge and bite, you know, we’ve got a couple rules, but not a lot. So you could do whatever you wanted for 25 minutes, and now you’re gonna act like you want more? Hey, you had 25 minutes, freakin’ do it to him.”

    UFC 272 Wasn’t The Only Criticism Askren Sent Masvidal’s Way…

    While Masvidal’s defeat and post-fight antics drew the brunt of Askren’s criticism, “Funky” left some in the tank for later.

    This time, the focus was on a new piece of ink Masvidal debuted during fight week. The tattoo is of the Miami native’s infamous flying knee knockout of Askren back in 2019. The KO, which remains the fastest in UFC history, is arguably what truly shot Masvidal into stardom.

    Discussing the tattoo he had a part in laying the foundations for, Askren branded Masvidal’s latest ink as “terrible.”

    “Ha, it’s terrible. Like, oh, God. It just looks like crap,” said Askren. “That’s something a teenager gets and you’re like, ‘Oh shit, I thought that was gonna look a lot better. I thought this was gonna be really badass, but it looks kinda dopey.’ You’d think (because) he’s rich, he could go get the best tattoo artist in the place.”

    Askren also pointed out that Masvidal’s decision to immortalize the moment on his body perhaps signifies how important it was in taking his career to the next level.

    “I think it’s semi-telling how important that singular moment was to his career, and he knows it,” claimed Askren. “And he tattooed it on his body because it was that important to him.”

    Do you agree with Ben Askren’s takes on Jorge Masvidal’s post-fight attitude at UFC 272 and new piece of ink?

  • Tim Elliott On UFC 272 Win: Cheating Or Not, I Got Paid

    UFC flyweight Tim Elliott has shrugged off accusations of him being a cheater following his controversial win at UFC 272 over Tagir Ulanbekov.

    Elliott scored the upset in his fight against the Dagestani fighter as he defeated Ulanbekov via unanimous decision. Yet the UFC veteran was hit with a blast of accusations in the aftermath with claims of him cheating.

    The 35-year-old appeared to grab the gloves of his opponent several times throughout the fight as well as having landed two knees that could be deemed illegal. Elliott was even warned by the referee at one instance regarding glove grabbing.

    This sparked outrage amongst Ulanbekov’s team who felt hard done by to say the very least. UFC lightweight Islam Makachev, who cornered the fighter, took to Instagram in fury to highlight the alleged cheating of Elliott.

    Makachev pointed out four separate incidents which occurred during the fight that he viewed as fouls and even went as far as to call Elliott a “dirty fighter”. It appeared that Khabib was also furious at the time the alleged cheating occurred as he was shown on the broadcast visibly furious with how the fight was playing out.

    Tim Elliott On Alleged Cheating: “It’s Not That Big Of A Deal”

    Tim Elliott
    Tim Elliott (Photo: Zuffa/Getty)

    Speaking on his controversial victory, Elliott told MMA Fighting that he thinks the only reason people are upset is because he won the fight.

    “At the end of the day, if Tagir would’ve beat me, nobody would’ve said s*** about the glove grab, nobody would’ve said anything about the cheating. The only reason why people are upset about the glove grab s*** is because they lost. His team lost and it just makes them look bad. They wouldn’t have said anything about anything had they won, so it’s just one of those things.

    “If you’ve ever been in a fight — and maybe I’m different — I’m trying to win, man. It’s the referee’s job to step in there if I’m doing something wrong. He was telling me all kinds of s***, he told me to let go of the glove and I let go of the glove. But for me, it’s not that big of a deal. I’m in there fist fighting. People are going on and on about the morality of the sport and the warrior spirit and all of that bulls***, but I don’t f****** care. I’m not a martial artist — I’m a fighter and this is my job. I’m trying to make money at this job, and that’s what I did [at UFC 272].”

    Elliott did admit to grabbing his opponent’s glove in the post-fight interview minutes after he collected his win at UFC 272. He claims that Dana White is unconcerned regarding the alleged cheating meaning Elliott sees no issue with it.

    “For me, it’s not an issue. The bosses don’t care, Dana White doesn’t care, Mick Maynard — I’m good with all those guys. They had no problem cutting my checks, cheating or not cheating. I sleep fine at night and a lot more comfortably now that I have money in the bank.

    About the glove grabs against Ulanbekov – sure, Tim Elliott admits it
    Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie

    “But it happens all the time and it’s going to happen. I was sparring today and I got poked in the eyes, I got my glove grabbed, I got head-butted, got scratched, and these are my friends, these are my teammates. It happens, and everybody knows that. I don’t know, even in basketball, if you slap the hand it’s part of the ball. You can’t tell me you’re not in there grabbing everything you can. I don’t want to get into any arguments about it, I’m just going out there trying to put on a show and trying to win.”

    Despite the controversy, Elliott’s win sees him bounce back into the winner’s column following his defeat to Matheus Nicolau. He also rises to #11 in the official UFC flyweight rankings as he will now be eyeing up a fight against a top-ten opponent.

    As for Ulanbekov, he is now 2-1 in the UFC with his loss to the American being the second of his career. He remains #15 in the UFC flyweight rankings while the Dagestani fighter’s loss at UFC 272 was only the second defeat Khabib has ever suffered as a coach.

    What do you make of Tim Elliott’s confession to glove grabbing in his win over Ulanbekov?

  • Sean Strickland Rips Into “PC Beta Male” Khalil Rountree

    UFC middleweight Sean Strickland isn’t a fan of Khalil Rountree showing his sensitive side following a win at UFC Vegas 50.

    Following his win over Karl Roberson at UFC Vegas 50, Rountree used his post-fight Octagon interview and press conference to attempt to inspire those who come from hard times. Rountree has talked about his journey before MMA on numerous occasions, reflecting on when he was overweight and not confident and turning into an exciting MMA fighter.

    Rountree’s post-fight comments went viral on social media, with many praising him for his openness and honesty on mental health issues. However, Strickland appears to be far from a fan of Rountree’s transparency.

    After watching a viral clip from Rountree’s UFC Vegas 50 post-fight presser, Strickland attacked Rountree for showing emotion after discussing his life journey.

    “Gayest shit I’ve ever seen and I love bi women so ive seen a lot of gay,” Strickland said of Rountree. “Yeah you’re really special, a special little snow flake… This man is the definition of a PC BETA male. You all would hate him….. seriously being in the same room as him makes me cringe.”

    Strickland has been in hot water in recent months for his comments on homosexuals, saying that if he were to have a gay son, he would’ve felt he failed as a man. He later backtracked on those comments saying months later “I love gay men”.

    An apology from Strickland has proven to be a rarity, as evidenced by him rarely backtracking on his past controversial remarks. Fans shouldn’t expect Strickland to backtrack on this attack on Rountree.

    The rising middleweight contender Strickland isn’t afraid to speak his mind, but he has arguably crossed the line with some of his recent social media rants.

    What is your reaction to Sean Strickland’s rant about Khalil Rountree?

  • Michael Chandler Calls Ferguson “Unbreakable” Ahead Of Targeted Bout

    UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler knows what he’s getting into with Tony Ferguson ahead of their targeted fight at UFC 274.

    Chandler and Ferguson are looking to get back in the UFC lightweight title picture after a series of losses from both fighters. Chandler most recently fought against Justin Gaethje in an all-time classic at UFC 268, losing via a unanimous decision.

    Ferguson has lost three in a row, including most recently to Beneil Dariush. Although he still has his trademark toughness and ability to take damage, he’s been beaten up badly in losses to Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.

    During a recent interview with MMA journalist Helen Yee, Chandler praised Ferguson for his tough approach inside the Octagon.

    “The thing about Tony is he’s unbreakable,” Chandler said. “He’s a little bit crazy, got a screw loose. He’s not gonna be a guy that I’m going to be able to break, he’s not going to be a guy that I’m going to be able to wear out and tire out. But, I’m going to get in his face and put hands on him very quickly.”

    One example of Ferguson’s toughness was his fight with Gaethje. Despite being blitzed on the feet by Gaethje early and often, he was still able to throw damaging shots and withstand the barrage into Round 5.

    Ferguson has also only been finished twice in the entirety of his MMA career. Once against Jamie Tony back in 2009 for NFAMMA, and then the recent fifth-round TKO to Gaethje. Even in lopsided defeats to Oliveira and Dariush, Ferguson has managed to be a tough out for most of the top UFC lightweights.

    Tony Ferguson is the elbow-sharpening, blood-splattering UFC maverick who busts faces up and is itching to hurt Conor McGregor
    Tony Ferguson

    Chandler and Ferguson had been interested in fighting one another back in 2020, but negotiations never materialized. Chandler would go on to earn a vicious knockout over Dan Hooker at UFC 257 before losing to Oliveira for the vacant title at UFC 262.

    Chandler and Ferguson will be on the same card as Oliveira and Gaethje at UFC 274. The winner of Chandler vs. Ferguson will look to move forward in the lightweight division and potentially enter the title shot conversation in 2022.

    What is your prediction for Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson?

  • Casey O’Neill Pulled A Julianna Peña To Dana White Before UFC 271

    UFC women’s flyweight Casey O’Neill took a page out of bantamweight champion Julianna Peña’s book while speaking to Dana White prior to UFC 271.

    At UFC 271, O’Neill took another step towards title contention. She did so by sending veteran Roxanne Modafferi into retirement off the back of a loss.

    While she failed to maintain her 100% finishing record in the UFC, “King Casey” did extend her perfect professional résumé to 9-0 with victory on the scorecards. In doing so, she moved up three places to #12 on the 125-pound ladder.

    She also appeared to establish herself as the promotion’s newest villain with her Octagon interview and post-fight press conference remarks. if she’s believed, we can expect O’Neill to become “the best bad guy” we’ve ever seen in the coming months and years.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ-HNZ5vmlt/

    O’Neill Vowed To Capture Gold

    With another jump closer to dominant flyweight ruler Valentina Shevchenko, O’Neill is beginning to attract attention as a possible title contender. But while she’s targeting a steady rise through every ranked 125lber first, the Scottish-Australian has gold in her sights, something she let Dana White know prior to her win against “The Happy Warrior.”

    Discussing O’Neill’s performance during his appearance at the UFC 271 post-fight press conference, White revealed what the 24-year-old told him at the event’s ceremonial weigh-ins. She seemingly took the opportunity to make an ambitious promise to the UFC President.

    “The thing about Roxanne is she’s very unassuming. But she’s a very tough, durable, awkward fighter to fight, and Casey beat her tonight,” said White. “She walked up to me on stage during the weigh-ins and said, ‘I’m going to be your next world champion.’ So I like her attitude, I like the way she fights, she’s aggressive, she’s tough, we’ll see what she does.”

    O’Neill’s promise is reminiscent of the one given to the UFC President by reigning bantamweight queen Peña. After “The Venezuelan Vixen” upset the odds at UFC 269 by dethroning then-two-division champion Amanda Nunes, White revealed the newly-crowned titleholder had forecasted her own success to him before she’d joined the promotion.

    The question is, can O’Neill make good on her promise like Peña did?

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXmaaWsOw5r/?utm_source=ig_embed

    Do you think Casey O’Neill can replicate Julianna Peña’s bantamweight success at flyweight?

  • Usman To Edwards: You’re Right, I Won’t Strike With You, I’ll Only Wrestle

    UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman has responded to Leon Edwards’ suggestion that he won’t be as willing to strike with the Englishman as he has been in recent fights.

    Since dethroning Tyron Woodley in 2019, Usman has successfully defended the title five times and established himself as a contender for GOAT status at 170 pounds. Having brushed aside two challenges apiece from Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, as well as one from former teammate Gilbert Burns, the list of fresh contenders certainly thinning.

    And next up for the champ appears to be another rematch. Earlier this year, UFC President Dana White confirmed that Edwards is set to get his long-awaited title shot in the summer.

    The pair first collided in 2015, where Usman emerged victorious on the scorecards. Since that defeat, Edwards has gone unbeaten in 10 bouts, defeating the likes of Nate Diaz, Rafael dos Anjos, Donald Cerrone, and Vicente Luque.

    Given the Englishman’s development since their first meeting, many expect Usman to face a much tougher test when the two share the Octagon again.

    With that in mind, Edwards believes the champion will avoid exchanging on the feet and return to his wrestling roots for their rematch, which has been largely left in the back-pocket in his last three defenses.

    “He [Kamaru Usman] has definitely fell in love with his hands. He definitely believes in them,” Edwards told ESPN MMA. “He’s called out Canelo. He truly believes that he’s some sick striker so fair play to him, but I know that when we fight, I think he’ll be shooting for his takedowns. I don’t think it will be a striking match. I think it will be more wrestler versus striker match but I’m looking forward to it.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

    Usman Gives Edwards Something To Think About

    In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Usman responded to his next challenger’s comments. “The Nigerian Nightmare” suggested that if wrestling is what Edwards expects, he’s happy to oblige and “beat his face” on the canvas.

    Given his tone, it’s safe to assume Usman is happy for “Rocky” to underrate his striking ahead of their clash.

    “He said if I step in there with him, I won’t be striking the way that I am now. So I’ll oblige,” said Usman. “I give it to you. I will not strike. I am coming in to wrestle. I’m going to take him down, I’m going to beat on his face until he quits. So don’t expect me to strike—at all. I’m going to wrestle.

    “Don’t expect me to strike, Leon. Since I’m not a good striker, don’t expect me to strike. I’m coming to take him down, and I’m gonna beat his face in.”

    At UFC 261 last April, Usman brutally knocked out Masvidal in their rematch. In their first clash, “The Nigerian Nightmare” employed a wrestling-heavy approach. With that in mind, many have pointed out that Masvidal’s focus on defending any takedown attempts in their rematch may have left him open for the fight-ending shot up top.

    Given how that played out, Edwards would certainly be wise to take Usman’s comments with a pinch of salt.

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

    While his work with Trevor Wittman and impressive striking development means we’ll likely see Usman willing to trade with the Englishman, Edwards is certainly a different beast on the feet to the champ’s latest opponent.

    With that said, we can expect to see Usman mixing up his attack more so than he did when he shared the Octagon with Covington last November. But after seeing Edwards dazed from a late punch against Diaz last June, he’ll certainly fancy his chances of finding the KO shot.

    Do you think Kamaru Usman could hang with Leon Edwards in a five-round striking battle?

  • Ciryl Gane: Tai Tuivasa Can Do Something Big In The HW Division

    Former UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane likes what he sees from Tai Tuivasa following his win over Derrick Lewis at UFC 271.

    Gane and Tuivasa could be on a collision course sooner rather than later in the UFC heavyweight division. Tuivasa moved up to No. 3 in the latest UFC rankings while Gane remains at No. 1 despite his UFC 270 loss to Francis Ngannou.

    Tuivasa is arguably the hottest heavyweight contender in the division at the moment, having won five straight via knockout. He has also become a UFC fan favorite with his post-fight ‘shoey’ celebrations.

    During an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Gane tabbed Tuivasa as a legitimate factor in the heavyweight division.

    “Congratulations to this guy,” Gane said of Tuivasa. “It was a really interesting fight. Unfortunately, I was sleeping at this moment, like every time. But I saw the fight after and it was a really tough fight. So congratulations to Derrick Lewis also, it was a beautiful fight. And Tuivasa is an amazing fighter. He can do something big in this division. He has something.”

    Gane is hopeful for an eventual rematch with Ngannou in the UFC. A win over a top contender such as Tuivasa could put him on the fast track to another title shot.

    Tuivasa is now a Top-3 UFC heavyweight and will surely get a big name for his next octagon appearance. His win over Lewis put him on the map and demonstrated that he can compete with the best heavyweights in MMA.

    How far do you think Tai Tuivasa can go in the UFC’s heavyweight division?

  • Dustin Poirier On Colby Covington: “It’s Still On Sight”

    Former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has reiterated his stance on a potential fight with welterweight star Colby Covington.

    At the start of the month, the former teammate on Covington’s mind was Jorge Masvidal. The pair’s long-term feud, which was fueled by animated stories and accusations from the duo’s time as friends and roommates, finally reached the cage at UFC 272.

    But after comfortably dispatching “Gamebred,” Covington wasn’t finished with his former gym. Once again calling out another of American Top Team’s well-known fighters, “Chaos” set his sights on Poirier, who, like Masvidal, he’s gone back and forth with in recent months and years.

    After using his time on the mic immediately following his victory on March 5 to target “The Diamond,” Covington stepped it up a notch at the post-fight press conference, where he brought out his trademark insults for the Louisianan.

    “So I figure I’ll get another tune-up fight with Dustin Poirier, who said it’s on sight,” Covington began. “He weighs more than me. He’s just a bully who cuts a lot of weight. I don’t cut any weight because I know I’m the best in the world and I don’t need to have a weight advantage over anybody. So Dustin, name the site, bring that Jezebel of a wife and bring Conor’s little kid Parker.”

    But while Covington ups the ante on his desire to share the Octagon with Poirier, the two-time undisputed lightweight title challenger’s stance has remained the same.

    Nothing Has Changed For Poirier

    According to Covington, the animosity between himself and Poirier was built by a statement made by the 33-year-old. In 2019, prior to Covington’s ATT departure, Poirier told “Chaos” it was “on sight” if he saw him at the Coconut Creek-based facility.

    Since then, the former interim welterweight titleholder has consistently brought up that remark, and reminded “The Diamond” of the claim. But even with the constant attacks on his family, Poirier has remained steady on his refusal to entertain the idea of entering the Octagon to face Covington.

    He reiterated the same in a recent tweet, claiming that while he won’t allow Covington to use his name for money, it’s still “on sight.”

    “He’s not making money off my name, it’s still on sight you f****** sheep,” Poirier wrote in a since-deleted tweet.

    While talk of a move to welterweight following his title defeat to Charles Oliveira appeared to open the door to a grudge match against Covington, it’s clear “The Diamond” has his sights aimed elsewhere—to be specific, Stockton.

    A fan-friendly clash between Poirier and Nate Diaz has been on the agenda since the start of the year. But while the 33-year-old continues to confirm his interest in the bout on social media, it doesn’t appear like it’s any closer to being booked.

    Nevertheless, Poirier is certainly following up on his pursuit of fun fights following his latest setback, something he seemingly doesn’t class a collision with Covington as.

    How do you think a fight between Dustin Poirier and Colby Covington would play out?

  • Moreno Reveals The Main Frustration He Had As Champion

    Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno has revealed the main concern he had in the weeks following his title crowning last year.

    In a year filled with memorable gold-winning performances, including Glover Teixeira’s late ascent to the light heavyweight mountaintop at UFC 267 and Julianna Peña’s upset victory over former two-division queen Amanda Nunes at UFC 269, another heart-warming moment came in the form of Mexico’s first titleholder.

    Having fought to a draw in his first opportunity in 2020, Moreno was granted an immediate second crack at dethroning the previously-dominant Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 263 last June. After imposing his will in the opening two rounds, “The Assassin Baby” floored “Deus Da Guerra” in the third frame and submitted him with a tight rear-naked choke.

    From a release in 2018 to gold around his waist in 2021, Moreno’s journey has certainly been a special one.

    Moreno: I Was Concerned And Afraid After UFC 263

    While the moment will go down as one of the career-defining victories for Moreno and represented the start of a rise to stardom in the sport, championship status wasn’t without its hardships.

    During an appearance on The Fight with Teddy Atlas in the aftermath of his trilogy loss to Figueiredo at UFC 270, Moreno reflected on his experience with the belt.

    “So, I need to be very honest with you guys. I remember immediately after the fight (UFC 263), my manager told me, like, ‘Hey man, go to home and do a little bit with your family because you will be busy for a few weeks.’ I did a media tour in Mexico City, I had a media tour in Los Angeles, and a little one in San Diego I think,” said Moreno. “I did a lot of things and, you know, a lot of interviews. I meet a lot of people, a lot of famous people in Mexico; I meet the president of my country, so that’s crazy.”

    But while it allowed him to interact with the likes of Canelo Álvarez and the President of Mexico, the 28-year-old admitted the change in his routine and inability to maintain his training schedule caused him concern and frustration for the first month of his reign.

    “That was like, three weeks, one month (after winning the title). In that month, I was a little bit concerned and a little bit afraid because my rhythm of training is high, very high. I have to train like two to three times per day, every single day,” added Moreno.

    “In that moment, I was doing a lot of media and a lot of videos and, in my mind, I was a little bit frustrated because all the other contenders in my division, they’re training so hard and trying to get the title. Now, I have a little target on my back with all these guys (coming after it), and I was putting my pretty face in the cameras and everything. I was a little bit concerned and frustrated.”

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

    While the belt may no longer be in his possession, the goal remains the same for Moreno; grow the sport of MMA in his home country and achieve success, both for himself and his family.

    For “The Assassin Baby,” the way to do that is by regaining the title in a fourth clash with arch-rival Figueiredo.

    Would you like to see an immediate fourth fight between Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo? If not, who should “The Assassin Baby” face next?

  • James Toney Calls Randy Couture A “Coward” For Retiring After Their MMA Bout

    According to James Toney, he and Randy Couture were supposed to battle it out in a boxing match following their MMA bout.

    Before and after his MMA debut, James Toney was an incredible boxing sensation. From 1988 to 2017, he competed in 92 professional boxing matches and gained a total of 77 wins.

    Toney fought in multiple weight classes and won championships in three of them. But in 2010, it was time for Toney to broaden his horizons and take a shot at another combat sport.

    UFC 118 saw Randy Couture and James Toney as the co-main event. Although “Lights Out” lost the match in round 1 via an arm-triangle choke, he still enjoyed the experience and showed appreciation for MMA and the fans.

    James Toney and Randy Couture
    James Toney and Randy Couture, Photo Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

    He may not have remained in the sport like he originally planned, but had fun nonetheless.

    Fast forward to 2022 and Toney is not happy with the way things ended between him and Couture. In an interview with Murder Master Music Show, Toney recalls a boxing match agreement with Couture that was supposed to take place after their cage fight.

    “I knew he was scared when the fight was made,” Toney said. “Randy is a great fighter in MMA. We had made a deal that we do one fight MMA and one fight boxing. But of course, after he beat me, he retires. What kind of shit is that? That’s a coward move, I lost a lot of respect for him. He retired a week later. The bad thing about it is I made more money than he did. I offered to pay him more money for the boxing than he made with the fight with me.” (h/t MyMMANews)

    Unfortunately, boxing and MMA fans never saw the boxing match come to fruition.

    The year after their MMA fight, Couture had his final bout against Lyoto Machida and lost via kick to the head in round 2. Meanwhile, Toney continued to make strides in his boxing career until retiring in 2017.

    What are your thoughts on James Toney not getting a boxing match with Randy Couture?

  • Till: If Brunson Fight Was In The Gym, I’d Have Broken His Skull

    UFC middleweight Darren Till believes he wasn’t himself at UFC Vegas 36, and under different circumstances, he says he’d have laid a beating on Derek Brunson.

    Last September, Till was being pointed at as a potential challenger for reigning 185-pound champion Israel Adesanya down the line. A victory over Brunson in the UFC Vegas 36 headliner was expected to move him to within touching distance of a date with “The Last Stylebender.”

    But spoiling the Englishman’s plans and continuing the unbeaten streak of his blonde iteration, Brunson dominated throughout before securing a third-round submission. While he moved on to face Jared Cannonier in a title eliminator last month, Till has remained on the sidelines since his losing effort inside the UFC Apex.

    But despite appearing to be outclassed on the night, Till believes a clash with Brunson would go very differently under altered circumstances.

    Till: Brunson Felt “So Slow”

    Following the result, Till revealed he entered his fight with Brunson with a torn ACL. While that provided some context behind his lackluster performance, “The Gorilla” has gone into more detail about his mindset and motivation heading into the September event.

    During a recent interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, Till claimed he could barely recognize himself on fight night. Despite insisting the better man had his hand raised, the Liverpudlian believes in a different environment, he’d have left Brunson in a significantly worse state than the veteran left the Octagon in at UFC Vegas 36.

    “It was tough to take, it was real tough to take. I’m not disrespecting Derek in any way, shape, or form. Blonde Derek Brunson was doing the job,” said Till. “But when I was in there with him, I didn’t feel myself and I felt sloppy, but he just felt so slow, even his takedowns and his striking.

    “For me, if this was in the gym, I’d have [MUTED] broke his skull. I know he’s gonna see this and say, ‘No…’ But under different circumstances—I just couldn’t identify myself in there,” continued Till. “But at the same time, maybe, in my opinion, that night Derek was just the better fighter. I always say this, I never try and give excuses… I don’t wanna disrespect Derek. I still wanna give him his props. He beat me fair and square. The better man, the better fighter that night (won). But it was tough for me to take.”

    While Brunson fell short of securing a title shot and is now potentially looking towards retirement after one last Octagon outing, Till is working hard ahead of his comeback. To return to 100% and begin realizing his potential, “The Gorilla” has turned to the help of a fighter on the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to form.

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

    For the past few weeks, Till has been training alongside Khamzat Chimaev at the Allstar Training center in Stockholm, Sweden. Having found his positivity and motivation again, the 29-year-old is targeting an ascent up the middleweight ladder, starting with a successful rebound later this year.

    Who would you like to see Darren Till face when he returns to the Octagon?

  • Archives: Sanchez Goes On Rant After Kevin Lee Misses Weight (2020)

    Two days ago, Kevin Lee successfully made weight and defeated Diego Sanchez at Eagle FC 46 in a 165 lbs. catchweight bout. Two years ago, Sanchez blasted Lee for missing weight ahead of his bout against Charles Oliveira. Oliveira would go on to get the victory anyway, but not before Sanchez gave Lee a piece of his mind.

    The following article was published on this day two years ago. It is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 13, 2020, 7:33 PM]

    Headline: Diego Sanchez Goes On Rant After Kevin Lee Misses Weight For UFC Brasilia

    Author: Fernando Quiles Jr.

    Diego Sanchez is not happy that IV use is banned for weight cuts under USADA.

    Ever since the UFC introduced USADA for its anti-doping measures, it has made an impact. Whether you like it or hate it, USADA is here to stay and has been since 2015. While some have praised USADA for keeping fighters clean, others have bashed the agency for being inconsistent with punishments as it pertains to victims of tainted supplements.

    Diego Sanchez Blasts USADA’s IV Ban

    Another result of USADA being put in place by the UFC is the ban on IV’s for weight cutting. After Kevin Lee missed weight once again for UFC Brasilia, Sanchez posted a rant on Instagram on how the IV ban has negatively affected fighters.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9rux5gJfse/

    “Another main event misses weight and he will win.. I have been saying it for years weight cutting is bullsh*t it’s bad for the fighters health! Why no change? Why no hydration tests? If your going to allow weight cutting then you should definitely allow IV’s it’s impossible to rehydrate adequately! Therefore creating a unfair place for competition where some guys don’t give a f*ck and use IV’s anyway.”

    Weight cutting has been an issue in the world of combat sports for years and it’s unlikely that a universal solution will come anytime soon. Promotions such as ONE Championship have tried to mitigate the issue by ensuring that drastic weight fluctuations are banned and will result in an automatic bout cancelation. There are still measures in place to negotiate a catchweight if a fighter is hydrated but has failed to make the limit by half a pound. UFC color commentator Joe Rogan has praised the system put in place by ONE Championship.

    Whether or not the UFC ever utilizes such a system remains to be seen. While ONE’s main goal when it comes to weigh-cutting has been to eliminate dehydration, it’s still an issue for most other MMA promotions.

  • Song Yadong, Khalil Rountree Among Four UFC Vegas 50 Bonus Winners

    UFC bantamweight prospect Song Yadong and light heavyweight Khalil Rountree earned $50k for their performances at UFC Vegas 50.

    Yadong seized his moment in the UFC Vegas 50 co-headliner against former title challenger Marlon Moraes, knocking him out with a vicious uppercut in the first round. He has now won three straight and appears to be on the verge of a top 10 spot.

    Check out Yadong’s violent knockout below.

    Yadong is a protege of MMA legend Urijah Faber down at Team Alpha Male.

    Yadong wasn’t the only one who shut the lights out on his opponent. Rountree overcame a slow start against Karl Roberson to blitz him with a barrage of strikes in Round 2.

    Rountree landed a stiff body kick along with a series of hooks that sent Roberson collapsing to the canvas.

    Rountree has now won back-to-back fights.

    In one of the most miraculous in-fight comebacks in recent memory, UFC middleweight Cody Brundage survived a near TKO finish from Dalcha Lungiambula to choke him out with a guillotine. He sunk in the choke by allowing Lungiambula into his guard off of a takedown attempt.

    The UFC Vegas 50 prelims began with a wild flying knee knockout by the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov against Tafon Nchukwi in his UFC debut.

    Murzakanov is a former Dana White’s Contender Series standout and could be a light heavyweight to watch in 2022.

    Yadong, Rountree, Brundage, and Murzakanov all cashed in a $50k post-fight bonus check and will look to continue their positive momentum later in 2022.

    Who do you want to see Song Yadong fight next?

  • Archives: Ben Askren Says Colby Covington Is A Real-Life Dipsh*t (2020)

    The following article was published on this day two years ago. It is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    On This Day Two Years Ago…

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 13, 2020, 9:17 PM]

    AUTHOR: FERNANDO QUILES JR.

    HEADLINE: Ben Askren Says Colby Covington Is A Real-Life Dipsh*t

    Ben Askren says shtick or not, Colby Covington is a “dipsh*t.”

    Askren and Covington have traded barbs in the past. Askren may be retired but he still isn’t done firing verbal shots towards “Chaos.” While “Funky” doesn’t deny Covington’s abilities inside the Octagon, he does think the former interim UFC welterweight champion has alienated himself from many.

    Askren Calls Covington A ‘Dipsh*t’ & ‘Terrible Person’

    Jordan Ellis of LowKickMMA.com spoke to Askren, who made it clear that he has no respect for Covington as a person.

    “Well, I think he’s a terrible person. I think that’s pretty well established, kinda anywhere he’s been people can’t stand him. I think that’s now being established at American Top Team and as a fighter. Well he’s pretty good. He almost won a world title. He does a pretty good job at promoting himself. Although, you know, some people think its an act, but it’s not an act. He’s really that much of a dipshit in real life.”

    It’s no secret that Covington’s MAGA shtick has drawn the ire of many. While some believe it’s nothing more than a gimmick, clearly Askren isn’t of that belief. What’s interesting is that Askren also leans right when it comes to politics but he just doesn’t like Covington.

    Covington was last seen in action back in Dec. 2019. He challenged Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight championship. The bout was highly contested and earned MMA News’ 2019 Fight of the Year award. Usman ended up winning the fight via fifth-round TKO.

    As for Askren, he retired from the sport of MMA following a submission loss to Demian Maia. Askren wrapped up his pro MMA career having held Bellator and ONE Championship gold. He went 1-2 under the UFC banner.

    Do you think Colby Covington is just playing up his shtick or is he being authentic?

  • Thiago Santos On UFC Vegas 50 Defeat To Ankalaev: “No Excuses”

    UFC light heavyweight Thiago Santos isn’t making excuses for his performance after falling to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Vegas 50.

    Santos looked to earn a second straight win in his second straight UFC main event against the upstart Ankalaev. However, it wasn’t meant to be as he appeared hesitant to throw strikes and find his timing throughout the fight with Ankalaev.

    Santos, who previously had gone toe-to-toe with Jon Jones at UFC 239, has failed to recapture the same magic in losses in three of his last four fights. He’s fallen to the likes of Aleksandar Rakic, Glover Teixeira, and now Ankalaev.

    In a recent Instagram post, Santos addressed his fans while also reflecting on the loss to Ankalaev.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbDWw4-piiG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    “No words about yesterday, no excuses, another hard and painful defeat,” Santos said. “Still, my faith in God remains unshakable and my gratitude to him, my family, my friends, coaches and true fans only increases, thank you for everything.”

    Santos had once looked like a world-beater after moving from middleweight to light heavyweight earlier in his UFC career. While he remains a dangerous foe for most 205 pounders, it’s unclear whether or not he’ll still be able to contend for a light heavyweight title.

    Despite the disappointing loss, Santos seems optimistic about his future in the UFC. He’ll look to get back in the win column with his next potential appearance later this year.

    What do you think is next for Thiago Santos?

  • Archives: Till Doesn’t Think He’ll Ever Move Past Woodley Defeat (2019)

    The following article was published on this day three years ago. It is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    On This Day Three Years Ago…

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 13, 2019, 12:32 PM]

    Darren Till suffered the first defeat of his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career in his last fight. “

    The Gorilla” was submitted in the second round of his UFC welterweight title contest with Tyron Woodley in September. Now, he’s looking to bounce back this weekend (Sat. March 16, 2019) against Jorge Masvidal at UFC London.

    Speaking to MMA Junkie, Till admitted that his loss to Woodley still stings, and he doesn’t think he’ll ever move past it. In fact, he’s realistic that the same thing could happen to him this weekend, and he’s not scared to talk about it:

    “I don’t think I’ll ever move past it,” Till said. “I’m not ashamed to say it still hurts every day if it comes to mind. I’ve watched the fight many times, and it’s just something inside of me. Even if I get the rematch with Woodley and beat him, the first fight will still be a thorn inside of me.

    “I’ve always said that openly, you can’t really go through this life – a normal life or the fighting life – with it all being highs. The lows do come, and I always said that a loss would come. A loss may come again. A loss may happen Saturday. I’m not scared to talk about it because it’s all reality. I am a realist.”

    With a new champion at the helm, the welterweight division is ripe for the picking in regards to big fights. Should Till emerge victorious this weekend with a big showing, he could be right back in line for title contention. However, he needs to get past a hungry Masvidal first.

    “Gamebred” hasn’t won a fight since January of 2017. After back-to-back losses, and not having fought since November of 2017, Masvidal might have to shake off some ring rust before he gets going against a striker the caliber of Till on Saturday.

    Who are you picking for Till vs. Masvidal this weekend?

  • Greg Hardy Appears To Announce UFC Release Following UFC 272 Loss

    It appears that UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy’s time with the promotion may be coming to a close based on a recent social media post.

    Hardy is coming off of a disappointing loss to Serghei Spivac at UFC 272, losing via first-round submission. Hardy has now lost three in a row after impressive wins over the likes of Maurice Greene and Yorgan De Castro.

    Hardy has had his fair share of ups and downs in the UFC, making the full-time move to MMA following a tumultuous end to his career in professional football. But Hardy appears to be turning the page to the next chapter of his athletic career, and it may not be in the UFC.

    In a recent Instagram post, Hardy appeared to say his goodbyes to UFC fans and hinted at a departure from the top MMA promotion.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbAno3JL2Fn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

    “What a run,” Hardy said. “Ya boy is far from done just got some fine tuning to do. Thank you to all my fans and haters. I appreciate you all. Mostly i appreciate my coaches, family, and the @ufc for giving me the opportunity to shine bright.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)

    The UFC hasn’t officially announced anything regarding Hardy’s status with the promotion and it’s not yet clear what Hardy’s next move will be. Despite the loss to Spivac, Hardy sounded optimistic about his UFC future immediately following UFC 272.

    Hardy made his UFC debut back in January 2019 after throwing an illegal knee against Allen Crowder. He would rebound in a big way with TKO finishes over Dmitry Smolyakov and Juan Adams.

    Hardy garnered the attention of UFC President Dana White after a pair of impressive wins on Dana White’s Contender Series. He also competed on the regional scene leading up to his shot on DWCS in brief stints with LFA and Rite of Passage.

    Hardy has accumulated a 7-5 record in the cage since making the move to MMA.

    What do you think is next for Greg Hardy and his MMA career?

  • (Archives) Masvidal Blasts “Weasel” Ben Askren: Have Some Pride (2019)

    Before one of the most iconic knockouts in UFC history at UFC 239, Jorge Masvidal was already talking trash to Ben Askren. In fact, the following article was published before Masvidal and Askren were even booked to fight one another. As alluded to, we know how this story ends. But here is a walk back to one of the first chapters of how the Masvidal/Askren feud began.

    The following article was published on this day three years ago. It is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    On This Day Three Years Ago…

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 13, 2019, 4:30 PM]

    Jorge Masvidal sent a harsh message to Ben Askren following Askren’s controversial victory at UFC 235.

    Jorge Masvidal will be headlining UFC London in three days when he takes on Darren Till from the 02 Arena in London, England. Ben Askren is already on record in saying he would like the winner of that bout after picking up a victory over Robbie Lawler at UFC 235, but Jorge Masvidal feels that Askren’s fleet of foot and fleet of mouth after the controversial victory calls into question Askren’s manhood, confidence, and respect:

    “He’s a little groupie, man,” Masvidal told MMAjunkie of Askren. “He’s calling my name. Who are you? Herb Dean gifted you a win, and you’re calling people out? Give Robbie Lawler the respect you owe.

    “As a man, as a fighter, having pride in what I do, I choke somebody out, or I think choke them out, but when I see the replay and see the guy put the thumbs up, in my head, I would say, ‘Man, I didn’t choke this guy out,’” Masvidal said. “And as a man, having pride, I would say, ‘Let’s do it again,’ especially after he (expletive) decapitated me on the slam, busted up my face. ‘Let’s do it again,’ because I definitely didn’t choke you out. Because I’ve never seen nobody go to sleep like this. That’s the first.

    “But that’s how much of a weasel and coward he is. No, no, I’m gone already. I wouldn’t dare repeat that route again. That just shows you his character. He’s a (expletive).”

    Robbie Lawler and Dana White have both called for a rematch of the Askren/Lawler bout, while Askren has been quite clear about where he stands as well, a stance that has generated repulsion and contempt from the man who may end up being Ben Askren’s next opponent, Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal.

    Do you agree with Jorge Masvidal’s harsh assessment of Ben Askren’s character?

  • Alex Pereira Wants Big Step Up In Form Of Jared Cannonier: “Why Not?”

    Alex Pereira hasn’t entered the Top 15 yet in the UFC middleweight rankings, but he has his eyes on top contender Jared Cannonier.

    Pereira outlasted a tough Bruno Silva to kick off the main card of UFC Vegas 50. Despite having Silva badly hurt in the third round, Pereira wasn’t able to secure the finish and would settle for a unanimous decision victory.

    Pereira is now 2-0 in the UFC after a decorated career in Glory Kickboxing. He also has a 5-1 record in MMA and seems focused on title contention in the UFC.

    Pereira has discussed a potential third fight with Israel Adesanya in the UFC after beating him twice in kickboxing. However, Pereira thinks he’s ready for a fight with Cannonier next following Cannonier’s knockout over Derek Brunson at UFC 271.

    During his UFC Vegas 50 post-fight press conference, Pereira explained his reasoning behind calling out Cannonier so early into his UFC career.

    “I had talked about Jared Cannonier because he’s a guy that is next for a title shot,” Pereira said. “Some people have already talked about me and Adesanya, so why not Cannonier? I don’t think I’m talking too much calling out Cannonier.

    “I had two great fights and I was able to showcase my skills. I didn’t even show everything that I go through my daily basis training with Glover Teixeira’s gym. I’m improving and evolving every day. Where I am in the division? I don’t know. I’ll let the promotors talk and they’ll know where to properly put me in.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

    Before his win over Silva, Pereira passed his first UFC test with flying colors against Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268. He earned a violent flying knee knockout that put the rest of the division on notice.

    Cannonier is expected to face Adesanya for the next middleweight title shot later this year. If he were to lose, a fight against Pereira may happen down the line.

    For now,

    UFC Vegas 50: Pros react to Alex Pereira's unanimous decision win over Bruno Silva - Bloody Elbow

    Alex Pereira is planning his next move in the UFC Octagon as he continues to pursue his long-standing rival Adesanya.

    Who do you want Alex Pereira to fight next?

  • Manager Shares The Only Way Harrison Can Fight Cyborg After PFL Deal

    MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz says talks of his client Kayla Harrison fighting Cris “Cyborg” Justino could theoretically happen, despite Harrison’s new deal with the PFL.

    Harrison concluded her free agency by re-signing with the PFL, despite lucrative offers from Bellator and the UFC. In addition to signing Harrison, the PFL announced that they intend to launch a “super fight division” to garner the attention of some of the best fighters around the sport.

    Talks of a fight between Harrison and Cyborg began when Cyborg defeated Sinead Kavanagh at Bellator 271. Harrison was a guest of Bellator President Scott Coker to watch Cyborg put on a dominant performance.

    Tensions between Harrison and Cyborg have skyrocketed in recent weeks. This was after Harrison challenged Cyborg to a fight at American Top Team before getting blocked by her on Twitter.

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Abdelaziz explained how a Harrison vs. Cyborg fight can still happen down the line, which is for the reigning Bellator featherweight champion to jump ship.

    “Listen, Cyborg is a Bellator fighter. Kayla is a PFL fighter,” Abdelaziz said. Whatever super fight is gonna happen, it’s gonna happen with someone inside PFL. It’s not going to happen with someone in Bellator, because it’s a completely different entity. At the end of the day, I know both people, I’m good with both people, but it’s very hard to get two promoters to sit down and talk. I can be in the middle if they ask me to, but at the end of the day, PFL people fight people in the PFL. To be honest with you, I don’t know of any other champion in another promotion who would fight Kayla.”

    Abdelaziz went on to question whether or not a fight with Harrison is a matchup that Cyborg would want.

    “I don’t know if she does, I don’t know if she doesn’t. I just think people can say things, but when a contract is drawn, we don’t know what kind of move you’re going to make. You don’t know how you’re going to feel, what kind of butterfly you’re going to feel. One thing I can tell you, [Kayla’s] the greatest fighter of all time. It’s not Ronda, it’s not Amanda Nunes, she is. She’s the most dominant.”

    Harrison is getting ready to defend her women’s lightweight title in the upcoming 2022 PFL season. She defeated Taylor Guardado last October for her second consecutive championship in the league.

    As for Cyborg, she’s set to face Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 279 in April. She’s won five straight since losing to Amanda Nunes at UFC 232.

    If a Harrison vs. Cyborg fight will happen this year, it would have to take place in a cross-promotion event. But according to Abdelaziz, the only way the fight ever happens would be if Cyborg joined the PFL. For now, any conflict between Harrison and Cyborg will only take place from afar.

    Do you think Kayla Harrison vs. Cris Cyborg will eventually happen?

  • Archives: Cain Velasquez: I Want Nothing More Than My Belt Back (2017)

    Times were simpler for UFC great Cain Velasquez five years ago, as the following article illustrates. However, Velasquez was unable to regain the heavyweight championship after this article was published.

    The following article was published on this day five years ago. It is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    On This Day Five Years Ago…

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 13, 2017, 9:23 PM]

    Cain Velasquez took to Twitter on Monday to confirm that he still has a future in the UFC, and will fight for the heavyweight title sometime in the future.

    Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez wants nothing more than a return to fighting duties, but will not step back inside the Octagon until he feels the time is right.

    Velasquez is no stranger to succumbing to injuries. The former two-time UFC heavyweight champion has just two appearances inside the cage in over three years, having missed out on a return to action following back surgery which saw a rematch with Fabricio Werdum at UFC 207 scrapped.

    Regardless of a long list of injuries that have disrupted the heavyweight’s career over the past few years, Velasquez is confident that he can still compete with the best in the business. This time, however, the 34-year-old wants to ensure that he is in the best possible shape prior to squaring off with any opponent.

    Velasquez’s message to fans was comprehensive, but is certain to dispel fears that the popular fighter has fought for the last time in the world’s premier MMA organization:

  • Tsarukyan: 70% Of Russians Thought Ferguson Would Beat Khabib

    UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan claims the majority of Russians picked Tony Ferguson to upend Khabib Nurmagomedov in the Octagon.

    Tsarukyan has been on a tear with five-straight wins in the UFC. He earned a brutal TKO finish over Joel Alvarez at UFC Vegas 49 to continue his climb up the lightweight rankings.

    While Tsarukyan has proven to be a real factor at 155 pounds, he has arguably yet to earn a signature big-name win on his record. His lone defeat came against Islam Makhachev in April 2019.

    Arman Tsarukyan Says Tony Ferguson Has A Lot Of Support, But Can’t Beat Khabib

    During a past media scrum, Tsarukyan gave his thoughts on the seemingly cursed Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov matchup. The two were once considered the best lightweights in the world and a very intriguing stylistic matchup.

    Many believed that Ferguson had the tools to give Khabib trouble wherever the fight would go, including on the mat. And apparently, the majority of Russians thought so as well.

    “I don’t think so,” Tsarukyan said when asked about Ferguson’s chances against Nurmagomedov. “But, you know, I live in Russia … UFC is I think number one sport. Everyone, like, watch UFC, and like 70% said Tony Ferguson was going to win—I don’t know why. Tony Ferguson really, like, he has a lot of fans in Russia.”

    Ferguson and Nurmagomedov were supposed to fight on numerous occasions during their respective careers, but the bout constantly fell through. Nurmagomedov retired following his win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.

    Ferguson is looking to get back in the win column after losses to Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Beneil Dariush. He hasn’t won since his finish doctor’s stoppage victory over Donald Cerrone at UFC 238. He is currently scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 274.

    Do you believe Arman Tsarukyan Do you think most Russians picked Tony Ferguson to beat Khabib?

  • Archives: Alleged Conor McGregor Victim Details Miami Robbery (2019)

    The following article was published on this day three years ago. It is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    On This Day Three Years Ago…

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 13, 2019, 10:13 AM]

    Conor McGregor landed himself behind bars once again this week. “The Notorious” was arrested in Miami Beach after allegedly smashing a fan’s phone and stealing it. The victim, who has since been identified as Ahmed Abdirzak, gave his side of the story to TMZ Sports. The London resident claims McGregor actually fooled him, going in for a handshake before taking his phone and smashing it (via MMA Junkie):

    “He came to shake my hand, and as soon as he came to shake my hand, he pulled me in and grabbed my phone and started smashing it,” Abdirzak said. “All these security guards literally surrounded me and pushed me out of the way. And he’s stomping on it.

    “He was a lot rude. He was like, ‘Get the (expletive) out of my face. Move.’ And I was like, ‘Yo, sir can I have my phone back?’ And (security guards said), ‘Move, man. Conor said what Conor said.’”

    Abdirzak then claims McGregor picked up the phone, pocketed it, and walked off while laughing. The 30-year-old was arrested hours later that day on strong-arm robbery and criminal mischief charges. Abdirzak said his phone is valued at $1,000, but the photos of his child are priceless, and he might never get them back:

    “I’ve got pictures of my son I’ll probably never get again,” Abdirzak said.

    What do you think about McGregor’s phone-smashing incident in Miami?

  • Khabib Believes St-Pierre Lost His Hunger To Fight A Decade Ago

    Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Georges St-Pierre had lost his hunger to compete even before he held middleweight gold.

    Khabib and GSP are two of the consensus frontrunners in the debate over who holds the crown as the greatest of all time. But while they have that in common, they also share another similarity: retiring on top.

    While “The Eagle” hung up his gloves from his place atop the lightweight mountain following his victory over Justin Gaethje in 2020, “Rush” called time on his career early in 2019 having not competed since his middleweight title win against Michael Bisping two years prior.

    St-Pierre retired with a 26-2 record, having not been beaten in 13 fights since his shock defeat to Matt Serra in 2007. Across the decade after his final blemish, he held titles in two weight classes, defeated the likes of BJ Penn, Thiago Alves, Carlos Condit, and Nick Diaz, and defended the 170-pound belt a record nine times.

    But despite reaching another throne as recently as 2017, Khabib believes St-Pierre lost his desire to fight long before his retirement.

    Khabib: “For This Sport, You Have To Be Hungry”

    During an appearance on the Full Send Podcast, Khabib discussed St-Pierre and his own failed matchup with the great Canadian. While a superfight between the pair was long-rumored and reportedly even offered to Khabib as recently as 2021, it never came to fruition.

    The Dagestani suggested that when he was in his own prime, GSP was long past his. And despite the fact “Rush” returned from a previous lengthy hiatus to win the middleweight strap in 2017, Khabib believes it was clear St-Pierre’s hunger was gone during his controversial 2013 victory over Johny Hendricks.

    “When I was on top, when it was my prime time, it was not his prime time. When did he finish? ’12, ’13? After four years he came back, fight only with Michael Bisping. Last, almost 10 years, I think his time is finished,” said Khabib. “My opinion is his prime time was like 2010, ’11, ’12, but ’13 it was not his time.

    “Even when he fight Johny Hendricks. On this time, I feel he’s not enjoying (being) inside the cage. He’s not hungry anymore. I don’t know about his feeling, this is what I feel. For this sport, you have to be hungry. If you’re not hungry, if you don’t want this, you have to finish,” Khabib concluded.

    While some of the UFC’s best continue their careers in spite of losing streaks and devastating skids, Khabib and St-Pierre ended their in-cage stints on top. While we’ll never know how much both men still had to give inside the Octagon, it’s safe to say the pair accomplished their goals and secured memorable legacies.

    Nevertheless, most would be lying if they denied harboring some disappointment at the fact we never got to see the two GOAT contenders share the cage…

    How do you think a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Georges St-Pierre would have played out?

  • Fighters React To Ankalaev Outlasting Santos At UFC Vegas 50

    Magomed Ankalaev has continued his rise through the UFC light heavyweight division with a victory over Thiago Santos in the main event of UFC Vegas 50 this evening.

    The duo went five rounds at the UFC Apex in what was for the most part a cagey affair. Dagestan native Ankalaev, who went into the bout on a seven-fight win streak, pushed the pace early on before Santos earned a knockdown in round two. But Ankalaev responded by landing the only takedown of the fight in round four and rounding out a unanimous decision win by outstriking Santos 70-60.

    The #6 ranked Ankalaev’s UFC record now stands at 8-1, and with victory over #5-ranked Santos, we’ll likely see the 29-year-old break into the top five in the coming days.

    You can catch the highlights of the main event below.

    This was Ankalaev’s eighth UFC win in a row.

    Ankalaev won the final scorecard of 49-46, 49-46, 48-47.

    Now, let’s see how fighters reacted to the UFC Vegas 50 main event.

    UFC Vegas 50: Santos vs. Ankalaev Results & Highlights

    MMA News is providing ongoing coverage of UFC Vegas 50. We’ve got you covered with live results, video highlights, and post-fight tidbits.