MMA News

Category: UFC

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Their dialogue was as follows:

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

    Islam Makhachev: Who said? <laughs>

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

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

    Daniel Cormier: He has a wrestling background, Islam.

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

    <Cormier & Ryan Clark break out laughing>

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

    You can view the bulk of the exchange below.

    Bobby Green Isn’t Amused

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

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

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

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

    Do you think Islam Makhachev is underestimating Bobby Green?

  • Kevin Lee Speaks On The Controversy Surrounding Joe Rogan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Joe Rogan Vs. “Cancel Culture”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Miesha Tate Wins Celebrity Big Brother Reality TV Show

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Who do you want to see Miesha Tate fight next?

  • Alexis Davis Departs UFC Following Recent Victory

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Israel Adesanya is giving props to Jake Paul.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Colby Covington Roasts Jon Jones After Fiancée Allegedly Leaves Him

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Volkanovski Explains Why Korean Zombie Fight Is Personal

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

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

    Alexander Volkanovski Discusses Upcoming Chan Sung Jung Fight

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

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

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

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

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

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

    What do you think about Alexander Volkanovski’s comments?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Masvidal Disagrees With Trans Swimmer Competing Against Women

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

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

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

    Lia Thomas
    Lia Thomas, Photo credit: Getty Images

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Transgender Women In MMA

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

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

    Fallon Fox
    Fallon Fox, Photo Credit: Championship Fighting Alliance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev is naming names.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Jamahal Hill Decides He Wants To “Make An Example” Out Of Oezdemir

    UFC light heavyweight contender Jamahal Hill knows he has at least one more doubter to silence as he continues to rise in the rankings.

    Hill earned arguably the most gruesome knockout of his career against Johnny Walker at UFC Vegas 48. After taking his time to find his rhythm on the feet, he landed a big right hand that sent Walker collapsing to the mat halfway through the first round.

    Hill has rebounded in a big way since his first UFC loss to Paul Craig at UFC 263. Before his knockout win over Walker, he finished Jimmy Crute in just 48 seconds last December.

    Hill used his UFC Vegas 48 post-fight interview to address the doubters of his skillset. After getting word of Hill’s comments, Oezdemir pointed out that he remains a doubter following Hill’s main event win.

    During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Hill addressed Oezdemir’s tweet and whether or not he’ll be his next opponent in the cage.

    “I’ve already said it, bro, as long as I got the say-so, he’s next,” Hill said. “Just for the simple fact that what I’m here to do, I can’t have people speaking out. If you gonna speak my name, you better be sure. You better be sure. And he spoke it, and I’m going to go out and make an example of him.”

    Hill earned a spot amongst the top 10 UFC light heavyweights after his recent wins and could potentially face Oezdemir next. After back-to-back losses to Magomed Ankalaev and Jiří Procházka, Oezdemir has slipped to No. 8 in the latest light heavyweight rankings.

    Hill has proven to not walk away from a challenge or a fight and seems intent on addressing Oezdemir’s questions. If a fight between them ends up happening next, fans can expect quite the hostility in the buildup.

    Do you want to see Jamahal Hill vs. Volkan Oezdemir next?

  • Johnny Walker’s Fiancée Comes To His Defense Against Trolls Following Loss

    Johnny Walker’s fiancée, Tara Campbell, has come to his defense against haters.

    Saturday night was not Johhny Walker’s night. Walker lost a vicious KO to Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC Vegas 48. As with most brutal knockouts, the image of Walker laying on the mat went viral. He was unfortunate in the loss, but the hits just kept on coming.

    Following the loss, haters began to chime in. Walker came into the UFC with such hype around him that many believed that he would have been a UFC champion one day. Although he still very well might be, his career has taken a turn for the worse lately.

    This loss was the second in a row and the fourth in five fights. Walker addressed fans after the fight, but as he was still receiving terrible messages, his fiancée Tara Campbell decided to take matters into her own hands with a post of her own.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CaRMl5hrzPM/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=f2e8f9ea-3692-4d99-b5fc-757f0f486624

    “And just a note in response to the onslaught of comments online. And the disgusting DMs I’ve received from fake or private accounts antagonising me, and/or ridiculing Johnny. How f–king dare you?” She wrote. “This is a sport. No one but the athletes and their inner circle know the sacrifices the athletes make. The effort and dedication that goes into a camp. The training. The early mornings. The late nights. The diet. The sleep. The recovery. The impact it has on those around them. The mentality.”

    In the aftermath of the fight, Walker posted a video of himself with his coach John Kavanagh enjoying some food and drinks. This was received poorly by fans who claimed that he was not taking his training or the loss seriously. Campbell continues to scold those who claim Walker was slacking.

    “But before you comment, ask yourself. When was the last time you pushed your body to its limits with training? With diet? With mentality?” she wrote. “I know these keyboard warriors probably haven’t broken a sweat in their life and live their pathetic existence through fake or private accounts. And they probably think their comments or posts won’t be seen. But I can tell you while Johnny was in the ER, and I was in the waiting room alone- I saw the comments. I got the messages. And on a good day, it’s water off a ducks back. But on days like Saturday- they were tough.”

    Walker took his training to Ireland to fix holes in his game and work with some of the best out there. He will continue to train and work his way back. Despite the loss, he is still one of the best at 205 pounds.

    Do you think Johnny Walker is catching too much heat for the loss at UFC Vegas 48?

  • Bisping & Schaub Tout Bobby Green As Live Underdog Against Makhachev

    Former UFC fighters Michael Bisping and Brendan Schaub think fans shouldn’t count out Bobby Green against Islam Makhachev.

    Green will step up for his second fight in the same amount of weeks against Makhachev in the UFC Vegas 49 main event. He most recently defeated Nasrat Haqparast with his impressive boxing and movement at UFC 271.

    Green got the call from the UFC to help save the UFC Vegas 49 card after Beneil Dariush suffered a significant injury in camp. While many have praised Green for being game for the short-notice challenge, few fans believe he has a legitimate shot at the elite grappler Makhachev.

    But Bisping and Schaub are proud to be part of that minority. They not only believe that Green can surprise a lot of people against the -900 favorited Makhachev but could also leave Las Vegas with the upset win.

    Michael Bisping Explains Why Bobby Green Has A Reasonable Chance To Pull Off An Upset

    Michael Bisping
    (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Bisping alluded to Green’s underrated ground game as a reason to not rule out an upset at UFC Vegas 49.

    “For Bobby Green to step up, I mean, what an opportunity,” Bisping said. “And by the way, let’s be honest, Bobby can win this fight. On the feet, Bobby is way better, simple as that. Islam can strike, of course. He’s not a one-trick pony. He’s not just a wrestler, right? But he’s nowhere near as fast as Bobby Green. He’s nowhere near as slick. He hasn’t got the footwork, either, that Bobby has. Now, when it comes to wrestling and jiu-jitsu, I’ll give Islam the edge there. He’s better. He’s better in that regard, but you’ve got to get (Green) down.

    “One thing we know about Bobby Green is the sprawl. He has a beautiful sprawl. He also has really, really good takedowns. I doubt he’s going to use these. In this fight, it wouldn’t be smart to take down Islam. That’s just going into his world, giving him what he wants. So Bobby needs to stay on the feet, try and put Islam on the back foot, but be careful that when he goes forward, Islam doesn’t shoot underneath. Obviously he’s going to get taken down. Look at what Islam did against Dan Hooker.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

    Makhachev is arguably one of the top grapplers in the UFC, as evidenced by his most recent first-round submission of Dan Hooker at UFC 267. He has won nine in a row and could be on the verge of a lightweight title shot.

    Brendan Schaub Also Likes The Idea Of Picking An Upset At UFC Vegas 49

    Brendan Schaub
    Image Credit: Desiree Navarro/WireImage via Getty Images

    Schaub, like Bisping, also believes that picking Green may not be an unwise choice. He explained why in a recent episode of The Schaub Show.

    “It’s not a bad idea taking a chance on Bobby Green if you have some extra cash to f*ck around with. It’s not a terrible bet. It’s hard to plan for, short notice, huge underdog, main event. He’s an experienced fighter, very explosive, hard, hard to train for. So we’ll see.

    “I would assume Makhachev tries to take him down early on to take away and nullify that XFactor that is Bobby Green. He gets him down early on, tries to break him, wears him out, nullify that kind of XFactor. Makhachev is an absolute monster when it comes to that.” (h/t BJPenn)

    If Green can shock the world and stop the Makhachev hype train, he’ll no doubt emerge as a top contender in the lightweight division. As for Makhachev, he’s looking to keep his winning streak intact and potentially earn the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje for the belt.

    Do you think Bobby Green has a chance against Islam Makhachev on short notice?

  • Faber Defends Ngannou Amid UFC Contract Negotiations: “Pay That Man”

    Urijah Faber is coming to the defense of Francis Ngannou.

    There have been public disagreements between Francis Ngannou and the UFC lately. Contract negotiations have been a problem for Ngannou, and he has been vocal about wanting more from the promotion.

    One man who thinks Ngannou deserves more is Urijah Faber. He spoke a bit to The Schmo about what the UFC should do with Ngannou and his contract situation.

    “I think the answer is money. Pay that man the money,” Faber said. “He’s the heavyweight champion of the world. I really think that when it really comes down to the really last minute, I feel that the UFC will pony up and hopefully they reach an agreement that works because we all want to see the best fighters in the world in the UFC. I know I do.”

    Ngannou has just defended the UFC heavyweight title successfully at UFC 270. Leading up to the fight, there was plenty of talk about his contract status. After Ngannou won the heavyweight title, he wanted a fight against Jon Jones. Jones also wanted the fight, but they wanted to be paid more than what was offered.

    This interim title being created just months after Ngannou won created a rift between him and the UFC. Over the next few months, Ngannou was vocal about wanting to be paid more. He also wanted to be able to box if he had the opportunity. After defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 270, Ngannou now needs time off to heal from injury.

    Faber has been with the UFC for many years and knows how the system works. He is hopeful that Ngannou and the promotion can come to an agreement and keep him on the roster.

    Do you agree with Urijah Faber to think the UFC needs to give Ngannou what he wants?

  • Diego Sanchez: Conor McGregor Is Not A Good Influence On Our Youth

    Diego Sanchez is hoping to use his position in the sport to be a positive influence on the next generation and believes some fighters with a larger platform have fallen short in doing so.

    Diego Sanchez is a 20-year veteran of the sport who the MMA community has witnessed grow right before their eyes, beginning with his time on The Ultimate Fighter series in 2005. Since then, we’ve witnessed all the highs and the lows of Sanchez’s MMA journey. But one thing that has always remained constant is his love for the sport and the connection he has with the fans.

    Speaking with MMA Junkie, Sanchez opened up on his desire to be a beacon of inspiration for the next generation with no strings attached. He also provided one notorious example of someone he feels has fallen short in that area.

    “Now, I wanna help the youth of the next generation. I wanna be a positive, motivating inspiration and just a good influence for these kids,” Sanchez said. “Because you got guys out there like Conor McGregor that are giants of influences. And drinking Proper Twelve and hitting old men is not really a good influence to be spreading for the youth of the next generation. 

    “So I’m doing my best to do my part. And that’s why I do free seminars with kids. Anybody wanna fly me out to anywhere in America in the world, wherever, I’ll do a free seminar for the kids. Anywhere, anytime. I’ll go make that time to work with the youth of the next generation because they’re the ones that need the most because they’re the ones that are gonna keep us going and eventually be taking care of us.”

    Sanchez has indeed been very charitable with his time and actions for his fans. In 2017, he even participated in an “exhibition” fight with a superfan who had Down syndrome to help make the fan’s dream.

    Diego Sanchez helps make UFC superfan's dream come true | theScore.com

    As for McGregor, Sanchez alluded to one specific incident in 2019 where the Irishman was fined for punching an elderly man in a pub. McGregor has also had other run-ins with the law during his tenure under the spotlight.

    Despite Sanchez not thinking highly of McGregor as a role model, there has always been a strong sense of mutual respect displayed between the two publicly. In fact, Sanchez once expressed that he wanted his retirement fight to be against McGregor, and much to the surprise of many, including UFC President Dana White, McGregor wanted the fight as well.

    McGregor also came to Sanchez’s defense when the TUF winner was involved with controversial manager Joshua Fabia. After a video was released last year of Sanchez taking blows from Fabia while hanging upside down, McGregor spoke up and advised Sanchez to take a different path.

    Diego Sanchez’s next professional venture features his first MMA fight outside of the UFC in 18 years and his first fight since 2020. He will be taking on Kevin Lee on March 11 in a 165 lbs. bout for the Eagle FC promotion.

    Do you agree with Diego Sanchez’s take on Conor McGregor?

  • Jorge Masvidal Wants To Put An End To Nate Diaz’s Trash Talk

    BMF Champion Jorge Masvidal won’t pull any punches if a rematch happens against Nate Diaz.

    UFC 272 goes underway on March 5. Masvidal will face his former training partner and rival Colby Covington. The headlining event is sure to drop jaws as pre-fight tension is at an all-time high.

    The two fighters are going back and forth with vicious verbal attacks on social media and interviews, setting up what could be the most hate-fueled fight in recent history. However, a recent uptick in Masvidal’s rivalry with Nate Diaz may bump the Covington fight down a few notches.

    The conflict between Masividal and Diaz has been brewing since their first battle in 2019. The fight ended in a doctor stoppage at the end of round 3. And although Masvidal was the winner and claimed the BMF belt, of course, Nate Diaz would not let that be the end of it.

    Jorge Masvidal, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Nate Diaz
    Jorge Masvidal, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Nate Diaz; Photo Credit: Getty Images

    Social media would see a lot of tweets from Diaz expressing his honest disapproval of Masvidal as well as mocking him. Because of this, Masvidal feels disrespected by Diaz and would be willing to fight him before a rematch with Usman after the Covington fight.

    “That little fu***** broomstick keeps talking, you’re going to have to go at some point, you know. [When] I take Colby’s a** out, if I gotta wait for Usman, it could be you that gets this a**whooping, bro… Let’s fu***** go, man, I’m gonna break your fu***** face, bro,” said Masvidal (h/t SportsKeeda),

    Many fighters know the game of trash talk. With many fights, it is the foundation to get fans pumped to watch. For Masvidal, he would just love the opportunity to shut Diaz up.

    Another title shot is still on “Gamebred’s” mind. However, it can be put on hold so long as he gets a rematch against Diaz.

    “It’s not a call out. After handling business, I’m going for the title, and if I don’t have time to go for the title, I’m gonna break your fu***** face for all the s*** talking you’ve done,” Masvidal continued.

    Only time will tell if Masvidal and Diaz will run it back. Clearly, though, it is a priority on Masvidal’s list. Fans will have to wait and see if Diaz will be on board.

    What are your thoughts on the prospect of Masvidal vs. Diaz 2?

  • Joanna Jędrzejczyk Convinced Ex-Teammate Nunes Will Regain BW Title

    Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk thinks her former teammate Amanda Nunes won’t be a title challenger for long.

    Nunes is without a second belt for the first time in a long time after losing to Julianna Peña at UFC 269. She still holds the women’s featherweight title, but it’s unclear if and when she’ll defend it this year.

    Nunes and Peña will square off in an immediate rematch later this year after facing off as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter.

    One storyline that has been building with Nunes has been her recent departure from her longtime gym American Top Team. She recently opted to leave the team to focus on a private setting for her to train.

    During a recent interview with The Schmo, Jędrzejczyk was asked about Nunes’ chances in a rematch with Pena and if her departure from ATT may have anything to do with the result.

    “I’m not looking (to make the story deeper than it is). And that’s it,” Jędrzejczyk said. “I made a similar decision a few years ago when I came (to American Top Team). It was her choice. She’s the champion, champion in two different divisions—in one now, but I really believe in her that she will be back to holding two belts in two different weight classes because she’s a beast.”

    When asked to elaborate on Nunes’ decision to leave ATT, Jędrzejczyk expressed empathy and understanding behind Nunes’ decision-making process.

    “And it was her choice. This level, you have to do what’s right for you and how you feel. And it’s not only about getting the best partners (and) training (in) the best facility. But it’s all about getting the good vibe and keep the balance. Because the mental preparation is as much important as the physical or even more important.”

    Nunes will have the opportunity to get her belt back later this year in a rematch against Peña. As for Jędrzejczyk, she’s in a similar position as her former teammate as she works to return to the Octagon in 2022.

    Do you think Amanda Nunes will get her bantamweight title back?

  • Bryce Mitchell Is Prepared To Resist The US Government To His Death

    Fans tuning in to Monday’s installment of The MMA Hour were in for a surprise—and so was the host himself when Bryce Mitchell went rogue during his scheduled appearance.

    A week from Saturday, Bryce Mitchell will go one on one with top-10 featherweight Edson Barboza. Barboza is a tough task for any competitor, and he also happens to be one of the more established names in the UFC, with over a decade of promotional fights under his belt.

    Considering this is being viewed as the most high-profile bout of Mitchell’s MMA career, Ariel Helwani joined the list of MMA journalists who are interested in knowing about Mitchell’s thoughts and preparations leading up to such a big fight.

    However, during Mitchell’s appearance on The MMA Hour, there was no talk about the significance of the fight, what he expects from his opponent, or how well his training camp went. In fact, there was literally no talk about fighting whatsoever.

    Instead, Mitchell stated that he wanted to use the MMA Hour platform to help shine a light on injustices happening on land both foreign and domestic as it pertains to civil liberties, such as the right to own assault weapons like semi-automatic rifles and the right to refuse COVID-19 vaccinations.

    On the domestic front, Mitchell maintained that there is a reason why his home state of Arkansas has not enacted any vaccination mandates at the government level because they wouldn’t be able to enforce it anyway. That’s because, according to “Thug Nasty,” he and his local community are prepared to fight to the death to prevent such violations of their personal freedoms.

    “Before the Holocaust in 1938, Hitler banned Jews in Germany from having guns. There’s a reason he did that. He wanted to disarm the population before he rounded them up and killed them,” Mitchell said. “So when I talk about why these guns are important, you’ve got to know why we’ve got these guns. Of course, it’s to hunt. Of course, it’s to protect ourselves from people that break into our homes. But the reason that they’re really here is to protect ourselves from our own government. It’s to overthrow a tyrannical government.

    Bryce Mitchell
    Bryce Mitchell

    “And these guns on either side of me, that’s the reason that in Arkansas, they don’t have forced vaccines. They don’t have forced mandates. You can’t force ’em. They don’t have the power. If you go up and down my street, every single one of me and my neighbors is armed to the teeth, brother. I mean, I could sit here and—you’ve got the Underwoods, you’ve got the Mitchells, you’ve got the Palmers, you’ve got the Wests, the Browns, the Smiths, the Jameses, the Harrises, we’re armed to the teeth, brother. And we will not let this government inject what they say is medicine into our body without our consent.”

    During the segment, Mitchell went on to explicitly state that he would be willing to die in such a standoff with the government if it meant defending the freedoms of himself and his fellow man.

    This is just a small snapshot of what Mitchell had to say in this unconventional segment. He and Helwani were involved in a civil debate at times, with the segment being more of a conversation as opposed to an interview. Here were some of the other talking points from Mitchell during his brow-raising MMA Hour appearance:

    • 2017 Las Vegas shooting was an inside job. The government staged that shooting to try to justify banning guns. The same applies to most (if not all, he did not specify) mass shootings.
    • 2020 Presidential Election was rigged
    • Inflation is a form of control by the government
    • Ivermectin works much better against COVID than vaccines, but the vaccines make more money, which is why they are being pushed by the government
    • No such thing as a “gun problem” but just “mental health problems” that lead to shootings
    • Health care is not a right because you don’t have a right to someone else’s service

    MMA Fighting usually publishes each interview separately on its YouTube channel, but in this case, they have opted not to post Bryce Mitchell’s controversial segment. Thus, if you want to hear Mitchell’s words straight from the source, you can go to approximately 1:43:00 of the video below, which also contains a disclaimer from MMA Fighting in the timestamp attached to the segment.

    What are your thoughts on Bryce Mitchell’s comments?