MMA News
Stipe Miocic gives timeframe for next fight, discusses possible opponents
Tom Taylor - September 20, 2017
Stipe Miocic is starting to look like an unstoppable heavyweight champion. Since winning the belt with a first-round knockout of Fabricio Werdum, he’s now defended it with first-round knockouts of Alistair Overeem and Junior dos Santos. And given that his latest win – the dos Santos KO – was in May, he’s now starting to get the itch to get back in there. Speaking on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, Miocic explained that he’d like to get back in there in December or January.
Tony Ferguson Vows to Make Kevin Lee 'Piss Blood'
Justin Golightly - September 19, 2017
The interim UFC lightweight title is up for grabs just a few weekends away at UFC 216, which is why trash talk between Tony Ferguson and Kevin Lee has been reaching a boiling point. Profanity has been flying around like the kicks and punches will be on October 7th. Lee is confident he is going to expletive Ferguson’s expletives, but El Cucuy hopes those aren’t just empty promises, but that Lee has actually prepared for the war he expects. “Pressure [is how I beat Kevin Lee]. I make him quit. I test his conditioning. Hit him in the stomach. Make him piss blood. He said,’I’m gonna’ f-ck you up,’ but I didn’t hear not one thing saying he was going to be physical, or he’s training for it, or doing all these different things to prepare for that.”
BREAKING | Carlos Condit Wants a Fight as Early as This Year
Justin Golightly - September 19, 2017
The beauty of MMA Twitter is that sometimes news can break out of nowhere. The last anyone heard from Carlos Condit, he was working on starting his own coffee business. Evidently, all that caffeine got him buzzing for another kind of rush. The former UFC welterweight title challenger is looking to step back into the Octagon. Not just sometime, the razor-elbowed striker wants to return as early as this year or at least early 2018, which is amazing news for fight fans. Yo! @seanshelby what's up big guy…? I'm wanting to fight in December or January… what say you!?
Jeremy Stephens Calls Out Korean Zombie and Gets Trolled by the Man Himself
Justin Golightly - September 19, 2017
Jeremy Stephens is fresh off of beating Gilbert Melendez at UFC 215 thinks to an absolute leg destruction, but he’s not slowing down yet. He almost immediately called out Jose Aldo for a potential scrap at the end of this year or early 2018, unfortunately it turns out that fight isn’t happening for some reason or another. No worries, Stephens jumped to social media and decided to mention the name of another fan favorite: Chan Sung Jung, better known as the Korean Zombie. https://twitter.com/LiLHeathenMMA/status/909906244386791424
VIDEO | Bellator’s 'Flying Cage' to make U.S. debut at Bellator 183 and Bellator Kickboxing 7
Russell Ess - September 19, 2017
Bellator will be using their 'Flying Cage' for #Bellator183 & Bellator Kickboxing 7 on Saturday. Here's a look at the flying cage in action: pic.twitter.com/6ihLQPNxm2 — Simon Head (@simonhead) September 19, 2017
Kevin Lee Promises to 'Beat the F*ck' out of Tony Ferguson and Calls Out Khabib
Justin Golightly - September 19, 2017
There has been an endless stream of trash talk since Tony Ferguson and Kevin Lee were booked to fight. Actually, it was even before that when the war of words started. After his quick win over Michael Chiesa, Lee already started digging into Ferguson in their post-fight interview live on the air. As wild as the verbal battle has been, the physical fight between the two is sure to be even better… and very violent. “I’mma’ beat the f-ck outta’ Tony [Ferguson]. I’ll beat him. I’mma’ beat the f-ck outta’ Tony . Tony can take a shot, I like to give shots, I’mma’ beat the f-ck outta’ Tony. I’mma’ beat the hell out of him. I’m going to I beat him from pillar to post. Y’all just wait, the folks don’t really know. I’mma’ beat the f-ck outta’ Tony.”
Coach Edmond Tarverdyan on his critics: 'I know I know how to coach'
Russell Ess - September 19, 2017
You often hear in the sport of mixed martial arts that fighters experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. In most cases, it isn’t just the fighters competing in the bout that experience the rollercoaster of emotions but their team is also on the ride with them. Coaches and training partners who spend their time and efforts preparing for a fight also experience the joy of winning and sorrow of losing.
PHOTO | Check out the awesome, updated poster for UFC Fight Night 117 in Japan
Tom Taylor - September 19, 2017
This weekend, the UFC will return to the MMA mecca of Japan with UFC Fight Night 117. Originally, the card was expected to be headlined by a light heavyweight rematch between PRIDE legend and former UFC light heavyweight king Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and his former foil Ovince Saint Preux. Unfortunately, the injury bug enjoyed its latest feast at the expense of this main event, and Shogun was forced to bow out with a damaged knee. Shogun’s replacement for this fight was a downright shocker.
VIDEO | Chael Sonnen explains why Conor McGregor appeals to the masses
Russell Ess - September 19, 2017
There is no doubt that Conor McGregor is one of the biggest stars that the UFC has ever had. The brash Irishman just took part in one of the biggest fights in history, making his professional boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather. “The Notorious” talked his way to make a crossover into another sport and made the biggest payday of his career in doing so. This all happened with the support of fans from around the world and wouldn’t have been possible without their interest.
VIDEO | Watch Cris Cyborg's insane Muay Thai workout in Thailand
Tom Taylor - September 19, 2017
UFC women’s featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino is currently training at Phuket Top Team in beautiful Phuket, Thailand. If the video she uploaded to YouTube earlier today is any indication, she is absolutely killing it in the gym – and all of her prospective opponents should be worried. In this video, fans can watch Cyborg literally chase her pad-holder around the facility, smashing him with punches, knees, kicks and elbows as she does. Watch it above! Though nothing is official just yet, Cyborg has been angling hard for a fight with former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm – ideally at UFC 219 this December.
Max Holloway Believes He May Fight Frankie Edgar Before End of 2017
Justin Golightly - September 19, 2017
Over the years, Max Holloway has fought tooth and nail to prove he’s the best 145-er in the world. After losing to Conor McGregor, he’s gone on an obscene 11-fight win streak over everyone the UFC threw at him. His righteous onslaught culminated with finishing Jose Aldo at UFC 212, unifying the featherweight titles and breaking records in the process. At this point, there’s basically only one contender left that Holloway hasn’t fought yet. This is where Frankie Edgar comes in. …At least, that’s what Holloway hopes. “Everyone knows I’ll fight anyone, anywhere, any time. I’ve got a belt to defend. Right now if it’s defending the throne, it’s looking like Frankie [Edgar]. You can’t deny it. The guy’s a legend of the sport, multiple time champ and I can’t wait to get another one on my resume. If Frankie’s the next man up, so be it. I’ve been trying to get this fight forever. I always wanted to fight Frankie, I always wanted to challenge myself. I know he’s a tough competitor but at the end of the day he’s going to have to face me so I’m excited.”
Mackenzie Dern moves up to flyweight for October scrap in LFA cage
Tom Taylor - September 19, 2017
BJJ whiz Mackenzie Dern is now ready to take the next steps of her MMA career. According to a report from MMAJunkie.com, which was confirmed by Dern herself on Instagram, this next step will occur at LFA 24 on October 13 inside Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. Dern’s opponent will be Mandy Polk. https://www.instagram.com/p/BZOG89lFBAp
Cris Cyborg responds to Edmond Tarverdyan's calls for a Ronda Rousey fight
Tom Taylor - September 19, 2017
On yesterday’s episode of The MMA Hour, Edmond Tarverdyan, head coach to former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, weighed in his star pupil’s future. While he admitted he isn’t sure if Rousey will ever fight again, he did suggest that he’d like to see her fight one more time, against one fighter in particular: Cris “Cyborg” Justino. “That’s the one,” Tarverdyan said of this fight. “I want that fight. When I trained Ronda, I know Ronda could beat Cyborg. I know that. Cyborg is too slow.”
Daniel Cormier isn't displaying his UFC titles at home – in fact he almost threw them out
Tom Taylor - September 19, 2017
Daniel Cormier was not happy when he was knocked out by Jon Jones at UFC 214. This was immediately clear, as he shed tears in his ill-advised post-fight interview with Octagon commentator Joe Rogan. While sadness and disappointment were the first emotions to course through Cormier’s body after this loss, these emotions eventually gave way to anger. Speaking on the latest edition of The MMA Hour, Cormier explained that his anger was so severe that he nearly threw his UFC titles in the garbage.
Kenny Florian believes there's now a blueprint for beating Luke Rockhold
Tom Taylor - September 19, 2017
Luke Rockhold is one of the best middleweights on earth. Last Saturday, he reminded the world of this fact, returning from a hiatus of more than a year to stop David Branch with a swarm of second-round ground strikes. According to former fighter and current UFC on Fox analyst Kenny Florian, however, Rockhold needs to start being a little more careful. Speaking on his podcast with Jon Anik, Florian explained that the blueprint for beating Rockhold was set by Michael Bisping, who knocked him out in June of 2016. The analyst explained that Bisping exposed some flaws in Rockhold’s game that were still visible in his fight with Branch – flaws that could be exploited if he’s not careful.
Daniel Cormier describes what he did with his UFC belts at home after losing to Jon Jones at UFC 214
Russell Ess - September 18, 2017
If you saw Daniel Cormier in the Octagon after he fought and lost to Jon Jones at UFC 214, you know just how much the loss meant to him. Cormier remained fairly quiet in the days immediately after the fight and was just getting over the fact that he was knocked out and finished for the first in his professional MMA career. Things took another wild turn a few weeks after UFC 214 as the news of Jones’ latest potential Anti-Doping Policy violation surfaced.
Coach Edmond Tarverdyan discusses Ronda Rousey's future, still wants "Cyborg" fight
Tom Taylor - September 18, 2017
Back in November of 2015, the seemingly unbeatable Ronda Rousey stepped into the cage with former boxing champ Holly Holm for what was expected to be yet another lopsided title defense. Then, Holly Holm kicked her head into the Kuiper Belt. After this shocking loss, Rousey disappeared from the limelight almost completely. Though discussions surrounding her fighting future were common, she rarely appeared in public or partook in any interactions with the press.
Report: Jose Aldo being targeted for a rematch in December
Russell Ess - September 18, 2017
Jose Aldo has dreamed of fighting in New York at Madison Square Garden and was hoping to get on the UFC 217 card taking place there in November. However, it sounds like the former UFC featherweight champion will have to wait a bit longer for his chance to step into the Octagon or perhaps a ring inside the historic New York venue. Combate has reported that Aldo is being targeted to face a familiar foe in Ricardo Lamas sometime in December. With Aldo campaigning to fight at UFC 217 in New York, Lamas’ asked for a bit more time, according to the report. Combate stated that both fighters verbally agreed to the matchup, which could likely take place on December 2 in Detroit at UFC 218, or December 30 in Las Vegas at UFC 219.