MMA News

Tom Taylor - December 28, 2016

This Friday, in the co-main event of UFC 207, undefeated 25-year-old Cody Garbrandt will challenge Dominick Cruz for the UFC bantamweight crown. Though Garbrandt’s road to this title shot hasn’t been a particularly long one – at least, not according to TJ Dillashaw – it has been a hard one.

Tom Taylor - December 28, 2016

In March of this year, Nate Diaz shocked the world by submitting then featherweight champion Conor McGregor in a last minute welterweight scrap. His submission win marked the end of a 15-fight win-streak for the Irishman. Given his long-time dominance, and his status as the UFC’s biggest and most valuable star, McGregor was quickly given a shot at redemption against Diaz. Though his rematch was briefly scheduled as the main event of July’s UFC 200, it ultimately occurred a month later, atop UFC 202 in August. When it finally did occur, McGregor would defeat Diaz in a thrilling and competitive fight, nabbing a majority decision win and evening their score as he did.

Scott Hernandez - December 27, 2016

Leading up to the highly anticipated return of Ronda Rousey this Friday at UFC 207, the former champ has been subject to much criticism for her unwillingness to participate in fight week events, and media-related events leading up to the fight. In addition, in the UFC’s promotion for the event, Rousey has been the main focus in promo videos, not UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes.

Scott Hernandez - December 27, 2016

News surfaced Tuesday evening that UFC heavyweight Josh Barnett had failed a USADA drug test earlier this month. According to UFC.com, Barnett failed a random out-of-competition drug test on December 9th. Unfortunately, this is the third time Barnett has failed a drug test during his time with the UFC. In 2001, Barnett failed his first drug test with the UFC, he was then subsequently handed a warning from the NSAC. In his very next fight, just months later, Barnett won the UFC heavyweight championship by TKOing Randy Couture. Unfortunately, after the fight, it was revealed that Barnett had failed a drug test in that fight as well, subsequently, he was stripped of the UFC heavyweight championship. After 11 years fighting in various other high-profile promotions including Pride FC, Affliction, and Strikeforce, Barnett made his UFC return in 2013. This failure marks the first time he has failed a drug test in his most recent stint with the UFC.

Russell Ess - December 27, 2016

A lot of people were intrigued by the recent announcement of the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association and there were mixed feelings from fighters with those in full support of the new movement while others were put off by the association. UFC veteran Tim Means was one of those that was interested with the announcement of the association but has not had any chance to meet with the guys involved and talk about what the association all entails.

Russell Ess - December 27, 2016

With Conor McGregor recently being just the third fighter in history to win titles in two separate UFC weight classes behind Randy Couture and BJ Penn, “The Notorious” was the first fighter to be a concurrent two-weight UFC champion. Although his time as the double champ was short lived with his deal in place with Dana White on relinquishing a UFC title, another legendary fighter is looking to add himself to the list of two-weight UFC world champions. “I do want to challenge for the heavyweight title, but I’m waiting for the perfect opponent,” said former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast (transcribed by MMA Junkie). “I’ve beaten up a lot of heavyweights, man. Only people who train at (Jackson-Wink MMA) have seen that. I’ve picked up a lot of heavyweights. I’ve slammed a lot of heavyweights.

Scott Hernandez - December 27, 2016

Unfortunate news surfaced this week that former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez had been forced out of his scheduled UFC 207 rematch with Fabricio Werdum this Friday. While the fight was expected to see one man crowned the heavyweight #1 contender, Velasquez was pulled from the fight after it was determined that he was medically unfit to fight due to a back injury he dealt with throughout training camp. Leading up to the bout, Velasquez was very open about the fact that throughout training camp, he used CBD Oil to manage his pain from an injury which would require back surgery just days after his UFC 207 scrap with Werdum.

Russell Ess - December 27, 2016

It appears that UFC fan favorite Nick Diaz may be preparing to return to competition soon. The elder Diaz brother was spotted in a social media post by Jose Garcia, who works on strength and conditioning for the Diaz brothers.

Russell Ess - December 27, 2016

UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz is set to defend his belt against the challenger Cody Garbrandt in the co-main event of UFC 207, which takes place on December 30 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Scott Hernandez - December 27, 2016

At UFC 199 in June, it was announced that former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar would be making his highly anticipated return to the Octagon against Mark Hunt. Controversially, Lesnar was granted an exemption from the first three months of USADA’s drug testing to make him an eligible fighter in the eyes of the organization. This led to quite a bit of controversy, which only escalated once Lesnar won the fight. To make matters even more controversial, it was then announced that Lesnar had failed not only his fight night drug test, but also his pre-fight drug test.

Scott Hernandez - December 27, 2016

Top ranked UFC light heavyweight Anthony Johnson was just weeks away from his highly anticipated rematch with Daniel Cormier for the UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 206 earlier this month. Unfortunately for Rumble, his chance at a rematch with ‘DC’ for the light heavyweight strap was postponed when it was revealed that Cormier had suffered a torn adductor in training, and would be unable to fight Johnson at UFC 206. With Cormier currently sidelined, it has been reported that the champ will be looking to return to the Octagon in early 2017, where he plans to give Johnson the rematch he deserves.

Scott Hernandez - December 27, 2016

Since his dominant UFC 205 win over Michael Johnson, top ranked UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov has been looking for a fight with lightweight champion Conor McGregor. While it was initially reported that McGregor would be sidelined for 10 months due to the upcoming birth of his firstborn child, the ‘champ champ’ recently stated that he could be returning to the Octagon much sooner than initially expected. This has led to even more controversy surrounding the lightweight title picture, and who will be getting the next lightweight title shot. While the UFC was initially looking to book Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson for an interim lightweight title fight, Ferguson then revealed that he planned to hold out for more money. This led to rumors of a potential Nate Diaz vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov interim title fight, however Jose Aldo’s manager was quick to reveal that Aldo was looking to move up to lightweight for an interim title fight.

Scott Hernandez - December 27, 2016

In just days, UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will step into the Octagon against undefeated bantamweight contender Cody Garbrandt in a highly anticipated matchup for the UFC bantamweight championship. Going into the fight, ‘The Dominator’ and ‘No Love’ have never shied away from talking trash back and forth every opportunity they get. At UFC 202 back in August, where Garbrandt defeated Takeya Mizugaki via 1st round KO, he and the champ were forced to be separated backstage by Daniel Cormier when they began to get into a verbal altercation.

Tom Taylor - December 27, 2016

The UFC will close out a thrilling 2016 with UFC 207, a rare Friday night card in glimmering Las Vegas, Nevada.

Tom Taylor - December 27, 2016

Earlier this year, in the co-main event of July’s historic UFC 200, WWE star and former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar made a largely unexpected return to the Octagon. Despite the fact that he had not fought in many years, he was able to grind Mark Hunt to a unanimous decision win.

Russell Ess - December 27, 2016

UFC lightweight champion Conor Mcgregor has shot through the roof ever since he first entered the Octagon back in 2013.

Tom Taylor - December 27, 2016

This Friday, the UFC will return to beautiful Las Vegas, Nevada with UFC 207. In the co-main event of the evening, we’ll see reining bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz attempt to defend his title against dangerous challenger Cody Garbrandt. Earlier on the main card, we’ll witness another high-stakes bantamweight scrap, as former champion TJ Dillashaw takes on stone-fisted former flyweight John Lineker. The winner of this fight, it would seem, is the obvious next opponent for the winner of the card’s Cruz vs. Garbrandt co-main event battle. As it turns out, however, this is not necessarily certain. In UFC 207’s episode of The Watch List, UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby explained that while the winner of Dillashaw vs. Lineker is certainly a frontrunner for the next bantamweight title shot, the presence of other contenders like Jimmie Rivera, Bryan Caraway and John Dodson in the division means nothing is certain.

Russell Ess - December 26, 2016

Many fans are awaiting the official announcement of Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov’s next fight in the UFC as the #1 ranked UFC lightweight is so close to getting a shot to fight for the title.