MMA News
Watch Sean Strickland’s backstage reaction following title loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 (Video)
Susan Cox - January 24, 2024
A video of Sean Strickland’s backstage reaction following his title loss to Dricus Du Plessis has been posted to YouTube. It was just this past Saturday, January 20th, at UFC 297 that saw Sean Strickland (28-6 MMA) in his first title defense against Dricus Du Plessis (21-2 MMA) for the middleweight belt. The result was to be a split decision victory for the South African.
Chatri Sityodtong shuts down reports of ONE Championship's financial struggles: "Every year we hit a new record high in every metric"
Cole Shelton - January 24, 2024
ONE Championship founder Chatri Sityodtong has shut down reports that his promotion is struggling financially. Recently, an article came out that ONE is searching for more funding, and Qatar was “embarrassed” by its association with ONE because of ONE’s “weak financials.”
Robert Whittaker doesn’t believe the UFC 297 main event outcome was controversial: “He wanted it more”
Susan Cox - January 24, 2024
Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker does not believe the UFC 297 main event outcome was controversial. It was at UFC 297 this past weekend that Sean Strickland (28-6 MMA) went up against Dricus Du Plessis (21-2 MMA) for the middleweight champion belt. The result was a split decision victory for ‘Stillknocks’.
Jon Anik admits he went a bit overboard in hyping Mike Malott ahead of UFC 297: “Sometimes we get ahead of ourselves”
Susan Cox - January 24, 2024
Jon Anik is admitting he went a bit overboard in hyping Mike Malott ahead of UFC 297. UFC 297 took place in front of a sellout crowd this past Saturday, January 20th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Khamzat Chimaev claims Sean Strickland went “running” after getting beat up “every day in the gym”
Harry Kettle - January 24, 2024
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev has taken a shot at Sean Strickland as rumors persist of a fight between them. Ever since his win over Kamaru Usman, there have been plenty of questions surrounding Khamzat Chimaev and his future. Many believe he is a top contender at middleweight, with some even suggesting he should get the next title shot. However, there are also those out there who feel as if he hasn’t done enough to earn such an opportunity yet.
Brendan Schaub dubs Bo Nickal “the Tim Tebow” of the UFC
Harry Kettle - January 24, 2024
Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub has compared rising prospect Bo Nickal to Tim Tebow as he continues his journey with the promotion. So far in his mixed martial arts career, Bo Nickal has been pretty much perfect. He holds a 5-0 record, with all five of his victories coming via first-round finish. At UFC 300, he faces his biggest test yet when he goes head to head with Cody Brundage. The expectation is that he’ll pick up the win, but the pressure is still on the 28-year-old to ensure he does so in spectacular fashion.
Max Holloway believes “a lot of doors are going to get opened” after UFC 300 fight with Justin Gaethje
Harry Kettle - January 24, 2024
UFC star Max Holloway believes that big things are ahead for him as he prepares for a UFC 300 showdown with Justin Gaethje. At UFC 300, Max Holloway will challenge Justin Gaethje for the BMF championship. The two blockbuster attractions are both known for their exciting fight styles, and we’re expecting to see them showcase that for the world to see in Las Vegas.
Carlos Ulberg gets new opponent for UFC Atlantic City after Dominick Reyes is forced to withdraw
Harry Kettle - January 24, 2024
UFC light heavyweight Carlos Ulberg will now take on Alonzo Menifield at UFC Atlantic City, as per the promotion. For the longest time now, Carlos Ulberg has been making a push to enter the top 15 of the light heavyweight division. He’s currently riding a five-fight win streak, with four of those wins coming via finish. His hard work set him up for a big clash with Dominick Reyes, which was set to take place on March 30 at UFC Atlantic City.
Chris Curtis slams Dominick Cruz for his “stupid f**king commentary” at UFC 297
Cole Shelton - January 23, 2024
Chris Curtis has taken aim at Dominick Cruz over his commentary at UFC 297. On the main card of the pay-per-view card from Toronto on Saturday, Curtis was taking on Marc-Andre Barriault, in what on paper looked to be a fan-friendly fight. However, at times, the fight didn’t live up to expectations and the fans booed, which Curtis didn’t understand.
Ariel Helwani responds to Dana White's "total bulls**t" claims about UFC Saudi Arabia postponement
Zain Bando - January 23, 2024
Longtime MMA journalist Ariel Helwani continues to defend himself against UFC CEO Dana White. Most recently, Helwani reported that the UFC’s plans to host an event in Saudi Arabia on March 2 were pushed back to June due to the country’s dissatisfaction with the event. At the UFC 297 post-fight press conference, White was asked about the report without the mention of Helwani’s name.
Chatri Sityodtong provides update on Demetrious Johnson's fighting future: "He says he doesn't have the burning desire"
Cole Shelton - January 23, 2024
ONE Championship founder Chatri Sityodtong has provided an update on flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. Johnson is coming off a decision win over Adriano Moraes to defend his flyweight title last May and after the fight, he hinted that may be it for him. ‘Mighty Mouse’ has accomplished a ton in his career as he’s won titles in both UFC and ONE Championship, and at age 37 there isn’t much left for him to do in his career.
Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya grudge match odds revealed
Zain Bando - January 23, 2024
Just days after winning the UFC middleweight title, discussions of a potential blockbuster fight between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya are beginning to ramp up so much so that Las Vegas oddsmakers have noted how the bout looks from a betting perspective. Dricus Du Plessis’ upset over Sean Strickland made him the first-ever UFC champion from South Africa and the fourth African-born UFC champion in promotional history. The victory improved his UFC mark to 7-0, adding to an impressive Octagon resume.
Michael Chandler explains why he views Conor McGregor as a "quitter"
Cole Shelton - January 23, 2024
Michael Chandler thinks Conor McGregor is a quitter, and he plans to prove that once again when they fight. McGregor recently announced he will be returning to the Octagon in June against Chandler at 185lbs in a very intriguing matchup. The two have been linked to one another since they coached TUF against one another, and although no fight date has been made official, Chandler is confident the bout will happen.
Neil Magny names Stephen Thompson as ideal opponent after UFC 297 upset: "I would love that opportunity"
Josh Evanoff - January 23, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Neil Magny is targeting Stephen Thompson after his most recent win. ‘The Haitian Sensation’ recently returned to the cage in Toronto, Canada, at UFC 297. There, Neil Magny faced the rising Mike Malott, who was undefeated in the promotion. The Canadian was a massive favorite heading to the matchup, while Magny was coming off a lopsided loss to Ian Machado Garry in August.
Daniel Cormier offers unique take on Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva: "It wasn't that bad!"
Josh Evanoff - January 23, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier doesn’t think that Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva was that bad. On Saturday night in Canada, ‘Rocky’ met ‘Sheetara’ in a bid for women’s bantamweight gold. Former champion Amanda Nunes famously vacated the title last year, following a unanimous decision win over Irene Aldana. Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva looked to pick up where ‘The Lioness’ left off, and become champion.
WATCH: Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis train together in old sparring footage
Josh Evanoff - January 23, 2024
The rivalry between UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya has been a long one. ‘Stillknocks’ is fresh off his return at UFC 297 over the weekend, against Sean Strickland. For ‘Tarzan’ the bout was his first since a unanimous decision win over Israel Adesanya in September, which saw him win middleweight gold. Unfortunately for Strickland, his title reign is now over thanks to Dricus du Plessis.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson appointed to UFC-WWE board of directors
Susan Cox - January 23, 2024
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has been appointed to UFC-WWE Board of Directors. Johnson, an actor and former WWE star, can now add being a member of the board of directors of TKO Group to his resume.
Michael Bisping weighs in on Sean Strickland’s ‘headbutt’ claim: “The reality is these things just happen”
Susan Cox - January 23, 2024
Michael Bisping is weighing in on Sean Strickland’s ‘headbutt’ claim. It was at UFC 297 this past weekend where Dricus Du Plessis (21-2 MMA) defeated Sean Strickland (28-6 MMA) in a middleweight title bout to claim the belt as his own.