UFC News
UFC signs the 'Russian Ronda' Irina Alekseeva following Bellator release
Harry Kettle - August 31, 2022
UFC has reportedly signed Irina Alekseeva, also known as ‘Russian Ronda‘, to a deal following her release by Bellator. For many years now the UFC has had a blossoming women’s roster across a handful of weight classes, but even through the likes of Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko, they haven’t quite had a female fighter reach the same kind of superstardom as Ronda Rousey.
Islam Makhachev believes Leon Edwards got “lucky” with head kick KO of Kamaru Usman
Harry Kettle - August 31, 2022
Islam Makhachev has given his thoughts on Leon Edwards‘ fantastic knockout win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. This October at UFC 280, Islam Makhachev will take part in the biggest fight of his career as he prepares to battle Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight championship. The contest is set to go down in Abu Dhabi and while Makhachev has been tipped to become a world champion for a long time, Oliveira will almost certainly serve as the toughest test he’s faced to date inside the Octagon.
Darren Till arrested by Stockholm police for alleged DUI back in July
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
Darren Till has reportedly been arrested by the Stockholm police for an alleged DUI (drunk driving) back in July. According to the Swedish national newspaper Expressen, Till was arrested on July 31 after he was pulled over for speeding in a silver Audi with English registration plates. All the information is cited from a police report the newspaper was able to obtain.
Israel Adesanya explains why he's not excited for Robert Whittaker vs. Marvin Vettori at UFC Paris: "I know who's going to win"
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
Israel Adesanya doesn’t think Robert Whittaker vs. Marvin Vettori is as good of a matchup as many think. Whittaker and Vettori are set to meet in the co-main event of UFC Paris on Saturday in a pivotal fight for both men’s careers. Although both Whittaker and Vettori are 0-2 against the middleweight champ in Adesanya, the winner of the fight will remain a top contender while the loser could become a gatekeeper.
Islam Makhachev states Charles Oliveira doesn't believe he can win at UFC 280: "I am terrible fight for everybody"
Josh Evanoff - August 30, 2022
Lightweight contender Islam Makhachev believes that Charles Oliveira isn’t confident heading into UFC 280. The two lightweights are set to square off in October with gold on the line. The Brazilian famously lost his titles back on the scale in May. Oliveira missed weight for his UFC 274 headliner against Justin Gaethje and was stripped of his championship.
Jake Paul now the betting underdog against Anderson Silva after opening as a sizeable favorite
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
Jake Paul is now the betting underdog for his rumored upcoming fight against Anderson Silva after he opened as the betting favorite. On Monday evening, news surfaced that Paul and Silva have agreed to headline a Showtime boxing pay-per-view on October 29. It is a massive fight and a big step-up in competition for Paul who hasn’t fought since he knocked out Tyron Woodley last December.
Brendan Schaub encourages Leon Edwards to fight Jorge Masvidal next: "Get it done"
Josh Evanoff - August 30, 2022
Brendan Schaub believes UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards should face Jorge Masvidal next. ‘Rocky’ is fresh off his fight with Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 earlier this month. The bout was a rematch of their prior outing at UFC on Fox 17 in December 2015. In that outing, Usman scored a unanimous decision victory.
Sean Strickland forced to undergo surgery: “Lesson learned don’t hit people in the mouth”
Susan Cox - August 30, 2022
Sean Strickland is being forced to undergo surgery. Strickland, 31, is coming off a recent loss to Alex Pereira on July 2nd at UFC 276. Pereira (6-1 MMA) defeated Strickland (25-4 MMA) via a first-round knockout.
Ben Askren reveals the only fight he would end his retirement for
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
Ben Askren is happily retired from MMA but admits there is one fight that would draw him back in. Askren retired following his submission loss to Demian Maia but then made his pro boxing debut and was knocked out by Jake Paul. After the loss, he confirmed his career would be over as he needed hip surgery and cited his age. However, ‘Funky’ says he would end his retirement and return to fighting to face Jorge Masvidal.
The UFC parts ways with three more fighters
Susan Cox - August 30, 2022
The UFC has parted ways with another three fighters according to recent reports from @UFCRosterWatch on ‘Twitter’. It should also be noted that it has not been confirmed if all of these moves were outright releases or simply contracts which were not renewed.
Sayif Saud "proud" of Uriah Hall's career and everything he accomplished following his retirement from MMA: "Uriah had a great run"
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
Sayif Saud is proud of everything he accomplished coaching Uriah Hall. Hall joined Fortis MMA back in 2019 ahead of his fight with Antonio Carlos Junior. He won that bout and then went on to defeat both Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman. However, Hall went on to suffer a decision loss to Sean Strickland in a main event contest and then lost to Andre Muniz by deicison.
Sean O’Malley releases mock interview with Petr Yan ahead of UFC 280 (Video)
Susan Cox - August 30, 2022
Sean O’Malley has released a mock interview with Petr Yan ahead of UFC 280. It will be Sean O’Malley (15-1 MMA) vs Petr Yan (16-3 MMA) in a bantamweight bout on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Kamaru Usman says he was attempting to finish Leon Edwards moments before head kick KO: “I didn’t land it, [who knows] how much damage it could’ve done”
Harry Kettle - August 30, 2022
Kamaru Usman has admitted that he was attempting to finish Leon Edwards in the fifth round of their title fight. Heading into the final round of the UFC 278 main event, Kamaru Usman seemed to be well on his way to successfully defending the UFC welterweight championship against Leon Edwards. He was 3-1 up on the judges’ scorecards, he was in full control, and Edwards appeared to be fading down the stretch.
Dan Hooker responds to MMA fans suggesting that his time has passed: “These are the kind of blokes whose shoe laces come untied and they throw their shoes in the rubbish bin”
Harry Kettle - August 30, 2022
Dan Hooker has sent a message to negative mixed martial arts fans who have criticised his recent run of form in the sport. While he may have been a top lightweight contender once upon a time, Dan Hooker hasn’t had things go his way across his last handful of fights. ‘Hangman’ is 1-4 in his last five and with three of those being stoppage defeats, many have questioned whether or not he should walk away from MMA at the age of just 32.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 92 with Ciryl Gane, Sayif Saud, and John Dodson
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
The 92nd episode of Just Scrap Radio is here ahead of UFC Paris and recapping BKFC 28 on Saturday. We’re first joined by the number one ranked heavyweight and former interim champ Ciryl Gane (1:39). Next, Fortis MMA head coach Sayif Saud (13:44) comes on. Closing out the program is former UFC title challenger and current BKFC fighter John Dodson (41:19).
Leon Edwards says Jorge Masvidal needs to “go out there and get some wins”, but admits the potential fight would be “massive”
Harry Kettle - August 30, 2022
Leon Edwards has said rival Jorge Masvidal needs to get back in the win column before the two share the Octagon. A few years back, Leon Edwards was the victim of a ‘three-piece and a sofa’ attack that came at the hands of Jorge Masvidal. Ever since that night, fans have been wondering if and when we’re going to see the pair face off inside the cage.
Tai Tuivasa eyes future showdown with "d*ckhead" Jon Jones: "He’s one of the greatest to do it, but I’d love to fight him"
Josh Evanoff - August 29, 2022
UFC heavyweight contender Tai Tuivasa would like to share the octagon with Jon Jones. ‘Bam Bam’ is set to face Ciryl Gane at UFC Paris this Saturday night from France. In the main event, Tuivasa will look to keep his momentum going and extend his win streak to six. The 29-year-old’s most recent win came in February, as he knocked out Derrick Lewis.
Michael Bisping still confident Darren Till will be a UFC champion by the time his career is over: "He’s just had a bit of a bad run"
Cole Shelton - August 29, 2022
Michael Bisping believes Darren Till will hold UFC gold before his career is over. Till fought for the UFC’s welterweight title in the main event of UFC 228 but came up short as he suffered a submission loss to Tyron Woodley. Since then, the Brit has gone just 1-3 as he lost by KO to Jorge Masvidal and then beat Kelvin Gastelum by decision in his middleweight debut.