UFC News
Greg Hardy says he's fighting at UFC 264, hints at contest with Tai Tuivasa
Adam Martin - April 6, 2021
UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy says that he is preparing to fight at UFC 264 this summer, and he hinted at a matchup against Tai Tuivasa. Hardy hasn’t fought since December when he suffered a TKO loss to Marcin Tybura at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal. Prior to that, Hardy had won back-to-back fights over Maurice Greene and Yorgan de Castro as he looked to close in on the UFC heavyweight division’s top-15 rankings. The loss to Tybura was a temporary setback for the former Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers defensive end, but he is planning on getting back into the Octagon in the next few months and build a new win streak after losing to Tybura.
Kamaru Usman says it's "green panty night" when any welterweight fights him
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2021
Kamaru Usman knows it’s a big night for any welterweight when they get a chance to fight him. In the main event of UFC 261, Usman is set to rematch Jorge Masvidal in a high-profile fight. Although many believe Usman asked for the rematch because of how much star power and draw “Gamebred” has, he says that isn’t true. He knows there will be more eyes but he believes he’s the reason why it is a big fight.
Conor McGregor responds to Dustin Poirier: “I’ll be ready for the tactics this time too”
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2021
Conor McGregor hopes Dustin Poirier will stay true to his word of meeting him in the middle of the Octagon on July 10. In the main event of UFC 264 on July 10, McGregor and Poirier are set for their trilogy bout. It will be a highly-anticipated bout with the winner getting a title shot. For McGregor, the stakes are much higher as losing two in a row and of his last four could hurt his legacy. Yet, the Irishman is confident he will make the proper adjustments in the trilogy.
Colby Covington slams Kamaru Usman for suggesting he needs another win before a rematch
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2021
Colby Covington has slammed Kamaru Usman for saying he needs to get another win before getting a title shot. After Usman scored a third-round TKO over Gilbert Burns, many wondered who would be next for the champ. Covington believed he deserved the rematch, however, Usman believes “Chaos” still needs to get another win first.
Video | Conor McGregor relives Marcus Brimage KO eight years after making his UFC debut
Adam D Martin - April 6, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor relived the Marcus Brimage knockout exactly eight years after making his promotional debut at UFC on FUEL TV 9. It was April 6, 2013, when McGregor stepped into the Octagon for the first time against Brimage. At the time, the Irishman was both the Cage Warriors lightweight and featherweight champion and he came into the UFC with a great deal of hype. The fans who had watched him compete in Europe knew that he was a special talent and they wanted to see him get tested against tougher competition. So when the UFC called and brought McGregor on board, it was a massive deal. He accepted the UFC’s offer to fight Brimage, an Ultimate Fighter veteran who was 3-0 in the Octagon, and McGregor never looked back.
Vicente Luque wants Colby Covington next after Nate Diaz gets booked: "It's the fight I need"
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2021
Vicente Luque has shifted his focus to Colby Covington. At UFC 260, Luque picked up the biggest win of his career as he scored a first-round submission win over Tyron Woodley. It was a solid performance for Luque and he wants to keep the momentum going by fighting some ranked above him.
Sodiq Yusuff expects to finish Arnold Allen and put the featherweight division on notice: "The winner is getting a top-five opponent"
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2021
Sodiq Yusuff is eager to get back into the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC on ABC 2. After Yusuff beat Andre Fili at UFC 246 in January of 2020, the Nigerian expected a big fight next time out. However, due to the pandemic, Yusuff couldn’t get a fight booked.
Video | Stephan Bonnar booted from gym on 44th birthday for refusing to wear mask
Adam D Martin - April 6, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar was booted from his gym for refusing to wear a mask as he cited a medical exemption to not wear one. Bonnar — one-half of one of the greatest MMA fights of all time with rival Forrest Griffin — posted a video of himself at his gym on Sunday, which was his 44th birthday. In the video, Bonnar claimed that fellow gym-goers ratted on him for not wearing a mask and the gym told him to leave. Bonnar, meanwhile, is claiming that he has a medical exemption for not wearing a mask due to asthma.
Nate Diaz says he can see, hear and feel the hate following Leon Edwards booking
Adam D Martin - April 6, 2021
UFC welterweight superstar Nate Diaz says that he can see, hear and feel the hate following the announcement of the Leon Edwards booking. Diaz hasn’t fought since November 2019 when he lost via TKO (doctor stoppage) to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244. We haven’t heard much of the Stockton native lately, but then last week the UFC made the surprising announcement that he will be fighting Edwards in the co-main event of UFC 262 on May 15 in Houston, Texas. This will be the first time in UFC history that a non-title, co-main event is set for five rounds, and it’s an indication that the winner of Diaz vs. Edwards will be next in line to fight for the UFC welterweight title.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 34 with Sodiq Yusuff, Jim Miller, Sam Alvey, and Joe Solecki
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2021
The 34th episode of Just Scrap Radio with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC on ABC 2. We’re first joined by 11th-ranked featherweight, Sodiq Yusuff (2:22). Next, UFC lightweight, Jim Miller (14:14) comes on. UFC middleweight, Sam Alvey (30:39) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC lightweight, Joe Solecki (43:45).
Beneil Dariush excited to "out-crazy" Tony Ferguson at UFC 262
Adam D Martin - April 6, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush is excited for his upcoming matchup with Tony Ferguson, who he wants to “out-crazy” at UFC 262. Dariush is the No. 9 ranked lightweight in the world and, on the heels of a six-fight win streak that included some insane wars with the likes of Scott Holtzman and Drakkar Klose, the UFC matchmakers are giving him a serious step up in competition. Standing across Dariush at UFC 262 on May 15 in Houston, Texas will be Ferguson, the No. 5 ranked lightweight and former interim champion. Though Ferguson is coming off of two straight losses to Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira, he is still one of the most dangerous lightweights the sport has ever seen, and this fight with Dariush promises to be a war.
Photos | UFC Venum fight kits now available for purchase
Adam D Martin - April 6, 2021
New photos of the UFC Venum fight kits have been released to the public as the promotion’s newest fight kits are now available for purchase. The UFC’s multi-year deal with Reebok recently came to an end at UFC 260. The promotion last year signed a new deal with the apparel company Venum that begins this weekend, as the company will be the promotion’s official uniform supplier starting this Saturday at UFC on ABC 2. In addition to the fighters themselves wearing the Venum gear, fans are now able to buy the fight kits for themselves. Take a look at the photos (via Aaron Bronsteter).
Leon Edwards shares prediction for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal rematch at UFC 261
Christopher Taylor - April 5, 2021
Leon Edwards has shared his prediction for this months highly anticipated title fight rematch between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. Usman (18-1 MMA) and Masvidal (35-14 MMA) are set to throw down for a second time in the headliner of UFC 261 on April 24. The pair initially collided at UFC 251 in July of 2020, with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ retaining his welterweight title by way of unanimous decision.
Pedro Rizzo shares his take on the "worst matchup" for UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou
Christopher Taylor - April 5, 2021
MMA legend Pedro Rizzo recently shared his take on who is the “worst matchup” for newly crowned UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Ngannou (16-3 MMA) captured the title of “baddest man on the planet” last month at UFC 260 when he defeated Stipe Miocic by way of second round knockout. The victory marked Ngannou’s fifth in a row, as he had previously scored first round stoppage wins over Junior dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, Curtis Blaydes and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Cat Zingano reveals that ONE Championship approached her about grappling match vs. Miesha Tate
Drake Riggs - April 5, 2021
Cat Zingano and Miesha Tate are key pieces to the start of the UFC’s introduction to the women. Nearly a decade later and they’re both still competing – just under different roofs. While Zingano prepares to compete this Friday night, Tate is set to return to the UFC in July after a five-year retirement. In that time, Tate took up a position as a ONE Championship Vice President and according to Zingano, a potential grappler.
Kevin Holland says after he does something "special" against Marvin Vettori, a rematch with Derek Brunson is "inevitable"
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Kevin Holland is looking to rematch Derek Brunson. At UFC Vegas 22 on March 20, Holland had his first UFC main event against Brunson. Right when the fight was booked, and up until the final horn, “Trailblazer” was trash-talking Brunson. However, unfortunately for Holland, the fight did not go his way and he lost a clear-cut decision in a very lackluster fight.
Leon Edwards plans to "put away" Nate Diaz and prove he's "levels above these guys" at UFC 262
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Leon Edwards is confident he will finish Nate Diaz at UFC 262. The two are set for the first-ever non-title fight five-round co-main event on May 15 and it’s a very intriguing matchup. Edwards is looking to cement himself as the next title challenger as well as become a bigger name if he beats Diaz. Although some were critical of the fight, Edwards is confident he will dominate the Stockton native and finish him.
Conor McGregor going back to his old approach of training when he became UFC featherweight champ
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Conor McGregor is going back to his roots ahead of his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. At UFC 257, McGregor suffered a second-round TKO loss to Dustin Poirier. Given they are 1-1 against one another, they both called for the trilogy to happen, which will happen in July.