UFC News
Chris Daukaus expects to KO Alexey Oleynik and become a legit heavyweight contender
Cole Shelton - February 17, 2021
Chris Daukaus couldn’t have imagined he would be fighting the 10th-ranked guy in the world just six months after his UFC debut. Daukaus stepped up on short notice at UFC 252 in August and scored a first-round TKO win over Parker Porter. He followed that up with a 45-second TKO win over Rodrigo Nascimento in October and is now set to face Alexey Oleynik at UFC Vegas 19, which is an opponent he didn’t think he’d face in his third UFC appearance.
Derrick Lewis expects to "break" Curtis Blaydes in a very bloody and violent fight
Cole Shelton - February 17, 2021
Derrick Lewis is expecting a violent and bloody fight against Curtis Blaydes. In the main event of UFC Vegas 19, Lewis and Blaydes will finally meet after the two have trash-talked one another for months. It’s a very intriguing fight as there is no question Lewis has one-punch KO power, but Blaydes will have the wrestling advantage. For “The Black Beast” he believes he has what it takes to put Blaydes away given he is in the best shape of his career.
Drakkar Klose frustrated with UFC, plans to test free agency: "The UFC already knows who they want to be champion"
Cole Shelton - February 17, 2021
Drakkar Klose is frustrated with how the UFC is matchmaking fights. After Klose got knocked out by Beneil Dariush at UFC 248 in March of 2020, he did not get another fight for the rest of the year. It was a frustrating time for Klose who says he no longer cares about rankings and is just looking to make as much money as possible.
UFC Vegas 19: Blaydes vs. Lewis full betting odds
Adam Martin - February 17, 2021
Check out the complete betting odds for this Saturday’s UFC Vegas 19 card featuring Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis in the main event. The headliner features top-five ranked heavyweights Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis going against each other in an important fight in the UFC’s heaviest weight class. Blaydes comes into this fight on a four-fight win streak, but he has been criticized for his wrestling-heavy type of approach by UFC president Dana White and fans. We will see if that changes in this fight as Blaydes is likely very motivated to get a finish and move closer to the title shot. As for Lewis, he is coming off of three straight wins in his own right. One of the biggest punchers in the heavyweight division, Lewis is going to have to stop Blaydes’ takedown attempts and try to knock him out to win this fight as a big underdog.
Curtis Blaydes explains why he won't abandon his wrestling against Derrick Lewis
Adam Martin - February 17, 2021
UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes says he won’t abandon his wrestling when he meets Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC Vegas 19. Blaydes is a powerhouse wrestler which has earned him some critics, including UFC president Dana White, who was not a fan of his last fight with Alexander Volkov. Despite winning a unanimous decision, Blaydes was not able to get the finish in that fight. Even though Blaydes has numerous TKO stoppages during his UFC run, he can’t seem to shake the label of a top-heavy wrestler. But he quite frankly doesn’t care what anyone thinks about his style. As long as he is winning fights, he won’t be changing the way he fights.
UFC rankings update: Kamaru Usman climbs pound-for-pound list, Alexa Grasso hits top-10
Tom Taylor - February 17, 2021
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last Saturday’s UFC 258 card in Las Vegas, and as expected, there have been some big changes. Most notably, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman moved up the men’s pound-for-pound list after beating Gilbert Burns in the card’s main event. He’s now sitting at No. 4.
Ronda Rousey picked up pro wrestling "quicker than anybody in the history of the sport," says Kurt Angle
Tom Taylor - February 17, 2021
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle says Ronda Rousey picked up pro wrestling faster than anybody in the history of the sport. Rousey entered the combat sports limelight as a mixed martial artist, ultimately enjoying a lengthy reign as the UFC bantamweight champion. After two tough losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, however, she transitioned to the WWE ring with much fanfare and excitement.
Gilbert Burns on knockout loss to Kamaru Usman: "This is what happens when you are chasing greatness"
Adam Martin - February 17, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns spoke about his loss to Kamaru Usman, saying, “this is what happens when you are chasing greatness.” Burns was knocked out by Usman in the third round of the welterweight title main event at UFC 258. Although Burns rocked Usman in the first 30 seconds of the fight and appeared to have the upper hand early on, he seemed to get overexcited and the gameplan fell apart. From then on out, Usman controlled the bout with his jab and eventually knocked Burns down to the ground in the third round with it, forcing the referee to stop the fight. It was a tough, emotional loss for Burns, who put so much into this training camp just to see himself get finished in a brutal fashion. However, he remains optimistic about his future.
UFC 258 medical suspensions: Kamaru Usman, Alexa Grasso potentially out until August
Tom Taylor - February 17, 2021
The medical suspensions for Saturday’s UFC 258 card are in, and several fighters are facing lengthy suspensions—including Kamaru Usman and Alexa Grasso. Usman returned to the cage in the UFC 258 main event, defending the UFC welterweight title with a third-round TKO over Gilbert Burns. Grasso was in action in the card’s co-main event, where she defeated Maycee Barber by unanimous decision.
Beneil Dariush reveals gutsy gameplan for potential Charles Oliveira fight
Tom Taylor - February 17, 2021
Beneil Dariush has revealed what he sees as his path to victory in a potential fight with fellow lightweight contender Charles Oliveira. Dariush, the UFC’s No. 9-ranked lightweight contender, is riding a big victory over Diego Ferreira, and is looking for another big step up in competition. He views Oliveira, the division’s No. 3 contender, as just that.
Cody Garbrandt responds after Jose Aldo tells him to “sign the contract”
Harry Kettle - February 17, 2021
UFC bantamweight Cody Garbrandt has reiterated his desire to fight Jose Aldo after a recent back and forth over social media. Garbrandt hasn’t been seen inside the Octagon since his remarkable knockout win over Raphael Assuncao at UFC 250 last June. Garbrandt was initially expected to move down in weight to battle Deiveson Figueiredo for the Flyweight Championship in November, but “No Love” tore his bicep and also contracted COVID-19 – with the lingering effects of the latter delaying his return.
Roxanne Modafferi throws support behind Maycee Barber following second consecutive loss: "I was impressed"
Adam Martin - February 16, 2021
UFC women’s flyweight veteran Roxanne Modafferi threw her support behind Maycee Barber following her second straight loss to Alexa Grasso. Barber was on her way to the top of the UFC 125lbs division when she suffered a one-sided unanimous decision loss to Modafferi last January at UFC 246 in a fight where she also injured her knee. After missing a year of action, Barber was back in the cage at UFC 258 when she took on Grasso in the co-main event. Unfortunately for Barber, it was her second straight loss as she was outboxed and dropped a unanimous decision. After winning her first eight career fights, Barber now finds herself on a two-fight losing skid.
Julian Marquez credits James Krause for bringing out "the animal inside me" to get comeback win at UFC 258
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
Julian Marquez was making his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 258 on Saturday night. Marquez was set for his first fight in 953 days after dealing with an injury. In the lead-up to the fight, “The Cuban Missile Crisis” said ring rust wouldn’t be a factor but admits his timing was a bit off early in the fight.
Alexey Oleynik expecting a tough fight against Chris Daukaus in his 75th professional MMA fight
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
Alexey Oleynik will make the walk for his 75th professional MMA fight on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 19. On the main card, the Russian is set to face unranked, Chris Daukaus in a very intriguing fight. Oleynik is coming off a second-round TKO loss to Derrick Lewis in August in the main event of the card. Although the Russian is not fighting a ranked opponent or another legend, Oleynik is still looking forward to the fight.
Leon Edwards believes Jorge Masvidal will "never" become UFC champion
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
Leon Edwards doesn’t like Jorge Masvidal’s chances to become UFC champion. Masvidal got his first UFC title shot on short notice at UFC 251 against Kamaru Usman and lost a decision. Since then, both men have hinted at a potential rematch. However, according to Leon Edwards, he believes Usman wins with ease every time.
Khamzat Chimaev flying to Las Vegas to receive medical care, hopes to fight by June
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev is en route to Las Vegas to receive medical care for his lingering effects from COVID-19. After Chimaev got COVID-19, his fight against Leon Edwards on January 20 was postponed until March 13. However, recently, it was revealed the fight was canceled again due to Chimaev still dealing with lingering effects from the virus.
Leon Edwards wants Colby Covington to step up and fight him: "Stop being a b*tch"
Adam Martin - February 16, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards wants Colby Covington to step up and fight him in March, telling his rival to “stop being a b*tch.” Edwards was set to fight Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on March 13. Unfortunately, Chimaev was forced to withdraw from the fight due to complications from COVID-19. That means that Edwards is currently without an opponent, with UFC president Dana White suggesting most recently that he fight Covington. When White said that it was a bit of a surprise because many assumed Covington and Jorge Masvidal would be coaching TUF 29. However, it appears that the promotion has other plans, and that means Edwards vs. Covington is the desired booking.
Jan Blachowicz says fan told him he won $50,000 for knocking out Luke Rockhold at UFC 239
Adam Martin - February 16, 2021
UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz said a fan told him that he won $50,000 when he knocked out Luke Rockhold at UFC 239. Blachowicz finds himself in a familiar position next month at UFC 259 when he defends his belt against Israel Adesanya. Despite being the champion, Blachowicz is once again the underdog in this fight. The oddsmakers opened him as a +210 betting underdog in this fight, and it’s up to +220 now. It’s a role the Pole has found himself used to over the course of his UFC career, but especially as of late, being named underdog in four straight bookings now. Even though Blachowicz is the 205lbs champion, he still has his doubters.