UFC News
Former UFC bantamweight Francisco Rivera returns after five-year layoff with brutal KO at XMMA
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight Francisco Rivera returned after a five-year layoff with a brutal KO win over Ryan Lilley at XMMA. Rivera previously fought for the UFC twice, in 2011 and then between 2012 and 2016. Overall, “Cisco” went 4-6, 1 NC in the UFC, with memorable knockout wins over Alex Caceres, George Roop, and Edwin Figueroa. However, after losing three straight fights between 2015 and 2016, the UFC released him after he failed a USADA drug test. USADA dropped the hammer on Rivera for using the banned substance clenbuterol, and he has been on the sidelines ever since July 2016.
Kamaru Usman explains why he still has a chip on his shoulder headed into UFC 258
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman explained why he still has a chip on his shoulder headed into his UFC 258 fight with Gilbert Burns. Usman takes on Burns on February 13 in the main event of UFC 258 in a title fight that previously fell apart twice, at UFC 256 and at UFC 258. Despite going 12-0 so far in the UFC, there are many experts who believe Burns will win this fight. It’s that kind of thinking that has the UFC welterweight champion Usman admitting that he still has the chip on his shoulder because he wants to be the best in the world, and he wants to get more respect for everything that he has accomplished in the game.
Frankie Edgar believes a finish in his upcoming fight at UFC Vegas 18 could result in a title shot
Adam D Martin - January 31, 2021
UFC bantamweight Frankie Edgar believes a finish in his upcoming fight against Cory Sandhagen at UFC Vegas 18 could result in a title shot. Next Saturday, Edgar and Sandhagen fight in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 18: Overeem vs. Volkov, and there could be a 135lbs title shot on the line for the winner, especially with a great finish. UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan takes on No. 1 contender Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259 in March and the winner of the Edgar vs. Sandhagen fight could very well get the winner of the title fight later this year.
Video | James Vick suffers another stoppage loss at XMMA
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Former UFC standout James Vick suffered his third consecutive stoppage loss at tonight’s XMMA event in West Palm Beach, Florida. Vick (13-6 MMA) became a free agent in October of 2019, this after the UFC opted against renewing his contract.
Matt Brown will not be retiring following his loss to Carlos Condit: "I think I can do a lot bigger things than I’ve ever done before”
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Fan favorite welterweight fighter Matt Brown will not be retiring following his recent unanimous decision loss to Carlos Condit. Brown and Condit squared off in the headliner of UFC Fight Island 7 two weeks ago, with ‘The Natural Born Killer’ emerging victorious by way of judges decision.
Gilbert Burns shares his predictions for Masvidal vs. Covington and Chimaev vs. Edwards
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Soon to be welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns has shared his predictions for Masvidal vs. Covington and Chimaev vs. Edwards. Burns (19-3 MMA) is set to challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC’s coveted welterweight championship in two weeks at UFC 258. ‘Durinho’ will enter the highly anticipated title bout on a six-fight winning streak. During that impressive stretch the Brazilian has scored victories over Oliver Aubin-Mercier, Mike Davis, Alexey Kunchenko, Gunnar Nelson, Demian Maia and most recently Tyron Woodley.
Photo | Rory MacDonald appears to be in phenomenal condition ahead of his PFL debut
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Former UFC title challenger and Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald appears to be in phenomenal shape ahead of his PFL debut. MacDonald (21-6-1 MMA) signed with the Professional Fighters League following a six-fight stint with Bellator. “The Red King” is coming off a loss to Douglas Lima in his most recent effort, which occurred back in October of 2019. Prior to that setback, Rory MacDonald was coming off a unanimous decision victory over Neiman Gracie.
Dan Hooker takes to social media for the first time since being KO'd by Michael Chandler
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Dan Hooker has made his first social media appearance since suffering a brutal knockout loss to Michael Chandler at UFC 257. Hooker (20-10 MMA) squared off with the former Bellator champion in the co-headliner of last weekend’s pay-per-view with hopes of spoiling Chandler’s Octagon debut.
Coach Javier Mendez shares some advice for his pupil Khabib Nurmagomedov
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez has shared some advice for his star pupil in Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA) retired from mixed martial arts immediately following his submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. The Russian sensation cited the death of his Father as the reason for hanging up his gloves.
Ben Rothwell books his Octagon return against former PFL Heavyweight champion Philipe Lins
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Veteran heavyweight Ben Rothwell will make his return to the Octagon on March 13, in a location still to be determined by UFC officials. According to a report from Combate, ‘Big Ben’ is set to return to action against former PFL heavyweight champion Philipe Lins (14-5 MMA).
Joanna Jedrzejczyk reacts after reports surface that she will return at UFC Singapore
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Joanna Jedrzejczyk has reacted to reports suggesting that she will be returning to the Octagon this April at UFC Singapore. On Friday multiple reports surfaced that Jedrzejczyk (16-4 MMA) would be returning to action this Spring for a strawweight bout with perennial division contender Yan Xiaonan.
Henry Cejudo reflects on his accomplishments, tells Conor McGregor to "take notes"
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Former UFC ‘champ champ’ Henry Cejudo took time to reflect on his accomplishments today, this while telling Conor McGregor to take notes. Cejudo (16-2 MMA) retired from mixed martial arts following his TKO victory over former bantamweight kingpin Dominick Cruz at UFC 249. The win had marked Henry’s sixth in a row, as he had previously scored victories over Wilson Reis, Sergio Pettis, Demetrious Johnson, T.J. Dillashaw and Marlon Moraes.
Michael Chiesa takes aim at Mario Yamasaki following news of his return to MMA refereeing
Christopher Taylor - January 29, 2021
Michael Chiesa took aim at Mario Yamasaki after the controversial referee announced his plans to return to mixed martial arts. Yamasaki has not worked as a referee since February of 2018, when he was on duty for a Fight Night in Belem, Brazil. Mario was the subject of much controversy that night, after he allowed Priscila Cachoeira to absorb a ton of unnecessary punishment in her bout with future UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.
The Korean Zombie says he hit "rock bottom" and gained 20kgs following loss to Brian Ortega
Adam Martin - January 29, 2021
UFC featherweight fan-favorite The Korean Zombie admitted he hit “rock bottom” following his loss to Brian Ortega, gaining 20kgs as a result. The Korean Zombie took on Ortega in a No. 1 contender fight back in October. Despite entering the bout as the clear favorite following back-to-back knockout wins over Frankie Edgar and Renato Moicano, the Zombie was completely outclassed in the matchup. Ortega styled on Korean Zombie for 25 minutes, pitching a shutout en route to a unanimous decision win. Although Zombie has lost before, it was never in this fashion. Before Ortega, no one had truly ever dominated him in that manner.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik announces his fight against Ciryl Gane has been rescheduled for five-rounds at UFC Vegas 20
Cole Shelton - January 29, 2021
Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Ciryl Gane will now be fighting five rounds. Rozenstruik and Gane were originally supposed to fight in the co-main event of a Fight Night card on March 13. However, on Friday evening, Rozenstruik took to Twitter to reveal his bout against Gane has been pushed back two weeks and will now be five-rounds.
Anthony Rocco Martin becomes latest fighter to exit UFC roster
Adam Martin - January 29, 2021
Anthony Rocco Martin has become the latest fighter to exit the UFC roster as he announced on Friday he has parted ways with the organization. Martin has been in the UFC since 2014, racking up a winning record of 9-6 in the world’s leading MMA promotion. He told MMAjunkie.com’s Nolan King that he and the UFC decided to mutually part ways after wrapping up the final fight of his contract with a decision loss to Neil Magny at UFC 250. That fight happened back in June, but the UFC recently revealed it was purging 60 fighters from the roster. It sounds like Martin didn’t make the cut, but the veteran said he’s looking forward to free agency.
Cody Garbrandt reveals he "lost the passion for fighting" after he became world champion
Cole Shelton - January 29, 2021
Cody Garbrandt revealed he lost his passion for fighting right after he beat Dominick Cruz at UFC 207. In the co-main event, Garbrandt, a then 10-0 fighter shocked many as he dominated Cruz to win a decision to become the new bantamweight champion. However, after that fight, Garbrandt went on to lose three straight fights all by KO and he says that was because he lost his passion for the sport.
Kamaru Usman wants Jorge Masvidal rematch so he can "finish him" after fighting with a broken nose at UFC 251
Cole Shelton - January 29, 2021
Kamaru Usman wants to rematch Jorge Masvidal on a full camp so he can earn a stoppage win. At UFC 251 in July, Masvidal stepped up on a weeks’ notice to battle Usman in a highly-anticipated bout. In the first round, “Gamebred” had success but the champ then rallied and won the final four rounds using his wrestling and clinch.