UFC News
Khabib Nurmagomedov shares picks for the UFC’s top three lightweights
Drake Riggs - December 28, 2020
If anyone knows who the best fighters at 155-pounds are, it’s probably the guy who is the best of the bunch, and that’s Russia’s Khabib Nurmagomedov. The undefeated 29-0 king of the UFC’s lightweight division has since called an end to his career after a dominant win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. And with that being the case, it’s left everyone wondering how things will unfold atop the division.
Weili Zhang reacts after classic with Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 named Fight of the Year
Adam Martin - December 28, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang reacted after her classic with Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 was named 2020 Fight of the Year. It’s amazing that Zhang and Jedrzejczyk actually took place during this year considering how 2020 ended up turning out. Remember, UFC 248 in March was the last event to feature fans before the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world. But it’s true that this fight took place this year, and it was an absolute war between two of the best women’s MMA fighters of all time. It absolutely deserved to win Fight of the Year not only at the World MMA Awards but from essentially every MMA media outlet.
Rob Font wants TJ Dillashaw or Jose Aldo next after stopping Marlon Moraes in the first
Cole Shelton - December 28, 2020
Rob Font is now a top-five bantamweight. Entering UFC Vegas 17, Font had heard all the talk that he couldn’t win the big one. When the New England Cartel member got steps up in competition he faltered as evidence to the Raphael Assuncao and Pedro Munhoz losses. However, as he was getting ready to fight Marlon Moraes, his confidence and mental state were much different which was the key to getting his hand raised.
Ali Abdelaziz lashes out at John Kavanagh for suggesting McGregor vs. Poirier 2 should be for a title
Cole Shelton - December 28, 2020
Ali Abdelaziz has responded after John Kavanagh suggested Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 2 should be for the vacant belt. After Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Justin Gaethje and retired, many wondered why the belt never became vacant. With McGregor returning on January 23, many believed by the time the fight rolled around, the fight would be for the belt. Kavanagh, however, doesn’t understand why it isn’t.
Gaethje, Chandler "slightly easier" fight for Conor McGregor than Poirier, says coach
Tom Taylor - December 28, 2020
Coach John Kavanagh believes Dustin Poirier is a tougher opponent for Conor McGregor than Justin Gaethje or Michael Chandler. Kavanagh has long served as McGregor’s head coach. During a recent interview with TheMacLife, he rated McGregor’s next opponent, Poirier, against two other top lightweights in Gaethje and Chandler.
Brandon Moreno makes his pick for 2020 Fight of the Year: "Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk should win"
Tom Taylor - December 28, 2020
Brandon Moreno was involved in one of the best fights of 2020, but he doesn’t believe he’s the most deserving candidate of Fight of the Year honors. Moreno dropped jaws earlier this month, when he battled UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo to a thrilling draw in the main event of UFC 256. While the two flyweight stars deserve plenty of credit for that incredible contest, Moreno himself feels Fight of the Year honors should go to another UFC championship war: Zhang Weili’s March defeat of Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch would be "phenomenal to see," says coach
Tom Taylor - December 28, 2020
John Kavanagh believes “it would be phenomenal” to see a rematch between his star pupil Conor McGregor and reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. McGregor, the former lightweight and featherweight champion, challenged Nurmagomedov for his title in 2018. While the Irishman performed as well as anybody against the unbeaten Russian, he was ultimately submitted in the fourth round of the fight.
Amanda Nunes reacts after being named Female Fighter of the Year
Adam Martin - December 28, 2020
UFC women’s superstar Amanda Nunes reacted after being named Female Fighter of the Year at the 12th Fighters Only World MMA Awards. Nunes was the recipient of the honor from the World MMA awards from Fighters Only on Sunday night. She was up against several other tough competitors in a star-studded field of elite women’s MMA fighters, including Bellator’s Cris Cyborg, PFL’s Kayla Harrison, and fellow UFC champions Valentina Shevchenko and Weili Zhang.
Claressa Shields explains why she signed with PFL over UFC
Tom Taylor - December 28, 2020
Three-division boxing champion Claressa Shields has explained why she decided to sign with the Professional Fighters League instead of the UFC. Shields, one of the best female boxers ever, has been plotting a move to MMA for some time. She’ll finally make that transition in the PFL cage in 2021–contrary to some interest from the UFC.
Colby Covington questions Jorge Masvidal's "BMF" status amid stalled negotiations
Tom Taylor - December 28, 2020
Colby Covington is questioning Jorge Masvidal’s status as the UFC’s “BMF” champion amid the stalled negotiations for their potential matchup. Covington and Masvidal, former friends turned mortal enemies, have been linked to a fight for months. As of yet, however, the matchup has failed to come to fruition.
Darren Stewart details injuries he sustained in training sessions with Khamzat Chimaev
Tom Taylor - December 28, 2020
Training with Khamzat Chimaev is a physically taxing experience, according to British UFC middleweight contender Darren Stewart. Chimaev was the breakout UFC star of summer, 2020. The Chechen-Swede first picked up two wins in the span of 10 days on Fight Island in July, defeating John Phillips by first-round submission and Rhys McKee by first-round TKO, then picked up his third win of the season when he knocked out Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 11, also in the first round.
Israel Adesanya reacts after being voted ‘Fighter of The Year’ for 2020
Harry Kettle - December 28, 2020
UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya has reacted to being named Fighter of the Year in the Fighters Only World MMA Awards. Adesanya managed to register two big wins in 2020, and while his victory over Yoel Romero may have been controversial, the success against Paulo Costa was as emphatic as it gets.
Sean O'Malley explains the only way he would fight Marlon Vera again
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
UFC bantamweight prospect Sean O’Malley recently explained the only way he would accept a rematch against his bitter rival Marlon Vera. O’Malley and Vera met back at UFC 252 in August, and the Ecuadorian fighter pulled off the upset when he finished O’Malley in the first round with strikes. O’Malley injured his ankle in that fight and Vera took advantage of his ailment by putting him away via TKO. But in the months since that fight took place, O’Malley has refused to accept that it was a legitimate loss. After Vera lost a unanimous decision to Jose Aldo at UFC Vegas 17, O’Malley used it as an opportunity to scoff at his rival Vera.
John Kavanagh: Dustin Poirier has already felt Conor McGregor's KO power
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
Coach John Kavanagh wants the MMA community to remember that Dustin Poirier has already felt Conor McGregor’s knockout power in the past. McGregor and Poirier meet for the second time next month at UFC 257 on UFC Fight Island. The first time these two fought was back in September 2014 at UFC 178. That fight was almost seven years ago and it was down at featherweight. Both men are different fighters now and both are now fighting up at lightweight. It’s why some analysts believe that Poirier has a much better chance to win the rematch this time.
Dustin Poirier praises "incredible" Charles Oliveira, calls Michael Chandler a "good fighter"
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier praised divisional rivals Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler for their recent performances. Oliveira has won eight straight fights and, back at UFC 256, he picked up the biggest win of his career when he defeated Tony Ferguson via lopsided decision. As for Chandler, he is set to make his UFC debut in 2021 after the former three-time Bellator lightweight champion signed with the world’s leading MMA promotion as a free agent this year. Oliveira is a ranked fighter and Chandler will soon join him in the top-15 of what UFC president Dana White says is the UFC’s strongest division.
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Manel Kape re-booked for potential flyweight title eliminator
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
Alexandre Pantoja and Manel Kape have been re-booked for a potential flyweight title eliminator against each other for early next year. Pantoja vs. Kape was originally scheduled to take place at UFC Vegas 17 on December 19 in Las Vegas, but the bout fell apart after Pantoja withdrew from the bout. The UFC then pulled Kape from the card as well and tabbed him to be the backup fighter to the UFC 256 main event between UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno. However, both Figueiredo and Moreno made weight and Kape never ended up making his UFC debut after all at UFC 256.
Kevin Holland surprises lucky fan with heavy bag for Christmas
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland surprised one lucky MMA fan on Twitter with a heavy bag just in time for Christmas. On Christmas day, Holland wished his followers on social media happy holidays and asked them what gifts they got for Christmas. One fan showed Holland that he received a pair of MMA gloves as a present but he said he didn’t have a heavy bag in order to use them. Looking to lift the spirits of one lucky fan, Holland shot the fan a message and told them to send him a DM with their address. “Ho Ho” Holland said that he would be sending the fan a small heavy bag so they have a great Christmas.
Julianna Pena vs. Sara McMann added to UFC 257
Adam Martin - December 27, 2020
An important women’s bantamweight bout between Julianna Pena and Sara McMann has been added to the upcoming UFC 257 pay-per-view card. Pena vs. McMann was originally set to take place at UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar, but the fight was pushed back a week to UFC 257 instead. The bout will now take place on January 23 on the undercard of the Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 2 pay-per-view. With Pena and McMann both being ranked in the top-15 at women’s 135lbs, this is an important fight for both women as they look to move close to a bantamweight title shot.