UFC News
Colby Covington shares detailed account of altercation with Kamaru Usman, Ali Abdelaziz
Tom Taylor - March 5, 2019
Shortly after UFC 235, former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington had a heated run-in with new welterweight king Kamaru Usman and his manager Ali Abdelaziz. This altercation, which went down in a crowd of innocent bystanders at the Palms casino in Las Vegas, ultimately got violent, as Abdelaziz actually threw a punch at Covington (see the video here). Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, Colby Covington detailed his side of the story.
UFC Rankings Update: Kamaru Usman cracks pound for pound top 10
Christopher Taylor - March 4, 2019
The UFC rankings have seen some major changes following the conclusion of this past weekend’s UFC 235 pay-per-view event in Las Vegas. Newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman soared into the pound for pound ranks to #9 (via UFC.ca), this following his dominant decision victory over Tyron Woodley.
Johnny Walker provides shoulder update, hopes for Alexander Gustafsson bout next in Sweden
Drake Riggs - March 4, 2019
At UFC 235, we were treated to awesome performances aplenty. Two of which were brought to us by light heavyweights. While one of those belonged to the division’s champion, Jon Jones, the other was the rising star from Brazil, the 6-foot-6 highlight machine, Johnny Walker.
UFC 235 Fighter Salaries: Jon Jones and Tyron Woodley lead payroll
Christopher Taylor - March 4, 2019
Jon Jones successfully defended his UFC light heavyweight title in the headliner of UFC 235 defeating Anthony Smith by unanimous decision. Jon Jones earned a disclosed $500,000 on Saturday night, while Anthony Smith took home $350,000 for his efforts.
UFC 235 | Ben Askren 'really disappointed with the UFC staff' for not letting him corner Tyron Woodley
Cole Shelton - March 4, 2019
Ben Askren made his highly anticipated UFC debut on Saturday night against Robbie Lawler. He beat Lawler by submission — although in controversial fashion. Following his fight, Askren planned to walk out and corner his teammate Tyron Woodley in his title fight with Kamaru Usman. The UFC initially approved of Askren serving as a cornerman. However, after his fight, the UFC wouldn’t allow it.
Fearless Johnny Walker knows he can give Jon Jones 'a proper fight'
Drake Riggs - March 4, 2019
There were several big winners at UFC 235, but physically as well as figuratively, there may have been no bigger than Brazil’s Johnny Walker. Three UFC fights, three first round knockouts, and three performance of the night bonuses. Walker has not come to play around in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Well… That’s until after his fights are over, of course.
UFC 235 | Jeremy Stephens reflects on loss to Zabit Magomedsharipov
Drake Riggs - March 4, 2019
From top to bottom, this past Saturday’s UFC 235 event was a memorable one with great names, fights, and finishes from the opening bell. In the preliminary card’s featured attraction, we saw the return of ‘Lil Heathen’ Jeremy Stephens as he made his 30th career walk to the UFC Octagon.
Report | UFC 237 clash between Jose Aldo and Alexander Volkanovski in the works
Drake Riggs - March 4, 2019
When it comes to the best divisions in the UFC right now, there are several that one could name and argue as the very best. And when having that discussion, it would be wrong to not at the very least mention the 145-pound featherweight class. For many years, the division was locked down by a single Brazilian king. That being none other than the once nicknamed “Scarface” Jose Aldo.
EXCLUSIVE | After war with Bryan Barberena, Vicente Luque has another opponent in mind
Tom Taylor - March 4, 2019
Trying to knock Bryan Barberena out is kind of like trying to chop down a tree with a golf club — it’s possible, but it’s absurdly difficult. Vicente Luque learned this the hard way when he met Barberena at UFC on ESPN 1 last month. Over the course of two and half rounds, Luque bombarded his sturdy foe with the kind of skull-rattling strikes that would have left many other fighters snoozing. But Barberena just kept coming — and firing back.
Colby Covington claims Ali Abdelaziz threatened to track him down and murder him
Tom Taylor - March 4, 2019
Shortly after UFC 235, Colby Covington had a heated run-in with new UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and his manager Ali Abdelaziz. This run-in actually ended up getting violent, as Abdelaziz could be seen throwing a punch at Covington in video of the event (see it here). Apparently, however, that’s not where the craziness ended.
Dana White explains why 'Marreta' — not Brock Lesnar — should be next for Jon Jones
Tom Taylor - March 4, 2019
Jon Jones was simply too much for Anthony Smith. The light heavyweight champion soundly outfought his lionhearted challenger over five lopsided rounds at UFC 235 on Saturday night, and can now look forward to his next challenge in the Octagon. That being said, it’s not abundantly clear who is next opponent will be. While Thiago Santos — nicknamed “Marreta” — seems to be the frontrunner, the allure of heavyweight fights with Daniel Cormier and Brock Lesnar are difficult to ignore.
Jon Jones praises Anthony Smith for not taking DQ victory
Tom Taylor - March 4, 2019
Toward the end of his UFC 235 title fight with Anthony Smith, UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones clobbered his grounded foe with an illegal knee. The referee paused the action, the cage-side physician entered the cage to examine Smith, and Jon Jones had a “nerve-wracking” flashback to his infamous disqualification loss to Matt Hamill. ”It was nerve wracking. It was nerve wracking, really,” Jones said at the UFC 235 post-fight press conference (transcript via MMA Fighting). “I just started to pray. I was just hoping that it wouldn’t go down like that. I had flashbacks of the Matt Hamill fight and I was just thinking, oh my goodness, please, tell me this isn’t going down like this. I was just looking at Anthony and I felt like we locked eyes at one moment and I kind of gave him one of these, like, ‘you’re alright, get your a** up’ [laughs]. Sure enough, he showed the heart of a lion.
EXCLUSIVE | Montana De La Rosa looking to showcase all her skills in next fight
Cole Shelton - March 4, 2019
Montana De La Rosa is one of the more promising flyweight prospects in the UFC. The 24-year-old is undefeated in the Octagon, not counting exhibition bouts on The Ultimate Fighter. De La Rosa is coming off of an impressive submission win over the formerly undefeated Nadia Kassem at UFC 234. For De La Rosa, that fight went as good as it could have.
Mickey Gall offers explanation for lopsided UFC 235 loss to Diego Sanchez
Tom Taylor - March 4, 2019
On Saturday night, on the undercard of UFC 235, Mickey Gall returned to the Octagon to battle one of the most experienced fighters in UFC history, The Ultimate Fighter Season One winner Diego Sanchez. Despite being labelled as the betting favorite heading into this fight, Mickey Gall was soundly walloped by his exponentially more experienced foe, and ultimately wilted under a storm of second-round ground strikes. It was Sanchez’s first stoppage victory since 2008.
Greg Hardy to return at UFC on ESPN 3
Tom Taylor - March 4, 2019
Controversial former NFL player Greg Hardy will get another shot in the UFC, according to a report from ESPN. The former football player is targeted to return opposite Dmitrii Smoliakov at UFC on ESPN 3 in Sunrise, Florida.
UFC 235 commentator Jon Anik criticizes referee Marc Goddard, Goddard responds
Tom Taylor - March 4, 2019
On Saturday night, in the co-main event of UFC 235, Kamaru Usman authored a dominant decision victory over long-time UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley. During the fight referee Marc Goddard continually stood Usman and Woodley up, oftentimes when some onlookers felt it wasn’t necessary. UFC commentator Jon Anik, who was on duty for the card, shares that opinion. Yes! Wildly inconsistent. And Usman was working his ass off.
VIDEO | Colby Covington gets into scuffle with Ali Abdelaziz, Kamaru Usman
Thomas Taylor - March 3, 2019
New UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman and former interim champion Colby Covington have an extremely heated rivalry. So heated in fact, that they nearly came to blows inside a casino in Las Vegas on Sunday. In fact, punches were actually thrown in this heated encounter — though not by either fighter. Instead, it was Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz who let loose a strike. Usman even seemed to be holding his manager back.
Kamaru Usman and Tyron Woodley share classy exchange after UFC 235 fight
Thomas Taylor - March 3, 2019
Kamaru Usman and Tyron Woodley’s UFC 235 welterweight title fight has now come and gone, with Usman unseating the long-time champion Woodley with a beautifully executed unanimous decision victory. While the two welterweight talents exchanged quite a bit of trash talk before their fight, particularly at the first UFC 235 pre-fight press conference, it’s clear that there’s now plenty of respect between them.