UFC News
What's next for Dan Hooker and Paul Felder after UFC Auckland?
Cole Shelton - February 24, 2020
In the main event of UFC Auckland, Dan Hooker was taking on Paul Felder in a very crucial fight in the lightweight division. The winner would most likely get a top-5 opponent while the loser would be forced to fight someone down in the rankings next. In the end, it was Hooker who got the job done by split decision. It was a super competitive and close fight that resulted in both men being transported to the hospital.
Walt Harris vs. Alistair Overeem betting odds released
Adam Martin - February 24, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for the main event of UFC Portland between heavyweight contenders Walt Harris and Alistair Overeem. Harris vs. Overeem headlines UFC on ESPN+ 30, which takes place on April 11 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The two were previously scheduled to headline UFC on ESPN 7, but Harris was forced to withdraw after this shocking murder of his daughter Aniah Blanchard. Overeem ended up fighting Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the main event, losing the fight via vicious KO with just four seconds left in the fifth round.
Conor McGregor linked to summertime scrap with Justin Gaethje
Tom Taylor - February 24, 2020
Conor McGregor may have his next opponent. According to Ariel Helwani of ESPN, preliminary discussions have begun for a summertime showdown between the Irish superstar and former World Series of Fighting Champion Justin Gaethje.
The Korean Zombie addresses potential Yair Rodriguez rematch
Tom Taylor - February 24, 2020
In late 2018, “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung collided with Yair Rodriguez in one of the most memorable fights in UFC history. The bout ended in the final second, when the Korean Zombie — who was clearly ahead on the scorecards — was shut off by a highlight-reel Rodriguez elbow. Given the nature of that first fight, many fans are keen to see Rodriguez and the undead Korean go at it again. Because the featherweight division’s reigning champ Alexander Volkanovski is expected to rematch the former champ Max Holloway, and that top contenders Brian Ortega and Zabit Magomedsharipov are rumored to be fighting this spring, the rematch also makes sense from a logistics standpoint.
Megan Anderson focused on Norma Dumont, not Amanda Nunes
Mike Heck - February 24, 2020
Megan Anderson believes a shot at Amanda Nunes and the UFC women’s featherweight title will come eventually. That’s why she is focused solely on this Saturday when she faces an unbeaten fighter that is hoping to make a big statement. Anderson will face Norma Dumont this Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 27. The event takes place at the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va. and will be headlined by a fight for the vacant flyweight title between Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk eyes potential first title defense against Rose Namajunas: 'I want that one'
Cole Shelton - February 24, 2020
Joanna Jedrzejczyk wants her potential first title defense to be a big money fight and she believes that is the trilogy against Rose Namajunas. In the co-main event of UFC 248, Jedrzejczyk will take on Weili Zhang in the Chinese champion’s first title defense. It is a fight the Pole is confident she will win as she knows she’s the better fighter and will reclaim her throne on March 7.
Joe Rogan wants Jon Jones vs. Dominick Reyes rematch
Tom Taylor - February 24, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan wants to see a rematch between UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and recent title challenger Dominick Reyes. Jones and Reyes collided in the main event of UFC 247 earlier this month. After five competitive rounds, Jones retained his title with a unanimous decision, though many fans and pundits believe Reyes did enough to earn the judges’ nod — and the belt.
Geoff Neal calls for a fight with welterweight contender Michael Chiesa
Harry Kettle - February 24, 2020
UFC welterweight star Geoff Neal has called out Michael Chiesa for a potential welterweight showdown with both men riding win streaks in the division. While the debate regarding the best division in the UFC tends to be won by lightweight, it certainly seems as if the 170-pounders are starting to creep their way into the conversation. From the title contenders to the rest of the top15 and beyond, welterweight seems to be as legitimate as they come.
Submission Underground 11 Results & Highlights
Cole Shelton - February 23, 2020
Chael Sonnen’s Submission Underground was back this Sunday in Portland for SUG 11. Submission Underground 11 was originally expected to see Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones as a tag team as Sonnen put up a $25,000 challenge for any two men who could beat them. Vinny Magalhaes and Kyle Boehm quickly stepped up for the challenge. Yet, Ryan had to pull out with an injury and was replaced by Nick Rodriguez.
Israel Adesanya issues apology for controversial “twin towers” comment
Christopher Taylor - February 23, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has issued an apology for his controversial comment involving the twin towers. During the UFC 248 press conference call, ‘Stylebender’ suggested that he would make his next opponent Yoel Romero crumble like the “twin towers” next month in Las Vegas.
Justin Gaethje says he’s waiting for Conor McGregor to “punch him in the face”
Adam Martin - February 23, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje says he’s waiting for superstar Conor McGregor to “punch him in the face” inside the Octagon. Gaethje has been extremely vocal in interviews and on social media about his desire to fight McGregor in a No. 1 contender fight to determine who should fight the winner of UFC 249’s main event between UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. But so far McGregor hasn’t taken the bait and continues to wait for a title shot.
Floyd Mayweather would rematch Conor McGregor if the money’s right
Adam Martin - February 23, 2020
Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather says he is open to a rematch against UFC superstar Conor McGregor provided the money’s right. Mayweather and McGregor first met in the summer of 2017 for a boxing superfight that shattered all sorts of financial records. Though Mayweather totally outclassed McGregor in that fight and finished him via 10th-round TKO, there have always been rumors that a rematch could eventually happen due to the sheer amount of money that is potentially available for both men to make.
Stipe Miocic is the baddest man on the planet, not Tyson Fury, says Max Kellerman
Adam Martin - February 23, 2020
Boxing analyst Max Kellerman says he considers UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic to be the baddest man on the planet, not boxing star Tyson Fury. Following Fury’s seventh-round TKO win over rival Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas, many on the internet now consider Fury to be the baddest man on the planet. Kellerman, though, disagrees.
Karolina Kowalkiewicz forced to undergo eye operation following loss at UFC Auckland
Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight Karolina Kowalkiewicz says she will undergo an eye operation after suffering a broken facial bone at UFC Auckland. Kowalkiewicz lost a lopsided unanimous decision to Yan Xiaonan on the main card of UFC Auckland. It’s her fourth straight loss following defeats to Alexa Grasso, Jessica Andrade, and Michelle Waterson. Kowalkiewicz was beaten to the punch nearly the entire fight by Xiaonan and was really wearing it at the end of 15 minutes.
VIDEO | Watch Curtis Blaydes wrestle with Anthony Johnson in a sumo match
Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes and former light heavyweight star Anthony Johnson wrestled each other in a sumo match. Blaydes and Johnson met on Friday at the SubStars grappling event in Miami, Florida in an exhibition sumo match for fun. During the match, Johnson was able to win the first round but Blaydes came back in the second to tie things up. In the third round, Blaydes was able to land a trip takedown and earn the victory over Johnson.
Paul Felder not set on retirement just yet, says coach and manager
Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020
The coach and manager for UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder say he is not set on retirement despite his post-fight comments at UFC Auckland. After Felder lost a contentious split decision to Dan Hooker in the main event of the evening, he told UFC commentator Dan Hardy that he was considering retirement, citing his young four-year-old child missing him when he goes away for fight camps.
Tyson Fury called out by multiple UFC heavyweights following win over Deontay Wilder
Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020
Multiple UFC heavyweights including champion Stipe Miocic and top contender Francis Ngannou called out Tyson Fury after his win over Deontay Wilder. Fury finished Wilder in the seventh round via TKO on Saturday night in Las Vegas after outclassing him the entire fight in the pair’s rematch after they fought to a draw in December 2018. It’s by far the biggest win of Fury’s career and puts him in a position for another massive fight his next time out.
Photo | Dan Hooker vs. Paul Felder scorecards revealed
Adam D Martin - February 23, 2020
The official scorecards have been revealed for the main event of UFC Auckland between lightweight contenders Dan Hooker and Paul Felder. Hooker and Felder went back-and-forth for the full 25 minutes in an absolute war that later sent both men to the hospital. It was an extremely close fight that ultimately went to the judges’ scorecards, where Hooker eeked out a razor-thin split decision.