UFC News
Chael Sonnen caught off guard by Ben Askren's retirement announcement
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2019
Chael Sonnen admits that Ben Askren’s decision to hang up his gloves for good surprised him. Askren went into the UFC with a ton of hype. “Funky” had captured Bellator and ONE Championship gold. While Askren initially retired, he ended up signing with the UFC via a trade with ONE for Demetrious Johnson. Askren went 1-2 under the UFC banner. He submitted Robbie Lawler and was stopped by Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia. During a recent appearance on ESPN’s Ariel Helwani MMA Show, Askren said he’s done for good now.
ATT owner wants Jorge Masvidal to fight Conor McGregor or Nick Diaz next
Cole Shelton - November 19, 2019
Jorge Masvidal is now the owner of the UFC’s BMF title, and he could very well be fighting for the welterweight title in his next fight. Yet Dan Lambert, the owner of American Top Team, is hoping for something else for “Gamebred” next. Lambert and the team at ATT know Masvidal wants the biggest payday so they are hoping a Conor McGregor fight can come to fruition. If that fight doesn’t materialize, Lambert believes Nick Diaz makes the most sense for Masvidal.
Paulo Costa calls Israel Adesanya a "p***y African"
Adam Martin - November 19, 2019
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa blasted UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya on social media, calling the champ a “p***y African.” Costa is the No. 1 contender in the UFC middleweight division and earned a title shot following his unanimous decision win over Yoel Romero at UFC 241. Unfortunately for Costa, he injured his biceps and had to have surgery on his arm, which is expected to keep him out of commission until mid-2020.
Yoel Romero wants middleweight title shot to determine 'the real champion'
Tom Taylor - November 19, 2019
Yoel Romero wants a shot at UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. The Cuban wrestler believes he needs to fight Adesanya to determine the true king of the middleweight division.
UFC rankings update: Conor McGregor nearly off pound-for-pound list
Tom Taylor - November 19, 2019
The UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of Saturday’s UFC Sao Paulo card, and as expected, there have been some interesting changes. Most notably, former UFC lightweight heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has been 86’d from the light heavyweight rankings after battling Paul Craig to a draw in the UFC Sao Paulo co-main event.
ONE Championship pays tribute to retired Ben Askren
Tom Taylor - November 19, 2019
Ben Askren announced his retirement on Monday afternoon, and he’s been receiving love from the MMA community ever since. He even got a nice tribute from ONE Championship, the organization that famously traded him to the UFC for Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in 2018. See how ONE Championship sent Ben Askren off into retirement below:
Conor McGregor's manager says Donald Cerrone contract discussions are going well
Adam Martin - November 19, 2019
UFC superstar Conor McGregor’s manager Audie Attar says contract discussions are going well for McGregor’s return fight against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246. It has been weeks now since McGregor and Cerrone were first linked to a fight, with both men saying that is was likely going to be booked soon. And yet, for whatever reason, the UFC hasn’t been able to get the deal signed on the dotted line.
Dana White seemingly confirms Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jedrezjczyk
Adam Martin - November 19, 2019
UFC president Dana White has seemingly confirmed that UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang will fight Joanna Jedrzejczyk next. Zhang and Jedrzejczyk have been going hard at each other recently on social media, and the rivalry reached a tipping point when Jedrzejczyk recently told Zhang that she was willing to travel to China to “beat the sh*t out of her.”
Ex-coach says ‘real BMF’ Nick Diaz crushes guys like Jorge Masvidal
Harry Kettle - November 19, 2019
Dan Lambert breaks down Colby Covington vs. Kamaru Usman
Cole Shelton - November 19, 2019
Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington will finally share the Octagon in the main event of UFC 245. The two have been rumored to fight each other ever since Usman won the title at UFC 235. Yet, until now, the two sides could never agree to a contract.
Israel Adesanya names ‘the second most dangerous guy’ at middleweight
Harry Kettle - November 19, 2019
UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has spoken out about who he believes to be the biggest threat within his division. Adesanya finally completed his ascent to the top at middleweight back at UFC 243, as he defeated Robert Whittaker to claim the title. Ever since then we’ve heard a million and one different stories regarding what could be next for “The Last Stylebender”, with Yoel Romero emerging as the primary contender after Paulo Costa was put on the shelf through injury.
Darren Till says he called out Yoel Romero when he was 'blind drunk'
Cole Shelton - November 18, 2019
Darren Till entered the elite of the middleweight rankings when he edged out a win over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 244. Shortly after the bout, The Liverpool native made it known he didn’t want to fight Yoel Romero next. Yet, to much surprise, Till later called out Romero on social media. He would later walk back on that challenge, claiming he called the Cuban out for fun and did so while he was very drunk.
Francis Ngannou has meeting with Dana White, teases big fight announcement
Adam Martin - November 18, 2019
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou said he had a productive meeting with UFC president Dana White and teased a big fight announcement. Ngannou has taken to social media in recent weeks to share his intense frustration for not having had a fight booked since his TKO win over Junior dos Santos back in June. He criticized the promotion for not giving him the Alexander Volkov matchup at UFC Moscow, an opportunity that Greg Hardy got instead. Ngannou then accused the UFC of using him as a gatekeeper and not viewing him as a true title challenger despite his three-fight win streak over JDS, Cain Velasquez and Curtis Blaydes.
Ken Shamrock says doctor shouldn't have stopped Nate Diaz fight at UFC 244
Adam Martin - November 18, 2019
UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock believes the doctor should have let Nate Diaz continue to fight Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244. Shamrock is one of the pioneer’s of mixed martial arts and has seen everything there is to see in the sport. During a recent interview with Steven Marrocco of MMAFighting.com, Shamrock was asked what he thought about the controversial doctor stoppage in the Diaz vs. Masvidal fight at UFC 244. “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” said that the doctor should have given Diaz the opportunity to continue to fight.
Michael Bisping thinks Tyson Fury could be formidable in UFC
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 18, 2019
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping can see Tyson Fury making a smooth transition to MMA. Fury has expressed interest in sharing the Octagon with top UFC heavyweights in the future. The lineal boxing heavyweight champion is set to meet Deontay Wilder a second time in early 2020. First, Wilder must take care of business in a rematch with Luis Ortiz this Saturday night (Nov. 23).
Zabit Magomedsharipov wants featherweight title shot next, but open to Yair Rodriguez fight
Adam Martin - November 18, 2019
UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov wants a featherweight title shot next, but he’s also open to a fight with Yair Rodriguez. Magomedsharipov recently defeated Calvin Kattar in the main event of UFC Moscow to improve his UFC record to a perfect 6-0. The victory improved his UFC record to 18-1 and he is currently riding a 14-fight win streak since his lone career defeat in 2013.
Ilir Latifi targeted for heavyweight debut opposite Derrick Lewis
Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019
Long-time UFC light heavyweight contender Ilir Latifi is reportedly headed up to the heavyweight division. According to ESPN, the Swede will hike up to heavyweight to battle fearsome knockout artist Derrick Lewis on February 8 — though contracts are not yet signed.
The MMA community reacts to Ben Askren's retirement
Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019
Ben Askren has decided to hang up the gloves. The former ONE and Bellator welterweight title holder announced his retirement from mixed martial arts on Monday’s edition of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.
Ben Askren announces retirement from MMA
Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019
Ben Askren has announced his retirement from MMA. Askren made this announcement on Monday’s edition of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, adding that he requires a hip replacement, and will undergo this complicated procedure now that his fighting days are done.