UFC News

Adam D Martin - November 8, 2021

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes that Justin Gaethje has earned the next UFC lightweight title shot over his teammate Islam Makhachev. Cormier and Gaethje recently got into it on social media after “The Highlight” accused DC of being biased during his commentary for the recent Makhachev vs. Dan Hooker fight. Following that match, which Makhachev won in an impressive fashion, Cormier suggested that he should be next in line to fight for the belt, and Gaethje felt that he was biased since they are teammates at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA). However, it now appears that DC has changed his tune and is now supporting Gaethje for the title shot.

Adam D Martin - November 8, 2021

UFC president Dana White praised Kamaru Usman following his UFC 268 win, saying that “I think he’s the greatest welterweight of all time.” Usman defeated archrival Colby Covington via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 268 this past Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was a phenomenal fight by both men, but particularly by Usman, who once again showed Covington that he’s the best welterweight in the world. By beating his rival for a second time, Usman improved to a perfect 15-0 in the UFC. He either holds or is chasing most of the key records in the UFC welterweight division occupied by former longtime champion Georges St-Pierre. But if you ask White, even if Usman still has a ways to go to catch GSP in terms of title defenses and overall wins, White thinks Usman has surpassed him.

Adam D Martin - November 8, 2021

Former champion Carla Esparza respectfully requested a rematch with current champ Rose Namajunas for the UFC women’s strawweight title. Esparza is arguably the No. 1 contender in the UFC women’s strawweight division, so she watched anxiously this past Saturday night as Namajunas duked it out with former champ Weili Zhang at UFC 268. It was a hard-fought fight between the two women, but it was Namajunas who earned the split decision win on the judges’ scorecards to defend her belt.

Adam D Martin - November 8, 2021

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says he is open to a Colby Covington trilogy fight down the road if his rival works his way back up. Usman defeated Covington via unanimous decision in the main event of this past Saturday’s UFC 268 pay-per-view card. Just like their first meeting at UFC 245 in December 2019, which came down to the wire before a late stoppage in the fifth round. the rematch was a close fight, with Usman edging out a tight decision on the judges’ scorecards. It was an excellent matchup and even though he lost, Covington showed once again that he is the second-best welterweight in the division. It just so happens that Usman is the best fighter in the weight class and he has now beaten Covington twice.

Harry Kettle - November 8, 2021

UFC president Dana White hasn’t ruled out the idea of Frankie Edgar returning to the Octagon after his UFC 268 defeat. As part of UFC 268’s main card, Frankie Edgar went toe to toe with Marlon Vera in what proved to be a pretty tense bantamweight affair. Edgar seemed to be faring pretty well for long spells but ultimately, it was a front kick that proved to be the difference maker as Vera walked away with the knockout win.

Christopher Taylor - November 7, 2021

Marlon Vera picked up the biggest win of his career last night at MSG, finishing Frankie Edgar in the third round of their fight at UFC 268. The victory came by way of a stunning front kick, a strike which sent the former lightweight champion crashing to the Octagon canvas (see that here).

Christopher Taylor - November 7, 2021

Dana White is not ready to proclaim Carla Esparza as the next strawweight title challenger, this despite Rose Namajunas’ win at UFC 268. Esparza (18-6 MMA), the promotions former strawweight champion, is currently on a five-fight winning streak and seemingly has the best case for a title shot when compared to any of the other divisions contenders.

Chris Taylor - November 7, 2021

Jorge Masvidal clearly tuned in to watch his former friend turned bitter enemy Colby Covington rematch Kamaru Usman at UFC 268. Usman (20-1 MMA) and Covington (16-3 MMA) originally collided back at UFC 245 in December of 2019, with the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ emerging victorious by way of a thrilling fifth round TKO.

Adam Martin - November 7, 2021

Former UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones says he “definitely won’t be going back” to Team Jackson-Wink after his recent ban from the gym. Jones was involved in a domestic battery incident in Las Vegas in September, and last month, his former coach Mike Winkeljohn admitted that he kicked Jones out of the gym. The reason Winkeljohn gave Jones the boot from his longtime gym is twofold. One, because Winkeljohn is a husband and father of daughters himself and he felt conflicted continuing to train Jones while the domestic issue is looming over him. And two, Jones’ issues with alcohol. Jones has admitted that he has a problem with alcohol, and Winkeljohn wants him to get the help he needed before coming back to the gym.

Adam Martin - November 7, 2021

UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou completely ignored interim champion Ciryl Gane when they encountered each other backstage at UFC 268. Gane won the interim heavyweight title back at UFC 265 in August when he knocked out Derrick Lewis in the third round of the fight. Remember, the UFC had originally booked Ngannou against Lewis in that fight, but the promotion created an interim title after Ngannou was not able to defend his title in August. Instead of Ngannou facing Lewis for the undisputed heavyweight title, it was Gane who went in there and beat Lewis.

Adam Martin - November 7, 2021

UFC president Dana White revealed he bet $100,000 on Canelo Alvarez to knock out Caleb Plant, winning over $41,000 when he got the job done. Alvarez fought Plant in Las Vegas on Saturday night, and on the other side of the country, UFC 268 took place in New York City. While White was busy overseeing UFC 268 and sitting cageside during the event, he also had the Alvarez vs. Plant fight on his monitor in front of his desk outside of the Octagon. The reason he was so interested in the Alvarez vs. Plant fight? While White is a massive boxing fan, it wasn’t just because he was so interested in watching the fight, but also because he had a $100,000 bet on Alvarez.

Adam Martin - November 7, 2021

UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev says he wants to make a December return, and he is taking aim at the UFC welterweight top-10. Chimaev is one of the hottest fighters in the sport right now after winning his first four UFC fights by stoppage, including a vicious submission win over Li Jingliang at UFC 267. It was the type of quality victory that moved Chimaev into the top-15 rankings in the stacked UFC welterweight division, and now he is hoping that he gets a step up in competition for his next fight. That may or may not include a title shot against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, which is what he wants more than anything, but even if he doesn’t get the title shot against Usman, he figures to get a top-10 opponent.