UFC News
Dominick Cruz vs. John Lineker official for UFC 233
Cole Shelton - December 5, 2018
Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will finally make his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 233. The promotion made the bout official on Twitter on Wednesday. Cruz is back!@DominickCruz returns to face 'Hands of Stone' @JohnLineker at #UFC233 in Anaheim on Jan. 26! pic.twitter.com/SunaIvoev9
Jesse Ronson has been told he'll "never fight in the UFC again" after attempting to negotiate UFC 231 catchweight
Tom Taylor - December 5, 2018
If things had gone according to plan, Canadian lightweight Jesse Ronson would have battled Carlos Diego Ferreira at this weekend’s UFC 231 card in Toronto. Unfortunately, it now sounds as though the Canadian fighter will never fight in the UFC again.
Brian Ortega to star in action movie after UFC 231 title fight
Tom Taylor - December 5, 2018
If Brian Ortega defeats UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 231 this Saturday in Toronto, don’t expect him to defend his new title right away. He’ll be busy with other things for a few months. Speaking at a UFC 231 media lunch in Los Angeles this week, the undefeated featherweight title challenger announced that he’ll soon be appearing in an action film — in the lead role.
MMA community reacts to UFC booking Greg Hardy and Rachael Ostovich on the same card
Tom Taylor - December 5, 2018
Last night, ESPN reported that former NFL star Greg Hardy is likely to make his long-discussed UFC debut on January 19 in Brooklyn, New York, when the UFC makes its first appearance on ESPN+. Hardy’s seemingly inevitable move to the UFC has always been the subject of controversy, as he was previously found guilty on two charges of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend (though those charges were later dropped when his victim did not appear in court). That said, it’s hard to imagine the UFC handling the controversial former NFL’s debut any worse.
Greg Hardy's UFC debut close to finalization for first ESPN+ card in Brooklyn
Mike Pendleton - December 4, 2018
Heavyweight prospect and former NFL star Greg Hardy (3-0) has his official UFC debut close to set. According to Brett Okamoto of ESPN, Dana White has said that the UFC is close to finalizing a fight between Hardy and Allen Crowder (9-3) for their first ESPN+ card that is scheduled to take place on January 19 in Brooklyn, New York.
Artem Lobov extends a unique offer to Dana White and the UFC
Christopher Taylor - December 4, 2018
Artem Lobov is looking for a fight and has extended UFC President Dana White an interesting offer in hopes of securing another octagon appearance. “The Russian Hammer” recently took to Twitter where he offered to donate half of his fight purse to a children’s charity, this if the UFC grants him another opportunity to compete.
VIDEO | Valentina Shevchenko says she's 'glad to fight someone who is really professional'
Drake Riggs - December 4, 2018
.@BulletValentina is relieved to finally have a “professional” opponent in Joanna Jedrzejczyk at #UF231 this Saturday. Watch full video: https://t.co/gqPfY8c2aB pic.twitter.com/aaWK03Wv4B
NSAC suspension hearing for Conor McGregor postponed
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2018
Conor McGregor’s punishment from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) will not be handed down on Monday as expected. McGregor was granted a continuance in his case for the UFC 229 melee, according to MMAFighting. Meaning, McGregor’s hearing that was expected to take place on Monday has been postponed. As well, there is no timeframe for when the hearing will be reorganized.
Flyweight tilt between Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo added to UFC 233
Drake Riggs - December 4, 2018
After a briefly controversial moment in his last time out this past Friday, Joseph Benavidez (26-5) still found himself able to secure the win by first-round TKO over Alex Perez. The win marked Benavidez’ first since December 2016 when he defeated the now champion, Henry Cejudo.
EXCLUSIVE | TUF 28 winner Juan Espino is ready to make some noise in the heavyweight division
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2018
The Ultimate Fighter 28 just wrapped up and heavyweight Juan Espino was crowned the winner. Espino’s road to the UFC has been a long one. In Spain, where he was born, MMA is not a sport that many people partake in. Instead, most play soccer. However, Espino was unlike most of his peers and he chased his dream of being a professional fighter.
UFC rankings update: Kamaru Usman surges up at welterweight, heavyweight division sees big changes
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2018
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last weekend’s TUF 28 Finale and UFC Adelaide cards. The biggest changes in these new UFC rankings occurred in the welterweight and heavyweight divisions.
Man who killed UFC veteran Ryan Jimmo sentenced to eight years
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2018
In June of 2016, seven-time UFC veteran and former MFC light heavyweight champion Ryan Jimmo was hit by a car and killed in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. This week, Anthony Getschel, the man responsible for Jimmo’s death, was sentenced to eight years in prison for this incident — six years for manslaughter and two more for fleeing in the scene. The Edmonton Journal detailed the tragic circumstances of Jimmo’s death in a Monday report.
Kamaru Usman considers Colby Covington a "bigger fight" than Tyron Woodley
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2018
When Kamaru Usman defeated Rafael dos Anjos at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale last Friday night, he asserted himself as one of the uppermost contenders in the crowded UFC welterweight division. In fact, UFC President Dana White suggested Usman might have even surpassed Colby Covington and earned himself a title fight with long-time welterweight champ Tyron Woodley. Interestingly, however, Kamaru Usman seems to relish the opportunity to settle his beef with Colby Covington even more than he wants to fight Woodley for the title.
Conor McGregor team files motion to dismiss Michael Chiesa lawsuit
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2018
Back in April, in the lead-up to UFC 223, former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor touched down in Brooklyn, New York and all hell broke loose. The Irish MMA star launched a frenzied attack on a shuttle bus carrying a number of UFC 223 fighters, and ultimately hurled a dolly through the bus window, injuring several of the fighters on board. One of those fighters was Michael Chiesa, who sustained facial lacerations from the shattered glass. Chiesa’s injuries were significant enough that he was subsequently pulled from his planned UFC 223 fight with Anthony Pettis.
Michael Bisping confident he would "have an easy time" against Israel Adesanya
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2018
Streaking UFC middleweight contender Israel Adesanya is easily one of the most hyped fighters on the UFC roster at present. Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping is impressed by the Nigerian-born New Zealander — but not so much that he believes he couldn’t beat him. In fact, Bisping believes he’d have “an easy time” against Adesanya.
Brian Ortega explains why he isn't emotionally invested in Max Holloway fight
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2018
Brian Ortega and Max Holloway are set to fight at UFC 231 on Saturday for the UFC featherweight belt. This isn’t the first time the two have been scheduled to fight, however. At UFC 226 in July, Holloway and Ortega were booked to collide, but Holloway ended up having to pull out of the fight. It was reported that the Hawaiian had concussion-like symptoms and perhaps some trouble with his weight cut. However, it has never been revealed what actually happened. As a result, Ortega has lingering doubts
Anthony Smith and Dominick Reyes trade verbal jabs after Reyes' callout
Drake Riggs - December 3, 2018
The light heavyweight division has recently begun to see some new talents emerge and leading the charge are the likes of the experienced Anthony “Lionheart” Smith and the young rising contender, Dominick Reyes. After Smith’s biggest win of his career over the previously No. 2 ranked Volkan Oezdemir in October, Smith now finds himself poised for another big fight but also with a target on his back.
Joe Rogan opens up on the amount of fighting he watches day-to-day
Thomas Taylor - December 3, 2018
As a long-time color commentator for the UFC, Joe Rogan watches a lot of fights. Even when he’s not on duty for UFC cards, he often watches the events for his Fight Companion podcasts. And then, of course, there’s his passion for Brazilian jiu jitsu, boxing, Muay Thai and kickboxing, which also takes up a lot of his attention… Really, it’s hard to comprehend how Joe Rogan has time to do anything but watch fights.