UFC News
VIDEO | The best finishes from Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier
Natasha Hooper - September 2, 2019
UFC 242 on September 7 is headlined by a lightweight title fight between undisputed champ Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champ Dustin Poirier. As this pay-per-view card draws closer, both fighters are making their final adjustments. Heading into the bout, Poirier is the clear underdog while Nurmagomedov is favored to win. However, both fighters have impressive fight histories and some devastating finishes on their resumes.
What's next for Weili Zhang and Jessica Andrade after UFC Shenzhen?
Cole Shelton - September 2, 2019
Jessica Andrade was looking for her first title defense when she took on Weili Zhang in the main event of UFC Shenzhen. It was an important fight in the strawweight division that would no doubt change the landscape of 115-pounds. In the end, it was Zhang who surprised many as she knocked out Andrade in just 42 seconds to win the strawweight title. Following the fight, here is what we think should be next for the two of them.
Frankie Edgar willing to fight Conor McGregor at welterweight
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2019
Frankie Edgar has been angling for a fight with Conor McGregor for some time, but so far, it hasn’t come to fruition. That being said, McGregor recently named Edgar as a potential opponent for his return to action. “Who else is top of the list? Frankie Edgar is also up there on the list because he has similarities to Khabib,” McGregor said of Edgar in an interview with ESPN. “He runs on the back foot and shoots on the single leg. I want these sort of similar bouts. And also, Frankie has been very respectful. He’s always respectful. He said, ‘I want to tell my his grandkids I fought Conor McGregor’, one day.
Jessica Andrade issues statement after loss to Weili Zhang
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2019
Jessica Andrade is no longer the UFC strawweight champ. The Brazilian, who captured the title earlier this year with a slam-induced knockout of Rose Namajunas, surrendered the belt to China’s Weili Zhang at UFC Shenzhen over the weekend. Her TKO loss occurred just 42 seconds into the first round.
PHOTO | Nate Diaz is already back in training following win over Anthony Pettis
Natasha Hooper - September 2, 2019
Nate Diaz is seemingly back to business. In a recent Instagram post, Diaz showed that he is already back in the gym, grinding for his next challenge.
UFC parent company paid Pride CEO $10 million to leave MMA
Natasha Hooper - September 2, 2019
Documents unearthed in the anti-trust lawsuit against the UFC’s parent company, Zuffa LLC, have revealed that Pride CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara was paid $10 million to leave the MMA business for seven years (via Jason Cruz on Twitter). If you are interested in following Friday's #UFCHearings, check out @heynottheface and @MMAanalytics timeline. I'm sure you are already. Also, I'm compiling expert reports and other filings on my Scribd: https://t.co/jyBzH9KKOu
Henry Cejudo responds to Weili Zhang's 'sex change' comment
Thomas Taylor - September 1, 2019
UFC men’s flyweight and bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo has recently made joking callouts of several female UFC stars: flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko, bantamweight and featherweight champ Amanda Nunes, and top bantamweight contender Germaine de Randamie. Shortly after Weili Zhang captured the UFC strawweight belt at UFC Shenzhen, she was asked how she’d respond if she became the latest woman to be called out by Cejudo.
Weili Zhang receives praise from Dwayne Johnson, Tom Brady, other stars
Thomas Taylor - September 1, 2019
In just 42 seconds, Weili Zhang captured the UFC strawweight title, became the first Chinese champion in UFC history, and became one of the brightest young stars in MMA. In fact, her abrupt TKO victory over the former champion Jessica Andrade was so impressive that it earned praise from a number of huge celebrities from outside the MMA bubble — and from many inside it.
Colby Covington shares harsh assessment of Tyron Woodley's place in the welterweight division
Chris Taylor - September 1, 2019
Colby Covington believes he should be a 3-1 betting favorite in his upcoming title fight with current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. ‘Chaos’ is expected to meet ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden on November 2 at UFC 244.
PHOTO | Henry Cejudo is in Abu Dhabi for UFC 242
Adam D Martin - September 1, 2019
UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion Henry Cejudo is in Abu Dhabi ahead of this coming weekend’s UFC 242 megacard. The card is headlined by a lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier, and Cejudo will be in attendance for the festivities.
Michael Bisping reveals the biggest rival of his career
Chris Taylor - September 1, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping (30-9 MMA) had some major rivalries during his UFC career, but there is one that tops his list. ‘The Count’ had fierce rivalries with opponents such as Vitor Belfort, Jorge Rivera, Jason Miller, Luke Rockhold, Dan Henderson and Anderson Silva, but his biggest beef was apparently with the public.
PHOTO | Flyweight Kai Kara-France hints at bigger things ahead after UFC Shenzhen
Adam D Martin - September 1, 2019
UFC flyweight contender Kai Kara-France hinted at bigger things ahead following his win at UFC Shenzhen, posing for a picture after the event with UFC president Dana White. Kara-France defeated Mark de la Rosa via unanimous decision in an entertaining flyweight scrap on the main card to improve his UFC record to 3-0. The 26-year-old native of New Zealand improved to 20-7, 1 NC in his MMA career, and he’s currently riding an impressive eight-fight win streak overall. The UFC matchmakers seem very high on the young Kiwi.
Khabib Nurmagomedov admits the end is near: “I don’t have a lot of fights ahead”
Adam D Martin - September 1, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says that he only has a few fights left in his career before he retires from MMA. “The Eagle” was recently on a conference call promoting UFC 242 and was asked how many fights left he has in his career. He says he doesn’t plan on hanging up his gloves just yet, but admits the time is coming soon.
Khabib Nurmagomedov wants Daniel Cormier to have one last fight before retiring
Adam D Martin - September 1, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says he wants teammate Daniel Cormier to fight once more before calling it quits in his MMA career. “The Eagle” was recently on a conference call promoting UFC 242 and said that he wants to see DC, his teammate at American Kickboxing Academy, to fight Stipe Miocic in a trilogy fight for the final fight of his incredible career.
Weili Zhang tells Henry Cejudo 'welcome to the female division'
Adam D Martin - September 1, 2019
New UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang welcomed men’s flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo to the women’s divisions in a comical social media post. Cejudo has been calling out female fighters for the last month, with Valentina Shevchenko, Germaine de Randamie and now Zhang all getting called out on social media by “Triple C.” Zhang saw that Cejudo called her out and responded to him.
Ronda Rousey praises Weili Zhang for title win at UFC Shenzhen
Adam D Martin - September 1, 2019
Women’s MMA trailblazer Ronda Rousey offered praise for the performance of new UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang in the main event of UFC China. The long-time UFC women’s bantamweight champion took to her Instagram to post a congratulatory message to Zhang, who needed just 42 seconds to finish Jessica Andrade and become the new champ at 115lbs.
PHOTO | Jon Jones and Colby Covington party together in college
Christopher Taylor - August 31, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov says it is "Only Tony Ferguson, or nothing" following UFC 242
Chris Taylor - August 31, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier can agree on one thing, and that is Tony Ferguson should be the next in line for a UFC lightweight title shot. ‘The Eagle’ and ‘The Diamond’ are set to square off in the main event of UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi on September 7.
Dana White addresses UFC strawweight title picture, praises Weili Zhang
Chris Taylor - August 31, 2019
UFC President Dana White heaped praise at the newly crowned UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang during today’s post-fight press conference in Shenzhen. Zhang defeated Jessica Andrade in just 42-seconds (watch that here) to capture the promotions coveted 115-pound title in today’s headliner. In doing so, Weili became the first Chinese champion in UFC history and also extended her current win streak to twenty in a row.