Tag: MMA News

Joe Rogan Reacts To Daniel Cormier Confronting Jake Paul

Joe RoganJoe Rogan and Dana White have similar-but-different opinions over Jake Paul’s dustup with UFC fans and commentary team members at UFC 261 last Saturday. Paul was one of the main talking points of the night aside from the fights themselves, due to face-to-face confrontation with UFC analyst and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier during a […]

Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan and Dana White have similar-but-different opinions over Jake Paul’s dustup with UFC fans and commentary team members at UFC 261 last Saturday.

Paul was one of the main talking points of the night aside from the fights themselves, due to face-to-face confrontation with UFC analyst and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier during a commercial break and with fans chanting “F**k Jake Paul!” numerous times during the evening.

In a recent podcast segment, Rogan talked about the recent beef between Cormier and Paul and what people should understand about the YouTuber turned Boxer.

“Well, he wants to make some money and he’s a very clever fellow,” Rogan said during his most recent podcast. “Sold out arena, and they were all chanting ‘F*** Jake Paul.’ He’s got his phone out, he’s like, ‘Yeah!’ (Because what he’s hearing is) money. He’s hearing ‘Cha-Ching! Cha-Ching!’ He said it was 1.5 million PPV buys when he knocked out Ben Askren. I don’t know if that’s true, Dana White says it’s nonsense, but maybe.”

Paul is just weeks removed from his viral knockout over Ben Askren in his last Boxing match and has quickly turned the page to calling out stars from around MMA including Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor, and Cormier. Rogan also said that the amount of money generated around Paul is not something for fans and critics alike to dismiss, as he’s turned into one of the most talked-about fighters on the planet.

White also spoke about Paul’s run-in with Cormier and the interest that he has generated from around combat sports as a whole.

“The kid is making money, man. He makes people care,” White said in an interview with Morning Blitz. “I know there’s a lot of people who are very excited for the day when he gets clipped and gets knocked out and it’s coming. His 15 minutes are almost up but listen, the kid’s gonna make some money and good for him.”

It’s always interesting to hear from the voice of the octagon, along with the UFC president on matters involving the UFC and the drama that sometimes comes with it. While it’s unclear what’s next for Paul in his young boxing career, it appears that he’s garnered the attention of some of the most notable personalities in combat sports.

Do you agree with Joe Rogan and Dana White’s comments regarding Jake Paul and his dramatic appearance at UFC 261?

Zabit Magomedsharipov ‘Very Likely’ To Retire From MMA

Zabit MagomedsharipovIt appears that Zabit Magomedsharipov is tired of waiting for a fight, and is likely to end his UFC career because of it. Russian journalist Igor Lazorin broke the news on his Instagram on Friday, saying that one of the top featherweights in the world might be done in the octagon. “I spoke with close […]

Zabit Magomedsharipov

It appears that Zabit Magomedsharipov is tired of waiting for a fight, and is likely to end his UFC career because of it.

Russian journalist Igor Lazorin broke the news on his Instagram on Friday, saying that one of the top featherweights in the world might be done in the octagon.

“I spoke with close people of Zabit to understand how things are going. They say that Zabit is very likely to end his career and will not fight again,” Lazorin said in an Instagram post. “Long time without fights, no motivation, Zabit is tired of fighting.”

Lazorin also said that Magomedsharipov hasn’t spoken out publically and announced any career changes just yet, but that could be imminent.

Magomedsharipov hasn’t competed in the UFC since his win over Calvin Kattar in October 2019 in his native Russia. He was recently removed from the UFC’s fighter rankings due to inactivity and has had issues getting a fight scheduled since then.

Magomedsharipov is undefeated over his UFC tenure with a 6-0 record in the promotion. It’s unclear what the exact reason for his lack of motivation to compete is, but it appears that the lack of activity is a major factor to his unrest.

The news interestingly enough comes days after UFC featherweight Yair Rodriguez called out Magomedsharipov for a fight in the near future. The two were supposed to compete on multiple occasions but the dream matchup kept falling through.

If this is truly the end to Magomedsharipov’s UFC career, then it would be a huge loss for the top of the featherweight division. Though it’s still uncertain as to whether or not the Russian star will retire, it appears certain that he has grown unhappy with the UFC over the lack of effort to book him a fight.

What do you think about the rumored end to Zabit Magomedsharipov’s UFC career?

Kevin Holland Offers To Replace Diego Sanchez And Meet Cowboy Cerrone At UFC Vegas 26

Holland#13 ranked UFC welterweight contender, Kevin Holland has once more offered his services to the promotion on short notice,  in a bid to meet with former lightweight championship challenger, Donald Cerrone, following the withdrawal of Diego Sanchez from UFC Vegas 26 on May 8. Reports emerged yesterday that Sanchez was out of his planned retirement […]

Holland

#13 ranked UFC welterweight contender, Kevin Holland has once more offered his services to the promotion on short notice,  in a bid to meet with former lightweight championship challenger, Donald Cerrone, following the withdrawal of Diego Sanchez from UFC Vegas 26 on May 8.

Reports emerged yesterday that Sanchez was out of his planned retirement matchup with Denver native, Cerrone, with the promotion still hoping to keep the latter on the card against a welterweight opponent on short notice. 

For Holland, the Riverside native featured on short notice in his most recent UFC walk, dropping a one-sided unanimous decision defeat to incoming title challenger, Marvin Vettori at UFC on ABC 2 in April — which came as his second straight loss. 

The matchup marked the second time in three scheduled matches that Holland filled in on short notice, following a stunning UFC 256 knockout win over former Strikeforce middleweight best, Jacare Souza in December. 

Taking to his official Instagram account following the next of Sanchez’s withdrawal from his retirement bout with Cerrone, Holland claimed that he would be willing to match with Cerrone on short notice, and that he would attempt to step on the scales for the May 8. event in and around the 175lbs limit.

“I’ll run my ass off I’ll sleep upstairs with my heat maxed out and a suna (sic) suit on your a legend nothing but respect @cowboycerrone ! I’ll gladly step up probably come in around 175 (-pounds) but if cowboy needs a dog to go along for the ride maybe show you a few tricks….. Call BigMouth @seanshelby @mickmaynard2 @ufc I’d tag the boss (Dana White) but I’m low key on time out love you boss @koreps.“

Taking his talents to Coconut Creek, Florida for his last training camp, Sanchez posted a video of him training with former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier prior to reports that he was removed from his matchup with Cerrone. 

As well as Holland, Emil Webber Meek has offered to meet with Cerrone in a reworked bout.

“Cowboy vs. Viking!” Meek tweeted. “Put me in coach, I’m ready to die! You’re a living legend, I have nothing but respect for you Cowboy! If you need a partner for next Saturday, Valhalla is here! @seanshelby @Mickmaynard2 @ufc @danawhite @MMAJunkie @MMAFighting“

Yet to score a victory since May of 2019 where he took a lightweight unanimous decision win over Al Iaquinta — Cerrone has featured five times since in the Octagon, without managing a triumph in each.  

In September last, the BMF Ranch owner met with Niko Price, where he initially battled over three rounds to a majority draw following multiple accidental eye pokes from Price resulted in point deductions. Upon review, the bout was then overturned to a ‘No Contest’ after Price tested positive for marijuana. 

Endeavor, UFC Goes Public On The New York Stock Exchange

UFCEndeavor, the ownership company of the UFC has gone public on the New York Stock Exchange this morning. UFC president, Dana White, as well as executive duo, Patrick Whitesell and Ari Emanuel all appeared at the New York Stock Exchange. At the time of opening, Endeavor began trading at $24 a share. Confirming that the […]

UFC

Endeavor, the ownership company of the UFC has gone public on the New York Stock Exchange this morning.

UFC president, Dana White, as well as executive duo, Patrick Whitesell and Ari Emanuel all appeared at the New York Stock Exchange. At the time of opening, Endeavor began trading at $24 a share. Confirming that the Ultimate Fighting Championship had gone public, the promotion’s president, White posted on his Instagram; “It’s official,” White wrote. “The UFC is now a public company #EndeavorIPO (Initial Public Offering)“

As per ESPN MMA, media group, Endeavor are currently in the process of taking complete ownership of the UFC, following their summer 2016 purchase from both Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, for a cool, reported $4 billion. 

Back in 2019, Endeavor Group Holdings had made plans to go public before the end of the year, before shelving those ideas at the eleventh hour due to a reported lack of demand. Per the report from ESPN MMA, Endeavor recorded a loss of a whopping $625 million net from a $3.5 billion recorded revenue amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic last year. 

Returning to ‘Sin City’ this weekend where the promotion had largely based their 2020 schedule amid the aforenoted, novel coronavirus pandemic, they field a UFC Vegas 25 event which is headlined by a light heavyweight matchup between two-time title challenger, Dominick Reyes, and former Rizin FF champion, Jiri Prochazka. 

Just last weekend, the promotion traveled to Jacksonville, Florida — where they featured their UFC 261 pay-per-view event, which featured champions, Kamaru Usman, Zhang Weili, and Valentina Shevchenko in a stacked card. 

The event was open to a full crowd of attendees at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena, with White reporting an arena record gate of £3.3 million, as well as a 700,000 buyrate, and an attendance of 15,269. 

The UFC are set to return to a live gate format in May as well, with a UFC 262 event in Houston, Texas at the Toyota Centre on May 15. That event is scheduled to feature a vacant lightweight title fight between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler. Veteran Stockton native, Nate Diaz also returns in a five-round, non-title, co-main event slot at welterweight against Leon Edwards.

As well as sold-out events at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena and the Toyota Centre, the organization returns to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 10. — with a lightweight rubber match, potential title-eliminator between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor set to take main event honours. 

EXCLUSIVE | Jeff Molina Eyes Benoit Or Adashev After Successful UFC Debut

Jeff Molina Aori QilengJeff Molina is a born fighter. From the time he was in his teens, Molina knew that he wanted to achieve his ultimate goal of fighting in Mixed Martial Arts’ biggest stage: the UFC. After earning a UFC contract by defeating Jacob Silva on Dana White‘s Contender Series and his unanimous decision victory over Aori […]

Jeff Molina Aori Qileng

Jeff Molina is a born fighter. From the time he was in his teens, Molina knew that he wanted to achieve his ultimate goal of fighting in Mixed Martial Arts’ biggest stage: the UFC.

After earning a UFC contract by defeating Jacob Silva on Dana White‘s Contender Series and his unanimous decision victory over Aori Qileng at UFC 261, it appears that “El Jefe” is in the perfect spot in his life and career.

In defeating Qileng on Saturday in Jacksonville, Molina earned Fight of the Night from UFC president Dana White and brought home an extra $50,000 for his efforts in the octagon. The 23-year-old said he wants to be smart about the extra cash and that he spoke with White about the fight beforehand, telling the boss to not miss it.

“I tapped him on the shoulder at the weigh-ins and said ‘Hey man, I heard you watch the early-prelims from a room? Don’t miss this one.’,” Molina told LowKickMMA. “The callout for the bonus after the fight wasn’t planned, I was just going off my intuition.”

It’s no surprise that Molina has garnered the attention of UFC fans from around the world with his quick rise in the flyweight division. Training at Glory MMA in Kansas City, Molina has basked in the knowledge he’s gained from veterans such as women’s flyweight Gina Mazany, fellow flyweight Tim Elliott and head coach James Krause.

Molina singled-out Krause when dishing out credit for his victory during his post-fight press conference, and the glowing reviews continued a few days removed from the fight.

“No other coach has put in the time with his guys and showed the amount of improvement with his team,” Molina said. “We still got a lot of the year left to go, and it’s only going to go up from here.”

Molina’s family went wild after he earned the victory, including his father; who is currently battling kidney cancer. Through the trials and tribulations that he and his family have underwent, Molina is glad to have put on a performance that made them proud.

“They were the first people I facetimed after the fight in my hotel,” Molina said. “They were on Cloud-9. They’ve seen the sacrifices I’ve made for this sport and they were so proud of me. That means a lot.”

Molina also said he wants to repay his family going forward with his UFC career and believes he’ll be a champion one day.

In terms of what’s next for the up-and-coming flyweight prospect, he wants to fight in late-July/early-August and compete against the winner of Ryan Benoit and Zarrukh Adashev, who fight on May 8th in a UFC Fight Night event.

“I wanna stay active, I wanna fight at least 3 times this year,” Molina said. “I got a couple of injuries I gotta get checked out, but yeah I wanna stay active. I’d love to fight the winner of Zarrukh Adashev and Ryan Benoit. I’m familiar with both of their styles. So maybe late-July, early-August.”

What are your thoughts on Jeff Molina’s Fight of the Night performance at UFC 261, and where the 23-year-old fits in to the reborn flyweight division?

Report – Diego Sanchez Out Of May 8 Retirement Fight With Donald Cerrone

SanchezFormer UFC lightweight title challenger, Diego Sanchez has been forced out of his retirement fight with former Jackson-Wink MMA training partner, Donald Cerrone at UFC Vegas 26 on May 8.  Albuquerque native, Sanchez was planning to walk away from professional mixed martial arts following the matchup against Cerrone at the UFC Apex facility event in […]

Sanchez

Former UFC lightweight title challenger, Diego Sanchez has been forced out of his retirement fight with former Jackson-Wink MMA training partner, Donald Cerrone at UFC Vegas 26 on May 8. 

Albuquerque native, Sanchez was planning to walk away from professional mixed martial arts following the matchup against Cerrone at the UFC Apex facility event in Las Vegas, Nevada — having competed professionally since 2002. News of Sanchez’s withdrawal was first reported by Carlos Contreras Legaspi. 

Per the report, the promotion are hoping to keep Colorado-born veteran, Cerrone on the card despite Sanchez’s removal, with the search underway to find a short notice replacement to feature in a welterweight bout.

Sanchez, 39, most recently featured at UFC 253 in September on ‘Fight Island’ — suffering a relatively one-sided unanimous decision loss to Jake Matthews. Sanchez had recently taken his talents to Coconut Creek, Florida to train under the banner of American Top Team for his retirement fight with Cerrone.

This afternoon, Sanchez posted video footage of him drilling Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques with former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier — who faces Conor McGregor at UFC 264 on July 10. in a 155-pound rubber match.

Prior to his judging defeat to Matthews, Sanchez featured at UFC Fight Night Rio Rancho in his native New Mexico back in February of last year, taking home a disqualification win over Michel Pereira, after the Brazilian capoeira expert landed an illegal knee.  

Featuring at UFC 239 in July of 2019, Sanchez dropped another judging loss, this time against surging grappler, Micheal Chiesa — snapping a two-fight winning spree in which he secured victories over both Mickey Gall and Craig White. 

For BMF Ranch owner, Cerrone, he is still expected to feature at the May 8. event — in a bid to snap a winless run which has stretched to five fights. 

Featuring at UFC Vegas 11 in September last, Cerrone initially battled to a majority draw against Niko Price following a series of eye pokes. The result was then overturned to a ‘No Contest’ after Price tested positive for marijuana.

UFC Vegas 26 is set to take place on May 8. from the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada — with a strawweight main event between top-ten contenders, Michelle Waterson and Marina Rodriguez currently in the works. Cory Sandhagen was originally scheduled to meet with the returning former two-time bantamweight best, T.J. Dillashaw at the event, until the latter was forced to withdraw after suffering a notable laceration above his right eye after he was hit with an inadvertent head butt during training.