Tag: Top Stories

Covington Explains Why He Deserves Adesanya Title Fight

UFC welterweight star Colby Covington believes he’s clearly done enough to earn a shot at Israel Adesanya’s middleweight title. Since dropping a second championship shot against reigning 170-pound king Kamaru Usman at UFC 268 last November, Covington has mostly had three names on his lips: Adesanya, Jorge Masvidal, and Dustin Poirier. At UFC 272 earlier…

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UFC welterweight star Colby Covington believes he’s clearly done enough to earn a shot at Israel Adesanya’s middleweight title.

Since dropping a second championship shot against reigning 170-pound king Kamaru Usman at UFC 268 last November, Covington has mostly had three names on his lips: Adesanya, Jorge Masvidal, and Dustin Poirier.

At UFC 272 earlier this month, “Chaos” dispatched Masvidal with relative ease, scoring a unanimous decision victory following five rounds of main event action. In his post-fight interview, Covington turned his attention to one of his remaining two targets, unloading his usual insults on former ATT teammate Poirier.

But with “The Diamond” suggesting he’ll never share the Octagon with Covington, it’s appearing unlikely that the grudge match will come to fruition. Rounding out his list is “The Last Stylebender,” but the recent remarks of UFC President Dana White seem to suggest that’s also off the table.

During an interview with TMZ Sports, White suggested Covington would have to record wins over a top middleweight contender in order to book a date in the cage with Adesanya.

“I mean, Colby would have to go up and beat [Jared] Cannonier or [Robert] Whittaker or somebody like that to even be in the discussion with a fight with Adesanya.” (h/t Sportskeeda)

Covington Disagrees With White’s Stance

During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Covington, who’s targeting a summer return, discussed his options should Poirier maintain his current attitude towards a matchup with him.

He re-affirmed that a championship clash with Adesanya makes sense. Noting the calls for Usman and the middleweight kingpin to forego their personal relationship to meet in a superfight, Covington claimed he’d be more deserving than “The Nigerian Nightmare” having ‘beaten Usman’ twice.

“I think I could definitely go up to ’85 and fight Adesanya (in the summer),” said Covington. “But I don’t know if he’s gonna turn around like that. He doesn’t have a dance partner right now. I mean, some of the guys they’re trying to line him up with is unoriginal. Why could Usman fight him? All the fans want that…I beat Usman twice. Usman sucks, dude. Everybody knew, in Madison Square Garden, I won those last three rounds. It was an easy win for me. Easy decision victory, unanimous.

“So why can’t I fight Adesanya? That guy can’t stop my wrestling,” claimed Covington. “I’ll pick him up and drop him on his fucking head. He’s a cardio kickboxer. They’ve got enough cardio kickboxers in women’s classes around the US. I can go join one of those. I decided to pick up hard, grueling American wrestling. I don’t think Adesanya can stop my American wrestling and I don’t think he’s that good of a fighter.”

At middleweight, Adesanya is currently unbeaten in professional MMA and has defended the 185-pound UFC gold four times. His one blemish in the sport came in an effort to dethrone then-light heavyweight titleholder Jan Blachowicz last March. The Pole utilized a heavy wrestling approach to grind out a decision.

Given his own wrestling credentials, “Chaos” believes he’d have no trouble dispatching Adesanya and securing his place on the middleweight throne.

But with Jared Cannonier seemingly next in line following his brutal win against Derek Brunson last month, it seems unlikely the UFC will cave to Covington’s higher-weight ambitions anytime soon.

Do you think Colby Covington has earned a shot at Israel Adesanya’s middleweight throne?

Continue Reading Covington Explains Why He Deserves Adesanya Title Fight at MMA News.

Is Paddy Pimblett The UFC’s Next Cash Cow?

Paddy Pimblett is set to grace the famous Octagon at UFC London with an intention to ramp up his value with another win. Ever since his victory at UFC Vegas 36, interest in ‘The Baddy’ has skyrocketed. Not only has his fighting ability caught the attention of fans worldwide, but also his unique personality. His…

Continue Reading Is Paddy Pimblett The UFC’s Next Cash Cow? at MMA News.

Paddy Pimblett is set to grace the famous Octagon at UFC London with an intention to ramp up his value with another win.

Ever since his victory at UFC Vegas 36, interest in ‘The Baddy’ has skyrocketed. Not only has his fighting ability caught the attention of fans worldwide, but also his unique personality.

His post-fight interview that night caused waves across social media with audiences who are not even remotely interested in the sport finding appreciation for Pimblett’s extraordinary personality.

Meanwhile, his own personal social media platforms’ followings went through the roof with fans purchasing a one-way ticket on the hype train. Pimblett’s Instagram rose from 28,000 followers to 700,000 on fight week alone.

He blitzed his way through Luigi Vendramini that night, in the 1st round, just how he predicted it. The Scouser even declared “I’m the new cash cow” in his post-fight UFC octagon interview.

All was not perfect in Vegas, however, as Pimblett had to deal with his fair share of adversity in the fight as Vendramini tested the chin of the former Cage Warriors champion early on. However, Pimblett did survive to score a memorable knockout victory in his UFC debut.

One loss early on in his UFC career could damage all momentum and see UFC fans question whether he has what it takes to go far in the organization. At the age of 27, Pimblett is still young in comparison to the age of his peers.

That said, ‘The Baddy’ has already had the experience of going through setbacks having lost three times in his career. Those could well be seen as learning curves for Pimblett to sharpen his tools, making him a more dangerous well-rounded prospect in the UFC.

The UFC lightweight tends to also have the knack of getting himself into heat on social media however which may well damage his reputation. While Pimblett may well see any PR as good PR, he will need to be vigilant that he keeps the fans on his side if he is to build a fanbase that will profit him into the UFC’s next cash cow.

Paddy Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett

The 27-year-old has already seen accounts of his banned on both Instagram and Twitter resulting in enormous amounts of followers lost in the process. Pimblett has since created new accounts, yet has struggled to gain the remarkable figures that were previously rolled in.

Pimblett is expecting an iconic UFC walkout when he makes his entrance to the octagon on Saturday as he takes on Rodrigo Vargas on the main card of UFC London. It appears that the Scouser could follow in the footsteps of Darren Till in doing so, who has previously built his legacy off of his beloved British fanbase’s support.

A successful first UFC appearance in front of fans could see Pimblett cause havoc. That will certainly be what ‘The Baddy’ is expecting to happen as he looks to steal the limelight once more with the hype train of Pimblett set to take center stage at UFC London.

Do you think Paddy Pimblett could become the UFC’s next cash cow?

Continue Reading Is Paddy Pimblett The UFC’s Next Cash Cow? at MMA News.

Dana White Says We’re In ‘Scary Times’ After YouTube Censors Trump

UFC President Dana White isn’t happy with YouTube’s decision to take down a recent podcast appearance by former US President Donald Trump. White and Trump have been friends for years, stemming from Trump’s previous involvement with the UFC in the early Zuffa years when the promotion struggled to find venues for events. The UFC held…

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UFC President Dana White isn’t happy with YouTube’s decision to take down a recent podcast appearance by former US President Donald Trump.

White and Trump have been friends for years, stemming from Trump’s previous involvement with the UFC in the early Zuffa years when the promotion struggled to find venues for events. The UFC held events at Trump’s Taj Mahal hotel in Atlantic City, NJ for UFC 28, UFC 30, and UFC 31.

White has also been a proud supporter of Trump’s recent U.S. presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020. He was a speaker at various rallies and conferences in support of Trump’s political aspirations.

Controversy ensued during Trump’s recent appearance on the FULL SEND podcast, and White has a strong relationship with the hosts of the show. Trump used part of his appearance to claim that the 2020 US Presidential election was stolen from him in favor of Joe Biden.

Just days after the full podcast episode was posted to YouTube, the website took it down allegedly because of Trump’s controversial remarks about the election.

In a recent appearance on Logan Paul’s IMPAULSIVE podcast, White ripped YouTube for their decision to censor Trump.

“Total crock of shit. Total crock of shit, White said. “But you saw in the podcast, Trump told them, ‘This podcast will be taken down.’ He told them that. He knew it. It’s crazy…

How the UFC became the sports arm of Donald Trump's Maga regime | UFC | The Guardian
Dana White, Donald Trump

“The fact that Trump’s podcast with FULL SEND got taken down is fuckin’ disgusting and, more importantly, it’s scary. Very fuckin’ scary.”

The topic of cancel culture has been a hot topic in recent years. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook have taken controversial stances to silence people with different viewpoints, like Trump.

White went on to elaborate on why YouTube’s decision could create a bad precedent.

“First of all, you have to start looking at alternative social media platforms that don’t censor. And it’s easy (when) you got a guy that you don’t like, like Trump. ‘Oh, fuck him,’ you know what I mean? ‘Good. We don’t have to see his tweets and we don’t have to do this and that.’ Till you say something they don’t like or until somebody else says something they don’t like. This country was built on free speech, man. It’s our god-given right…

“When you have a company, or corporation, or government that can come in and fuckin’ tell you what you can and can’t say, we’re in a scary place.”

Trump has hinted at a third run for president in 2024, although it hasn’t been formally announced that he intends to run again.

As for White, he’s expected to be in attendance for the UFC’s return across the pond at the UFC London event this weekend, headlined by a heavyweight matchup between Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov.

Do you agree with Dana White?

Continue Reading Dana White Says We’re In ‘Scary Times’ After YouTube Censors Trump at MMA News.

Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza Reportedly Set For UFC 274

UFC Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas will reportedly defend her title against Carla Esparza next in a rematch years in the making at UFC 274. News of the booking was first reported by Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated. Namajunas is coming off of back-to-back wins over Zhang Weili in 2021, including most recently in an immediate…

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UFC Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas will reportedly defend her title against Carla Esparza next in a rematch years in the making at UFC 274.

News of the booking was first reported by Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated.

Namajunas is coming off of back-to-back wins over Zhang Weili in 2021, including most recently in an immediate title rematch at UFC 268. She reclaimed UFC gold by knocking Weili out with a head kick at UFC 261.

Namajunas has won three straight fights since losing her strawweight title to Jéssica Andrade at UFC 237, before getting revenge against Andrade in a non-title bout at UFC 251.

Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza, Image Credit: Getty Images

Esparza makes her return to the strawweight title fight following five-straight wins. She most recently earned a dominant second-round submission of Yan Xiaonan last May after winning a close split decision over Marina Rodriguez.

Esparza won the then-vacant strawweight championship following a win over Namajunas on The Ultimate Fighter 20. She went on to lose to Joanna J?drzejczyk in her first title defense at UFC 185.

Namajunas hasn’t had many stumbles since the loss to Esparza. She has earned dominant wins over J?drzejczyk, Paige VanZant, and Michelle Waterson, to name a few.

UFC 274 will be headlined by a lightweight title bout between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. It’s expected that Namajunas vs. Esparza 2 will serve as the co-main event.

UFC 274 will take place in Phoenix, AZ at the Footprint Center on May 7. UFC president Dana White has recently hinted that the winner of the matchup will face Rodriguez for the next title bout.

What is your prediction for Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza 2?

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Volkanovski On “Bullsh*t” Velasquez Arrest: “He’s Paying A Crazy Price”

UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski believes the recently incarcerated Cain Velasquez is “paying a crazy price” following his arrest. While fights continue each weekend, trash talk flies, and signings and extensions hit the headlines, one story has gripped the entire MMA and combat sport community in recent weeks. Velasquez, a former two-time UFC heavyweight titleholder…

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UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski believes the recently incarcerated Cain Velasquez is “paying a crazy price” following his arrest.

While fights continue each weekend, trash talk flies, and signings and extensions hit the headlines, one story has gripped the entire MMA and combat sport community in recent weeks.

Velasquez, a former two-time UFC heavyweight titleholder and widely-respected mixed martial artist, was arrested on February 28 for attempted, premeditated murder. The arrest and charge came after Velasquez allegedly pursued and intended on shooting a man named Henry Goularte, who’s accused of molesting one of Velasquez’s young relatives.

After reportedly shooting and injuring the man’s stepfather, Velasquez was arrested, charged, and later denied bail by Judge Shelyna Brown, much to the fury of his attorney and supporters.

In recent days and weeks, a host of fighters, pundits and personalities have flocked to support the former UFC star. Per ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, the likes of Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Daniel Cormier, Scott Coker, Kamaru Usman, and Brandon Moreno have all penned letters of support for Velasquez to the Santa Clara County Superior Court.

Now, the UFC’s 145-pound kingpin has given his thoughts on the tragic incident. Like many, Volkanovski has highlighted what he perceives to be an injustice.

Volkanovski: Velasquez Case Shows The Law Can Be Pretty Messed Up

During an exclusive interview with MMA News, Volkanovski, who holds gold in the promotion Velasquez twice ruled in, suggested the Californian is paying a “crazy” price for his actions, something that he believes shows a clear double standard in how these cases are handled.

“Yeah, it is unfortunate. You see some people doing shit like that and they almost get (just) a slap on the wrist,” Volkanovski said during his conversation with James Lynch. “And then you see someone like that, who in the heat of the moment, you can see the emotions that would’ve been involved in something like that.

“Then he’s gonna be paying a crazy price, when these other guys get a slap on the wrist, which is just complete bullshit. Obviously, someone’s not gonna be thinking completely straight when some shit like that happens.”

While a host of names have spoken out against Velasquez’s detainment, perhaps the most prominent was the UFC President. Describing the incident as “horrible,” White claimed Velasquez simply did what everyone, especially parents, says they would in that situation.

According to Volkanovski, a father himself, White’s take was exactly right.

“This hits close to home. Anyone with a kid is gonna know. I think Dana hit the nail on the head,” Volkanovski further told MMA News. “He did exactly what everyone says that they would do if they were in that situation. That’s true. It’s ridiculous. Obviously, laws are laws, but, I mean, some things need to come into play.

“You can’t treat this as just a crazy act of madness. Let’s be real. He would’ve been emotionally unstable in that situation. That has to come into play, especially when your kid is involved… I’m hoping he doesn’t get in too much trouble for it. I don’t know. The law can be pretty messed up sometimes,” concluded Volkanovski.

If found guilty of the charges, Velasquez is facing 20 years in prison. His next court date is April 12, per court records.

Do you agree with Alexander Volkanovski’s take on the arrest and imprisonment of Cain Velasquez?

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White Explains Why McGregor/Paul Is An Unrealistic Fight, Paul Responds

In among his first comments addressing Jake Paul since vowing to never speak of him again, UFC President Dana White has explained why a fight between Conor McGregor and the YouTuber is “probably not” going to happen. So far in his 5-0 boxing career, Paul has knocked out two former UFC welterweights, one of which…

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In among his first comments addressing Jake Paul since vowing to never speak of him again, UFC President Dana White has explained why a fight between Conor McGregor and the YouTuber is “probably not” going to happen.

So far in his 5-0 boxing career, Paul has knocked out two former UFC welterweights, one of which held gold on MMA’s biggest stage between 2016 and 2019. But while his MMA foes have, to date, been retired or released following a losing skid, “The Problem Child” has often set his sights on bigger fish.

As opponents have changed, rivalries developed, and his influence in combat sports has grown, one thing has remained a constant in Paul’s career: callouts to “The Notorious” McGregor.

Paul’s interest and mentions of a potential clash are seemingly increasing with every step closer to a return the Irishman makes. The former two-division champion has been out of action since breaking his leg last July.

One man who will need to give the go-ahead should the YouTuber-turned-boxer throw down with McGregor is Dana White. While the UFC President has previously co-promoted a crossover fight involving McGregor, he recently provided a negative assessment of the chances of Paul getting his wish down the line.

White Not “Completely Closed Off” To Paul vs. McGregor

Unsurprisingly, the topic came up during an appearance White made on the Impaulsive podcast, hosted by Jake’s brother, Logan Paul.

When asked if he could see a McGregor vs. Paul event in the future, White suggested that while he won’t shut the door on anything, it’s unlikely.

“Probably not (happening), no. I’m never completely closed off to anything. I used to say that about things, but I don’t say that anymore. Cause you never know, you never know what could happen,” said White.

The crossover market has grown exponentially in recent years, with Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort, and Frank Mir all representing former UFC stars who have dipped their toes into the boxing ring.

Despite helping start the trend with the 2017 ‘Money Fight’ between McGregor and Floyd Mayweather, as well as bringing some notable professional wrestling stars to the Octagon, White says UFC bookings involving internet stars like the Pauls goes against his promotion’s main goal: pitting the best against the best.

“Everything we do kills the bottom. I mean, we have the most successful combat sports business of all time. What we do here is completely different than what him (Logan Paul) and his brother are doing,” claimed White. “I’m looking for the absolute best in the world. These guys who have trained their whole lives, they fight at these smaller shows, and then they make it to the UFC, and we put the best against the best.

Breaking Down Why Brock Lesnar vs. CM Punk Was Match of the Year | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights
CM Punk, Brock Lesnar

“It’s just not what you do. There’s a market for what you guys do and there’s money to be made in it. I’m not saying that I don’t do those types of thing,” White continued. “I brought Brock (Lesnar) in. But Brock won the heavyweight championship. I brought CM Punk in, that one didn’t work out as well as Brock [LAUGHS]. It’s not like I don’t try to do these—the Floyd/Conor fight, you know? The fans wanted to see it; everybody wanted to see it. That’s why it took on a life of its own. Floyd and I got together and figured it out, it made sense, and we did it.”

Even if that level of interest was there for a McGregor vs. Paul bout, White explained why the pair’s size difference would make it an unrealistic matchup.

“Well, he shouldn’t even be fighting Conor McGregor. These guys (Pauls) are fucking huge, he’s (Jake) fucking huge. What’s your brother, 6’1″? 210 (pounds)? Conor McGregor’s 155 pounds… There’s weight classes for a reason.”

Paul Responds To White’s Comments On McGregor Fight

White also went on to suggest that even fighting at welterweight is a stretch for McGregor, something Paul later disputed on Twitter. He called for a fight with the Dublin native at 175 pounds.

Interestingly, during his conversation with White, Logan suggested his brother couldn’t make 170 pounds to meet McGregor for a welterweight bout. With that in mind, 175 would perhaps be a stretch for “The Problem Child,” who weighed in for his rematch with Woodley at 191.6 pounds.

How do you think a fight between Conor McGregor and Jake Paul would play out?

Continue Reading White Explains Why McGregor/Paul Is An Unrealistic Fight, Paul Responds at MMA News.