MMA news

• Professional MMA Legalized In New York, UFC Show Expected At MSG

  22-03-2016 23:42
  
  It finally happened.The New York State Assembly vote came down in favor of legalizing amateur and professional mixed martial arts in the state of New York.The final vote needed to officially legalize the sport came out 113-25 in favor.With each vote, the representative gave a speech explaining why they were voting in the affirmative or the negative. In many cases, the speech was largely negative towards MMA, while ultimately still voting in the affirmative.As noted in the past, UFC has put in an
  
  Read more

• New York State Assembly passes bill legalizing mixed martial arts

  22-03-2016 23:41
  
  The biggest hurdle preventing the legalization of mixed martial arts in New York State has finally been cleared.
  Long the only state in the United States which banned the sport, the Assembly in the capital city of Albany voted to legalize MMA on Tuesday on a bipartisan vote of 113-25.
  The bill now moves to the desk of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has expressed his intention to sign it. From there, the New York State Athletic Commission has 120 days to adopt guidelines.
  If all goes according to plan, t
  
  Read more

• The MMA Hour - 321 - T.J. Dillashaw

  22-03-2016 22:27
  TJ Dillashaw will talk about what's next for him.
  
  Read more

• The MMA Hour - 321 - Mark Hunt

  22-03-2016 22:20
  Mark Hunt will talk about his knockout of Frank Mir this weekend in Brisbane.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• The MMA Hour - 321 - Holly Holm

  22-03-2016 22:20
  Holly Holm will look back at her title loss to Miesha Tate and talk about what's next for her.
  
  Read more

• The MMA Hour - 321 - Junior dos Santos

  22-03-2016 22:19
  Junior dos Santos will look ahead to his UFC Fight Night Croatia bout against Ben Rothwell.
  
  Read more

• Still Under WSOF Contract, Rousimar ‘Toquinho’ Palhares Signs with Venator FC

  22-03-2016 19:43 via sherdog.com
  
  With Jason “Mayhem” Miller already in tow, Venator FC is attempting to sign another controversial fighter.
  
  Read more

• Lightweights ‘Toninho Furia,’ Brent Primus Complete Bellator 153 Main Card

  22-03-2016 19:37 via sherdog.com
  
  Brent Primus will face Gleristone Santos in a lightweight tilt on the Bellator 153 main card on April 22.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Fortunes changed for five at UFC Fight Night 85

  22-03-2016 19:00
  
  There is the margin of perspective and judgment calls when it comes to stopping fights and scoring, but Saturday's Neil Magny vs. Hector Lombard fight seemed far beyond that. Neil Magny scored the biggest win of his UFC career on Saturday night whenhe became the first person ever to finish Hector Lombard after 42 profights.The win should put Magny very close to title contention at welterweightwith 10 wins in his last 11 fights.But there were far more pressing issues coming out of the f
  
  Read more

• Karate Coach Wants Belfort to Avoid Grappling, Finish ‘Jacare’ in First Round at UFC 198

  22-03-2016 18:50 via sherdog.com
  
  In the first week of April, Vitor Belfort will add reinforcements to his training camp as he prepares for a May 14 meeting with Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at UFC 198.
  
  Read more

• Former UFC Exec Michael Mersch Named as New World Series of Fighting COO

  22-03-2016 18:10 via sherdog.com
  
  Michael Mersch, who worked as an executive for the Ultimate Fighting Championship for approximately eight years, is headed to the World Series of Fighting front office.
  
  Read more

• Rousimar Palhares signs with Venator FC, but WSOF vows to stop him from fighting

  22-03-2016 17:28
  
  Rousimar Palhares is back.
  Maybe.
  The controversial Brazilian grappler has been booked for Venator FC 3 against Emil Meek, MMAFighting.com has learned. The fight is scheduled to take place on May 21.
  "Rousimar is a great champion who has often found himself unfairly under fire for excessive holding [alleged or real] after opponents have tapped out," Venator president Frank Merenda said in a statement. "But anyone who knows him knows that he is a good guy who never wants to hurt anyone. He's a ha
  
  Read more

• Junior dos Santos thinks it’s do or die against Ben Rothwell

  22-03-2016 17:05
  
  Junior dos Santos headlines the UFC’s first trip to Croatia on April 10, but he’s not in the best moment of his career. Coming off his first loss in a UFC non-title bout in December, a TKO loss to Alistair Overeem, "Cigano" feels he needs the victory in Zagreb.
  dos Santos, whose only previous losses in the Octagon were against fellow former champion Cain Velasquez, talked about the current state of his career during an interview with Ariel Helwani on Monday’s edition of The MMA
  
  Read more

• Primus-Santos Bout Added To Bellator 153: Henderson vs. Koreshkov On 4/22

  22-03-2016 16:09
  
  You can officially pencil in a new lightweight bout for the upcoming Bellator MMA card scheduled for this April.MMAFighting.com was the first to report the news that undefeated 155-pound prospect Brent Primus (6-0), who holds a 4-0 record under the Bellator banner, will take on Gleristone Santos (27-5) on the 4/22 fight card.The Primus-Santos bout is scheduled to take place at Bellator 153 at The Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut on April 22, 2016. The Bellator 153 event is scheduled
  
  Read more

• Firas Zahabi Predicts UFC Return For GSP In 2016: “I Think He Cannot Stay Away”

  22-03-2016 16:04
  
  The more Firas Zahabi makes media appearances, the more it seems like Georges St-Pierre returning to the Octagon could be a realistic expectation.Zahabi, the head coach at the Tristar Gym who has worked with GSP for years, was asked to comment on the possibility of St-Pierre returning to do battle inside the Octagon during his appearance on Ariel Helwani's "The MMA Hour" at MMAFighting.com on Monday."I personally think, if you ask me my own personal opinion, I think he cannot stay away," Zahabi
  
  Read more

• Videos: Paige VanZant Makes Dancing Debut On ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars”

  22-03-2016 15:53
  
  UFC Women's Strawweight contender Paige VanZant made her dancing debut on the ABC reality show, "Dancing With The Stars" on Monday evening.VanZant, who lost in her last fight against Rose Namajunas, is part of the cast on the 22nd season of the hit series, and she and her partner, Mark Ballas, kicked their routines off with a "fox trot" on Monday night.Paige VanZant is a former dancer, model and actress, who has routinely shared clips of herself dancing on social media. For her "fox trot" with B
  
  Read more

• Jim Lampley Explains Why UFC Will Never Have Mayweather-Pacquiao Level Event

  22-03-2016 15:47
  
  While Jim Lampley once claimed he "felt terrible" for anyone who spent any amount of money to watch Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, he is now using it as an example to prove that UFC will never be able to produce an event on that level.Lampley appeared on the Bill Simmons podcast and spoke about his belief that UFC is promoting in the wrong fashion if they want to have the "super event" type pay-per-views."[UFC] make the top people fight against the top people," Lampley told Simmons. "It's
  
  Read more

• Battle Between Two Undefeated Prospects Added To UFC 199 On 6/4

  22-03-2016 15:40
  
  Undefeated 205-pound prospect Henrique Frank Waisten has signed a deal with the UFC to make his Octagon debut at UFC 199 on June 4th.Waisten (10-0) has won all of his ten pro MMA bouts by way of knockout, eight of which came in the first round. Most recently, he stopped UFC veteran Ildemar Alcantara with a second round knockout.Waisten will meet fellow undefeated fighter Jonathan Wilson (7-0), who made his own UFC debut last August with a 50 second finish of Chris Dempsey at the UFC Fight Night
  
  Read more

• Urijah Faber: Conor McGregor 'got whooped' by Nate Diaz, it'll be 'tough' for him to win rematch

  22-03-2016 15:00
  
  Urijah Faber isn't counting Conor McGregor out in a rematch with Nate Diaz. He's just being realistic.
  "I think it's a tough fight for him to win, but he's always got those heavy hands," Faber told TMZ Sports this week. "Conor has some heavy hands. But the Diazes are known for taking a beating and coming back stronger."
  Diaz beat McGregor via second-round submission with a rear-naked choke at UFC 196 earlier this month. No title was on the line and the two men were fighting out of their regular
  
  Read more

• Firas Zahabi believes Georges St-Pierre could return in 2016: 'I think he cannot stay away'

  22-03-2016 14:00
  
  It's not a Joe Namath-type guarantee, but it still perks the ears.
  Speaking with Ariel Helwani on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour, Tristar Gym head coach Firas Zahabi commented on the future of UFC welterweight legend Georges St-Pierre, saying that the former 170-pound king could potentially come back in 2016.
  "I personally think, if you ask me my own personal opinion, I think he cannot stay away," Zahabi said. "I think he’ll eventually get bit by the bug and he’ll eventually do som
  
  Read more

• Morning Report: Jim Lampley says UFC will 'never' book an event as big as Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather

  22-03-2016 13:00
  
  Last May, HBO boxing's Jim Lampley told the Rich Eisen Show that he "felt terrible" for anyone who paid any amount of money to watch the "fight of the century" between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.
  He was critical of just about every facet of the bout from its inception to its culmination, but you'd never guess it listening to him talk about the world's leading MMA promotion with Bill Simmons on his podcast.
  "[UFC] make the top people fight against the top people," Lampley told Simmo
  
  Read more

• Weidman, Serra and co. celebrate bill's passing

  22-03-2016 06:00 via ufc.com
  
  There are plenty across the world celebrating today's news of professional MMA's legalization in New York. Chris Weidman, N.Y. resident and former UFC middleweight champ, has been an advocate for passing the bill throughout the journey. NY State Assembly legalizes professional MMA: Full story | UFC COO reacts to landmark NY MMA vote | Watch: Next steps for UFC in NY | Reactions to wild debate | New Yorkers Weidman, Serra and co. celebrate bill's passingToday he and former champ Matt Serra finall
  
  Read more

• Weidman and UFC Execs Reflect on a Long Journey to NY

  22-03-2016 06:00 via ufc.com
  
  Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman was always an optimist when it came to fighting in his home state of New York, but even the staunchest “glass half full” type of person could have been discouraged during the more than eight-year quest to get mixed martial arts legalized and regulated in the Empire State.Tuesday though, Long Island’s Weidman had reason to smile, as the MMA bill finally passed in New York, paving the way for it to be signed into law, and opening the
  
  Read more

• UFC COO reacts to landmark NY MMA vote

  22-03-2016 06:00 via ufc.com
  
  At long last, MMA is on its way to being legalized in New York State. It took a little over eight years for those words to become a reality, but Tuesday, the biggest hurdles were cleared for the UFC to begin holding events in the Empire State.For UFC Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Epstein, one of the generals in the battle to get the sport legalized from December of 2007 to today, the wait was worth it.“It was absolutely worth it, and we couldn’t be more excited about doing our fir
  
  Read more

• The best of dramatic MMA vote in NY

  22-03-2016 06:00 via ufc.com
  
  The action in New York surrounding the vote to legalize professional MMA in New York on Tuesday, March 22 was ... interesting. Before the vote passed there were several hours of vigorous debate for and against the bill on the state assembly floor. Some of the exchanges made for some fascinating entertainment. NY State Assembly legalizes professional MMA: Full story | UFC COO reacts to landmark NY MMA vote | Watch: Next steps for UFC in NY | Reactions to wild debate | New York
  
  Read more

• New York passes bill to legalize MMA

  22-03-2016 06:00 via ufc.com
  
  Albany –UFC® Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Lorenzo Fertitta applauded the overwhelming, bipartisan New York State Assembly passage of legislation to legalize and regulate professional mixed martial arts (MMA) in New York. The passage of A.2604-C, sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle and 72 other Assembly sponsors, means the bill has now passed both houses and will be sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo for his approval. Fertitta stated: “This has been a long time
  
  Read more

• Inside the Camp: Jackson/Winkeljohn update

  22-03-2016 06:00 via ufc.com
  
  Painted in black lettering in the long hallway that leads into the heart of the Jackson/Winkeljohn fight gym are the words: Through these doors walk the greatest fighters in the world.That phrase is literally the last thing a fighter sees before opening a simple white door and entering the belly of the beast that is the facility housing what is widely considered the largest collection of elite talent in the entire sport of mixed martial arts.While the message on the wall is meant to be inspirati
  
  Read more

• Frankie Edgar begins new adventure as UFC GYM owner

  22-03-2016 06:00 via ufc.com
  
  Frankie Edgar is more than just a fighter. Sure, the No. 2 ranked featherweight is best known for his exploits inside the Octagon, but Edgar wears plenty of other hats: teammate, TV analyst, husband, father, and entrepreneur. “The Answer” is one of many UFC stars who has a burgeoning portfolio of interests as he owns a wrestling school in his hometown of Toms River, NJ, and today adds to that by announcing that he is opening a UFC GYM. “It’s intertwined with what I do now
  
  Read more

• Undefeated UFC Fighters: Henry Cejudo

  22-03-2016 04:16 via sherdog.com
  
  Stats are against Henry Cejudo, one of the undefeated UFC fighters.
  
  Read more

• Brent Primus vs. Gleristone Santos added to Bellator 153 main card

  22-03-2016 04:00
  
  Brent Primus has a date for his next Bellator fight.
  The undefeated lightweight, who holds a 4-0 record under the Bellator banner, is set to take on Gleristone Santos in the main card of Bellator 153 in Uncasville, Conn., on April 22, sources told MMAFighting.com.
  Primus (6-0) scored the biggest win of his MMA career last August, defeating Derek Anderson via split decision. The 30-year-old lightweight finished his five previous opponents, including four submissions.
  Santos (27-5) looks to get ba
  
  Read more

• “EA Sports UFC 2” Is Second On U.K. Sales Chart

  22-03-2016 03:31
  
  EA Sports released the anticipated sequel to its EA Sports UFC video game. EA Sports UFC 2 was released on March 15th in the U.S. and March 17th in Europe. The EA game was listed 2nd this past week in UK sales. The cover athletes of the video game feature Ronda Rousey and current featherweight champion Conor McGregor.The game has received generally positive reviews and got a score of 81, according to metacritic. However, the game has already received some criticism from curre
  
  Read more

• “EA Sports UFC 2” IS 2nd On UK Sales Chart

  22-03-2016 03:31
  
  EA Sports released the anticipated sequel to its EA Sports UFC video game. EA Sports UFC 2 was released on March 15th in the U.S. and March 17th in Europe. The EA game was listed 2nd this past week in UK sales. The cover athletes of the video game feature Ronda Rousey and current featherweight champion Conor McGregor.The game has received generally positive reviews and got a score of 81, according to metacritic. However, the game has already received some criticism from curre
  
  Read more

• Undefeated Frank Waisten signs with the UFC, targeted for fight with Jonathan Wilson at UFC 199

  22-03-2016 03:27
  
  Undefeated light heavyweight Henrique Frank Waisten has inked a deal with the UFC, and his debut is targeted for UFC 199 against unbeaten Jonathan Wilson, sources told MMAFighting.com. The pay-per-view event takes place at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on June 4.
  Waisten (10-0) has scored every single one of his wins by knockout, eight in the opening round. In his most recent fight, "Frankenstein" stopped UFC veteran Ildemar Alcantara in the second round.
  Wilson (7-0) made his UFC debut l
  
  Read more

• Paige VanZant makes dancing debut on 'Dancing With The Stars'

  22-03-2016 01:46
  
  Paige VanZant has some moves. And not just takedowns and submissions.
  The fan-favorite UFC fighter became the the latest MMA fighter to appear on ABC's popular "Dancing With The Stars" program Monday night. She and partner Mark Ballas debuted on the 22nd season of the show with a fox trot. Their team now is #PowRightInTheKisser.
  VanZant, a former dancer, model and actress, earned a total score of 21 for the performance from the three judges. "12 Gauge" is actually one of the favorites to win the
  
  Read more

• Post-UFC Fight Night 85 Rankings Report

  22-03-2016 01:45
  
  Fresh off yet another victory, Neil Magny now finds himself moving right on up in the UFC official rankings.Magny, who bested Hector Lombard this past weekend at UFC Fight Night 85, jumped from ninth to seventh following his win. The Ultimate Fighter alum climbed ahead of both Matt Brown and Dong Hyun Kim.Lombard fell to 14th in the division, as Albert Tumenov moved ahead of him.Other changes happened in the bantamweight ranks, where former champion Renan Barao dropped to a tie for fourth with A
  
  Read more

• Abubakar Nurmagomedov's next fight highlights WSOF 30 prelim slate

  22-03-2016 01:00
  
  The latest fight for the adopted brother of top lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov is the highlight of a slew of bouts announced for World Series of Fighting 30 in Las Vegas.
  Abubakar Nurmagomedov (11-1-1), winner of three straight fights, will meet Australia's Matthew Fincu (7-1), who has won five in a row, in the top-billed prelim bout for the April 2 event at the Hard Rock Hotel.
  This was one of five matchups announced by the company Monday.
  Also announced: A lightweight fight between Steve Kozo
  
  Read more

• Ken Shamrock, Kimbo Slice Tested Positive for Anabolic Steroids at Bellator 149

  22-03-2016 00:57 via sherdog.com
  
  Earlier this month, news emerged that both Ken Shamrock and Kimbo Slice tested positive for banned substances following their bouts at Bellator 149.
  
  Read more

Follow @NewsMMAUSA on Twitter!