Martial Arts News

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Alistair Overeem’s clinch work and ground-and-pound took their toll on Augusto Sakai over the course of their UFC Fight Night 176 headliner last weekend.

In a recent interview with Ag Fight, the Brazilian heavyweight revealed that he suffered multiple rib injuries during the fight as a result of Overeem’s onslaught. Those injuries ultimately made it difficult for Sakai to remain upright, and he succumbed to the Dutchman via fifth-round TKO at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

“In the second round, I was hit with a knee that dislocated two of my ribs,” Sakai said. "When he took me down, he hit me with an elbow that broke two more. So I was without four ribs, so to speak. That got in the way a lot. I could not defend takedowns.”

Sakai did well on the feet through the opening 10 minutes, but momentum shifted after Overee…

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

The rumblings regarding a Nick Diaz comeback don’t mean a whole lot to UFC president Dana White, who’s had a consistent stream of on-and-off discussions with the former welterweight title challenger.

“There’s been talking, but there’s been talking for years,” White said following the Contender Series on Tuesday.

Earlier this week, Diaz’s manager, Kevin Mubenga, informed ESPN that the fighter recently completed a 14-week training regimen and weight cut in preparation for a 2021 return to the Octagon.

This is Nick Diaz earlier today. He weighs in the 175-165 pound range, per his manager Kevin Mubenga.He just completed a 14-week diet and training regimen. This is the first time he cuts weight in approximately four years, Mubenga said. Diaz wanted to do a test cut because ... pic.twitter.com/5A8…

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Tuesday invited a few violent men to join its ranks, as Aliaskhab Khizriev, Tafon Nchukwi, Phil Hawes and Drako Rodriguez were awarded contracts on Week 6 of Dana White’s Contender Series at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Khizriev (13-0) dispatched former Heat champion Henrique Shiguemoto with a rear-naked choke in the first round of their brief middleweight pairing. Shiguemoto (13-4-1) conceded defeat 50 seconds into Round 1, the victim in the second-fastest submission in DWCS history.

After a brief exchange on the feet, Khizriev scrambled into the rear waistlock position, executed a takedown and almost immediately transitioned to the back. He set his hooks, flattened out his counterpart and cinched the choke for the sixth sub-minute stoppage of his career.

The loss was Shiguemoto’s firs…

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. Sherdog's live DWCS 2020 Week 6 coverage kicks off Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below. Round 1 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Br…

“The Ultimate Fighter 28” winner Juan Francisco Espino Dieppa will return to action for the first time since winning the reality show when he faces Jeff Hughes at UFC 253.

Espino confirmed the heavyweight pairing on social media Tuesday. UFC 253 takes place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by a middleweight championship tilt between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Henrique Costa.

Espino last appeared at the “TUF 28” finale, where he submitted Justin Frazier in the opening stanza. The 39-year-old Spainard is 9-1 as a professional, with his only setback coming against former Bellator champ Vitaly Minakov in April 2011.

After earning a contract on Season 2 of Dana White’s Contender Series, Hughes is still looking for his first UFC triumph. The Strong Style Fight Team has lost decisions to Raphael Pessoa and Maurice Greene while a showdown with Todd Duffee ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. “Lights Out” is 10-3 as a professional overall.

A women’s flyweight matchup pitting Rachael Ostovich against Gina Mazany is on tap for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Nov. 28 card.

MMAjunkie.com was first to report the booking. The card is expected to be headlined by a pivotal heavyweight clash between Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis. A location and venue have yet to be announced.

Ostovich will return to action following a USADA suspension for ostarine that was reduced by four months after supplement testing revealed the fighter inadvertently ingested the banned substance. The 29-year-old Hawaiian hasn’t competed since suffering a second-round submission loss to Paige VanZant at UFC Fight Night 143 in January 2019.

A competitor on Season 18 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” is 2-4 in the Octagon since her debut in 2017. Most recently, the 32-year-old Canadian suffered a 22-second technical knockout loss against Julia Avila at UFC on ESPN 10.

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture will undergo surgery following an ATV accident over the holiday weekend, according to TMZ Sports.

Couture and his girlfriend, Mindy Robinson, were riding on a private road on the ex-fighter’s ranch in Flagstaff, Arizona, when the accident occurred. While Robinson emerged relatively healthy, Couture suffered rib and shoulder injuries and was scheduled for surgery on Tuesday. The 57-year-old is expected to recover without issue.

The incident comes nearly 11 months after Couture suffered a heart attack. Couture recovered in time to return to his role as a Professional Fighters League commentator by the end of 2019.

“The Natural” retired from MMA after suffering a knockout loss against Lyoto Machida at UFC 129 in 2011. Couture is a three-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler and a former UFC champion at both heavyweight and light heavyweight. In addition to his current role with PFL, Couture has worked as an actor and a coach …

Xtreme Fighting Championships joins forces with NBC Sports; XFC43 set for Nov. 11 on NBCSN. For the full article visit: https://t.co/gRuSYqhUek

#xfc #NBCSports #mma pic.twitter.com/l33uJEGIKV

— XFC MMA (@OfficialXFC) September 8, 2020 Xtreme Fighting Championships is returning with a mixed martial arts event to be broadcast on NBC Sports this November.

The promotion, which was last based in Brazil in 2015, is relaunching under ownership in the United States behind CEO Steve Smith and president Myron Molotky. XFC 43 will be televised via NBC Sports Network on Nov. 11 at 9 p.m. ET and will feature two hours of fights.

“NBC Sports is the gold standard in sports television, with an unmatched history presenting the most prestigious competitions in the world,” Molotky said. “The team at NBC Sports impressed us with their experience, their understanding of our vision, and their commitment to excellence. We are thrilled to join them as partn…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNgf_2yrvwk&w=560&h=315]

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Paulo Henrique Costa is having a little bit of fun leading up to his UFC 253 showdown with Israel Adesanya.

The middleweight contender recently released a video that features a playful preview of how Costa feels the championship fight might go — complete with mock walkouts and Eric Albarricin as ring announcer. Adesanya is played by kickboxer Vanderlei Goncalves and spends much of the bout running from “Borrachinha” in and out of the cage.

UFC 253 takes place on Sept. 26 on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by the championship clash between Adesanya and Costa. In the co-main event, Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz will square off for the vacant light heavyweight strap.

Leon Edwards has been the odd man out in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s welterweight division thus far in 2020.

After his proposed UFC London headlining clash in March with Tyron Woodley fell through due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Edwards has seen the many of the top contenders at 170 pounds booked in the ensuing months while he stays stuck on the sidelines.

"It's an annoying position to be in," Edwards told ESPN. "I'm the only guy in the top 10 who is not living in the U.S., I believe. But these guys have to fight me soon. I'll 100 percent fight this year. I'm 29 and I need to stay active. These guys in the top 5 are all [in their mid-30s]. I'm the youngest in the top 15, probably. I want to be active.”

Currently, Gilbert Burns is slated to challenge reigning champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 256 at the end of the year; Woodley will lock horns with Colby Covington later this month and there are rumblings that Jorge Masvidal will book a “BMF” rematch with Nate …

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

It appears that an intriguing lightweight clash targeted for Oct. 3 will not proceed as planned.

Beneil Dariush announced via Instagram on Monday that Charles Oliveira has withdrawn from their proposed bout at UFC on ESPN 16. A reason for the Brazilian’s exit is currently unclear. UFC officials have not made a formal announcement regarding the fight.

“After my fight with Scott Holtzman, the UFC offered me a fight with Charles Oliveira on Oct 3rd,” Dariush wrote. “I accepted and so did Charles. I did not announce it because I was waiting on the UFC to announce it and I would follow. I been informed Charles is out of the fight. I am not sure on the details but I hope all is well with Charles.

“I am currently working with the UFC to figure out our next step. I will keep you all posted on the details. Finally, even…

Ricardo Lamas was contemplating the end of his career following his victory against Bill Algeo at UFC Fight Night 175, and now that decision is official.

The 38-year-old Chicago native official announced his retirement to MMA Junkie Radio on Monday. Lamas revealed that he finalized his decision as a tribute to his late brother, who died on Aug. 28, 2009 – nearly 11 years to the day of his last bout.

Lamas told MMAFighting.com that he’d been considering calling it a career as far back as 2017 following a first-round TKO of Jason Knight at UFC 214. More recently, “The Bully” suffered a broken jaw in a setback to Calvin Kattar at UFC 238, and that forced Lamas to revisit those thoughts of exiting a sport he’d competed in professionally since 2008.

Barring a change of heart down the road, Lamas was able to end his fighting career on a high note with the win over Algeo.

“[I want to be remembered] that I always left it in the cage,” Lamas told MMAFighting. “J…