Plenty of things can happen in the world of MMA in seven days.
From event announcements and the fights on the weekend to the best tweets and latest trash talk between fighters, we’ll keep you in the know at the end of each week with the latest happenings in the sport.
But first off, make sure you read issue 140 of Fighters Only Magazine! It’s now available on all good newsstands and on the Fighters Only app, featuring the women who blazed a trail in mixed martial arts.
OUT NOW! Fighters Only Issue 140 is on the shelves and in the Fighters Only app on IOS and Android.
Get your copy today! pic.twitter.com/5Dn5jUBMwm
— Fighters Only (@FightersOnly) February 13, 2020
While you’re at it, go and check out the 5Dimes Guide to MMA! It’s filled with massive insights, betting tips and more!
MMA News
UFC Rio Rancho: Jan Blachowicz wins big over Corey Anderson
Redemption for @JanBlachowicz! 💥
A first-round knock out against Corey Anderson 🔥
AND a face-to-face @JonnyBones call out! 👉
📲 Catch up with #UFCRioRancho on the BT Sport app… pic.twitter.com/0WajvVwlhU
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) February 16, 2020
With Dominick Cruz’s contentious unanimous decision loss to UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones still lingering in the air, the 205-pound division hasn’t been this chaotic for a long while.
Jan Blachowicz threw in another spanner in the works in Rio Rancho on Saturday night.
The big Polish puncher flattened fellow contender Corey Anderson in the first round in New Mexico, before calling out Jones who was sat front row.
That victory certainly sees Blachowicz enter the title picture. Who knows what’s next for Jones and his UFC light heavyweight championship.
Read more about the fight and get the full UFC Rio Rancho results here.
UFC Rio Rancho: Diego Sanchez gets DQ win over Michel Pereira
Disqualified! 🚫
Michel Perreira dominated his fight against Diego Sanchez but the contest was stopped after Perreira threw a knee with his opponent on the ground. pic.twitter.com/aD7mmH8sX2
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) February 16, 2020
Michel Pereira was on course to a dominant victory over UFC veteran Diego Sanchez in New Mexico as he entered the third round.
He had out-struck the tough-as-old-boots Sanchez and had even out-grappled him as he took charge of wherever the fight went.
However, his overzealous fighting nature took hold towards the end of the fight.
The Brazilian delivered a number of knees to Sanchez, the last of which was to the body and folded him in half.
Pereira then drove an illegal knee into the face of Sanchez while he was downed. Said knee had opened up a nasty gash and Sanchez said he couldn’t continue, seeing Sanchez officially get the win by disqualification.
That’s three wins from four for Sanchez, though, given his character, I’m sure he wouldn’t want a win in this manner.
Read more about the fight and get the full UFC Rio Rancho results here.
The UFC is on the rocky road back to Dublin
It's happening!! We're back at #UFCDublin on August 15th!! 🇮🇪
Register for tickets ➡️ https://t.co/RzBlLGmk3o pic.twitter.com/k24PMiY0zA
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) February 13, 2020
Irish fans have waited close to five years for another event to be held in Dublin.
Last week, the UFC announced its eagerly anticipated return to the Irish capital – a city famed for its vociferous MMA crowds.
Tickets go on sale on 26th June.
ONE Championship: King of the Jungle event in Singapore closed to the public due to coronavirus
BREAKING NEWS: In light of the coronavirus situation in Singapore, I have made the decision to convert ONE: King of the…
Posted by Chatri Sityodtong on Monday, February 17, 2020
ONE Championship’s upcoming King of the Jungle event will go ahead but will be free of any spectators.
The Singapore show, which is scheduled for 28 February, will not be open to the general public due to worries over the ever-evolving coronavirus situation in the country.
The event will be broadcast-only as announced by CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
Best of MMA social media
Michael Bisping and Michael Chiesa [via ESPN MMA]
🚨 WARNING: Do not interrupt a savage like @bisping@MikeMav22 found this out the hard way on the #UFCRioRancho post-show 🤣 pic.twitter.com/EIW7bf2Dca
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 16, 2020
Remind us to NEVER interrupt Michael Bisping again. Ever.
Michel Pereira
Diego Sanchez entered the octagon like a rooster and left like a chicken diegonightmaresanchezufc diegonightmaresanchezufc @ufc_brasil @canalcombate @ufc ufcfightpass em Albuquerque, New Mexico https://t.co/u9HSKhMeXA
— Michel Pereira ufc (@UfcPereira) February 17, 2020
Michel Pereira wasn’t best pleased with Diego Sanchez after losing by disqualification against him.
Karyn Bryant
Champ, I respect your talent. And I have thick skin. BUT, if you were wondering if calling @funkmasterMMA "Aljamima" was racist, the answer is yes. Yes it is. Please stop. https://t.co/C7UpWyFDj0
— Karyn Bryant (@KarynBryant) February 18, 2020
Henry Cejudo’s shtick is fun for some, unfunny to others. Unfortunately, he missed the mark this time round and MMA broadcaster Karyn Bryant rightly held him to account for it.
Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo
😂😂 I’m just having a laugh with cha #TripleTits 😉 It’s all love til they lock the octagon doors. After that all bets are off.
But hey, is this you? 😬 https://t.co/FhxFAXqtW0 pic.twitter.com/HYsZ46ZjlL— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 18, 2020
How dare you talk about folding… @funkmasterMMA pic.twitter.com/Sh8ZHF1cGL
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) February 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/funkmasterMMA/status/1229622879714758656
Cejudo says he doesn’t pay attention to Aljamain Sterling… And shortly embarked in a Twitter back-and-forth with him. The pair exchanged videos of their unfavourable moments in the Octagon along with insults, of course.
Petr Yan
Excuses are lies wrapped up in reasons. @HenryCejudo is full of excuses. Since when I need to pass IELTS to fight for the belt? I will talk to you with my fists clown 👊🏼 https://t.co/hAxpZKDICr
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) February 18, 2020
Petr Yan also took exception to Cejudo’s mass-insult.
Al Iaquinta and Dustin Poirier – Link
It’s not only UFC bantamweights who are calling each other out. Lightweight mainstays Al Iaquinta and Dustin Poirier have been trading barbs on Twitter as well.
Nathaniel Wood
Well that’s my modelling career over before it even started. pic.twitter.com/17m25wjEdK
— Nathaniel wood (@TheProspectMMA) February 16, 2020
He may have picked up his first UFC loss on Saturday at UFC Rio Rancho against John Dodson, but Nathaniel Wood still managed to retain his sense of humour.
The Englishman vows he will be back and better than ever in the cage next time round, but he may need to abandon his modelling ambitions for now.
