Latest news with #UltimateFighter
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Court McGee aims to put pressure, finish fellow 'TUF' winner Michael Chiesa at UFC Atlanta
ATLANTA – Court McGee is confident he can play spoiler at UFC on ESPN 69. McGee (22-13 MMA, 11-12 UFC) is a big underdog heading into Saturday's prelim welterweight matchup (ESPN, ESPN+) against Michael Chiesa (18-7 MMA, 13-7 UFC) at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Advertisement In a battle of "Ultimate Fighter" winners, McGee thinks facing a fellow submission specialist makes for a fun stylistic affair. "I'm excited for the matchup," McGee told MMA Junkie and other reporters during Wednesday's media day. "I think it's a great matchup with Chiesa being an 'Ultimate Fighter' winner, I think it's cool being a heavy grappler. I think it makes for a really good matchup." McGee is coming off a first-round neck crank of Tim Means at UFC 307. All 12 of Chiesa's finishes have come by submission, but McGee has never been submitted. "Like every other fight, I come out and find a way to win," McGee said. "So, I'm going to put the pressure on him right off the bat, come out fast. It should be a great fight, and where he's heavy grappling – that's the other thing. I've grappled for years and years, and I'm going to be looking for a finish. I think I can do it, so we'll see." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Atlanta: Court McGee eyes finish vs. Michael Chiesa
USA Today
12-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Court McGee aims to put pressure, finish fellow 'TUF' winner Michael Chiesa at UFC Atlanta
Court McGee aims to put pressure, finish fellow 'TUF' winner Michael Chiesa at UFC Atlanta ATLANTA – Court McGee is confident he can play spoiler at UFC on ESPN 69. McGee (22-13 MMA, 11-12 UFC) is a big underdog heading into Saturday's prelim welterweight matchup (ESPN, ESPN+) against Michael Chiesa (18-7 MMA, 13-7 UFC) at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. In a battle of "Ultimate Fighter" winners, McGee thinks facing a fellow submission specialist makes for a fun stylistic affair. "I'm excited for the matchup," McGee told MMA Junkie and other reporters during Wednesday's media day. "I think it's a great matchup with Chiesa being an 'Ultimate Fighter' winner, I think it's cool being a heavy grappler. I think it makes for a really good matchup." McGee is coming off a first-round neck crank of Tim Means at UFC 307. All 12 of Chiesa's finishes have come by submission, but McGee has never been submitted. "Like every other fight, I come out and find a way to win," McGee said. "So, I'm going to put the pressure on him right off the bat, come out fast. It should be a great fight, and where he's heavy grappling – that's the other thing. I've grappled for years and years, and I'm going to be looking for a finish. I think I can do it, so we'll see."
USA Today
12-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michael Chiesa chasing Demian Maia's record at UFC Atlanta
Michael Chiesa chasing Demian Maia's record at UFC Atlanta ATLANTA – Michael Chiesa hopes to secure another rear-naked choke submission at UFC on ESPN 69. Chiesa (18-7 MMA, 13-7 UFC) meets fellow "Ultimate Fighter" winner Court McGee (22-13 MMA, 11-12 UFC) on Saturday's UFC on ESPN 69 (ESPN, ESPN+) prelims at State Farm Arena. Chiesa is a big favorite over McGee but thinks the odds aren't an accurate reflection of the matchup. "I welcomed the matchup. I think it's more challenging of a matchup than the oddsmakers have it pegged as," Chiesa told MMA Junkie and other reporters during Wednesday's media day. "I think Court is going to challenge me in the wrestling and the grappling and bring that type of pressure. I'm very well prepared for a 15-minute fight, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to look for my opportunities to pursue a finish. "His body of work is impressive. He's been around for a very, very long time. I've got a tremendous amount of respect for the guy. Obviously him winning 'The Ultimate Fighter' is a part of that and everything he's overcame in his life, and it's nice laying it all on the line against guys that you have a lot of respect for. So, I'm excited for the matchup and look to just keep the ball rolling and stay more active, and it all starts with Saturday night." Chiesa has seven rear-naked choke submissions in the UFC, tied for second with Kenny Florian. He plans on someday surpassing Demian Maia's record of nine, but it won't be easy considering McGee has never been submitted. The 37-year-old is coming off back-to-back rear-naked choke finishes of Tony Ferguson, and most recently Max Griffin at UFC 310. "I'd like to beat Demian Maia's rear-naked choke record," Chiesa said. "I didn't even know that was a thing until the Max Griffin fight. I had no idea I was up in the mix. I just assumed Charles Oliveira takes the cake for everything in terms of submissions, but after the Max Griffin fight, they said you're tied for second with Kenny Florian, with Demian Maia at the top. "It's small things like that. If I didn't believe I'm still one of the best guys in the world, I believe I could beat anybody at 170 pounds on any given day, that title aspiration is always going to be in the back of my mind – especially when I've been performing the way that I have been, especially in the gym."
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jon Jones Takes Aim at Colby Covington With Harsh Words
Jon Jones Takes Aim at Colby Covington With Harsh Words originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Jon Jones has been on a bit of a heater lately. Whether he's traveling to Thailand, filming The Ultimate Fighter Russia, or sparking debate online with cryptic tweets and candid interviews, the UFC heavyweight king is very much back in the spotlight. While fans continue to wait and see whether he'll accept a title unification bout against Tom Aspinall, Jones hasn't exactly been quiet — especially when it comes to sharing his opinions on fellow fighters and industry drama. Advertisement In a recent episode of DeepCut with VicBlends, in a clip captured by Red Corner MMA, Jones was asked a pointed question: Who does he think is the most overrated fighter in the UFC? At first, he hesitated. But then came a quote that raised eyebrows everywhere. 'I could say his name, but it's really just because I don't like him. And saying his name gives him clout, which I also don't want to do. His initials are C.C., and he's a total douchebag.' Naturally, fans immediately zeroed in on Colby Covington as the likely target — and for good reason. The beef between Jones and Covington dates back well before the UFC. Both men wrestled at Iowa Central Community College, where they were briefly teammates — a sitcom pairing that never got picked up. Colby CovingtonGetty Images The two didn't exactly get along. Jones once called Covington a bad roommate, while Covington has repeatedly taken aim at Jones' drug test history and legal troubles. It's been less of a rivalry and more of a long-running reality show, with drama popping up every few seasons in interviews or online posts. Jon JonesGetty Images While Jones didn't officially say the name, the initials and the insult were enough. Most fans didn't need a second hint. Advertisement Related: UFC Veteran Teases Date for Heavily Pursued Conor McGregor Showdown Related: UFC Veteran Enters New Arena to Challenge Khabib: 'I Know You're Getting Ready' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
TUF is cooked, Tom Aspinall trolls Jon Jones, troubling BJ Penn news, more May 30, 2025
TUF is cooked, Tom Aspinall trolls Jon Jones, troubling BJ Penn news, more | The Craic | May 30, 2025 Petesy Carroll is joined by Uncrowned's Ben Fowlkes and Drake Riggs to discuss the return of the Ultimate Fighter and whether the series is past its expiration date. Plus, conversations about the continuing Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall saga, troubling news about BJ Penn, and more.
