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Evan Zivin
Evan Zivin

Evan Zivin is a writer, having joined Bloody Elbow in 2023. He's been providing his unique takes on the sport of MMA since 2013, previously working as a featured columnist for 411Mania. Evan has followed MMA and professional wrestling for most of his life. His joy is in finding the stories and characters within all combat sports and presenting them in a serious yet light-hearted way.

Jake Paul won the battle but Nate Diaz won the war
Jake Paul won the battle but Nate Diaz won the war
Jake Paul officially beat Nate Diaz, but hard fought victories are not always viewed as victories...
Evan Zivin | August 6
New free agent Derrick Lewis would be insane to not go after Francis Ngannou in PFL
New free agent Derrick Lewis would be insane to not go after Ngannou rematch
If Derrick Lewis is after the biggest fight, there is none bigger than 'The Predator'.
Evan Zivin | August 3
UFC 291 analysis: Justin Gaethje has always been a BMF, this win just earned him a placeholder
UFC 291 post-fight analysis: Gaethje has always been a BMF
Justin Gaethje beat Dustin Poirier at UFC 291. Is there a point to watching a BMF fight between two fighters who are already BMFs? I guess so.
Evan Zivin | July 30
UFC 290: Alexander Volkanovski is living up to his nickname, but his legacy still isn’t complete
Alexander Volkanovski is living up to his nickname, but his legacy still isn't complete
At UFC 290, there was "great" and then there was Alexander "The Great" Volkanovski
Evan Zivin | July 15
Yes, Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou is a heist, but it’ll also be a blast
Yes, Fury vs Ngannou is a heist, but it'll also be a blast
Francis Ngannou made the impossible possible, and now has a fight with Tyson Fury. Just relax and enjoy it for what it is.
Evan Zivin | July 12
While Dana White talks about Elon Musk vs Mark Zuckerberg, he’s ignoring some great UFC bouts
While White talks about Musk vs Zuckerberg, he's ignoring some great UFC bouts
What happens when UFC President Dana White cares more about fights he can't promise vs. ones he can? Well, we're finding out...
Evan Zivin | June 27
GWOAT? No, Amanda Nunes is the Greatest of all Time
GWOAT? No, Amanda Nunes is the Greatest of all Time
Man or woman, there's no question that Amanda Nunes is one of the greatest fighters of all time, period.
Evan Zivin | June 14
‘Happy’ Charles Oliveira, and the obvious case for his title shot after UFC 289
'Happy' Charles Oliveira, and the obvious case for his title shot
There's only one destination for Charles Oliveira after UFC 289, and it's back to the top
Evan Zivin | June 11
It’s time for the UFC to stop being ‘lazy’ and get out of The Apex
It's time for the UFC to stop being 'lazy' and get out of The Apex
It's time to get the show back on the road full time, and the UFC can't get out of The Apex soon enough.
Evan Zivin | June 4
TUF 31 premiere reaction: Just more of the same
TUF 31 premiere reaction: just more of the same
"So, you want to be the ultimate tool for maintaining the status quo?" See my thoughts on TUF here.
Evan Zivin | May 31
Ranking today’s top 6 MMA vs boxing matchups by increasing ridiculousness
Ranking today’s top 6 MMA vs boxing matchups by increasing ridiculousness
Since the MMA vs. boxing discussions won't go away, read as BE turns into this skid with all your "favorite" matchups
Evan Zivin | May 29
UFC 292: Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley – A masterclass on how NOT to promote a fight
Sterling vs. O'Malley - A masterclass on how NOT to promote a fight
Aljamain Sterling vs Sean O'Malley? The road from promoting UFC 292 to bashing the headliner is one the UFC President is struggling to navigate
Evan Zivin | May 25
Why Dana White is absolutely right to question Francis Ngannou’s deal with PFL
Why Dana White is absolutely right to question what PFL is doing with Francis Ngannou
Despite obvious bias, Dana White (the man who has vanquished multiple competitors) should know what it means to see smoke.
Evan Zivin | May 22
The BMF belt, and other stupid fake UFC championships
The BMF belt, and other stupid fake UFC championships
The BMF belt, and the MMA leader that enjoys cheap marketing ploys.
Evan Zivin | May 19
Francis Ngannou is proof that betting on yourself can pay off (again)
Francis Ngannou is proof that betting on yourself can pay off (again)
Francis Ngannou rolled the dice and got what he wanted, and we should be happy for him
Evan Zivin | May 17
KSI is the ringleader of this circus he created… and I don’t hate it? – KSI vs Fournier analysis
KSI is the ringleader of this circus he created... and I don't hate it?
A KSI editorial? Yes, BE is going there...
Evan Zivin | May 14
Does ONE champ Demetrious Johnson need to retire?
Does ONE champ Demetrious Johnson need to retire?
No one can tell Demetrious Johnson when to retire, except maybe a legend or two...
Evan Zivin | May 11
UFC 288: Let the haters hate, Aljamain Sterling is still golden
Let the haters hate, Aljamain Sterling is still the gold standard
Aljamain Sterling can let the haters hate. After UFC 288, everyone knows who rules the land at 135, and it sure isn't the King of Cringe
Evan Zivin | May 8
Bad Bunny and how stars will always align for WWE over UFC
Bad Bunny and how the stars will always align for WWE over UFC
Makes sense the entertainers like Bad Bunny will always pick WWE over the UFC.
Evan Zivin | May 7
Conor McGregor Should Sign with BKFC
Conor McGregor Should Sign with BKFC
A relationship between Conor McGregor and BKFC makes lots of (dollars and) sense.
Evan Zivin | April 30
Nate Diaz and the Art of Self Defense as a Promotional Tactic
Nate Diaz and the Art of Self Defense as a Promotional Tactic
When alleged battery is just part of the brand
Evan Zivin | April 27
The future is bright for UFC’s Sergei Pavlovich, at least on an interim basis
Sergei Pavlovich, the UFC's next (interim) heavyweight champ
Sergei Pavlovich wowed this weekend, but is he a future champ or a future interim champ?
Evan Zivin | April 24
Burns and Muhammad: Dana White won’t be able to heal the brain damage you take
Burns and Muhammad: Dana White won't be able to heal the brain damage you take
The effort made pleasing Dana White so as to not get passed over could easily be for nothing.
Evan Zivin | April 22
Max Holloway: ‘Blessed’ should question his faith in a 4th Volkanovski fight
Max Holloway: 'Blessed' should question his faith in a 4th Volkanovski fight
Max Holloway's win over Arnold Allen was impressive, but it wasn't enough to change his fate.
Evan Zivin | April 16
185 or 205: To give the story a proper ending, UFC needs Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira 3
185 or 205: UFC needs Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira 3
The case for Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira 3 to settle the score, once and for all.
Evan Zivin | April 13
Israel Adesanya revealed his real superpower at UFC 287 — persistence
For Israel Adesanya, Consider the Score Settled
Israel Adesanya showed that if at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again.
Evan Zivin | April 9
UFC fighters crossing over to WWE? Know your role!
UFC Fighters Crossing Over to WWE? Know Your Role
BE has two words for any UFC fighter expecting an easy crossover into WWE: Think again.
Evan Zivin | April 8