MMA News

Jacare Souza, Jack Hermansson, COVID-19
UFC

Breaking! Jacare Souza tests positive for Covid-19, UFC 249 fight with Uriah Hall cancelled

Chris Taylor - May 8, 2020

UFC middleweight contender Jacare Souza has tested positive for Covid-19 and will no longer be fighting Uriah Hall tomorrow night at UFC 249. The shocking news comes from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto who reported the following on Twitter:

Oscar De La Hoya, Dana White, Canelo Alvarez
UFC

Oscar De La Hoya trashes "little b*tch" Dana White

Adam Martin - May 8, 2020

Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya called Dana White a “little b*tch” in response to the recent comments made by the UFC president. De La Hoya recently said he would be open to a two-round boxing match against UFC superstar Conor McGregor, and White was not happy about those comments. Although De La Hoya recently commended the UFC bossman for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, he didn’t like the remarks White made about him following the callout of McGregor.

Conor McGregor
Dana White

Conor McGregor "doesn’t like the idea of fighting without a crowd" according to Dana White

Cole Shelton - May 8, 2020

Conor McGregor doesn’t appear to be too interested in fighting without a crowd. McGregor has been adamant of having three fights in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic that may not happen. Although the Irishman has hinted at a summertime return, according to UFC president, Dana White, the former champ-champ doesn’t like the idea of competing without a crowd but would understand if that’s what he had to do.

Phil Baroni, Chuck Liddell
Phil Baroni

Videos | Top 5 Knockouts: UFC 31 - UFC 40

Christopher Taylor - May 8, 2020

In our newest segment “Top 5 Knockouts” we take a look back at some of the most brutal finishes that have occurred during numbered UFC events. In this the fourth edition of “Top 5 Knockouts”, we reflect back on UFC events 31 – 40, which occurred between the years of 2001 to 2002.

Anthony Pettis
UFC

Anthony Pettis looking to become "invincible" again starting with UFC 249

Cole Shelton - May 8, 2020

Anthony Pettis is looking to become invisible once again. Pettis is the former WEC and UFC lightweight champion who started his career out 18-2 with a UFC title defense under his record. Since then, “Showtime” has gone just 4-8 fighting at featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight.

Colby Covington
Radio

BJPENN.COM Radio Ep. 126 // Bas Rutten

Jason Kindschy - May 8, 2020

Bas Rutten returns to the show to preview some of the upcoming action in the combat sports world and discuss what’s next for some of MMA’s biggest names. Being a UFC Hall of Famer, former UFC heavyweight champ, and former multiple-time King of Pancrase, “El Guapo” always gives an interesting perspective on he current MMA landscape. We’ll discuss the majority of this weekends UFC 249 card, including the highly anticipated showdown between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. Rutten gives his take on what strategy would best suit Gaethje to ensure the win, and why Tony is one of the toughest opponents in the business today. We’ll also discuss Cejudo and Cruz, Ngannou, Cerrone, and more. You’ll also hear Bas give his thoughts on the future of Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, and Jorge Masvidal. Always an entertaining and insightful conversation with the legend, Bas Rutten! Enjoy! Be sure to subscribe and share!

Khabib Nurmagomedov
UFC

Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight the winner of Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje, says Dana White

Adam Martin - May 8, 2020

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will next fight against the winner of the UFC 249 interim title bout between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. Nurmagomedov was set to fight Ferguson at the original UFC 249 card in April before the event was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The UFC then called upon Gaethje to fill in on short notice against Ferguson after Nurmagomedov went home to Russia and was then unable to leave the country due to global travel restrictions.

Francis Ngannou, Jairzinho Rozenstruik
UFC

Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik winner will be in line for title shot, says Dana White

Adam Martin - May 8, 2020

Dana White confirmed the winner of the UFC 249 heavyweight bout between Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik will be in line for a title shot. The UFC president was asked this week by the media prior to UFC 249 what is happening with the heavyweight division. UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic said this week he won’t fight again until he gets a full training camp in, further delaying his trilogy fight with Daniel Cormier, and White admitted the promotion could possibly strip Miocic of his belt.

Tony Ferguson, Dana White, Justin Gaethje
UFC

Dana White guarantees excitement in Ferguson vs. Gaethje fight

Tom Taylor - May 8, 2020

UFC President Dana White is guaranteeing excitement when Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje step into the cage together in the UFC 249 main event. Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up! this morning, White claimed that, while he’s generally reluctant to ever promise excitement from a particular matchup, he’s absolutely confident he can do so with respect to Ferguson vs. Gaethje.

Donald Cerrone, Conor McGregor, Dana White
Donald Cowboy Cerrone

Donald Cerrone addresses criticisms of Stephen A. Smith

Tom Taylor - May 8, 2020

Shortly after Donald Cerrone was defeated by Conor McGregor back in January, he was lambasted by ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith. Speaking to MMA Fighting ahead of his UFC 249 rematch with Anthony Pettis, Cerrone addressed the comments Smith made about him. He says its always his intention to avoid drama of this kind.

Megan Olivi, UFC 249, Joseph Benavidez
UFC

Megan Olivi discusses importance of UFC 249 in the sports world

Mike Pendleton - May 8, 2020

Sports are back this weekend, as UFC 249 is scheduled to go down in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday night. With the NBA, MLB, and NHL seasons suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UFC will be the first professional sports league to return. UFC reporter Megan Olivi was recently a guest on ‘MMA Tonight’ on Sirius XM and provided her take on how the UFC can capitalize on the extra attention they will have, and how the event won’t look too different from a production standpoint compared to normal events, minus the lack of a crowd.

Jeremy Stephens, UFC Mexico
UFC

Jeremy Stephens can’t wait to “unleash” on Calvin Kattar after watching The Last Dance

Harry Kettle - May 8, 2020

UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens has taken inspiration from The Last Dance ahead of his showdown with Calvin Kattar at UFC 249. Stephens is currently riding a four-fight winless streak with his last victory coming back in February 2018 when he knocked out Josh Emmett. While it doesn’t appear as if there’s any risk of him being released, fans will certainly be keeping an eye on his battle with Kattar this weekend to see if he can step his game up a level.

UFC 249, Dominick Cruz, Henry Cejudo
UFC

VIDEO | UFC 249 main card staredowns

Tom Taylor - May 8, 2020

Shortly after the UFC 249 weigh-ins wrapped up, the stars of the card took center stage for pre-fight staredowns. These UFC 249 pre-fight staredowns included some interesting moments — the most notable which came courtesy of UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo, who is set to defend his title against Dominick Cruz in the card’s co-main event.

Anthony Pettis, PFL
Donald Cowboy Cerrone

Anthony Pettis believes he will have a “mental advantage” over Donald Cerrone in rematch at UFC 249

Harry Kettle - May 8, 2020

Former UFC lightweight champ Anthony Pettis believes he will hold a mental advantage over Donald Cerrone in their rematch at UFC 249 this weekend. While it may not be one of the featured bouts on the main card on Saturday night, Pettis vs Cerrone 2 is certainly gathering a lot of buzz as we get closer and closer to fight night.

Greg Hardy, Juan Adams, UFC 249
UFC

Greg Hardy teases WWE move

Tom Taylor - May 8, 2020

Greg Hardy has already jumped from the NFL to the UFC. From the sounds of it, his next stop could be the WWE ring. Hardy, who is scheduled to battle Yorgan De Castro at UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Florida this weekend, discussed a potential move to the pro wrestling world during the virtual media day for the card earlier this week. The topic came up when a reporter mentioned that AEW, another pro wrestling promotion, is also hosting an event in Jacksonville this weekend, with wrestlers staying at the very same hotel as the UFC’s stars.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Dana White: "I take responsibility" for Khabib Nurmagomedov withdrawing from UFC 249

Tom Taylor - May 8, 2020

Dana White has taken responsibility—at least in part—for Khabib Nurmagomedov withdrawing from UFC 249. Nurmagomedov, the undisputed UFC lightweight champ, was originally expected to defend his title against Tony Ferguson on April 18. Unfortunately, Nurmagomedov ultimately wound up getting stuck in his native Russia due to travel restrictions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. The UFC then called upon Justin Gaethje to step in against Ferguson in an interim title fight, which will go down in a rescheduled UFC 249 card on May 9.

Tony Ferguson, Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC 249
UFC 249

UFC 249 weigh-in results: Title fights official, one main card fighter misses weight

Tom Taylor - May 8, 2020

The UFC will make its triumphant return to our screens on Saturday night with UFC 249, which means the fighters on the bill must step onto the scales on Friday morning. UFC 249, which goes down in Jacksonville, Florida, will be headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. Ferguson was originally expected to battle undisputed champ Khabib Nurmagomedov on April 18, but when Nurmagomedov got stuck in Russia due to travel restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic, Gaethje stepped into to battle Ferguson for interim gold.

Tony Ferguson, Dana White, UFC 249, Justin Gaethje
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Justin Gaethje explains why Tony Ferguson is a tougher puzzle to solve than Khabib Nurmagomedov

Natasha Hooper - May 8, 2020

Justin Gaethje explained why his upcoming opponent, Tony Ferguson, will be a harder nut to crack than the lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov. UFC 249 was originally expected to be headlined by a title bout between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson. However, travel complications surrounding the coronavirus pandemic resulted in Nurmagomedov’s withdrawal from the bout. Instead, Justin Gaethje will face Ferguson in the main event on May 9, in Jacksonville, Florida.