MMA News
Leon Edwards wants Colby Covington: “I would love to shut him up”
Adam Martin - April 26, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards says he is interested in a fight against top contender Colby Covington in order to “shut him up.” Edwards was supposed to fight Tyron Woodley in a five-round main event at UFC London in March. The card was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and Edwards has been in limbo ever since. There’s still a chance the UFC could re-book Edwards vs. Woodley at some point, but given global travel restrictions at the moment, it doesn’t seem like it’s a fight that will be happening anytime soon.
Anthony Smith upset MMA media turned home invasion story into Jon Jones rivalry
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith is upset that the MMA media turned his recent home invasion story into a rivalry with champion Jon Jones. Smith and Jones, of course, met last March at UFC 235, with Jones once again defending the UFC light heavyweight championship with a unanimous decision win. The two have remained mostly cordial since that fight on social media and in interviews. But when Smith recently told the story of having his home invaded by an alleged drug-fueled former wrestler in the middle of the night, Jones used it to take a shot at Smith.
Ray Borg among fighters added to May 13 event in Jacksonville
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
Ray Borg is among the new fighters that have been added to the upcoming UFC card on Wednesday, May 13 in Jacksonville, Florida. Borg will take on Ricky Simon in a men’s bantamweight contest, while a women’s bantamweight bout featuring Sijara Eubanks vs. Sara Moras has also been added to the card. Jeff Fox was the first to report the new matchups.
Dana White says UFC 249 is "probably the best card" ever
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
UFC president Dana White believes the new UFC 249 card that is set to take place May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida, is the best card the UFC has ever booked. The full UFC 249 card was announced this week. The card is littered with big names both on the main card and on the prelims including two title fights at the top of the billing. On paper, it’s a very deep card that should be a welcome reprieve for fight fans who haven’t seen a live UFC fight in almost two months. It’s so good on paper that White even believes UFC 249 might be the best card the promotion has ever put together.
Greg Hardy wants to live on Fight Island and fight six times a year on it
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Greg Hardy said that he wants to live on Fight Island and break his own record by fighting six times a year on it. Hardy is coming off of a mostly-successful UFC rookie year in 2019. Though controversy followed him at every turn due to his dark past, Hardy showed that he is a legitimate heavyweight contender by going 2-2, 1 NC in his first fights in the Octagon, all of which took place within the span of one calendar year. Hardy set the record for most UFC fights in one year by a heavyweight in the process (though it’s happened in other weight classes.)
Fedor Emelianenko praised by Scott Coker: "The guy is still dangerous"
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker praised the legendary Fedor Emelianenko, gushing over the Russian’s recent KO win over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Emelianenko is one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time and is still fighting at a high level. In a legends’ match at the Bellator and RIZIN New Year’s Eve card in December, Emelianenko was able to stop Jackson in the first round in a battle of former PRIDE superstars. It was another big win for Emelianenko in the later stages of his career, and at age 43, don’t look now, but he’s won three of his last four fights overall, all by knockout.
Fabricio Werdum excited to return to Octagon, doesn't care about fighting on UFC 249 prelims
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 249, and he doesn’t care he’s on the prelims. Werdum hasn’t fought since March 2018 when he was knocked out by Alexander Volkov at UFC London. The veteran Brazilian was then suspended by USADA for two years after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, though the suspension was later reduced to 10 months.
Photo | Official poster for UFC 249 has been released
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
Just a few days after UFC president Dana White made the card official, the world’s leading MMA promotion has released the poster for UFC 249. White has been trying for weeks now to put a show on for the fans, and while it didn’t look like he would be able to get his way, things are now looking up. After previous events scheduled for Brooklyn, New York, and Leemore, Calfornia fell through, UFC 249 was officially announced to take place on May 9 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. The card will air live on ESPN+, with the main card on PPV.
Report | Mackenzie Dern to make UFC return on May 23 against Hannah Cifers
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
UFC strawweight standout Mackenzie Dern will make her return to the Octagon on May 23 against opponent Hannah Cifers. The news comes from MMAFighting.com, who recently reported that verbal agreements are in place to have Dern and Cifers compete at the May 23rd event.
Videos | Top 5 Knockouts: UFC 21 - UFC 30
Chris Taylor - April 25, 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 third edition of “Top 5 Knockouts”, we reflect back on UFC events 21 – 30, which occurred between the years of 1999 to 2001.
Dana White defends decision to give Dominick Cruz a title shot at UFC 249
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
UFC President Dana White is defending the promotions decision to give Dominick Cruz a title shot against Henry Cejudo at UFC 249. ‘The Dominator’, who has not competed in over three years, will square off with ‘Triple C’ for the promotions bantamweight world title on May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt set to return on June 6
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is set to make his highly anticipated return to the Octagon on June 6. According to the folks at MMAFighting.com, ‘No Love’ has been rebooked to fight Raphael Assuncao on the June 6 fight card.
Report | Khabib Nurmagomedov's father hospitalized due to suspected pneumonia and flu
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
The father of current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Abdulmanap, has been hospitalized due to a suspected pneumonia and flu. The news comes from Ramazan Rabadanov, a sports commentator from Dagestan, Russia.
Dana White reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov will return in September or October against Ferguson vs. Gaethje winner
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2020
Dana White plans on having Khabib Nurmagomedov fight in September of October against the winner of Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje. Nurmagomedov was expected to return to the Octagon at UFC 249 on April 18 against Ferguson. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic halted those plans as the champion couldn’t get out of Russia, and the event was eventually canceled entirely.
Brian Ortega responds to Alexander Volkanovski’s invitation for UFC Fight Island
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2020
Brian Ortega is interested in fighting featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski on Fight Island. The UFC is set to return on May 9 with a stacked event and plans on having events every week. In June, however, the location is expected to change to the highly-anticipated Fight Island which Dana White has been talking about. If events do end up there Volkanovski wants to be a part of it.
Dominick Reyes believes punishment for Jon Jones arrest should be a rematch
Natasha Hooper - April 24, 2020
Dominick Reyes wants to be the judge, jury and executioner, as he serves up some overdue justice towards Jon Jones. “The Dominator” faced off against the light heavyweight champion in the main event of UFC 247. Jones ultimately claimed the decision victory, but many spectators believed Reyes delivered the stronger performance.
UFC reveals event headliners for newly announced May fight cards
Adam Martin - April 24, 2020
The UFC has revealed the headlining main events for two upcoming Fight Night cards on May 13 and on May 16 in Jacksonville, Florida, including Anthony Smith’s return. UFC president Dana White announced on Friday that the world’s biggest MMA promotion is ready to get rolling once again. White announced the full UFC 249 card that will take place on May 9 in Jacksonville, not to mention breaking the news that the UFC would hold two more cards on the 13th and 16th in the same venue. And now we have the headliners for both those cards.
Joe Rogan will provide commentary for UFC 249
Adam Martin - April 24, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed on Friday that Joe Rogan will be in the commentary booth for the upcoming UFC 249 event. The UFC announced on Friday that the promotion has reached a deal with ESPN to broadcast three upcoming events on May 9, 13, and 16 in Jacksonville, Florida. White has been trying for over a month now to hold a UFC event despite the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world, and it appears as though he’s finally been able to accomplish his goal. And he’ll have his top color commentator along for the ride when he does it.