MMA News
Tony Ferguson responds to praise from longtime rival Khabib Nurmagomedov
Christopher Taylor - May 15, 2020
Tony Ferguson has responded after receiving praise from his longtime rival in Khabib Nurmagomedov. ‘El Cucuy’ and ‘The Eagle’ were slated to collide on April 18. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the promotions reigning lightweight champion was forced to remain in his home country of Russia and thus could not compete. The cancellation marked the fifth time that a proposed bout between Ferguson and Nurmagomedov failed to come to fruition.
Ryan Bader says he will rematch Cheick Kongo and fight Rampage Jackson after bizarre Bellator 226
Cole Shelton - May 15, 2020
Ryan Bader makes it very clear he is not scared of Cheick Kongo and will rematch him after he defends his light heavyweight title. In the main event of Bellator 226 last September, Bader was looking for his first title defense at heavyweight against Kongo. Early on the champ-champ was having success yet there was an accidental eye poke leaving Kongo unable to continue and the fight ended in a no-contest.
Curtis Blaydes tells Stipe Miocic to "pick a job” after saying he won't fight during pandemic
Cole Shelton - May 15, 2020
Curtis Blaydes believes Stipe Miocic needs to make a decision on whether he is a UFC fighter or a firefighter. Miocic is currently on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic working as a firefighter in Ohio. Yet, due to this, the heavyweight champion has said he won’t fight during the pandemic. He says can’t train and needs to work his firefighting job as the main reason why.
Coach wants Uriah Hall to fight Yoel Romero next after canceled Jacare Souza bout
Cole Shelton - May 15, 2020
Uriah Hall was disappointed his UFC 249 fight against Jacare Souza was canceled, but the middleweight was all class in the way he handled it. For Sayif Saud, who is Hall’s head coach at Fortis MMA, he says it was tough for Hall to hear the news of the positive test. But, the 10th ranked middleweight quickly moved on and started to look at what is next for him.
Referee Jason Herzog takes blame for late stoppage in Anthony Smith fight
Adam Martin - May 15, 2020
Referee Jason Herzog took the blame for the late stoppage in the Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira fight at UFC Jacksonville. Smith suffered a brutal beatdown in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds by Teixeira before Herzog finally stepped in and stopped the fight. Smith suffered numerous facial injuries in the fight and also lost several of his teeth. The late stoppage drew criticism from fans and media as the majority of viewers felt the fight should have been stopped much sooner.
Dana White reacts to Mike Tyson's comeback plans
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
UFC President Dana White is begging Mike Tyson to reconsider his plans to return to the boxing ring at 53 years old. Tyson, who is one of the greatest boxers in heavyweight history, recently laid out plans to return to the ring for a handful of exhibition matches. While Tyson has shared some training footage that has left jaws on the floor, White isn’t sold on his comeback plans. In fact, the UFC boss is imploring him to reconsider those plans.
Jon Jones divulges gameplan for possible Francis Ngannou matchup
Adam Martin - May 15, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has divulged his gameplan for a potential superfight against heavyweight slugger Francis Ngannou. Jones and Ngannou have gone back-and-forth all week about a potential fight between two of the most popular stars on the UFC roster. Jones has always been connected to a move up to the heavyweight division, and Ngannou says he would welcome a potential fight against “Bones” should he make the decision to go up a weight class.
Conor McGregor laughs off Justin Gaethje's claim that he's losing clout
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
Former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor has laughed off a recent claim from interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. McGregor and Gaethje have been jawing back and forth for months now, but their exchanges have escalated ever since Gaethje captured the interim belt with a win over Tony Ferguson in the main event of the stacked UFC 249 card last weekend. McGregor has even stated that he intends to fight Gaethje next, mentioning July as his desired timeframe.
Dan Hardy wants Donald Cerrone next: "The reality is he's at the end of his career"
Adam Martin - May 15, 2020
UFC commentator Dan Hardy is hoping to make a comeback to the Octagon and is hoping he gets to fight Donald Cerrone next. Hardy hasn’t fought since September 2012, when he defeated Amir Sadollah by decision. He has dealt with health issues since then related to Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, but in recent years he has made it clear he is hoping to fight again one day. Last year Hardy re-entered the USADA testing pool, helping clear the way for a potential return.
Marvin Vettori's nutritionist clears the air on the infamous confrontation with Karl Roberson
Alfredo Zullino - May 15, 2020
Basically everyone has seen the infamous clip of Marvin Vettori going after his former opponent Karl Roberson, but there are still questions about what actually happens. Both fighters gave their sides of the story but of course, they differ from each other.
Anthony Smith releases statement after brutal TKO loss to Glover Teixeira
Adam Martin - May 15, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith released a statement following a brutal TKO loss to Glover Teixeira at UFC Jacksonville. Smith was beaten down in devastating fashion by Teixeira for nearly 25 minutes before the referee mercifully stopped the fight in the fifth round. The stoppage was extremely controversial, as many believed the referee or the corner of Smith should have stopped the fight after the fourth round, but Smith was left to go out there for the fifth round instead.
Jon Jones doubles down on Francis Ngannou callout: "I'm going to win this fight"
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
It appears that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is dead serious about moving up to heavyweight to fight Francis Ngannou. On Friday morning, Jones took to Instagram to double down on his call for a fight with the Cameroonian-French knockout artist, referring to it as a “modern day David and Goliath” matchup.
Dominick Reyes gives props to Anthony Smith after UFC Jacksonville
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
Anthony Smith experienced arguably the toughest loss of his career at the hands of Glover Teixeira on Wednesday, but he won the respect of Dominick Reyes. Smith had a good first round in his fight with Teixeira, which headlined the recent UFC Jacksonville card, but the momentum began to swing out of his favor in round two. By the time the fourth round ended, Smith had been brutalized to the point of losing multiple teeth. The fight was finally and most mercifully stopped in the fifth round.
Weili Zhang finally emerges from quarantine, sets sights on Valentina Shevchenko
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang has finally emerged from a lengthy period of quarantine in her native China, and she’s already plotting her next challenge in the Octagon. After she defeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk in one of the greatest fights of all time back in March, Zhang got stranded in the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic. When she finally made it back to China, she was forced to endure a two-week period of isolation as a precaution.
Daniel Cormier believes “mistakes" were made in the corner of Anthony Smith at UFC Jacksonville
Natasha Hooper - May 15, 2020
Daniel Cormier called out the mistakes made by Anthony Smith’s corner during his fight against Glover Teixeira at UFC Jacksonville. Wednesday’s UFC Jacksonville card featured a number of compelling matchups including the main event clash between light heavyweight contenders Smith and Teixeira.
UFC on ESPN 8 weigh-in results: Main event official, Edson Barboza hits featherweight limit
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens for a third time in eight days with the surprisingly stacked UFC on ESPN 8 card. The card will be headlined by a heavyweight showdown between former DREAM, Strikeforce and K-1 heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, and Walt Harris, who returns to the cage after the tragic death of his daughter, Aniah Blanchard.
Dominick Reyes takes aim at Jon Jones and Tyron Woodley on social media
Natasha Hooper - May 15, 2020
Dominick Reyes took no prisoners on a recent Twitter campaign, targeting Jon Jones, Mike Perry, and Tyron Woodley. “The Dominator” has experienced a surge in popularity this year, particularly following his UFC 247 fight against Jon Jones. He fought the light heavyweight champion for the title and lost by decision, but many spectators believed he was the better fighter and should have won the clash.
UFC on ESPN 8 receives short-notice shakeup after Mike Davis is forced to withdraw from event
Natasha Hooper - May 15, 2020
Giga Chikadze will face a new opponent after a short notice shakeup surrounding this Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 event in Jacksonville. Mike Davis has withdrawn from his UFC featherweight debut against Chikadze over medical issues not relating to COVID-19. This news was first reported by Giorgi Kokiashvili of Adjara Sport.