MMA News
Felicia Spencer believes beating Amanda Nunes "legitimatizes" her career
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2020
Felicia Spencer is confident she has what it takes to beat Amanda Nunes. Spencer was expected to battle Nunes for the featherweight belt at UFC 249 on May 9. Yet, the fight was postponed after Nunes said she wouldn’t be fighting during the pandemic. The Canadian, Spencer, is now in a wait and see approach as to when the fight will happen. But, the delay has not derailed her confidence.
Who has the best chance to end Weili Zhang's reign?
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2020
Weili Zhang is one of the newer UFC champions but she has been undefeated inside the Octagon. The China native won the belt last August with a quick knockout win over Jessica Andrade. She then defended her title in an absolute war against Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248. Zhang has shown her knockout power but has also proven she has the cardio to go five hard rounds and keep coming forward. She also has good takedown defense and solid jiu-jitsu leaving her hard to beat. But, the strawweight division has a plethora of challenges like Tatiana Suarez, Rose Namajunas, and rematches with Jedrzejczyk and Andrade.
Report | UFC 249 to take place in Jacksonville, Florida
Adam Martin - April 23, 2020
According to a report from veteran MMA reporter Dave Meltzer, UFC 249 is set to take place on May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida. There have been rumors the UFC intended to hold UFC 249 in Florida, and now we have a city. Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer said that the event will take place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. The UFC has not yet made this official, but Meltzer is well-connected and considering Florida seemed like a likely outcome all along, this appears to be the place where UFC 249 will finally land.
Alexander Hernandez believes he might have contracted coronavirus from head coach
Adam Martin - April 23, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Alexander Hernandez admits that he may have contracted the coronavirus from his head coach, but still planned on fighting anyway. Hernandez was set to fight Islam Makhachev at the original UFC 249 card in Brooklyn in what would have been one of the biggest fights of his career to date. When the coronavirus pandemic meant that travel restrictions around the world were tightened, the UFC called upon Omar Morales to fight Hernandez instead, at the rescheduled card in Tachi Palace.
BJJ with BJ: Step Through The Passage Drill
Jason Kindschy - April 23, 2020
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”531983″ player=”21002″ title=”BJJ with BJ Step Through The Passage Drill ” duration=”30″ description=”BJ Penn demonstrates “Step Through The Passage Drill “” uploaddate=”2020-03-18 23:38:19″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/15717/thumb/531983_t_1584574708.png” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/15717/sd/531983.mp4″”] In this segment of BJJ with BJ, “The Prodigy” shows a simple yet effective drill to help develop guard passing.
Report | UFC London fighters were paid "no more than $20,000" for canceled bouts
Tom Taylor - April 23, 2020
The UFC London card, which was scheduled to go down on March 21, was unfortunately one of several fight cards to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Shortly after the card was canceled, reports surfaced that the fighters who were scheduled to compete on the bill were paid for their efforts. They had, after all, undergone expensive training camps for the event.
VIDEO | Dana White appears on a UFC broadcast for the first time
Tom Taylor - April 23, 2020
Way back in 2001, we met the new president of the UFC. His name was Dana White. Maybe you’ve heard of him. At the time, White was just a young man—with a lot less experience in the combat sports business and a lot more hair. See the UFC boss’s first appearance on camera, which was recently released from the UFC archives, below.
Manager sees two key areas where Justin Gaethje can beat Tony Ferguson
Tom Taylor - April 23, 2020
Ali Abdelaziz sees two key areas where his client Justin Gaethje can beat Tony Ferguson in their UFC 249 interim title fight. First, Abdelaziz believes Gaethje’s wrestling could pose problems for Ferguson, who has struggled with high-level wrestlers like Kevin Lee before.
Tyron Woodley trashes "lil prostitute" Dan Hooker for loyalty to Israel Adesanya
Tom Taylor - April 23, 2020
Tyron Woodley started the week in a heated war of words with UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya, and is ending it bt jawing back-and-forth with Adesanya’s friend and training partner Dan Hooker. Not long after Woodley and Adesanya started skirmishing on Twitter, Hooker joined the fracas.
Jon Anik sets odds for UFC 249 happening on May 9
Tom Taylor - April 23, 2020
UFC play-by-play man Jon Anik is very confident the promotion will be able to go ahead with the planned UFC 249 card on May 9. Anik, who is a proud “degenerate gambler,” even set the odds for the card happening at a solid 9/10.
Abdelaziz: Georges St-Pierre must do "three things" to make Khabib superfight happen
Tom Taylor - April 23, 2020
Ali Abdelaziz believes a fight between his star client, UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, and former two-division UFC champ Georges St-Pierre is still possible. Speaking to ESPN, Abdelaziz opened up on a potential Nurmagomedov vs. St-Pierre superfight, assuring that it’s doable if the former wants it happen.
VIDEO | Joe Rogan makes his first ever UFC appearance
Tom Taylor - April 23, 2020
Today, Joe Rogan is as much a part of big UFC cards as the Octagon itself. Way back in 1997 when he debuted with the promotion, however, he was an unfamiliar face to many fight fans. The UFC recently released footage of the first time Rogan ever appeared on a UFC broadcast, and it’s a trip. See it below.
Halle Berry reveals she “broke some bones” while taking real kicks from Valentina Shevchenko
Natasha Hooper - April 23, 2020
Hollywood star and MMA fan Halle Berry admitted she “broke some bones” taking real kicks from Valentina Shevchenko. Berry made her directorial debut in the film “Bruised” which is expected to be released later this year. The movie follows the story of Jackie “Justice”, a disgraced MMA fighter who returns to fighting in an attempt to conquer her own demons and become the mother her child deserves.
Justin Gaethje on defeating Tony Ferguson: “It won’t mean I’m a world champion in the UFC”
Natasha Hooper - April 23, 2020
If Justin Gaethje beats Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, he will earn the interim lightweight title. However, in the eyes of “The Highlight,” that won’t make him a true champion. President Dana White scrapped the plans for UFC 249 on April 18, and pushed it back to May 9. The main event was supposed to feature Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson, but the lightweight champion ultimately withdrew over the constant changes associated with the pandemic.
John Makdessi blasts “incompetent” Michael Bisping for biased commentary
Harry Kettle - April 23, 2020
UFC lightweight John Makdessi has taken a shot at Michael Bisping for what he believes to be biased commentary from the former champion. Makdessi saw his three-fight unbeaten run in the division come to an end back at UFC Brasilia when he was beaten by unanimous decision by veteran Francisco Trinaldo. Prior to that, his last defeat in the Octagon came back at UFC 206 in December 2016.
Paulo Costa says USADA and the New York State Athletic Commission are on his "blacklist"
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2020
Paulo Costa is not a fan of the New York State Athletic Commission and USADA and says he won’t be fighting in New York anytime soon. Back at UFC 212 and 217, Costa got in trouble by the commission and USADA as his doctor gave him an IV to help him after his weight cut. The doctor was suspended and fined, which Costa believes was the wrong decision.
Chael Sonnen believes Israel Adesanya would “whip” Jon Jones in a potential fight
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2020
Chael Sonnen believes Israel Adesanya would beat Jon Jones rather easily if they were to fight. Adesanya and Jones have been taking shots at one another for months now. “The Last Stylebender” has said the fight will happen in 2021 at the Raiders stadium in Las Vegas.
Al Iaquinta reveals ideal next opponent and timeframe for return
Natasha Hooper - April 22, 2020
Top-ranked lightweight, Al Iaquinta has given a timeframe and ideal opponent for his next UFC appearance. Despite being in lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic, the New-York native is keeping busy. He is ready to get back to business and is even willing to fight on Dana White’s proposed Fight Island.