MMA News
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.
Justin Gaethje on fighting in the UFC: “I’ve made a choice to die and if someone’s going to save me from that, it’s going to be Trevor"
Harry Kettle - April 23, 2020
UFC lightweight Justin Gaethje has admitted that if anyone is going to prevent him from dying in the Octagon, it’ll be his head coach Trevor Wittman. Gaethje is known for being a bit of a wild man in his style and how he puts people away when he’s fighting. Thankfully for him, his last three wins have seen him escape relatively unscathed – but that isn’t always guaranteed to happen.
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.
Who has the best chance to end Stipe Miocic's reign?
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2020
Stipe Miocic reclaimed his heavyweight belt back in August with a fourth-round TKO victory over Daniel Cormier in their highly anticipated rematch. The Cleveland native holds the record for most UFC heavyweight title defenses. For many, they believe Miocic is the heavyweight GOAT. But, his first fight with Cormier proved he is beatable, as he was quickly knocked out by ‘DC’ in the opening round. Yet, the champ is very well-rounded with his wrestling and striking. So, who has the best chance of ending his reign once again?
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.
BJJ with BJ: Guillotine Pass to Side Control
Jason Kindschy - April 22, 2020
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”553535″ player=”21002″ title=”BJJ with BJ Guillatine Pass To Side Control Drill” duration=”45″ description=”BJ Penn demonstrates “Guillotine Pass To Side Control Drill”” uploaddate=”2020-04-26 18:53:03″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/15717/thumb/553535_t_1587927199.png” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/15717/sd/553535.mp4″”] In this segment of BJJ with BJ, “The Prodigy” demonstrates how to properly pass from an opponents guillotine attempt to side control. This technique is the most common and most effective counter to a guillotine choke.
Luke Rockhold admits he "might be getting an itch" to fight, sees "a lot of interesting choices"
Tom Taylor - April 22, 2020
After a series of tough losses in the Octagon, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold took a step back from fighting — be he didn’t officially retire. As it turns out, that distinction was deliberate.
Patricio Pitbull trashes UFC for continuing with events during coronavirus pandemic: "It seems inhuman"
Adam Martin - April 22, 2020
Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion Patricio Pitbull trashed the UFC for continuing to try and hold events during the coronavirus pandemic. UFC president Dana White has been adamant for the last month that the UFC show would go on despite the coronavirus pandemic essentially shutting down all major sports leagues across the world. White tried his best for UFC 249 to take place on April 18 on Indian reservation land in California, but the event was ultimately postponed. The plan is now to hold UFC 249 on May 9 in Florida, and Pitbull doesn’t agree with it.
Lyman Good already in talks about UFC return after beating coronavirus
Adam Martin - April 22, 2020
UFC welterweight Lyman Good says he’s already in talks with the promotion’s matchmakers about a return to the Octagon after recently beating coronavirus. Good became the first UFC fighter to publicly confirm he caught the coronavirus, joining other MMA fighters like Erick Silva and Roger Gracie among those who have confirmed they have had the virus. Like Silva and Gracie, Good had a rough go of the virus, but like Silva and Gracie, he has beaten the coronavirus and has now tested negative for it.
PFL reportedly cuts "roughly a third" of its roster amid pandemic
Adam Martin - April 22, 2020
The PFL has cut a third of its roster amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the day after announcing its 2020 season was postponed. PFL announced through a press release on Monday that its 2020 season has been postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus crisis. The promotion felt that it wasn’t the right time to go ahead with its third season and instead is shifting its entire calendar a year back. PFL season three is expected to commence in the spring of 2021.
Ray Borg regrets promising to retire if he missed weight again
Tom Taylor - April 22, 2020
Last April, after missing weight for a bantamweight fight with Casey Kenny, Ray Borg vowed to retire if he ever missed his mark on the scale again. He admits he regrets making that promise.
Israel Adesanya trashes "Catholic school girl" Jon Jones
Tom Taylor - April 22, 2020
It’s no secret that UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya is not a fan of the promotion’s light heavyweight champ, Jon Jones. During a recent appearance on The Luke Thomas Show, Adesanya once again let loose on his light heavyweight rival. This time around, Adesanya accused Jones of being fake: acting one way on camera, and another when the cameras aren’t rolling.
Daniel Cormier praises Tony Ferguson for weighing in for canceled fight: Khabib "wouldn't do that"
Tom Taylor - April 22, 2020
Tony Ferguson’s scheduled April 18 interim lightweight title fight with Justin Gaethje didn’t end up happening, but the top lightweight contender weighed in at 155 pounds the Friday before anyway. Former two-division UFC champ Daniel Cormier found Ferguson’s display of toughness and professionalism very impressive.
Frank Trigg: "There's no way" to make fights safe during pandemic
Tom Taylor - April 22, 2020
Former UFC star and current MMA referee Frank Trigg doesn’t think there’s any way for fights to be promoted safely during the coronavirus pandemic. Trigg weighed in on the topic in a recent interview with MMA Junkie Radio.