MMA News
Tony Ferguson makes weight for canceled UFC 249 fight
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Tony Ferguson told us he would make weight for his canceled UFC 249 fight with Justin Gaethje, and he made good on that promise. On Friday morning — at the precise time he would have weighed in for his fight with Gaethje had UFC 249 gone ahead — Ferguson stepped onto a scale and hit 155 lbs. Lightweight championship weight.
VIDEO | Dillon Danis sends message to fans doubting his striking ability
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Dillon Danis is known first and foremost for his world-class grappling skill, but as he continues to venture into mixed martial arts, he’s working hard on his striking too. Speaking on Instagram on Friday, Danis sent a message to fans doubting his striking ability, and included a short clip of himself landing a right hand on a sparring partner.
Mike Goldberg names the best UFC fights he ever called
Adam Martin - April 17, 2020
Former UFC play-by-play commentator Mike Goldberg was asked to name the best fights he ever called, and he released his list for fight fans to check out. Goldberg was the long-time commentator for the UFC before getting the axe a few years ago. He quickly signed with Bellator MMA and continues to provide the mic duties for the UFC’s biggest rival. Goldberg may not work for the UFC anymore, but he had a front-row seat for their shows for years and he got to call a few gems during his time there.
Despite Dana White's plans for fights at UFC APEX, NSAC director says "we are closed until further notice"
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Dana White is hoping to start producing live UFC fights at the promotion’s APEX facility in Las Vegas next month. Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Executive Director Bob Bennett, however, is noncommittal on whether or not live combat sports will be allowed in the state at that point. “We will see what the data reveals based on the science of COVID-19 and move forward accordingly,” Bennett said to MMA Fighting via email.
Michael Bisping has a message for the “idiots” who think the coronavirus is a conspiracy
Harry Kettle - April 17, 2020
Michael Bisping has a clear message for people who think that the coronavirus pandemic is all part of a bigger conspiracy. In the midst of the chaos surrounding the ongoing outbreak around the world, one man who has been pretty vocal about the whole thing is the former UFC middleweight king.
VIDEO | Kamaru Usman looks absolutely jacked amid talk of short-notice Masvidal fight
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Kamaru Usman has stated that he’s ready to fight Jorge Masvidal at the UFC’s blockbuster May 9 event, and it doesn’t appear that he was exaggerating. Early on Friday morning, the UFC welterweight champ took to social media to share a clip of one of his home workouts, and he looks like he’s in unbelievable shape.
Dominick Reyes says the UFC is on board for Jon Jones rematch, but champ is avoiding the “dog fight”
Harry Kettle - April 17, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Dominick Reyes doesn’t believe that Jon Jones is all too interested in fighting him in a rematch for the title. The two men went to war in an incredibly close fight back at UFC 247, and while Jones left Houston with the win and the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, many fans and pundits were of the belief that Reyes should’ve had his hand raised at the end of the night.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk on potential Weili Zhang rematch: “I don’t need to make more money, but it’s a money fight”
Natasha Hooper - April 17, 2020
Joanna Jedrzejczyk doesn’t fight for the money but admits she wouldn’t turn down a “money fight” against strawweight champion, Weili Zhang. The former strawweight champion collided with the division’s current champion, Weili Zhang, at UFC 248. Whilst the main event between Yoel Romero and Israel Adesanya was a lacklustre affair, the strawweight fighters delivered an action-packed performance that will go down in MMA history as one of the greatest fights ever.
UFC 250 full betting odds revealed
Adam Martin - April 16, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the hypothetical UFC 250 card, which is tentatively scheduled to take place on May 9 at a location TBD. UFC president Dana White this week revealed the promotion is hoping to get back to its normal fight schedule in early May, and the complete 12-fight card for FC 250 was revealed to the fans. The planned UFC 250 card has three title fights on it, making it one of the deepest and most stacked cards in recent memory. That is as long if it still goes on as scheduled, which at this point is hard to say given the coronavirus pandemic.
Ronda Rousey prefers WWE's pay compared to the UFC: "They’re treated like employees"
Cole Shelton - April 16, 2020
Former UFC champion, Ronda Rousey likes how WWE pays their athletes compared to the UFC. Rousey, who became a WWE star after her successful UFC career, says the WWE treats athletes like employees. The wrestlers are also on salary, which makes planning life a lot easier when compared to fight purses.
Nate Diaz Top 5 fights
Natasha Hooper - April 16, 2020
Today marks the birthday of one of the UFC’s most celebrated fighters, Nate Diaz. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 35-year old is no doubt having a quiet celebration in lockdown. To honor the ‘Stockton slapper’, we have compiled his top five fights to celebrate his birthday in ultimate BJPenn.com style! Donald Cerrone The UFC veterans collided in the co-main event of UFC 141 in 2011. The fighters vented their frustration in an all-out war, but the bad blood started long before they entered the Octagon. Diaz previously slapped his opponent’s hand when Cerrone attempted to introduce himself. He also knocked the “Cowboy’s” hat off his head during a press conference.
Who has the best chance to end Kamaru Usman's reign?
Cole Shelton - April 16, 2020
Kamaru Usman is a perfect 11-0 inside the Octagon and is coming off his first title defense back at UFC 245. There, “The Nigerian Nightmare” TKO’d Colby Covington in the fifth round in a very close fight. Yet, welterweight is arguably the most stacked division in the UFC so Usman has a tough road ahead of him. When the UFC returns to normalcy, Usman’s next title defense will most likely come against Jorge Masvidal. “Gamebred” had a career resurgence in 2019 with three knockout wins and claiming the BMF title. Masvidal could pose some problems for the champ if the fight remains on standing. After that, Usman’s next couple of fights could come against Covington, Leon Edwards, and Tyron Woodley. So, who has the best chance to end his reign?
Shaquille O’Neal: "MMA is the reason I became a champion" in NBA
Tom Taylor - April 16, 2020
Shaquille O’Neal, the winner of four NBA Championships, and a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall-of-Famer, credits his success on the court to MMA. It’s no secret that Shaq is a big fight fan, but during a recent interview with ESPN, he divulged that training in MMA on the side helped him take his fitness to the next level.
Kamaru Usman ready to fight Jorge Masvidal on May 9 UFC card
Adam Martin - April 16, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says he’s ready to fight Jorge Masvidal on the May 9 UFC card if the promotion needs him to fight on it. The UFC revealed its plans this week for the new UFC 249/UFC 250 card that will take place on May 9 at a location TBD. The card already has three title fights set for it, with Tony Ferguson taking on Justin Gaethje in the main event for the UFC interim lightweight title, Henry Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz for the UFC bantamweight title in the co-main event, and Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer for the UFC women’s featherweight title, to boot.
Dana White updates on timeframe for Fight Island events
Adam Martin - April 16, 2020
UFC president Dana White says that Fight Island should be ready by the middle of May to hold UFC events featuring international fighters. White made headlines recently when he revealed he had acquired a private island in order to host future UFC events. Fans and media were taken aback by the news of White trying to hold events on a private island as the coronavirus pandemic eliminated the ability for the UFC to hold fights in the mainland United States. At first, it seemed like a bit of an inside joke, but it soon became clear that White was very serious about Fight Island.
Michael Bisping rates Israel Adesanya's chances against 'beatable' Jon Jones
Tom Taylor - April 16, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping is very impressed with the division’s current champ Israel Adesanya — both in and out of the cage. Bisping heaped praise on Adesanya on a recent episode of Submission Radio. Not even Adesanya’s recent win over Yoel Romero — an undeniable stinker — could sour the former champ’s opinion.
Michael Bisping shares thoughts on UFC 249 cancelation
Tom Taylor - April 16, 2020
Michael Bisping is taking the coronavirus pandemic very seriously, but admits he was looking forward to the recently canceled UFC 249 card.
Sean O’Malley would love to compete on “Fight Island”, but says July return is more realistic
Harry Kettle - April 16, 2020
UFC bantamweight star Sean O’Malley has said he’d love to compete on the proposed Fight Island, but that a July return is more likely. O’Malley made his return to the Octagon back at UFC 248, scoring an impressive TKO win over José Alberto Quiñónez in a little over two minutes. The win took him to 4-0 in the UFC, including his appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series, and marked his first fight with the promotion since UFC 222 in March 2018.