MMA News
Jorge Masvidal plans on betting big on himself against Kamaru Usman: "I gamble on myself more than anything other in this world"
Adam Martin - July 6, 2020
UFC welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal is planning on betting on himself as a hefty underdog when he takes on Kamaru Usman at UFC 251. Masvidal filled in on super short notice for Gilbert Burns, who tested positive for COVID-19 and had to be pulled from the card. After a whirlwind 48 hours this weekend, the UFC was finally able to get the deal done and get Usman vs. Masvidal signed. The fight is now official after Masvidal tested negative for the coronavirus, and he and Usman are now expected to fly to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi on Monday for their big title fight on Saturday.
Report: Greg Hardy vs. Khalil Rountree fight targeted for UFC 252
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
Greg Hardy is reportedly set to return to the Octagon at UFC 252 on August 15, where he’ll take on former light heavyweight Khalil Rountree. News of this Hardy vs. Rountree bout, which is not yet official, was first reported by Raphael Marinho of Combate.
Photo | UFC adds Jorge Masvidal to official UFC 251 poster
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
The UFC has updated the official UFC 251 poster to reflect the card’s new main event: a welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. See it below:
Jorge Masvidal explains why he dislikes "coward" Kamaru Usman
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
Jorge Masvidal is not a fan of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who he’ll fight in the main event of UFC 251 this Saturday. Masvidal was originally expected to be the next man in line for Usman. When he entered into a heated and highly publicized contract dispute with the UFC, however, the promotion awarded the next crack at Usman to Burns. Burns then tested positive for COVID-19, at which point the UFC approached Masvidal about stepping in to fight Usman on short-notice.
Jorge Masvidal opens up on new deal with the UFC: "We're not there yet"
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
After a highly publicized contract dispute with the UFC, Jorge Masvidal is set to challenge Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title at UFC 251 this Saturday. Masvidal was originally expected to be the next man in line for Usman. When his contract dispute with the UFC began to boil, however, the promotion awarded the next crack at Usman to Burns. Burns then tested positive for COVID-19, at which point the UFC approached Masvidal about stepping in to fight Usman on short-notice.
Rory MacDonald reveals the proudest moment and biggest regret of his fighting career
Natasha Hooper - July 6, 2020
With his career on standstill due to the ongoing pandemic, Rory MacDonald has had the opportunity to reflect on the highs and lows of his fighting career. During an interview with MMA Fighting, the 30-year old revealed the moments that have defined his 15-year professional career.
Paul Felder issues classic response to fan suggesting he’s a better commentator than a fighter
Harry Kettle - July 6, 2020
UFC commentator and former fighter Paul Felder was involved in an entertaining exchange with a fan on social media who suggested he’s better off retired. Felder, 35, went to war with Dan Hooker back in late February over in Auckland, New Zealand. “The Irish Dragon” came up short in a unanimous decision defeat to the Kiwi, and in the immediate aftermath of the loss, he seemed to indicate that he would be retiring from mixed martial arts.
Ben Askren shares hilarious reaction to Jorge Masvidal vs. Kamaru Usman booking
Natasha Hooper - July 6, 2020
Ben Askren has reacted to the news of his former opponent Jorge Masvidal’s upcoming fight against Kamaru Usman. On Sunday it was announced that the UFC welterweight champion Usman and the ‘BMF’ winner Masvidal will collide at Saturday’s UFC 251 event on Dana White’s Fight Island.
UFC 251 main event official after Jorge Masvidal tests negative for COVID-19
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
The UFC 251 main event between UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal is official after ‘Gamebred’ tested negative for COVID-19. The UFC made the official announcement at midnight on Monday morning on its Twitter.
Ali Abdelaziz reacts to news of Jorge Masvidal replacing Gilbert Burns against Kamaru Usman
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz reacted to the news of Jorge Masvidal replacing Gilbert Burns against Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 251. Abdelaziz, one of MMA’s top managers, represents both Burns and Usman, so he had a vested interest in the fight. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Burns tested positive for COVID-19 and had to be pulled from the fight against Usman. Fortunately, the UFC was able to move quickly and come together to get a deal signed for Usman to fight Masvidal. The two are now set to headline the UFC’s debut card on Fight Island pending the test results of a coronavirus test for Masvidal in Las Vegas.
Nate Diaz reacts to Jorge Masvidal stepping up on short notice against Kamaru Usman
Christopher Taylor - July 5, 2020
Nate Diaz is happy to see a “real fight” between Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman headline next weekends UFC 251 pay-per-view event. Friday night it was announced that the previously booked UFC 251 main event between Gilbert Burns and Kamaru Usman was forced to be scrapped, this after the Brazilian contracted the Coronavirus.
Betting odds update for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
Months after the original opening betting line was released, we have an update on the betting odds for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal. After Usman defeated Colby Covington via fifth-round TKO in an all-out war at UFC 245, the oddsmakers released a line for Usman against Masvidal. The opening betting odds at the time saw Usman open as a -260 betting favorite, with Masvidal opening as a +200 underdog. Nearly seven months later and with the two finally set to settle their score at UFC 251, now the betting lines have shifted as the fight becomes closer and closer to finally becoming a reality on Fight Island.
Dana White confirms Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal, shares hype video with fans
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the reported bout between UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and top contender Jorge Masvidal is a go. After testing positive for COVID-19, No. 1 contender Gilbert Burns was forced off of UFC 251 late Friday night, leaving Usman temporarily without an opponent. But the UFC was able to work quickly all weekend and in the end, the UFC was able to strike a deal between Usman and Masvidal to headline the UFC 251 card. The bout will take place next Saturday on Fight Island pending negative tests from the fighters and their teams for COVID-19.
Marlon Moraes targets matchups against Cody Garbrandt and Dominick Cruz
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
Top UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Moraes is targeting matchups against former champion Cody Garbrandt and Dominick Cruz for his next fight. Despite coming off of a split decision win over Jose Aldo in his last outing at UFC 245, Moraes is the odd man out in the UFC bantamweight division after the promotion decided to go with Aldo against Petr Yan for the vacant belt at UFC 251. Moraes was supposed to fight Yan at UFC Kazakhstan before the coronavirus pandemic forced the card to be canceled, which left him without an opponent after the UFC gave Yan the Aldo fight.
UFC signs Invicta FC strawweight champion Kanako Murata
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
The UFC has signed Invicta FC strawweight champion Kanako Murata to a contract to compete for the world’s leading MMA organization. Murata herself confirmed the news on her social media after her former promotion RIZIN FF reported that she had signed a new deal with the UFC. Check out her Twitter below.
Gilbert Burns reacts after Jorge Masvidal steps in to face Kamaru Usman at UFC 251
Adam D Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns reacted after the news that Jorge Masvidal will step in to face Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 next Saturday night. Late Friday night, Burns was pulled from his scheduled bout against Usman on Fight Island after testing positive for COVID-19. Since news of Burns’ positive test broke, the UFC has been working hard to get a deal done between Usman and Masvidal. On Sunday, it was reported by numerous sources including BJPenn.com’s own Cole Shelton that the Usman vs. Masvidal fight is a done deal pending the results of their tests.
Confirmed | Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman are en route to Las Vegas after agreeing to fight at UFC 251
Adam D Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and top contender Jorge Masvidal are en route to Las Vegas ahead of a potential showdown at Saturday’s UFC 251 event. After Gilbert Burns dropped out of the Usman fight late Friday night after testing positive for COVID-19, the UFC has been working fast behind the scenes to secure a replacement fight between Usman and Masvidal. Both men have tweeted that they have agreed to the fight and now it comes down to the UFC getting the deal signed and having both men test negative for the coronavirus so they can fly to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
UFC standout Sean O’Malley starting his own apparel line after “getting sh*t” from Reebok
Adam D Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC bantamweight prospect Sean O’Malley is starting his own apparel line after “getting sh*t” from the oft-criticized UFC-Reebok deal. The UFC and Reebok agreed to a six-year, $70 million deal in 2014 to become the promotion’s official clothing sponsor until 2020. However, the deal has been harshly criticized by fans, fighters and media since then, with many accusing the UFC of not dishing out enough of the money to the fighters. The fighters are not able to have individual sponsorships in the cage and during fight week due to the Reebok deal, which further hurts their wallets in a deal that greatly favored the UFC over the athletes.