MMA News
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.
Photos | Brittney Palmer and Valerie Loureda among MMA notables who got in the Independence Day spirit
Adam D Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC ring card girl Brittney Palmer and Bellator women’s fighter Valerie Loureda were among the MMA notables who got into the Independence Day spirit. Along with hundreds of millions of Americans, numerous MMA fighters celebrated the 4th of July on Saturday and posted photos of their celebrations on their social media. Take a look at some of them below, five from the women of MMA, and five from the men of MMA.
Alex Volkanovski is not buying Max Holloway’s claim that he’s been training alone for UFC 251
Adam D Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski is not buying Max Holloway’s claim that he has been training alone in preparation for their fight at UFC 251. Volkanovski meets Holloway in a rematch next Saturday at UFC 251 on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. The two met last December at UFC 245 in Las Vegas, where Volkanovski pulled off a stunning upset, defeating Holloway via unanimous decision and taking home the UFC featherweight crown. Despite Volkanovski clearly winning the fight, the UFC decided to give Holloway an immediate rematch and the two will once again lock horns when they square off in the Octagon next weekend at UFC 251.
Jorge Masvidal has been training ahead of proposed UFC 251 title fight with Kamaru Usman
Adam D Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal has been training recently, so he should be in shape in case he fights Kamaru Usman on short notice at UFC 251. Usman was set to fight Gilbert Burns at UFC 251, which takes place in just six days from now at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, but late on Friday night it was revealed that Burns tested positive for COVID-19 and he had to be removed from the card. That left Usman without an opponent and put the wheels into motion for Masvidal to jump in on short notice and take on Usman next weekend at Fight Island.
Kamaru Usman reacts after Jorge Masvidal steps in on short notice to replace Gilbert Burns
Christopher Taylor - July 4, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will still be competing at next weekend’s UFC 251 event after Jorge Masvidal has agreed to step up on short notice. Yesterday evening unfortunate news broke that Usman’s slated UFC 251 opponent Gilbert Burns had contracted the Coronavirus and was thus forced out of next weekend’s event headliner.
Jorge Masvidal reacts after coming to terms with UFC for Kamaru Usman fight
Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020
Barring any positive tests for Covid-19, BMF title holder Jorge Masvidal will square off with Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title on Fight Island. That news was reported moments ago by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, who revealed the following information on Sports Center.
Jorge Masvidal vs. Kamaru Usman set for Fight Island barring any positive tests for Covid-19
Christopher Taylor - July 4, 2020
It appears that BMF title holder Jorge Masvidal will challenge Kamaru Usman for the promotions welterweight championship after all. Earlier this year it was reported that the UFC was looking to book ‘Gamebred’ against ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ at a July pay-per-view event. However, negotiations between Masvidal and the UFC stalled, so the promotion turned to streaking contender Gilbert Burns.
Breaking! Jorge Masvidal is in negotiations to fight Kamaru Usman at UFC 251
Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020
BMF champion Jorge Masvidal has entered negotiations to fight Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title next weekend at UFC 251. The incredible news comes from ESPN‘s Ariel Helwani who reported the following information on Twitter.
Photo | Jorge Masvidal just got tested for Covid-19 amidst rumors of UFC return
Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020
BMF title holder Jorge Masvidal (35-13 MMA) just went and got tested for Covid-19 amidst rumors of a potential return to the Octagon. Yesterday evening it was announced that Gilbert Burns had contracted the Coronavirus and was thus forced to withdraw from his scheduled UFC 251 title fight with reigning welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
Kamaru Usman hints at potential fight with Jorge Masvidal
Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman appears interested in fighting Jorge Masvidal now that his bout with Gilbert Burns has been scrapped. Yesterday evening news broke that Burns (19-3 MMA) had contracted the Coronavirus and was no longer able to compete against Usman (16-1 MMA) in next weekend’s UFC 251 event headliner as scheduled.
Paulo Costa becomes "the new face of the UFC" with win over Israel Adesanya according to Eric Albarracin
Cole Shelton - July 4, 2020
Eric Albarracin knows the stakes are high for a potential Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa matchup. Ever since Adesanya became the UFC’s middleweight champion, it was expected his first title defense would be against Paulo Costa. Yet, the Brazilian got hurt and Adesanya ended up fighting Yoel Romero.
Max Holloway reveals he trained alone for Alex Volkanovski rematch, used "Zoom classes"
Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020
Like many fighters, Max Holloway has been forced to make serious alterations to his training camp ahead of his UFC 251 rematch with Alex Volkanovski. The former UFC featherweight champion in Holloway (21-5 MMA) will square off with Volkanovski (21-1 MMA) for a second time in next weekend’s UFC 251 pay-per-view event headliner.
Dustin Poirier shares interesting perspective on fighting without fans in attendance
Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020
Dustin Poirier returned to the Octagon last weekend for the first time since suffering a submission loss to reigning lightweight kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov. Poirier was matched up with streaking lightweight contender Dan Hooker in last Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 12 main event and the bout seemingly surpassed it’s high expectations.
Gilbert Burns no longer playing with memes, believes "karma" played a role in UFC 251 removal
Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020
Streaking contender Gilbert Burns was expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 251. Sadly that is no longer the case as earlier tonight it was reported that ‘Durinho’ had contracted the Coronavirus in Florida and thus would not be able to compete at next weekend’s pay-per-view event against Usman.
Daniel Cormier pens lengthy message to Khabib Nurmagomedov following death of his father Abdulmanap
Chris Taylor - July 3, 2020
Former two division UFC champion Daniel Cormier sent his good friend and training partner Khabib Nurmagomedov a lengthy message following the death of his father Abdulmanap. Earlier today the tragic news broke that Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, had died at age 57.
Gilbert Burns reacts after being forced out of UFC 251 title fight due to Covid-19
Chris Taylor - July 3, 2020
Surging contender Gilbert Burns was expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the promotions welterweight title in the main event of UFC 251. Unfortunately for fight fans, Burns (19-3 MMA) has been forced out of the highly anticipated contest after contracting the Coronavirus.
Colby Covington sends a message to Kamaru Usman after Gilbert Burns is forced out of UFC 251
Chris Taylor - July 3, 2020
Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington has reacted following news that Gilbert Burns will no longer be fighting Kamaru Usman at UFC 251. Earlier this evening news broke that Burns (19-3 MMA) had contracted the Coronavirus and was thus ineligible to compete in next weekend’s pay-per-view headliner against Usman (16-1 MMA) as scheduled.