MMA News
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.
Dustin Poirier would prefer Khabib rematch over McGregor rematch, even with no title in play
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
Dustin Poirier would prefer a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov over a rematch with Conor McGregor, even if there was no UFC title on the line. Poirier fought McGregor in the featherweight division in 2014, losing via first-round knockout. Years later, after establishing himself as one of the greatest lightweights of his era, he battled Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title, losing via third-round submission.
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.
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.
Gilbert Burns issues scathing response to Nate Diaz following UFC 251 headliner diss
Christopher Taylor - July 5, 2020
Gilbert Burns has fired back at Nate Diaz after the ‘Stockton Slugger’ suggested that fans now have a “real fight” in Jorge Masvidal vs. Kamaru Usman. Diaz was highly critical of Burns receiving a title shot before disaster struck the previously scheduled UFC 251 headliner.
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.
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.
Jorge Masvidal sets UFC record in acquiring title shot against Kamaru Usman
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC superstar Jorge Masvidal has set a UFC record by acquiring the title shot at UFC 251 against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. With 48 pro MMA bouts during his 17-year MMA career, Masvidal has set the record for having the most total fights before getting a UFC title shot. When Masvidal fights Usman next Saturday at Fight Island, it will be the 49th time that he steps into the cage. It took him longer than anyone the sport has ever seen to get his shot at a UFC belt, and even though he’s fighting on super short notice, expect him to make the most of his chance.
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.
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.
Photo | Dan Hooker looks "good as new" one week after war with Dustin Poirier
Adam D Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC lightweight Dan Hooker posted a photo of his face one week after his Fight of the Year war against Dustin Poirier, adding that he looks “good as new.” Hooker and Poirier threw down for 25 minutes of action at UFC on ESPN 12 last Saturday night in one of the best UFC fights of the year, if not all-time. Hooker and Poirier somehow managed to make it the full five rounds despite throwing everything including the kitchen sink at each other. Although both men survived without being finished, both men took a huge amount of damage in the fight, including Poirier showing off a swollen ankle and Hooker exhibiting numerous cuts on his face.
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.
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.