MMA News
Pros react to Ovince Saint Preux vs Ben Rothwell at UFC Jacksonville
Chris Taylor - May 13, 2020
A heavyweight scrap between Ovince Saint Preux and Ben Rothwell served as the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC event in Jacksonville. Saint Preux (24-13 MMA) was making his heavyweight debut this evening in Florida. Prior to moving up a division, ‘OSP‘ was coming off submission victory over Michal Oleksiejczuk at UFC Denmark.
UFC Jacksonville Results: Ben Rothwell defeats Ovince Saint Preux (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - May 13, 2020
A heavyweight bout between Ovince Saint Preux and Ben Rothwell serves as the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC event in Jacksonville. Saint Preux (24-13 MMA) will be making his heavyweight debut this evening in Florida. ‘OSP’ was most recently seen in action at September’s UFC event in Denmark, where he scored a submission victory over Michal Oleksiejczuk.
Dan Ige plans to shut Edson Barboza's "lights out" to enter title conversation at featherweight
Cole Shelton - May 13, 2020
Dan Ige was ecstatic when he got the offer to welcome Edson Barboza to the featherweight division. On Saturday, Ige will battle Barboza on the main card in a very interesting fight. For the Hawaiian in Ige, he knows the stakes are high for this one.
Conor McGregor, Dana White issue statements on Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov
Adam Martin - May 13, 2020
UFC superstar Conor McGregor and UFC president Dana White each issued statements following the recent news about Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. The father of Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently in a coma in a Russian hospital, as per reports. Late on Wednesday, the UFC acknowledged that the elder Nurmagomedov is ill and White issued a statement on the matter. Later on, McGregor joined in.
VIDEO | Furious Marvin Vettori confronts Karl Roberson after fight falls through
Tom Taylor - May 13, 2020
Marvin Vettori was not happy to learn that his planned UFC Jacksonville fight with Karl Roberson is canceled. Vettori and Roberson were expected to meet on the main card of tonight’s event, but the fight fell through at the last minute when Roberson reportedly fell ill after a difficult weight cut.
Russian media outlets report Khabib Nurmagomedov's father is in a coma
Tom Taylor - May 13, 2020
According to a report from Russian sports daily Sport Express, which has been corroborated by Russian outlet RT, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father and trainer of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, is in a coma in a Moscow hospital. According to these reports Abdulmanap was initially hospitalized in his native Dagestan with “suspected pneumonia”, and subsequently transported via a “special flight” to a military hospital in the Russian capital amid concerns about potential heart problems.
Eryk Anders doesn't believe Krzysztof Jotko will "be able to handle" his pressure at UFC Jacksonville
Cole Shelton - May 13, 2020
Eryk Anders is looking to extend his winning streak to three when he battles Krzysztof Jotko this Saturday in Jacksonville. The two were scheduled to fight at UFC Portland on April 11, but, the event was canceled leaving them to be rebooked for May 16. For Anders, he’s excited he gets the opportunity to compete during this time and is also happy it will still be against Jotko.
VIDEO | Francis Ngannou gets boxing lesson from Mike Tyson
Tom Taylor - May 13, 2020
Top UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou recently got a boxing lesson from legendary former heavyweight champion “Iron” Mike Tyson. Just like Tyson was in his heyday, Ngannou has become known for his ferocious, one-punch knockout power, so fans were immediately excited to see these two stars working together. See it below:
Dana White says UFC will spend around $150,000 on COVID-19 tests
Adam Martin - May 13, 2020
UFC president Dana White says his promotion will spend around $150,000 on COVID-19 tests for the UFC Jacksonville series. White has been adamant for the last two months that the UFC’s show would go on despite the coronavirus pandemic affecting every sports league around the world. After the original UFC 249 card was canceled, White was able to find a home for the Octagon in Jacksonville, Florida, and host the new UFC 249 card there. Following a successful PPV event for the company, two more Fight Night cards will take place in Jacksonville this week.
Herb Dean reacts to Dominick Cruz accusing Keith Peterson of smelling like "alcohol and cigarettes"
Tom Taylor - May 13, 2020
Veteran MMA referee Herb Dean has reacted to Dominick Cruz’s incendiary accusations against Keith Peterson, who officiated his UFC 249 fight with Henry Cejudo. Cruz was defeated by Cejudo by second-round TKO, but immediately protested Peterson’s decision to end the fight. He later accused the referee of smelling like alcohol and cigarettes, and during a Monday interview with ESPN, doubled down on these accusations.
Daniel Cormier calls Stipe Miocic rivalry "the greatest heavyweight series the UFC's ever had"
Adam Martin - May 13, 2020
Daniel Cormier believes that his rivalry with UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic is the greatest series the heavyweight division has ever seen. Cormier and Miocic have fought twice, with Cormier knocking out Miocic at UFC 226 to win the UFC heavyweight title, and then Miocic knocking out DC at UFC 241 to win his title back. The DC KO on Miocic was incredible, but Miocic’s comeback win with body shots over DC in the rematch was also amazing to watch. Now the pair looks to conclude their exciting trilogy later this year when they meet for a third and presumably final time in the Octagon.
Marvin Vettori vs. Karl Roberson fight removed from UFC Jacksonville
Tom Taylor - May 13, 2020
A fight between Marvin Vettori and Karl Roberson has been removed from the lineup for tonight’s UFC Jacksonville card, per ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani. Tonight’s Karl Roberson vs. Marvin Vettori fight is off, per multiple sources. Roberson fell ill after a tough weight cut. Non-COVID related. More shortly.
Conor McGregor: Without me, this whole ship would sink
Tom Taylor - May 13, 2020
Former two-division champion Conor McGregor recently suggested he’s keeping the entire fight game afloat. McGregor has been very active on Twitter over the last few days, jawing back and forth with stars like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier, and Kamaru Usman.
Report | UFC forced to postpone May 23 event
Harry Kettle - May 13, 2020
The UFC has been forced to postpone its May 23 event, with May 30 being lined up as a potential new date. The report comes from MMA Junkie who have spoken with several people close to the situation, with the belief being that it just wasn’t possible to get all of the pieces in place in time for May 23.
Former UFC fighter arrested with 121 pounds of marijuana
Natasha Hooper - May 13, 2020
On May 11, an Iowa man later identified as former UFC fighter Tim Gorman was arrested for carrying 121 lbs of marijuana as well as other substances such as cocaine and steroids. Gorman, 37, of West Des Moines has been charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to deliver and possession of money during a drug violation.
Henry Cejudo and Ryan Garcia trade barbs over potential boxing match
Natasha Hooper - May 13, 2020
UFC bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo has only been retired for a few days, and he’s already laying the groundwork for a move to boxing. At UFC 249 last Saturday, Cejudo faced the former champion Dominick Cruz in a bantamweight title bout. He won by TKO in the second round, but Cruz disagreed with that stoppage. After his victory, Cejudo announced his shocking retirement from the sport.
Dana White reacts after Joe Rogan expresses frustration with UFC 249 commentary setup
Christopher Taylor - May 12, 2020
Joe Rogan expressed his frustration over not being able to sit beside fellow commentators Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik multiple times during the UFC 249 broadcast. The longtime Ultimate Fighting Championship commentator in Rogan said it made no sense that the commentary team should have to work apart after they each endured and passed multiple tests for Covid-19.
Conor McGregor absolutely unloads on Tony Ferguson in heated rebuttal
Christopher Taylor - May 12, 2020
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor made headlines earlier this week when he took aim at Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Just days after the Ultimate Fighting Championship held their highly anticipated UFC 249 event, which marked the promotions first fight card in over a month, McGregor took to Twitter where he proceeded to unload on multiple lightweight standouts.