MMA News
Jeremy Stephens can’t wait to “unleash” on Calvin Kattar after watching The Last Dance
Harry Kettle - May 8, 2020
UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens has taken inspiration from The Last Dance ahead of his showdown with Calvin Kattar at UFC 249. Stephens is currently riding a four-fight winless streak with his last victory coming back in February 2018 when he knocked out Josh Emmett. While it doesn’t appear as if there’s any risk of him being released, fans will certainly be keeping an eye on his battle with Kattar this weekend to see if he can step his game up a level.
Sam Alvey says UFC 249 fight against Ryan Spann is "do-or-die" for UFC career
Cole Shelton - May 8, 2020
Sam Alvey knows his UFC roster spot in on the line when he opens the stacked UFC 249 card against Ryan Spann. Alvey is currently on a three-fight losing streak where he lost by TKO to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Jimmy Crute and most recently dropped a decision to Klidson Abreu. Against Spann, “Smile’n Sam” is the biggest underdog on the card but isn’t paying attention to any of that.
VIDEO | UFC 249 main card staredowns
Tom Taylor - May 8, 2020
Shortly after the UFC 249 weigh-ins wrapped up, the stars of the card took center stage for pre-fight staredowns. These UFC 249 pre-fight staredowns included some interesting moments — the most notable which came courtesy of UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo, who is set to defend his title against Dominick Cruz in the card’s co-main event.
Anthony Pettis believes he will have a “mental advantage” over Donald Cerrone in rematch at UFC 249
Harry Kettle - May 8, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champ Anthony Pettis believes he will hold a mental advantage over Donald Cerrone in their rematch at UFC 249 this weekend. While it may not be one of the featured bouts on the main card on Saturday night, Pettis vs Cerrone 2 is certainly gathering a lot of buzz as we get closer and closer to fight night.
Dana White: "I take responsibility" for Khabib Nurmagomedov withdrawing from UFC 249
Tom Taylor - May 8, 2020
Dana White has taken responsibility—at least in part—for Khabib Nurmagomedov withdrawing from UFC 249. Nurmagomedov, the undisputed UFC lightweight champ, was originally expected to defend his title against Tony Ferguson on April 18. Unfortunately, Nurmagomedov ultimately wound up getting stuck in his native Russia due to travel restrictions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. The UFC then called upon Justin Gaethje to step in against Ferguson in an interim title fight, which will go down in a rescheduled UFC 249 card on May 9.
UFC champion Jon Jones supplies 100k meals for families in Northern New Mexico
Natasha Hooper - May 8, 2020
Jon Jones is doing what he can to help those in need, as he donated 100,000 meals to families in New Mexico recently. The light heavyweight champion has been in hot water recently. In March, “Bones” was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Now, the widely regarded GOAT is working to get back in fan’s good books as he donated to The Food Depot, a food bank in his home city.
UFC 249 weigh-in results: Title fights official, one main card fighter misses weight
Tom Taylor - May 8, 2020
The UFC will make its triumphant return to our screens on Saturday night with UFC 249, which means the fighters on the bill must step onto the scales on Friday morning. UFC 249, which goes down in Jacksonville, Florida, will be headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. Ferguson was originally expected to battle undisputed champ Khabib Nurmagomedov on April 18, but when Nurmagomedov got stuck in Russia due to travel restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic, Gaethje stepped into to battle Ferguson for interim gold.
Justin Gaethje explains why Tony Ferguson is a tougher puzzle to solve than Khabib Nurmagomedov
Natasha Hooper - May 8, 2020
Justin Gaethje explained why his upcoming opponent, Tony Ferguson, will be a harder nut to crack than the lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov. UFC 249 was originally expected to be headlined by a title bout between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson. However, travel complications surrounding the coronavirus pandemic resulted in Nurmagomedov’s withdrawal from the bout. Instead, Justin Gaethje will face Ferguson in the main event on May 9, in Jacksonville, Florida.
Conor McGregor watching UFC 249 to ensure safety and determine return according to manager
Mike Pendleton - May 7, 2020
Before there are any plans made for Conor McGregor to make his return to the Octagon in 2020, he wants to ensure that the safety measures in place are going to work. According to his manager Audie Attar, McGregor will be following this weekend’s event for many reasons, including scouting potential future opponents, and ensuring the safety of the event taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A.J. McKee wants to box Floyd Mayweather after he becomes Bellator champ-champ
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2020
A.J. McKee is looking to become a champ-champ in Bellator and then go into boxing to challenge Floyd Mayweather. Mayweather has not boxed professionally since he defeated Conor McGregor in the summer of 2016. It was a highly-anticipated bout, and McKee thinks he can capture that same momentum.
Greg Hardy says his goal is to become the "heavyweight Jon Jones"
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2020
Greg Hardy says he wants to become the heavyweight version of Jon Jones. Hardy made his UFC debut in January of 2019. He had five fights in the year going 2-2 and one no-contest, with one of his losses being a DQ. He’ll look to get back into the win column against Yorgan De Castro at UFC 249.
Henry Cejudo says he will never fight T.J. Dillashaw again after drug suspension
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2020
Henry Cejudo says he will never fight T.J. Dillashaw again. Cejudo and Dillashaw met at UFC Brooklyn in January of 2018 where “Triple C” was looking to defend his flyweight belt against the then-bantamweight champion, T.J. Dillashaw. It was a highly-anticipated fight that ended early as Cejudo knocked Dillashaw out in just 32 seconds.
Conor McGregor responds to "challenge" from Oscar De La Hoya
Thomas Taylor - May 7, 2020
Conor McGregor was recently called out 47-year-old former boxing champ Oscar De La. Now, the Irishman has responded. De La Hoya discussed a potential boxing match with McGregor during an appearance on CBS Sports’ State of Combat podcast.
Conor McGregor lashes out over position in UFC rankings, Dustin Poirier fires back
Tom Taylor - May 7, 2020
Conor McGregor has some gripes about his position in the UFC lightweight rankings, and his former foe Dustin Poirier is having none of it. McGregor defeated Dustin Poirier via first-round TKO in a 2014 featherweight fight. Nonetheless, Poirier has glided past McGregor in the lightweight rankings, settling in at No. 2, one spot in front of the Irishman.
Leon Edwards will fight next on Fight Island against high-ranked opponent, says Dana White
Adam Martin - May 7, 2020
UFC welterweight Leon Edwards will next fight on Fight Island and his opponent will be a highly-ranked opponent at 170lbs, says UFC president Dana White. Edwards was set to fight Tyron Woodley back in March at UFC London, but the card was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Edwards is now stuck in his native England, which has heavy restrictions on international travel, which means he will not be able to fly to the United States to fight Woodley. Instead, the UFC is now targeting Woodley against Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC Las Vegas on May 23.
Dana White compares Dominick Cruz beating Henry Cejudo to Matt Serra beating GSP
Adam Martin - May 7, 2020
UFC president Dana White believes that Dominick Cruz beating Henry Cejudo would be the biggest upset since Matt Serra knocked out Georges St-Pierre. Back at UFC 69 in 2007, Serra finished GSP via first-round TKO in what is generally considered by many the biggest upset in MMA history. We’ve seen some other big upsets over the years, such as when Holly Holm knocked out Ronda Rousey at UFC 193, but the Serra vs. GSP fight still ranks as the biggest upset by many people including White himself.
Coach outlines the conditions that bring out the best in Donald Cerrone
Mike Pendleton - May 7, 2020
At UFC 249 this weekend, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone will look to get back to his winning ways and avenge a loss to a former opponent, Anthony Pettis. Cerrone and Pettis previously fought back in 2013 at UFC on FOX 6, with Pettis winning by first-round knockout. Cerrone is also looking to bounce back from his 40-second loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 246 in January, a fight that Cerrone admitted he realized two days out that he didn’t want to be there for. As he looks to get back on track inside the Octagon, Cerrone’s coach John Wood of Syndicate MMA recently revealed that Cerrone has a “fire lit under his ass” and is ready for everything in his rematch against Pettis.
Tony Ferguson doesn't "give a s**t" about Khabib Nurmagomedov fight being rescheduled
Tom Taylor - May 7, 2020
UFC 249 headliner Tony Ferguson says he doesn’t care if his long anticipated fight with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov gets rescheduled. Tony Ferguson was originally expected to battle Khabib Nurmagomedov on April 18, but this fight fell through when Nurmagomedov got stranded in Russia due to travel restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic. This marked the preposterous fifth time a matchup between the two has fallen through.