MMA News

Cole Shelton - May 8, 2020

The worst-case scenario happened for the UFC as it was revealed Jacare Souza has tested positive for COVID-19. The good news is that the other 23 fighters had their tests come back negative. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported on social media that Souza has left the fighter hotel after testing positive but no other fighters have the virus.

Chris Taylor - May 8, 2020

Shocking news rocked the mixed martial arts world this evening as it was announced that Jacare Souza had tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of UFC 249. The announcement came from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, who reported that Jacare Souza had tested positive for the virus and that his fight with Uriah Hall at UFC 249 was now cancelled.

Chris Taylor - May 8, 2020

UFC middleweight contender Jacare Souza has tested positive for Covid-19 and will no longer be fighting Uriah Hall tomorrow night at UFC 249. The shocking news comes from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto who reported the following on Twitter:

Adam Martin - May 8, 2020

Golden Boy promoter Oscar De La Hoya called Dana White a “little b*tch” in response to the recent comments made by the UFC president. De La Hoya recently said he would be open to a two-round boxing match against UFC superstar Conor McGregor, and White was not happy about those comments. Although De La Hoya recently commended the UFC bossman for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, he didn’t like the remarks White made about him following the callout of McGregor.

Christopher Taylor - May 8, 2020

In our newest segment “Top 5 Knockouts” we take a look back at some of the most brutal finishes that have occurred during numbered UFC events. In this the fourth edition of “Top 5 Knockouts”, we reflect back on UFC events 31 – 40, which occurred between the years of 2001 to 2002.

Cole Shelton - May 8, 2020

Ryan Bader was expected to defend his light heavyweight title on May 9 against Russian contender, Vadim Nemkov. Yet, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic leaving Bader uncertain when he’ll defend his 205-pound strap next. Bader, who has not fought since September against Cheick Kongo in a controversial no-contest, is eager to get back in the cage.

Cole Shelton - May 8, 2020

Anthony Pettis is looking to become invisible once again. Pettis is the former WEC and UFC lightweight champion who started his career out 18-2 with a UFC title defense under his record. Since then, “Showtime” has gone just 4-8 fighting at featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight.

Jason Kindschy - May 8, 2020

Bas Rutten returns to the show to preview some of the upcoming action in the combat sports world and discuss what’s next for some of MMA’s biggest names. Being a UFC Hall of Famer, former UFC heavyweight champ, and former multiple-time King of Pancrase, “El Guapo” always gives an interesting perspective on he current MMA landscape. We’ll discuss the majority of this weekends UFC 249 card, including the highly anticipated showdown between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. Rutten gives his take on what strategy would best suit Gaethje to ensure the win, and why Tony is one of the toughest opponents in the business today. We’ll also discuss Cejudo and Cruz, Ngannou, Cerrone, and more. You’ll also hear Bas give his thoughts on the future of Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, and Jorge Masvidal. Always an entertaining and insightful conversation with the legend, Bas Rutten! Enjoy! Be sure to subscribe and share!

Adam Martin - May 8, 2020

Dana White confirmed the winner of the UFC 249 heavyweight bout between Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik will be in line for a title shot. The UFC president was asked this week by the media prior to UFC 249 what is happening with the heavyweight division. UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic said this week he won’t fight again until he gets a full training camp in, further delaying his trilogy fight with Daniel Cormier, and White admitted the promotion could possibly strip Miocic of his belt.

Mike Pendleton - May 8, 2020

The co-main event at UFC 249 will be for the bantamweight title as the former champion Dominick Cruz challenges the reigning champion Henry Cejudo. While the bantamweight division continues on, former champion TJ Dillashaw is keeping his eyes on the action. Cruz and Cejudo share one similarity, as they have both faced Dillashaw. Cejudo defeated Dillashaw in a flyweight fight last year, winning with a first-round knockout. Cruz and Dillashaw have also faced off one time against each other, with Cruz getting the win in that matchup by way of split decision.

Tom Taylor - May 8, 2020

UFC President Dana White is guaranteeing excitement when Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje step into the cage together in the UFC 249 main event. Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up! this morning, White claimed that, while he’s generally reluctant to ever promise excitement from a particular matchup, he’s absolutely confident he can do so with respect to Ferguson vs. Gaethje.

Tom Taylor - May 8, 2020

Shortly after Donald Cerrone was defeated by Conor McGregor back in January, he was lambasted by ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith. Speaking to MMA Fighting ahead of his UFC 249 rematch with Anthony Pettis, Cerrone addressed the comments Smith made about him. He says its always his intention to avoid drama of this kind.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.