MMA News
Khabib Nurmagomedov says he'll be ready to "smash all of them" in July
Cole Shelton - May 6, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov says he’ll be ready to fight in July and smash who is ever in his way. Nurmagomedov was expected to defend his lightweight title against Tony Ferguson on April 18 at UFC 249. Yet, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dagestani champion was stuck in Russia and could not get to the States so the event was canceled.
Pro fighters make their picks for Henry Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz title fight
Cole Shelton - May 6, 2020
In the co-main event of UFC 249, Henry Cejudo is looking to defend his bantamweight title for the first time against former champion, Dominick Cruz. Heading into this fight, “Triple C” is a -225 favorite while the challenger is a +180 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros believe Cejudo will defend his belt, but they realize they can’t count out Cruz, who many consider is the bantamweight GOAT.
Tyron Woodley vs. Gilbert Burns headlines May 23 UFC card in Las Vegas
Adam Martin - May 6, 2020
Two of the best welterweights in the world will clash on the May 23 UFC card when Tyron Woodley meets Gilbert Burns in a five-round main event. Woodley and Burns have been connected a matchup for a few days now, and on Wednesday the fight was confirmed by Combate. According to Raphael Marinho, the plan is for the card to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. This jives with comments made by UFC president Dana White, who said the May 23 card would take place in Vegas.
Conor McGregor wants to fight in June, says Dana White
Adam Martin - May 6, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed that superstar Conor McGregor wants to fight in June and he wants to compete on Fight Island. White this week admitted that McGregor wants to compete at the UFC’s new Fight Island complex, but cautioned that doing so would lose the UFC a $20 million gate due to having no fans in the arena. At the same time, White is fully aware that fans may not be allowed into arenas for a long time, and McGregor appears eager to step back into the Octagon soon.
Anderson Silva has knee surgery, plans on fighting final two fights on UFC contract
Adam Martin - May 6, 2020
UFC middleweight legend Anderson Silva underwent surgery on his right knee and he plans on fighting the last two fights on his contract upon his return. Silva has not fought in a year since losing to Jared Cannonier via injury TKO last May at UFC 237. Now 45 years old, Silva is currently the oldest fighter on the UFC roster. Despite his age and the ugly losing skid he’s endured over the last few years, “The Spider” still has the itch to fight again and won’t let his surgery get in the way.
Dana White: Stipe Miocic could "possibly" be stripped if he doesn't defend title
Tom Taylor - May 6, 2020
UFC President Dana White says it’s possible UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will be stripped of his title if he doesn’t defend it in a timely manner. Miocic has long been linked to a tie-breaking trilogy fight with fellow heavyweight legend Daniel Cormier. That being said, Miocic moonlights as a firefighter, and is focused on his duties as a first-responder during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He doesn’t intend to rematch Cormier until the pandemic is under control and he’s able to undertake a complete training camp.
Dana White confirms return of The Ultimate Fighter, names possibilities for TUF coaches
Adam Martin - May 6, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the return of The Ultimate Fighter is in the works and named a number of potential coaching pairs for the next TUF. White recently dropped a bombshell during a Reddit AMA when he said the UFC was working on the potential return of TUF. Many figured the show would be dead due to the emergence of the Contender Series, and so it was surprising when White said that TUF would be returning “soon.”
Coach hails Yoel Romero as "the greatest athlete I've ever seen"
Tom Taylor - May 6, 2020
Yoel Romero is currently riding consecutive decision losses to UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, top contender Paulo Costa, and former champ Robert Whittaker, but his coach Mike Brown believes he’ll work his way back up to the top — even at 43 years old. In fact, Brown feels Romero is the greatest athlete he’s ever worked with.
Sergio Moraes details battle with "aggressive" COVID-19
Tom Taylor - May 6, 2020
Sergio Moraes is one of several MMA stars to contract COVID-19, and he says it was the toughest opponent he’s ever faced. Consider he’s battled the likes of Kamaru Usman, Neil Magny, and James Krause, that’s saying something.
Aljamain Sterling vs. Cory Sandhagen discussed for June 6 event
Adam Martin - May 6, 2020
The UFC is reportedly discussing a bantamweight bout between top contenders Aljamain Sterling and Cory Sandhagen for an upcoming event on June 6. Sterling vs. Sandhagen was previously targeted to take place on the UFC San Diego card that was supposed to take place on May 16 before it was canceled by the coronavirus pandemic. However, the bout was never confirmed, and when the event fizzled out so did all of the matchups that were set to take place on the event, including the main event between lightweights Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker.
Report: "No real talks" underway for Conor McGregor fight
Tom Taylor - May 6, 2020
It sounds like we can pump the brakes on talk of an imminent Conor McGregor comeback. UFC president Dana White recently claimed that McGregor is ready to return to the Octagon.
Justin Gaethje says he needs his nose broken, hopes a Tony Ferguson elbow does the trick
Natasha Hooper - May 6, 2020
Justin Gaethje has a problem with his nose, and he’s hoping his UFC 249 opponent Tony Ferguson will fix it. On May 9, the postponed UFC 249 will finally take place despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In the main event, Gaethje will take on the number one ranked lightweight, Ferguson.
Henry Cejudo explains why Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan don't deserve title shots
Tom Taylor - May 6, 2020
UFC bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo is days out from a title defense opposite the former champ Dominick Cruz. Beyond that he has his sights set on former featherweight champ Jose Aldo. Speaking on Tuesday’s UFC 249 conference call, Cejudo explained why Cruz and Aldo are the top of his list.
Brendan Schaub suggests he would fight an opponent with COVID-19
Tom Taylor - May 6, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub recently suggested that he would fight an opponent even if they tested positive for COVID-19. This weekend, the UFC will return to our screens with UFC 249, a stacked card in Jacksonville, Florida. The UFC has undertaken extensive measures to simultaneously ensure fighter safety and dispel public skepticism, but it’s still not clear how the promotion will proceed if a fighter test positive for COVID-19.
UFC 249 safety protocol includes no post-fight interviews inside the Octagon
Natasha Hooper - May 6, 2020
The updated safety protocols for UFC 249 during the coronavirus pandemic include a policy of no post-fight interviews in the Octagon. The eagerly anticipated UFC 249 fight card was inked for April 18 but was postponed due to the pandemic. Not one to be defeated, UFC president Dana White rescheduled the event for May 9.
VIDEO | Tony Ferguson receives COVID-19 nasal swab test for UFC 249
Harry Kettle - May 6, 2020
UFC 249 headliner Tony Ferguson has released footage of himself receiving a COVID-19 nasal swab test ahead of this weekend’s event. One of the biggest concerns from critics of the event on Saturday going ahead has been the safety of the fighters involved. While there’s still no guarantee as to what the accuracy of these tests will be, it does appear as if the UFC has put certain measures in place to try and ensure things go as smoothly as they possibly can.
Dana White disputes Stipe Miocic’s claim that “fighting will be there forever”
Cole Shelton - May 5, 2020
Dana White doesn’t agree with Stipe Miocic that fighting will last forever after the heavyweight champion says he won’t fight during the pandemic. Daniel Cormier has been clamoring for the trilogy to happen against Miocic for weeks now. Yet, Miocic, who’s also a part-time firefighter, says he’s focused on helping fight the COVID-19 pandemic. But, for White, he’d rather see the heavyweight champ fight and do so often.
Tony Ferguson sends message to Khabib, says he's defending his belt for a third time at UFC 249
Cole Shelton - May 5, 2020
Tony Ferguson believes he is the UFC’s undisputed lightweight champion. In the main event of UFC 249, Ferguson will take on Justin Gaethje for the promotions interim lightweight title, this after reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was stuck in Russia. So, “El Cucuy,” said the Russian should be stripped of his belt.