MMA News
UFC fighters can have full corner at UFC 249 and other Jacksonville events
Adam D Martin - May 3, 2020
UFC fighters will be permitted to have a full corner of three cornermen at the upcoming UFC 249 card as well as the other three Jacksonville cards. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UFC is following social distance guidelines which limit the number of people in a building at one time. Because of this, there was speculation that maybe each fighter would only be allowed to have one person in their corner at UFC 249 and the other upcoming UFC events in the United States.
Douglas Lima hoping Bellator re-books Gegard Mousasi fight for July
Adam D Martin - May 3, 2020
Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima hopes his canceled vacant middleweight title fight against Gegard Mousasi is re-booked to take place in July. Lima was set to step up a weight class and take on one of the best in the world in Mousasi in the co-main event of Bellator 242. But Bellator decided to cancel that card, as well as the promotion’s other upcoming events, and the promotion is now looking to re-launch its shows starting in July. If that’s the case, then Lima wants on the card.
Uriah Hall moved into a gym so he could train for UFC 249
Adam D Martin - May 3, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Uriah Hall moved into the Fortis MMA gym for his training camp preparing to fight Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at UFC 249. Hall was set to fight Souza at the original UFC 249 card on April 18 in Brooklyn and later at Tachi Palace, an event that was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. UFC 249 was eventually rescheduled for May 9 in Jacksonville and Hall vs. Souza is one of the featured preliminary bouts on ESPN. On paper, it’s one of the best fights on the card.
Chael Sonnen explains why Tyron Woodley is actually a “really hard fight” for Israel Adesanya
Adam D Martin - May 3, 2020
Former UFC middleweight title contender Chael Sonnen believes that Tyron Woodley is actually a “really hard fight” for Israel Adesanya. Woodley and Adesanya is a surprising rivalry that has seemingly come out of nowhere to take over the headlines of MMA websites in the last few weeks. The former UFC welterweight champion Woodley is interested in moving up to middleweight to take on Adesanya, who has had his own choice words to say about “The Chosen One.” This is a rivalry that no one saw coming considering both men are in different weight classes.
Dominick Reyes takes a shot at Jon Jones, ‘Bones’ responds
Adam D Martin - May 3, 2020
Dominick Reyes took a shot at his rival UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, as the two exchanged barbs on social media once again. Reyes and Jones met in the main event of UFC 247 back in February. In one of the most contentious decisions of the year, Jones got his hand raised via unanimous decision to keep his belt even though many fans and media believed that Reyes did enough to win the fight. Not surprisingly, the two have been taking shots at each other over social media for the last few months since the fight went down.
Paulo Costa has questions for Chael Sonnen following recent praise of Israel Adesanya
Chris Taylor - May 2, 2020
Paulo Costa has some questions for Chael Sonnen following the former UFC middleweight title challengers recent praise of current division champion Israel Adesanya. Sonnen has boasted about Adesanya in recent weeks, even going as far as to suggest that ‘Stylebender’ would “whip” current UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones in a potential fight.
Chris Weidman shares theory on why Israel Adesanya won't measure up to Anderson Silva
Chris Taylor - May 2, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champ Chris Weidman believes he could find similar success against Israel Adesanya as he did when fighting Anderson Silva. ‘The All American’ moved up to the promotions light heavyweight division for his last fight, but following a disappointing setback to Dominick Reyes, Weidman now plans or returning to the 185-pound division he once dominated.
Photo | Henry Cejudo shows off incredible 12 Week Evolution for UFC 249
Chris Taylor - May 2, 2020
Henry Cejudo will be looking to earn his first bantamweight title defense when he takes on former division champion Dominick Cruz in the co-main event of UFC 249. ‘Triple C’ captured the promotions vacant 135-pound title at UFC 238 in June of 2019, scoring a third round TKO victory over Marlon Moraes.
Jon Jones issues scathing response to "chopping goat meat" comment from Israel Adesanya
Chris Taylor - May 2, 2020
The rivalry between Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya does not appear to be ending anytime soon as the UFC champions continue to trade verbal jabs at one another. Jones and Adesanya having been going back and forth at each other for months now, but their war of words seemed to hit new heights following ‘Bones’ recent arrest in New Mexico.
Photo | Francis Ngannou is looking absolutely jacked ahead of UFC 249
Chris Taylor - May 2, 2020
Former heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou will return to the Octagon at UFC 249 for a pivotal clash with Jairzinho Rozenstruik. The bout will mark Ngannou’s first appearance since June of 2019, where he scored a first round TKO victory over former title holder Junior dos Santos in Minneapolis.
Michael Bisping responds after Paulie Malignaggi claims he could still KO Conor McGregor in Boxing
Chris Taylor - May 2, 2020
Michael Bisping is not buying Paulie Malignaggi’s claim that he could still knockout UFC star Conor McGregor if they were to have a boxing match. Earlier this week in a interview with ESPN Ringside, Malignaggi guaranteed that he would stop McGregor in a proposed boxing match.
Tyron Woodley says he has agreed to fight Gilbert Burns in UFC headliner
Cole Shelton - May 1, 2020
Tyron Woodley appears ready to return to the Octagon and will do so against Gilbert Burns. Woodley has been clamoring to get a fight since his UFC London scrap against Leon Edwards was canceled. He called out Colby Covington and asked for a rematch with Kamaru Usman, yet it appears he won’t get either. Instead, he says he’ll be fighting Gilbert Burns, who has called out the former welterweight champion countless times.
Tyron Woodley expected to return on May 23, but not against "terrified" Colby Covington
Chris Taylor - May 1, 2020
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is looking to make his return to the Octagon later this month by competing on May 23. Woodley was originally slated to square off with Leon Edwards earlier this Spring in England. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the bout and the event were eventually both scrapped by the promotion.
Johny Hendricks reflects on Georges St-Pierre loss years later: "Not having a win over GSP hurt me"
Cole Shelton - May 1, 2020
Johny Hendricks says he doesn’t think about the Georges St-Pierre fight anymore. Back at UFC 167, St-Pierre was looking to defend his welterweight title against Hendricks. It was a back-and-forth fight but when the final bell rang, most fans and media, including UFC president Dana White thought Hendricks had won. But, the judges’ gave GSP a hard-fought split decision victory.
Dana White reveals official UFC fight cards for May 13 and May 16 events
Chris Taylor - May 1, 2020
Dana White and the Ultimate Fighting Championship are gearing up for a return to action next weekend with UFC 249 set to take place on May 9 in Florida. The promotion is hoping to make up for multiple postponed events by holding three fight cards in just eight days. In addition to UFC 249 on May 9, the organization is also planning to hold events in Jacksonville, Florida on May 13 and May 16.
Douglas Lima believes he could KO Kamaru Usman and "it wouldn’t take much either"
Cole Shelton - May 1, 2020
Douglas Lima hopes he and Kamaru Usman will fight each other one day. Currently, Lima is Bellator’s welterweight champion while Usman is the UFC’s 170-pound champion. Although a fight between them seems unlikely due to the lack of cross-promotional interest by Dana White, Lima hopes it can happen one day, but he isn’t holding his breath.
Israel Adesanya shares advice for young fighters: "Don't be fake like Jon Jones"
Adam Martin - May 1, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts today, and many up-and-coming fighters are bound to try to emulate his success. Speaking on the latest episode of BJPENN.COM Radio, Adesanya shared some advice for young fighters that seek to follow in his footsteps.
Dana White names three UFC fights that failed to meet his expectations
Tom Taylor - May 1, 2020
It’s always disappointing when a fight we’re expecting to be a barnburner turns out to be a dud. UFC President Dana White is not immune to that disappointment. Speaking during a recent AMA on Reddit, the UFC boss was asked to name a few fights that he expected to be great but ended up being stinkers.