MMA News
Dana White says UFC 249 is "probably the best card" ever
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
UFC president Dana White believes the new UFC 249 card that is set to take place May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida, is the best card the UFC has ever booked. The full UFC 249 card was announced this week. The card is littered with big names both on the main card and on the prelims including two title fights at the top of the billing. On paper, it’s a very deep card that should be a welcome reprieve for fight fans who haven’t seen a live UFC fight in almost two months. It’s so good on paper that White even believes UFC 249 might be the best card the promotion has ever put together.
Dana White not expecting UFC to have live crowds "for a very long time"
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
UFC president Dana White doesn’t anticipate have crowds at a UFC event anytime soon, saying he doesn’t expect a live gate “for a very long time.” White has been adamant all along that the UFC’s show would not be affected by the coronavirus pandemic. But that didn’t stop several fight cards in March and April from being canceled. White did everything he could to hold the original UFC 249 card on April 18 at Tachi Palace in Leemore, California, but ultimately the UFC was forced to stand pat and not hold the event. The promotion is now looking to make a return to ESPN+ at the new UFC 249 card on May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida, though without a crowd present.
Greg Hardy wants to live on Fight Island and fight six times a year on it
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Greg Hardy said that he wants to live on Fight Island and break his own record by fighting six times a year on it. Hardy is coming off of a mostly-successful UFC rookie year in 2019. Though controversy followed him at every turn due to his dark past, Hardy showed that he is a legitimate heavyweight contender by going 2-2, 1 NC in his first fights in the Octagon, all of which took place within the span of one calendar year. Hardy set the record for most UFC fights in one year by a heavyweight in the process (though it’s happened in other weight classes.)
Fedor Emelianenko praised by Scott Coker: "The guy is still dangerous"
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker praised the legendary Fedor Emelianenko, gushing over the Russian’s recent KO win over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Emelianenko is one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time and is still fighting at a high level. In a legends’ match at the Bellator and RIZIN New Year’s Eve card in December, Emelianenko was able to stop Jackson in the first round in a battle of former PRIDE superstars. It was another big win for Emelianenko in the later stages of his career, and at age 43, don’t look now, but he’s won three of his last four fights overall, all by knockout.
Photo | Official poster for UFC 249 has been released
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
Just a few days after UFC president Dana White made the card official, the world’s leading MMA promotion has released the poster for UFC 249. White has been trying for weeks now to put a show on for the fans, and while it didn’t look like he would be able to get his way, things are now looking up. After previous events scheduled for Brooklyn, New York, and Leemore, Calfornia fell through, UFC 249 was officially announced to take place on May 9 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. The card will air live on ESPN+, with the main card on PPV.
Eddie Alvarez believes Conor McGregor would "put away" Tony Ferguson
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez believes that Conor McGregor would “put away” Tony Ferguson in a potential fight. Alvarez, who now fights for ONE Championship, recently sat down with The Score MMA where he discussed McGregor’s chances against fellow UFC lightweight contenders.
Report | Mackenzie Dern to make UFC return on May 23 against Hannah Cifers
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
UFC strawweight standout Mackenzie Dern will make her return to the Octagon on May 23 against opponent Hannah Cifers. The news comes from MMAFighting.com, who recently reported that verbal agreements are in place to have Dern and Cifers compete at the May 23rd event.
Videos | Top 5 Knockouts: UFC 21 - UFC 30
Chris Taylor - April 25, 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 third edition of “Top 5 Knockouts”, we reflect back on UFC events 21 – 30, which occurred between the years of 1999 to 2001.
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt set to return on June 6
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is set to make his highly anticipated return to the Octagon on June 6. According to the folks at MMAFighting.com, ‘No Love’ has been rebooked to fight Raphael Assuncao on the June 6 fight card.
Chael Sonnen warns of second Tony Ferguson screw job: "We as fans cannot allow that to happen"
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
Chael Sonnen believes it is up to fight fans to make sure that Tony Ferguson does not get screwed by the UFC for a second time. During a recent interview on Submission Radio, Sonnen was asked how committed he believes the promotion is to booking a McGregor vs. Nurmagomedov rematch and if it makes sense for Conor to have a trilogy bout with Nate Diaz while the dust settles at lightweight.
Report | Khabib Nurmagomedov's father hospitalized due to suspected pneumonia and flu
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
The father of current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Abdulmanap, has been hospitalized due to a suspected pneumonia and flu. The news comes from Ramazan Rabadanov, a sports commentator from Dagestan, Russia.
Dana White reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov will return in September or October against Ferguson vs. Gaethje winner
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2020
Dana White plans on having Khabib Nurmagomedov fight in September of October against the winner of Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje. Nurmagomedov was expected to return to the Octagon at UFC 249 on April 18 against Ferguson. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic halted those plans as the champion couldn’t get out of Russia, and the event was eventually canceled entirely.
Dominick Reyes believes punishment for Jon Jones arrest should be a rematch
Natasha Hooper - April 24, 2020
Dominick Reyes wants to be the judge, jury and executioner, as he serves up some overdue justice towards Jon Jones. “The Dominator” faced off against the light heavyweight champion in the main event of UFC 247. Jones ultimately claimed the decision victory, but many spectators believed Reyes delivered the stronger performance.
Who has the best chance to end Valentina Shevchenko's reign?
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2020
Valentina Shevchenko is one of the best female fighters of all-time and since the UFC created the 125-pound division she’s been unbeatable. Shevchenko dominates her opponents with her high-level striking, but has also shown a dominant ground game to earn wins. She’s currently 5-0 in the division with four stoppage victories. Many consider Shevchenko to be the most dominant UFC champion, so who has the best chance to end her reign?
UFC reveals event headliners for newly announced May fight cards
Adam Martin - April 24, 2020
The UFC has revealed the headlining main events for two upcoming Fight Night cards on May 13 and on May 16 in Jacksonville, Florida, including Anthony Smith’s return. UFC president Dana White announced on Friday that the world’s biggest MMA promotion is ready to get rolling once again. White announced the full UFC 249 card that will take place on May 9 in Jacksonville, not to mention breaking the news that the UFC would hold two more cards on the 13th and 16th in the same venue. And now we have the headliners for both those cards.
Joe Rogan will provide commentary for UFC 249
Adam Martin - April 24, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed on Friday that Joe Rogan will be in the commentary booth for the upcoming UFC 249 event. The UFC announced on Friday that the promotion has reached a deal with ESPN to broadcast three upcoming events on May 9, 13, and 16 in Jacksonville, Florida. White has been trying for over a month now to hold a UFC event despite the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world, and it appears as though he’s finally been able to accomplish his goal. And he’ll have his top color commentator along for the ride when he does it.
Dana White drops new Fight Island details
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020
Speaking during a Friday Instagram live session with ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto, shortly after announcing the full UFC 249 card, UFC President Dana White dropped a few new details about his much discussed Fight Island plan. While White is hosting three consecutive events in Jacksonville starting on May 9, those events will only feature American-born fighters and fighters currently residing in the United States. In an effort to book fights featuring athletes living outside the US, White has repeatedly teased plans to promote an event on a private island.
Dana White confirms full UFC 249 card, announces two more events the next week
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020
On Friday afternoon, UFC President Dana White joined reporter Brett Okamoto on ESPN‘s official Instagram page to announce the full lineup for UFC 249 on May 9. White also announced the next two events following UFC 249: one on Wednesday, May 13, and another on Saturday, May 16. Here is the full May 9 card, per White’s announcement: