MMA News
Dana White defends decision to give Dominick Cruz a title shot at UFC 249
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
UFC President Dana White is defending the promotions decision to give Dominick Cruz a title shot against Henry Cejudo at UFC 249. ‘The Dominator’, who has not competed in over three years, will square off with ‘Triple C’ for the promotions bantamweight world title on May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida.
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.
Brian Ortega responds to Alexander Volkanovski’s invitation for UFC Fight Island
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2020
Brian Ortega is interested in fighting featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski on Fight Island. The UFC is set to return on May 9 with a stacked event and plans on having events every week. In June, however, the location is expected to change to the highly-anticipated Fight Island which Dana White has been talking about. If events do end up there Volkanovski wants to be a part of it.
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.
Report | First fight in the works for May 13 UFC card
Adam Martin - April 24, 2020
The first fight has been targeted for the May 13 card in Jacksonville, Florida: a heavyweight bout between veterans Ben Rothwell and Ovince Saint Preux. Saint Preux was scheduled to fight Ion Cutelaba at UFC Nebraska after Cutelaba’s rematch with Magomed Ankalaev at the original UFC 249 card fell apart. According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Cutelaba’s fight against OSP has also fallen through as the Moldovan fighter cannot re-enter the United States. Instead, OSP will now move up to heavyweight on short notice to take on Rothwell.
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:
Jon Jones chides MMA media, fellow fighters for focusing on him during pandemic
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones has been in the headlines a lot over the last few weeks, both because he was recently arrested for DWI and aggravated use of a firearm, and because he’s been the target of trash talk from other fighters. Given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that is currently causing death and chaos the world over, Jones feels the MMA media and his fellow fighters have their priorities mixed up.
Francis Ngannou displeased UFC shut down request for interim title fight with Rozenstruik
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020
Francis Ngannou wanted the UFC to promote his May 9 heavyweight scrap with Jairzinho Rozenstruik to an interim title fight. From the sounds of it, the promotion isn’t interested. Ngannou’s request actually had some merit, as reigning heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has not fought since August, and has not yet given a clear timeframe for his next Octagon appearance.
Modestas Bukauskas recalls early pro days, eyes UFC debut on Fight Island
Alfredo Zullino - April 24, 2020
Being signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship is the dream of many fighters around the world. Modestas Bukauskas recently achieve that dream. Back in January, Bukauskas’ management announced his signing with the UFC. Since then, though, the Brit hasn’t been able to step foot into the Octagon.
Scott Coker drops timeframe, likely location for upcoming Bellator events
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020
While Dana White and the UFC are determined to keep things running during the coronavirus pandemic, Bellator boss Scott Coker has pumped the brakes in the name of safety. Coker has postponed a host of Bellator events, and seems to be legitimately concerned with what is happening in the world right now.
Tyron Woodley and Dan Hooker continue war of words on social media
Harry Kettle - April 24, 2020
Tyron Woodley and Dan Hooker continue to go back and forth on Twitter after Hooker defended his close friend Israel Adesanya earlier this week. Despite the fact that he hasn’t fought since losing his Welterweight Championship to Kamaru Usman over a year ago, Woodley still seems to be the name on everyone’s lips in the world of mixed martial arts — probably because he’s been so active on social media.
Alex Volkanovski calls out four fighters in hopes of securing title bout at UFC Fight Island
Harry Kettle - April 24, 2020
Alex Volkanovski has called out four fighters for a potential title showdown if the proposed UFC Fight Island plan goes ahead. “The Great” has held the UFC Featherweight Championship since December 2019, impressively beating former champion Max Holloway to capture the title at UFC 245. Ever since then it’s seemed as if the UFC has been interested in booking an immediate rematch, but due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, it hasn’t quite materialized.
Manager explains how UFC is responding to fighters who don't want to compete during pandemic
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020
The UFC is feverishly attempting to get back to regularly scheduled programming despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. That means many fighters will be getting the call to compete during the pandemic. Not all fighters, of course, are going to be willing to put themselves and their loved ones at risk of infection. Speaking to MMA Fighting, MMA manager Brian Butler-Au explained that, to his knowledge, fighters aren’t being penalized or punished if they decline to fight during the pandemic.