MMA News
Dana White praises former UFC fighter Phillipe Nover for his COVID-19 heroics in New York
Natasha Hooper - April 21, 2020
Dana White has high praise for the former UFC fighter Phillipe Nover and his coronavirus heroics in New York. Yesterday, Phillipe Nover was cast under the UFC president’s spotlight. The 36-year old fought for the UFC between 2008 until 2017 and is the former Ring of Combat lightweight champion. Since hanging up his gloves, Nover has turned to nursing. He is currently a registered nurse working at a hospital in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York. He is part of the rapid response unit which is on the front line treating COVID-19 patients.
Israel Adesanya responds to Tyron Woodley: “Oboy sit down before I lash your nyash well well”
Natasha Hooper - April 21, 2020
Israel Adesanya has issued a firm response to Tyron Woodley’s recent callout. The middleweight champion isn’t holding back as he threatened the former welterweight champion on social media.
Bookies have slashed odds for Conor McGregor to become the next President of Ireland
Harry Kettle - April 21, 2020
The betting odds for UFC star Conor McGregor to become the next President of Ireland have been slashed over the last few weeks. McGregor has spent the last few weeks gaining quite a few plaudits from around the world as a result of his response to the coronavirus pandemic. After putting forward €1 million of his own money to buy medical equipment for hospitals around Ireland, it also appears as if his own nation is coming around to the controversial former champion, too.
Chi Lewis-Parry open to giving Jon Jones life advice despite previous rivalry
Adam Martin - April 20, 2020
European light heavyweight prospect Chi Lewis-Parry says he is willing to give Jon Jones life advice despite their previous rivalry. Lewis-Parry is an experienced kickboxer for GLORY and one of the better free agent light heavyweight prospects not in a major organization. Last May, Lewis-Parry got into a shouting contest at an autograph signing by Jones in the UK before security removed him from the situation. He later explained that his beef with Jones dated back to when Lewis-Parry was a member of Daniel Cormier’s training camp before the Jones rematch.
Ion Cutelaba denied appeal in controversial TKO loss to Magomed Ankalaev
Adam Martin - April 20, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Ion Cutelaba had his appeal denied in his controversial TKO loss to Magomedov Ankalaev at UFC Norfolk. Cutelaba protested the stoppage with the Boxing, Martial Arts, and Professional Wrestling Advisory Board in Virginia just days after the controversial stoppage at UFC Norfolk, which many fellow fighters, fans, and media rated as one of the worst stoppages ever in a UFC fight. Cutelaba was absolutely livid with the stoppage and his team promptly appealed it.
Who has the best chance to end Israel Adesanya's reign?
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2020
Israel Adesanya has yet to lose in MMA including being 8-0 inside the Octagon where he defended his middleweight belt for the first time at UFC 248. There, he edged out a decision win over Yoel Romero in a lackluster fight. Although “The Last Stylebender” has looked impressive he has some tough challenges ahead of him. When the UFC returns, Adesanya’s next title defense will come against undefeated Paulo Costa. If he gets past that, he could fight the likes of Jared Cannonier and Darren Till among others. Although some think Costa could earn a knockout win, it is another undefeated fighter in Edmen Shahbazyan who poses the biggest problems.
UFC cancels four events due to COVID-19 pandemic, May 9 still targeted as return date
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2020
The UFC has officially canceled four events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The promotion also confirmed that the events are canceled and not postponed as they had been saying earlier on. The four events canceled are UFC Nebraska on April 25, UFC Oklahoma City on May 2, UFC 250 on May 9 and UFC San Diego on May 16.
Lyman Good becomes first UFC fighter to test positive for coronavirus
Adam Martin - April 20, 2020
UFC welterweight Lyman Good has become the first fighter on the UFC roster to test positive for the coronavirus. Thankfully, he has recovered from it. Good was set to fight Belal Muhammad at UFC 249 before withdrawing from the bout due to injury. However, in a new interview with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Good admitted that he told the UFC he was injured when, in fact, he had coronavirus.
Alexander Shlemenko interested in signing with the UFC
Adam Martin - April 20, 2020
Former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko says he is interested in signing with the UFC once the coronavirus pandemic ends. Shlemenko is one of the most accomplished MMA fighters who is not currently part of a large organization. Between 2013 and 2014, Shlemenko was the Bellator middleweight champion and defended his belt three times. He is also a two-time winner of the Bellator middleweight tournament from the Bjorn Rebney days of the company.
Manager open to potential title fight between clients Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje
Tom Taylor - April 20, 2020
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz will not stand in the way of a lightweight title fight between his clients Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje. As anybody who has been paying any attention to the UFC over the last few weeks knows, a fight between Nurmagomedov and Gaethje is very real possibility in the coming months.
Matt Brown suspects he had coronavirus: It was "the sickest I'd ever been in my life"
Tom Taylor - April 20, 2020
UFC welterweight veteran Matt Brown believes he had COVID-19. Brown was expected to take on Miguel Baeza at UFC on ESPN 8, which was scheduled for March 28 but was ultimately canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Before this card, he battled a bout of illness which he suspects could have been COVID-19.
PFL postpones 2020 season, fighters to be paid monthly stipend
Adam Martin - April 20, 2020
The PFL announced on Monday that is has officially postponed its entire 2020 schedule and is going to reschedule it to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Professional Fighters League was set to begin its 2020 season in May, with events held monthly for the rest of the year until the finals on New Year’s Eve. Due to the coronavirus crisis, however, the promotion cannot run its third season as scheduled. Instead, it has shifted the entire schedule to 2021.
Tyron Woodley wants to "see what Izzy is about" at middleweight
Tom Taylor - April 20, 2020
Tyron Woodley is currently focused on reclaiming the UFC welterweight title. That being said, the former champ also has ambitions to move up to middleweight and get his hands on that division’s reigning champ Israel Adesanya. “I’m just getting started. I’m not going to act like I’m going to be here until I’m 45, but I’m not going anywhere for a while. I’ve got a lot of people and mouths to shut up,” Woodley stated during a recent Instagram live session (transcript via Bloody Elbow). “And then I want to spend some time at middleweight too.
Vitor Belfort: ONE debut was in the works before pandemic hit
Tom Taylor - April 20, 2020
Vitor Belfort says his ONE Championship debut was in the works before the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Belfort revealed that his debut was nearly finalized in an interview with MMA Junkie.
VIDEO | Sean O’Malley roasts Dominick Cruz vs. Henry Cejudo title fight
Harry Kettle - April 20, 2020
UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley has taken a shot at the booking of Henry Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. It’s no secret that O’Malley is one of the rising stars in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and he’s certainly one of the most exciting names in the bantamweight division. Alas, it’s probably going to be a while before we can even start to think about him challenging for the gold — especially after his recent two-year lay-off.
Tyron Woodley hopes to fight on May 9 in case subsequent cards fall through
Tom Taylor - April 20, 2020
Former UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley is hoping to compete on the UFC’s planned May 9 card, as he’s worried the powers that be could derail the UFC’s subsequent events. The May 9 event is intended to serve as the UFC’s big return after a brief coronavirus-related shut-down. UFC President Dana White has been adamant that, following this May 9 card, the promotion will produce events every weekend to make up for lost time.
Aljamain Sterling claims “sensitive” Dominick Cruz blocked him on Twitter, responds to callout from Frankie Edgar
Natasha Hooper - April 20, 2020
Aljamain Sterling has called out Dominick Cruz for blocking him on social media, and also responded to a callout by Frankie Edgar. “The Funk Master” has been inching towards a title shot but the former champion, Cruz, has beaten him to it. The current bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo was scheduled to defend his title against Jose Aldo next. However, his Brazilian opponent had to pull out of their scheduled matchup due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Dominick Reyes says Jon Jones is bluffing about Jan Blachowicz bout, tells everyone to “slow down”
Natasha Hooper - April 20, 2020
Dominick Reyes has called out his last opponent Jon Jones for bluffing about an upcoming matchup against fellow light heavyweight Jan Blachowicz. In the main event of UFC 247, Reyes challenged the division’s champion, Jones, for the 205-pound crown. “Bones” defended his title and claimed the decision victory, but many spectators believed “The Devastator” should have won the five-round war. The 30-year old claimed he’s ready for the rematch but Jones will not sign the contract.