MMA News
Kevin Lee believes he tore his ACL, unsure on how long he'll be out
Cole Shelton - April 17, 2020
Kevin Lee believes he will be sidelined for the foreseeable future due to a torn ACL. Although Lee believes he tore his ACL he has yet to get confirmation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the hospitals being so busy, he was forced to wait for a center to be available to take an MRI which happened today.
Dana White says International Fight Week in July is "doubtful"
Adam Martin - April 17, 2020
UFC president Dana White updated fighters on the state of the promotion during the coronavirus pandemic, saying International Fight Week is “doubtful.” The UFC schedule is currently on hiatus as the coronavirus crisis ravages the world. White and the UFC tried to put on the UFC 249 card in Tachi Palace but ESPN and Disney’s head executives told him to stand down and postpone the event. The UFC is now slated to hold UFC 250 on May 9 at a location that is currently undisclosed but there’s no sure thing that card will happen, either.
Michael Bisping debates if Dominick Cruz deserves upcoming Henry Cejudo title shot
Natasha Hooper - April 17, 2020
Michael Bisping and Luis J Gomez discussed whether Dominick Cruz has done enough to deserve a title shot against the current bantamweight champion, Henry Cejudo. UFC events have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The organization’s president Dana White is planning a return to live fight action on May 9. A potential fight card has already been released for the event. It includes the former bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz taking on the current champion, Henry Cejudo for the promotions bantamweight championship. “The Dominator” is scheduled to fill in for the original title challenger, Jose Aldo, who is currently held up in Brazil over coronavirus restrictions.
Tony Ferguson explains why he decided to make weight today: "It just made sense"
Cole Shelton - April 17, 2020
Tony Ferguson decided to make weight today even though UFC 249, which would’ve taken place on Saturday, was postponed. Ferguson was originally set to battle Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title. Yet, the Russian withdrew from the bout leaving “El Cucuy” to take on Justin Gaethje for an interim belt. But, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed.
Sean O’Malley rips Brian Kelleher over recent callout: “He’s not going to do anything for my career”
Natasha Hooper - April 17, 2020
Sean O’Malley has attempted to put Brian Kelleher in his place after claiming he would “smoke” the bantamweight in a fight. O’Malley returned to action in March 2020 after two years on the sidelines. In his UFC 248 return, O’Malley finished Jose Quinonez with a first-round head kick and punches. He is now one of the most sought-after foes in the bantamweight division and only wants a worthwhile opponent. He shut down a callout from his fellow 135-pound fighter Kelleher.
Conor McGregor sends warning to Tony Ferguson
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Conor McGregor has issued a warning to Tony Ferguson, who is expected to battle Justin Gaethje for the UFC interim lightweight title on May 9. McGregor addressed Ferguson on Instagram on Friday afternoon, shortly after Ferguson made a statement by making weight for the canceled UFC 249 card — the original setting of his fight with Gaethje.
Paul Felder confirms he's not retiring: 'I can not wait to fight again'
Mike Pendleton - April 17, 2020
After an incredibly close-contested fight against Dan Hooker, Paul Felder put his fighting future up in the air and admitted in his post-fight press conference that he would be considering retirement. Felder seemed to start to get away from the idea of retirement in March, saying he feels he’s got a lot more left in him, and that means the stacked lightweight division will be keeping one of its most dangerous contenders. Following his fight against Hooker, Felder’s coach Duke Roufus revealed that he asked UFC President Dana White for a rematch between the two, but Hooker is currently scheduled to meet Dustin Poirier at some point when the UFC returns to action.
Colby Covington accuses Jon Jones of cheating on his wife, wants "Bones" to go to jail for DWI
Adam Martin - April 17, 2020
Colby Covington believes that UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones should face jail time after his recent arrest and accused him of cheating on his wife. Jones was arrested last month for a DWI and gun charges in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It appeared as though Jones would be facing possible jail time as a repeat offender, but he struck a deal with state prosecutors to only serve house arrest and do some community service. There are many who were surprised Jones didn’t get any jail time for his infractions and Covington is one of them.
VIDEO | Dillon Danis sends message to fans doubting his striking ability
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Dillon Danis is known first and foremost for his world-class grappling skill, but as he continues to venture into mixed martial arts, he’s working hard on his striking too. Speaking on Instagram on Friday, Danis sent a message to fans doubting his striking ability, and included a short clip of himself landing a right hand on a sparring partner.
Mike Goldberg names the best UFC fights he ever called
Adam Martin - April 17, 2020
Former UFC play-by-play commentator Mike Goldberg was asked to name the best fights he ever called, and he released his list for fight fans to check out. Goldberg was the long-time commentator for the UFC before getting the axe a few years ago. He quickly signed with Bellator MMA and continues to provide the mic duties for the UFC’s biggest rival. Goldberg may not work for the UFC anymore, but he had a front-row seat for their shows for years and he got to call a few gems during his time there.
Despite Dana White's plans for fights at UFC APEX, NSAC director says "we are closed until further notice"
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Dana White is hoping to start producing live UFC fights at the promotion’s APEX facility in Las Vegas next month. Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Executive Director Bob Bennett, however, is noncommittal on whether or not live combat sports will be allowed in the state at that point. “We will see what the data reveals based on the science of COVID-19 and move forward accordingly,” Bennett said to MMA Fighting via email.
Conor McGregor says he'd "slap around" the version of himself that beat Eddie Alvarez
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Back at UFC 205 in 2016, Conor McGregor produced one of the most impressive wins of his career, knocking out Eddie Alvarez to become the first concurrent two-division champ in UFC history. Speaking on Instagram on Thursday, McGregor reflected on that fight, which went down inside New York City’s hallowed Madison Square Garden. He added that the McGregor of the year 2020 would slap the 2016 version of McGregor around — a testament to the growth he’s achieved since this history-making win.
VIDEO | Kamaru Usman looks absolutely jacked amid talk of short-notice Masvidal fight
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Kamaru Usman has stated that he’s ready to fight Jorge Masvidal at the UFC’s blockbuster May 9 event, and it doesn’t appear that he was exaggerating. Early on Friday morning, the UFC welterweight champ took to social media to share a clip of one of his home workouts, and he looks like he’s in unbelievable shape.
Dominick Reyes says the UFC is on board for Jon Jones rematch, but champ is avoiding the “dog fight”
Harry Kettle - April 17, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Dominick Reyes doesn’t believe that Jon Jones is all too interested in fighting him in a rematch for the title. The two men went to war in an incredibly close fight back at UFC 247, and while Jones left Houston with the win and the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, many fans and pundits were of the belief that Reyes should’ve had his hand raised at the end of the night.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk on potential Weili Zhang rematch: “I don’t need to make more money, but it’s a money fight”
Natasha Hooper - April 17, 2020
Joanna Jedrzejczyk doesn’t fight for the money but admits she wouldn’t turn down a “money fight” against strawweight champion, Weili Zhang. The former strawweight champion collided with the division’s current champion, Weili Zhang, at UFC 248. Whilst the main event between Yoel Romero and Israel Adesanya was a lacklustre affair, the strawweight fighters delivered an action-packed performance that will go down in MMA history as one of the greatest fights ever.
Michael Bisping reveals he nearly went fully blind following Kelvin Gastelum fight
Cole Shelton - April 16, 2020
Michael Bisping regrets taking the Kelvin Gastelum fight just weeks after losing to Georges St-Pierre. The former UFC middleweight champion says he overtrained for the St-Pierre fight and after he got choked out he got a quick return. Anderson Silva was out of his scrap against Gastelum and Bisping would be stepping in on short notice.
Ronda Rousey prefers WWE's pay compared to the UFC: "They’re treated like employees"
Cole Shelton - April 16, 2020
Former UFC champion, Ronda Rousey likes how WWE pays their athletes compared to the UFC. Rousey, who became a WWE star after her successful UFC career, says the WWE treats athletes like employees. The wrestlers are also on salary, which makes planning life a lot easier when compared to fight purses.
Nate Diaz Top 5 fights
Natasha Hooper - April 16, 2020
Today marks the birthday of one of the UFC’s most celebrated fighters, Nate Diaz. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 35-year old is no doubt having a quiet celebration in lockdown. To honor the ‘Stockton slapper’, we have compiled his top five fights to celebrate his birthday in ultimate BJPenn.com style! Donald Cerrone The UFC veterans collided in the co-main event of UFC 141 in 2011. The fighters vented their frustration in an all-out war, but the bad blood started long before they entered the Octagon. Diaz previously slapped his opponent’s hand when Cerrone attempted to introduce himself. He also knocked the “Cowboy’s” hat off his head during a press conference.