MMA News
UFC announces full fight card for May 9, including three title fights
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2020
The UFC is looking to come back in a big way on May 9 and the targeted fight card has been released. Dana White recently told ESPN that the promotion is looking at May 9. Of course, the Las Vegas-based promotion was scheduled to hold an event at the Tachi Palace Resort and Casino on April 18. Yet, the higher-ups at Disney and ESPN put a stop to that due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, White is targeting May 9 as his return date which was originally scheduled to be UFC 250.
Breaking: UFC to hold next event on May 9, multiple bouts already in the works
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2020
The UFC was forced to postpone UFC 249 and all events moving forward due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have their targeted return date. Dana White revealed to Brett Okamoto of ESPN the plan is to return on May 9 at a location to be announced. May 9, of course, was scheduled to be UFC 250. So, whether that will be the name of the event is unknown at this time. But, White revealed some matchups that will take place on the card like Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje, Henry Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz, Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer and Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Who has the best chance to end Alexander Volkanovski's reign?
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2020
Alexander Volkanovski is one of the newest UFC champions as he dethroned Max Holloway back at UFC 245. He has yet to defend his strap once as he has been dealing with a hand injury he sustained in the scrap. So, when the UFC returns to normal Volkanovski will have a bevy of contenders to defend his strap against. The featherweight division doesn’t have a clear cut number one contender but features the likes of Holloway, Chan Sung Jung, Brian Ortega, and Zabit Magomedsharipov among others. So, who has the best chance to end Volkanovski’s reign as champ?
Ronda Rousey defends UFC Reebok deal, suggest individual sponsorships are outdated
Adam Martin - April 14, 2020
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey defended the UFC deal with Reebok, saying that other sports set the standard for sponsorship deals. Rousey, who has been in the spotlight in recent days due to some recent comments she made about WWE, was recently a guest on the “Wild Ride! with Steve-O” podcast where she was asked about fighter pay. At one point in the interview, Steve-O pressed Rousey for her opinions on the UFC’s deal with Reebok, which Steve-O feels doesn’t do the athletes any good.
Justin Gaethje responds to Tony Ferguson's weigh-in question
Tom Taylor - April 14, 2020
Tony Ferguson recently announced that he intends to make weight for his canceled fight with Justin Gaethje this Friday. On Tuesday morning, he asked Gaethje if he intends to do the same. @Justin_Gaethje You Gonna Make Weight Friday? @ufc #ufc249 -CSO- 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽
Kelvin Gastelum names three potential opponents for next fight
Tom Taylor - April 14, 2020
Kelvin Gastelum is currently riding back-to-back losses in the UFC middleweight division, and is eager to get back on track. While the entire sports world is paused due to the coronavirus pandemic at present, Gastelum has three opponents in mind for his next fight, any of whom would represent excellent opportunities to bounce back.
Petr Yan chides Henry Cejudo for calling out fighters riding losses
Adam Martin - April 14, 2020
Petr Yan took to social media to criticize UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo for calling out fighters coming off of a loss. Cejudo said this week that he is targeting fights against aging legends Frankie Edgar and Dominick Cruz, both of whom are coming off of a loss in their last bout. Cruz’s last fight was a decision loss to Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207 in December 2016, while Edgar was knocked out by The Korean Zombie at UFC Busan in December 2019. Cejudo was also set to fight Jose Aldo — who was coming off of a loss to Marlon Moraes at UFC 250 — before Aldo was removed from the card due to travel restrictions. Yan noticed that Cejudo has only been calling out fighters coming off of losses and decided to take a shot at the champ.
Former Houston Rockets prospect Royce White eyes MMA debut
Adam Martin - April 14, 2020
Former Houston Rockets prospect and Sacramento Kings power forward Royce White is preparing to make his debut in mixed martial arts. White was drafted 16th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2012 NBA draft. He never ended up playing for the Rockets and was later traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, where he was waived. He ended up signing with the Sacramento Kings and played three times for them in the 2013-14 NBA season, but that was the last time we saw him in the NBA.
Tony Ferguson to Justin Gaethje: "You gonna make weight Friday?"
Tom Taylor - April 14, 2020
Despite the cancelation of UFC 249, Tony Ferguson intends to make weight for his would-be interim lightweight title fight with Justin Gaethje this Friday. Now, he wants to know if Gaethje plans on doing the same.
Rich Franklin admits that moving on from fighting is a “difficult adjustment”
Harry Kettle - April 14, 2020
Former UFC star Rich Franklin has admitted that the process of moving on from being a professional fighter is a “difficult adjustment”. Franklin was once considered to be one of the best middleweights in the world, and heading into his fight with Anderson Silva at UFC 77, many believed he was the favorite to once again win the Middleweight Championship.
The Rock heaps praise on "beast of a man" Francis Ngannou after training offer
Tom Taylor - April 14, 2020
During a recent Q&A on Instagram, pro wrestling legend and Hollywood superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had an interesting interaction with UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou. Ngannou joined the Q&A and named Johnson as one of of his inspirations. He also asked the star to join him in the gym. Johnson responded affirmatively and heaped praise on Ngannou for his skill.
Kelvin Gastelum reflects on loss to Israel Adesanya: “It burns in my heart to know I was that close”
Harry Kettle - April 14, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum has spoken about his historic defeat at the hands of Israel Adesanya back at UFC 236. It’s not an exaggeration to claim that Gastelum’s war with Adesanya for the Interim UFC Middleweight Championship was easily the Fight of the Year for 2019, which is saying something given the volume of world class fights we saw throughout those twelve months.
The Rock sends message of support to UFC fighters during pandemic
Tom Taylor - April 14, 2020
Pro wrestling legend Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who is a big UFC fan, recently sent a message of support to UFC fighters who have been deprived of the opportunity to fight due to the coronavirus pandemic. Until as recently as last Thursday, it looked as though the UFC might continue operating during the pandemic, but company president Dana White ultimately had to pull the plug on the all upcoming events.
Florida’s new essential services guidelines allow for the UFC to hold events
Natasha Hooper - April 14, 2020
Florida has outlined new guidelines that could allow the UFC to hold events during the coronavirus pandemic. In an April 9 memo published by the office of Governor Ron DeSantis, the definition of “essential services” has been expanded to include professional sports. The definition now includes “employees at a professional sports and media production with a national audience — including any athletes, entertainers, production team, executive team, media team and any others necessary to facilitate including services supporting such production — only if the location is closed to the general public.”
Conor McGregor breaks down UFC 246 knockout win: "I’ve been striking them where they believe they can’t be struck"
Cole Shelton - April 13, 2020
Conor McGregor has reflected on his remarkable UFC 246 win over Donald Cerrone. McGregor was making his highly-anticipated return to the Octagon in the main event against Cerrone. He was also moving up a weight class to welterweight, where he was looking to get back into the win column following his fourth-round submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Henry Cejudo wants Frankie Edgar next because "brittle" Dominick Cruz won't make it to the fight
Cole Shelton - April 13, 2020
Henry Cejudo is looking for his first bantamweight title defense to be against a legend. Cejudo hasn’t fought since he beat Marlon Moraes by TKO to win the vacant bantamweight title. He was scheduled to face Jose Aldo at UFC 250, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the fight was scrapped. He was then slated to fight Dominick Cruz on the fight card, but the status of UFC 250 is unknown at this time.
Dominick Reyes declares himself the "uncrowned king" of the light heavyweight division
Cole Shelton - April 13, 2020
Dominick Reyes believes he’s the uncrowned king of the light heavyweight division. Reyes is coming off a controversial decision loss to Jon Jones at UFC 247 where he’s confident he won that fight. Although the judges never game him the nod, fans and fighters praised the challenger for his performance.
Coach: Carlos Condit will fight in 2020, wants "money fights"
Cole Shelton - April 13, 2020
Carlos Condit has not fought since UFC 232 in December of 2018, but expect that to change this year. Condit, who is currently on a five-fight losing skid, where he has lost to the likes of Robbie Lawler, Demian Maia, and Neil Magny, was expected to return against Mickey Gall in December. Yet, a detached retina forced him to pull out of the contest, which has yet to be re-booked.