MMA News
Jorge Masvidal says there "was a deal on the table" to fight Kamaru Usman at UFC 249
Cole Shelton - April 10, 2020
Jorge Masvidal says there was a deal on the table for him to fight Kamaru Usman at UFC 249. Masvidal and Usman have been going back-and-forth at one another for months now. The two were expected to fight at International Fight Week in July but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they nearly fought at UFC 249.
New UFC flyweight Manel Kape trashes Cody Garbrandt: "How are you going to save the division?"
Adam Martin - April 10, 2020
Newly-signed UFC flyweight Manel Kape went on the offensive against Cody Garbrandt, suggesting the former bantamweight champ can’t save flyweight. Kape, the former RIZIN bantamweight champion, is the latest signing in the UFC flyweight division. A former champion in RIZIN, Kape is coming off of a title fight win over Kai Asakura. The UFC matchmakers liked what they saw from him in the RIZIN ring and decided to sign him to a free-agent contract. He immediately becomes one of the top contenders for the currently-vacant UFC flyweight championship.
Justin Gaethje reacts to UFC 249 cancelation
Tom Taylor - April 10, 2020
For a brief period, Justin Gaethje had UFC title fight to look forward to. Unfortunately, he’ll now have to wait for his first bid at UFC gold. Gaethje was called upon when undisputed UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov was forced out of his planned UFC 249 title fight with Tony Ferguson. Gaethje accepted this offer, and was matched up with Ferguson in a short-notice interim lightweight title fight.
Chuck Liddell explains why he would have given Jon Jones trouble if they fought
Tom Taylor - April 10, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell believes he could have given the division’s reigning champ Jon Jones some trouble if they fought in their primes. Liddell broached the topic of a potential fight with Jones during a Q&A on Twitter earlier this week.
Ronda Rousey slams "f**king ungrateful" WWE fans, shuts down full-time pro wrestling return
Tom Taylor - April 10, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey loves pro wrestling, but she won’t be making a full-time return to the WWE ring. Why? Because committing to a wrestling career takes a ton of energy, and apparently, the fans are a little unappreciative.
John Kavanagh open to lightweight tournament when UFC resumes
Adam Martin - April 10, 2020
MMA coach John Kavanagh is interested in seeing the UFC hold a tournament for the lightweight title upon resumption if its fight schedule. All upcoming UFC events are postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The UFC interim lightweight title bout between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje, which was set to take place at UFC 249, was one of the fights affected by the postponements. Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, two of the UFC’s biggest stars, also won’t be fighting anytime soon on account of the UFC schedule currently being on hiatus.
Greg Hardy praises Dana White for being "bold enough" to attempt to promote UFC 249
Tom Taylor - April 10, 2020
Greg Hardy appreciates the effort Dana White put in to make the UFC 249 card a reality during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Hardy, a former NFL player and current UFC heavyweight contender, was originally expected to return to the Octagon against Yorgan De Castro at UFC Columbus on March 28. When that card fell through, however, Hardy and De Castro’s collision was relocated to the UFC 249 card, which was scheduled for April 18.
Francis Ngannou comments on UFC 249 postponement, thanks Dana White
Tom Taylor - April 10, 2020
Francis Ngannou recently reacted to the postponement of the UFC 249 card, which was supposed to include his heavyweight fight with Jairzinho Rozenstruik. UFC 249 was scheduled for April 18. The card was originally expected to occur in Brooklyn, New York, but amid tightening restrictions enacted to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, it was moved to tribal land in California. As it turns out, not even this move could save the event. Amid growing pressure from ESPN, its parent company Disney, and even some politicians, UFC President Dana White announced Thursday night that the card has been postponed.
Jessica Andrade reacts to UFC 249 cancellation, rewards herself with a massive bag of McDonalds
Natasha Hooper - April 10, 2020
Jessica Andrade has celebrated the cancellation of UFC 249 in style by ordering a heaping serving of McDonalds. The former UFC champion was scheduled to make an appearance on the revised UFC 249 card. The upcoming event faced major changes including the fight card and location, all due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Holly Holm is "one fight away from a title shot" according to Mike Winkeljohn
Cole Shelton - April 10, 2020
Mike Winkeljohn believes Holly Holm is close to another crack at UFC gold. Holm fought for the bantamweight title back at UFC 239 where she suffered a first-round knockout loss to Amanda Nunes. Winkeljohn says the former champion made some crucial mistakes that costed her. “The Preacher’s Daughter” then rebounded with a decision win over Raquel Pennington at UFC 246.
Joe Rogan reacts to UFC 249 cancelation
Tom Taylor - April 10, 2020
Joe Rogan has now shared his thoughts on the cancelation of the UFC 249. UFC 249 was scheduled for April 18. The card was originally expected to occur in Brooklyn, New York, but amid tightening restrictions enacted to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, it was moved to tribal land in California. As it turns out, not even this could save UFC 249. Amid growing pressure from ESPN, parent company Disney, and even some politicians, UFC President Dana White announced Thursday night that the card has been canceled.
Report: California Governor requested that Disney shut down UFC 249
Harry Kettle - April 10, 2020
According to a recent report from the New York Times, California governor Gavin Newsom served as the catalyst behind UFC 249 being shut down. Last night the confirmation came through that UFC 249, which was set to take place on April 18, will no longer be happening as a result of Disney and ESPN officials informing UFC president Dana White that they wanted him to stand down.
Cris Cyborg happy to be working with Bellator after witnessing the UFC’s treatment of Tony Ferguson
Christopher Taylor - April 9, 2020
Current Bellator women’s featherweight champion and mixed martial arts legend Cris Cyborg is not impressed with how the UFC handled Tony Ferguson. The former UFC featherweight champion, Cyborg, had jumped ship over to Bellator earlier this year and quickly took home the promotions 145lbs title.
Tony Ferguson reacts to UFC 249 being canceled: "Oh well, I’m still gonna train"
Cole Shelton - April 9, 2020
Tony Ferguson wasn’t too fazed about UFC 249 being canceled. Ferguson was expected to headline the card against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title. It was a fascinating bout that was slated to go down on Tribal Land in California.
Henry Cejudo coaching staff frustrated UFC told them to keep training during coronavirus pandemic
Adam Martin - April 9, 2020
Eric Albarracin, the coach for UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo, expressed his frustration that Cejudo kept training during the coronavirus pandemic. Cejudo was set to take on Jose Aldo in the main event of UFC 250, which was set for May 9 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The event had to be relocated to Tachi Palace due to the coronavirus pandemic and Cejudo was set to fight Dominick Cruz on short notice, but on Thursday the UFC announced it was postponing all upcoming events including UFC 250. That leaves Cejudo without a fight, and his coach Albarracin is frustrated.
Dana White says "Fight Island" will happen in a month to continue live events
Cole Shelton - April 9, 2020
Dana White believes ‘Fight Island’ will happen in a month to continue on with live events. Earlier on Thursday, White announced UFC 249 is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All UFC events are indefinitely suspended as well. But, the UFC boss doesn’t expect to be out of business for long, as he says Fight Island will happen very soon and it will be a place for fighters to train as well.
Mike Winkeljohn believes "it’s time for Jon Jones to take the big fights" and go up to heavyweight
Cole Shelton - April 9, 2020
Mike Winkeljohn believes the time is now for Jon Jones to go up to heavyweight. For years now, the talk around “Bones” has been when will he go up to heavyweight? He’s cleaned out the entire light heavyweight division twice, but has been reluctant to move up in weight.
Mike Tyson believes MMA fighters will always earn less than boxers
Natasha Hooper - April 9, 2020
Boxing legend Mike Tyson believes MMA fighters will never earn as much as boxers. The extensive history of boxing has provided a lucrative career path for veterans of the sport including Mike Tyson. The retired athlete earned a whopping $400 million in the ring and had a total net worth of $685 million (according to Forbes).