MMA News
Dana White discusses UFC 249's impact on Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - April 7, 2020
UFC President Dana White isn’t sure what’s next for former two-division champ Conor McGregor, who is far and away the promotion’s biggest star. Things are quite chaotic at the top of the lightweight division at present, as undisputed champ Khabib Nurmagomedov is stuck in Russia due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions, and Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje are set to battle for the interim title in the short-notice main event of UFC 249 on April 18. It’s difficult to say where McGregor, the lightweight division’s biggest name and one of its top contenders, fits into this situation.
Gilbert Burns blasts “rapper” Tyron Woodley for ducking him at UFC 249
Harry Kettle - April 7, 2020
Gilbert Burns has taken a shot at Tyron Woodley on social media for allegedly ducking a fight against him at UFC 249 later this month. Burns, 33, is riding an impressive five-fight win streak with his last three coming at welterweight. Woodley, on the other hand, hasn’t fought since losing the UFC Welterweight Championship to Kamaru Usman last year.
Cage Warriors locks down 'private location' for upcoming events
Tom Taylor - April 7, 2020
It’s looking like MMA is back on the menu! Hours after UFC President Dana White announced that his promotion has locked down a “private island” for its upcoming shows, Cage Warriors boss Graham Boylan announced that he’s found a viable location for the his promotion’s upcoming event. See this announcement from the Cage Warriors boss below:
VIDEO | Daniel Cormier reacts after realizing he had been duped by fake account regarding UFC 249 news
Natasha Hooper - April 7, 2020
Fans weren’t the only ones duped by a fake Ariel Helwani account this week, as former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier was also tricked into believing a false announcement about Khabib Nurmagomedov. Over the weekend, a fraudulent account impersonating Ariel Helwani (spelled Helvani) reported some breaking news. The account announced that UFC president Dana White and Vladimir Putin had arranged for UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov to travel the US to fight Tony Ferguson in their scheduled UFC 249 bout. The Twitter account used the same profile picture as Helwani’s official account, so it certainly looked the part.
Dana White claims Joe Rogan will be a part of UFC 249
Natasha Hooper - April 7, 2020
Dana White has confirmed that Joe Rogan will in fact be a part of UFC 249. In a previous episode of the Joe Rogan podcast, the MMA commentator declared he would not work on the upcoming event. Due to fears of coronavirus contagion, he suggested they should host it from a closed and remote location, even somewhere such as an airplane hangar or film studio.
Dana White details “total mishap” which lead to Khabib Nurmagomedov being removed from UFC 249
Harry Kettle - April 7, 2020
Dana White has revealed the mishap which caused Khabib Nurmagomedov to be removed from the UFC 249 main event. It’s been public knowledge for a while now that Nurmagomedov would not be able to compete at UFC 249, where he was scheduled to defend his UFC Lightweight Championship against Tony Ferguson with the fight being arranged for the fifth time – and subsequently falling apart for the fifth time.
Dana White confirms that the winner of Justin Gaethje vs. Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 will fight Khabib Nurmagomedov next
Christopher Taylor - April 6, 2020
Dana White has confirmed that the winner of UFC 249’s new main event between Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson will receive the next shot at Khabib Nurmagomedov. ‘The Eagle’ was originally slated to put his undisputed UFC lightweight world title on the line against Ferguson in the April 18 headliner. However, due to travel restrictions, the undefeated champion was forced to withdraw from the card while remaining in Russia.
Dana White securing private island for events, adds UFC 249 fighters will be tested for Covid-19
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
UFC president Dana White is working on securing a private island for upcoming UFC cards and also said fighters at UFC 249 will be tested for coronavirus. TMZ Sports reported on Monday night that White is close to locking up a private island to host upcoming UFC events. This would not include UFC 249 and UFC Nebraska, which are both tentatively scheduled to move to another location that hasn’t been announced. After the next two months of UFC cards are held in that mystery location, White plans on holding UFC events on a private island every week after that.
Breaking! The new UFC 249 fight card has been released
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2020
UFC 249 will be headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje and the full fight card has now been released. Among the fights on the card is Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade 2, Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Uriah Hall vs. Jacare Souza. The UFC took to social media to announce the full fight card just moments ago.
Daniel Cormier understands why Stipe Miocic doesn't want to fight him: "He's going to have a lot of trouble"
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2020
Daniel Cormier knows why Stipe Miocic is reluctant to fight him. Cormier and Miocic have fought twice before where they first met at UFC 226. There, “DC” knocked out Miocic in the first round to become the heavyweight champ. They had their rematch at UFC 241 where Cormier arguably won the first three rounds before Miocic earned a fourth-round TKO win to reclaim his heavyweight belt.
Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik added to UFC 249
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
A heavyweight bout between top contenders Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik is the latest addition to the revamped UFC 249 card. Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik was originally set to take place at UFC Columbus in the main event before that card was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Both men have been campaigning to appear on the new UFC 249 card and it appears they will now get their wish. According to Rozestruik, the fight will indeed take place at UFC 249. It won’t be for the interim heavyweight belt like Rozenstruik suggested, but it has been booked nonetheless.
Tyron Woodley says Colby Covington turned down fight against him at UFC 249
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley says that Colby Covington turned down a fight against him for the fifth time at UFC 249. There is no love lost between Woodley and Covington, as they have been talking smack to each other for the better part of two years now. The two have been connected to a fight multiple times in the past but for whatever reason, it’s never been booked.
Ben Askren sarcastically mocks Paige VanZant
Natasha Hooper - April 6, 2020
Ben Askren has poked fun at Paige VanZant for giving her number out to fans on social media. The women’s top flyweight has been hitting headlines this week. She posted a series of partially covered nude photos with her husband and fellow MMA fighter, Austin Vanderford to social media. The 26-year old also gave her number out online to interact with fans. However, she revealed that she received unsolicited “d*ck pics,” that quickly ruined the fun.
UFC 249: MMA community reacts to Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje booking
Thomas Taylor - April 6, 2020
It’s official: Justin Gaethje has stepped in to fight Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 249, replacing undisputed lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. As expected, this announcement generated a wide range of reactions from fighters, fans, and members of the media alike. See some of the early reactions to this Ferguson vs. Gaethje fight at UFC 249 below.
Justin Gaethje reacts to short-notice Tony Ferguson booking
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
It’s official. Justin Gaethje will fight Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 249 on April 18. Fighting a juggernaut like Ferguson on less than two weeks’ notice amid a pandemic when neither adequate training nor the fight itself can be guaranteed is certainly a risky move.
BREAKING | Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje official for UFC 249
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
Tony Ferguson will officially battle Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 249 on April 18. Both fighters have signed their contracts for the fight. The pair will collide for the interim lightweight title in the card’s main event. UFC President Dana White announced this news on Twitter on Monday.
As fighters struggle to train safely, coach Ray Longo wants UFC to cancel cards
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
Renowned MMA coach Ray Longo is hoping that UFC President Dana White will bite the bullet and cancel a few of the promotion’s upcoming shows amid the coronavirus pandemic. There are several arguments for the UFC canceling its upcoming events. One of the issues Longo sees is that, with almost all gyms closed, fighters are not able to make adequate preparations for their fights — if those fights even end up happening.
The Korean Zombie exposes multiple methods of cheating the scale at weigh-ins
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
As a decorated UFC and WEC veteran, “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung has been around the block. During his time in the game, he’s even come across a few methods of cheating the scale at weigh-ins for fights. The Korean Zombie exposed those methods in a recent video posted to his YouTube channel in hopes that it will help level the playing field in the sport.