MMA News
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.
Anthony Smith details brawl with home intruder: "It was one of the toughest fights I've had in my whole life"
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith said he got into a vicious brawl with a home intruder on early Sunday morning in what he calls “one of the toughest fights” of his life. Smith told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani the whole story about what happened, and it really is as crazy as it sounds.
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.
Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan De Castro set for new UFC 249 card
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2020
Greg Hardy and Yorgan De Castro will indeed fight, but it will now happen at UFC 249. Hardy and De Castro were expected to fight at UFC Columbus, yet that was one of the three promotional events postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, sources tell BJPENN.com that Hardy and de Castro will be on this month’s new UFC 249 card at a location to be announced.
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.
Jessica Eye: 'Moving to Las Vegas probably the best thing to happen to my life'
Mike Pendleton - April 6, 2020
Looking to improve both her personal and professional life, UFC flyweight Jessica Eye packed up and moved to Las Vegas in February of 2019. Shortly following that move she would find herself fighting for the UFC flyweight title against Valentina Shevchenko. Although her bid for championship gold didn’t go as planned, Eye was just getting started with her new team at Xtreme Couture. In an interview with BJPENN.com, Eye discussed her move to Xtreme Couture and Las Vegas, after spending years with StrongStyle gym in Cleveland, Ohio, home of reigning heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic. With the decision to move to Xtreme Couture and Las Vegas, Eye feels she’s done what is best for her in personal life as well as her fighting career.
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.
Darren Till calls for UFC and Reebok to increase fighter pay
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Darren Till believes MMA fighters are underpaid and suggests that the UFC and Reebok should increase fighter pay. Till recently did a Q&A session on his YouTube and spoke about the topic of fighter pay. Here’s what he said (via MMAFighting.com).
Alexander Gustafsson explains origins of famous hospital photo with Jon Jones
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson recently explained how his famous hospital photo with Jon Jones after UFC 165 came to be. Jones and Gustafsson fought tooth-and-nail in an absolute classic in the main event of UFC 165. At the time Jones was running through everyone in his path and few believed Gustafsson would be able to give the champ a run for his money. But Gustafsson took Jones to deep waters and came closer to beating him than anyone else at that time, ultimately losing a unanimous decision in the best fight of 2013.
Anthony Smith expects Jon Jones' issues outside the cage to continue
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
Anthony Smith believes his former opponent, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, will continue to find trouble outside the cage until he decides to make some real changes. Smith shared his take on Jones’ ongoing personal issues, which most recently manifested in the form of a DWI arrest, during a recent interview with MMA Fighting.
ONE Championship postpones closed-door events due to coronavirus pandemic
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
ONE Championship has been forced to postpone two April events due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. These ONE Championship events were most recently scheduled to occur behind closed doors in Singapore, but were originally targeted for other territories in Asia. Unfortunately, the promotion has been forced to delay them outright, citing new restrictions from the Singaporean government, and increasing travel restrictions, which of course makes it difficult to move fighters around.
Erick Silva and his family were infected by coronavirus
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
Bellator welterweight Erick Silva and his family were infected with the coronavirus but they are all recovering well now and in quarantine. Combate reported that the 35-year-old Silva, his 23-year-old wife Isabela, his five-month-old son Carlos and his 10-year-old son Kalleu were all infected with the coronavirus. In addition, Silva’s 26-year-old sister-in-law Carol and her in-laws, 58-year-old Arilton and 52-year-old Jo, were also infected with the coronavirus. Thankfully, they discovered they had it relatively early and all are now in quarantine and expected to make full recovery.