MMA News
Photo | Paige VanZant poses nude with husband Austin Vanderford
Christopher Taylor - April 5, 2020
UFC standout Paige VanZant and her husband Austin Vanderford have developed a new hobby during the Covid-19 quarantine and that is taking “artistic” nude photos. VanZant, who is a staple of the UFC flyweight and strawweight divisions, and Vanderford, who is a rising star in the Bellator middleweight division, started by training together naked in the garage of their home.
Dana White confirms Khabib is out of UFC 249, full fight card will be announced tomorrow
Chris Taylor - April 5, 2020
Dana White took to Twitter this afternoon where he confirmed that Khabib Nurmagomedov is out of UFC 249, this while adding that the full fight card will be announced tomorrow. UFC 249 was originally slated to take place on April 18 in Brooklyn, New York. The event was expected to be headlined by a highly anticipated lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.
TJ Dillashaw claims the UFC will give him a title shot upon return from USADA suspension
Adam Martin - April 5, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw claims the promotion told him he will get a title shot when he returns from his USADA suspension next year. Dillashaw was a dominant champion at 135lbs before dropping down to 125lbs and getting knocked out by Henry Cejudo at UFC on ESPN+ 1. Dillashaw still held the bantamweight belt at that point before it came out he had failed his USADA drug test for performance-enhancing drugs and had his title vacated. He is currently suspended until January 2021.
Dominick Reyes says UFC was working on Jon Jones rematch before coronavirus pandemic
Adam Martin - April 5, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes says the promotion was working on a rematch against champion Jon Jones prior to the coronavirus pandemic. Reyes and Jones fought to a five-round decision at UFC 247 in early February, with the champion Jones retaining his title by a controversial unanimous decision. Many fans, media, fighters, and even UFC president Dana White believed that Reyes did enough to win the title that night, but the judges disagreed and Jones kept his belt.
Dustin Poirier predicts future Conor McGregor vs. Justin Gaethje fight
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2020
Michael Bisping trolls Tim Kennedy: "Now's your chance to use your little guns"
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping trolled Tim Kennedy about his affinity for guns in a social media exchange between former rivals. Bisping and Kennedy fought back at the TUF Nations Finale back in April 2014, with Kennedy getting the better of Bisping and taking home a decision. Kennedy went on to fight two more times in the UFC and lost to Yoel Romero and Kelvin Gastelum, while Bisping would go on to win the UFC middleweight title from Luke Rockhold in a big upset the next year. Both men are now retired, but it seems their rivalry is not over just yet.
Daniel Cormier praises first responder Stipe Miocic: "His mind is in the right place"
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2020
UFC heavyweight Daniel Cormier praised his rival, UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, for his role as a first responder during the coronavirus crisis. Cormier and Miocic have fought each other each of the past two summers, with the pair splitting a pair of memorable bouts with one knockout win apiece. DC won the first fight at UFC 226 when he knocked Miocic out in shocking fashion only to see the former champ get his belt back with a superb comeback knockout win at UFC 241. The two are now expected to have a trilogy fight whenever the UFC schedule resumes later this year.
Dominick Cruz believes UFC 249 could be the most-viewed card in MMA history
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2020
UFC bantamweight and color commentator Dominick Cruz believes UFC 249 could be the most-viewed card in MMA history with few options for entertainment at the moment. There are no professional sports leagues currently being aired on television, or even being competed in, around the world due to the coronavirus pandemic. UFC president Dana White continues to say the show must go on in regards to UFC 249, which is set for April 18 at a location that’s still TBD. While many have criticized White for trying to go ahead with the event, it appears Cruz is on the same wavelength as his boss.
Cris Cyborg throws shade at “mini Rousey” Shayna Bazler following Wrestlemania loss to Becky Lynch
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2020
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg threw some shade at former MMA fighter Shayna Baszler after she lost to Becky Lynch at Wrestlemania 36. Cyborg previously fought Baszler in EliteXC way back in 2008 when Baszler was still a mixed martial artist. Cyborg won that fight via second-round TKO at a time when Baszler was one of the best women’s MMA fighters in the world. Cyborg, of course, went on to dominate the competition in EliteXC before signing with Strikeforce, where she became a world champion. She then went on to win titles in Invicta FC, the UFC and in Bellator.
UFC loses more scheduled bouts due to coronavirus and a fighter injury
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2020
The UFC has lost two of its scheduled upcoming bouts for the UFC Nebraska and UFC 249 cards due to the coronavirus pandemic and a fighter injury. At UFC 249, Lyman Good was set to fight Belal Muhammad in a welterweight bout. But according to MMAFighting.com, that fight will no longer be happening as Good has been forced to pull out with an injury. As of now, Muhammad is still set to fight on the card but he doesn’t have a replacement opponent. It’s also worth noting that UFC 249 still does not have a location set for it, despite the event set to take place in just two weeks on April 18.
Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan de Castro teased for new UFC 249 card
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Greg Hardy may be on tap to fight at the new UFC 249 card as opponent Yorgan de Castro teased an upcoming bout between the two. Hardy and de Castro were scheduled to meet at UFC Columbus on March 28 but that card was scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic. UFC president Dana White has been adamant that the UFC 249 card set for April 18 at a location TBD will still go on as planned, and the two heavyweights may be a part of that new card if it happens.
Cody Garbrandt announces plan for move to flyweight, Henry Cejudo responds
Chris Taylor - April 4, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is planning on dropping down to flyweight and has already received a warning from Henry Cejudo. In an interview with ESPN, ‘No Love’ announced his future plans which include a move down to 125-pounds to “save the flyweight division”.
UFC President Dana White responds to extortion lawsuit
Chris Taylor - April 4, 2020
UFC President Dana White has responded to the extortion lawsuit that was filed against him by Ernesto Joshua Ramos late Friday evening. As first reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, White was named in a lawsuit filed late Friday that alleged the UFC boss was victimized in a $200,000 sex-tape extortion.
Team Woodley announces they have agreed to terms with UFC for a fight with Colby Covington
Chris Taylor - April 4, 2020
Earlier today former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley took to Twitter where he proclaimed that he had given his team permission to accept a fight at UFC 249. In the post, Woodley stated that his ideal opponent for the event would be bitter rival Colby Covington.
Tyron Woodley has given his team permission to accept a fight at UFC 249
Chris Taylor - April 4, 2020
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has given his management team permission to accept a fight on his behalf at UFC 249. The event is slated to take place on April 18 but a location and venue has yet to be determined by the promotion. UFC 249 was originally scheduled to take place in Brooklyn, however due to the Covid-19 pandemic that option is no longer available.
UFC requests Jose Aldo and Shogun Rua fly to USA to help save UFC 250
Chris Taylor - April 4, 2020
Former Ultimate Fighting Champions Jose Aldo and Shogun Rua were expected to compete at UFC 250 on May 9 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, next month’s pay-per-view event will have to be relocated. The report comes from Brazilian news outlet Combate who suggests that the UFC is now looking to move May’s highly anticipated event to the USA.
Jon Fitch on the current state of MMA: "It’s not even a sport anymore"
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2020
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Jon Fitch (32-7-2 MMA) is not sure if he will compete again in mixed martial arts. The longtime welterweight contender has not stepped foot in the cage since April of 2019, when he fought then-Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald to a controversial draw.
John Kavanagh says there's "no chance" Conor McGregor fights Tony Ferguson at UFC 249
Cole Shelton - April 3, 2020
Conor McGregor will not be fighting on April 18 at UFC 249 according to his coach, John Kavanagh. After Khabib Nurmagomedov announced he would be off of UFC 249 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some thought McGregor could step in. A win over Ferguson would no doubt earn him another crack at the undefeated Dagestani champion. But, according to his coach, due to the Irish lockdown, that is not possible.
Jessica Eye provides health update following elbow surgery
Mike Pendleton - April 3, 2020
Former flyweight title challenger Jessica Eye last competed at UFC 245 where she picked up a unanimous decision win over Viviane Araujo. Eye did end up missing weight at UFC 245 and although the promotion was looking at adding her to the UFC Columbus card in late March, Eye decided to take time off and get her body healthy and recovered. During an exclusive interview with BJPENN.com, Eye discussed her road back from elbow surgery and why she felt this was the right time to do so, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the world.