MMA News
Alex Volkanovski feels Jon Jones isn't being held accountable for his actions
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2020
Alex Volkanovski thinks Jon Jones gets passes too frequently when it comes to his run-ins with the law. On March 26, Jones was arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Police responded to a criminal complaint of gunshots. They found Jones inside his car with the engine on in the area of 3rd Street and Central Avenue. After being given a sobriety test and a breathalyzer, Jones was in handcuffs. Police then found a handgun under the driver seat and an open bottle of Recuerdo behind the passenger seat.
Dustin Poirier offers to fight Tony Ferguson at UFC 249
Tom Taylor - March 30, 2020
Dustin Poirier is ready and willing to fight Tony Ferguson in the new main event of the chaotic UFC 249 card. Early this morning, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov took to Instagram live to share the unfortunate news that he is stuck in his native Russia due to the coronavirus pandemic, which effectively nixes any possibility of his fighting Ferguson at UFC 249 as planned.
Dana White on UFC 249 location: 'When you need to know, I'll let you know'
Tom Taylor - March 30, 2020
The UFC 249 main event between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson is now seemingly a no-go thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, but UFC President Dana White is still insistent that the card will happen. The location of the April 18 event, however, remains a complete mystery.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia explains how he lost his desire to fight
Harry Kettle - March 30, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight Tim Sylvia has explained how he lost his desire to fight in the latest episode of UFC’s Where Are They Now series. Many fighters have been and gone over the years in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but very few stick in the mind of fans as cult heroes. While he may have had his ups and downs, Tim Sylvia is certainly an iconic heavyweight figure in the history books of mixed martial arts.
Odds revealed on who will replace Khabib Nurmagomedov against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249
Adam Martin - March 30, 2020
The sportsbooks have revealed the odds on who will replace Khabib Nurmagomedov against Tony Ferguson in the main event of UFC 249. Nurmagomedov revealed on Monday that he is stuck in Russia and likely will not be able to compete at UFC 249, which is set to take place on April 18 at a location that still has not been revealed to the public. That leaves Ferguson without a dance partner for the main event, and now the sportsbooks are taking bets on who that may be.
Report | Tony Ferguson offered Justin Gaethje for UFC 249
Adam Martin - March 30, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson has reportedly been offered a fight against Justin Gaethje if Khabib Nurmagomedov cannot fight at UFC 249. Nurmagomedov said on Monday that he is stuck in Russia and, at this point, is not confident he will be able to leave his home country to fight at UFC 249, which is scheduled to take place April 18 at a location to-be-determined. With Nurmagomedov seemingly out of action, it leaves his opponent Ferguson without a dance partner. But perhaps not for much longer.
Jorge Masvidal willing to fight at UFC 249
Tom Taylor - March 30, 2020
If the UFC needs a big name to step in and fight at UFC 249 on April 18, the promotion doesn’t need to look any further than welterweight star Jorge Masvidal. Speaking on Twitter early on Monday morning, Masvidal boldly proclaimed he’s free to fight on the upcoming fight card.
Multiple UFC 250 fighters admit they are scared to train due to the COVID-19 outbreak
Natasha Hooper - March 30, 2020
UFC 250 fighters are in a precarious position, as they need to train for their upcoming fights amid a global pandemic. COVID-19 has spelt disaster for all live sporting events, including many inside the MMA bubble. UFC President Dana White has already cancelled three fight cards but has dug his heels in on UFC 249, which is scheduled for April 18.
Tony Ferguson sends message to 'hiding' Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tom Taylor - March 30, 2020
Early on Monday morning, UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov announced that he is stranded in Russia due to the country’s new travel bans, thrusting his fight with Tony Ferguson into jeopardy. “We were training in the AKA without any information regarding the fight, where and how is it going to happen,” Nurmagomedov stated on Instagram, updating on the status of his fight Ferguson. “Then the UFC told us that the fight 100% isn’t happening in the States and they said that 99% that it will happen in Emirates, Abu Dhabi. After talking to the UFC we decided to fly over to the Emirates a month before the fight. I don’t remember the exact date, it was 19th or 20th, I’ll have to check. But when we landed in Emirates we learned that they are going to close borders and no one will be able to leave or fly in, with the exception of residents. So we had to fly back to Russia. Currently, I am in Dagestan and I am training and preparing every day. Although I don’t know what am I preparing for because after we came to Russia we also learned that the borders are going to be locked. Same as in the States, the same as in Europe, Emirates, everywhere. The whole world is in quarantine right now.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov stranded in Russia: UFC 249 will go ahead 'with or without me'
Alfredo Zullino - March 30, 2020
It seems that the UFC 249 main event, which was expected to pit Khabib Nurmagomedov against Tony Ferguson, could be off the table again. There has been widespread worry over the last few days about Khabib Nurmagomedov’s whereabouts, and on Monday morning, “The Eagle” took to Instagram Live to confirm that he is seemingly stranded in Russia now that the country has closed its borders to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Vicente Luque wants on new UFC 249 card
Adam D Martin - March 29, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Vicente Luque says he is willing to step up on short notice to fight on the new UFC 249 card in three weeks. UFC president Dana White is trying his best to make UFC 249 a go despite all the red tape due to the coronavirus outbreak, but he admitted that the card would likely be different than the original card that was set to take place in Brooklyn. The UFC is now in the process of finalizing the rest of the card, and Luque could potentially be a part of it.
James Vick determined to fix defensive issues, vows to keep chin tucked
Adam D Martin - March 29, 2020
UFC welterweight James Vick is determined to work on the defensive issues that have led him to a four-fight losing streak in the Octagon. Vick started off his UFC career with a 9-1 record, but he has since lost four straight fights to Justin Gaethje, Paul Felder, Dan Hooker, and Niko Price, with three of those losses coming by knockout. The loss to Price was particularly embarrassing for Vick as he became just the second fighter in UFC history to be knocked out from an upkick.
Diego Sanchez denies having CTE: "There is no proof of CTE"
Adam D Martin - March 29, 2020
UFC welterweight veteran Diego Sanchez is denying he has CTE despite having absorbed a historic number of head strikes in the Octagon. Sanchez, the winner of the first Ultimate Fighter, has competed in the UFC since 2004 and has been involved in numerous wars throughout his future Hall of Fame career. However, he has been criticized in recent years for continuing to fight despite taking over 1000 shots to his head during his UFC career, including multiple knockout losses in the last few years.
Will Brooks signs with ARES Fighting Championship
Adam D Martin - March 29, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion and UFC veteran Will Brooks has signed a new contract with ARES Fighting Championship. News of Brooks signing with ARES was first relayed by BJPenn.com’s Al Zullino and later confirmed on Twitter by Alan Murphy, the matchmakers for ARES.
Ali Abdelaziz denies UFC 249 will take place in Saudi Arabia
Adam D Martin - March 29, 2020
Manager Ali Abdelaziz is denying that UFC 249 will take place in Saudi Arabia despite speculation the event could be shifted there. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the UFC has been forced to postpone UFC London, UFC Columbus, and UFC Portland. But UFC president Dana White has been adamant UFC 249 will take place, and he even says he has a location in mind for the event if it does go on as planned, only he’s not telling the media where that location may be. White is doing everything he can to save the event headlined by Abdelaziz’s client Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson for the UFC lightweight belt.
Daniel Cormier could retire if coronavirus pandemic doesn't end by summer
Adam D Martin - March 29, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Daniel Cormier says that if the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t end by the summer he may be forced to retire from MMA. Cormier hasn’t fought since last August when he was knocked out by Miocic in the fourth round of the pair’s heavyweight title fight at UFC 241 to lose his belt. Since then, both DC and Miocic have been recovering from injuries, with the UFC planning on having them fight for a third and final time once both men are all healed up. The plan was for that to happen sometime this summer, but the coronavirus pandemic is throwing a wrench into things.
Francis Ngannou will not defend Jon Jones, but says people "shouldn't throw stones" either
Christopher Taylor - March 28, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou has shared his thoughts on the recent arrest of promotional light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Early on Thursday morning, Jones was arrested for allegedly firing a gunshot in downtown Albuquerque. According to police reports, ‘Bones’ was also found to have marijuana residue on his clothing in addition to failing a sobriety test.
Dana White confirms "four or five" potential locations for UFC 249
Christopher Taylor - March 28, 2020
UFC President Dana White is determined to have next month’s UFC 249 pay-per-view event take place as scheduled on April 18, 2020. The fight card was originally slated to take place in Brooklyn, however, due to the Covid-19 outbreak the promotion was forced to move the event on short-notice.