MMA News
Eddie Hearn admits he's 'jealous' of how UFC controls the sport and fighters
Natasha Hooper - March 17, 2020
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is reportedly jealous over the UFC’s control of the sport of MMA. As the man behind Matchroom Boxing, Hearn has always had an appreciation for the world’s largest MMA promotion, the UFC. The Boxing promoter admitted he is envious over the promotion and its evolving brand, cultivated by UFC President Dana White.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov suggests alternative location for UFC 249
Tom Taylor - March 17, 2020
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, is understandably hopeful that his son’s UFC 249 fight with Tony Ferguson will still happen. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause increasing risk, however, the future of the matchup is uncertain. UFC 249 was originally scheduled for April 18 in Brooklyn, New York. While UFC President Dana White is adamant the fight will still happen on the targeted date, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that the fight will happen in New York— or even the United States.
Dana White will go to extreme lengths to ensure Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson happens on April 18
Tom Taylor - March 17, 2020
On Monday, UFC President Dana White elected to cancel the promotion’s next three events amid the growing risks and restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. That means the next event on the UFC calendar is UFC 249, which is scheduled for April 18 in Brooklyn, New York, and topped by a lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. Given the current situation, many fans are worried that this Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson fight will fall through. The matchup, of course, is already the source of ample superstition, having been canceled four times previously.
VIDEO | Tony Ferguson showcases wild exercises ahead of UFC 249, Khabib Nurmagomedov responds
Natasha Hooper - March 17, 2020
Tony Ferguson has showcased the unique exercises that are keeping him busy in the run up to his UFC 249 bout. However, his upcoming opponent, Khabib Nurmagomedov is not a fan. “El Cucuy” is scheduled to return to the Octagon on Saturday, April 18 for the first time since beating Donald Cerrone by TKO in June 2019. His upcoming opponent is none other than the undefeated lightweight champion, “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov.
WWE WrestleMania 36 moved to Orlando for a no-audience event
Harry Kettle - March 17, 2020
WWE has announced that they will be moving WrestleMania 36 from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa to their Performance Center in Orlando, with the event being set to go on behind closed doors. In an unprecedented move from WWE, the showcase of the immortals will now take place in front of no fans with thousands of American and international members of the WWE Universe being told that they will not be making the trip to Florida for this year’s event.
Jimi Manuwa says he 'fell out of love' with MMA, but now eyes a return to UFC to get back his losses
Cole Shelton - March 16, 2020
Jimi Manuwa doesn’t think his retirement is permanent. Following Manuwa’s knockout loss to Aleksandar Rakic at UFC Stockholm, which was his fourth in a row, he decided to call it a career. Yet, since then, he has been pondering the idea of ending his retirement and returning to the UFC.
Scott Coker explains decision behind canceling Bellator 241
Mike Pendleton - March 16, 2020
The Bellator 241 fight card had been scheduled to take place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut last Friday and was supposed to be a night where Bellator’s Featherweight World Grand Prix continued on with two fights, including champion Patricio Pitbull vs Pedro Carvalho with the title on the line, but those plans came to a sudden halt. Early Friday afternoon after weigh-ins had been conducted the day before, Bellator President Scott Coker released a statement announcing that the event was being cancelled due to the current COVID-19 pandemic taking place all over the world.
Leon Edwards tells Tyron Woodley he can’t “run” from this whooping
Natasha Hooper - March 16, 2020
Leon Edwards has assured that Tyron Woodley can’t run or hide and will receive an “a*s whooping,” despite their main event fight cancellation. Number 4 ranked welterweight, Edwards was scheduled to fight the former welterweight champion in the main event of UFC London on Saturday March 21. Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the UFC was forced to relocate the event. The British fighter ultimately withdrew from the UFC London card due to uncertainty of travel to and from the UK and the ripple effect it had on his team.
Max Holloway urges UFC fans to take coronavirus outbreak seriously: "This isn't (a fight) we want to take into deep waters"
Adam Martin - March 16, 2020
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway sent a message to fans on Monday, urging them to take the coronavirus threat seriously. The UFC on Monday announced it has canceled the next three cards it had scheduled in London, Columbus, and Portland (later Las Vegas) due to the coronavirus outbreak which has ravaged the globe. The UFC held its event in Brasilia this past weekend in defiance of what other pro sports leagues have done, but ultimately the UFC had no choice but to pull the plus on its next three events despite the fighters wanting to compete. While many fighters are upset the fights were scrapped, Holloway believes it’s the right call.
BREAKING | UFC cancels next three events
Tom Taylor - March 16, 2020
Despite doing its very best to keep things running amid the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UFC has reportedly elected to “indefinitely postpone” its next three events: shows originally scheduled for London, Columbus and Portland. Michael Carroll was first to report this news, citing an email from UFC President Dana White to all company employees.
Odds released for whether or not the government will force UFC to shut down
Adam Martin - March 16, 2020
The sportsbooks have released betting odds on whether or not the government will force UFC president Dana White to stop holding fight cards. There aren’t too many sports to bet on at the moment, so the sportsbooks have to get creative in order to keep bettors betting. On Monday, the online sportsbook BetOnline released two props for bettors to consider concerning White and the UFC. Take a look at them below (via MMAMania.com).
Darren Till says he and Israel Adesanya 'speak every day'
Tom Taylor - March 16, 2020
Darren Till says he and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya “speak every day” — despite the fact they could end up colliding in the Octagon in the near future. Speaking on MMAFighting.com’s Eurobash podcast recently, Till was asked if he had heard Adesanya call him a “p**sy” for jesting that he is afraid to fight Yoel Romero.
UFC London bout moved to Cage Warriors event
Adam Martin - March 16, 2020
A middleweight bout between Dusko Todorovic and John Phillips that was scheduled for UFC London has been moved to this weekend’s Cage Warriors event. Todorovic and Phillips was expected to be an undercard fight for the UFC London card, but the coronavirus outbreak practically wiped out the entire card. The UFC is working hard to save the event with a new main event featuring Tyron Woodley, but there’s no guarantee that happens. With the UFC London card compromised, the majority of fighters who were scheduled to it saw their fights get scrapped due to the UFC travel ban.
Joe Rogan: Logan Paul's wrestling is 'no joke'
Tom Taylor - March 16, 2020
Joe Rogan is impressed by the wrestling chops of YouTube celebrity Logan Paul. Paul has been the subject of many combat sports headlines over the last year, primarily due to his pair of boxing matches with rival YouTuber KSI — one amateur and one pro — but more recently due to a wild training session with top UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa.
Ben Askren says Colby Covington isn’t putting on an act: 'He’s really that much of a dips**t'
Natasha Hooper - March 16, 2020
Ben Askren has dubbed Colby Covington “a dips**t”. Covington’s outspoken support of Donald Trump and offensive insults towards other fighters have polarized fans. The 32-year old and Askren have also traded their fair share of insults. “Funky” doesn’t deny Covington’s fighting talents but believes he has alienated himself and is a “terrible person”.
Francis Ngannou discusses UFC's 'precautions' for relocated fight with Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Tom Taylor - March 16, 2020
Francis Ngannou is glad the UFC is moving forward with his fight with Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Ngannou and Rozenstruik were originally expected to fight in the main event of UFC Columbus on March 28. Amid the exploding COVID-19 pandemic, however, the fight was relocated to the UFC’s new Apex facility in Las Vegas — though that location is now up in the air as well, as the Nevada Athletic Commission has banned all combat sports events until March 25 and could extend the ban beyond that.
Gilbert Burns claims he 'said yes' to Tyron Woodley fight offer
Tom Taylor - March 16, 2020
Gilbert Burns is one of several UFC welterweights gunning for a short-notice fight with Tyron Woodley, and if one of his latest Tweets is to be believed, he’s the frontrunner in that race. Woodley, the former UFC welterweight champ, was originally expected to take on England’s Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC London this coming Sunday. Unfortunately, this fight—and the entire UFC London card—effectively disintegrated due to complications stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak.
VIDEO | Colby Covington sends another challenge to Tyron Woodley
Tom Taylor - March 16, 2020
Colby Covington isn’t letting Tyron Woodley of the hook. Woodley, the former UFC welterweight champ, was originally expected to take on England’s Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC London this coming Sunday. Unfortunately, this fight—and the entire UFC London card—effectively disintegrated due to complications stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak.