MMA News
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.
What's next for Charles Oliveira and Kevin Lee after UFC Brasilia?
Cole Shelton - March 17, 2020
In the main event of a closed-door UFC Brasilia, Charles Oliveira was looking to extend his winning streak when he battled Kevin Lee. In the end, it was Oliveira who got the job done by third-round submission, in a very entertaining fight.
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.
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.
Fighters react after UFC cancels three events due to Coronavirus
Natasha Hooper - March 16, 2020
The looming threat of Coronavirus has spelt disaster for MMA, as the UFC has been forced to cancel their next three events. The outbreak of COVID-19 virus has caused an international pandemic. Fears over contagion and increased fatalities have forced many sporting events to be halted or postponed. MMA is no exception. ONE Championship and ARES Fighting Championship have both elected to postpone upcoming events. Leon Edwards was forced to withdraw from his fight against Tyron Woodley after the UFC was forced to relocate the venue. Now the organization has had to “indefinitely postpone” three upcoming events: shows originally scheduled for London, Columbus and Portland.
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.
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.
Jared Cannonier shoots down idea of putting nicknames on the line in a fight with Darren Till
Natasha Hooper - March 16, 2020
Jared Cannonier and Darren Till have one thing in common, and that is their choice of nicknames. “The Killa Gorilla” Cannonier and “The Gorilla” Till have another thing in common too, they are both eyeing a shot at the middleweight title. The 185-pound contenders could both be one victory away from earning a fight against the division’s champion, Israel Adesanya. The Gorillas were rumoured to fight each other at UFC 248, but visa problems for Till and an injury from Cannonier meant the primate vs. primate matchup never happened.
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.
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.
Report | Tyron Woodley turns down Gilbert Burns fight
Tom Taylor - March 16, 2020
Gilbert Burns previously claimed he accepted a fight with Tyron Woodley, but now says Woodley has turned down the bout. https://twitter.com/GilbertDurinho/status/1239546539414077440
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.
Josh Thomson believes Cris Cyborg would 'dismantle' Amanda Nunes in a rematch
Harry Kettle - March 16, 2020
Bellator MMA analyst Josh Thomson has revealed that he believes Cris Cyborg would convincingly defeat Amanda Nunes in a rematch between the two. Back at UFC 232, in one of the most highly anticipated women’s MMA fights of all time, Amanda Nunes knocked out Cris Cyborg to capture the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship and become a two-division world champion.
Kevin Lee apologizes for 'unprofessional' weight miss at UFC Brasilia
Harry Kettle - March 16, 2020
UFC lightweight Kevin Lee has issued an apology for his unprofessional weight cut in the lead-up to UFC Brasilia last week. Lee was beaten in the main event down in Brazil on Saturday night, suffering a third round submission loss at the hands of Charles Oliveira who took his win streak in the Ultimate Fighting Championship up to seven.