MMA News
Report | UFC Brasilia card did 'lowest number of UFC on ESPN era'
Tom Taylor - March 17, 2020
Last Saturday’s UFC Brasilia card, which went down in an empty arena in the Brazilian capital, reportedly did the lowest average viewership numbers of the UFC on ESPN era to date. This news comes from Trent Reinsmith of Bloody Elbow.
Jose Aldo discusses 'taking necessary precautions' while 'continuing to train hard'
Tom Taylor - March 17, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic has forced much of the world to a standstill, but for the moment, Jose Aldo still has a fight on May 9 to prepare for. While a trio of UFC events have now been canceled, UFC 250, which is topped by a bantamweight title fight between Aldo and champ Henry Cejudo, is still expected to go down as planned.
UFC London fighter admits he was afraid of fighting during coronavirus pandemic, but needed the money
Adam Martin - March 17, 2020
UFC bantamweight Geraldo de Freitas, who was supposed to fight at UFC London, admits he was afraid of fighting at the event during the coronavirus pandemic but needed to fight in order to earn his purse. De Freitas was set to fight Jack Shore in a battle of 135lbs prospects on the UFC London undercard until the card was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. That leaves de Freitas without the opportunity to make any money. For a fighter on the lowest rung of the UFC’s salary scale, the loss of his fight really stings.
Dana White explains why he fought so hard to avoid canceling UFC shows
Tom Taylor - March 17, 2020
The UFC has indefinitely postponed the next three shows on its calendar, but company president Dana White fought hard to avoid that. Speaking on SportsCenter on Monday, White explained why he was so reluctant to alter the UFC schedule—even after most other sports leagues closed up shop.
Marlon Moraes praises Henry Cejudo for making 'smart' decision in fighting Jose Aldo next
Harry Kettle - March 17, 2020
Marlon Moraes has praised UFC champion Henry Cejudo for making the “smart” decision by choosing to fight Jose Aldo in his next fight. Moraes is coming off the back of a narrow victory over Aldo back at UFC 245 that served as the debut of the MMA legend at bantamweight. Many fans and pundits alike were of the belief that Aldo was the man who should’ve had his hand raised that night, but in the end, “Magic” got the nod.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.