MMA News
Jon Jones chides MMA media, fellow fighters for focusing on him during pandemic
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones has been in the headlines a lot over the last few weeks, both because he was recently arrested for DWI and aggravated use of a firearm, and because he’s been the target of trash talk from other fighters. Given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that is currently causing death and chaos the world over, Jones feels the MMA media and his fellow fighters have their priorities mixed up.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane suing former basketball coach for sexual abuse
Adam Martin - April 24, 2020
Bellator women’s flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane and two other women are suing a former basketball coach for sexual abuse. Macfarlane and the two other student-athletes filed a lawsuit on Thursday in Honolulu Circuit Court that names Punahou School and their former basketball coach Dwayne Yuen among the defendants. Hawaii News Now was the first to report the story.
Francis Ngannou displeased UFC shut down request for interim title fight with Rozenstruik
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020
Francis Ngannou wanted the UFC to promote his May 9 heavyweight scrap with Jairzinho Rozenstruik to an interim title fight. From the sounds of it, the promotion isn’t interested. Ngannou’s request actually had some merit, as reigning heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has not fought since August, and has not yet given a clear timeframe for his next Octagon appearance.
Modestas Bukauskas recalls early pro days, eyes UFC debut on Fight Island
Alfredo Zullino - April 24, 2020
Being signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship is the dream of many fighters around the world. Modestas Bukauskas recently achieve that dream. Back in January, Bukauskas’ management announced his signing with the UFC. Since then, though, the Brit hasn’t been able to step foot into the Octagon.
Tyron Woodley and Dan Hooker continue war of words on social media
Harry Kettle - April 24, 2020
Tyron Woodley and Dan Hooker continue to go back and forth on Twitter after Hooker defended his close friend Israel Adesanya earlier this week. Despite the fact that he hasn’t fought since losing his Welterweight Championship to Kamaru Usman over a year ago, Woodley still seems to be the name on everyone’s lips in the world of mixed martial arts — probably because he’s been so active on social media.
Robert Whittaker breaks silence on hiatus, shuts down rumors of sick kids
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker was expected to return to the cage against Jared Cannonier at UFC 248 last month, but ended up withdrawing from the card. It wasn’t immediately clear why Whittaker withdrew from this matchup, but when Dana White seemed to get emotional discussing the former UFC middleweight champ’s situation, the rumors started to fly. One website even reported that Whittaker had taken a step back to donate bone marrow to one of his children.
Alex Volkanovski calls out four fighters in hopes of securing title bout at UFC Fight Island
Harry Kettle - April 24, 2020
Alex Volkanovski has called out four fighters for a potential title showdown if the proposed UFC Fight Island plan goes ahead. “The Great” has held the UFC Featherweight Championship since December 2019, impressively beating former champion Max Holloway to capture the title at UFC 245. Ever since then it’s seemed as if the UFC has been interested in booking an immediate rematch, but due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, it hasn’t quite materialized.
Manager explains how UFC is responding to fighters who don't want to compete during pandemic
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020
The UFC is feverishly attempting to get back to regularly scheduled programming despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. That means many fighters will be getting the call to compete during the pandemic. Not all fighters, of course, are going to be willing to put themselves and their loved ones at risk of infection. Speaking to MMA Fighting, MMA manager Brian Butler-Au explained that, to his knowledge, fighters aren’t being penalized or punished if they decline to fight during the pandemic.
Leslie Smith reveals Bellator paid her "more than double" what UFC London fighters received
Natasha Hooper - April 24, 2020
Leslie Smith, who was scheduled to compete on the canceled Bellator 241 card, has revealed Bellator paid her more than double the $20,000 the fighters on the ill-fated UFC London card received for their canceled fights. All MMA events have been thrown up in the air due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bellator decided to postpone its events for the foreseeable future—including the Bellator 241 event Smith was supposed to fight Jessy Miele on. The UFC has also put its events on hold and canceled the UFC London card on March 21. However, UFC president Dana White intends on returning to action next month with a revised UFC 249 card.
Ariel Helwani absolutely roasts Bellator's Dillon Danis on social media
Christopher Taylor - April 23, 2020
Bellator fighter Dillon Danis took to social media earlier today where he proclaimed that the next time he sees Ariel Helwani, he plans on dropping him. The jiu-jitsu standout, Danis, took to Twitter with the following message for the popular ESPN journalist.
Alessio Di Chirico discusses next UFC opponent, unveils potential location
Alfredo Zullino - April 23, 2020
A lot of MMA bouts have been canceled or postponed during the past few weeks, including one involving Italy’s Alessio Di Chirico. The Italian fighter was originally slated to compete on April 11 in Portland against Abu Azaitar. He was later rescheduled to fight Markus Perez on the same date, but the entire card was ultimately called off due to the COVID–19 concerns.
Jimi Manuwa calls out Luke Rockhold for his comeback fight
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2020
Jimi Manuwa is interested in making his return to the Octagon against Luke Rockhold. Manuwa has not fought since UFC Stockholm last June where he suffered a vicious head kick knockout loss to Aleksandar Rakic. It was his fourth straight loss including three by knockout. But, he has since hinted at a return and even told BJPENN.com he is looking to return and compete again inside the Octagon.
Felicia Spencer believes beating Amanda Nunes "legitimatizes" her career
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2020
Felicia Spencer is confident she has what it takes to beat Amanda Nunes. Spencer was expected to battle Nunes for the featherweight belt at UFC 249 on May 9. Yet, the fight was postponed after Nunes said she wouldn’t be fighting during the pandemic. The Canadian, Spencer, is now in a wait and see approach as to when the fight will happen. But, the delay has not derailed her confidence.
Who has the best chance to end Weili Zhang's reign?
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2020
Weili Zhang is one of the newer UFC champions but she has been undefeated inside the Octagon. The China native won the belt last August with a quick knockout win over Jessica Andrade. She then defended her title in an absolute war against Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248. Zhang has shown her knockout power but has also proven she has the cardio to go five hard rounds and keep coming forward. She also has good takedown defense and solid jiu-jitsu leaving her hard to beat. But, the strawweight division has a plethora of challenges like Tatiana Suarez, Rose Namajunas, and rematches with Jedrzejczyk and Andrade.
Report | UFC 249 to take place in Jacksonville, Florida
Adam Martin - April 23, 2020
According to a report from veteran MMA reporter Dave Meltzer, UFC 249 is set to take place on May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida. There have been rumors the UFC intended to hold UFC 249 in Florida, and now we have a city. Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer said that the event will take place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. The UFC has not yet made this official, but Meltzer is well-connected and considering Florida seemed like a likely outcome all along, this appears to be the place where UFC 249 will finally land.
Alexander Hernandez believes he might have contracted coronavirus from head coach
Adam Martin - April 23, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Alexander Hernandez admits that he may have contracted the coronavirus from his head coach, but still planned on fighting anyway. Hernandez was set to fight Islam Makhachev at the original UFC 249 card in Brooklyn in what would have been one of the biggest fights of his career to date. When the coronavirus pandemic meant that travel restrictions around the world were tightened, the UFC called upon Omar Morales to fight Hernandez instead, at the rescheduled card in Tachi Palace.
BJJ with BJ: Step Through The Passage Drill
Jason Kindschy - April 23, 2020
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”531983″ player=”21002″ title=”BJJ with BJ Step Through The Passage Drill ” duration=”30″ description=”BJ Penn demonstrates “Step Through The Passage Drill “” uploaddate=”2020-03-18 23:38:19″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/15717/thumb/531983_t_1584574708.png” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/15717/sd/531983.mp4″”] In this segment of BJJ with BJ, “The Prodigy” shows a simple yet effective drill to help develop guard passing.
Report | UFC London fighters were paid "no more than $20,000" for canceled bouts
Tom Taylor - April 23, 2020
The UFC London card, which was scheduled to go down on March 21, was unfortunately one of several fight cards to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Shortly after the card was canceled, reports surfaced that the fighters who were scheduled to compete on the bill were paid for their efforts. They had, after all, undergone expensive training camps for the event.