MMA News

Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir is now a free agent and is open to fighting for another promotion or getting behind the mic and doing commentary. This past October saw Mir snap a four-fight losing skid when he defeated Roy Nelson via decision at Bellator 231. It was his first win since July 2015 and it couldn’t have come at a better time as it helped him avoid a dreaded five-fight losing skid. Mir was still under contract with Bellator and had one fight left on his deal after going 1-2 with the promotion, but the heavyweight legend said he’s come to a deal with Bellator to release him.

Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020

UFC middleweight standout Darren Till had a interesting exchange with ESPN journalist Ariel Helwani this evening on social media. The former UFC welterweight title challenger, Till (18-2-1 MMA), took to Twitter with the following statement in which he issued some choice words for Helwani.

Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020

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Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020

Jon Jones continued to mock Jan Blachowicz today, this after the surging light heavyweight contender suggested he “can’t wait to fist” Bones in a potential fight. Yesterday evening Jones seemingly shutdown a potential immediate rematch with Dominick Reyes in favor of a showdown with the Polish standout in Blachowicz.

Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020

In our newest segment “Top 5 Knockouts” we take a look back at some of the most brutal finishes that have occurred during numbered UFC events. In this second edition of “Top 5 Knockouts”, we reflect back on UFC events 11 – 20, which occurred between the years of 1996 to 1999.

Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has his sights set on Jan Blachowicz, this despite cries for a immediate rematch with Dominick Reyes. Jones and Reyes met in the main event of UFC 247 this past February in Houston, with ‘Bones’ emerging victorious by way of unanimous decision.

Chris Taylor - April 17, 2020

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has no plans of granting Dominick Reyes with a immediate rematch following their close fight at UFC 247. ‘Bones’ scored a unanimous decision victory over Reyes at February’s event in Houston, but the judges ruling did not sit well with many fight fans. Even UFC President Dana White admitted that he had scored the UFC 247 main event in favor of ‘The Devastator’.

Chris Taylor - April 17, 2020

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has responded to former opponent Anthony Smith by offering up some advice. Earlier this month, Smith was the victim of a home invasion which resulted in what he called “one of the toughest fights of his life”.

Adam Martin - April 17, 2020

UFC president Dana White updated fighters on the state of the promotion during the coronavirus pandemic, saying International Fight Week is “doubtful.” The UFC schedule is currently on hiatus as the coronavirus crisis ravages the world. White and the UFC tried to put on the UFC 249 card in Tachi Palace but ESPN and Disney’s head executives told him to stand down and postpone the event. The UFC is now slated to hold UFC 250 on May 9 at a location that is currently undisclosed but there’s no sure thing that card will happen, either.

Natasha Hooper - April 17, 2020

Michael Bisping and Luis J Gomez discussed whether Dominick Cruz has done enough to deserve a title shot against the current bantamweight champion, Henry Cejudo. UFC events have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The organization’s president Dana White is planning a return to live fight action on May 9. A potential fight card has already been released for the event. It includes the former bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz taking on the current champion, Henry Cejudo for the promotions bantamweight championship. “The Dominator” is scheduled to fill in for the original title challenger, Jose Aldo, who is currently held up in Brazil over coronavirus restrictions.

Cole Shelton - April 17, 2020

Tony Ferguson decided to make weight today even though UFC 249, which would’ve taken place on Saturday, was postponed. Ferguson was originally set to battle Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title. Yet, the Russian withdrew from the bout leaving “El Cucuy” to take on Justin Gaethje for an interim belt. But, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed.

Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020

The UFC has failed 22 new trademarks: 11 for “Fight Island” and 11 for “UFC Fight Island.” “The filings were made based on an ‘intent to use’ FIGHT ISLAND as the name of a mixed martial arts competition and for branded goods such as clothing and jewelry,” explained attorney Josh Gerben on Twitter (h/t MMA Mania).

Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020

Conor McGregor has issued a warning to Tony Ferguson, who is expected to battle Justin Gaethje for the UFC interim lightweight title on May 9. McGregor addressed Ferguson on Instagram on Friday afternoon, shortly after Ferguson made a statement by making weight for the canceled UFC 249 card — the original setting of his fight with Gaethje.

Mike Pendleton - April 17, 2020

After an incredibly close-contested fight against Dan Hooker, Paul Felder put his fighting future up in the air and admitted in his post-fight press conference that he would be considering retirement. Felder seemed to start to get away from the idea of retirement in March, saying he feels he’s got a lot more left in him, and that means the stacked lightweight division will be keeping one of its most dangerous contenders. Following his fight against Hooker, Felder’s coach Duke Roufus revealed that he asked UFC President Dana White for a rematch between the two, but Hooker is currently scheduled to meet Dustin Poirier at some point when the UFC returns to action.

Adam Martin - April 17, 2020

Colby Covington believes that UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones should face jail time after his recent arrest and accused him of cheating on his wife. Jones was arrested last month for a DWI and gun charges in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It appeared as though Jones would be facing possible jail time as a repeat offender, but he struck a deal with state prosecutors to only serve house arrest and do some community service. There are many who were surprised Jones didn’t get any jail time for his infractions and Covington is one of them.

Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020

Tony Ferguson told us he would make weight for his canceled UFC 249 fight with Justin Gaethje, and he made good on that promise. On Friday morning — at the precise time he would have weighed in for his fight with Gaethje had UFC 249 gone ahead — Ferguson stepped onto a scale and hit 155 lbs. Lightweight championship weight.

Adam Martin - April 17, 2020

Former UFC play-by-play commentator Mike Goldberg was asked to name the best fights he ever called, and he released his list for fight fans to check out. Goldberg was the long-time commentator for the UFC before getting the axe a few years ago. He quickly signed with Bellator MMA and continues to provide the mic duties for the UFC’s biggest rival. Goldberg may not work for the UFC anymore, but he had a front-row seat for their shows for years and he got to call a few gems during his time there.

Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020

Dana White is hoping to start producing live UFC fights at the promotion’s APEX facility in Las Vegas next month. Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Executive Director Bob Bennett, however, is noncommittal on whether or not live combat sports will be allowed in the state at that point. “We will see what the data reveals based on the science of COVID-19 and move forward accordingly,” Bennett said to MMA Fighting via email.