MMA News
Dana White confirms full UFC 249 card, announces two more events the next week
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020
On Friday afternoon, UFC President Dana White joined reporter Brett Okamoto on ESPN‘s official Instagram page to announce the full lineup for UFC 249 on May 9. White also announced the next two events following UFC 249: one on Wednesday, May 13, and another on Saturday, May 16. Here is the full May 9 card, per White’s announcement:
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.
Scott Coker drops timeframe, likely location for upcoming Bellator events
Tom Taylor - April 24, 2020
While Dana White and the UFC are determined to keep things running during the coronavirus pandemic, Bellator boss Scott Coker has pumped the brakes in the name of safety. Coker has postponed a host of Bellator events, and seems to be legitimately concerned with what is happening in the world right now.
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.
Aljamain Sterling feels “left behind" by the UFC following Cruz vs. Cejudo booking
Natasha Hooper - April 24, 2020
Aljamain Sterling feels “left behind by the UFC” due to Dominick Cruz’s title shot against Henry Cejudo. The bantamweight champion, Cejudo, was scheduled to defend his title against Jose Aldo at UFC 250. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Aldo was forced to stop his training camp in Brazil and ultimately withdrew from their bout. The UFC rushed to find a replacement, and the division’s former champion, Dominick Cruz, stepped up to the plate.
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.
Justin Gaethje says he was "upset" UFC announced May 9 fight before offering him the bout
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2020
Justin Gaethje says he wasn’t happy the UFC announced he would be fighting on May 9 before he was ever offered the bout. Gaethje originally agreed to fight Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18 for the interim lightweight title. Yet, the event was canceled and the promotion moved the event to May 9.
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.
Demetrious Johnson says he will fight for "four or five more years"
Adam Martin - April 23, 2020
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson is already thinking about retirement and says he has “four of five more years” left of fighting in MMA. Johnson is universally regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters to ever compete in mixed martial arts. The ONE Championship Flyweight Grand Prix champion is next set to take on the promotion’s flyweight champ Adriano Moraes at a ONE event on May 29 in Manila, though that event is doubtful due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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.