MMA News
Tony Ferguson reacts after Khabib Nurmagomedov officially withdraws from UFC 249
Natasha Hooper - April 1, 2020
Tony Ferguson has reacted to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s apparent withdrawal from UFC 249. Multiple UFC events have been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, Dana White has been putting in his best efforts to ensure UFC 249 on April 18 still takes place. The event was scheduled to feature lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov defend his belt against Tony Ferguson. The pair have been booked to throw down four times in the past, yet none of those proposed bouts ever came to fruition.
Khabib Nurmagomedov seemingly pulls plug on Ferguson fight: "Put yourself in my shoes"
Tom Taylor - April 1, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov is seemingly — and understandably — reluctant to fight at UFC 249 as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep the planet. Nurmagomedov, the UFC lightweight champ, was expected to fight Tony Ferguson on the April 18 card. Unfortunately, new travel bans have made it difficult for him to leave his native Russia to participate in the fight — though it could still be possible.
Amanda Nunes responds to Felicia Spencer's request to move title fight to Florida
Tom Taylor - April 1, 2020
Earlier this week, Felicia Spencer requested that her featherweight title fight with reigning champion Amanda Nunes, tentatively scheduled for May 9 in Brazil, be moved to Florida. Her reasoning, of course, stems from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the travel difficulties it has created. @Amanda_Leoa we both live in ☀️ Florida, let’s get #UFC250 🤜to our back yard🏝. Please don’t leave! 😋 @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite @ufc
Jan Blachowicz foresees Dominick Reyes title fight if UFC strips Jones
Tom Taylor - April 1, 2020
Jan Blachowicz believes he deserves a shot at the UFC light heavyweight title before recent contenders like Dominick Reyes and Thiago Santos get another chance. “Everyone is trying to make his way to the belt, but these guys already had a chance and they didn’t take it,” he said of his rivals in an interview with Polish MMA site MMARocks.pl (via MMA Junkie). “Now they can rest some, or they can fight between the two of them. I am the next in line, and nobody can get in line in front of me. They can just fight to see who’s going to be fighting me next, when I’m defending the belt (or) if anything happens and they take the belt from Jon [Jones].”
Dan Ige discusses handling COVID-19 pandemic as a fighter and manager
Mike Pendleton - April 1, 2020
With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the entire sports world, fighters, managers, and coaches alike in the combat sports world are having to adjust to these difficult times. For one UFC fighter, featherweight Dan Ige, having to adjust as a fighter is just part of it, as he’s also a manager for other UFC fighters. Most recently, Ige defeated Mirsad Bektic at UFC 247 in February, which extended his winning streak to five in the featherweight division. That streak has also landed Ige in the top-15 rankings for his division, and in an exclusive interview with BJPenn.com, “Dynamite Dan” discussed how he feels lucky to have gotten his fight in before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down events.
PHOTO | Paige VanZant, Austin Vanderford ditch their clothes for stripped-down training session
Tom Taylor - April 1, 2020
Like most of us, Paige VanZant and Austin Vanderford are hunkered down at home in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. As professional fighters, of course, the pair have to find ways to continue to train during these unprecedented circumstances. It’s safe to say they’ve done so.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway rematch scratched from UFC 251
Adam Martin - April 1, 2020
A planned rematch between UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway has been scratched from UFC 251, another major blow to the card. The UFC planned on a double bill of title fights at UFC 251, which is still tentatively scheduled to take place on June 6 in Perth, Australia. Earlier this week we found out that the co-main event between UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko and Joanne Calderwood has been postponed, and now Volkanovski vs. Holloway has been scratched, as well, putting the entire event in jeopardy of not happening as planned.
Former UFC fighter Phillipe Nover details battling coronavirus in New York as a nurse
Harry Kettle - April 1, 2020
Former UFC fighter Phillipe Nover has spoken about the ongoing battle against the Coronavirus outbreak in New York. While the heart of the pandemic may still be in Europe for the time being, the expectation is that the epicenter will shift to the United States — potentially, the state of New York specifically.
Report | Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson fight gets glimmer of hope as Russia allows private flights to US
Tom Taylor - April 1, 2020
There’s still a glimmer of hope that we might see Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson fight at UFC 249 on April 18. Earlier this week, Russia announced new travel restrictions to combat the spread of COVID-19. The lightweight champ Nurmagomedov had returned to Russia by that point, meaning he was seemingly stuck in the country and unable to fly to the United States or elsewhere to fight Ferguson on the 18.
Tyron Woodley says UFC 249 is the last chance he’s giving Colby Covington
Harry Kettle - April 1, 2020
Tyron Woodley has said that UFC 249 is the last chance that Colby Covington has to fight him before he moves on once and for all. There is an incredibly chaotic situation currently unfolding with UFC 249, as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic. Nobody really knows the direction that things are going to go in, with everything from Justin Gaethje stepping in to an entirely new main event being suggested.
Kamaru Usman explains why fighting Jorge Masvidal in a arena with no fans is so desirable
Natasha Hooper - April 1, 2020
Kamaru Usman has a motive for fighting Jorge Masvidal in a closed arena at UFC 249, and that is to make him “squeal like a pig.” According to UFC president Dana White, UFC 249 on April 18 will take place despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Khabib Nurmagomedov was expected to fight Tony Ferguson in the main event, but due to travel restrictions, Nurmagomedov is currently stuck in Russia and will likely not fight.
Bob Arum says Dana White should be “ashamed” for continuing to put on events
Natasha Hooper - April 1, 2020
Boxing promoter Bob Arum has blasted UFC president Dana White for continuing to put on shows despite the coronavirus pandemic. The combat sports industry has been put on hold to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Boxing events have been postponed, and the UFC has already held off on three fight cards. However, Dana White is doing everything he can to resume business. He is currently in negotiations to finalize a venue for the upcoming UFC 249 card on April 18. White also expects UFC 250 on May 9 will still happen. The fight cards will likely take place using a small production team from a closed arena and with strict safety precautions. However, with so little still known about the coronavirus and no vaccine available, holding any event will still pose a risk.
Dustin Poirier believes he'd 'beat up' Tony Ferguson if they fought at UFC 249
Cole Shelton - March 31, 2020
Dustin Poirier was interested in fighting Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 but says it is unlikely it will happen. Ferguson was expected to finally fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title on April 18 at UFC 249. But, on Monday, the champion announced he is stuck in Russia and the event would go on without him. Once that happened, reports came out that Justin Gaethje was offered the scrap, but Poirier said he’s also interested in it as he’s confident he would beat Ferguson.
Jon Jones releases statement following recent arrest
Christopher Taylor - March 31, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has issued a statement following his recent arrest in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Early on Thursday morning, Jones was arrested for allegedly firing a gunshot in downtown Albuquerque. According to police reports, ‘Bones’ was also found to have marijuana residue on his clothing in addition to failing a sobriety test.
Jon Jones pleads guilty to DWI, receives house arrest but no jail time
Adam Martin - March 31, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has pleaded guilty to his recent arrest for DWI, and as part of the deal, he will not serve any jail time. TMZ reported the details of Jones’ deal with the prosecutors in New Mexico. It’s worth noting that the deal has been agreed to but a judge needs to sign off on it still. The deal will see Jones plead guilty to the DWI charge but as part of the deal, his charges for negligent use of a firearm and open alcohol containers in his vehicle will be dropped.
Dillian Whyte open to UFC move, tells Dana White: "hit me up"
Natasha Hooper - March 31, 2020
Boxing star Dillian Whyte is ready to make a transition into the UFC and has already called out his first opponent. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has spelt disaster for all combat sports, including boxing. The British heavyweight Whyte was scheduled to fight Alexander Povetkin on May 2 in London. His upcoming fight against the Russian has been rescheduled for July 4.
Bibiano Fernandes doubtful he can help Demetrious Johnson prep for ONE title fight
Tom Taylor - March 31, 2020
Demetrious Johnson is gearing up for a May 29 fight with ONE flyweight champ Adriano Moraes: a deadly Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist with power to boot. Needless to say, this would be an opportune time for Johnson call on his long-time friend and training partner, ONE bantamweight champ Bibiano Fernandes, who bears many stylistic similarities to Moraes. Unfortunately, Johnson and Fernandes will probably be unable to reach one another anytime soon. Living in Bellevue, Washington and Vancouver, B.C respectively, they’re only about 120 miles apart as the crow flies. Yet they’re also separated by the US-Canada border, which has become an almost insurmountable hurdle in the time of the coronavirus.
Chael Sonnen on criticism toward Dana White: He "can never win"
Tom Taylor - March 31, 2020
Chael Sonnen recognizes that the coronavirus pandemic is a serious issue, but he’s also having a hard time wrapping his head around the criticism directed at UFC President Dana White. While most other sports leagues — and many MMA promotions — have closed up shop to minimize the spread of of the virus, White has been defiantly attempting to promote events as normal in the early weeks of this crisis.