MMA News
Jorge Masvidal says return to lightweight is possible
Tom Taylor - March 17, 2020
Jorge Masvidal has recently been collecting scalps in the welterweight division, but he spent the earlier chapters of his career competing in the lightweight division. It’s no secret that Masvidal had a difficult time cutting down to the lightweight division’s 156-pound limit, but from the sounds if it, the 35-year-old would attempt the cut again if the money was right.
Chael Sonnen wonders if Kevin Lee should make permanent move to welterweight
Fernando Quiles - March 17, 2020
Chael Sonnen is leaning towards wanting to see Kevin Lee adjust to the welterweight division. This past Saturday night (March 14), Lee took on Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC Brasilia. The action was held inside the Ginasio Nilson Nelson. UFC Brasilia was closed to the public amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Paige VanZant called out again by Amanda Ribas: 'It'd be a great fight for the fans'
Adam Martin - March 17, 2020
UFC strawweight contender Amanda Ribas has once again called out Paige VanZant after defeating replacement opponent Randa Markos at UFC Brasilia. VanZant was set to fight Ribas at UFC Brasilia but was forced to withdraw after breaking her right arm for the third time. The UFC called upon Markos as the replacement opponent, and Ribas handled her in dominant fashion, scoring a unanimous decision victory on the judges’ scorecards with tallies of 30-26, 30-25 and 30-25.
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.
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.
Colby Covington: 'I don’t think it was the right move' to cancel UFC cards
Tom Taylor - March 17, 2020
Colby Covington thinks it was a mistake to cancel the next three UFC events because of the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, UFC President Dana White sent out an email to UFC employees, notifying that the next three events on the calendar—shows originally scheduled for London, Columbus and Portland—have all be “indefinitely postponed.”
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.
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.
VIDEO | Tony Ferguson showcases wild exercises ahead of UFC 249, Khabib Nurmagomedov responds
Natasha Hooper - March 17, 2020
Tony Ferguson has showcased the unique exercises that are keeping him busy in the run up to his UFC 249 bout. However, his upcoming opponent, Khabib Nurmagomedov is not a fan. “El Cucuy” is scheduled to return to the Octagon on Saturday, April 18 for the first time since beating Donald Cerrone by TKO in June 2019. His upcoming opponent is none other than the undefeated lightweight champion, “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov.
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.
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.
Leon Edwards tells Tyron Woodley he can’t “run” from this whooping
Natasha Hooper - March 16, 2020
Leon Edwards has assured that Tyron Woodley can’t run or hide and will receive an “a*s whooping,” despite their main event fight cancellation. Number 4 ranked welterweight, Edwards was scheduled to fight the former welterweight champion in the main event of UFC London on Saturday March 21. Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the UFC was forced to relocate the event. The British fighter ultimately withdrew from the UFC London card due to uncertainty of travel to and from the UK and the ripple effect it had on his team.
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.
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).