UFC News
Justin Gaethje names the only opponents he'll accept after 'Cowboy'
Tom Taylor - September 11, 2019
This weekend, in the main event of UFC Vancouver, Justin Gaethje will step into the Octagon with a fellow fan-favorite in Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. If Gaethje is able to defeat Cerrone, who he considers a friend, he believes he’ll be right near the summit of the lightweight mountain, and will only accept a few fights thereafter. One, he says, is a fight against the winner of an expected but yet unscheduled title fight between divisional champ Khabib Nurmagomedov and top contender Tony Ferguson. The other is a fight with a man he’s become increasingly hostile toward; former two-division champion Conor McGregor.
Khabib Nurmagomedov could retire after 30 fights, according to father
Natasha Hooper - September 11, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father is hinting that, after 30 fights, his son will retire from mixed martial arts competition. Nurmagomedov maintained his incredible undefeated record at UFC 242 against Dustin Poirier. He beat “The Diamond” in the third round via submission and brought his record up to 28-0.
VIDEO | Johnny Walker flaunts athleticism with unbelievable flying knee
Tom Taylor - September 11, 2019
UFC light heavyweight contender Johnny Walker is freakishly athletic. He’s already proven that in his fights, and now, he’s reaffirming it in training. In a video that’s been circulating on Twitter, Walker can be seen landing a flying knee on a focus mitt held higher than the top of his own head. It really has to be seen to be believed. Check it out below (via @DovySimuMMA on Twitter):
Paul Felder welcomes Edson Barboza trilogy — under one condition
Tom Taylor - September 11, 2019
Paul Felder and Edson Barboza are now tied 1-1 across two previous fights. The two lightweight contenders first met in July of 2015, in Felder’s second UFC bout. On that night, Barboza walked away with a unanimous decision win, handing Felder his first pro loss. Both fighters pocketed Fight of the Night bonus checks.
Reddit user exposes UFC rankings system
Adam Martin - September 11, 2019
A Reddit user has dug deep into the UFC rankings, and has exposed a flawed system that features a number of panelists who do not actually even cover MMA. Reddit user u/kneeco28 posted an in-depth rundown of all 14 panelists on the UFC rankings panel. What he found was that a third of the panelists are not even active MMA media members. Remember, these are the same people who contribute to the rankings, which have an inexorable impact on fighter promotion, matchmaking, salaries and Reebok pay.
Colby Covington rates performance of 'sheep f**ker' Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tom Taylor - September 11, 2019
Last weekend, in the main event of UFC 242, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov authored another dominant title defense, this time at the expense of the dangerous Dustin Poirier. This victory impressed the vast majority of the MMA community — but not UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington. Covington gave his assessment of Nurmagomedov’s UFC 242 victory on a recent episode of Chael Sonnen’s podcast.
Leon Edwards lays claim to title shot: 'F**k Colby Covington'
Mike Heck - September 11, 2019
Leon Edwards, for a moment, had a world title opportunity presented to him during the craziness of booking the main event for UFC 244. First, it was Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington that was discussed, then Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal, and ultimately onto Masvidal vs. Edwards for the vacant title before landing on the signed headliner, Masvidal taking on Nate Diaz. “Rocky” has won eight fights in a row including his most recent victory over former world champion Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC San Antonio. With Edwards’ recent surge, and Covington’s internal battle with the UFC going on, the 28-year-old is staking his claim at the title shot over the brash Covington.
Colby Covington: 'There might be a brawl' at American Top Team
Tom Taylor - September 11, 2019
Colby Covington is a proud member of American Top Team. Unfortunately, Covington has become increasingly at odds with many of his American Top Team stablemates — particularly his long-time friend and fellow welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal, and recent lightweight title challenger Dustin Poirier. Over the last few weeks, Covington has taken very public shots at both Masvidal and Poirier, and the pair have not hesitated to fire back. In fact, both Masvidal and Poirier have hinted things could get tense if they encounter Covington at American Top Team.
Jorge Masvidal says 'heads are going to pop' when his UFC 244 salary is revealed
Natasha Hooper - September 11, 2019
Jorge Masvidal is scheduled to get a serious payday for his upcoming fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 244. The welterweight stars will collide on Saturday, November 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The highly anticipated matchup has been in the works since Nate Diaz called out ‘Gamebred’ following his unanimous win against Anthony Pettis at UFC 241. They will be fighting for the self-devised ‘Baddest Motherf**ker Title,’ which will get chins wagging and paychecks flying.
Report | Jon Jones will not fight again in 2019
Natasha Hooper - September 11, 2019
According to Ariel Helwani, Jon Jones will not be fighting this year. The light heavyweight champion teased a big fight announcement for this year, but Ariel Helwani squashed any speculation on Twitter.
UFC 245 could feature three title fights
Adam Martin - September 10, 2019
The UFC’s year-end pay-per-view card this December in Las Vegas, UFC 245, could potentially feature three title fights on it for a true blockbuster end to 2019. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani speculated that the UFC could consider stacking UFC 245 with three title fights. Here’s what the scribe tweeted.
Ben Askren claims that Conor McGregor's 'champ level' days are gone
Cole Shelton - September 10, 2019
Ben Askren doesn’t believe that Conor McGregor will ever be a UFC champion again. McGregor, who is the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion was also the first-ever simultaneous two-division champion in the UFC. Yet, according to Ben Askren, he believes the Irishman made too much money to have the desire to train at a world champ level.
Breaking! Jacare Souza moves up to light heavyweight to face Jan Blachowicz at UFC São Paulo
Cole Shelton - September 10, 2019
Jan Blachowicz will not receive the light heavyweight title shot against Jon Jones he so desires. The Polish standout has been campaigning for a shot at ‘Bones’ ever since he knocked out Luke Rockhold back at UFC 239. According to ESPN, Jan Blachowicz will welcome Jacare Souza to the light heavyweight division. The fight will headline a UFC Fight Night on Nov. 16 in São Paulo, Brazil, according to Brett Okamoto, per UFC president Dana White.
Dustin Poirier willing to rematch Conor McGregor in the squared circle
Cole Shelton - September 10, 2019
Dustin Poirier called for a rematch with Conor McGregor earlier today and now claims he is open for the fight to take place in Zuffa boxing. Poirier had a chance to become the UFC’s undisputed lightweight champion at last weekend’s UFC 243 event but came up short. There, he was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov in the third round.
UFC rankings update: Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn't get his wish
Thomas Taylor - September 10, 2019
After his UFC 242 submission defeat of Dustin Poirier, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov wanted the No. 1 spot in the UFC’s pound for pound rankings. Unfortunately, the champ has not gotten his wish. On Wednesday, the official UFC rankings were updated, and while they do feature some interesting changes, Nurmagomedov has not moved from the No. 2 spot on the pound-for-pound list. That spot is still held by UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Breaking! Stephen Thompson set to return at UFC 244 against surging contender Vicente Luque
Chris Taylor - September 10, 2019
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson will return to the Octagon at November’s highly anticipated UFC 244 event in New York. “Wonderboy” will square off with Vicente Luque under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden on November 2.
Dustin Poirier sets his sights on Conor McGregor rematch
Tom Taylor - September 10, 2019
After losing to UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 last weekend, Dustin Poirier briefly hinted at a potential retirement from MMA. Now that the dust has settled, however, it seems that Poirier not only plans to continue fighting, but that he wants to fight against the best and brightest competition available. He’s now calling for a rematch with Conor McGregor. Poirier made his callout of Mcgregor on Twitter.
Cris Cyborg explains why new Bellator deal is preferable to UFC deal
Tom Taylor - September 10, 2019
Cris Cyborg is happy to have parted ways with the UFC and inked a new deal with Bellator MMA. In fact, she says her new deal with Bellator includes a number of important benefits that she was not able to enjoy while fighting for the UFC. Most notably, Cyborg is no longer obligated to wear Reebok as part of the UFC’s athlete outfitting deal. She’s free to pursue her own sponsorship opportunities.