UFC News
Max Holloway reveals he trained alone for Alex Volkanovski rematch, used "Zoom classes"
Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020
Like many fighters, Max Holloway has been forced to make serious alterations to his training camp ahead of his UFC 251 rematch with Alex Volkanovski. The former UFC featherweight champion in Holloway (21-5 MMA) will square off with Volkanovski (21-1 MMA) for a second time in next weekend’s UFC 251 pay-per-view event headliner.
Dustin Poirier shares interesting perspective on fighting without fans in attendance
Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020
Dustin Poirier returned to the Octagon last weekend for the first time since suffering a submission loss to reigning lightweight kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov. Poirier was matched up with streaking lightweight contender Dan Hooker in last Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 12 main event and the bout seemingly surpassed it’s high expectations.
Gilbert Burns no longer playing with memes, believes "karma" played a role in UFC 251 removal
Chris Taylor - July 4, 2020
Streaking contender Gilbert Burns was expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 251. Sadly that is no longer the case as earlier tonight it was reported that ‘Durinho’ had contracted the Coronavirus in Florida and thus would not be able to compete at next weekend’s pay-per-view event against Usman.
Daniel Cormier pens lengthy message to Khabib Nurmagomedov following death of his father Abdulmanap
Chris Taylor - July 3, 2020
Former two division UFC champion Daniel Cormier sent his good friend and training partner Khabib Nurmagomedov a lengthy message following the death of his father Abdulmanap. Earlier today the tragic news broke that Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, had died at age 57.
Gilbert Burns reacts after being forced out of UFC 251 title fight due to Covid-19
Chris Taylor - July 3, 2020
Surging contender Gilbert Burns was expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the promotions welterweight title in the main event of UFC 251. Unfortunately for fight fans, Burns (19-3 MMA) has been forced out of the highly anticipated contest after contracting the Coronavirus.
Colby Covington sends a message to Kamaru Usman after Gilbert Burns is forced out of UFC 251
Chris Taylor - July 3, 2020
Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington has reacted following news that Gilbert Burns will no longer be fighting Kamaru Usman at UFC 251. Earlier this evening news broke that Burns (19-3 MMA) had contracted the Coronavirus and was thus ineligible to compete in next weekend’s pay-per-view headliner against Usman (16-1 MMA) as scheduled.
Jorge Masvidal reacts following news that Gilbert Burns is out of UFC 251 fight with Kamaru Usman
Chris Taylor - July 3, 2020
Jorge Masvidal took to social media shortly after news broke that Gilbert Burns has been forced out of his UFC 251 title fight with Kamaru Usman. Earlier this evening, MMAJunkie reported that Burns (19-3 MMA) had contracted the Coronavirus and was thus unable to compete against Usman (16-1 MMA) in next weekend’s pay-per-view headliner.
Breaking! Gilbert Burns forced out of UFC 251 title fight with Kamaru Usman
Chris Taylor - July 3, 2020
Streaking contender Gilbert Burns will no longer be challenging Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title at next weekend’s UFC 251 event. Burns (18-3 MMA) was set to challenge his former training partner in Usman (16-1 MMA) in the headliner of next weekend’s pay-per-view event on Fight Island.
Tony Ferguson offers condolences to Khabib Nurmagomedov, says Abdulmanap will be front row when they fight
Cole Shelton - July 3, 2020
Tony Ferguson has offered his condolences to Khabib Nurmagomedov following the passing of his father, Abdulmanap. It was revealed on Friday that Abdulmanap, who was just 57-years-old, passed away due to complications with COVID-19. He was put in a coma but it was recently announced he was conscious and doing much better. Unfortunately things took a turn for the worse and he passed away.
Kay Hansen says UFC debut was "surreal", knows she can make a run to the title at strawweight
Cole Shelton - July 3, 2020
Kay Hansen is the youngest female on the UFC roster at just 20-years-old and is already 1-0 inside the Octagon. Hansen recently made her UFC debut against Jinh Yu Frey, the former Invicta champion, where Hansen won by third-round armbar. Although it was her UFC debut, Hansen says she wasn’t nervous due to the fact everything was happening so fast.
Conor McGregor comments on death of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov
Tom Taylor - July 3, 2020
Conor McGregor has issued a brief statement on the death of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of his arch nemesis Khabib Nurmagomedov. Abdulmanap died in a Moscow hospital this week, succumbing to COVID-19-related complications. There was an immediate outpouring of condolences and well-wishes from many notable members of the MMA community, all of whom recognize the massive influence Abdulmanap had not only on Khabib but many other fighters in Dagestan.
Colby Covington trashes Poirier's win over Hooker, challenges him to grudge match
Tom Taylor - July 3, 2020
Colby Covington was not impressed by his former training partner Dustin Poirier’s recent decision victory over Dan Hooker. Poirier and Hooker, two top lightweight contenders, collided in the main event of UFC on ESPN 12 last Saturday, battling for 25 hard minutes in what many viewed as a Fight of the Year contender. In the end, Poirier won the fight by unanimous decision—but the performance didn’t do much to move Covington.
Fight Island cards rocked by multiple shake-ups, two positive COVID-19 tests
Tom Taylor - July 3, 2020
The UFC’s four-event stint on Fight Island (Yas Island in Abu Dhabi) has been hit by three shake-ups, including two resulting from positive COVID-19 tests. Earlier this week, MMA Junkie reported that England’s Danny Roberts has withdrawn from his welterweight fight with Denmark’s Nicolas Dalby, and Kazakhstan’s Shavkat Rakhmonov is out of his welterweight fight with Russia’s Ramazan Emeev. The report did not specify why Roberts and Rakhmonov withdrew. Both fights were scheduled to occur on the UFC’s July 25 Fight Island card — the final event in that location. Since then, Dalby has accepted Canada’s Jesse Ronson as a replacement opponent for the same card. Emeev is still without a replacement opponent.
Jack Hermansson says a win over Kelvin Gastelum holds more weight than a victory over Chris Weidman
Harry Kettle - July 3, 2020
UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson believes a win over Kelvin Gastelum holds more value than a win over former champion Chris Weidman. Hermansson, who last fought in a losing effort to Jared Cannonier in the main event of UFC Copenhagen last September, was scheduled to take on Weidman at the start of May in Oklahoma City. Alas, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those plans were scrapped – and instead, Hermansson is now set to go head-to-head with former title challenger Kelvin Gastelum on July 18.
Jose Aldo claims cut to bantamweight has “actually been a lot easier than it was at 145”
Harry Kettle - July 3, 2020
UFC veteran and bantamweight contender Jose Aldo has claimed that the cut to 135 pounds has been easier than the cut to featherweight. The Brazilian is currently gearing up to fight Petr Yan at UFC 251 next weekend with the winner claiming the UFC Bantamweight Championship. While some fans and critics don’t believe Aldo deserves to be fighting for the belt, others are simply intrigued to see how he’ll match up with the dominant Russian.
MMA community pays tribute to Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov
Tom Taylor - July 3, 2020
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, has died at 57. The renowned trainer, who also coached a number of other combat sports notables, passed away in a Moscow hospital due to COVID-19 complications. This tragic news was reported by Russian publication RT on Friday morning.
Coach Kavanagh says fighters have pulled him aside to say: "I might not like your boy, but we should all be sending him 5%"
Chris Taylor - July 2, 2020
Coach Kavanagh claims that a few UFC fighters have pulled him aside at events to send their appreciation to his ‘boy’ Conor McGregor for “changing the game”. John Kavanagh’s claim came shortly after Dustin Poirier suggested that he credited his defeat to McGregor as the reason for his career resurgence.
Dustin Poirier remains confident in quest for undisputed title: "I know that I can beat Khabib Nurmagomedov"
Chris Taylor - July 2, 2020
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier is still confident that he has what it takes to dethrone undefeated 155lbs champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. ‘The Diamond’ and ‘The Eagle’ originally squared off for the promotions undisputed lightweight world title at UFC 242, with Nurmagomedov emerging victorious by way of third round submission.