UFC News
Francis Ngannou reflects on "2 months in jail" after entry into Europe
Tom Taylor - June 11, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou has one of the most incredible backstories of any fighter on the UFC roster. Ngannou was born in Cameroon, and ultimately emigrated to Europe in hopes of making a life for himself. While he eventually landed in Paris, where his combat sports career began, his arrival in Europe began with a two-month stint in jail.
Manager: Khabib Nurmagomedov's father "improving"
Tom Taylor - June 11, 2020
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father and long-time trainer of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, is reportedly showing signs of improvement. The Nurmagomedov patriarch was hospitalized last month, and wound up in a medically induced coma in Moscow after a bout of pneumonia. Some reports suggested he was on life support for a period.
Tito Ortiz doubles down on plans to become a police officer
Tom Taylor - June 11, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz has doubled down on his plans to become a police officer. Ortiz first broached this idea in the replies to an Instagram post earlier this week.
Stephen Thompson would move up to middleweight for one fight
Adam Martin - June 11, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson says the only bout he would move up to 185lbs for is a fight against UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Thompson is one of the top-10 welterweights in the world and has been for the last half-decade. He has a 10-4-1 overall record in the UFC, which includes wins over Jorge Masvidal, Robert Whittaker, Johny Hendricks, and Rory MacDonald. In his last fight, he defeated Vincente Luque at UFC 244 in what was a “Fight of the Night” performance.
Chael Sonnen discusses potential Sean O’Malley vs. Cody Garbrandt matchup
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2020
Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on a potential showdown between bantamweight contenders Cody Garbrandt and Sean O’Malley. This past weekend at UFC 250, Garbrandt and O’Malley put the rest of the division on notice with spectacular knockouts over Raphael Assuncao and Eddie Wineland respectively. Ever since then, fans have been curious as to what the next move will be for either fighter.
Khabib Nurmagomedov pumps up Justin Gaethje ahead of title fight
Tom Taylor - June 11, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is making sure his fans are well acquainted with his next opponent, Justin Gaethje. At this stage, most fight fans who haven’t been living under rocks are very familiar with Gaethje, who might just be the most exciting fighter in the game at present.
Sean O’Malley says a fight with former UFC champ Cody Garbrandt will “100% happen”
Natasha Hooper - June 11, 2020
Sean O’Malley is set on a fight against former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt. The UFC standout is convinced that a fight against “No Love” will “100% happen,” even if takes a few years.
Poster released for UFC 251 on Fight Island
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2020
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has released the first official poster for the highly anticipated UFC 251 event on Fight Island. It’s been months in the making, but we finally have the confirmation through from the UFC that the proposed Fight Island will indeed take place on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. While it may not have been exactly what everyone pictured it to be, one thing is for sure: the first PPV card from the run of events over there is going to be a big one.
Sean O'Malley "interested" in fighting Marlon Vera but says it's up to UFC on who he fights next
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2020
Sean O’Malley has some interest in finally fighting Marlon Vera inside the Octagon. O’Malley and Vera were expected to fight at UFC 239. Yet, the fight was scrapped due to the undefeated contender was forced off the card after traces of Ostarine was found in his system. “Chito” then took shots at O’Malley, so the 25-year-old is not opposed to finally getting the chance to fight Vera. But, he says it’s up the UFC on who he fights next.
Daniel Cormier feels Conor McGregor's retirement overshadowed Amanda Nunes' UFC 250 win
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 10, 2020
Daniel Cormier doesn’t agree with the timing of Conor McGregor’s retirement announcement. Just after UFC “champ-champ” Amanda Nunes turned in a stellar performance against Felicia Spencer, McGregor hopped on Twitter to claim he is retiring from MMA competition. Some feel that the timing of McGregor’s announcement took away from Nunes’ dominant women’s featherweight title defense. Cormier is in that camp.
Gray Maynard: UFC fighters are "kind of like strippers"
Tom Taylor - June 10, 2020
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Gray Maynard says UFC fighters are treated a bit like strippers. Maynard made this comparison in a fantastic interview with Steven Rae of The Body Lock.
UFC rankings update: Cody Garbrandt rockets up at bantamweight, O'Malley debuts
Tom Taylor - June 10, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last weekend’s UFC 250 card, and there have been some major changes, particularly in the bantamweight division. Former UFC bantamweight champ Cody Garbrandt, who delivered a crushing knockout win over Raphael Assuncao in the card’s co-main event, is back in the division’s top-5.
Tito Ortiz says he's going to become a cop to "bring respect back to officers"
Tom Taylor - June 10, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz says he’s going to become a police officer to “bring respect back to officers.” On Tuesday night, Ortiz made the following post to Instagram.
Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns betting odds released
Adam Martin - June 10, 2020
The betting odds have been released for the upcoming UFC welterweight title fight at UFC 251 between champion Kamaru Usman and challenger Gilbert Burns. The UFC officially announced this week that Usman will take on Burns in the main event of UFC 251, which takes place July 11 at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The event will feature three title fights on it, with Usman vs. Burns headlining a stacked undercard featuring Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway 2 for the UFC featherweight title and Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo for the vacant UFC bantamweight belt.
Joe Rogan shares his thoughts on fighter pay debates
Tom Taylor - June 10, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has shared his thoughts on the fighter pay debate that is currently raging inside the MMA bubble. Over the last few weeks, multiple UFC stars including Henry Cejudo, Sean O’Malley, Jon Jones and Jorge Masvidal have publicly criticized the UFC over the amount of money they’re making as professional fighters. This has prompted UFC President Dana White to go on the defensive.
Cody Garbrandt fires back at Sean O'Malley: My UFC 250 KO was "way better"
Tom Taylor - June 10, 2020
Cody Garbrandt and Sean O’Malley both picked up huge knockout wins at UFC 250, but Garbrandt feels his was the better of the two. O’Malley, an undefeated prospect, picked up a dazzling first-round knockout win over WEC champ Eddie Wineland in the pay-per-view opener. Garbrandt, the former UFC bantamweight champion, delivered a brutal, one-punch KO over long-time contender Raphael Assuncao in the co-main event.
Tim Kennedy shares interest in UFC Fight Island: “I am down for tigers, hands dipped in broken glass, or velociraptors”
Natasha Hooper - June 10, 2020
Tim Kennedy is interested in throwing down on the “UFC Fight Island” and warding off some tigers and velociraptors in the process. This week, the UFC announced the official location for its Fight Island and dropped four fight cards. On social media, the UFC president, Dana White announced the fights will be taking place on Yas Island on the dates: July 11, 15, 18 and 25.
Alexander Volkanovski on UFC 251 rematch with Max Holloway: “Nothing changes”
Natasha Hooper - June 10, 2020
The current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski responded to the announcement of his UFC 251 rematch against the former champion Max Holloway. At UFC 245, in December of 2019, Holloway set out to defend his 145-pound belt against the top-ranked contender, Volkanovski. The title challenger used a steady flow of leg kicks and exchanges in the pocket to pick apart Holloway. Over the course of five rounds, The Australian put an end to the “Blessed” era as he earned the unanimous decision victory.