UFC News
Sean O’Malley rips Brian Kelleher over recent callout: “He’s not going to do anything for my career”
Natasha Hooper - April 17, 2020
Sean O’Malley has attempted to put Brian Kelleher in his place after claiming he would “smoke” the bantamweight in a fight. O’Malley returned to action in March 2020 after two years on the sidelines. In his UFC 248 return, O’Malley finished Jose Quinonez with a first-round head kick and punches. He is now one of the most sought-after foes in the bantamweight division and only wants a worthwhile opponent. He shut down a callout from his fellow 135-pound fighter Kelleher.
Conor McGregor sends warning to Tony Ferguson
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Conor McGregor has issued a warning to Tony Ferguson, who is expected to battle Justin Gaethje for the UFC interim lightweight title on May 9. McGregor addressed Ferguson on Instagram on Friday afternoon, shortly after Ferguson made a statement by making weight for the canceled UFC 249 card — the original setting of his fight with Gaethje.
Paul Felder confirms he's not retiring: 'I can not wait to fight again'
Mike Pendleton - April 17, 2020
After an incredibly close-contested fight against Dan Hooker, Paul Felder put his fighting future up in the air and admitted in his post-fight press conference that he would be considering retirement. Felder seemed to start to get away from the idea of retirement in March, saying he feels he’s got a lot more left in him, and that means the stacked lightweight division will be keeping one of its most dangerous contenders. Following his fight against Hooker, Felder’s coach Duke Roufus revealed that he asked UFC President Dana White for a rematch between the two, but Hooker is currently scheduled to meet Dustin Poirier at some point when the UFC returns to action.
Colby Covington accuses Jon Jones of cheating on his wife, wants "Bones" to go to jail for DWI
Adam Martin - April 17, 2020
Colby Covington believes that UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones should face jail time after his recent arrest and accused him of cheating on his wife. Jones was arrested last month for a DWI and gun charges in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It appeared as though Jones would be facing possible jail time as a repeat offender, but he struck a deal with state prosecutors to only serve house arrest and do some community service. There are many who were surprised Jones didn’t get any jail time for his infractions and Covington is one of them.
Mike Goldberg names the best UFC fights he ever called
Adam Martin - April 17, 2020
Former UFC play-by-play commentator Mike Goldberg was asked to name the best fights he ever called, and he released his list for fight fans to check out. Goldberg was the long-time commentator for the UFC before getting the axe a few years ago. He quickly signed with Bellator MMA and continues to provide the mic duties for the UFC’s biggest rival. Goldberg may not work for the UFC anymore, but he had a front-row seat for their shows for years and he got to call a few gems during his time there.
Despite Dana White's plans for fights at UFC APEX, NSAC director says "we are closed until further notice"
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Dana White is hoping to start producing live UFC fights at the promotion’s APEX facility in Las Vegas next month. Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Executive Director Bob Bennett, however, is noncommittal on whether or not live combat sports will be allowed in the state at that point. “We will see what the data reveals based on the science of COVID-19 and move forward accordingly,” Bennett said to MMA Fighting via email.
Conor McGregor says he'd "slap around" the version of himself that beat Eddie Alvarez
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Back at UFC 205 in 2016, Conor McGregor produced one of the most impressive wins of his career, knocking out Eddie Alvarez to become the first concurrent two-division champ in UFC history. Speaking on Instagram on Thursday, McGregor reflected on that fight, which went down inside New York City’s hallowed Madison Square Garden. He added that the McGregor of the year 2020 would slap the 2016 version of McGregor around — a testament to the growth he’s achieved since this history-making win.
Michael Bisping has a message for the “idiots” who think the coronavirus is a conspiracy
Harry Kettle - April 17, 2020
Michael Bisping has a clear message for people who think that the coronavirus pandemic is all part of a bigger conspiracy. In the midst of the chaos surrounding the ongoing outbreak around the world, one man who has been pretty vocal about the whole thing is the former UFC middleweight king.
Dominick Reyes says the UFC is on board for Jon Jones rematch, but champ is avoiding the “dog fight”
Harry Kettle - April 17, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Dominick Reyes doesn’t believe that Jon Jones is all too interested in fighting him in a rematch for the title. The two men went to war in an incredibly close fight back at UFC 247, and while Jones left Houston with the win and the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, many fans and pundits were of the belief that Reyes should’ve had his hand raised at the end of the night.
Michael Bisping reveals he nearly went fully blind following Kelvin Gastelum fight
Cole Shelton - April 16, 2020
Michael Bisping regrets taking the Kelvin Gastelum fight just weeks after losing to Georges St-Pierre. The former UFC middleweight champion says he overtrained for the St-Pierre fight and after he got choked out he got a quick return. Anderson Silva was out of his scrap against Gastelum and Bisping would be stepping in on short notice.
UFC 250 full betting odds revealed
Adam Martin - April 16, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the hypothetical UFC 250 card, which is tentatively scheduled to take place on May 9 at a location TBD. UFC president Dana White this week revealed the promotion is hoping to get back to its normal fight schedule in early May, and the complete 12-fight card for FC 250 was revealed to the fans. The planned UFC 250 card has three title fights on it, making it one of the deepest and most stacked cards in recent memory. That is as long if it still goes on as scheduled, which at this point is hard to say given the coronavirus pandemic.
Ronda Rousey prefers WWE's pay compared to the UFC: "They’re treated like employees"
Cole Shelton - April 16, 2020
Former UFC champion, Ronda Rousey likes how WWE pays their athletes compared to the UFC. Rousey, who became a WWE star after her successful UFC career, says the WWE treats athletes like employees. The wrestlers are also on salary, which makes planning life a lot easier when compared to fight purses.
Who has the best chance to end Kamaru Usman's reign?
Cole Shelton - April 16, 2020
Kamaru Usman is a perfect 11-0 inside the Octagon and is coming off his first title defense back at UFC 245. There, “The Nigerian Nightmare” TKO’d Colby Covington in the fifth round in a very close fight. Yet, welterweight is arguably the most stacked division in the UFC so Usman has a tough road ahead of him. When the UFC returns to normalcy, Usman’s next title defense will most likely come against Jorge Masvidal. “Gamebred” had a career resurgence in 2019 with three knockout wins and claiming the BMF title. Masvidal could pose some problems for the champ if the fight remains on standing. After that, Usman’s next couple of fights could come against Covington, Leon Edwards, and Tyron Woodley. So, who has the best chance to end his reign?
Shaquille O’Neal: "MMA is the reason I became a champion" in NBA
Tom Taylor - April 16, 2020
Shaquille O’Neal, the winner of four NBA Championships, and a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall-of-Famer, credits his success on the court to MMA. It’s no secret that Shaq is a big fight fan, but during a recent interview with ESPN, he divulged that training in MMA on the side helped him take his fitness to the next level.
Kamaru Usman ready to fight Jorge Masvidal on May 9 UFC card
Adam Martin - April 16, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says he’s ready to fight Jorge Masvidal on the May 9 UFC card if the promotion needs him to fight on it. The UFC revealed its plans this week for the new UFC 249/UFC 250 card that will take place on May 9 at a location TBD. The card already has three title fights set for it, with Tony Ferguson taking on Justin Gaethje in the main event for the UFC interim lightweight title, Henry Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz for the UFC bantamweight title in the co-main event, and Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer for the UFC women’s featherweight title, to boot.
Dana White updates on timeframe for Fight Island events
Adam Martin - April 16, 2020
UFC president Dana White says that Fight Island should be ready by the middle of May to hold UFC events featuring international fighters. White made headlines recently when he revealed he had acquired a private island in order to host future UFC events. Fans and media were taken aback by the news of White trying to hold events on a private island as the coronavirus pandemic eliminated the ability for the UFC to hold fights in the mainland United States. At first, it seemed like a bit of an inside joke, but it soon became clear that White was very serious about Fight Island.
Dana White: Revamped UFC 249 card 'could get better'
Tom Taylor - April 16, 2020
UFC President Dana White is working on orchestrating a triumphant return for the promotion on May 9. He’s already stacked this revamped UFC 249 card with three title fights, and from the sounds of it, it could get even bigger “It could get better,” White told Yahoo! Sports of the May 9 event. “It really could. You look at that card and it’s stacked, but I have some fights I’m working on, if I get them done, this card is going to be absolutely crazy.”
Michael Bisping shares thoughts on UFC 249 cancelation
Tom Taylor - April 16, 2020
Michael Bisping is taking the coronavirus pandemic very seriously, but admits he was looking forward to the recently canceled UFC 249 card.