UFC News
Alex Pereira, only man to knock out Israel Adesanya, could soon be UFC bound
Adam Martin - April 15, 2020
Alex Pereira, the man who knocked out UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in a kickboxing match, could soon be UFC bound. Pereira finished Adesanya in devastating fashion in April 2016 under the Glory of Heroes banner. Adesanya, of course, has gone on to accomplish great things in the UFC Octagon while Pereira has continued to ply his trade as a kickboxer in the years since. He does have three MMA fights under his belt and has racked up a 2-1 record, but he hasn’t fought in MMA since 2016. That could soon change.
Dana White admits May 9 event will prove “very expensive” for the UFC
Cole Shelton - April 15, 2020
Dana White says the scheduled May 9 event will be very expensive for the UFC. The promotion was forced to postpone UFC 249 and the subsequent events following due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, White recently revealed a stacked card for May 9, but he won’t reveal where the location is.
Georges St-Pierre reveals there was mutual interest with Khabib Nurmagomedov for a fight
Mike Pendleton - April 15, 2020
After claiming the lightweight title at UFC 223, Khabib Nurmagomedov did not immediately look to get a fight against top contenders in the division for his title defense, he had his sights set on former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. St-Pierre has been away from MMA since UFC 217 when he defeated Michael Bisping to become the middleweight champion, the second title he claimed in his legendary career. The former welterweight champion relinquished his middleweight title after defeating Bisping and has not competed since.
Video | Jon Jones daughter is developing her striking during quarantine
Natasha Hooper - April 15, 2020
Jon Jones’ daughter is following in her father’s footsteps by developing her striking during the coronavirus lockdown. In recent weeks, the light heavyweight champion was hitting the headlines for a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) arrest in his hometown of Albuquerque New Mexico. Now, “Bones” is in the news for positive reasons as he spends his time productively during the lockdown.
Michael Chiesa sees many options for next opponent, but wants Colby Covington fight most
Mike Pendleton - April 15, 2020
Michael Chiesa is currently riding a three-fight winning streak in the welterweight division with wins over Carlos Condit, Diego Sanchez, and Rafael dos Anjos. With his current win streak in place, Chiesa is looking to be smart and strategic with his upcoming opponents. During an interview on The Luke Thomas Show, Chiesa laid out his plans for the welterweight division and says he is confident he will fight this year despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
VIDEO | Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, other MMA stars unite to encourage social distancing
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, Cris Cyborg, Michael Bisping, Stephen Thompson, Leon Edwards, Dillon Danis, Megan Anderson, Li Jingliang and a host of other MMA stars represented by Paradigm Sports Management have come together to encourage social distancing and safe practices during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The MMA stars helped spread this message in a video published by Paradigm Sports Management on Wednesday afternoon. See it below:
Randy Couture: UFC should not be exempt from coronavirus restrictions
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
While most of the world is still locked down to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, UFC President Dana White has been defiantly attempting to keep his company running throughout the crisis. Former two-division UFC champ Randy Couture isn’t sure how to feel about that. Couture delved into the topic on an episode of Weighing In with John McCarthy and Josh Thomson.
Urijah Faber admits Dominick Cruz is "actually a decent guy"
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
For many years, Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber were two of the most heated rivals in MMA. From the sounds if it, however, their mutual animus has diminished. Speaking on MMA Fighting’s The A-Side, Faber was asked by a fan if he’d rather be on a sinking life boat with Cruz, or his teammate-turned-nemesis TJ Dillashaw.
Brendan Schaub reacts to UFC 249 cancelation, guarantees fights will go ahead in May
Mike Pendleton - April 15, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight turned combat sports analyst Brendan Schaub recently commented on the cancelation of UFC 249 and Dana White’s plans to resume business despite the coronavirus pandemic. Schaub weighed in on the topic during his podcast “Below The Belt” saying that a move like ESPN and Disney stepping in to cancel fights is the downside to the deal that the UFC has with these companies.
Dustin Poirier interested in boxing Conor McGregor or Nate Diaz
Adam Martin - April 15, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier says that he is interested in taking on Conor McGregor or Nate Diaz in a boxing match. Poirier hasn’t fought since a submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov last Septemeber at UFC 242 in a failed bid to win the UFC lightweight championship. The top-five ranked lightweight was scheduled to fight Dan Hooker at UFC San Diego, but that card fell apart due to the coronavirus pandemic. That leaves Poirier without a fight at the moment, and like other fighters, he’s anxious to get back in there and compete.
Georges St-Pierre argues "you can’t be the best guy on the planet" in MMA
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time. In fact, at the height of his dominance, he was viewed by many fans as the best fighter on earth. Speaking with ESPN recently, however, St-Pierre refuted the notion that any fighter can truly call themselves the best fighter alive. By his estimation, even the most dominant fighter can be beaten by somebody — though many are lucky enough to avoid crossing paths with that person.
Anthony Smith buries "piece of s**t" Jon Jones for comments about home invasion
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
Anthony Smith was recently the victim of a violent home invasion. Shortly after Smith shared the story of this ordeal, his former foe, UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones, took to Twitter to boast that, if his home had been broken into, the intruder wouldn’t have left on his feet. Glad Anthony is OK, no way dude would have left my house walking https://t.co/U6wSr8KmA8
Dana White says UFC Apex will host events starting next month for foreseeable future
Harry Kettle - April 15, 2020
UFC president Dana White has claimed that the UFC Apex facility will start hosting events next month and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Despite the recent setbacks that the UFC has been facing, it appears as if there’s a decent chance they’ll continue to try and get live events back on in some way, shape or form in May, with May 9 being suggested as a possible date for what could turn out to be a super card.
Tony Ferguson takes aim at Khabib Nurmagomedov after UFC rebooks Justin Gaethje fight
Chris Taylor - April 14, 2020
Tony Ferguson decided to take a dig at reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov earlier this evening on social media. Ferguson and Nurmagomedov were slated to fight in the headliner of UFC 249 in Brooklyn on April 18. However, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the event had to be rescheduled and a new venue had to be procured by the promotion.
Tony Ferguson reacts following rebooking of Justin Gaethje fight
Chris Taylor - April 14, 2020
Former UFC interim lightweight title holder Tony Ferguson is once again slated to square off with Justin Gaethje, this time on May 9. The lightweight standouts were originally set to meet in the headliner of UFC 249, however that event was ultimately postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Valentina Shevchenko praises Dana White's "Fight Island"
Natasha Hooper - April 14, 2020
UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is ready to touch down on the organization’s “fight island.” In fact, the 125-pound queen wants to commit 100% by training and even living there. Recent UFC fight cards have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The UFC president Dana White believes the best way to resume action is to set up events on a private island. According to White, his fight island venture is in the works. Multiple fighters are jumping at the opportunity to step foot on the island’s soil, and that includes Shevchenko.
UFC announces full fight card for May 9, including three title fights
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2020
The UFC is looking to come back in a big way on May 9 and the targeted fight card has been released. Dana White recently told ESPN that the promotion is looking at May 9. Of course, the Las Vegas-based promotion was scheduled to hold an event at the Tachi Palace Resort and Casino on April 18. Yet, the higher-ups at Disney and ESPN put a stop to that due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, White is targeting May 9 as his return date which was originally scheduled to be UFC 250.
Breaking: UFC to hold next event on May 9, multiple bouts already in the works
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2020
The UFC was forced to postpone UFC 249 and all events moving forward due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have their targeted return date. Dana White revealed to Brett Okamoto of ESPN the plan is to return on May 9 at a location to be announced. May 9, of course, was scheduled to be UFC 250. So, whether that will be the name of the event is unknown at this time. But, White revealed some matchups that will take place on the card like Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje, Henry Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz, Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer and Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik.