UFC News
Daniel Cormier understands why Stipe Miocic doesn't want to fight him: "He's going to have a lot of trouble"
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2020
Daniel Cormier knows why Stipe Miocic is reluctant to fight him. Cormier and Miocic have fought twice before where they first met at UFC 226. There, “DC” knocked out Miocic in the first round to become the heavyweight champ. They had their rematch at UFC 241 where Cormier arguably won the first three rounds before Miocic earned a fourth-round TKO win to reclaim his heavyweight belt.
Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik added to UFC 249
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
A heavyweight bout between top contenders Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik is the latest addition to the revamped UFC 249 card. Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik was originally set to take place at UFC Columbus in the main event before that card was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Both men have been campaigning to appear on the new UFC 249 card and it appears they will now get their wish. According to Rozestruik, the fight will indeed take place at UFC 249. It won’t be for the interim heavyweight belt like Rozenstruik suggested, but it has been booked nonetheless.
Tyron Woodley says Colby Covington turned down fight against him at UFC 249
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley says that Colby Covington turned down a fight against him for the fifth time at UFC 249. There is no love lost between Woodley and Covington, as they have been talking smack to each other for the better part of two years now. The two have been connected to a fight multiple times in the past but for whatever reason, it’s never been booked.
Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan De Castro set for new UFC 249 card
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2020
Greg Hardy and Yorgan De Castro will indeed fight, but it will now happen at UFC 249. Hardy and De Castro were expected to fight at UFC Columbus, yet that was one of the three promotional events postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, sources tell BJPENN.com that Hardy and de Castro will be on this month’s new UFC 249 card at a location to be announced.
UFC 249: MMA community reacts to Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje booking
Thomas Taylor - April 6, 2020
It’s official: Justin Gaethje has stepped in to fight Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 249, replacing undisputed lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. As expected, this announcement generated a wide range of reactions from fighters, fans, and members of the media alike. See some of the early reactions to this Ferguson vs. Gaethje fight at UFC 249 below.
Justin Gaethje reacts to short-notice Tony Ferguson booking
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
It’s official. Justin Gaethje will fight Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 249 on April 18. Fighting a juggernaut like Ferguson on less than two weeks’ notice amid a pandemic when neither adequate training nor the fight itself can be guaranteed is certainly a risky move.
BREAKING | Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje official for UFC 249
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
Tony Ferguson will officially battle Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 249 on April 18. Both fighters have signed their contracts for the fight. The pair will collide for the interim lightweight title in the card’s main event. UFC President Dana White announced this news on Twitter on Monday.
As fighters struggle to train safely, coach Ray Longo wants UFC to cancel cards
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
Renowned MMA coach Ray Longo is hoping that UFC President Dana White will bite the bullet and cancel a few of the promotion’s upcoming shows amid the coronavirus pandemic. There are several arguments for the UFC canceling its upcoming events. One of the issues Longo sees is that, with almost all gyms closed, fighters are not able to make adequate preparations for their fights — if those fights even end up happening.
Darren Till calls for UFC and Reebok to increase fighter pay
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Darren Till believes MMA fighters are underpaid and suggests that the UFC and Reebok should increase fighter pay. Till recently did a Q&A session on his YouTube and spoke about the topic of fighter pay. Here’s what he said (via MMAFighting.com).
Alexander Gustafsson explains origins of famous hospital photo with Jon Jones
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson recently explained how his famous hospital photo with Jon Jones after UFC 165 came to be. Jones and Gustafsson fought tooth-and-nail in an absolute classic in the main event of UFC 165. At the time Jones was running through everyone in his path and few believed Gustafsson would be able to give the champ a run for his money. But Gustafsson took Jones to deep waters and came closer to beating him than anyone else at that time, ultimately losing a unanimous decision in the best fight of 2013.
Anthony Smith expects Jon Jones' issues outside the cage to continue
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
Anthony Smith believes his former opponent, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, will continue to find trouble outside the cage until he decides to make some real changes. Smith shared his take on Jones’ ongoing personal issues, which most recently manifested in the form of a DWI arrest, during a recent interview with MMA Fighting.
Mike Winkeljohn believes UFC will start having longer cards to make up for postponed events
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2020
Mike Winkeljohn believes we may be seeing 20-plus fights on a UFC event to make up for the postponed events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the coronavirus shutting down the sports world, the UFC was forced to postpone three events and the status of the upcoming cards is unknown. But, Dana White has been adamant that all fighters will get three fights in.
Rafael dos Anjos says infrared sauna caused his body to overheat during latest weight cut
Natasha Hooper - April 6, 2020
Rafael dos Anjos has revealed how an infrared sauna caused his whole body to overheat during weight cutting for his last fight against Michael Chiesa. Many MMA fighters have experienced weight cutting related mishaps. That includes the former lightweight champion and UFC veteran “RDA”. The Brazilian explained how cutting weight hampered his UFC Raleigh performance in a recent interview with MMA Junkie.
Belarus added to the list of replacement locations for future UFC events
Harry Kettle - April 6, 2020
Belarus has emerged as a potential plan B for the UFC when it comes to hosting future events for the promotion. The last few weeks haven’t been great for the UFC, with the promotion being forced to postpone or outright cancel a string of events as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Report | UFC is "very close" to finding location for UFC 249 and 'multiple' other events
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
The UFC is reportedly very close to locking down a location for UFC 249. On Monday morning ESPN reported that the promotion is closing in on a potential location for the event. ESPN’s report didn’t reveal that location, but pointed to the West Coast of the United States, and specified that “tribal land” — which is outside the jurisdiction of state athletic commissions — is a likely possibility.
Santiago Ponzinibbio is willing to fight Tyron Woodley with one arm at UFC 249
Natasha Hooper - April 6, 2020
Santiago Ponzinibbio is ready to step up to plate and fight Tyron Woodley last minute at UFC 249. The upcoming UFC 249 event on April 18 is clouded with uncertainty. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Khabib Nurmagomedov is out of his eagerly anticipated Tony Ferguson matchup in the main event. The final location and rest of the card are also not confirmed.
Dana White confirms Khabib is out of UFC 249, full fight card will be announced tomorrow
Chris Taylor - April 5, 2020
Dana White took to Twitter this afternoon where he confirmed that Khabib Nurmagomedov is out of UFC 249, this while adding that the full fight card will be announced tomorrow. UFC 249 was originally slated to take place on April 18 in Brooklyn, New York. The event was expected to be headlined by a highly anticipated lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.
TJ Dillashaw claims the UFC will give him a title shot upon return from USADA suspension
Adam Martin - April 5, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw claims the promotion told him he will get a title shot when he returns from his USADA suspension next year. Dillashaw was a dominant champion at 135lbs before dropping down to 125lbs and getting knocked out by Henry Cejudo at UFC on ESPN+ 1. Dillashaw still held the bantamweight belt at that point before it came out he had failed his USADA drug test for performance-enhancing drugs and had his title vacated. He is currently suspended until January 2021.