UFC News
Dustin Poirier doubts ring rust will be a problem for Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has not fought since October of 2018, when he defeated Conor McGregor by decision. For some fighters, a break of this length might cause problems. Nurmagomedov’s next opponent Dustin Poirier, however, expects the champion to be sharp and ready when they step into the cage together. “I think that’s more of an individual thing,” Poirier said on the UFC 242 conference call last week (via MMA News). “Everybody is different.
Joe Rogan: UFC is 'finally recognizing' value of Nate Diaz
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2019
Joe Rogan believes the UFC is finally realizing how big of a draw Nate Diaz is. The UFC commentator discussed Diaz, who recently returned from a three-year break with a unanimous decision win over Anthony Pettis, with his latest podcast guest, retired boxer Andre Ward. Ward has trained previously with both Nate and his older brother Nick.
VIDEO | Ben Askren stares down Demian Maia in Singapore
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2019
On October 26, the UFC will return to Singapore. The promotion’s latest stop in “The Lion City” will be topped by a dynamite welterweight matchup between former ONE and Bellator welterweight champ Ben Askren and two-time UFC title challenger Demian Maia. This bout has fans of the grappling arts very excited, as Askren is one of the best wrestlers in MMA, while Maia is arguably the best jiu jitsu specialist in the game. This week, the two welterweight stars touched down in Singapore, where they squared off for the press.
UFC rankings update | Weili Zhang soars at strawweight, Israel Adesanya joins P4P rankings
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last weekend’s UFC Shenzhen card, and as expected, there have been some big changes. Most notably, Weili Zhang has assumed the top spot in the strawweight division, having captured the title by defeating Jessica Andrade in less than a minute in the card’s main event.
Greg Hardy returns at UFC Singapore, takes on long-absent "Man Mountain"
Adam Martin - September 4, 2019
Controversial UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy is set to make his return to the Octagon at UFC Singapore in October, and his opponent may surprise you. The UFC announced Wednesday that Hardy will take on fellow heavyweight Jarjis Danho at UFC Singapore, taking place October 26 at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore.
Report | UFC 242 trending for massive PPV success
Natasha Hooper - September 4, 2019
According to a report from Kevin Iole from Yahoo! Sports, early figures suggest UFC 242 could be one of the biggest pay-per-view events in UFC history. The card will be topped by a lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier. Nurmagomedov’s last fight against Conor McGregor in 2018 was one of the most anticipated match-ups in UFC history. The UFC 229 event sold over 2 million pay-per-views and shattered all previous PPV records for the promotion. The UFC would of course be happy to recreate this success when Nurmagomedov returns to the Octagon against Poirier this Saturday.
Tony Ferguson explains why he refused to be back-up for UFC 242 main event
Natasha Hooper - September 4, 2019
During a recent episode of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, Tony Ferguson revealed why he turned down the offer to be a replacement fighter for the main event of UFC 242. UFC 242 will be topped by a lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier. If a fighter is injured or can no longer participate, a replacement opponent is often needed. However, Ferguson is not interested in filling that role.
Dominick Cruz says 'UFC is pretty interested in booking' him against Henry Cejudo next
Cole Shelton - September 3, 2019
Henry Cejudo has called for a ‘tune-up’ fight with Dominick Cruz for his next bantamweight bout. The former UFC bantamweight champion, Cruz, has not fought since he lost the title to Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207. Since then injuries have kept him away from the Octagon. Yet, he says he should be cleared to fight soon and says the UFC is interested in giving him a title shot against Henry Cejudo when he returns.
Ryan Bader reveals Bellator reached out to UFC for cross-promotional fight with Daniel Cormier
Cole Shelton - September 3, 2019
When Ryan Bader was in the UFC, Daniel Cormier called him the easiest fight in the light heavyweight division. Yet, a fight between the two never came to fruition and as “Darth” left in free agency for Bellator. Even though Ryan Bader is in Bellator, he still wants that fight and revealed he and his management reached out to the UFC for a cross-promotional fight with Cormier.
Brian Ortega: The Korean Zombie is 'due for another L'
Tom Taylor - September 3, 2019
Brian Ortega is ready to step back into the UFC’s Octagon and separate himself from a late 2018 loss to reigning featherweight champion Max Holloway. He even knows who he wants to fight in his return to action: “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. While this matchup with The Korean Zombie still isn’t official, Ortega believes it makes plenty of sense. He also likes his chances against the fan favorite Korean fighter.
VIDEO | Melvin Guillard knocks out civilian at bar
Adam Martin - September 3, 2019
New video footage has emerged of former UFC lightweight contender Melvin Guillard knocking out a civilian while working as a bouncer. The incident took place in Denver, Colorado back on June 15, 2018. A fight broke out outside of the Ginn Mill bar, and Guillard became involved when he brutally knocked out a civilian who was part of the commotion.
Leon Edwards willing to fight Tyron Woodley under right circumstances
Tom Taylor - September 3, 2019
Leon Edwards’ number-one choice at present is a matchup with his welterweight rival Jorge Masvidal. “Obviously, I want the fight [with Masvidal]. Now it’s up to him and his fat manager,” Edwards told MMA Fighting. “I am willing to fight in November. I will co-main event [Kamaru] Usman-[Colby] Covington and whoever wins gets a title shot.