UFC News
Dana White believes "it makes a lot of sense" for Conor McGregor to return
Cole Shelton - July 31, 2020
Conor McGregor’s retirement may be soon be coming to an end. After UFC 250, the Irishman announced his retirement from MMA once again. For many, they didn’t think the retirement would last. But, UFC president, Dana White had been adamant that McGregor is retired and he would not be talking to him about fights.
Darren Till suffered MCL tear in the second round of Robert Whittaker fight at UFC Fight Island 3
Harry Kettle - July 31, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Darren Till suffered an MCL tear in the second round of his loss to Robert Whittaker on Fight Island last weekend. “The Gorilla” went to war with “Bobby Knuckles” in Abu Dhabi last Saturday night, to the point where many fans and pundits couldn’t quite decide who had come out on top. In the end, Whittaker got the nod via unanimous decision, taking him one step closer to a shot at Israel Adesanya’s UFC Middleweight Championship.
Joanne Calderwood explains why she’s willing to risk a title shot against Valentina Shevchenko in order to fight Jennifer Maia
Natasha Hooper - July 31, 2020
Flyweight standout Joanne Calderwood has divulged why she is willing to a risk a title shot against Valentina Shevchenko for the opportunity to fight Jennifer Maia at UFC Vegas 5. Only a couple of months ago, the number three ranked flyweight was preparing to face off against the current champion, Valentina Shevchenko for the 125-pound crown. However, a knee injury and subsequent surgery forced Shevchenko out of their fight and put their matchup on the backburner.
Edson Barboza vs. Jeremy Stephens in the works for October UFC event
Adam Martin - July 31, 2020
A featherweight matchup between veteran strikers Edson Barboza and Jeremy Stephens is in the works for an October UFC event. According to a report from Combate, the UFC is currently negotiating a fight between Barboza and Stephens to take place on October 3. The venue and location of the event have not yet been confirmed. Although both fighters have competed at lightweight in the past, this potential pairing would have the two veterans meet in a featherweight bout.
Dana White sends warning to Dan Hardy, says he will fire anyone who approaches an official
Adam Martin - July 31, 2020
UFC president Dana White says that he will fire anyone on his staff who approaches a judge or a referee in their dispute of the outcome of a fight. UFC color commentator Dan Hardy came under fire last week when he got into a verbal confrontation with referee Herb Dean following a controversial late stoppage in a catchweight bout between Francisco Trinaldo and Jai Herbert. Hardy yelled for Dean to stop the fight after Herbert took some extra shots, and was then caught on video getting into it with Dean. Both men have since released statements on the matter.
Gilbert Burns says Colby Covington is "on his list"
Adam D Martin - July 31, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns says that a matchup against the always polarizing Colby Covington is “on his list.” Burns is the No. 1 contender at 170lbs and is scheduled to be the next opponent for UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Burns recently revealed he had tested negative for COVID-19 after his fight against Usman at UFC 251 fell off. Now that he’s healthy again and Usman defeated replacement opponent Jorge Masvidal at record-setting UFC 251, the UFC intends on having Usman fight Burns next, hopefully before the year is up.
UFC on ESPN+ 31 weigh-in results: Headliners on point, one fighter misses weight, one fight scrapped
Adam D Martin - July 31, 2020
UFC on ESPN+ 31: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan takes place on Saturday at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and the weigh-ins took place on Friday. Headliners Edmen Shahbazyan and Derek Brunson both made weight for their three-round middleweight main event. Shahbazyan, the unbeaten prospect from Glendale Fighting Club, weighed in at 185.5. Brunson, the long-time veteran, weighed in at 186.
Video | Fighter disqualified after shoving referee Marc Goddard
Adam D Martin - July 31, 2020
Featherweight Ahmad Al Darmaki was disqualified after shoving veteran MMA referee Marc Goddard at a UAE Warriors event in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Al Darmaki (2-6) submitted his opponent Bogdan Kirilenko with a vicious rear-naked choke but Al Darmaki refused to let go of the chokehold when Goddard tried to wave off the fight. Goddard yanked Al Darmaki off of his defenseless opponent and Al Darmaki was then seen shoving the referee and grabbing onto his shirt. Instead of winning the fight via submission, Goddard instead rightfully disqualified Al Darmaki instead.
Ali Abdelaziz: "I'm gonna do everything in my power" to make Henry Cejudo vs. Alexander Volkanovski happen
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2020
Henry Cejudo has been angling for a fight with UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, and his manager Ali Abdelaziz will be doing everything he can to make it happen. Cejudo, the former UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion, retired in May, after defending his bantamweight strap with a TKO win over Dominick Cruz. Since his retirement announcement, he’s stated repeatedly that he’d return to the cage for a fight with Volkanovski, which would give him the opportunity to become the first three-division champion in UFC history.
Ray Borg, Eric Spicely, Timur Valiev out of UFC on ESPN+ 31
Adam D Martin - July 31, 2020
UFC on ESPN+ 31 takes place this Saturday and the card has been hit by several last-minute changes including Ray Borg falling off the card. According to MMAjunkie.com, Borg is off the card and out of his bantamweight bout against Nathan Manness for undisclosed reasons. The report says that Manness will stay on the card and take on UFC newcomer Johnny Munoz.
Khamzat Chimaev promises first-round stoppage over Conor McGregor
Adam D Martin - July 31, 2020
UFC welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev is promising a first-round stoppage win if he gets the chance to fight UFC superstar Conor McGregor. Chimaev has quickly made a name for himself as he became the star of the UFC Fight Island series. After making his UFC debut at UFC Fight Island 1 with a vicious second-round submission win over John Phillips, Chimaev made UFC history when he picked up a second win in just 10 days when he defeated Rhys McKee via first-round TKO at UFC Fight Island 3. Fans, media, and fellow fighters are now pegging him as a future champ.
Zabit Magomedsharipov confirms main event against Yair Rodriguez on August 29
Adam D Martin - July 31, 2020
UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov confirmed his main event fight against Yair Rodriguez will take place on August 29 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight between Magomedsharipov and Rodriguez has been rumored for months, with Igor Lazorin of Tass.ru confirming the matchup back in June. However, the fighters and the UFC haven’t said anything about the fight until now. On Thursday, Magomedsharipov took to his social media to confirm the fight against Rodriguez. The fight will take place on August 29 at a UFC Fight Night event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.