UFC News
Gilbert Burns announces he's "covid free"
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
On Monday afternoon, surging UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns announced that he has tested negative for COVID-19. Burns was expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. Regrettably, he tested positive for COVID-19, and was promptly removed from the matchup as a result. He was then replaced by Jorge Masvidal, who Usman defeated by unanimous decision.
Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa odds update
Adam Martin - July 20, 2020
We have an update for the betting odds in the upcoming middleweight title fight at UFC 253 between champion Israel Adesanya and challenger Paulo Costa. The odds for Adesanya vs. Costa were actually originally released last fall immediately after Adesanya knocked out Robert Whittaker to win the belt at UFC 243. At the time, Costa was coming off of a decision win over Yoel Romero at UFC 241 and was set to fight Adesanya for the belt. Unfortunately, Costa injured his bicep and couldn’t fight for the belt. Instead, Adesanya took on Romero at UFC 248 and won a unanimous decision to keep his belt.
Colby Covington slams "pathetic" Jorge Masvidal for requesting Usman rematch
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
Colby Covington has some choice words for Jorge Masvidal, who recently requested a rematch with UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. Masvidal challenged Usman for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 251 earlier this month. He accepted the fight on six days’ notice, replacing Usman’s originally slated foe Gilbert Burns, who tested positive for COVID-19.
Chael Sonnen thinks Petr Yan created 'confusing' situation in UFC bantamweight division
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 20, 2020
Chael Sonnen feels the UFC bantamweight division is a mess and we have Petr Yan to thank. Yan competed for the vacant UFC bantamweight title on July 11. He met Jose Aldo on the main card of UFC 251. Yan scored a fifth-round TKO victory to capture UFC gold for the first time in his pro MMA career.
Sean O'Malley trolls UFC 252 opponent Marlon Vera with new hairstyle
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
Surging UFC bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley has trolled his UFC 252 opponent Marlon “Chito” Vera with a new hair style. O’Malley, who has never been afraid to get creative with fashion, has died his hair the colors of the flag of Ecuador—Vera’s home country.
Joe Rogan praises "one of the most promising talents in the sport" after UFC on ESPN+ 30
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
You can count long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan among those riding the Arman Tsarukyan hype train. Tsarukyan, who is now 15-2 as a pro mixed martial artist, came up short in his UFC debut, losing a decision to Khabib Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev. Since then, however, the Russia-based Armenian has rebounded with a pair of impressive decision wins over Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Davi Ramos, the latter of which occured at UFC on ESPN+ 30 last Saturday night in Abu Dhabi.
Darren Till responds to Mike Perry's eye-poke threat: "That's not going to happen"
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
Darren Till and Mike Perry have had an interesting relationship over the course of their time in the UFC. Initially, the pair were rivals in the welterweight division, and were seemingly destined to clash in the Octagon. Then, they seemed to form something of a friendship, and even partook in a sparring session together. More recently, however, their relationship has regressed, and Perry is now chomping at the bit for the chance to fight Till—despite the fact that the Brit has moved up to the middleweight division.
Report | Cody Garbrandt interested in dropping to flyweight for title fight with Deiveson Figueiredo
Harry Kettle - July 20, 2020
According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, bantamweight contender Cody Garbrandt may be interested in dropping down to flyweight in order to challenge Deiveson Figueiredo for the 125-pound title. “No Love” has been on quite the journey throughout his first five years in the UFC, starting off with a 6-0 run that saw him capture the Bantamweight Championship. From there, however, he lost the belt to TJ Dillashaw in the midst of a three-fight skid before eventually returning to winning ways in stunning fashion against Raphael Assuncao last month.
Henry Cejudo sends a message to Dana White after witnessing the UFC hand his belts to a couple of “Rent A champs”
Harry Kettle - July 20, 2020
Henry Cejudo has sent a message to UFC President Dana White in the wake of new bantamweight and flyweight champions being crowned. “Triple C” retired from mixed martial arts back in May after his convincing win over Dominick Cruz at UFC 249, opening the door for both of the aforementioned divisions to move on without him. In the last few weeks, Petr Yan and Deiveson Figueiredo have both stepped up to the plate and won titles in their respective weight classes – prompting more than a few responses from Cejudo.
Jack Hermansson thanks Kelvin Gastelum in classy post-fight statement
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Jack Hermansson has issued a classy statement after submitting Kelvin Gastelum at UFC on ESPN+30 last weekend. Hermansson battled Gastelum in the card’s co-main event, and with massive implications for the middleweight top-10 on the line.The Swedish-Norwegian ended up picking up one of his biggest wins to date, tapping Gastelum with a heel hook just over a minute into the first round.
VIDEO | Henry Cejudo goes to bat for Mike Perry, claims ‘Platinum’ is innocent
Natasha Hooper - July 20, 2020
The former UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo, has backed Mike Perry following his alleged bar fight in Texas, as the pair shrugged off any negativity in a video posted to social media. Perry, a welterweight, allegedly punched an older gentleman in a bar during an outing with his girlfriend earlier this month.
Dana White not rushing Khabib Nurmagomedov back to the Octagon: “He’s going to fight when he calls me”
Natasha Hooper - July 20, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov is taking some time away from fighting according to UFC President Dana White. It has been an unfortunate year for the undisputed lightweight champion. He was scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson in an eagerly-anticipated matchup at UFC 249 in May earlier this year. However, due to the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent travel restrictions, he was forced to withdraw from the upcoming title defence.