UFC News
Gilbert Burns says he's already "feeling better" after being infected by COVID-19
Adam Martin - July 6, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns says he’s already “feeling better” after being infected by COVID-19, which knocked him out of UFC 251. Burns was set to fight Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight championship in the main event of UFC 251 on Fight Island, but late Friday night it was revealed that Burns tested positive and was removed from the card. The UFC worked hard all weekend to find a replacement opponent for Usman, and in the end, they were able to strike a deal with Masvidal. Usman vs. Masvidal is now official and will headline UFC 251.
Pedro Munhoz tests positive for COVID-19, fight against Frankie Edgar cancelled
Cole Shelton - July 6, 2020
Pedro Munhoz has tested positive for COVID-19 and his fight against Frankie Edgar is cancelled. Journalist, Raul Lopez was first to report the news, which was later confirmed by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.
Kamaru Usman says he will "ragdoll" Jorge Masvidal, plans to take BMF belt home with him
Cole Shelton - July 6, 2020
Kamaru Usman says he will be bringing the welterweight title and the BMF title home with him this weekend. In the main event of UFC 251, Usman will look to defend his 170-pound strap when he battles Jorge Masvidal who took this fight on short notice. It is a very intriguing matchup, but for “The Nigerian Nightmare” he says nothing changes going from Burns to Masvidal.
Petr Yan plans on beating Jose Aldo in "dominant fashion" at UFC 251 to win vacant title
Cole Shelton - July 6, 2020
Petr Yan believes his fight at UFC 251 against Jose Aldo was made for him to become the new UFC bantamweight champion. After Henry Cejudo shockingly announced his retirement after UFC 249 on May 9, Dana White was quick to announce it would be Yan fighting someone for the vacant title. It was later revealed it would be against Jose Aldo, and for the Russian, he is pleased he is fighting for the belt and it will be against a legend like Aldo.
Jorge Masvidal willing to give Nate Diaz a title shot following UFC 251: "Come fight for this belt now"
Mike Pendleton - July 6, 2020
If all goes according to plan for Jorge Masvidal in his UFC 251 matchup against champion Kamaru Usman, he’s already got his future title challengers in mind. Speaking to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani about the matchup and possibly winning the UFC welterweight title, Masvidal laid out who he would be most willing to give a title shot to and the first opponent would be a rematch from a fan-favorite fight, Nate Diaz.
Manager: Israel Adesanya has turned Paulo Costa down for UFC 251 and 252, fight now targeted for the fall
Cole Shelton - July 6, 2020
Wallid Ismail claims Israel Adesanya has turned Paulo Costa down for UFC 251 and UFC 252. Ever since Paulo Costa beat Yoel Romero at UFC 241 last August, it was expected the Brazilian would fight the winner of Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker. Ultimately, it was “The Last Stylebender” who got the job done against Whittaker, and he and Costa were then targeted to fight in March. Yet, Costa suffered an injury so Adesanya defended his belt against Yoel Romero instead.
Daniel Cormier: Burns' UFC 251 exit allowed Masvidal to "get what he wanted" from UFC
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
Daniel Cormier believes Gilbert Burns withdrawing from his UFC 251 fight with Kamaru Usman opened the door for Jorge Masvidal getting what he wants from the UFC. Burns was expected to fight Usman for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 251 this Saturday on Fight Island. Unfortunately, he was pulled from the contest when he tested positive for COVID-19.
Jorge Masvidal plans on betting big on himself against Kamaru Usman: "I gamble on myself more than anything other in this world"
Adam Martin - July 6, 2020
UFC welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal is planning on betting on himself as a hefty underdog when he takes on Kamaru Usman at UFC 251. Masvidal filled in on super short notice for Gilbert Burns, who tested positive for COVID-19 and had to be pulled from the card. After a whirlwind 48 hours this weekend, the UFC was finally able to get the deal done and get Usman vs. Masvidal signed. The fight is now official after Masvidal tested negative for the coronavirus, and he and Usman are now expected to fly to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi on Monday for their big title fight on Saturday.
Photo | UFC adds Jorge Masvidal to official UFC 251 poster
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
The UFC has updated the official UFC 251 poster to reflect the card’s new main event: a welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. See it below:
Jorge Masvidal explains why he dislikes "coward" Kamaru Usman
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
Jorge Masvidal is not a fan of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who he’ll fight in the main event of UFC 251 this Saturday. Masvidal was originally expected to be the next man in line for Usman. When he entered into a heated and highly publicized contract dispute with the UFC, however, the promotion awarded the next crack at Usman to Burns. Burns then tested positive for COVID-19, at which point the UFC approached Masvidal about stepping in to fight Usman on short-notice.
Dustin Poirier would prefer Khabib rematch over McGregor rematch, even with no title in play
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
Dustin Poirier would prefer a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov over a rematch with Conor McGregor, even if there was no UFC title on the line. Poirier fought McGregor in the featherweight division in 2014, losing via first-round knockout. Years later, after establishing himself as one of the greatest lightweights of his era, he battled Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title, losing via third-round submission.
Jorge Masvidal opens up on new deal with the UFC: "We're not there yet"
Tom Taylor - July 6, 2020
After a highly publicized contract dispute with the UFC, Jorge Masvidal is set to challenge Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title at UFC 251 this Saturday. Masvidal was originally expected to be the next man in line for Usman. When his contract dispute with the UFC began to boil, however, the promotion awarded the next crack at Usman to Burns. Burns then tested positive for COVID-19, at which point the UFC approached Masvidal about stepping in to fight Usman on short-notice.