UFC News
Israel Adesanya catches heat from fans for controversial coronavirus post
Tom Taylor - March 24, 2020
Some fight fans are disappointed by a recent coronavirus-related Twitter post from UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Speaking on Twitter on Tuesday, Adesanya divulged that he’s enjoying the isolation brought on by the pandemic. While the champ’s comment was likely not intended to offend, it ruffled the feathers of many commenters who noted that the virus has claimed thousands of lives and is affecting millions of people worldwide.
Weili Zhang receives supplies from Chinese fans during coronavirus lockdown in Las Vegas
Tom Taylor - March 24, 2020
UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang still hasn’t returned to her native China after her UFC 248 war with Joanna Jedrzejczyk. The champion elected to stay put in Las Vegas for up to a month, not only to avoid potential exposure to the coronavirus, but to simplify the stringent United States Anti-Doping Agency tests she’s subject to as a UFC champ.
Doctor who administered IVs to Paulo Costa handed 2-year suspension from USADA
Harry Kettle - March 24, 2020
Dr. Lucas Penchel has been handed a two-year suspension from USADA in relation to a violation involving UFC middleweight Paulo Costa and his brother Carlos. Back in April 2019, the Costa brothers had been issued six-month suspensions as a result of IVs that were administered to them by Penchel. While they were permitted substances, but the amount given was over the allowed limit.
Daniel Cormier shares his plan on how to save UFC 249
Harry Kettle - March 24, 2020
UFC star Daniel Cormier has come up with a plan on how he could assist in saving the highly anticipated UFC 249 event next month. Everyone loves to hear from their favorite people in times of hardship, and Cormier certainly qualifies as one of the most entertaining and well-liked personalities in the world of mixed martial arts today.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says he doesn't 'understand what's going on at all' with his UFC 249 fight against Tony Ferguson
Cole Shelton - March 23, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t know what is going on with his UFC 249 fight against Tony Ferguson. Nurmagomedov and Ferguson were expected to headline UFC 249 in Brooklyn, New York on April 18. Yet, the scrap will not happen in Brooklyn due to COVID-19. But, UFC president Dana White recently said the new location is set and it will be behind closed doors.
Dana White confirms Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson is still a go, event will be closed to fans
Adam Martin - March 23, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson for the lightweight title is still a go and the event will be closed off to fans. Despite White trying his best to keep UFC events from being scrapped, the UFC was forced to suspend its operations due to the coronavirus outbreak, which led to UFC London, UFC Columbus, and UFC Portland being postponed. UFC 249 will not be allowed to take place in Brooklyn, New York, but White has remained adamant that the card, featuring the main event for the lightweight belt between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson, will still go on.
Renan Barao denies signing with Serbian Battle Championship
Tom Taylor - March 23, 2020
On Sunday, Serbian Battle Championship announced that it had signed former UFC bantamweight champ Renan Barao to a multi-fight deal. It appears there’s been some kind of miscommunication.
Mike Perry claims he 'could easily be champ' in any weight class below welterweight
Tom Taylor - March 23, 2020
Fan favorite UFC welterweight “Platinum” Mike Perry believes he’s got the skills to be a champion in any weight class below his current division. Unfortunately, he also admits that he’s a little too big to drop south of welterweight. Perry made this comment on Twitter on Thursday.
VIDEO | UFC fighters join forces to sing 'Face the Pain' during COVID-19 quarantine
Harry Kettle - March 23, 2020
Notable members of the MMA community, including a handful of fighters, have gathered together to sing the famous UFC anthem “Face The Pain”. The coronavirus outbreak has generated a series of intriguing, and somewhat bizarre, reactions from around the world with everyone from influencers to athletes to celebrities trying to raise the spirits of those who are self-isolating.
Coach Din Thomas leaves American Top Team
Tom Taylor - March 23, 2020
Din Thomas, a long-serving coach at American Top Team in South Florida, has parted ways with the world famous MMA gym. Thomas announced his departure, which he says was amicable, to MMA Fighting. The long-time coach says he now plans to train fighters as a head coach.
Tito Ortiz says muscle relaxer caused Alberto Del Rio win to be briefly overturned
Adam Martin - March 23, 2020
MMA legend Tito Ortiz says that a muscle relaxer caused his bout against Albert Del Rio to briefly be overturned to a No Decision. Ortiz defeated his rival Del Rio at a Combate Americas event in Hidalgo, Texas back in December via first-round submission. The win gave Ortiz his first three-fight win streak since back in 2006. However, the result of the fight was later turned to a No Decision (or No Contest) after Ortiz’s drug test results were flagged. Fortunately for Ortiz, however, the Texas State Athletic Commission soon afterward reversed their original call and reinstated his win back after looking into the case further.
Khabib Nurmagomedov forced to move UFC 249 training camp to Russia
Tom Taylor - March 23, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov has packed his bags and returned home to his native Russia. The undefeated UFC lightweight champion is gearing up for a title defense opposite undefeated champion Tony Ferguson. The bout was originally expected to go down at UFC 249 on April 18 in Brooklyn, yet as the coronavirus pandemic has swept the planet, the status of the card has become quite uncertain. We already know it won’t be happening in New York, and perhaps not even on US soil.