UFC News
Dwayne Johnson reveals that he and his family tested positive for Covid-19: “It’s one of the most challenging and difficult things”
Natasha Hooper - September 3, 2020
Dwayne Johnson aka “The Rock”, has revealed that he and his family have tested positive for COVID-19, calling it “one of the most challenging and difficult things.” Johnson is the parent to three girls, Simone, 19, Jasmine, four, and Tiana, two. On his Instagram account to his 196 million followers, the 48-year old candidly discussed his family’s struggle with coronavirus.
Dana White hires Best Buy employee who went viral for halting a robbery as UFC security
Harry Kettle - September 3, 2020
UFC president Dana White has hired a Best Buy employee that went viral for stopping a robbery earlier this year. The employee in question, Summer Tapasa, hit the headlines when she stopped a shoplifter in Hawaii from leaving the Best Buy store with an unpaid item. After a tussle that ensued over the incident, Summer made her feelings known to the gentlemen before he scuttled away.
Video | Brian Ortega details what was going on in his head during the fourth round of his fight with Max Holloway
Harry Kettle - September 3, 2020
UFC featherweight Brian Ortega has revealed what he was thinking during the fourth round of his title fight against Max Holloway. Ortega looks set to return to the Octagon next month for a highly anticipated showdown against The Korean Zombie. It’ll be the first time fans have seen him fight since back in December 2018 when he unsuccessfully challenged Max Holloway for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 231.
Francis Ngannou tells Jon Jones to "sit down" after calling for Stipe Miocic fight
Cole Shelton - September 2, 2020
Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones are still going at one another in the hopes they are the one to fight Stipe Miocic. Ever since Miocic beat Daniel Cormier at UFC 252 to defend his heavyweight title, many wondered what would be next for the champ. The rematch with Ngannou made sense but the Jon Jones super fight was an intriguing option.
Glover Teixeira tests positive for COVID-19, fight against Thiago Santos rescheduled
Adam Martin - September 2, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Glover Teixeira tested positive for COVID-19, and the UFC has rescheduled his upcoming fight against Thiago Santos. Combate reported that Teixeira tested positive for the coronavirus. He was set to meet Santos in the main event of the UFC Fight Night card scheduled to take place on September 12 in Las Vegas. However, that fight has now been rescheduled to the October 3 card that is headlined by women’s bantamweight contenders Holly Holm and Irene Aldana. The main event of the September 12 card is undetermined at this time, per Combate.
Brian Ortega sets the record straight on Jay Park incident: "It was just a slap"
Adam Martin - September 2, 2020
UFC featherweight contender Brian Ortega set the record straight on his incident with Jay Park, a friend of The Korean Zombie. Ortega was involved in a confrontation with Park at UFC 248 in early March, where he allegedly slapped The Korean Zombie’s friend while the fighter was in the bathroom. Ortega was escorted out of T-Mobile Arena by security and the police were called to investigate the incident. Ultimately, Park decided not to press charges despite The Korean Zombie urging him to do so.
Zak Cummings brutally honest on UFC Vegas 8 win: "I truly don’t think I deserve a ranked guy after that"
Cole Shelton - September 2, 2020
Zak Cummings isn’t happy with his UFC Vegas 8 win over Alessio Di Chirico. Cummings was coming off a loss to Omari Akhmedov and looking to return to the win column. He even entered as the betting underdog which surprised him.
Cole Smith changing approach to fighting after first career loss: "I just want to have fun"
Cole Shelton - September 2, 2020
Cole Smith is changing his approach to fighting. Last September at UFC Vancouver, Smith was set for his second UFC fight against Miles Johns in his home city of Vancouver. It was a big stage for him but unfortunately, the Canadian suffered a split decision loss. After the fight, Smith realized he was putting too much pressure on himself to win and is now just focused on winning fights.
Kelvin Gastelum names the hardest hitter he's ever fought
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum has identified the hardest hitter he’s ever met inside the Octagon, and it’s none other than reigning UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya. Gastelum was asked to name the hardest puncher he’s fought to date by a fan on Twitter, and pointed to Adesanya, who remains the only fighter to drop him in the cage.
Opening betting odds released for Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns
Adam Martin - September 2, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for the upcoming UFC welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. Reports surfaced this week that the Usman vs. Burns fight is being targeted to headline UFC 256, which is set to take place on December 12. These two were previously scheduled to headline UFC 251 on Fight Island before Burns had to pull out of the fight after testing positive for COVID-19. Now that he’s healthy, the UFC was able to reschedule the bout for later this year. Check out the opening odds below for Usman vs. Burns via BestFightOdds.
Claudia Gadelha forced out of UFC 253 fight with Yan Xiaonan
Natasha Hooper - September 2, 2020
Claudia Gadelha is out of her upcoming UFC 253 bout after suffering a knee injury. The strawweight won’t be able to fight at the September 26 pay-per-view event against Yan Xiaonan.
Dustin Poirier updates on rumored Tony Ferguson fight
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Dustin Poirier has provided an update on his rumored scrap with fellow top-5 UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson. While most fight fans are dying to see this matchup, Poirier says he hasn’t received an offer yet. However, he added that he’s ready to accept the fight when the offer comes, and he believes the UFC is keen to make it happen at UFC 254 in October, which will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between undisputed champ Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champ Justin Gaethje.
Daniel Cormier sees Jones vs. Miocic fight going one of two ways
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier believes a Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight will end one of two ways. Cormier has fought both Jones and Miocic multiple times before—Jones twice and Miocic on three occasions—and is therefore uniquely positioned to weigh in a potential fight between them. That potential fight suddenly seems quite likely, after Jones vacated the UFC light heavyweight title with ambitions to steal the heavyweight strap from Miocic.
Opening betting odds released for Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2
Adam Martin - September 2, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for the rematch between welterweight contenders Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. UFC president Dana White revealed this week to TMZ that he is working on a rematch between Masvidal and Diaz to headline a pay-per-view card in January. The two fan favorites met last year at UFC 244 with the BMF title on the line. Following the third round, the doctor stopped the fight due to cuts on Diaz’s face, handing Masvidal a TKO victory.
Michael Chandler open to moving up to welterweight to fight Leon Edwards: "I'm game"
Adam Martin - September 2, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler says he is interested in moving up to welterweight to fight Leon Edwards in the UFC. Chandler, a three-time lightweight champion in Bellator, recently became a free agent and is currently fielding offers from other promotions. Although a return to Bellator is always possible, he has been connected to the UFC, ONE Championship and the PFL in free agency, and he is expected to make his decision on his new home in the upcoming weeks.
Dominick Reyes "grateful" for Jon Jones saga, but admits "it's over"
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Dominick Reyes is grateful for his rivalry with former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, but concedes that their rivalry has reached its conclusion. Reyes challenged Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title in February, and ultimately lost a hotly debated unanimous decision. After this controversial outcome, he was adamant that he deserved a second crack at the champion. In the end, however, Jones vacated the light heavyweight title to move up to the heavyweight division, and Reyes was booked for a fight with Poland’s Jan Blachowicz, which will crown the new light heavyweight champ.
Anthony Smith "not doing well" following loss to Aleksandar Rakic
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith says he’s having a tough time recovering from his recent decision loss to Aleksandar Rakic. Smith and Rakic collided in the main event of UFC Vegas 8 last Saturday, with Rakic ultimately winning a clear-cut unanimous decision. In defeat, Smith fell onto a two-fight skid, having also come up short against Glover Teixeira earlier this year.
Daniel Cormier has asked UFC to remove him from the USADA testing pool and official rankings, says Dana White
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2020
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Daniel Cormier has asked to be removed from the USADA testing pool & UFC rankings. Cormier’s mixed martial arts career seemingly came to an end at UFC 252 last month as he was beaten by Stipe Miocic in their third and final fight for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.