UFC News
Khabib Nurmagomedov lashes out at media for always asking same questions
Tom Taylor - September 6, 2019
UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov was conspicuously absent at UFC 242 media day, which deprived many of the reporters on-scene in Abu Dhabi of the chance to speak with him. Speaking after the UFC 242 ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday afternoon, Nurmagomedov explained why he declined to do interviews on media day. As it turns out, he’s tired of answering the same questions over and over again.
Coach outlines keys to victory for Dustin Poirier
Tom Taylor - September 6, 2019
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, Dustin Poirier will attempt to become the first man to defeat UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. In order to do so, he’ll have to thwart Nurmagomedov’s stifling ground game. Poirier’s coach, Mike Brown, believes this can be done. Brown has recently helped several of Poirier’s fellow American Top Team fighters prepare for grapplers not unlike Nurmagomedov. He prepped Kyoji Horiguchi for his two battles with Darrion Caldwell, and he helped Jorge Masvidal get ready for Ben Askren, and all of those fights went American Top Team’s way.
Tony Ferguson sends message to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier
Tom Taylor - September 6, 2019
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, undisputed lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will collide with interim champion Dustin Poirier in an anticipated title unification bout. The winner of this fight can look forward to the unenviable task of defending the title against streaking contender Tony Ferguson. As the next man in line for the UFC 242 main event winner, Ferguson will of course be watching this fight closely.
Jorge Masvidal walks back Usman talk, challenges Nate Diaz
Tom Taylor - September 6, 2019
Over the last 48 hours, there’s been reason to believe surging UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal could get the next crack at UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. First, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that the expected UFC 244 fight between Usman and Colby Covington was in jeopardy, and that the UFC was looking at other potential opponents for Usman.
Edson Barboza eyes Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch, explains how he helped Dustin Poirier prepare
Cole Shelton - September 6, 2019
Edson Barboza will be fighting Paul Felder in the co-main event of UFC 242. In the main event, Khabib Nurmagomedov looks to defend his title against Dustin Poirier. For the Brazil’s Barboza, the fight atop the card is one he is eager to watch for two reasons. First, Barboza fought Nurmagomedov back at UFC 219 in 2017 and lost the fight by decision, and is interested in a rematch. Second and more importantly is the fact that Poirier is Barboza’s teammate and the pair spent a lot of time training together for UFC 242.
Kamaru Usman fires back at 'clown' Jorge Masvidal
Tom Taylor - September 6, 2019
Yesterday afternoon, ESPN reported that the much discussed welterweight title fight between champ Kamaru Usman and challenger Colby Covington, expected to occur at UFC 244 in November, is in jeopardy. “The Kamaru Usman v Colby Covington 170 title fight is far from done, multiple sources say,” ESPN’s Ariel Helwani wrote. “In fact, negotiations have hit a snag and UFC is now looking at other options, sources say. Those options include a different welterweight title fight and/or a different main event.
Bruce Buffer wants Conor McGregor vs. Georges St-Pierre 'mega fight'
Natasha Hooper - September 6, 2019
“The Veteran Voice of the Octagon” Bruce Buffer is fantasizing about a Conor McGregor vs. Georges St-Pierre fight — even if he thinks it’s just a pipe dream. Conor McGregor hasn’t fought since his historic loss against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. He vacated the Octagon after tapping out in the fourth round and hasn’t returned since. He is, however, in frequent communication with Dana White and is looking to return for the right opportunity. Buffer believes that McGregor needs to earn his spot in the rankings again.
UFC 242 weigh-in results: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier hit their marks
Natasha Hooper - September 6, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier both made weight for their anticipated UFC 242 lightweight title fight. The Dagestani undisputed champion Nurmagomedov hit the 155-pound mark when he weighed in this Friday Morning in Abu Dhabi. Shortly thereafter, the interim champ Poirier did as well.
Chael Sonnen worries Khabib Nurmagomedov will miss weight for UFC 242
Thomas Taylor - September 5, 2019
This weekend, in the main event of UFC 242, Khabib Nurmagomedov will attempt to defend the UFC lightweight title against Dustin Poirier. His more imminent battle, however, will be with the scale. The champion has missed the lightweight limit in the past, and MMA analyst Chael Sonnen worries he might do so again.
Dana White: Weili Zhang's next opponent will 'depend on a lot of things'
Thomas Taylor - September 5, 2019
Not long after Weili Zhang captured the UFC strawweight belt with a first-round stoppage of Jessica Andrade at UFC Shenzhen, fans began to speculate as to who might provide the new champ’s first challenge. UFC President Dana White seems to be undecided on that. Speaking to ESPN this week, White was asked who might serve as Zhang’s new opponent. The frontrunners would seem to be the undefeated Tatiana Suarez, the former champion Rose Namajunas, or the winner of the upcoming fight between Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Michelle Waterson.
Jorge Masvidal to Kamaru Usman: 'Sign the contract'
Tom Taylor - September 5, 2019
Earlier today, ESPN reported that the much discussed welterweight title fight between champ Kamaru Usman and challenger Colby Covington, expected to occur at UFC 244 in November, is in jeopardy. The Kamaru Usman v Colby Covington 170 title fight is far from done, multiple sources say. In fact, negotiations have hit a snag and UFC is now looking at other options, sources say. Those options include a different welterweight title fight and/or a different main event.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk says contract stipulates title shot with UFC Tampa win
Adam Martin - September 5, 2019
After Weili Zhang finished Jessica Andrade at UFC Shenzhen to become the new UFC women’s strawweight champion, the natural question is to ask who is next in line for a title shot. According to former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, the answer to that is it’s her. Jedrzejczyk spoke to Polish news outlet Polsat Sport recently and said that her contract to fight Michelle Waterson at UFC Tampa in October stipulates that the winner of the bout will get the next women’s strawweight title shot.
Report | Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington fight in jeopardy, UFC exploring other options
Tom Taylor - September 5, 2019
When Colby Covington defeated Robbie Lawler earlier this summer, he cemented himself as the next man in line for UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. In the subsequent weeks, the bout was linked to the upcoming UFC 244 card, scheduled for November 2 in Madison Square Garden. Unfortunately, it now sounds as though this bout in jeopardy. According to ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani, negotiations for this Usman vs. Covington fight have hit a snag, and the UFC is now considering other options.
Aljamain Sterling sends message to 'Dominick Snooze'
Natasha Hooper - September 5, 2019
Aljamain Sterling has heard that Dominick Cruz could potentially be next for UFC bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo, and as the division’s top contender, he’s not happy about potentially being skipped over. “The Funk Master” Sterling is ranked No. 2 in the bantamweight division. He has proven himself as a top bantamweight contender by winning his four most recent fights including his last performance, a unanimous decision win over Pedro Munhoz.
Georges St-Pierre wants Khabib fight, but believes UFC is protecting investment
Tom Taylor - September 5, 2019
Georges St-Pierre wants to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib Nurmagomedov wants to fight Georges St-Pierre. So why isn’t this fight between the two decorated UFC champions and bona fide MMA superstars being made? Well, St-Pierre suspects the UFC could be protecting its investment in Nurmagomedov. The former welterweight and middleweight champ St-Pierre addressed this potential super fight in a recent interview with Robin Black of DAZN.
Amanda Nunes strips down for ESPN Body Issue
Natasha Hooper - September 5, 2019
Two-division UFC champion Amanda Nunes isn’t afraid to show some skin. Earlier this year, she posed sans clothes on social media to celebrate her UFC 239 win. Not long thereafter, she stripped down for for ESPN’s Body Issue. Photos from her ESPN shoot have now been released. Photos can be found on the ESPN website. You can also seem some samples below.
Dana White on Nate Diaz: 'We might not hear from that kid for another three years'
Tom Taylor - September 5, 2019
Nate Diaz made a successful return to action after three years away at UFC 241, defeating Anthony Pettis by decision. After this comeback, he called for a fan friendly showdown with streaking welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal. While pretty much everybody wants to see Diaz and Masvidal fight, UFC President Dana White seems to have no update on this booking. In fact, he doesn’t seem to have any idea when we’ll see Diaz back in action again.
Dana White says Tony Ferguson will get next UFC lightweight title shot
Adam Martin - September 5, 2019
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Tony Ferguson will get the next lightweight title shot. The UFC bossman the plan is for “El Cucuy” to fight the winner of the UFC 242 main event between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier. As long as he’s healthy, that is.