UFC News
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father of UFC champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, dies of COVID-19 complications
Tom Taylor - July 3, 2020
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, has died COVID-19 complications. He was 57 years old. News of Nurmagomedov’s death was first reported by Russian news outlet RT, which cites an announcement from Chechen Republic leader and friend of the Nurmagomedov family Ramzan Kadyrov.
Coach Kavanagh says fighters have pulled him aside to say: "I might not like your boy, but we should all be sending him 5%"
Chris Taylor - July 2, 2020
Coach Kavanagh claims that a few UFC fighters have pulled him aside at events to send their appreciation to his ‘boy’ Conor McGregor for “changing the game”. John Kavanagh’s claim came shortly after Dustin Poirier suggested that he credited his defeat to McGregor as the reason for his career resurgence.
Dustin Poirier remains confident in quest for undisputed title: "I know that I can beat Khabib Nurmagomedov"
Chris Taylor - July 2, 2020
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier is still confident that he has what it takes to dethrone undefeated 155lbs champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. ‘The Diamond’ and ‘The Eagle’ originally squared off for the promotions undisputed lightweight world title at UFC 242, with Nurmagomedov emerging victorious by way of third round submission.
Ryan Hall vs. Ricardo Lamas re-booked for summer showdown
Adam Martin - July 2, 2020
An intriguing featherweight bout between Ryan Hall and Ricardo Lamas has been re-booked for a UFC Fight Night card in Las Vegas later this summer. Hall vs. Lamas was scheduled to take place at the UFC Oklahoma City card that was set for May 2, but the event was scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic. Fortunately, the UFC has been able to re-book the fight, and Hall vs. Lamas is now set to take place on a UFC Fight Night card at the UFC Apex in its home base of Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 29.
Max Holloway claims Alex Volkanovski could be an Olympian for "point karate" ahead of UFC 251 rematch
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2020
Max Holloway believes UFC featherweight champion, Alex Volkanovski is a very good point fighter. In the co-main event of UFC 251, Volkanovski will look to defend his featherweight title against the former champ in Holloway. The two met back at UFC 245 where it was the Aussie in Volkanovski edging out a unanimous decision win to win the belt.
Brendan Schaub announces he has coronavirus, says he's "almost back to 100 percent"
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight, Brendan Schaub has revealed he has contracted COVID-19. Schaub, who retired from MMA in 2015 has taken up comedy and become a successful podcaster took to Twitter to announce he has the coronavirus. But, the good news, is the fact he is almost back to 100 percent healthy and has overcome the virus.
In third UFC stint, Julian Erosa's plan is "to be like Gaethje, where win or lose I put on exciting fights"
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2020
Julian Erosa wants to be known as a fan-favorite, where win or lose, he takes home a $50,000 Performance on the Night bonus. At UFC on ESPN 12, Erosa returned to the UFC for the third time to take on the undefeated Sean Woodson. For “Juicy J” after he was cut for the second time by the Las Vegas-based promotion, he didn’t think he’d fight inside the Octagon again.
After another upset win, Khama Worthy eyes "war" with Ottman Azaitar
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2020
Khama Worthy is now 2-0 inside the Octagon with both wins being upsets. In his UFC debut at UFC 241, Worthy took the fight on super short notice and knocked out a highly touted prospect in Devonte Smith. The 33-year-old then pulled off a third-round submission win over Luis Pena at UFC on ESPN 12 where he was another sizeable underdog
Conor McGregor responds to Dustin Poirier's comments about their fight
Tom Taylor - July 2, 2020
Conor McGregor has responded to a comment from top lightweight contender Dustin Poirier, who he defeated by knockout in a 2014 featherweight fight. Speaking to ESPN this week, Poirier explained that his loss to McGregor helped him grow and mature as a fighter.
Colby Covington suggests winner take all fight with Jorge Masvidal
Tom Taylor - July 2, 2020
Colby Covington is interested in a winner take all fight with his former friend and training partner Jorge Masvidal. Covington and Masvidal spent many years as stablemates at American Top Team in Florida, but as the pair reached the top of the UFC welterweight division, they relationship began to fray. Today, they’re two of the fiercest rivals in MMA.
Alexandre Pantoja to serve as backup for Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez rematch
Adam Martin - July 2, 2020
Alexandre Pantoja will be the backup fighter for when Deiveson Figueiredo meets Joseph Benavidez in a rematch for the vacant flyweight belt on Fight Island. Just in case something happens to either Figueiredo or to Benavidez, the UFC has now tabbed a backup fighter just in case a disaster scenario happens. That person will be Pantoja, the No. 4 ranked flyweight on the UFC roster. According to AG Fight, Pantoja will serve as the backup for the main event between Figueiredo and Benavidez. Pantoja is already scheduled to compete on the same Fight Island card against Askar Askarov, but he will fill in for the vacant title fight in case either fighter has to withdraw from the bout.
UFC 252: "Miocic vs. Cormier 3" updated fight card and rumors
Tom Taylor - July 2, 2020
UFC 252, scheduled for August 15 at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, is starting to look like the kind of card that shouldn’t be missed. UFC 252 will be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between the division’s reigning champion Stipe Miocic and it’s former ruler Daniel Cormier.
Paul Felder to commentate all four UFC Fight Island event
Tom Taylor - July 2, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder will be on commentary duty for all four UFC events on Fight Island—Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Felder revealed his frantic Fight Island schedule in an interview with MMA Junkie.
Ben Askren offers financial advice to fellow fighters
Tom Taylor - July 2, 2020
Former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight titleholder Ben Askren has some financial advice for his fellow fighters. Speaking to MMA Fighting, Askren, who recently retired from competition after a 1-2 stretch in the UFC, emphasized the importance of saving, investing, and creating secondary sources of income for fighters.
Dustin Poirier wary of long-term dangers of fighting: "I know that what I’m doing isn’t good for myself"
Tom Taylor - July 2, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier is known for his fan-friendly style, having been involved in wars with Eddie Alvarez, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway and most recently Dan Hooker. However, the ever entertaining lightweight is wary of the physical toll his fighting career could be taking. Poirier, a husband and father, recently told ESPN that he wants to avoid repeated wars like his fight with Hooker, as he wants to maintain his health for himself and his loved ones.
UFC Fight Night: “Lewis vs. Oleinik” updated fight card and rumors
Harry Kettle - July 2, 2020
The Ultimate Fighting Championship looks set to return to Las Vegas on August 8 for a Fight Night card featuring a heavyweight showdown in the main event. Event: UFC Fight Night: “Lewis vs. Oleinik”Date: Saturday, 8th August 2020Location: UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NevadaBroadcast: ESPN+
Photo | Dustin Poirier shows off battered ankle following war with Dan Hooker
Chris Taylor - July 1, 2020
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier will be needing some time off following his grueling five round war with Dan Hooker. Poirier and Hooker squared off in the headliner of last weekend’s UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas and produced one of the greatest fights of all time. The lightweight standouts traded strikes at an absolutely insane pace for twenty-five straight minutes leaving the judges in attendance with a tough decision. In the end, it was ‘The Diamond’ who received the nod from the judges, walking away with a unanimous decision victory.
Rose Namajunas explains why Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk was not "fight of the year"
Chris Taylor - July 1, 2020
Former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas does not believe that Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk should take home “fight of the year” honors. Zhang (21-1 MMA) put her title on the line against former division queen Jedrzejczyk (16-4 MMA) in the co-headliner of March’s UFC 248 pay-per-view event. The result was one of the greatest fights in the history of not only women’s MMA, but mixed martial arts in general.