UFC News
UFC to host star-studded press conference featuring Jon Jones, Amanda Nunes and more
Tom Taylor - April 9, 2019
The UFC is set to host another one of its star-studded seasonal press conferences at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia this Friday at 12 p.m. ET. This press conferences, which precedes the exciting UFC 236 card in the same venue, will be emceed by UFC President Dana White, and feature the stars of several upcoming cards including Jon Jones, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo. In the past, these press conferences have produced some massive headlines, and this event, which is free and open to the public, figures to be no different.
Ross Pearson announces retirement from MMA
Drake Riggs - April 8, 2019
10 years ago, Ross ‘The Real Deal’ Pearson made his UFC debut by becoming the lightweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 9 when he defeated Andre Winner via unanimous decision. 25-fights later and the British slugger is now calling it a career. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwA_GBihiO7/ “After some long hard talks, and careful consideration with my family, friends and team, I’ve decided it’s time to retire as an MMA fighter. As hard as that is to say, it’s not the end of my career as a competitor. I’ve always been a fighter, and right now I am keeping my mind open as to what’s next for me. I’d like take this time to thank everyone at the @UFC for having me for the past 10 years @danawhite for seeing something in me and believing in me for all these years ago. To my family, my teammates, and my friends, your support has been endless and I appreciate all of you – with a special shout out to all the north east training partners & coaches who where there for me in the beginning @grapplefit to @alliancemma for taking me in as part of the family, my wife @kristiejpearson for following my dream with me and all the guys at @centralcoastmma. . And to all my fans , thanks for all the love & support !” Pearson said on Instagram.
After Jon Jones case, Lyoto Machida says USADA has lost credibility
Cole Shelton - April 8, 2019
The UFC and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) have been under criticism for how they handled Jon Jones’ case ahead of his return at UFC 232. USADA did not suspend Jones after the current light heavyweight champion was flagged in a pre-fight drug test. Rather, they said the positive test was due to a long-term metabolite that was still “pulsing” in his system from a few years back.
Tony Ferguson calls for Khabib Nurmagomedov fight following cleared medical testings
Drake Riggs - April 8, 2019
For years now, there have been two consensus top 155-pound lightweight fighters on the planet. One of those men being none other than ‘El Cucuy,’ The Ultimate Fighter season 13 winner, Tony Ferguson. With only a single loss in his UFC career, Ferguson has gone on to win 11 consecutive fights since then and done so all in thrilling fashion.
Valentina Shevchenko welcomed by Kyrgyzstan President on homecoming tour
Drake Riggs - April 8, 2019
Conor McGregor reportedly reaches settlement in phone-smashing case
Tom Taylor - April 8, 2019
Last month, Irish MMA star Conor McGregor found himself in hot water after getting into an ugly altercation with a fan, and smashing that fan’s cell phone. After this incident, Ahmed Abdirzak, the owner of the phone, sought more than $15,000 in damages, accusing McGregor of battery, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The incident was captured on video. In this video, McGregor could be seen stomping Abdirzak’s phone.
Montana De La Rosa vs. Andrea Lee targeted for UFC Greenville
Nolan King - April 8, 2019
The UFC is working on an eye-catching bout for its debut in South Carolina. The promotion is angling for a bout between female flyweights Montana De La Rosa and Andrea Lee for UFC Greenville on June 22, per FloCombat. Initially, the UFC was targeting Montana De La Rosa for a bout at UFC 236 against Paige VanZant -— a fight De La Rosa was lobbying for. However, an arm injury prevented VanZant from being able to take the fight.
REPORT | Conor McGregor accused of assaulting man in Dublin bar
Tom Taylor - April 8, 2019
The legal troubles appear to be continuing for former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor. According to The Mirror, the Irish MMA star is being accused of assaulting a fellow patron inside a bar called the Marble Arch in the Drimnagh suburb of his native Dublin, Ireland. The news was first reported by Dizz on Twitter.
Conor McGregor congratulates Becky Lynch, once again hints at WWE move
Tom Taylor - April 8, 2019
Last night, in the first-ever all-female WrestleMania main event, Ireland’s Becky Lynch defeated Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey to become the Smackdown and Raw champion. In an unsurprising twist, Irish UFC star Conor McGregor quickly took to social media to congratulate Lynch on her massive, history-making victory. McGregor also took this opportunity to once again hint as his own potential move to the WWE ring.
Scott Coker names likely opponent for Josh Barnett Bellator debut
Tom Taylor - April 8, 2019
Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett is now a Bellator MMA fighter. Although this news broke on April Fools day, it is indeed factual. Bellator President Scott Coker even has an opponent in mind for the heavyweight legend’s debut. Coker first announced that reigning Bellator light heavyweight and heavyweight champ Ryan Bader will defend his heavyweight belt against Cheick Kongo before returning to the light heavyweight division. He then added that Josh Barnett is likely to get an immediate title shot against the winner of Bader and Kongo’s fight.
EXCLUSIVE | Max Griffin ready to show Zelim Imadaev 'this isn’t the backyard leagues'
Cole Shelton - April 8, 2019
Max Griffin is looking to get back into the win column at UFC 236. Griffin is currently on a two-fight losing streak with losses to Curtis Millender and Thiago Alves, although many thought Griffin beat Alves back in February.
VIDEO | Brock Lesnar loses WWE title, opens door to UFC showdown with Daniel Cormier
Tom Taylor - April 8, 2019
Brock Lesnar is no longer the WWE Universal Champion. He surrendered that title at WrestleMania 35 on Sunday night after getting pinned by Seth Rollins (see it below). https://twitter.com/DokkanBattleGL/status/1115036668984053760 This information is pertinent to MMA fans because it would seem to open the door to a long-discussed heavyweight title fight between Brock Lesnar and reigning champion Daniel Cormier.
Conor McGregor reacts to Artem Lobov's BKFC win, takes shot at Paulie Malignaggi
Thomas Taylor - April 7, 2019
It was only a matter before Conor McGregor reacted to Artem Lobov’s thrilling, Saturday-night victory over Jason Knight at BKFC 5. On Sunday evening, the Irish MMA superstar took to Twitter to congratulate his long-time training partner — and his foe — on this unforgettable fight. He also claimed that Lobov now deserves a new BKFC contract, and took a shot at their shared rival Paulie Malignaggi.
Donald Trump Takes Aim At Democrats, Claims Asylum Seekers Look Like They're 'Fighting for the UFC'
Chris Taylor - April 6, 2019
Present Donald Trump recently made headlines in Vegas when he accused Democrats of abandoning Israel, while claiming that asylum seekers looked like UFC fighters. Trump started his speech off by referencing Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar, who has suggested that politicians supporting Israel were doing so out of financial motivations.
UFC 236 | Kelvin Gastelum Questions Israel Adesanya’s Title Opportunity
Chris Taylor - April 6, 2019
Kelvin Gastelum will take on Israel Adesanya for the UFC’s interim middleweight championship at next weekend’s UFC 236 event in Atlanta. Gastelum was originally slated to challenge current UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker back at UFC 232, but that bout fell through when “The Reaper” was forced to withdraw from the contest due to health reasons.
Justin Gaethje Hoping for Conor McGregor Matchup in Ireland
Nolan King - April 6, 2019
Justin Gaethje is making it known who and which fight he wants next. Always one to run straight into the fire, Gaethje told TMZ earlier this week he is hoping to get a crack at Conor McGregor next — even if he has to travel to Ireland to do it. “There are so many [potential] fights right now, but Conor sounds like he’s coming back, so I’m the man,” Gaethje said in an interview with TMZ. “If he’s going to fight someone it has to be me.”
Anthony Pettis Shares His Thoughts On Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier Rematch
Chris Taylor - April 6, 2019
Anthony Pettis is very excited to see how next weekend’s UFC 236 interim lightweight title fight between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier plays out. “Showtime”, who has competed against both Poirier and Holloway in the past, recently sat down with MMAJunkie where he shared his thoughts on next Saturday’s highly anticipated fight.
Tony Ferguson Goes Off Following Talk Of Potential Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov Rematch
Chris Taylor - April 6, 2019
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson has called out Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov on social media. “El Cucuy” sent out the following message after ESPN’s Brett Okamoto tweeted that betting lines were officially open for a Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch.
Coach Claims Francis Ngannou Landed An Illegal Strike On Cain Velasquez
Chris Taylor - April 6, 2019
Javier Mendez, the longtime coach of Cain Velasquez, is claiming that an illegal shot from Francis Ngannou was missed at UFC on ESPN 1. Velasquez and Ngannou squared off in the headliner of February’s UFC event in Phoenix, with “The Predator” emerging victorious by way of first round knockout.