UFC News
Paulo Costa speaks on issues of brain damage in MMA, willing to donate brain for research
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa spoke about the effects of blows to the head in MMA and says he’s willing to donate his brain for research. Costa is one of the top middleweights in MMA and is known for pulverizing his opponents’ heads and being the one who dishes out the damage. But in a recent interview with AG Fight, Costa admitted he thinks about the effects of blows to the head on his brain, and it’s the reason why he plans on retiring from the sport by the time he’s 36.
Conor McGregor explains why it's never too late to turn your life around
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020
UFC superstar Conor McGregor highlighted the changes he’s made in his life over the last two years, saying it’s never too late to turn your life around. It was two over years ago at UFC 223 when McGregor suffered through the lowest point of his MMA career when he threw a dolly through a bus window, which caused a chain reaction of negative effects. McGregor dealt with numerous legal issues outside the cage over the next year, not to mention a lopsided loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 and a subsequent suspension from a post-fight brawl against his rival’s team. There’s no question that McGregor’s 2018 and 2019 years are ones that he wants to forget.
Weili Zhang finally headed back to China over a month after UFC 248
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang is finally headed home to China after being stuck in the United States following UFC 248. Zhang fought rival Joanna Jedrzejczyk for five hard rounds in the co-main event of UFC 248 in an instant classic that is already regarded as one of the best fights in UFC history. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Zhang has been unable to travel back home to her native China and has stayed in Las Vegas for over a month since UFC 248 took place in nearly March.
Tim Kennedy explains why he refused anesthesia for sutures at UFC 178
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020
Former UFC middleweight Tim Kennedy explained why he refused anesthesia for sutures following his fight against Yoel Romero at UFC 178. Kennedy and Romero got into one of the wildest brawls of 2014, with Romero eventually earning the third-round stoppage via TKO in controversial fashion at UFC 178’s “Fight of the Night.” Kennedy suffered brutal facial damage during the knockout and was forced to get his face stitched up by the doctors after the fight. However, it looks like the pain didn’t end for Kenney with the knockout.
Henry Cejudo fires back after Alexander Volkanovski calls his choice of opponents “embarrassing”
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020
UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo fired back at featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski, who recently called his choice of opponents “embarrassing.” Volkanovski was critical recently of Volkanovksi calling out aging legends like Dominick Cruz and Frankie Edgar for his next fight after his UFC 250 matchup against another legend in Jose Aldo was wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic travel restrictions. Instead of calling out top contenders like Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan or Cory Sandhagen, Cejudo has instead focused on older fighters who are coming off of losses, and Volkanovski noticed.
Frank Mir announces Bellator release, open to fighting for KSW or returning to UFC as commentator
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir is now a free agent and is open to fighting for another promotion or getting behind the mic and doing commentary. This past October saw Mir snap a four-fight losing skid when he defeated Roy Nelson via decision at Bellator 231. It was his first win since July 2015 and it couldn’t have come at a better time as it helped him avoid a dreaded five-fight losing skid. Mir was still under contract with Bellator and had one fight left on his deal after going 1-2 with the promotion, but the heavyweight legend said he’s come to a deal with Bellator to release him.
Darren Till takes aim at ESPN's Ariel Helwani who promptly responds
Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020
UFC middleweight standout Darren Till had a interesting exchange with ESPN journalist Ariel Helwani this evening on social media. The former UFC welterweight title challenger, Till (18-2-1 MMA), took to Twitter with the following statement in which he issued some choice words for Helwani.
VIDEO | UFC Fighter Zabit Magomedsharipov spars with a Goat
Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020
View this post on Instagram
Dana White holds Coronavirus Pandemic call with UFC Fighters
Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020
UFC President Dana White held a conference call with Fighters on Friday afternoon addressing the Coronavirus Pandemic while fielding questions. According to a report from MMAJunkie‘s Nolan King, White took time to hear from his athletes in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic for approximately 25 minutes. After an initial statement, White opened up the floor for written questions.
VIDEOS | Top 5 Knockouts: UFC 11 - UFC 20
Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020
In our newest segment “Top 5 Knockouts” we take a look back at some of the most brutal finishes that have occurred during numbered UFC events. In this second edition of “Top 5 Knockouts”, we reflect back on UFC events 11 – 20, which occurred between the years of 1996 to 1999.
Jon Jones responds to Jan Blachowicz's "Can't wait to fist you" comment
Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has his sights set on Jan Blachowicz, this despite cries for a immediate rematch with Dominick Reyes. Jones and Reyes met in the main event of UFC 247 this past February in Houston, with ‘Bones’ emerging victorious by way of unanimous decision.
Jon Jones shuts down Dominick Reyes rematch, plans on popping some cherries in Poland
Chris Taylor - April 17, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has no plans of granting Dominick Reyes with a immediate rematch following their close fight at UFC 247. ‘Bones’ scored a unanimous decision victory over Reyes at February’s event in Houston, but the judges ruling did not sit well with many fight fans. Even UFC President Dana White admitted that he had scored the UFC 247 main event in favor of ‘The Devastator’.
Kevin Lee believes he tore his ACL, unsure on how long he'll be out
Cole Shelton - April 17, 2020
Kevin Lee believes he will be sidelined for the foreseeable future due to a torn ACL. Although Lee believes he tore his ACL he has yet to get confirmation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the hospitals being so busy, he was forced to wait for a center to be available to take an MRI which happened today.
Dana White says International Fight Week in July is "doubtful"
Adam Martin - April 17, 2020
UFC president Dana White updated fighters on the state of the promotion during the coronavirus pandemic, saying International Fight Week is “doubtful.” The UFC schedule is currently on hiatus as the coronavirus crisis ravages the world. White and the UFC tried to put on the UFC 249 card in Tachi Palace but ESPN and Disney’s head executives told him to stand down and postpone the event. The UFC is now slated to hold UFC 250 on May 9 at a location that is currently undisclosed but there’s no sure thing that card will happen, either.
Michael Bisping debates if Dominick Cruz deserves upcoming Henry Cejudo title shot
Natasha Hooper - April 17, 2020
Michael Bisping and Luis J Gomez discussed whether Dominick Cruz has done enough to deserve a title shot against the current bantamweight champion, Henry Cejudo. UFC events have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The organization’s president Dana White is planning a return to live fight action on May 9. A potential fight card has already been released for the event. It includes the former bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz taking on the current champion, Henry Cejudo for the promotions bantamweight championship. “The Dominator” is scheduled to fill in for the original title challenger, Jose Aldo, who is currently held up in Brazil over coronavirus restrictions.
Tony Ferguson explains why he decided to make weight today: "It just made sense"
Cole Shelton - April 17, 2020
Tony Ferguson decided to make weight today even though UFC 249, which would’ve taken place on Saturday, was postponed. Ferguson was originally set to battle Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title. Yet, the Russian withdrew from the bout leaving “El Cucuy” to take on Justin Gaethje for an interim belt. But, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed.
Sean O’Malley rips Brian Kelleher over recent callout: “He’s not going to do anything for my career”
Natasha Hooper - April 17, 2020
Sean O’Malley has attempted to put Brian Kelleher in his place after claiming he would “smoke” the bantamweight in a fight. O’Malley returned to action in March 2020 after two years on the sidelines. In his UFC 248 return, O’Malley finished Jose Quinonez with a first-round head kick and punches. He is now one of the most sought-after foes in the bantamweight division and only wants a worthwhile opponent. He shut down a callout from his fellow 135-pound fighter Kelleher.
Conor McGregor sends warning to Tony Ferguson
Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020
Conor McGregor has issued a warning to Tony Ferguson, who is expected to battle Justin Gaethje for the UFC interim lightweight title on May 9. McGregor addressed Ferguson on Instagram on Friday afternoon, shortly after Ferguson made a statement by making weight for the canceled UFC 249 card — the original setting of his fight with Gaethje.