UFC News
Urijah Faber admits Dominick Cruz is "actually a decent guy"
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
For many years, Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber were two of the most heated rivals in MMA. From the sounds if it, however, their mutual animus has diminished. Speaking on MMA Fighting’s The A-Side, Faber was asked by a fan if he’d rather be on a sinking life boat with Cruz, or his teammate-turned-nemesis TJ Dillashaw.
Georges St-Pierre shares advice for fighters competing during pandemic
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
Georges St-Pierre has a bit of advice for any fighters that end up competing during the coronavirus pandemic: get creative with your training. While the pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the globe, it’s looking increasingly likely that live fights will resume in the coming weeks. That’s promising news for fighters seeking paydays, but it will not be easy for them to prepare for their fights. Social distancing is still being encouraged the world over as the risk of infection is still very high, which means fighters are likely to run into difficulties when attempting to train with others. Furthermore, many gyms remain closed to combat the spread of the virus.
Brendan Schaub reacts to UFC 249 cancelation, guarantees fights will go ahead in May
Mike Pendleton - April 15, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight turned combat sports analyst Brendan Schaub recently commented on the cancelation of UFC 249 and Dana White’s plans to resume business despite the coronavirus pandemic. Schaub weighed in on the topic during his podcast “Below The Belt” saying that a move like ESPN and Disney stepping in to cancel fights is the downside to the deal that the UFC has with these companies.
Dustin Poirier interested in boxing Conor McGregor or Nate Diaz
Adam Martin - April 15, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier says that he is interested in taking on Conor McGregor or Nate Diaz in a boxing match. Poirier hasn’t fought since a submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov last Septemeber at UFC 242 in a failed bid to win the UFC lightweight championship. The top-five ranked lightweight was scheduled to fight Dan Hooker at UFC San Diego, but that card fell apart due to the coronavirus pandemic. That leaves Poirier without a fight at the moment, and like other fighters, he’s anxious to get back in there and compete.
Anthony Smith buries "piece of s**t" Jon Jones for comments about home invasion
Tom Taylor - April 15, 2020
Anthony Smith was recently the victim of a violent home invasion. Shortly after Smith shared the story of this ordeal, his former foe, UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones, took to Twitter to boast that, if his home had been broken into, the intruder wouldn’t have left on his feet. Glad Anthony is OK, no way dude would have left my house walking https://t.co/U6wSr8KmA8
Dominick Cruz reacts after the UFC rebooks him to fight Henry Cejudo
Harry Kettle - April 15, 2020
Dominick Cruz has reacted to the news that his UFC Bantamweight Championship fight against Henry Cejudo is back on. The expectation was that Cruz, the former bantamweight king, would challenge for the belt at UFC 250. Now that it’s become clear that event won’t be happening in Brazil, UFC president Dana White appears to be shifting his attention towards a blockbuster card on May 9 in Las Vegas.
Dana White says UFC Apex will host events starting next month for foreseeable future
Harry Kettle - April 15, 2020
UFC president Dana White has claimed that the UFC Apex facility will start hosting events next month and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Despite the recent setbacks that the UFC has been facing, it appears as if there’s a decent chance they’ll continue to try and get live events back on in some way, shape or form in May, with May 9 being suggested as a possible date for what could turn out to be a super card.
Tony Ferguson takes aim at Khabib Nurmagomedov after UFC rebooks Justin Gaethje fight
Chris Taylor - April 14, 2020
Tony Ferguson decided to take a dig at reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov earlier this evening on social media. Ferguson and Nurmagomedov were slated to fight in the headliner of UFC 249 in Brooklyn on April 18. However, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the event had to be rescheduled and a new venue had to be procured by the promotion.
Valentina Shevchenko praises Dana White's "Fight Island"
Natasha Hooper - April 14, 2020
UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is ready to touch down on the organization’s “fight island.” In fact, the 125-pound queen wants to commit 100% by training and even living there. Recent UFC fight cards have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The UFC president Dana White believes the best way to resume action is to set up events on a private island. According to White, his fight island venture is in the works. Multiple fighters are jumping at the opportunity to step foot on the island’s soil, and that includes Shevchenko.
US president Donald Trump adds Dana White and Vince McMahon to economic task force
Adam Martin - April 14, 2020
US president Donald Trump has added Dana White and Vince McMahon to his team of advisors helping to restart the American economy. White, the UFC president, and McMahon, the WWE chairman and CEO, are part of a large group of pro sports league heads that will team up on the advisory board for president Trump as he looks to help America rise from the ashes after the coronavirus pandemic has destroyed the world economy.
UFC announces full fight card for May 9, including three title fights
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2020
The UFC is looking to come back in a big way on May 9 and the targeted fight card has been released. Dana White recently told ESPN that the promotion is looking at May 9. Of course, the Las Vegas-based promotion was scheduled to hold an event at the Tachi Palace Resort and Casino on April 18. Yet, the higher-ups at Disney and ESPN put a stop to that due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, White is targeting May 9 as his return date which was originally scheduled to be UFC 250.
Breaking: UFC to hold next event on May 9, multiple bouts already in the works
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2020
The UFC was forced to postpone UFC 249 and all events moving forward due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have their targeted return date. Dana White revealed to Brett Okamoto of ESPN the plan is to return on May 9 at a location to be announced. May 9, of course, was scheduled to be UFC 250. So, whether that will be the name of the event is unknown at this time. But, White revealed some matchups that will take place on the card like Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje, Henry Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz, Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer and Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Ronda Rousey defends UFC Reebok deal, suggest individual sponsorships are outdated
Adam Martin - April 14, 2020
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey defended the UFC deal with Reebok, saying that other sports set the standard for sponsorship deals. Rousey, who has been in the spotlight in recent days due to some recent comments she made about WWE, was recently a guest on the “Wild Ride! with Steve-O” podcast where she was asked about fighter pay. At one point in the interview, Steve-O pressed Rousey for her opinions on the UFC’s deal with Reebok, which Steve-O feels doesn’t do the athletes any good.
UFC's Alistair Overeem suspects he "probably already had" coronavirus
Tom Taylor - April 14, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem suspects that he probably already had the coronavirus, although he didn’t experience any symptoms of COVID-19. Speaking on Duello Channel recently, Overeem admitted he was exposed to people with symptoms during a recent trip to Thailand, but believes that, as a finely-tuned professional athlete, he was fit enough to fend of the virus without much trouble.
Justin Gaethje responds to Tony Ferguson's weigh-in question
Tom Taylor - April 14, 2020
Tony Ferguson recently announced that he intends to make weight for his canceled fight with Justin Gaethje this Friday. On Tuesday morning, he asked Gaethje if he intends to do the same. @Justin_Gaethje You Gonna Make Weight Friday? @ufc #ufc249 -CSO- 🇺🇸🏆🇲🇽
Kelvin Gastelum names three potential opponents for next fight
Tom Taylor - April 14, 2020
Kelvin Gastelum is currently riding back-to-back losses in the UFC middleweight division, and is eager to get back on track. While the entire sports world is paused due to the coronavirus pandemic at present, Gastelum has three opponents in mind for his next fight, any of whom would represent excellent opportunities to bounce back.
Former Houston Rockets prospect Royce White eyes MMA debut
Adam Martin - April 14, 2020
Former Houston Rockets prospect and Sacramento Kings power forward Royce White is preparing to make his debut in mixed martial arts. White was drafted 16th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2012 NBA draft. He never ended up playing for the Rockets and was later traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, where he was waived. He ended up signing with the Sacramento Kings and played three times for them in the 2013-14 NBA season, but that was the last time we saw him in the NBA.
Cody Garbrandt bashes Cejudo vs. Cruz fight, champ issues savage response
Tom Taylor - April 14, 2020
Cody Garbrandt is not a fan of the bantamweight title fight between champ Henry Cejudo and challenger Dominick Cruz that was briefly on the table for the postponed UFC 250 card. Garbrandt, who is a former UFC bantamweight champ, shared his gripes with the matchup on Twitter on Monday.