UFC News
Florida’s new essential services guidelines allow for the UFC to hold events
Natasha Hooper - April 14, 2020
Florida has outlined new guidelines that could allow the UFC to hold events during the coronavirus pandemic. In an April 9 memo published by the office of Governor Ron DeSantis, the definition of “essential services” has been expanded to include professional sports. The definition now includes “employees at a professional sports and media production with a national audience — including any athletes, entertainers, production team, executive team, media team and any others necessary to facilitate including services supporting such production — only if the location is closed to the general public.”
Conor McGregor breaks down UFC 246 knockout win: "I’ve been striking them where they believe they can’t be struck"
Cole Shelton - April 13, 2020
Conor McGregor has reflected on his remarkable UFC 246 win over Donald Cerrone. McGregor was making his highly-anticipated return to the Octagon in the main event against Cerrone. He was also moving up a weight class to welterweight, where he was looking to get back into the win column following his fourth-round submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Henry Cejudo wants Frankie Edgar next because "brittle" Dominick Cruz won't make it to the fight
Cole Shelton - April 13, 2020
Henry Cejudo is looking for his first bantamweight title defense to be against a legend. Cejudo hasn’t fought since he beat Marlon Moraes by TKO to win the vacant bantamweight title. He was scheduled to face Jose Aldo at UFC 250, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the fight was scrapped. He was then slated to fight Dominick Cruz on the fight card, but the status of UFC 250 is unknown at this time.
Dominick Reyes declares himself the "uncrowned king" of the light heavyweight division
Cole Shelton - April 13, 2020
Dominick Reyes believes he’s the uncrowned king of the light heavyweight division. Reyes is coming off a controversial decision loss to Jon Jones at UFC 247 where he’s confident he won that fight. Although the judges never game him the nod, fans and fighters praised the challenger for his performance.
Al Iaquinta praises Jorge Masvidal as "One of the toughest fights I've had"
Natasha Hooper - April 13, 2020
Top-ranked lightweight contender, Al Iaquinta has praised the “BMF” winner Jorge Masvidal as “one of the toughest fights” he’s ever had. Before “Raging Al” made a name for himself against the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kevin Lee, the New York native was delivering show-stopper performances against the likes of Diego Sanchez and Jorge Masvidal.
Roger Gracie recovers from coronavirus: "It's not a joke"
Adam Martin - April 13, 2020
Former UFC middleweight Roger Gracie says he has recovered from the coronavirus and warned others to be aware of its devastating impacts. The 38-year-old Gracie, who is the cousin of BJJ legend Renzo Gracie, told Combate that he contracted he coronavirus in March. He was put into self-isolation for 10 days and has since recovered, but he wanted to speak openly about being infected by the coronavirus despite being a young, healthy adult. He hopes that talking about his experience can bring more awareness to the devastating illness that is claiming so many lives around the world.
Daniel Cormier jokes that Ben Askren nearly became UFC champ "without learning how to fight"
Tom Taylor - April 13, 2020
Daniel Cormier recently had a bit of fun at Ben Askren’s expense, praising the former ONE and Bellator welterweight champ for nearly making it to the UFC welterweight throne “without learning how to fight.” While Askren is easily one of the best wrestlers that we’ve seen in MMA, his striking never caught up with his skills on the mat.
Who has the best chance to end Henry Cejudo's reign?
Cole Shelton - April 13, 2020
Henry Cejudo has considered himself the greatest combat sports athlete of all-time. He’s the current bantamweight champion but has yet to defend the belt, although he was expected to battle Jose Aldo at UFC 250. When the UFC returns to normal Cejudo will have a tough road ahead to defend his strap. The bantamweight division has the likes of Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan, and Cory Sandhagen among others. So, who has the best chance to end “Triple C’s” reign as champ?
Al Iaquinta predicts Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson outcome
Natasha Hooper - April 13, 2020
Al Iaquinta believes Khabib Nurmagomedov will probably beat Tony Ferguson — if they ever end up fighting. In the main event of UFC 249, the undisputed lightweight champ Nurmagomedov was set to defend his title for the third time against Ferguson. Unfortunately, the event was ultimately canceled, marking the fifth time a bout between the pair had fallen through.
Daniel Cormier describes "crazy" precautions UFC had in place for UFC 249 commentators
Tom Taylor - April 13, 2020
Daniel Cormier was willing to put on the commentary head-set and call the recently canceled UFC 249 card — provided the UFC could guarantee a safe work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. From the sounds of it, Cormier was satisfied with the measures the UFC had in place to keep staff — specifically commentators — out of harm’s way during this health crisis.
Jon Jones reacts to being inducted into UFC Hall of Fame for Gustafsson fight
Tom Taylor - April 13, 2020
Earlier this year, the UFC announced that a 2013 war between UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and challenger Alexander Gustafsson will be inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame. “Going into the first Jones vs. Gustafsson fight, fans and media didn’t care about the fight, because they didn’t believe Gustafsson deserved a title shot, and this thing ended up being the greatest light heavyweight title fight in UFC history,” UFC President Dana White said in the promotion’s official announcement. “To be there and watch it live was amazing. It was an incredible fight and both athletes gave everything they had for all five rounds. This fight was such a classic it was named the 2013 Fight of the Year and will always be considered one of the greatest fights in combat sports history. This fight showed what a true champion Jon Jones was, as this was the first time he was taken into deep waters and truly tested. This fight also put Gustafsson on the map and showed his true potential. Congratulations to Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson on being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame ‘Fight Wing’ for such an epic fight.”
Henry Cejudo reacts to UFC 250 postponement
Tom Taylor - April 13, 2020
Last week, UFC President Dana White announced that UFC 249 — along with all other upcoming UFC cards — are indefinitely postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. That includes the UFC 250 card, which was expected to be headlined by the latest appearance from UFC bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo. UFC 250 was originally expected to go down in Brazil on May 9 and be headlined by a title fight between Cejudo and former featherweight champ Jose Aldo. Amid growing travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, the card was briefly relocated to US soil, at which point Cejudo was instead matched up with former bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz.
MMA photographer Anthony Causi dies at 48 from coronavirus
Adam Martin - April 13, 2020
Sports photographer Anthony Causi, who was responsible for some of the most iconic photos in MMA history, has passed away at age 48 from coronavirus. Causi was a photographer for the New York Post and the publication who he worked for broke the sad news that he passed away Sunday night in NYC after succumbing to the coronavirus. He is survived by his wife, Romina, and his two children, John and Mia.
Conor McGregor: UFC star's €1m donation sees 50,000 PPE masks delivered to Irish hospitals
Tom Taylor - April 13, 2020
Conor McGregor recently donated €1 million worth of protective gear to hospitals in his native Ireland. The pile of supplies McGregor purchased — which includes 50,000 PPE masks — are now reaching their destinations, which will hopefully make things easier on frontline staff as they continue to work against the coronavirus pandemic. See some photos of the supplies McGregor purchased reaching their destinations below:
Francis Ngannou believes he's already earned title shot
Mike Pendleton - April 13, 2020
Francis Ngannou was expected to battle Jairzinho Rozenstruik at the recently canceled UFC 249 card. While this was a massive fight for the division, Ngannou feels he’s already earned another crack at UFC heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic. Ngannou, who is riding consecutive knockout wins over Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos, opened up on this topic on BJPENN.com’s Inside The Cage.
Jon Jones responds after Ariel Helwani suggests his recent arrest could cost him GOAT status
Harry Kettle - April 13, 2020
UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones has issued a response after Ariel Helwani suggested his recent arrest could cost him his ‘GOAT’ status. It’s safe to say that this has been a difficult time for Jones, with his reputation once again being in the gutter as a direct result of his inability to get out of his own way. While some believe he needs help, others want to see the Ultimate Fighting Championship punish him as they would with many others.
Darren Till willing to compete on Fight Island but doesn’t expect UFC will hold events for months
Harry Kettle - April 13, 2020
UFC middleweight Darren Till has said that he’s willing to compete on Dana White’s proposed Fight Island, but that it probably won’t be anytime soon. Till has been one of the names on everyone’s lips over the course of the last few months, both for his hilarious antics on social media and his impressive win over Kelvin Gastelum in New York City late last year.
Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya hit below the belt in heated Twitter skirmish
Tom Taylor - April 13, 2020
Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya did not hold back in their latest social media skirmish. The pair, who are the UFC light heavyweight and middleweight champs respectively, went at it on Sunday night — and nothing was off limits. The back-and-forth began when Adesanya poked Jones, recycling a line Jones famously used on Daniel Cormier several years ago.