UFC News
Rose Namajunas withdrew from UFC 249 due to COVID-19 deaths in family
Tom Taylor - April 9, 2020
On Wednesday night, news surfaced that former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas has been forced out of her planned UFC 249 rematch with Jessica Andrade. Now we know why.
Jose Aldo and 13 other Brazilian fighters removed from upcoming UFC events
Adam Martin - April 9, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Jose Aldo and 13 other Brazilian MMA fighters have been removed from upcoming UFC events in the United States. Aldo was set to fight Henry Cejudo in the main event of UFC 250 for the bantamweight championship, but Aldo was unable to obtain a visa to fight in the U.S. after the card was moved from Sao Paulo to Tachi Palace. Instead, the UFC is giving Dominick Cruz the title shot against Cejudo.
Ali Abdelaziz claims Conor McGregor passed on UFC 249 because “Tony Ferguson would beat his ass too”
Natasha Hooper - April 9, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has claimed that Conor McGregor passed on the opportunity to fight at UFC 249 because he knows “Tony Ferguson would beat his ass.” After Nurmagomedov withdrew from his anticipated UFC 249 fight against Ferguson, his former opponent McGregor mocked him. The Irish star called him a “chicken” and claimed he “scurried out” of the bout against Ferguson at the first available opportunity.
VIDEO | New promo proclaims UFC 249 "the most stacked card of the year"
Tom Taylor - April 9, 2020
The UFC has dropped a new promo for the upcoming UFC 249 event, declaring it “the most stacked card of the year.” See this new promo below:
ABC agrees to list UFC 249 as sanctioned event
Tom Taylor - April 9, 2020
The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC) has agreed to list the upcoming UFC 249 card as a sanctioned event. UFC 249, which is scheduled for April 18, was originally expected to go down in Brooklyn, New York, but has been moved to the Tachi Palace Casino on tribal land in California as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Jon Anik expresses "major concerns" about calling UFC 249
Tom Taylor - April 9, 2020
UFC play-by-play man Jon Anik has some understandable concerns about calling the upcoming UFC 249 event. UFC 249 is scheduled for April 18. It was originally expected to go down in Brooklyn, New York, but has been moved to tribal land in California to skirt public health advisories and travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Josh Thomson slams Dana White's "recklessness" with fight island plan
Natasha Hooper - April 9, 2020
Josh Thomson has slammed Dana White for endangering lives by proposing future UFC fights go down on a private island. A former UFC fighter and current Bellator analyst, Josh Thomson isn’t afraid to give his take on MMA controversies. That includes the hot topic of White’s proposed fight island.
Chuck Liddell: It's "an honor" to have inspired Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - April 9, 2020
Conor McGregor has made no secret of his admiration for former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell. The feeling seems to be mutual.
Dustin Poirier understands why he wasn’t selected to replace Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 249
Harry Kettle - April 9, 2020
Dustin Poirier has said that he understands why he wasn’t the man chosen to replace Khabib Nurmagomedov in the UFC 249 main event. When Nurmagomedov’s removal from the UFC 249 card was confirmed, speculation began regarding who may be the man to replace him on the seemingly doomed card. Poirier was one of several fighters to offer to step in. It was eventually revealed to be Justin Gaethje, with many believing “The Highlight” had more than earned the right to fight for the title — even if it’s only the interim alternative.
Daniel Cormier willing to fight in empty arena to secure retirement bout with Stipe Miocic
Natasha Hooper - April 9, 2020
Daniel Cormier is ready to do whatever it takes to fight Stipe Miocic, even if that means fighting in an empty arena. The former heavyweight champion has fought Stipe Miocic twice. In 2018 at UFC 226, he delivered a showstopper knockout against his opponent in the first round to seal the victory. In their second meeting a year later, “DC” delivered another strong performance. However, the body shots he endured at the hands of Miocic eventually caught up with him and he lost by TKO in the fourth round.
Francis Ngannou serious about boxing aspirations: "I want to make a statement"
Mike Pendleton - April 9, 2020
UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou is preparing for a possible title eliminator at UFC 249 on April 18 against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, but he has very high goals for his entire fighting career. In an exclusive interview with BJPENN.com’s Inside The Cage, Ngannou was asked about a potential crossover to boxing later in his career, and he said it’s something he’s very serious about because it was his first dream.
Jacare Souza admittedly scared of COVID-19, but must compete at UFC 249 to keep his house
Harry Kettle - April 9, 2020
Jacare Souza has admitted that he is scared of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, but that he will still fight at UFC 249 in order to help pay his bills. As of this writing, UFC 249 is scheduled to go ahead on April 18 on tribal land in California. One of the most intriguing undercard fights will see Jacare, 40, go head to head with Ultimate Fighter 17 winner Uriah Hall.