UFC News
Coach sees silver lining in previous Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson fight cancelations
Tom Taylor - February 19, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson have been scheduled to fight four times previously. As of yet, however, the pair have never actually shared the cage. The hopes is that that will finally change at UFC 249 this April.
Referee Marc Goddard reveals he received death threats following UFC 245
Natasha Hooper - February 19, 2020
Referee Marc Goddard says he received death threats after his decision to stop the UFC 245 main event between welterweight champ Kamaru Usman and challenger Colby Covington. After four rounds of non-stop action in the main event of UFC 245, Usman knocked Covington down in the fifth. Goddard intervened and put a stop to the action, awarding Usman the TKO victory.
James Krause erupts after discovering UFC 247 judge had a conflict of interest
Natasha Hooper - February 19, 2020
The judge responsible for the controversial scoring of James Krause vs Trevin Giles at UFC 247 allegedly had a major conflict of interest. Judge Joe Soliz scored the closely contested bout in favour of Giles. This ultimately affected the split decision victory that Giles claimed after three rounds.
Michel Pereira claims that illegal knee never hit Diego Sanchez in the head
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2020
Michel Pereira doesn’t believe that his knee collided with the head of Diego Sanchez this past Saturday. At UFC Rio Rancho, Pereira was looking to return to the win column against Sanchez. After dominating the opening two rounds of the fight, Pereira threw a knee that appeared to hit Sanchez in the head while he was grounded. The referee ruled the strike was illegal, and because Sanchez couldn’t continue, he was awarded the DQ win.
Kenny Florian blames Michel Pereira for DQ loss against Diego Sanchez
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2020
Kenny Florian believes Michel Pereira has no one to blame but himself for being disqualified against Diego Sanchez. Pereira and Sanchez collided this past Saturday night (Feb. 15). The bout served as UFC Rio Rancho’s co-main event. While Pereira appeared to have easily snagged rounds one and two, he made a costly mistake in the final frame. Pereira landed an illegal knee on a downed Sanchez. The “Nightmare” said he was unable to continue and the fight was called off. Sanchez was awarded the DQ win.
Diego Sanchez praises 'wise man' Conor McGregor amid UFC Rio Rancho controversy
Tom Taylor - February 18, 2020
Diego Sanchez was the subject of quite a bit of criticism after he accepted a disqualification win over Michel Pereira at UFC Rio Rancho last weekend. Amid this criticism, Sanchez has taken the time to give the nod to the people who have supported him. He believes Conor McGregor is one of those people. Sanchez and Pereira fought in the co-main event of the UFC Rio Rancho card. The bout ended in the third round when Pereira blasted Sanchez with an illegal knee, and Sanchez said he could not continue.
On last fight of contract, Jalin Turner says UFC Auckland is 'do-or-die' for UFC career
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2020
Jalin Turner knows the stakes are high for his UFC Auckland fight against short-notice opponent, Joshua Culibao. Entering this fight, Turner is just 1-2 in the UFC with a debut loss to Vicente Luque at welterweight and most recently a decision loss to Matt Frevola. In his last fight, he admits he probably should have pulled out but with his kid being born just weeks after he needed the money and couldn’t risk being on the sidelines with no payday insight.
Report | Study raises concerns over fighters taking weight-cutting advice from peers instead of doctors
Natasha Hooper - February 18, 2020
A report from the Dublin City University has raised concerns over weight-cutting methods used by MMA fighters and influenced by their peers. The University report lead by Dr Brendan Egan, David Nolan and John Connor from the School of Health and Human Performance investigated over 260 athletes that take part in rapid weight loss (RWL) practices to compete.
Paul Felder reacts to apparent callout from Conor McGregor at UFC 246
Tom Taylor - February 18, 2020
Shortly after Conor McGregor finished Donald Cerrone in the UFC 246 main event, he targeted several other fighters. One of the fighters on his radar seemed to lightweight contender Paul Felder, who was working as a cage-side commentator on the night. McGregor referenced the “mouthy fools” sitting cage-side, and according to Felder, said “f**k you” as he passed by the commentary fight post-fight.
Kai Kara-France will be 'hunting' for finish against Tyson Nam in hometown fight at UFC Auckland
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2020
The last time the UFC was in Auckland, New Zealand was in 2017. There, Kai Kara-France was sitting front row cheering on his teammate Dan Hooker. During that event, Kara-France told himself he would be the one fighting next time the promotion came to his home city. And on the prelims of UFC Auckland this Saturday, Kara-France will complete his goal when he battles Tyson Nam. Yet, for a bit, many didn’t think it would happen after he fought just two months ago at UFC 245. There, he lost to Brandon Moreno. Since then, he quickly reflected on the fight and knows he made some mistakes.
Thiago Santos eyeing July return, turned down UFC's offer of unranked opponent
Adam Martin - February 18, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Thiago Santos says he is planning a comeback to the Octagon in July and he has already been offered an opponent by the UFC. Santos last competed at UFC 239 in July 2019 when he lost a split decision to UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. It was the most competitive fight of Jones’ MMA career since the Alexander Gustafsson fight at UFC 165 in September 2013, though Dominick Reyes recently had a great showing against Jones at UFC 247.
Al Iaquinta accuses Dustin Poirier of quitting against Nurmagomedov in heated social media skirmish
Adam Martin - February 18, 2020
UFC lightweight Al Iaquinta accused Dustin Poirier of quitting against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 in a heated social media exchange. Iaquinta and Poirier are both currently without opponents and considering both men are ranked in the top-10 at 155lbs, it’s quite possible they will fight each other next.