Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) took full advantage of International Fight Week earlier today (Fri., July 5, 2019) in Las Vegas by hosting a summer press conference (full video HERE) featuring some of the best upcoming fights of 2019.
Leading the charge was undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim titleholder Dustin Poirier, who will meet at UFC 242 on Sept. 7 in Abu Dhabi. Poirier, who is coming off a masterful performance against featherweight champion Max Holloway at UFC 236 this past April, will try to become the first fighter to defeat Khabib inside of the cage. Remember, Nurmagomedov is 27-0 in his professional MMA career and has never lost a round in UFC competition.
Check out the staredown above and the press conference highlights below:
“He never fight… with my style… Make him tap. This is my plan.”@TeamKhabib #UFC242 pic.twitter.com/pkKlWytV3z
— UFC (@ufc) July 5, 2019
Also in attendance was reigning UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and former titleholder Stipe Miocic, who will meet in an anticipated rematch at UFC 241 on Aug. 17 in Anaheim, California. Cormier, who held the UFC light heavyweight championship last year, moved up to heavyweight to take out Miocic via first-round knockout at UFC 226 to become an official double champ. The two have been on a collision course ever since and officially booked their rematch following Brock Lesnar’s retirement this past April.
Check out the staredown and press conference highlights below:
Headlining a STACKED card!
The title of Baddest Man on the is on the line again.
@DC_MMA vs @StipeMiocic 2. #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/ChQoWDUHAX
— UFC (@ufc) July 5, 2019
“When I’m done with Stipe, and Dana opens up the book and goes ‘this is what you guys are getting paid,’ then you guys may get a third fight.”@dc_mma leaves the door open for a trilogy fight with Jon Jones pic.twitter.com/dswqAD6wy0
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 5, 2019
Fair answer. pic.twitter.com/Kn2bVR4i90
— UFC (@ufc) July 5, 2019
“I just don’t think he’s good enough to beat me.”@DC_MMA #UFC241 pic.twitter.com/uon8exUXL7
— UFC (@ufc) July 5, 2019
The next two fighters to take the stage earlier today at UFC’s summer press conference was the aforementioned Holloway and former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. The two featherweights were scheduled to fight twice before but injuries derailed their Octagon encounter. Assuming the injury bug lays dormant for their next scheduled affair for UFC 240 on July 27 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, “Blessed” will have the chance to further cement his legacy at 145 pounds, while Edgar takes one final shot at UFC featherweight gold.
Check out the staredown and press conference highlights below:
This looks familiar… @BlessedMMA & @FrankieEdgar finally meet at #UFC240! pic.twitter.com/Qjzkdvo6OC
— UFC (@ufc) July 5, 2019
CC: Kawhi Leonard
From: @BlessedMMA pic.twitter.com/50ZiFpYn0E
— UFC (@ufc) July 5, 2019
Last but not least, reigning UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and interim titleholder Israel Adesanya squared off for the first time in front of a wild Vegas crowd. The two fighters will meet in a title unification bout at UFC 243 this October, which was made official just earlier today.
Check out the staredown and press conference highlights below:
Bragging rights for a whole continent!
@RobWhittakerMMA vs @Stylebender ?? https://t.co/HYQsKCTdnG #UFC243 pic.twitter.com/uBfElUwv6X
— UFC (@ufc) July 5, 2019
“Stay in your lane.” #UFC243 is going to be fireworks! pic.twitter.com/0YLhewtM3P
— UFC (@ufc) July 5, 2019
For complete UFC 240, UFC 241, and UFC 242 fight card news click here, here, and here.