The next UFC lightweight title bout is rumored to be set for March’s UFC 209, and once again it could be an interim with current 155-pound champion Conor McGregor on the sidelines to welcome his first child. This morning Bloody Elbow’s Karim Zidan reported that Russian news outlet investia.ru was reporting undefeated Russian star Khabib Nurmagomedov
The next UFC lightweight title bout is rumored to be set for March’s UFC 209, and once again it could be an interim with current 155-pound champion Conor McGregor on the sidelines to welcome his first child.
This morning Bloody Elbow’s Karim Zidan reported that Russian news outlet investia.ru was reporting undefeated Russian star Khabib Nurmagomedov will meet surging rival Tony Ferguson for the interim title:
Respected Russian outlet @izvestia_ru is reporting that Khabib vs. Ferguson is a done deal to headline UFC 209. Says UFC will announce soon.
The bout makes sense considering the current status of the champion, as “The Eagle” and “El Cucuy” have been oft-scheduled to face one another before, most recently at April’s UFC on FOX 19 before Ferguson was forced out with an injury. The feared Dagestani grappler returned from a lengthy injury layoff of his own to defeat late replacement Darrell Horcher at the event before dominating top-ranked Michael Johnson at November’s UFC 205.
Ferguson, meanwhile, has been on an absolute tear as of late, imitating Max Holloway’s recent run to merely an interim title shot by winning nine straight fights, the latest an exciting decision win over former champ Rafael dos Anjos at November’s The Ultimate Fighter (TUF): Latin America 3 Finale. Rising to the top after winning TUF 13 as a member of Brock Lesnar’s team in 2011, Ferguson has often mixed it up with both Nurmagomedov and the media as of late.
Dana White has teased a UFC event in Russia recently, but it would seem that could be some time away with Nurmagomedov rumored to be facing Ferguson for the interim belt in Vegas this March.
Following rumors the past couple of days, a very exciting fight between a pair of Heavyweight knockout artists has been officially announced for UFC 209.
UFC.com confirmed this week that former K-1 World Grand Prix Champions Alistair Overeem and Mar…
Following rumors the past couple of days, a very exciting fight between a pair of Heavyweight knockout artists has been officially announced for UFC 209.
UFC.com confirmed this week that former K-1 World Grand Prix Champions Alistair Overeem and Mark Hunt will take place as part of the fight card scheduled for their UFC 209 pay-per-view event in March.
Hunt has been very outspoken about the UFC since losing to Brock Lesnar at the landmark UFC 200 event in July, only to find out that Lesnar had tested positive on multiple drug tests leading up to their Octagon showdown.
For his part, Overeem last fought in Cincinatti, Ohio, getting knocked out by reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic in a wild, back-and-forth battle.
The Hunt-Overeem bout takes place at UFC 209, which goes down live from Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, March 4, 2017.
Hunt expects all parties to agree to a doping clause in the fight terms, prior to signing any contract.
The New Zealand knock out artist has agreed to meet Overeem in March, but the fight will only happen if the UFC agree to adding such a clause. Hunt confirmed his demands via markhunt.tv:
“My clause will protect me in this instance and take the financial gain of the opponent of caught cheating, ”
“That deterrent will protect me and other fighters. I’m pushing for this clause, I want to fight and I am ready. If the fight doesn’t go ahead it’s not my doing. I will not fight without this clause. I’ve already fought three dopers in a row and I’m not going to fight again without security. All I want is a fair go and an even playing field.”
“I will not fight without this clause. I’ve already fought 3 dopers in a row and I’m not going to fight again without security. All I want is a fair go, and an even playing field.” he said.
According to other reports, Overeem has not yet agreed to any contractual stipulation regarding doping. At the time of writing, any agreement of this sort is between Hunt and the UFC.
“The Super Samoan” and “Reem” have fought once before, and Hunt is adamant that he would like the opportunity to avenge his submission defeat against the Dutchman:
“Overeem was one of my losses over a 7 fight losing streak when I was fighting battles outside the ring as well as inside. “I couldn’t have beaten a wooden chair at that time in my life. I’ve never lost a rematch and I’m not about to”.
Following the debacle after the UFC 200 bout with Brock Lesnar, it is understandable that the Sydney, Australia resident has reservations regarding his opponents. Should the UFC adhere to his demands, we could see a rematch between two veterans that has been over eight years in the making.
You can watch Hunt v Overeem’s first bout in K-1, here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbW7C0DAvJ4
Hunt expects all parties to agree to a doping clause in the fight terms, prior to signing any contract.
The New Zealand knock out artist has agreed to meet Overeem in March, but the fight will only happen if the UFC agree to adding such a clause. Hunt confirmed his demands via markhunt.tv:
“My clause will protect me in this instance and take the financial gain of the opponent of caught cheating, ”
“That deterrent will protect me and other fighters. I’m pushing for this clause, I want to fight and I am ready. If the fight doesn’t go ahead it’s not my doing. I will not fight without this clause. I’ve already fought three dopers in a row and I’m not going to fight again without security. All I want is a fair go and an even playing field.”
“I will not fight without this clause. I’ve already fought 3 dopers in a row and I’m not going to fight again without security. All I want is a fair go, and an even playing field.” he said.
According to other reports, Overeem has not yet agreed to any contractual stipulation regarding doping. At the time of writing, any agreement of this sort is between Hunt and the UFC.
Mark Hunt confirms verbal agreement to fight Alistair Overeem, but still wants that clause re: to doping penalty. https://t.co/QFcmSXk12Q
“The Super Samoan” and “Reem” have fought once before, and Hunt is adamant that he would like the opportunity to avenge his submission defeat against the Dutchman:
“Overeem was one of my losses over a 7 fight losing streak when I was fighting battles outside the ring as well as inside. “I couldn’t have beaten a wooden chair at that time in my life. I’ve never lost a rematch and I’m not about to”.
Following the debacle after the UFC 200 bout with Brock Lesnar, it is understandable that the Sydney, Australia resident has reservations regarding his opponents. Should the UFC adhere to his demands, we could see a rematch between two veterans that has been over eight years in the making.
You can watch Hunt v Overeem’s first bout in K-1, here:
It looks as if a pivotal heavyweight bout could be headed towards March 4’s UFC 209, which is slated to go down from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to a report from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, No. 3-ranked Alistair “The Reem” Overeem and No. 7-ranked Mark “The Super Samoan” Hunt have verbally agreed
It looks as if a pivotal heavyweight bout could be headed towards March 4’s UFC 209, which is slated to go down from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to a report from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, No. 3-ranked Alistair “The Reem” Overeem and No. 7-ranked Mark “The Super Samoan” Hunt have verbally agreed to terms regarding a bout for this event:
BREAKING: Verbal agreements in place for Mark Hunt vs. Alistair Overeem at UFC 209 on March 4 in Las Vegas, per UFC.
Overeem is coming off of a stoppage loss to reigning champion Stipe Miocic last September at UFC 203. Prior to that he had been riding an impressive four fight win streak that included victories over former champions Junior Dos Santos and Andrei Arlovski as well as Stefan Struve and Roy Nelson.
Hunt, on the other hand, has been dealing with a more complicated situation. He most recently competed at July 9’s UFC 200 where he dropped a decision loss to Brock Lesnar, although it has since been changed to a no contest due to Lesnar failing multiple drug tests. “The Super Samoan” didn’t take Lesnar failing his tests particularly well and he has lashed out on the UFC multiple times over the last few months.
In fact, he asked for a specific clause in his contract regarding opponents potentially failing drug tests, although as Okamoto noted, it’s unclear if the UFC has adhered to his requests:
As of last week Hunt was still asking for clause in future fight contracts re: drug testing penalties. Don’t know exact details on that yet.
After Conor McGregor won the UFC lightweight title with a dominant performance over Eddie Alvarez at Nov. 12’s UFC 205 from New York, it was unclear who he would defend his title against for the first time, that is if he even plans on defending it next. Nonetheless, the two leading candidates appeared to be
After Conor McGregor won the UFC lightweight title with a dominant performance over Eddie Alvarez at Nov. 12’s UFC 205 from New York, it was unclear who he would defend his title against for the first time, that is if he even plans on defending it next.
Nonetheless, the two leading candidates appeared to be undefeated No. 1-contender Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov and No. 2-ranked surging contender Tony “El Cucuy” Fergson. It was then announced that McGregor would likely be stepping away from the Octagon for 10 months, and it now appears as if the UFC may be looking to book Nurmagomedov and Ferguson against each other.
The two have been scheduled to fight before, but the bout has always fell through. Now according to a report from MMAFighting’s Ariel Helwani, the two could potentially meet at UFC 209 with an interim title on the line, although nothing is signed as of now:
Re: Khabib-Ferguson, nothing is signed. 209 has been discussed but not a done deal. Interim 155 title also discussed but not 100% either.
“The Eagle” is 8-0 inside the UFC and is coming off of a one-sided submission victory over Michael Johnson. Ferguson, on the other hand, is riding an incredible nine fight win streak and is coming off of a decision victory over former champion Rafael dos Anjos.
What do you make of the UFC possibly creating another interim title?
Reigning UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley retained his title at UFC 205 after him and No. 1-contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson went toe-to-toe for five rounds in a bout that ended in a majority draw. UFC President Dana White said in the aftermath of the bout that a rematch would take place, although nothing has been
Reigning UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley retained his title at UFC 205 after him and No. 1-contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson went toe-to-toe for five rounds in a bout that ended in a majority draw. UFC President Dana White said in the aftermath of the bout that a rematch would take place, although nothing has been scheduled as of yet.
In fact, Woodley recently called out fan favorite Nick Diaz, although Thompson feels as if he’s the man deserving of the next shot:
“There was no winner to the fight, so let’s just say it didn’t even happen,” Thompson recently told MMAJunkie. I know he’s calling out other guys, but I know I’m the right guy to face him.”
Woodley recently expressed interest in fighting Diaz, who was recently cleared by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), at UFC 209, an event that also works for “Wonderboy”:
“Tyron was saying right before he started calling out Nick that he has unfinished business with me,” he said. “My management company’s talking with the UFC. We’re hopefully looking at something probably in February or early March. That’s the plan. It would be cool to fight at UFC 209. That would be awesome for pay-per-view for both of us.”
Who would you rather see Woodley defend his title against next?
