Tag: UFC News

Dana White: Conor McGregor Declined To Fight Tony Ferguson At UFC 249

McGregor Dana WhiteWhite: McGregor Would Be In Gaethje’s Position Conor McGregor may not be “retired” now if he stepped in at UFC 249 last month. McGregor was expected to face the winner of the planned Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson title fight set to take place in April. The Irishman even previously claimed he was ready to […]

McGregor Dana White

White: McGregor Would Be In Gaethje’s Position

Conor McGregor may not be “retired” now if he stepped in at UFC 249 last month.

McGregor was expected to face the winner of the planned Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson title fight set to take place in April. The Irishman even previously claimed he was ready to step in should either fighter pull out as he hoped to have an active 2020.

But with the circumstances that led to Nurmagomedov eventually having to pull out of the fight amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Ferguson eventually ended up battling Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title last month.

However, it could have easily been McGregor vs. Ferguson — if the former accepted the fight according to UFC president Dana White.

“Conor had the opportunity to slide into that spot [at UFC 249] if Khabib or Tony fell out,” White told ESPN’s First Take (via ESPN MMA). “He came back and said, ‘I’m not a replacement fighter. I’m not gonna do it.’

“He would be in that position right now if he took that fight. He didn’t, Gaethje did, so Gaethje gets it.”

Of course, whether McGregor could have left Ireland at the time also remains to be seen. Regardless, Gaethje is now expected to face Nurmagomedov in a title unification fight later this year.

McGregor, meanwhile, will have to wait if he wants a shot at the lightweight strap. And the fact that he didn’t get his wish of facing Gaethje in the summer ultimately contributed to his latest retirement.

What do you think of White’s claim?

Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns To Headline UFC 251

Kamaru UsmanWelterweight champion Kamaru Usman will make the second defence of his title against Brazilian submission specialist Gilbert Burns at UFC 251 on July 11. The fight will headline the promotion’s first card on the much talked about fight island. Earlier today the UFC announced ‘Fight Island’ is located in Abu Dhabi and will host four […]

Kamaru Usman

Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will make the second defence of his title against Brazilian submission specialist Gilbert Burns at UFC 251 on July 11. The fight will headline the promotion’s first card on the much talked about fight island.

Earlier today the UFC announced ‘Fight Island’ is located in Abu Dhabi and will host four events in July. The first event will be UFC 251 that is absolutely stacked with three title fights so far.

Usman hasn’t fought since beating Colby Covington at UFC 245 late last year. He was set to face Jorge Masvidal next but a pay dispute between the UFC and ‘Gamebred’ has ended all chances of that fight happening next. In steps Burns who’s fresh off the biggest win of his career. The 33-year-old dominated former champion, Tyron Woodley, over five rounds last month.

Elsewhere on the card Alexander Volkanovski will make the first defence of his featherweight title against former champion Max Holloway. The pair were originally set to fight on June 6 in Perth, Australia, but due to the ongoing global pandemic that fight has been pushed to July 11.

The final title fight on the card will be between bantamweight contenders Jose Aldo and Petr Yan who will duke it out for the 135lb title recently relinquished by retiring champ Henry Cejudo.

UFC 251 Card

Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns – welterweight title fight

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway – featherweight title fight

Jose Aldo vs. Petr Yan – bantamweight title fight

Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant

Frankie Edgar vs. Pedro Munhoz

Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Ciryl Gane

Volkan Oezdemir vs. Jiri Prochazka

Will Kamaru Usman retain his welterweight title against Gilbert Burns?

Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier III Set For August 15

Stipe MiocicUFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will put his belt on the line against former dual weight champion Daniel Cormier on August 15. This trilogy fight has been in the making for some time now and was made official today. Brett Okamoto of ESPN first reported the news on social media, he wrote. “It’s booked. Aug. […]

Stipe Miocic

UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will put his belt on the line against former dual weight champion Daniel Cormier on August 15. This trilogy fight has been in the making for some time now and was made official today.

Brett Okamoto of ESPN first reported the news on social media, he wrote. “It’s booked. Aug. 15. Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) vs. Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma). Biggest title fight in history of division, in my IMO. Lifetime bragging rights. Winner is the best heavyweight of his era. Loser is not. Doesn’t get bigger than that.”

UFC president Dana White has since appeared on Sportscenter to confirm news of the fight.

Cormier took to social media today to react to the fight he has been campaigning for being made official, he said. “This one is for all the marbles.  1-1, both knockouts but great fights, I can’t wait to fight this dude again!! Now it’s time to work as hard as I ever trained. #weareaka #zinkinsportsmanagement #2xheavyweightchamp 2xlightheavyweightchamp”

‘DC’ scored a first-round knockout win when he first fought Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 in July 2018. He defended the title against Derrick Lewis before rematching Moicic in August 2019. The tables turned at UFC 241 and Miocic reclaimed the title in a back-and-forth bout that ended via fourth-round TKO in his favour. Miocic has since taken time out to deal with a serious eye injury and help combat the coronavirus as a fireman but it appears he is now good to go.

Who wins when Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier fight for a third time on August 15?

Dana White Confirms Fight Island Location & Dates For Its Four Events

Dana WhiteUFC president Dana White has confirmed that ‘Fight Island’ is located Yas Island in Abu Dhabi as was reported by Combate late last week. The UFC boss also announced the island will host events on July 11, 15, 18 and 25, he wrote the following alongside a video promoting the island. “#UFCFightIsland starts July 11, […]

Dana White

UFC president Dana White has confirmed that ‘Fight Island’ is located Yas Island in Abu Dhabi as was reported by Combate late last week. The UFC boss also announced the island will host events on July 11, 15, 18 and 25, he wrote the following alongside a video promoting the island. “#UFCFightIsland starts July 11, 15, 18 and 25th YAS Island, Abu Dhabi.”

The UFC also released an official press release earlier today, it read.

UFC will produce four events on Yas Island, including one Pay Per View, UFC® 251, and three Fight Nights.  The action-packed schedule begins with UFC 251 on Saturday, July 11, and will be followed with successive Fight Nights on Wednesday, July 15; Saturday, July 18; and Saturday, July 25.  Details for each event, including fight cards, will be announced in coming weeks. 

“To accommodate existing public health guidelines, DCT Abu Dhabi will create a safety zone within the nearly ten square mile (25 km2) Yas Island that will include an arena, hotel, training facilities, and dining establishments.  This safety zone will only be open to UFC athletes and their coaches; UFC staff and other event personnel; and Yas Island employees who are necessary to ensure the operation of the facilities.

“HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our partnership with the UFC, now in its second year, has proved to be one of our most successful ventures in recent years. Thanks to their commitment and cooperation, we are proud to announce that Abu Dhabi will host the first ever “Fight Island” event, marking the long-awaited return of UFC fights to the global stage.”

“He added: “We have worked closely with all government entities in Abu Dhabi to ensure that the staging of this historic event complies with the highest standards of safety for the athletes, coaches, and all UFC personnel as well as the safety of our community. This year, Abu Dhabi has successfully proven its ability to handle all challenges and promote the well-being of its visitors and residents; and today, we are here to showcase the best that our capital has to offer, as we look forward to opening our doors once again to the world.”

“UFC President Dana White commented: ‘We came up with the idea of having fights on ‘Fight Island’ because we needed a destination to hold international events during the global pandemic.  Abu Dhabi has been an amazing location to hold fights over the past ten years and it is the perfect place for these events. The infrastructure we are building will be such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the fighters that’s never been done before – from the arena, the private training facility, and the Octagon on the island – it’s going to be an experience that none of us will ever forget. I can’t wait to deliver amazing fights from Yas island.’”

Are you excited by the prospect of ‘Fight Island’?

REPORT | Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Father Remains In A Critical Condition

NurmagomedovAbdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father and coach of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov remains in a critical condition after catching the coronavirus and suffering complications with the disease.  Ramazan Rabadanov – who is a friend of the family – says Nurmagomedov’s condition is showing no signs of improvement. “There are no dynamics (changes). He’s still in the […]

Nurmagomedov

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father and coach of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov remains in a critical condition after catching the coronavirus and suffering complications with the disease. 

Ramazan Rabadanov – who is a friend of the family – says Nurmagomedov’s condition is showing no signs of improvement. “There are no dynamics (changes). He’s still in the same (serious) condition,” Rabadanov told TASS

Nurmagomedov Sr originally had a health scare back in April but later told media he was feeling fine. However, his health quickly declined and he suffered a stroke and was placed into a medically induced coma – that he remains in.

The undefeated lightweight champion confirmed the news of his fathers’ condition last month, he said.

“He’s in the hospital now, he’s in a very serious condition. He had heart complications stemming from the virus. This virus has very seriously affected his heart, since he had a heart operation a year ago. He’s had surgery again. He’s in a difficult situation, very difficult. We ask Allah to return him to us. Thank you very much to everyone who writes, who sends their support. May Allah help us all.” (Translation by RT)

Nurmagomedov hasn’t fought since defeating Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in September 2019. He was supposed to face long-time rival Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 but travel issues preventing he him from competing. Justin Gaethje stepped in and claimed the biggest win of his career making him interim lightweight champion and next in line for a shot at Khabib. The fight is expected to take place in September although it remains to be seen if the ill health of Nurmagomedov Sr will mean the fight is pushed back until next year.

Everyone at LowKickMMA wishes Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with the entire Nurmagomedov family at this tough time.

Holly Holm To Headline Against Irene Aldana On August 1

Holly HolmFormer women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm will return to action to headline on August 1 against surging contender Irene Alanda. Brett Okamoto of ESPN broke the fight news on social media last night, he wrote. “Breaking: Holly Holm (@HollyHolm) vs. Irene Aldana (@IreneAldana_) to headline UFC Fight Night event on 8/1 in Las Vegas, per […]

Holly Holm

Former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm will return to action to headline on August 1 against surging contender Irene Alanda. Brett Okamoto of ESPN broke the fight news on social media last night, he wrote.

“Breaking: Holly Holm (@HollyHolm) vs. Irene Aldana (@IreneAldana_) to headline UFC Fight Night event on 8/1 in Las Vegas, per sources. Holm coming off Pennington win in January. Aldana has won five of her last six.”

Holm Hoping For Another Shot

Holm will be hoping to earn another shot at the title she once held by beating one of the top contenders at 135lbs. ‘The Preachers Daughter’ returned to winning ways last time out, picking up a decision win over former title challenger Raquel Pennington at UFC 246 in January. Prior to that Holm suffered a first-round knockout loss to dual weight UFC champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 239 in July 2019.

Aldana has slowly been gathering hype, winning five of her past six fights. Her lone loss coming against Pennington in a split decision three fights ago. The Mexican scored a huge KO win over the previously undefeated Ketlen Vieira last time out and will be looking to build on that momentum by claiming the biggest win of her career on August 1.

On the same card top middleweight contenders, Derek Brunson and Edmen Shahbazyan are also expected to clash. Okamoto of ESPN also broke that news on his social media he wrote.

“Breaking: Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (@edmenshahbazyan) booked (again) for UFC Fight Night on 8/1, per sources. Third time is a charm. Was booked 3/7 and 4/11 previously.”

As stated this is the third time these two fighters have been scheduled to meet. Long-time contender Bruson heads into the bout off the back of two decision wins over Ian Heinisch and Elias Theodorou. Shahbazyan is just 22 years old and keen to add the biggest name yet to his currently perfect 11-0 record.

Who wins when Holly Holm takes on Irene Aldana on August 1?