Tag: UFC News

Khabib Nurmagomedov Posts Update, ‘Doesn’t Understand What Is Going On At All’

NurmagomedovUFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov appears to be doubtful whether his fight with Tony Ferguson will still go ahead. Nurmagomedov is slated to defend his lightweight title against Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18. It was initially set to take place in Brooklyn, New York, but with the coronavirus pandemic, it will now likely […]

Nurmagomedov

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov appears to be doubtful whether his fight with Tony Ferguson will still go ahead.

Nurmagomedov is slated to defend his lightweight title against Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18. It was initially set to take place in Brooklyn, New York, but with the coronavirus pandemic, it will now likely take place outside the United States.

However, time seems to be running out for UFC president Dana White to find a new location. Nurmagomedov — who was training on his own along with his sparring partners at American Kickboxing Academy — returned to Russia recently because of coronavirus concerns.

Soon after, he posted an update expressing concern about the status of UFC 249:

“We can’t understand what is going on at all,” Nurmagomedov wrote on Instagram (translation via RT). “Where we’re fighting or if we’re fighting at all, and what about the weight cut and where the fight will be. I never imagined this. UFC 249 just what are you?”

Because Nurmagomedov returned from abroad, he also has to remain under self-isolation for 14 days as per Russian law.

Let’s hope the UFC finds a way to make the fight happen soon or at the very least, postpone it for the time being.

What do you make of Nurmagomedov’s post?

USADA Suspends Doctor Who Administered IVs To UFC’s Paulo Costa

Dr. Lucas Penchel has accepted a two-year sanction by USADA for administering IVs to UFC middleweight Paulo Costa. Costa was suspended for six months under USADA back in April 2019. Video surfaced of Costa being given an IV, which drew a lot of attenti…

Dr. Lucas Penchel has accepted a two-year sanction by USADA for administering IVs to UFC middleweight Paulo Costa. Costa was suspended for six months under USADA back in April 2019. Video surfaced of Costa being given an IV, which drew a lot of attention from fans and media members. USADA typically has IVs on the […]

The post USADA Suspends Doctor Who Administered IVs To UFC’s Paulo Costa appeared first on MMA News.

Mike Perry Jokes He’s Either Hungover Or Has COVID-19

PerryMike Perry didn’t know if he was hungover or contracted COVID-19 on the weekend. The fan-favorite welterweight took to social media to give his fans an update on how he is doing with the COVID-19 pandemic going on and apparently it is not going well. “Omg I either am hungover from day drinking or I […]

Perry

Mike Perry didn’t know if he was hungover or contracted COVID-19 on the weekend.

The fan-favorite welterweight took to social media to give his fans an update on how he is doing with the COVID-19 pandemic going on and apparently it is not going well.

“Omg I either am hungover from day drinking or I have corona and am not goin to make it. I just wanna day … F**K YOU,” Perry wrote on social media.

It is obviously a very serious time for the world as countries are in lockdown as the world is trying to contain the virus. It has shut down the sports world as well with the UFC postponing three events and leagues like the MLB, NBA, NHL all suspending play.

Mike Perry is coming off a first-round TKO loss to Geoff Neal at UFC 245. Before that, he suffered a decision loss to Vicente Luque. The fan-favorite has recently hinted at a move down to lightweight and why he is thinking that is simple.

“For performance reasons and health reasons, if I can do it healthily and live more healthy, which I’ve been doing the total opposite of that, it’s kind of funny,” Perry said on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show in February (via BJPENN.com). “I’m always in good shape no matter what’s going on, but sometimes I have pains and injuries, it’s almost like it takes my breath away. Some people might confuse that for cardio but I’m in great shape. Cardio is mental, it’s how you run your system, you have to know how much fuel you have, you can’t be putting it all on the gas. I’m just thinking about fighting like always, man.”

When he will return to the Octagon and at what weight class is to be seen.

What do you make of Mike Perry joking he’s either hungover or has COVID-19?

REPORT | Khabib Nurmagomedov Returns To Russia To Complete UFC 249 Camp

Khabib NurmagomedovLightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has returned to Russia to finish his UFC 249 training camp according to reports.  ‘The Eagle’ is expected to defend his title against Tony Ferguson on April 18 at a venue yet to be decided. However, many fans now fear the highly anticipated bout will be one again scrapped amid the […]

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has returned to Russia to finish his UFC 249 training camp according to reports. 

‘The Eagle’ is expected to defend his title against Tony Ferguson on April 18 at a venue yet to be decided. However, many fans now fear the highly anticipated bout will be one again scrapped amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Since 2015 the pair have been booked to face off on four previous occasions but have never actually fought. 

The ongoing global crisis has forced the majority of MMA gyms to close its doors, including American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California, where Nurmagomedov usually closes out his fight camps. 

Javier Mendez, head coach at the gym, told ESPN last week his facility was only open for the Russian champion ahead of UFC 249 to keep him healthy and get him prepared for the fight ahead. “Just Khabib. That’s it. Nobody else is allowed. No one is coming. Just Khabib. We’ve gotta keep it safe for him.”

Now, Nurmagomedov has returned to his homeland to complete the rest of the fight camp, Russian outlet TASS reports. This move could give some indication about the geographical location of his upcoming fight with Ferguson. 

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of Khabib, has previously said he believes the fight will take place in Dubai. Speaking to RBC Sports (via MMA Fighting), he said. 

“Most likely, it will be Dubai. Firstly, it’s easier to fight diseases because of the heat. And I think the Emirates will pay for the UFC fight faster and easier. Abu Dhabi may well be, but then, [that’s up to] Dana White. I can’t approve, but there are more chances there.”

If Abdulmanp is correct, Khabib’s move to finish his camp in Russia makes complete sense. By doing so, he has saved himself a gruelling 20-hour flight amidst the biggest fight of his life. 

Does Khabib Nurmagomedov moving his camp to Russia confirm UFC 249 will take place in Dubai?

‘Big’ John McCarthy Says MMA Judges Must Understand Scoring Criteria

Bellator color commentator “Big” John McCarthy believes some MMA judging just aren’t grasping the scoring criteria. McCarthy is never shy on commentary duties when it comes to judging in MMA bouts. When there’s a scorecard he di…

Bellator color commentator “Big” John McCarthy believes some MMA judging just aren’t grasping the scoring criteria. McCarthy is never shy on commentary duties when it comes to judging in MMA bouts. When there’s a scorecard he disagrees with, he’ll voice his opinion and explain why he feels the criteria for judging fights isn’t being followed […]

The post ‘Big’ John McCarthy Says MMA Judges Must Understand Scoring Criteria appeared first on MMA News.

Leon Edwards Details Crazy Request UFC Made To Save Tyron Woodley Fight

Leon EdwardsWelterweight title contender Leon Edwards has detailed the crazy lengths UFC wanted him to go to save his scheduled fight with Tyron Woodley.  The promotion was set to host an event in London this past weekend with Englishman Edwards in the headline slot against former 170lb champion Woodley. Unfortunately, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic meant that […]

Leon Edwards

Welterweight title contender Leon Edwards has detailed the crazy lengths UFC wanted him to go to save his scheduled fight with Tyron Woodley. 

The promotion was set to host an event in London this past weekend with Englishman Edwards in the headline slot against former 170lb champion Woodley. Unfortunately, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic meant that the event was scrapped, and the UFC planned to build an American based card at the last minute. 

Edwards told BT Sport’s Adam Catterall exactly how everything played out and detailed the extreme lengths the UFC wanted him to go to, to help save their card, he said. 

“I went to bed on Saturday night, and I got a phone call waking me up about 9 am on Sunday from my management team saying the fight’s off in London, and you need to get to America today,” Edwards said. “I was like, ‘hold on, what? How long [have I got]?’. They said you’ve got three hours to get to Heathrow and fly from Heathrow with your team. I was like, ‘that’s impossible.’

“I was like ‘where am I flying to’ and they said, ‘we don’t know yet,’ just get on a plane to America’ and we’ll sort that once we get there. So yeah, that was it really. They didn’t care about me getting back [with the travel ban]. They just cared about me getting there.”

Unable to leave his family on such short notice, Edwards tried to negotiate flying a couple of days later but was told it is now or never. This prompted his withdrawal from the card and the UFC began looking for alternative options before eventually scrapping the idea.

“We phoned the UFC again and said can we leave Monday or Tuesday, giving us a little bit more time to try and sort stuff out, but they said no, you’ve got to leave today [Sunday] if you wanna do it.” (Transcribed by BJPENN.com)

Did Leon Edwards make the right call not travelling to face Tyron Woodley?