Tag: UFC News

Official – UFC 287 set to take place in Miami, Florida

UFC 287Miami will host UFC 287 which features the Middleweight title rematch and the return of Jorge Masvidal. Previously, the UFC announced the card without a destination attached to it. Instead, the announcement was made with the reveal of the main and the co-main event. UFC 287 will feature the highly anticipated rematch between Alex Pereira […]

UFC 287

Miami will host UFC 287 which features the Middleweight title rematch and the return of Jorge Masvidal.

Previously, the UFC announced the card without a destination attached to it. Instead, the announcement was made with the reveal of the main and the co-main event.

UFC 287 will feature the highly anticipated rematch between Alex Pereira and the former champion, Israel Adesanya. The two famously fought at UFC 281 in November of last year, where, after being down on the cards, Pereira rallied to pull off a massive comeback against his rival and stop Adesanya late in the 5th round to become the champion. 

Since then, the rematch between these rivals has been a constant topic of discussion, and now finally, not only is the date set, but also a location as the UFC announced that the event will take place at the Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Florida on April 8th. 

Miami’s own Jorge Masvidal is to have a homecoming at UFC 287 

Along with the Middleweight title rematch, UFC 287 will also be co-headlined by top Welterweights, Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns. Both Masvidal and Burns call Florida home, but Masvidal was born and raised in Miami, so this will be a homecoming for the BMF champion.

Masvidal hasn’t fought since March of last year when he lost to Colby Covington and afterward had serious legal trouble after he allegedly attacked Covington outside of a restaurant. Meanwhile, Burns had one of the best performances of his career at UFC 283, where he submitted Neil Magny in the very first round. 

This event will mark the company’s first return to Miami since UFC 42 in April 2003. That event was headlined by Matt Hughes defending his Welterweight title against Sean Sherk. And also the debut of MMA legend, Rich Franklin. So, it’s safe to say that it’s been a long time coming for Miami fans. 

Dustin Poirier mocks UFC rivals Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler: ‘TUF: All My Children Edition’

Dustin Poirier Conor McGregor Michael Chandler The Ultimate Fighter UFCFormer interim UFC lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has reacted to news today regarding The Ultimate Fighter 31 lightweight tournament starring coaches, Conor McGregor, and Michael Chandler – boasting about the fact he holds numerous victories over his division rivals. Poirier, the current #2 ranked lightweight contender and former interim division champion, most recently featured at […]

Dustin Poirier Conor McGregor Michael Chandler The Ultimate Fighter UFC

Former interim UFC lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has reacted to news today regarding The Ultimate Fighter 31 lightweight tournament starring coaches, Conor McGregor, and Michael Chandler – boasting about the fact he holds numerous victories over his division rivals.

Poirier, the current #2 ranked lightweight contender and former interim division champion, most recently featured at UFC 281 back in November of last year.

Landing a main card clash with the above-mentioned, Chandler on the Madison Square Garden card, Dustin Poirier secured a victory over the Missouri native, courtesy of a third round rear-naked choke submission win.

Also thrice sharing the Octagon with the above-mentioned, McGregor, the American Top Team staple managed to land a rematch knockout win over the Dubliner in 2021, before taking a TKO win the pair’s trilogy in July of that year, after McGregor fractured his left tibia and fibula. 

Dustin Poirier pokes fun at past foes, Conor McGregor, and Michael Chandler

Yet to find himself booked for his next Octagon outing since returning to the winner’s enclosure back in November of last year, Poirier took the time to react to today’s announcement of The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler – claiming the edition of the reality television show should actually be labelled “All My Children”.

“TUF all my children edition,” Dustin Poirier tweeted. 

Linked with a slew of potential opponents for his next Octagon appearance, Poirier recently received a call out from former undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos, with the Niteroi native offering the Lafayette puncher the opportunity to fight against him in a potential welterweight division debut. 

Poirier has also been linked with a fight against the victor of the upcoming March co-main event feature at UFC 286 between Justin Gaethje, and Rafael Fiziev – having previously stopped Gaethje in a UFC Fight Night Glendale back in 2018.

Olympic athlete and UFC newcomer Hamdy Abdelwahab handed two-year suspension by USADA

hamdy abdelwahabEgyptian mixed martial artist Hamdy Abdelwahab was recently handed a two-year suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Administration (USADA) for two failed drug tests (pre-fight and post-fight) where he tested positive for methenolone, and he was also caught potentially tampering with the test. As a result, Hamdy Abdelwahab’s split decision victory over Don’Tale Mayes in […]

hamdy abdelwahab

Egyptian mixed martial artist Hamdy Abdelwahab was recently handed a two-year suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Administration (USADA) for two failed drug tests (pre-fight and post-fight) where he tested positive for methenolone, and he was also caught potentially tampering with the test.

As a result, Hamdy Abdelwahab’s split decision victory over Don’Tale Mayes in his UFC debut has been overturned to a no contest, bringing his record from 6-0 to 5-0 (1 NC).

USADA made the following announcement regarding the situation:

“Abdelwahab did not declare the use of methenolone on his onboarding declaration forms and did not establish a compelling justification for his failure to do so. Based on USADA’s investigation, it was determined that Abdelwahab used the prohibited substance and knew of his obligation to declare it.

“The evidence constitutes a tampering violation in addition to the violation for his positive test for methenolone.”

Along with his two-year suspension, Abdelwahab will also be investigated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR) for tampering with test results.

TDLR also made a statement following the positive test result:

“When a combative sports contestant in Texas tests positive for a banned substance, we place them on a 90-day suspension. If the contestant won the bout, we list the bout as ‘No Decision.’ We can also pursue an administrative penalty and a monetary penalty could also be issued against the contestant. This case has been referred to our Enforcement Division for further investigation.”

Leading up to his UFC debut in July of 2022, Hamdy Abdelwahab was 5-0 as a professional, having secured all five wins via knockout (all five wins under Jorge Masvidal promotions, Jorge Masvidal’s iKon FC & Gamebred Fighting Championships).

Abdelwahab is also a very accomplished Greco-Roman wrestler, having placed second in the Youth Olympic Games in 2010, as well as placing first in the Africa & Oceana Olympic Qualification Tournament.

Now the 30 year old will have to wait until he’s at least 32 years of age to compete again.

What will the heavyweight division even look like at the time Hamdy Abdelwahab is eligible to return?

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Michael Chandler reacts to his TUF 31 coaching role opposing Conor McGregor

michael chandlerIt was confirmed earlier today by UFC President Dana White that former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor (22-6) and former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler (23-8) have been selected to coach The Ultimate Fighter 31 opposing one another. The show is set to air on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, and is to be finalized […]

michael chandler

It was confirmed earlier today by UFC President Dana White that former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor (22-6) and former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler (23-8) have been selected to coach The Ultimate Fighter 31 opposing one another.

The show is set to air on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, and is to be finalized on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, with McGregor and Chandler to face off at a to-be-determined PPV event shortly thereafter.

They will compete at either 155 lbs or 170 lbs, though that has also not yet been determined.

Immediately following White’s announcement, Chandler reacted to the news via his Twitter account:

“Bam, it’s finally announced. The cat is out (of) the bag. Team Chandler vs. Team McGregor coaching The Ultimate Fighter. (I’m) Heading to Vegas here very soon to film in the same vicinity, the same city, as my future opponent later on this year, Conor McGregor.

“My team versus his team, the competition starts right now ushering in these young men or women. Imparting my wisdom upon them and every single fight matters because I am going to win this competition first of all and we are going to make the dreams come true of one of these young athletes to get signed by the UFC and get a UFC contract. Can’t wait! Catch it all on ESPN this summer. God bless, I’ll see you at the top!”

Following a near three-year absence from The Ultimate Fighter, the UFC brought the show back in 2021 with UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega as coaches, before bringing it back once again with UFC bantamweight champions Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes as coaches.

Neither of those seasons garnered much interest, but this one? Man this one’s going to be huge!

Who’s team wins, team Chandler, or team McGregor?

And a better question yet, who wins this fight between former champions, Michael Chandler or Conor McGregor?

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Conor McGregor offers to sponsor €500,000 security bill to help Katie Taylor book Croke Park homecoming

Conor McGregor Katie TaylorFormer undisputed UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, Conor McGregor has offered to foot a reported €500,000 security bill which had held up an expected Ireland homecoming fight for undisputed and undefeated boxing world champion, Katie Taylor, which has scuppered a rematch against Puerto Rico puncher, Amanda Serrano.  McGregor, a former undisputed UFC lightweight and featherweight […]

Conor McGregor Katie Taylor

Former undisputed UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, Conor McGregor has offered to foot a reported €500,000 security bill which had held up an expected Ireland homecoming fight for undisputed and undefeated boxing world champion, Katie Taylor, which has scuppered a rematch against Puerto Rico puncher, Amanda Serrano. 

McGregor, a former undisputed UFC lightweight and featherweight titleholder, has yet to return to active competition since July 2021, headlining UFC 264 in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss against Dustin Poirier, fracturing his left tibia and fibula.

Conor McGregor books a TUF 31 appearance against Michael Chandler

Yet to return to the Octagon since, the Crumlin native has, however, been booked to feature as an opposing coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31 which premieres on May 30. next – coaching opposite the current #5 ranked lightweight contender, Michael Chandler. 

As for Taylor, the Bray native and Olympic gold medalist puncher, headlined at Madison Square Garden back in April of last year against the above-mentioned, Serrano, scoring a close, split decision win over 10 rounds in a memorable and heralded matchup. 

Returning to the squared circle in October last, Taylor moved to 22-0 as a professional with a decision win over Karen Carabajal. 

Expected to make an Irish homecoming later this year in a potential rematch against Serrano in the capital at Croke Park, Taylor’s return to home soil has hit the skids recently, with Matchroom Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn claiming a €500,000 security bill may prevent the pairing from taking place at the GAA venue. 

Weighing up potential venues including the Aviva Stadium and the 3Arena in Dublin, Taylor’s homecoming has been offered a lifeline by McGregor, who offered to pay €500,000 in order to help relieve the security issue at Croke Park.

“The extra security bill is 500k to have Katie Taylor fight at Croke Park?” Conor McGregor tweeted. “I will sponsor the event to see this happen.”

“What’s the craic lad,” Conor McGregor tweeted in reply to the aforenoted, Eddie Hearn. “Give me the current landscape. I’m in. Is this doable still? Or is it a double show, the point (3Arena) first with Croke Park later in year, post the GAA season? I’m in either way. She (Katie Taylor) better be getting her worth for this also.” 

Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler Confirmed As TUF 31 Coaches

Rumors had been swirling for a few weeks, but now it has been confirmed that Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will be coaching The Ultimate Fighter against one another. Fans have been curious to see what will be the next move for McGregor after suff…

Rumors had been swirling for a few weeks, but now it has been confirmed that Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will be coaching The Ultimate Fighter against one another. Fans have been curious to see what will be the next move for McGregor after suffering a brutal broken leg in his third fight with Dustin…

Continue Reading Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler Confirmed As TUF 31 Coaches at MMA News.