https://www.scmp.com/rss/505774/feed UFC 249 is a pay-per-view event put on by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida. The main event features Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje for the interim title. The co-main event features UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo defending his belt against former champion Dominick Cruz. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Heavyweight contender Francis “The Predator” Ngannou looks more than ready for his bout against champion Stipe Miocic for the belt at UFC 260 on March 27. The Cameroonian-Frenchman (15-3) had fellow UFC fighter Dan Ige hit him multiple times in the stomach, and appeared to be completely fine. While featherweight Ige only clocks in at “50k”, as is his nickname, the punches have some serious power to them. The two train at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. Although Ngannou was beaten by Miocic (20-3)... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3120092/ufc-francis-ngannou-lets-featherweight-punch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3120092/ufc-francis-ngannou-lets-featherweight-punch?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Feb 2021 10:11:18 +0000 Tony Ferguson finally broke his silence following his UFC interim lightweight title loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 in May – “El Cucuy” wants to “run it back”. Ferguson (25-4), who was originally scheduled for a title fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov weeks earlier, was on a 12-fight win streak before losing to Gaethje via fifth-round TKO. The Mexican-American replied to “The Highlight” Gaethje (22-2) tweet congratulating division contenders Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker for fight-of-the-year... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3091746/ufc-tony-ferguson-wants-run-it-back-against?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3091746/ufc-tony-ferguson-wants-run-it-back-against?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Jul 2020 13:00:18 +0000 Turns out UFC president Dana White’s biggest challenge during this global pandemic has nothing to do with proper Covid-19 testing, social distancing and containing outbreaks at his fights. White could really use some help when it comes to getting his fighters off their bloody mobile devices. “Everybody’s in quarantine, they can’t go to the gym, they can’t go to restaurants, they can’t go to movies, they can’t hang out with their friends so they sit on these stupid things all day,” said White,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3086942/dana-white-and-ufcs-social-media-problem?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3086942/dana-white-and-ufcs-social-media-problem?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Jun 2020 11:18:34 +0000 UFC president Dana White has popular TV satirist John Oliver to thank for the promotion’s newest trademark for his upcoming “Fight Island” mission. Oliver, whose HBO show Last Week Tonight talked about the risk of recommencing sport in the US during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic last week, joked about why the UFC had not thought of the pun “UF-Sea” for the venture. “He didn't even go with the obvious name for an island where you'd stage UFC fights which is simply UF-Sea. Look at me, Dana, why... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3086662/ufc-dana-white-trademarks-john-olivers-uf-sea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3086662/ufc-dana-white-trademarks-john-olivers-uf-sea?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 May 2020 07:03:55 +0000 While UFC pundits are already theorising who is going to headline the first card at Dana White’s Fight Island, which tentatively looks set for the end of June, there has been little theorising about where Fight Island will actually be. First and foremost, Fight Island is probably within a North American scope (yet outside US waters), geographically speaking. The thought that White and the UFC – a US born, bred and based company – would set up, say, in the South Pacific, the Mediterranean or... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3086476/why-dana-white-and-ufcs-fight-island-most?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3086476/why-dana-white-and-ufcs-fight-island-most?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 May 2020 12:00:09 +0000 With the whole world still mostly cooped up in their homes, and no other sports to compete with for viewers, Justin Gaethje sent out a definitive statement during UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Florida. A war cry that he wants to be the one to unseat the king and knock a legend of the sport from his perch. Khabib Nurmagomedov’s 28-fight win streak, which has culminated in 12 straight UFC victories, is an impressive run to say the least. But this September, when UFC president Dana White has promised... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085612/ufc-justin-gaethjes-beat-down-tony-ferguson?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085612/ufc-justin-gaethjes-beat-down-tony-ferguson?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 May 2020 03:17:35 +0000 First off, let me say this: Justin Gaethje's interim lightweight title victory against Tony Ferguson was nothing short of incredible and he deserves all the credit he has been getting – if not more. Gaethje beat the guy they said could beat the guy. “I'm happy to represent the United States of America against Dagestan, Russia's best, he's 28-0 and there's no other challenge I want right now. I want to fight him,” Gaethje nonchalantly declared after his spectacular UFC 249 headliner. To hand “El... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085761/ufc-fans-should-stop-dreaming-justin-gaethje?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085761/ufc-fans-should-stop-dreaming-justin-gaethje?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 May 2020 03:15:47 +0000 The top of the UFC lightweight division could be set to take another twist, with champion Khabib Nurmagomedov revealing his father is in a medically-induced coma as he battles Covid-19. Couple that with the coronavirus crisis in Dagestan, where “The Eagle” is locked down, and maybe Conor McGregor’s guarantee that he will fight interim champ Justin Gaethje next could come true. Many are wondering how such a match-up might go, and few are in a better position to pontificate on the outcome of a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085485/ufc-conor-mcgregor-would-knock-out-justin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085485/ufc-conor-mcgregor-would-knock-out-justin?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 May 2020 10:01:25 +0000 UFC president Dana White has lashed out at Last Week Tonight host John Oliver after his tirade about sports events going ahead during the global coronavirus pandemic. British-born Oliver, a popular television satirist in the US, had called White’s “Fight Island” proposal “an insane workaround” on Monday’s episode, while also touching on the alleged lack of safety precautions taken by other sports franchises. SCMP MMA “The UFC just last week started hosting matches in Jacksonville and while... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085105/ufc-dana-white-criticises-john-oliver-using?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085105/ufc-dana-white-criticises-john-oliver-using?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2020 11:28:15 +0000 Neither Conor McGregor nor Tony Ferguson has a clear-cut fight following the events of UFC 249. So Eddie Bravo thinks they should face each other. Ferguson suffered a shock fifth-round TKO by new interim champ Justin Gaethje, who is now set to face lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov in September. McGregor has tried to goad Gaethje into fighting him instead, but Ferguson’s jiu-jitsu coach thinks “El Cucuy” makes the most sense for the former two-weight champion. “There’s gonna be a rematch... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085037/ufc-tony-fergusons-coach-wants-him-fight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085037/ufc-tony-fergusons-coach-wants-him-fight?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2020 07:36:34 +0000 Tony Ferguson’s jiu-jitsu coach Eddie Bravo has admitted it was a “mistake” for him to enter the Octagon before the fifth round against Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. Bravo spoke to a bloodied and bruised “El Cucuy” on his stool and advised him to try an imanari roll with Ferguson getting beat up badly on his feet. Referee Herb Dean stepped in with a minute and change left to award Gaethje a TKO win and the interim lightweight title on May 9. In an appearance on UFC commentator Joe Rogan’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085021/ufc-tony-fergusons-coach-eddie-bravo-admits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085021/ufc-tony-fergusons-coach-eddie-bravo-admits?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2020 06:36:25 +0000 Justin Gaethje gives his head coach Trevor Wittman all the credit for transforming him into the fighter he is today, or “The Highlight 2.0” if you will. But the new interim lightweight champion revealed he also used another famous source of inspiration for his shock fifth-round TKO win against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. Amid the chaotic peacefulness of going to war with “El Cucuy” in an empty VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville Florida, Gaethje was channelling none other than Hong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084694/ufc-justin-gaethje-says-he-channelled-bruce?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084694/ufc-justin-gaethje-says-he-channelled-bruce?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2020 06:57:07 +0000 After all the bluster leading up to their cancelled UFC 249 title fight in Brooklyn, it would be hard to think Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson could put their bad blood to one side. The UFC lightweight champ sent a classy message after Ferguson’s shock fifth-round TKO defeat by Justin Gaethje in the rescheduled card’s main event last weekend, though. “Whatever happened is in the past,” the Russian wrote on Twitter. “Heads up Tony, I hope everything is good with you and your family. When... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084687/ufc-tony-ferguson-tells-khabib-see-you-soon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084687/ufc-tony-ferguson-tells-khabib-see-you-soon?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2020 05:09:49 +0000 Six months ago Justin Gaethje was eagerly calling for a fight with Conor McGregor. Now the new UFC interim lightweight champion is taking great pleasure in seeing the roles reversed. McGregor went on a Twitter rampage after watching UFC 249, where Gaethje shocked former No 1 contender Tony Ferguson via fifth-round TKO to set up a clash against lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov. The Irishman, who is desperate for another shot at the Russian, challenged Gaethje to fight him first instead of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084643/ufc-justin-gaethje-says-conor-mcgregor-his?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084643/ufc-justin-gaethje-says-conor-mcgregor-his?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 May 2020 12:33:26 +0000 Conor McGregor certainly lit the fuse on the UFC lightweight division with a series of foul-mouthed tweets aimed at its stars on Monday night. Among the Irishman’s targets was Tony Ferguson, whom he said “is not the level perceived” after a shock fifth-round TKO loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. McGregor also claimed Ferguson “betrayed” Paradigm Sports Management, of which McGregor is a client, by leaving in April 2019 to sign with Ballangee Group. “You’re still my b****,” Ferguson wrote. “You... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084193/ufc-conor-mcgregor-says-learn-how-box-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084193/ufc-conor-mcgregor-says-learn-how-box-after?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2020 07:19:31 +0000 As the UFC finally made its triumphant return last weekend in Jacksonville, Florida, the promotion’s quintessential superstar wasn’t far behind in making sure he got his share of the spotlight. Conor McGregor wasted little time in inserting himself into all the fresh UFC 249 post-fight chatter as to where Dana White and company go from here, and he did it in typical McGregor fashion: a series of expletive-laden tweets. We can’t be surprised and should have expected this from McGregor. Getting... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083989/ufc-dana-white-needs-conor-mcgregor-twitter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083989/ufc-dana-white-needs-conor-mcgregor-twitter?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 May 2020 03:00:12 +0000 Dominick Cruz’s claim that referee Keith Peterson “smelled like alcohol and cigarettes” in the Octagon at UFC 249 seemed like it might have been made in the heat of the moment after his loss to Henry Cejudo. The former bantamweight champion was livid after a controversial stoppage with just two seconds to go in the second round. Cejudo had knocked him down with a knee to the face, and Cruz ate around 10 unanswered punches on the floor, but appeared to be getting to his feet when Peterson waived... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084073/ufc-dominick-cruz-doubles-down-referee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084073/ufc-dominick-cruz-doubles-down-referee?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2020 15:02:20 +0000 Henry Cejudo declared his “legacy rampage” is finally over after posting a photo of himself sleeping alongside his belts and custom-made pillows featuring the faces of Demetrious Johnson, TJ Dillashaw and Dominick Cruz. “Triple C” Cejudo (16-2) announced his surprise retirement from MMA after defending his bantamweight title against Cruz by second-round TKO at UFC 249 in Florida on Saturday. “The legacy rampage is finished. Sincerely the greatest combat athlete of all time – Triple C”, Cejudo... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084053/ufc-henry-cejudo-declares-his-legacy-rampage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084053/ufc-henry-cejudo-declares-his-legacy-rampage?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2020 13:00:20 +0000 His face badly bruised and his orbital bone broken, Tony Ferguson still summoned the strength to get on the mic after his crushing TKO defeat by Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. “Remember we did this for you, to bring sports back,” he said in the Octagon. It’s easy to forget that a month ago “El Cucuy” was primed for the fight his whole career had been building up to – a tilt at lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in Brooklyn on April 18. After the coronavirus chaos put paid to it, he stepped up... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084051/tony-ferguson-type-guy-save-day-ufc-so-give?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084051/tony-ferguson-type-guy-save-day-ufc-so-give?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2020 11:32:15 +0000 UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has said his team is already working on dates for a trilogy fight with Daniel Cormier. Miocic (19-3), who said he is recovering from a torn retina, was responding to former double champion Cormier’s (22-2, one no contest) comments that he would fight contender Francis Ngannou if Miocic is not interested in a rubber match. Miocic and Cormier each have a win against each other, with Miocic regaining his belt after a fourth-round TKO against “DC” in August last... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084030/ufc-stipe-miocic-says-he-working-securing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084030/ufc-stipe-miocic-says-he-working-securing?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2020 09:25:24 +0000 Khabib Nurmagomedov has got no time for Conor McGregor’s latest rantings. The former featherweight and lightweight champion posted a series of tweets targeting Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje, and their Dominance MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz, as well as Tony Ferguson and Dustin Poirier after the dramatic events of UFC 249. “It’s me and Justin next as Khabib is the biggest bottle fighter in the game. Guarantee it,” McGregor wrote following Gaethje’s TKO win vs Ferguson. “Justin, there is no danger... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083979/ufc-khabib-ali-abdelaziz-fire-back-conor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083979/ufc-khabib-ali-abdelaziz-fire-back-conor?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2020 06:54:26 +0000 Conor McGregor has stuck the knife in after Tony Ferguson’s first defeat in eight years. Ferguson (25-4) suffered a broken orbital bone in a fifth-round TKO loss – the first of his career – to new interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (22-2) at UFC 249 at the weekend, with his 12-fight win streak in the Octagon snapped. “I love Tony. We represented him amazingly at Paradigm sports and were betrayed for a promise of a baseball contract. But frame and preparation here was just embarrassing,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083967/ufc-249-conor-mcgregor-says-tony-ferguson-not?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083967/ufc-249-conor-mcgregor-says-tony-ferguson-not?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2020 05:38:14 +0000 We knew Conor McGregor wouldn’t stay quiet for long after Justin Gaethje shook up the lightweight division at UFC 249. Gaethje snapped Tony Ferguson’s 12-fight win streak to claim the interim lightweight title and set-up a showdown with champion Khabib Nurmagomedov – a fight the Irishman has obviously been desperate for himself. “It’s me and Justin next as Khabib is the biggest bottle fighter in the game,” McGregor wrote in a series of tweets on Monday night. “Guarantee it.” For his part,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083943/ufc-249-conor-mcgregor-tells-justin-gaethje?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083943/ufc-249-conor-mcgregor-tells-justin-gaethje?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2020 04:07:37 +0000 There aren’t many men who willingly want to step in the Octagon with Francis Ngannou. And some of the ones who do, like Jairzinho Rozenstruik, end up paying a heavy price. “The Predator” knocked out Rozenstruik in frightening fashion in 20 seconds at UFC 249 on Saturday night. Former champ Daniel Cormier got a first-hand account cage-side during his broadcast duties for ESPN, but said he would be happy to fight Ngannou for the title if Stipe Miocic is stripped of the belt. “If Stipe won’t fight,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083906/ufc-daniel-cormier-wants-francis-ngannou-if?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083906/ufc-daniel-cormier-wants-francis-ngannou-if?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2020 17:33:40 +0000 Justin Gaethje isn’t entertaining the idea of a fight with Conor McGregor any time soon, saying he wants the “biggest challenge” in UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. But that doesn’t mean the new interim champ hasn’t got his sights set on the Irishman. “No, I want the biggest challenge in the world and that's Khabib Nurmagomedov,” Gaethje said at the UFC 249 post-event press conference, when asked if he would possibly think of fighting McGregor next instead of Nurmagomedov. “USA vs... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083905/ufc-249-justin-gaethje-wants-conor-mcgregor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083905/ufc-249-justin-gaethje-wants-conor-mcgregor?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2020 17:06:38 +0000 Khabib Nurmagomedov has vowed to put his differences with Tony Ferguson behind him after the chances of them ever finally meeting in the Octagon potentially slipped away for good at UFC 249. “El Cucuy” suffered a fifth-round TKO in his interim lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje in an empty VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. UFC president Dana White confirmed lightweight champ Nurmagomedov will next fight Gaethje later this year. Ferguson has been matched up... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083875/ufc-khabib-says-tony-ferguson-beef-past-he?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083875/ufc-khabib-says-tony-ferguson-beef-past-he?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2020 12:22:11 +0000 It was announced during Saturday’s UFC 249 card that the legendary Georges St-Pierre is to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020, with the former welterweight and middleweight champion receiving one last accolade to add to his massive trophy case. The thinking goes this might mean a super fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov is now probably off, but it did not stop St-Pierre fans from sharing their favourite moments from his iconic career. There is one anecdote, a story that not only... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3083811/how-ufc-hall-famer-georges-st-pierre-went-bullying-victim-greatest-fighter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3083811/how-ufc-hall-famer-georges-st-pierre-went-bullying-victim-greatest-fighter?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2020 12:00:14 +0000 UFC lightweight Tony Ferguson was in surprisingly good spirits a day after losing a stand-in interim title fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 249. Ferguson (25-4), who UFC president Dana White confirmed was one of two fighters to be transported to the hospital post-event, posted a video of himself dancing to Midnight Star’s Midas Touch in a hospital gown while holding what is presumably an IV drip. “Recovery dayze. When you’re about to get discharged from the hospital #LetMeOut... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083829/ufc-249-tony-ferguson-dances-his-hospital?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083829/ufc-249-tony-ferguson-dances-his-hospital?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2020 09:03:17 +0000 Even as the UFC downplays the health risks of holding bouts during a pandemic, it has been working to eliminate legal risk for itself. In legal waivers presented to mixed martial artists by the sports entertainment company in advance of its multi-bout event on May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida, UFC fighters were required to acknowledge that hospital services in the area “may be unusually limited,” and that the UFC was making no guarantees “whatsoever” regarding local hospitals’ capacity, their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083746/ufc-bans-fighters-criticising-its-coronavirus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083746/ufc-bans-fighters-criticising-its-coronavirus?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 May 2020 02:53:22 +0000 Dana White admitted “the optics look bad” after a video emerged of coronavirus-infected Jacare Souza mingling with other fighters at the UFC 249 hotel in Jacksonville, Florida. The video, uploaded by Fabricio Werdum, was quickly deleted after it was announced his fellow Brazilian had tested positive for Covid-19. The news came after Souza weighed in for his fight with Uriah Hall, which was promptly scrapped from Saturday night’s card. Souza is now off-site isolating along with his team – two... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083715/ufc-249-dana-white-admits-optics-look-really?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083715/ufc-249-dana-white-admits-optics-look-really?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2020 11:01:26 +0000 As good as Justin Gaethje was at UFC 249, there was something undeniably off about Tony Ferguson’s performance. And Dana White thinks it has something to do with him cutting weight twice in a month. New interim lightweight champion Gaethje upset Ferguson via TKO after pummelling him for almost five rounds, with “El Cucuy” seeming to have none of his usual destructively creative vim and vigour in Jacksonville, Florida. Ferguson had been training to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov on April 18 before the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083713/ufc-249-dana-white-thinks-tony-ferguson-paid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083713/ufc-249-dana-white-thinks-tony-ferguson-paid?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2020 10:27:52 +0000 Dominick Cruz accused referee Keith Peterson of “smelling like alcohol and cigarettes” after a controversial second-round stoppage in his title fight loss to Henry Cejudo at UFC 249. Cejudo (16-3) timed a kneed to Cruz’s head in the second round, causing the former bantamweight champion to fall to the ground. Peterson waived the fight off with two seconds left in the round after Cruz took several punches to the head, though “The Dominator” appeared to be working his way to his feet. “I mean,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083700/ufc-249-dominick-cruz-says-ref-smelled?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083700/ufc-249-dominick-cruz-says-ref-smelled?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2020 07:09:18 +0000 US president Donald Trump congratulated UFC for restarting the sports world on Saturday night after a near two-month hiatus. Trump’s taped message was played during ESPN’s broadcast of the UFC 249 undercard from a fan-free arena in Jacksonville, Florida. “I want to congratulate (UFC president) Dana White and the UFC,” Trump said. “They’re going to have a big match. We love it. We think it’s important. Get the sports leagues back. Let’s play. Do the social distancing and whatever else you have to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083693/ufc-249-donald-trump-congratulates-dana-white?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083693/ufc-249-donald-trump-congratulates-dana-white?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2020 06:12:41 +0000 Justin Gaethje was cruising to a unanimous decision win, and the interim UFC lightweight title, against Tony Ferguson. But then he went and added an exclamation point. “The Highlight” may not have got one of his trademark barnstorming knockouts, but he became the first man to knock out Ferguson with Herb Dean stepping in late in the fifth round to save “El Cucuy” from any further punishment. Ferguson had been peppered with brutal shots through five rounds, and to his credit ate them all. But he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083691/ufc-249-justin-gaethje-stops-tony-ferguson?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083691/ufc-249-justin-gaethje-stops-tony-ferguson?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2020 05:58:06 +0000 UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo said he is retiring after defending his title against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 on Saturday night. “Uncle Dana, the UFC … thank you so much. I'm done with the sport,” Cejudo said in a shock announcement after the fight. “I'm 33, I have a girl, since I was 11 years old I sacrificed my whole life [for this]. “I'm retiring tonight and I'm happy with my career ending on a high. Thank you so much. Triple C’s out, you don't have to hear me any more.” Cejudo (16-2)... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083690/ufc-249-henry-cejudo-says-hes-retiring-mma?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083690/ufc-249-henry-cejudo-says-hes-retiring-mma?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2020 05:45:10 +0000 Calvin Kattar made a huge statement in the featherweight division after a bloody KO against Jeremy Stephens at UFC 249 on Saturday. Kattar (21-4) knocked his opponent down with a piercing right elbow in the second round before splitting Stephens' (28-18, one no contest) head open with a left elbow on the ground. The referee waved off the fight as Kattar finished off with his ground-and-pound at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. “I was a little bit upset because he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083682/ufc-249-calvin-kattar-busts-jeremy-stephens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083682/ufc-249-calvin-kattar-busts-jeremy-stephens?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2020 03:57:23 +0000 Francis Ngannou displayed his freak power as he blitzed Jairzinho Rozenstruik in 10 seconds to register a swift knockout victory at UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Florida. Ngannou cut a concerned figure as he stood over Rozenstruik as he was attended by medics following the mauling he inflicted on the previously unbeaten Rozenstruik. Ngannou improved his record to 15-3 as he extended his winning streak to four following victories over Junior dos Santos, Cain Velasquez and Curtis Blaydes since November... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083680/ufc-249-francis-ngannou-destroys-jairzinho?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083680/ufc-249-francis-ngannou-destroys-jairzinho?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2020 03:39:11 +0000 Underdog Aleksei Oleinik spoiled former heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum's comeback in a split-decision win at UFC 249 on Sunday. The 42-year-old Oleinik (59-13-1) pushed the pace in round one with Werdum (23-9-1) looking like he was rusty from a more than two-year lay-off because of a Usada suspension and subsequent retirement. Werdum, who will remain unranked at heavyweight, won the fight in one of the three judges eyes. He last fought in a loss to Alexander Volkov in 2018. “This means a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083679/ufc-249-aleksei-oleinik-spoils-fabricio?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083679/ufc-249-aleksei-oleinik-spoils-fabricio?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2020 03:23:20 +0000 Greg Hardy outworked Yorgan de Castro to land the biggest win of his short career in an uneventful heavyweight tilt at UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday night. In an ultimately disappointing start to the main card in Florida, which was tipped to be a slugfest from the outset, former NFL star Hardy (6-2, one no contest) took the unanimous decision, winning 30-27 on all three judges’ cards. “It went exactly how I thought it was going to go,” Hardy said backstage after his win. “I said... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083678/ufc-249-greg-hardy-outworks-yorgan-de-castro?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083678/ufc-249-greg-hardy-outworks-yorgan-de-castro?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2020 02:51:49 +0000 Anthony “Showtime” Pettis secured a unanimous decision win against fellow veteran Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 249 on Saturday night – much to his own surprise. “I'll take it, man. That was close,” Pettis (22-10) said in his Octagon interview after embracing Cerrone (36-14, one no contest) after their welterweight match-up. The pair fought before in the 2013 with Pettis winning via first-round KO – the first knockout defeat of Cerrone’s professional career. The 37-year-old Cerrone, who is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083677/ufc-249-anthony-pettis-beats-donald-cerrone?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083677/ufc-249-anthony-pettis-beats-donald-cerrone?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2020 02:38:01 +0000 Vicente Luque landed the perfect counter left hook to TKO Niko Price in the third round at UFC 249 on Saturday night. Referee Jason Herzog had no other option but to waive the fight off after Price's near-closed right eye was deemed too damaged to continue by the doctor. The late finish takes Luque (18-7-1) to seven wins in his last eight fights, going 2-0 against Price (14-4, one no contest) after finishing him with a D'arce Choke in 2017. “I beat him last time, so I knew it wouldn't be easy... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083675/ufc-249-vicente-luque-bludgeons-niko-prices?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083675/ufc-249-vicente-luque-bludgeons-niko-prices?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2020 00:57:30 +0000 Bryce Mitchell put on a grappling masterclass against Charles Rosa in a dominant decision win on the UFC 249 prelims on Saturday night in an empty VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. The judges scored the fight 30-25, 30-25, and 30-24 – meaning one judge called all three rounds 10-8 for “Thug Nasty” after he unofficially scored 13 minutes and 59 seconds of ground control in the 15-minute bout. The undefeated 25-year-old Mitchell (13-0) came close with an unprecedented three... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083674/ufc-249-bryce-mitchell-utterly-dominates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083674/ufc-249-bryce-mitchell-utterly-dominates?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2020 00:26:20 +0000 The UFC hit its first snag in attempting to hold events in Florida when Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and two of his cornermen tested positive for coronavirus on Friday. And now a video has emerged showing the Brazilian interacting with other fighters on the UFC 249 card at their hotel in Jacksonville. Fellow Brazilian Fabricio Werdum, who fights Aleksei Oleinik on Saturday night at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, uploaded a video to his Instagram story with Souza after Friday’s official... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083638/ufc-249-coronavirus-positive-jacare-souza?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083638/ufc-249-coronavirus-positive-jacare-souza?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 May 2020 08:40:25 +0000 It seems Dana White wasn’t swayed after Stipe Miocic’s fighting words this week. The UFC heavyweight champion insisted “I want to fight” Daniel Cormier in a trilogy bout, stressing he would start camp “the second” his coach’s gym was legally allowed to open. Miocic works part-time as a first responder in Ohio, seemingly stressing those duties were more important than defending his title during the coronavirus pandemic. His comments came after White said it was “possible” Miocic could be... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083636/ufc-dana-white-tells-stipe-miocic-division?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083636/ufc-dana-white-tells-stipe-miocic-division?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 May 2020 08:16:56 +0000 UFC heavyweight and former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy said he is “terrified” of fighting at UFC 249 because of his asthma but is doing so out of “loyalty” to president Dana White. Hardy (5-2, 1 no contest) takes on Yorgan de Castro (6-0) in Florida on Sunday – a card that has been rescheduled multiple times due to the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic. The fight was cancelled twice before. “Oh I’m terrified, man, but that’s not going to stop me from making sure my boss gets the most... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083632/ufc-249-asthmatic-greg-hardy-terrified?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083632/ufc-249-asthmatic-greg-hardy-terrified?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 May 2020 07:01:05 +0000 The UFC 249 card scheduled for Saturday in Florida will go ahead as planned despite one of the undercard fighters testing positive for coronavirus. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza was dropped from the Jacksonville event after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 on Friday. He arrived in Florida earlier in the week. Two of Souza’s cornermen also tested positive. “UFC’s medical team examined Souza and his two cornermen and found them to be currently asymptomatic, or not exhibiting the common symptoms of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083626/ufc-249-jacare-souza-tests-positive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083626/ufc-249-jacare-souza-tests-positive?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 May 2020 04:15:49 +0000 Conor McGregor will be keenly watching, for more than one reason, when Tony Ferguson fights Justin Gaethje for the interim UFC lightweight title this weekend. The Irishman’s manager, Audie Attar, told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani that the former featherweight and lightweight champion believes he could next fight the winner of UFC 249’s main event. But Attar said McGregor is also intrigued to see whether Saturday’s show, as well as the two UFC Fight Night cards in Florida next week, enjoy plain sailing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083533/ufc-conor-mcgregor-will-consider-return-front?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083533/ufc-conor-mcgregor-will-consider-return-front?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 May 2020 12:00:21 +0000 Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone said he felt embarrassed after his first-round loss to Conor McGregor earlier this year. The 37-year-old Cerrone (36-14, one no contest), who is on a three-fight losing streak after losing to McGregor, Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson, will face Anthony Pettis (22-10) at UFC 249 in Florida on Sunday. “It’s not that I didn’t know I didn’t wanna be there, it’s just like I didn’t feel prepared,” Cerrone said at the UFC 249 virtual media day on Thursday, as reporters... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083475/ufc-donald-cerrone-embarrassed-conor-mcgregor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083475/ufc-donald-cerrone-embarrassed-conor-mcgregor?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 May 2020 06:27:39 +0000 Donald Cerrone’s grandmother is always a heart-warming fixture of his fights – who can forget her sharing a hug with Conor McGregor in the Octagon after the Irishman had just brutalised “Cowboy” in 40 seconds at UFC 246? But for the first time in his career, Jerry Cerrone won’t be able to watch him compete. “Cowboy” faces Anthony Pettis this weekend at UFC 249 in Florida, but the event at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena is behind closed doors with the UFC implementing strict safety and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083452/donald-cerrone-reveals-dana-white-made-his?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083452/donald-cerrone-reveals-dana-white-made-his?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 May 2020 04:57:29 +0000 Henry Cejudo brought the “cringe” as usual to his UFC 249 virtual media day scrum in Jacksonville, Florida. Among his best one-liners was a call-out of “French fry” heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou, and a proclamation that “we’re serving up goat” as he gets set to defend his bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz on Saturday night. But we also got an increasingly rare glimpse into the man behind “Triple C” when a question was put to him about possibly rematching TJ Dillashaw. “People will... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083407/ufc-henry-cejudo-feels-dirty-even-thinking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3083407/ufc-henry-cejudo-feels-dirty-even-thinking?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2020 19:22:25 +0000