https://www.scmp.com/rss/505777/feed Justin Gaethje is an MMA fighter who is a title contender in the UFC's lightweight division. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Conor McGregor was busy on Twitter early on Wednesday morning, and he had words for both Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. Oliveira and Gaethje fought in the lightweight main event of UFC 274 last Saturday in Phoenix, Arizona, with the former winning by first-round submission. The 33-year-old Irishman McGregor, who held the lightweight title from 2016 to 2018, often takes to social media in the aftermath of big fights in the division, and Oliveira vs Gaethje was no exception. “Congrats... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3177323/ufc-conor-mcgregor-accuses-absolute-clown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3177323/ufc-conor-mcgregor-accuses-absolute-clown?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 May 2022 08:17:23 +0000 Charles Oliveira tapped out Justin Gaethje with a first-round rear-naked choke in the main event of UFC 274 on Saturday night in Phoenix, Arizona, but the victory did not come easily. The Brazilian, 32, was hurt badly by several strikes in the early going of his lightweight fight with Gaethje, crashing to the canvas on two occasions. But just when it looked like he was destined for a knockout loss, he scored a knockdown of his own, took his foe’s back, and locked up a rear-naked choke. Gaethje,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3176937/ufc-274-charles-oliveira-taps-out-justin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3176937/ufc-274-charles-oliveira-taps-out-justin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 May 2022 05:06:12 +0000 Michael Chandler likes Charles Oliveira’s chances against Justin Gaethje. Brazil’s Oliveira, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, is slated to defend his title against Gaethje, the division’s No 1 contender, at UFC 274 on May 7. The 35-year-old American Chandler (22-7) is better positioned to predict the outcome of that upcoming title fight than just about anybody, having fought both men in 2021, first losing to Oliveira (32-8) by TKO, then giving up a decision to his fellow American Gaethje... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3165758/ufc-michael-chandler-likes-charles-oliveiras?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3165758/ufc-michael-chandler-likes-charles-oliveiras?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Feb 2022 18:45:22 +0000 Not long after they beat each other black and blue in the Octagon, Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler linked up in hospital and posed for a classy, post-fight photograph. Gaethje and Chandler, the UFC‘s No 2- and No 4-ranked lightweights respectively, collided in the UFC 268 main card opener on Saturday night inside New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden. The two Americans traded heavy leather for three rounds, with Gaethje (22-3) ultimately leaving the cage as the winner by unanimous... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3155242/ufc-268-justin-gaethje-and-michael-chandler?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3155242/ufc-268-justin-gaethje-and-michael-chandler?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Nov 2021 04:38:54 +0000 Justin Gaethje kicked off the UFC 268 main card with a bang, defeating Michael Chandler by unanimous decision in an instant classic on Saturday night in New York. They call Gaethje “The Highlight” for a reason. The 32-year-old (23-3) is the UFC‘s No 2-ranked lightweight, and Chandler the division’s No 4 contender, with the pair considered two of the most exciting fighters in MMA. Their UFC 268 showdown rightly stood out as one of the most anticipated fights on the MMA calendar from the moment it... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3155152/ufc-268-justin-gaethje-outlasts-michael?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3155152/ufc-268-justin-gaethje-outlasts-michael?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Nov 2021 03:31:38 +0000 Justin Gaethje might be fighting Michael Chandler on Saturday night, but he had some choice words for Colby Covington at Thursday’s UFC 268 pre-fight press conference. The 32-year-old American Gaethje (22-3) is set to kick off the main card at Madison Square Garden in a high-stakes lightweight showdown, while “Chaos” will challenge Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title in the event’s headliner. “The Highlight”, who trains alongside Usman under the tutelage of coach Trevor Wittman, was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3154940/ufc-268-justin-gaethje-takes-shot-colby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3154940/ufc-268-justin-gaethje-takes-shot-colby?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Nov 2021 02:44:51 +0000 Kamaru Usman has been training away from his usual Sanford MMA base in Florida as he prepares to defend his welterweight title against teammate Gilbert Burns in the UFC 258 main event on February 13. “The Nigerian Nightmare” (17-1) is working with Justin Gaethje’s Elevation Fight Team, and the former UFC interim lightweight champ’s head coach Trevor Wittman, in Denver, Colorado. It’s uncertain if 33-year-old Usman will return to working under Henri Hooft in Deerfield Beach after next weekend’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3120366/ufc-kamaru-usman-has-open-invitation-join?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3120366/ufc-kamaru-usman-has-open-invitation-join?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Feb 2021 08:05:31 +0000 Justin Gaethje has stuck the knife in after Conor McGregor’s humbling defeat by Dustin Poirier. The former two-weight champ suffered a shock second-round TKO in the UFC 257 main event in Abu Dhabi last Sunday, which saw him slip to No 6 in the lightweight rankings, while “The Diamond” leapfrogged Gaethje back to the top of the heap. McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh said in an interview with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani that the Irishman is already lobbying the UFC for a trilogy rubber match against... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3119574/ufc-justin-gaethje-says-its-preposterous-if?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3119574/ufc-justin-gaethje-says-its-preposterous-if?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Jan 2021 04:45:12 +0000 Nobody had a better start to 2020 than Conor McGregor. “Notorious” put on a clinic at UFC 246 in January against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. It took the Irish superstar all of 40 seconds to demolish his opponent. McGregor, who busted out his trademark “Billionaire Strut”, was back with a vengeance and ready to take the MMA world by storm once again in 2020. The potential fights were being thrown out a mile a minute, and it looked like 2020 could be a banner year for the UFC and the UFC’s marquee... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116118/ufc-conor-mcgregor-faces-make-or-break-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116118/ufc-conor-mcgregor-faces-make-or-break-year?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Jan 2021 12:00:20 +0000 Khabib Nurmagomedov needed just six-and-a-half minutes of Saturday’s night’s five-round UFC 254 main event to put Justin Gaethje away with a triangle choke. But “The Highlight” (22-3) feels that doesn’t tell whole story of the fight. “It sucks. I’m hurt, I’m emotional, but ultimately it’s the name of the game,” 31-year-old American Gaethje told ESPN on the post-event broadcast. “I had him in trouble. I wasn’t very many kicks away from him not being able to walk. “He’s gonna be limping for at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3106996/ufc-254-justin-gaethje-insists-he-had-khabib?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3106996/ufc-254-justin-gaethje-insists-he-had-khabib?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Oct 2020 05:55:08 +0000 After Khabib Nurmagomedov’s shock retirement, the UFC lightweight belt looks like it will be up for grabs – and Justin Gaethje called out former champ Conor McGregor. But the Irishman was not impressed by 31-year-old American Gaethje’s performance in his second-round submission defeat by Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi. No 4 lightweight McGregor is set to meet former interim champ and No 2-ranked Dustin Poirier in January, in a bout that could well now be for the vacant... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3106984/ufc-254-conor-mcgregor-responds-truly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3106984/ufc-254-conor-mcgregor-responds-truly?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Oct 2020 02:58:21 +0000 UFC president Dana White revealed that newly retired lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov had broken his foot before his title defence against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 on Sunday. The 32-year-old Nurmagomedov (29-0), of Dagestan, still beat Gaethje (22-3) via second-round triangle choke on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, in what he revealed would be his final professional fight. At the post-event press conference, White added the fight “smelt like an upset” having analysed the Russian’s mannerisms... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3106976/ufc-254-dana-white-reveals-khabib-fought?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3106976/ufc-254-dana-white-reveals-khabib-fought?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Oct 2020 23:25:56 +0000 First Khabib Nurmagomedov completely owned the UFC Octagon once again. Then he walked away from it for good. The 32-year-old “Eagle” (29-0) choked out Justin Gaethje (22-3) in the second round of an utterly dominant display on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, to confirm himself as the undisputed lightweight champ in Saturday night’s UFC 254 main event. He broke down in tears for minutes with his American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez and the rest of his team. The emotion of what he had been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3106972/ufc-254-khabib-nurmagomedov-retires-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3106972/ufc-254-khabib-nurmagomedov-retires-after?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Oct 2020 22:19:46 +0000 Former UFC lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez has warned Khabib Nurmagomedov must be “ready mentally” to deal with Justin Gaethje’s “unique” pressure. “The Eagle” (28-0) of Dagestan puts his 155-pound belt on the line against 31-year-old American interim champ Gaethje (22-2) in Saturday night’s UFC 254 main event showdown on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Alvarez (29-6), now fighting in Asian organisation ONE Championship, handed Gaethje his first career loss with a KO in the third round of a violent... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3106922/ufc-254-eddie-alvarez-warns-khabib-must-be?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3106922/ufc-254-eddie-alvarez-warns-khabib-must-be?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Oct 2020 06:04:47 +0000 There is an air of invincibility about Khabib Nurmagomedov. It has been hard-earned through years of grinding, honed in the harsh mountains of Dagestan under the watchful eye of his late father and coach, Abdulmanap, who died in July from complications related to contracting the coronavirus. The UFC lightweight champ overwhelms, smashes and smothers; every fighter who has tried has been unable to keep up with his relentless pressure. But these skills will be put to the test at UFC 254 against a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3106916/ufc-254-khabib-can-set-himself-shot-goat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3106916/ufc-254-khabib-can-set-himself-shot-goat?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Oct 2020 05:00:51 +0000 The reigning and undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to fight American mixed martial artist Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi this weekend. The event, taking place on Saturday afternoon local time (2am Sunday morning in Hong Kong), offers the Russian fighter the potential to clock a 30-0 winning streak. What’s more, for the first time in his career, Nurmagomedov will be fighting without his long-time confidante, father and trainer Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov by his... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3106571/ufc-254-khabib-nurmagomedov-gets-ready-fight-justin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3106571/ufc-254-khabib-nurmagomedov-gets-ready-fight-justin?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Oct 2020 02:46:48 +0000 There are inevitabilities in sport, much like life. LeBron James leading the Los Angeles Lakers over the Miami Heat to capture the franchise’s 17th title felt like one. Rafael Nadal winning his 13th French Open, even over Novak Djokovic, did too. Which brings us to the UFC world, where next weekend as well, reigning undefeated Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-0) defending his lightweight championship over Justin Gaethje (22-2) feels like an inevitability. Or does it? The sporting world in 2020... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3105829/ufc-254-justin-gaethje-beating-khabib?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3105829/ufc-254-justin-gaethje-beating-khabib?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Oct 2020 01:00:19 +0000 Khabib Nurmagomedov is not closing the door on attempting to make a match-up with Tony Ferguson for a sixth time. But the UFC lightweight champ thinks “El Cucuy” is “finished”. With both men riding 12-fight win streaks in the UFC, their highly-anticipated bout fell apart on a fifth occasion in April after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, with the 32-year-old Russian “Eagle” (30-0) stranded in his native Dagestan. Ferguson (26-4) pushed ahead and agreed to fight Justin Gaethje (22-2) for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3105426/ufc-khabib-says-stupid-tony-ferguson-finished?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3105426/ufc-khabib-says-stupid-tony-ferguson-finished?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Oct 2020 03:31:06 +0000 After seeing a potential UFC 254 showdown with fellow former interim lightweight champ Dustin Poirier fall apart, Tony Ferguson has threatened to move up a division to 170 pounds. “El Cucuy” (26-4) has not fought since a fifth-round TKO by Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 in May. Gaethje will fight 150-pound champ Khabib Nurmagomedov in the Fight Island main event on October 25. But Ferguson is growing frustrated with the organisation after claiming they lowballed him for the fight with Poirier (26-6),... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3104681/ufc-tony-ferguson-threatens-move-welterweight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3104681/ufc-tony-ferguson-threatens-move-welterweight?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2020 07:15:30 +0000 Colby Covington’s list of enemies in the UFC just keeps on growing. Ahead of his fifth-round TKO victory over Tyron Woodley last month, Covington was one of several UFC fighters invited to attend US president Donald Trump’s rally in Nevada as special guests. Alongside him posing for pictures with Trump was UFC interim lightweight champ Justin Gaethje. But the outspoken Covington seemed to keep things professional, even despite the presence of Gaethje’s manager Ali Abdelaziz, who also looks after... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3103984/ufc-justin-gaethje-wants-slap-coward-colby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3103984/ufc-justin-gaethje-wants-slap-coward-colby?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2020 10:17:09 +0000 UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov has run roughshod on most of the contenders in the division, so it’s no surprise he’s uncertain of his future. Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier have already fallen. Asked what would be next for him if he beats interim champ Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 on October 24, the Russian paused. “Very good question, I don’t know,” Nurmagomedov told a virtual media day. “For example, I’m gonna finish Justin Gaethje inside the cage October 24, what else … this is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3103953/ufc-khabib-says-dana-white-has-something?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3103953/ufc-khabib-says-dana-white-has-something?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2020 07:33:50 +0000 Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz said the UFC lightweight champion will “never” fight Conor McGregor, be it a rematch in the Octagon or coaching in The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) reality show. The Russian (28-0) is set to fight interim champion Justin Gaethje (22-2) at UFC 254 on October 24 after the American beat Tony Ferguson via fifth-round TKO in May. Both Nurmagomedov and Gaethje have had verbal altercations with McGregor (22-4) this year, with Gaethje’s side claiming the Irishman... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3103661/ufc-khabib-nurmegomedovs-manager-says-conor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3103661/ufc-khabib-nurmegomedovs-manager-says-conor?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2020 08:14:00 +0000 Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach thinks Conor McGregor is “hands down” still the hardest match-up out there for the UFC lightweight champion. Javier Mendez is set to fly to Dagestan to train Nurmagomedov (28-0) for his showdown with interim lightweight champ Justin Gaethje (22-2) at UFC 254 on October 24. The Russian has concerns about conducting his camp at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose like usual, with coronavirus cases high in California. But asked who would be the toughest fight in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3096518/ufc-khabibs-coach-says-conor-mcgregor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3096518/ufc-khabibs-coach-says-conor-mcgregor?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Aug 2020 11:17:55 +0000 Some big news popped into the world of the UFC today – Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje have a date to unify the lightweight championship. On October 24, according to president Dana White, “The Eagle” will fight for the first time since a third-round submission win over former interim champ Dustin Poirier last September in Abu Dhabi at UFC 242. The 31-year-old Nurmagomedov is dealing with the death of his father and coach Abdulmanap at 57 from health issues related to contracting the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3095160/does-conor-mcgregor-still-get-winner-khabib?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3095160/does-conor-mcgregor-still-get-winner-khabib?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Jul 2020 12:42:01 +0000 Dustin Poirier says Justin Gaethje has the tools to beat UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov ahead of their heavily rumoured bout later in the year. Former interim champion Poirier (26-6, one no contest), who beat Dan Hooker via unanimous decision last week, has faced both fighters in the past. In 2018, the 31-year-old handed American counterpart Gaethje (22-2) his second pro-career loss via fourth-round TKO before losing a title fight against Russian Khabib (28-0) via third-round... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3091892/ufc-dustin-poirier-lays-out-how-former-foe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3091892/ufc-dustin-poirier-lays-out-how-former-foe?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Jul 2020 12:00:17 +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 Kamaru “The Nigerian Nightmare” Usman looks more than ready for his upcoming welterweight title defence against Gilbert Burns, which is set to take place July 11 at UFC 251. Usman, 33, posted a training video of himself sparring with interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje under the watchful eye of coach Trevor Wittman. In the 15-second clip, Usman and Gaethje can be seen sparring and then start trading body shots blow for blow, which appear to get the best of Gaethje. “Iron sharpens iron,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3091004/ufc-justin-gaethje-takes-beating-kamaru-usman?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3091004/ufc-justin-gaethje-takes-beating-kamaru-usman?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Jun 2020 11:00:09 +0000 The “BMF” title holder Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal said he would consider fighting one of the sport’s most feared competitors – Khabib Nurmagomedov, who holds the UFC’s longest active win streak – and drop down from his regular weight class to do so. “If they pay me what I’m worth I will go down to 155,” said Masvidal, who normally fights at welterweight (170 pounds). “One hundred per cent I like what Khabib does. I like that he’s undefeated and one of the best lightweights, so just that obstacle... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3090986/ufc-jorge-masvidal-says-he-would-fight-khabib?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3090986/ufc-jorge-masvidal-says-he-would-fight-khabib?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Jun 2020 10:00:18 +0000 If anybody is well placed to weigh in on the upcoming UFC lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje, it’s Dustin Poirier. “The Diamond” faces Dan Hooker at UFC Vegas 4 this weekend, as he looks to bounce back from that third-round submission defeat by Nurmagomedov in Abu Dhabi last September, which saw him relinquish his interim title to the champ. With “The Eagle” stranded in Russia because of the coronavirus, a new interim champ was crowned at UFC 249 last month... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3090676/ufc-dustin-poirier-gives-prediction-khabib-vs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3090676/ufc-dustin-poirier-gives-prediction-khabib-vs?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Jun 2020 03:59:52 +0000 Now that Fight Island is more than a twinkle in Dana White’s eye, and a reality off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, it seems like the UFC has two solid spots, along with Las Vegas, where it can book bouts. The card for UFC 251 on July 12 looks enticing enough to kick off Fight Island, with the likes of Kamaru Usman, Max Holloway, Jose Aldo, Rose Namajunas and Paige VanZant bringing some notable names to the fold. But we’re still waiting on the moneymaker, a true headlining bout on Yas... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3089590/ufc-five-bouts-wed-see-dana-whites-fight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3089590/ufc-five-bouts-wed-see-dana-whites-fight?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Jun 2020 06:00:14 +0000 UFC president Dana White revealed that Conor McGregor rejected the offer of replacing the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson lightweight title fight scheduled earlier this year. White, who announced on Tuesday that “Fight Island” will be held in Abu Dhabi next month, said former double champion McGregor (22-4) had the “opportunity to slide in” should one of the two pull out in their now-cancelled April bout. American Justin Gaethje (22-2) stepped in on five weeks’ notice, beating Ferguson for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3088465/ufc-dana-white-says-conor-mcgregor-was?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3088465/ufc-dana-white-says-conor-mcgregor-was?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Jun 2020 11:18:49 +0000 Conor McGregor has doubled down on his claims he has retired from the sport of MMA, citing frustrations in “waiting around” and booking fights with the UFC. “Notorious” McGregor (22-4), who announced his retirement from the sport for the third time after UFC 250 on the weekend, posted a photo on social media of a cake saying “happy retirement daddy”. The cake message was presumably meant to be from three-year-old son Conor Jnr. This is the third time McGregor has announced his retirement. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3088038/ufc-conor-mcgregor-doubles-down-retirement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3088038/ufc-conor-mcgregor-doubles-down-retirement?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Jun 2020 10:00:16 +0000 Dana White said Conor McGregor should sit tight and wait for the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje this autumn. White had previously entertained the idea of putting McGregor on his upcoming bouts on Fight Island – despite estimating he would lose “US$20 million” in gates. However, the UFC president believes the “smart” move would be to wait for both the lightweight title fight and coronavirus pandemic to play out. Gaethje’s impressive fifth-round TKO over Tony Ferguson last month... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3087724/ufc-conor-mcgregor-should-wait-khabib?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3087724/ufc-conor-mcgregor-should-wait-khabib?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jun 2020 08:16:28 +0000 If all goes to plan for the UFC, Justin Gaethje will become the latest lightweight pretender to try to take the throne from Khabib Nurmagomedov later this year. UFC president Dana White has earmarked the fight for September after Gaethje stunned Tony Ferguson to win the interim lightweight title at UFC 249 on May 9. Ferguson was a heavy favourite for the rescheduled main event at an empty VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, after Nurmagomedov became stranded in Russia. “El... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085762/ufc-debate-khabib-nurmagomedov-or-justin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085762/ufc-debate-khabib-nurmagomedov-or-justin?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 May 2020 03:24:22 +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 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 Khabib Nurmagomedov has confirmed his father and coach, Abdulmanap, is in “very serious” condition suffering from Covid-19. The UFC lightweight champion revealed some of his other relatives had died from the coronavirus as he made an impassioned plea to his fellow Dagestan citizens to listen to medical advice and stay home during the Islamic holiday of Eid. Reports emerged last week that Abdulmanap, 57, had been put into a medically induced coma after being moved to a Moscow hospital. It was in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085008/ufc-khabib-makes-coronavirus-plea-dagestan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3085008/ufc-khabib-makes-coronavirus-plea-dagestan?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2020 05:45:17 +0000 No matter how much Conor McGregor tries, Justin Gaethje just isn’t interested. The former featherweight and lightweight champion “guaranteed” he will be Gaethje’s next fight in a series of tweets aimed at putting the 155-pound division on notice after UFC 249. “Even two months ago, who would’ve thought. Conor wasn’t begging but he’s coming out pretty thirsty for some attention and to fight me. There’s some 550 odd people on the roster, and 550 of them would trade spots with me right now,” new... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084720/ufc-justin-gaethje-blasts-greedy-conor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084720/ufc-justin-gaethje-blasts-greedy-conor?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2020 12:17:37 +0000 Even before he beat Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, it was hypothesised by many that Justin Gaethje might actually be the most dangerous match-up for Khabib Nurmagomedov in the lightweight division. Gaethje battered Ferguson for the best part of five rounds on his way to a stunning TKO that secured him the interim lightweight title and a title fight with 155-pounds champ Nurmagomedov. The undefeated Russian (30-0) has swept all before him in the UFC, riding a 12-0 win streak, with no man able to crack... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084716/ufc-justin-gaethje-maps-out-how-he-can-beat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084716/ufc-justin-gaethje-maps-out-how-he-can-beat?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2020 11:41:36 +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 Justin Gaethje’s training partner Drew Dober put himself on the lightweight division’s radar after a big win against ranked opponent Alexander Hernandez at UFC Fight Night on Wednesday. Dober (24-9, one no contest), who is likely to leapfrog Hernandez (11-3) after the second-round TKO, was able to withstand an early flurry of first-round punches and takedowns before turning the tables in the second. “It’s fantastic because coming from a Muay Thai background, I had a hard time fighting guys who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084324/ufc-justin-gaethjes-teammate-drew-dober-set?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3084324/ufc-justin-gaethjes-teammate-drew-dober-set?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2020 03:47:28 +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 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 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