UFC is back with a bang this week.
There are THREE shows in seven nights starting from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida with UFC 249 on Saturday night.
- Ferguson vs Gaethje headlines UFC 249
- Smith vs Teixeira on May 13
- Overeem vs Harris tops the bill on May 16
Follow ALL of the build-up and latest UFC news below…
TESTING GETS FULL MARKS
Coronavirus testing will be available ahead of UFC 249.
According to MMAFighting.com, the event will include both swab and antibody testing.
UFC want the results available before the event, but in a leaked email, it is not specified how many tests will be taking place.
Testing will begin when the fighters arrive in Jacksonville, Florida ahead of the event this Saturday.
MOUNTAIN VS G.O.A.T
Conor McGregor famously claimed “I fear no man” – and proved his point when he took on The Mountain from Game of Thrones.
The UFC legend bravely sparred against 6ft 9in Hafthor Bjornsson from Iceland who weighs a whopping 400 pounds – and who has recently deadlifted a world-record 501kg!
McGregor was put through his paces by the World's Strongest Man winner following his win over Chad Mendes in 2015 as they moved around in a body spar.
But 'Thor' – who played The Mountain in the hit HBO show – may call upon the lessons he learned against the UFC fighter after calling out strongman rival Eddie Hall to a boxing match.
The call out came after The Mountain broke the 501kg world deadlift record previously held by 32-year-old Hall.
McGregor, who was fighting at 145lbs during the time he sparred Bjornsson and stands at 5ft 7in, was dwarfed by Thor as he tried to land a few cheeky body shots.
BIT OF ALL WHYTE
UFC legend Michael Bisping has backed Dillian Whyte’s bid to battle MMA monster Francis Ngannou.
Britain’s former middleweight champion of the world trained with the Brixton Body Snatcher when they worked together in a fight camp.
Bisping said: “I trained with Dillian back in the day, I know him a little bit because he came up to help a training camp with Rampage Jackson many years ago.“Personally I like to see the best boxers fight the best boxers and the best martial artists to fight the best martial artists. Too often it is a set-up for someone to lose.
“But Ngannou would be a good opponent, he cannot wrestle to save his life but if he connects in those 4oz gloves, it’s goodnight.
“The gloves are only really there to protect your hands.”
UP FOR THE FIGHT
UFC 249 is happening this weekend – but coronavirus almost put paid to the event.
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And Whyte seemed up for the challenge of going toe-to-toe against the 33-year-old Cameroonian.
The Brixton boxer tweeted: “Anyone of the top @ufc @danawhite heavyweights that want it can get it make it happen @eddiehearn.”
And it is yet another hint that the Bodysnatcher is tempted by a move into the octagon.
As well as becoming British and European kickboxing champion with a 20-1 record, Whyte also had one pro MMA fight.
And it lasted just 12 seconds.
NOU WANT IT
Dillian Whyte is ready to swap boxing for UFC and take on one of the sport’s “best heavyweights” in Francis Ngannou.Promoter Eddie Hearn and ex-boxer Tony Bellew were joined by UFC legend Michael Bisping for their “Talk The Talk” live show.
The trio were discussing who would be a good UFC opponent for Whyte, who started out as a kickboxer and then moved into MMA.
Bellew suggested Alistair Overeem, but Bisping interrupted suggesting Francis Ngannou would be the best fight.
The Predator, who has lost just three of his 17 MMA bouts, is known for his fearsome punch power and himself started out in boxing.
He has even trained with boxing legend Mike Tyson in a bid to brush up on his hand speed…
OH HOY
Oscar De La Hoya believes he could knock Conor McGregor out inside two rounds… despite retiring 12 years ago.
The 47-year-old American hung up his gloves in 2008 after losing a high-profile bout with Manny Pacquiao.
De La Hoya, a lineal champion in three weight divisions, won 39 of his 45 fights throughout his illustrious career.
And he believes he could make it 40 following his latest jibe aimed at the Notorious.
Speaking to State of Combat, he said: “One thing about me, I went for the kill, always. Look, Conor McGregor, I love him in the Octagon, I respect him.
“I watch him all the time, but the boxing ring is a whole different story.”
TRIM PICKINGS
Henry Cejudo proved he is fighting fit as he revealed his incredible body transformation.
The American mixed martial arts star, 33, is on the card for UFC 249 – which is still going ahead this weekend.
After initially being put back from April 18 to May 9 and moved to Jacksonville, Florida from New York via California, the show remains on course to go ahead.
And Cejudo is ready to battle it out for a vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship belt.
He was scheduled to take on Jose Aldo at the MMA flagship event UFC 250 in Brazil on Saturday.
But the change in plan means he is ready for Dominick Cruz instead, with the American stepping into the Octagon for the first time in more than three years.
PAIGE TURNER
Paige VanZant has hit back at Curtis Blaydes after he claimed “sex appeal” is still the only thing keeping her relevant.
The UFC heavyweight, 29, caused a stir when he claimed the American stunner and Rachel Ostovich are still fighting because “they look good in bikinis”.
He said: “So you telling me Paige Vanzant and Rachel Osto-whatever actually deserve time remain on the UFC's roster for their athletic achievements and their not just on cards for their sex appeal?”
But flyweight fighter VanZant has hit back at his comments as she shared a picture of herself squaring up with Ostovich before their fight last year.
Alongside the image, the 26-year-old wrote: “Good thing we're so pretty. It's going to make when we punch each other in the face hurt a lot less… but that much HOTTER.”
American star Ostovich, 29, could not contain her laughter as she commented: “Muahahahahahahahaha.”
OSCAR WORTHY
Oscar De La Hoya as commended Dana White's running of UFC.
Many have criticised the MMA franchise's plans to restart action on a private island but the former boxer admires White's work.
He told CBS: “I commend and respect Dana. We did have our differences.
“When I wanted to get involved with the MMA, I did Chuck Liddell vs Tito Ortiz. It was a huge success. I dipped my toes into the water, and I experienced it.
“It was actually wonderful. I love the MMA. Dana came out and criticized me and ridiculed me and all that stuff.
“You know what? Dana is doing a phenomenal job in defending his sport, growing his sport, and he’s doing it big. He’s doing it great, man. I commend him.”
WOOD YOU?
A Tyron Woodley versus Israel Adesanya fight is one Chael Sonnen is keen to see.
The fighter turned pundit believes the bout would actually be far from easy for middleweight Adesanya.
Sonnen told Submission Radio: “That fight’s not gonna happen! Woodley followed that call out by saying, ‘There are four fights I need to do at welterweight’.
“Unless he wins all four, he is not gonna get a shot to be a ‘champ champ'.
“That’s actually a really hard fight for Adesanya. I mean it really is. The hardest guy to fight is the guy one weight class below you.”
CHEEKY
Paige VanZant has revealed why she has taken to posting racy snaps on Instagram.
The UFC fighter and husband Austin Vanderford are finding fame with teasing images of the couple in the buff.
And VanZant told MMA Fighting the popular response is the simple reason behind why they continue to do so.
The American said: “I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I have the best idea ever'.
“And so we just kind of staged it where I was on the medicine ball and he had our double-edged bag covering his butt.
“Then it just kind of sparked from there because people liked them so much.”
DAN’T BE SILLY
Boxing promoter Bob Arum has criticised Dana White’s plans to restart UFC on a private island.
Tyson Fury’s Stateside representative insists he will only return to staging his sport once safe to do so amid the coronavirus pandemic – unlike “cowboys” like White.
Arum told BoxingScene: “Good luck to them. I just hope that they’re not endangering the safety of anyone.
“But this kind of cowboy behavior doesn’t do anybody any good. We’re looking now with Nevada, which we’ll do in a sensible way, or California.
“We’re working with [Nevada and California Athletic Commissions], and we’re talking to the Texas commission. We’re only gonna do this if it’s safe for the fighters and everyone involved, and if it’s approved by the medical authorities.
“We’re not gonna be cowboys, like Dana White. I don’t wanna get politics involved, but I have really very little respect for Dana and what he’s doing.”
MAYWEATHER V MCGREGOR II?
Floyd Mayweather insisted Conor McGregor “don't want this” and is AFRAID of a blockbuster rematch.
McGregor, 31, was beaten by the American on his boxing debut in 2017, which was Mayweather last professional fight.
But 43-year-old Mayweather sparked comeback rumours last November after announcing he was “coming out of retirement in 2020” to work with UFC boss Dana White on a “spectacular event”.
And it seems the ring legend has accelerated plans to make yet another comeback having recently posted videos and pictures training in his Las Vegas gym.
Mayweather has even returned to sparring, and in an Instagram Live video goaded rival McGregor, as he said: “Where he at? He don't want this.”
GOOD MORNING UFC FANS
We are just FIVE sleeps away from some live fight night action!
We’ll that is unless you catch a nap on Saturday evening before the main card kicks off at 3am UK time on BT Sport 1.
Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje is the headline bout, put together with Khabib Nurmagomedov dropping out as he is back in Russia due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But that fight is a scorcher and could have an impact on what happens next for Conor McGregor.
Francis Ngannou vs Jairzinho Rozentruik is another exciting heavyweight match up, while McGregor’s last opponent Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone is in action in the prelims against Anthony Pettis.
We have 12 fights in total (scroll down for the full card) in what promises to be a thrilling evening in Florida.
We will bring you all the latest updates right here!
TALE OF THE TAPE
How the fighters compare for Saturday's big main event…
WHAT IS THE UFC 249 CARD?
Here's how UFC 249 is set to go down:
Main Card (from 3am on BT Sport 1 in UK/ 7pm ESPN+ in US)
- Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje (interim UFC Lightweight Championship)
- Henry Cejudo vs Dominick Cruz (UFC Bantamweight Championship)
- Francis Ngannou vs Jairzinho Rozentruik (heavyweight)
- Jeremy Stephens vs Calvin Kattar (featherweight)
- Greg Hardy vs Yorgan de Castro (heavyweight)
Prelims (from 1am on BT Sport 1/ 5pm ESPN in US)
- Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone vs Anthony Pettis (welterweight)
- Alexey Oleynik vs Fabricio Werdum (heavyweight)
- Carla Esparza vs Michelle Waterson (women's strawweight)
- Uriah Hall vs Ronaldo Souza (middleweight)
Early prelims (from 11.30pm UK time/ 3.30pm US on UFC Fight Pass)
- Vicente Luque vs Niko Price (welterweight)
- Bryce Mitchell vs Charles Rosa (featherweight)
- Ryan Spann vs Sam Alvey (light heavyweight)
UFC FIGHT WEEK IS HERE
UFC returns this weekend as UFC 249 finally gets underway!
Tony Ferguson headlines against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight championship as the show takes place with no fans in attendance at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Originally the card was meant to be staged on April 18 in Brooklyn with Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Ferguson but the event was cancelled because of the coronavirus global pandemic.
UFC president Dana White even tried to stage it in a California Casino on Tribal Law before chiefs at Disney and ESPN put the breaks on the show.
Now it will take place in Florida with no fans, in the same venue that the UFC will be having two additional Fight Night cards this week on May 13 and May 16.
On May 13 it is Anthony Smith vs Glover Teixeira at light heavyweight topping the bill and then
Alistair Overeem vs Walt Harris up at heavyweight on May 16.
UFC president Dana White revealed to ESPN: “We're having fights May 9, then another card May 13, then May 16.
“We're doing Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday. We're gonna knock out three shows in a week.”
White has also said there will be a show on May 23 but has yet to reveal the location.
Follow ALL of the latest from UFC 249 fight week right here…
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