Tag: UFC

McGregor undergoes surgery, vows to return to octagon

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Conor McGregor underwent three hours of surgery on Sunday, less than 24 hours after suffering a “clean” break of his left shinbone during a devastating UFC defeat to American brawler Dustin Poirier. Doctors revealed that McGregor broke his left tibia and fibula bones in the opening round of the non-title lightweight bout in Las Vegas. McGregor said in a video message posted on social media that he expects to […]

UFC superstar Conor McGregor announces retirement

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor announced his retirement from the sport on Sunday. The two-division Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) World Champion said his fighting days were over in a Twitter message posted on his verified account, alongside a picture with his mother, Margaret. “Hey guys I’ve decided to retire from fighting. Thank you all for the amazing memories! What a ride it’s been!” he wrote. “Here is a picture […]

McGregor gives one million euros for protective hospital equipment

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — UFC star Conor McGregor has spent one million euros on protective equipment for hospital staff treating patients with the coronavirus in Ireland. McGregor sent a message to the Republic of Ireland’s Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and revealed the contents on his Twitter page. Donohoe had written to McGregor asking him to tell his 7.9 million Twitter followers to practice social distancing. “Today I am purchasing myself, one million euro […]

McGregor demolishes Cerrone in 40-second return to UFC octagon

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Conor McGregor made a triumphant return to the UFC octagon on Saturday, pummelling Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone for a technical knockout victory in just 40 seconds. The mixed martial arts superstar from Ireland — returning to the Ultimate Fighting Championship for the first time since he was battered into submission by arch-rival Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018 — overpowered his American foe without ever being tested. After charging in with […]

McGregor arrested in Miami after run-in with fan

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor was arrested Monday by American police for allegedly smashing a fan’s cell phone outside a Florida nightclub. The 30-year-old Irishman was charged with criminal mischief and strong-armed robbery after Miami police said he allegedly slapped the phone out of the fan’s hand and then stomped on it. Miami Beach police said they were called to the scene outside the LIV Nightclub at 5:00 am […]

McGregor, Khabib both banned and fined for UFC brawl

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov were each issued fines and suspensions Tuesday by the Nevada State Athletic Commission but both could be eligible again for UFC 236 in April. Officials voted to give McGregor a six-month ban and $50,000 fine while Nurmagomedov received a nine-month ban and $500,000 fine for their actions in a post-fight brawl after Khabib’s submission victory at UFC 229 last October in Las Vegas. Nurmagomedov, […]

‘Money’ Mayweather takes on ‘Ninja Boy’ kickboxer in Japan rumble

by Richard CARTER Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — US boxing superstar Floyd “Money” Mayweather fights undefeated Japanese kickboxing prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa on Monday, a New Year’s Eve multi-million-dollar rumble outside Tokyo to be held under boxing rules. At 41, Mayweather is more than twice the age of his Japanese opponent, the 20-year-old known as “Ninja Boy” but will carry a more than 4kg (9lb) weight advantage into the ring. The bout in Saitama, […]

Mayweather to stage “entertainment” spectacle in Japan

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Boxer Floyd Mayweather says his New Year’s Eve bout with Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa will be “all about the entertainment”. The nine-minute exhibition in Japan will have no official winner or loser if it goes the distance, and Mayweather said at a press availability at his training base in Las Vegas on Thursday that he was looking forward to the event as a chance to sample “something different”. The […]

Khabib adds fire to Mayweather bout flame

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov said on Monday his potential fight with undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. would be twice as interesting as Conor McGregor’s bout with the American. “Our fight will be twice as interesting. Two unbeaten fighters, it will be interesting to see which one falls or takes a step back,” he said in a press conference in Moscow to launch his autobiography. The Russian widely known as […]

UFC to open ‘world’s largest MMA center’ in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China (AFP) — UFC made a major play for the potentially huge Chinese market on Tuesday, saying it will invest $13 million to open the world’s largest MMA training and development base in Shanghai. Performance Institute Shanghai will open in mid-2019 and help nurture the next generation of Chinese mixed martial arts fighters, the United States-based UFC said. The announcement was made four days ahead of UFC’s first event in Beijing — last year […]

Nurmagomedov challenges Mayweather to clash

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Mixed martial arts fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov has taken a page out of Conor McGregor’s playbook and issued a challenge to undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather. Nurmagomedov’s challenge came in a video posted on Instagram by Mayweather’s promoter Leonard Ellerbe who indicated he ran into the UFC fighter at a fight card in Russia. “Let’s go Floyd. We have to fight now: 50-0 versus 27-0,” Nurmagomedov said with Ellerbe standing next […]

UFC boss: Nurmagomedov won’t be stripped of MMA title

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Unbeaten Khabib Nurmagomedov will not be stripped of his UFC lightweight title despite his role in a post-match brawl Saturday, UFC president Dana White said in a website posting Tuesday. The 30-year-old Russian kept his crown with a fourth-round submission victory over Ireland’s Conor McGregor in Las Vegas, improving to 27-0 in his professional career and 11-0 in UFC bouts. Nurmagomedov had barely released his hold after McGregor tapped […]