Plenty of things can happen in the world of MMA in seven days.

From event announcements and the fights on the weekend to the best tweets and latest trash talk between fighters, we’ll keep you in the know at the end of each week with the latest happenings in the sport.

But first off, make sure you read issue 141 of Fighters Only Magazine! It’s now available on all good newsstands and on the Fighters Only app, featuring the the likes of Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Kamaru Usman and more.

While you’re at it, go and check out the 5Dimes Guide to MMA! It’s filled with massive insights, betting tips and more!

 

MMA News

UFC Brasilia: Charles Oliveira submits Kevin Lee

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1238984257545986048

Even though the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium was empty due to UFC: Brasilia being held behind closed doors amidst the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, Charles Oliveira put on a show on Saturday night.

Oliveira is on a hot streak of fighting form. That was made totally evident in the Brazilian capital city of Brasilia when he submitted Kevin Lee in the third round with a guillotine choke.

“Do Bronx” has long come up short when he’s faced a step up in competition and he appears to have left that bad habit well behind him now he’s on a seven-fight win streak.

You can read more about this fight and get all the UFC Brasilia results here.

 

UFC Brasilia: Gilbert Burns knocks out Demian Maia

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1238978011858419714

In typical MMA fashion, a fight between two Brazilian Jiu Jitsu phenomenons ended with a knockout.

Gilbert Burns extended his run of wins to five after knocking out Demian Maia in what was only the second time the latter had ever tasted a knockout defeat in his stellar 19-year MMA career.

You can read more about this fight and get all the UFC Brasilia results here.

 

UFC postpones next three UFC events until Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson due to coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown

UFC President Dana White announced yesterday that the next three UFC events – which were due to take place in London, Columbus and Portland – were cancelled due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

He did, however, promise that the UFC lightweight championship fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson has not been cancelled, and that it could take place in a different country to ensure it goes ahead.

This announcement was made after a string of postponements, cancellations and talk of fight relocations which marred all of last week.

Bellator, KSW and ONE Championship are among the promotions which have made announcements of fights been cancelled or held behind closed doors.

 

Cage Warriors 113: Moved from London to Manchester, UFC fighters added to fight card

Friday’s Cage Warriors 113 card has been moved from London’s O2 Arena to the BEC Arena in Manchester due to COVID-19 coronavirus fears.

The announcement also included the news that some new bouts will feature on the bill involving those who are now unable to fight on the now-cancelled UFC London card.

So far, the fights between John Phillips vs. Dusko Todorovic and Darren Stewart vs. Bartosz Fabinski have been announced with more announcements expected to come.

As it stands, Cage Warriors 113 boasts three title fights. The card includes a flyweight championship bout between Samir Faiddine and Luke Shanks, a lightweight title fight pitting Mason Jones against Joe McColgan and an featherweight contest for the interim belt featuring Morgan Charriere and Darko Banovic in the main event.

 

Fighters Only MMA features

Cage Warriors 113: Paddy Pimblett relieved to secure replacement foe Decky Dalton

Cage Warriors 113: Paddy Pimblett relieved to secure replacement foe Decky Dalton

Read our interview with Cage Warriors lightweight Paddy Pimblett, who shares his thoughts on his latest opponent replacement and the recent changes made due to the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Curtis Blaydes: Toe to Toe

Curtis Blaydes: Toe to Toe

Read our interview with UFC heavyweight prospect Curtis Blaydes. Originally featured in the April edition of Fighters Only – Issue 141 – Blaydes talks about getting impatient for his overdue UFC heavyweight title shot and more.

 

Why Joe Rogan vs. Stephen A. Smith is the new showdown in MMA

Why Rogan vs Smith is the new showdown in MMA

Read Gareth A. Davies’ thoughts following the back-and-forth between UFC colour commentary mainstay Joe Rogan and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith after the latter’s comments made about Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

 

Best of MMA social media

Michael Bisping [via the UFC]

It’s good to laugh in uncertain times like these. Former UFC middleweight champ-turned commentator Michael Bisping had a momentary lapse of concentration as he asked the empty Nilson Nelson Gymnasium to make some noise for Renato Moicano.

 

UFC Brasilia – Renato Moicano, Damir Hadžović and Michael Bisping [via BT Sport]

https://twitter.com/btsportufc/status/1239188517739278338

One benefit from watching fights held in an empty arena are the gold conversations we can now hear on the broadcast.

Moicano submitted Damir Hadžović in their fight but was seemingly angry at not fighting longer. Hadžović’s response? “Then you shouldn’t have submitted me!”

Bisping’s laugh in the background makes it even better.

 

Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov [via ESPN MMA]

https://twitter.com/espnmma/status/1239747481648455680

Tony Ferguson’s training routines have gained a lot of notoriety on social media. His upcoming opponent Khabib Nurmagomedov took issue with Ferguson training while wearing a belt and jeans.