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 138 of Fighters Only Magazine! It’s now available on all good newsstands and on the Fighters Only app, featuring the likes of Douglas Lima, Dominick Reyes, Danny Roberts, Roy Nelson and more:
OUT NOW! Fighters Only issue 138 is hitting the shelves to keep you up to date on the fight game. We talk to The…
Posted by Fighters Only on Tuesday, December 17, 2019
MMA News
UFC 246: Conor McGregor – Cowboy Cerrone press conference date and time was announced
ICYMI: UFC 246 press conference with Conor McGregor and Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone set for 15 January next week: ➡ https://t.co/JeiSQ1ngAS
Do you expect the pre-fight hype to finally kick into overdrive?#UFC246 #McGregor #Cowboy #MMA pic.twitter.com/RykTgAO402
— Fighters Only (@FightersOnly) January 9, 2020
It’s been a fairly muted build up to a Conor McGregor fight so far.
However, that could all change. Last week, the UFC announced that they will be holding a UFC 246 press conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday 15 January (5pm PST, 8pm EST, 1am GMT on 16/1).
Conor McGregor gives full-length interview with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani
My full sit-down interview with @TheNotoriousMMA is up now. Dare I say, a side we haven’t seen of him before. I found his answers, candor & demeanor fascinating throughout. For example, this clip below about drinking leading up to the Khabib fight.
Full: https://t.co/6BQKmgk3cc pic.twitter.com/KV1bOH5uaW
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 13, 2020
As alluded to earlier, there has been a slow build to UFC 246 – especially considering it’s McGregor’s long-awaited Octagon return.
The Dubliner sat down with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani for a near-50 minute interview, which was pretty candid for the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion who is now seemingly wary of the media.
McGregor touched on topics such as his rumoured exploits outside of the cage, Khabib Nurmagomedov, a renewed mindset and much more.
Watch the full interview here.
UFC 249: Rose Namajunas – Jessica Andrade rematch reportedly set
Former UFC strawweight champions Jessica Andrade and Rose Namajunas are reportedly set to run things back when the UFC hits Brooklyn in April for UFC 249.
Who do you think will win the rematch?
For more: ➡ https://t.co/MyTmpWnhEl#UFC249 #UFCBrooklyn #MMA #Namajunas #Andrade pic.twitter.com/MdP4LjLLg9
— Fighters Only (@FightersOnly) January 10, 2020
Jessica Andrade lifted UFC gold for the first time after slamming then-champion Rose Namajunas en route to a knockout victory.
Now dethroned by China’s Weili Zhang, Andrade is reportedly set to face Rose Namajunas in a rematch at UFC 249.
UFC 249 is set to be headlined by a UFC lightweight championship bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center in April.
You can read more about this fight and UFC 249 here.
Edson Barboza moving from lightweight to UFC featherweight division
It seems Brazilian striking extraordinaire Edson Barboza's New Year Resolutions include dropping some weight.
He wants to compete in the UFC's featherweight division in 2020 according to a report.
Find out more: https://t.co/QyPIABvXcy#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/XvQCs0RNhE
— Fighters Only (@FightersOnly) January 2, 2020
In case you missed it, Edson Barboza is reportedly dropping down to the UFC’s featherweight division in 2020.
The Brazilian striker could well be a force to reckon with at 145 pounds.
Read more about Barboza’s move and the potential reasons why here.
Best Social Media of the Week
Conor McGregor (NSFW)
Where the fuck is that Irish coffee ☕️ pic.twitter.com/H14E7eovfi
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 9, 2020
McGregor with the throwback photo which depicts this weekend’s headliners at UFC 246.
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone [via Brett Okamoto]
So check this outttt. Budweiser (@budweiserusa) made a special Cowboy Can for Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) that will be sold all week in Las Vegas. We got it on camera for a video that will be released this week. Your move proper 12 (@TheNotoriousMMA, @ProperWhiskey). pic.twitter.com/ZJnOEQfsWc
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) January 12, 2020
Meanwhile, Cowboy received a gift which was very close to his heart.
UFC Fight Pass
https://twitter.com/UFCFightPass/status/1215065559357767680
It turns out that this time of the year is rather poignant for Conor McGregor.
The Irishman earned his first Cage Warriors win nine years ago on 9 January.
He of course went on to win both the Cage Warriors featherweight and lightweight titles, a feat he repeated in the UFC.
Kamaru Usman
My man @TheNotoriousMMA please just go in there and take your L from cowboy. Don’t even dream of this WW strap because that dream can turn into an Nightmare fast.
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) January 4, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman doesn’t seem to rate McGregor’s chances against “Cowboy” Cerrone, nor his ambitions at 170 pounds.
UFC 246 predictions [via BT Sport]
https://twitter.com/btsportufc/status/1216012340304449538
