UFC latest news: Fight card for upcoming Fight Night dates in May and June

Last week, Saturday, UFC 249 took place in Jacksonville, Florida. It was the first major sporting event to take place in the U.S. amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Holland Sentinel informed. There were no fans and most of the UFC personnel were sporting masks during the event.
May 18, 2020 | 07:34
ufc latest news fight card for upcoming fight night dates in may and june UFC Fight Night: Alistair Overeem rebounds, stops Walt Harris for TKO in Jacksonville
ufc latest news fight card for upcoming fight night dates in may and june World news today: Three White House COVID-19 taskforce members self-quarantine, Little Richard died at 87
ufc latest news fight card for upcoming fight night dates in may and june UFC 249 results: Justin Gaethje beat Tony Ferguson, Francis Ngannou knocks Jairzinho Rozenstruik

The fights lived up to the hype. Among the highlights, heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou — who takes his inspiration from Mike Tyson — had a convincing knockout over Jairzinho Rozenstruik just 20 seconds into the bout after another knockout in the previous fight between Calvin Kattar and Jeremy Stephens.

In the bantamweight division, Henry Cejudo defended his title and then announced his retirement to an empty arena after knocking out Dominick Cruz.

In the main event, Justin Gaethje upset former Grand Valley State wrestler Tony Ferguson in a fifth-round knockout — many were hoping for a Ferguson win to set up an elusive fight between him and Khabib Nurmagomedov, but that doesn’t look like it will happen now. Gaethje gave a great post-fight interview and put the bow on a great night of fights.

In addition, the main card began with former NFL player Greg Hardy winning by decision over Yorgan de Castro.

Jon Jones rips over Chael Sonnen on Twitter

ufc latest news fight card for upcoming fight night dates in may and june
Photo: Getty Images.

Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen went after each other on Twitter Saturday without even mentioning each other by name, according to Bleachereport.

Jones began the attacks while referencing Sonnen having a YouTube channel: “Who is this?

Has been with now man boobs making money off of YouTube getting hit talking about Jon Jones?”

Sonnen retired after his last fight in 2019, but he has remained involved in UFC through a podcast and YouTube channel. The 43-year-old recently discussed Jones in a potential bout against Francis Ngannou on Beyond the Fight.

After the initial attack, Sonnen fired back with several tweets talking about Jones' problems outside the ring: “Guy.You’re the only fighter in UFC history w/more Mug Shots than Al Capone” and “You have permanent handcuff-creases in your wrists”

There were more than a dozen related attacks over the course of a 20-minute period.

Jones was arrested in March and charged with driving while intoxicated, negligent use of a deadly weapon and possession of an open container, according to TMZ Sports. Police reportedly responded to a call about gunshots and found the UFC star with a hand gun and a bottle of tequila in his car.

He also had a DUI arrest in 2012 and received probation for a hit-and-run in 2015.

These two MMA stars have traded verbal jabs in the past but battled in the Octagon just once in their career with Jones coming away with a first-round knockout in 2013.

Northern Colorado Justin Gaethje fighting his

way to top of UFC

ufc latest news fight card for upcoming fight night dates in may and june
Justin Gaethje. Photo by New York Times.

Gaethje recently beat Tony Ferguson with a 5th round TKO to claim the UFC’s interim lightweight title, 9News reported.

UFC fighter Justin Gaethje is as tough as they come.

“I put myself through the worst possible outcome, and if I’m okay with that then there’s nothing to fear," said Gaethje.

Not even a broken nose.

That’s what Gaethje hoped for in the days leading up to his championship fight with Tony Ferguson. It's an injury that dates back to his days at Northern Colorado.

"When I wrestled up at UNC at Greeley, I took a head butt and split my lip. My lip’s been split and my nose. Eventually I’d like to get it fixed. I’d like it to be on their dime. So, if it happened in a fight (the UFC) would have to pay for it," Gaethje said with a laugh.

Ferguson is the one who ended up paying the price, suffering a broken orbital bone. Gaethje won with a 5th round TKO to claim the UFC’s interim lightweight title. The ultimate highlight for a guy nicknamed "The highlight."

The thought of facing Khabib Nurmagomedov this summer, in a unification bout, would keep most fighters up at night. Gaethje likes his chances against the unbeaten former lightweight champion.

That night Conor McGregor will be a spectator. Judging from his expletive filled tweet, he’s not happy.

But the Champion always calls the shots.

Fight card for upcoming Fight Night dates in May and June

ufc latest news fight card for upcoming fight night dates in may and june

Tony Ferguson was taken to hospital after a shock defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249, but received messages of support from the man he would have faced if coronavirus never happened - Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Just a few days later Anthony Smith suffered a broken eye-socket and had two teeth knocked out during his one-sided beating against UFC veteran Glover Teixeira.

UFC upcoming schedule for 2020

May 30 - Tyron Woodley vs. Gilbert Burns

June 6 - UFC 250 - Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer (UFC Women's Featherweight Championship bout)

UFC are holding three fight cards in the space of eight days, with ALL of the shows taking place from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville without any audience, according to The Sun.

The state of Florida has stated that "professional sports and media production with a national audience" are essential services during the pandemic.

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 since pushed that to May 23 - and is yet to confirm the card.

UFC are then expected to launch their Fight Island which will host shows from June - with an Octagon on the BEACH.

UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris card, results

• Alistair Overeem def. Walt Harris via second-round TKO (punches)

• Claudia Gadelha def. Angela Hill via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

• Dan Ige def. Edson Barboza via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

• Krzysztof Jotko def. Eryk Anders (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

• Song Yadong def. Marlon Vera via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

• Miguel Baeza def. Matt Brown via second-round knockout (punch)

• Kevin Holland def. Anthony Hernandez via first-round TKO (knee, punches)

• Giga Chikadze def. Irwin Rivera via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

• Nate Landwehr def. Darren Elkins via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

• Cortney Casey def. Mara Romero Borella via first-round submission (armbar)

• Rodrigo Nascimento Ferreira def. Don'Tale Mayes via second-round submission (rear-naked choke)

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