After an exciting weekend of fights, the week began with some noteworthy news. The MMA News Roundup has you covered with all of today’s MMA news right here.
MMA News Roundup: October 12, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov Not Interested in Coaching TUF Against Conor McGregor
In an interview with ESPN‘s Brett Okamoto, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov responded to reports of his coaching an upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter alongside bitter rival Conor McGregor. “The Eagle” says that he does not want to give “Notorious” McGregor “good attention” by allowing him that platform. “Even if they give me $5 billion, even if they give me the UFC, I’ll never do this,” Nurmagomedov states. He goes on to say that he has “finished everything about” McGregor, and is solely focused on his fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
Even if they give me $5 billion — even if they give me the UFC — I [would] never do this.”@TeamKhabib won’t give Conor McGregor “good attention” by coaching TUF against him 🚫 (via @bokamotoESPN) pic.twitter.com/SVOI2YNCv3
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 13, 2020
Beneil Dariush Donated His UFC 248 Performance Bonus
Beneil Dariush has been surging of late, scoring two highlight-reel knockouts over Drakkar Klose and Scott Holtzman in his two most recent fights. His knockout of Klose at UFC 248 earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. Most fighters use that bonus for personal use, but the longtime lightweight contender did not. Dariush used his $50,000 bonus to help fund an orphanage in Haiti. This proves once again that he is one of the “good guys” in MMA.
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Fight Announcements
Roxanne Modafferi vs. Viviane Araujo — Unannounced UFC event on January 30
A pivotal flyweight matchup will take place at a January 30 event yet to be announced when Roxanne Modafferi takes on Viviane Araujo. “The Happy Warrior” Modafferi is coming off of a win over Andrea Lee a month ago, while Araujo beat Montana de la Rosa a week prior. It will be a battle between the seventh and eighth-ranked fighters in the division and will give the winner a good case for a fight against a top-five opponent.
Nicolas Dalby vs. Orion Cosce — UFC 255 on November 21
Recent Dana White Contender Series winner Orion Cosce will make his UFC debut next month, facing Nicolas Dalby in a welterweight bout. Most recently, Dalby was on the receiving end of an upset, losing to Jesse Ronson via submission back in July. He will look to get back on track against the undefeated “Galaxy” Cosce, who ground-and-pounded his way to a UFC contract over Matt Dixon at DWCS 29.
Ricky Simon vs. Brian Kelleher — Unannounced UFC event on January 16
This fight has been booked before, but Brian Kelleher is once again set to face Ricky Simon at an event yet to be announced on January 16. Originally set for UFC Fight Night 176, the fight was scrapped after one of Simon’s cornermen tested positive for COVID-19. ‘Boom’ Kelleher recently rebounded from a UFC 250 loss to Cody Stamann with a guillotine choke submission win over Ray Rodriguez. Simon, meanwhile, most recently snapped a two-fight skid with a split decision win over Ray Borg.
Devin Clark vs. Shamil Gamzatov — UFC Fight Night 184 on November 28
“Brown Bear” Devin Clark will match up with WSOF and PFL veteran Shamil Gamzatov at UFC Fight Night 184 on November 28. Gamzatov debuted last November, defeating Klidson Abreu by split decision. His sophomore outing comes against Clark, who has hit his stride of late, taking unanimous decisions over Dequan Townsend and Alonzo Menifield. The winner will likely face a ranked opponent next.
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