MMAfighting.com
On Sunday night, Francis Ngannou made quick work of Cain Velasquez, knocking out the former two-time UFC heavyweight champion in just 26 seconds at UFC Phoenix. After the biggest win of his career, Ngannou began lobbying for a title shot, saying that heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier “should come to avenge his teammate.” Unfortunately for Ngannou, it doesn’t look like that will be in the cards for him.
Speaking with ESPN after the fight, UFC President Dana White revealed that the UFC already has an opponent lined up Cormier.
“Well yeah, Francis is there,” White said. “Cormier’s hurt right now and we have another fight lined up for Cormier first so, we’ll see how this whole thing plays out.”
When Cormier won the title at UFC 226, a superfight with Brock Lesnar was immediately teased. However, despite Lesnar rejoining USADA in July, there has been little discussion about his impending return, leaving even Cormier to wonder if the fight with happen. Meanwhile, Cormier has been dealing with injuries since his heavyweight title defense against Derrick Lewis at UFC 230, leaving who is is fighting next completely up in the air and Dana White did not care to illuminate either.
“[Cormier] is not healthy yet so I would never announce a fight without it being done,” White said when questioned about the opponent for Cormier. “It makes no sense. I don’t even know when Cormier’s gonna be ready.”
Cormier is currently sidelined with a back injury and just last week announced that he would be pushing back his planned retirement date while he recovers.
MUST-READ STORIES
Results. Francis Ngannou finishes Cain Velasquez in opening minute at UFC Phoenix.
Results. Matt Mitrione vs. Sergei Kharitonov ends in no-contest after low blow at Bellator 215.
Results. Michael ‘Venom’ Page earns tactical win over Paul Daley at Bellator 216.
Results. Vanessa Porto beats Pearl Gonzalez for title by technical decision after eye poke at Invicta 34.
Bonuses. Vicente Luque, Bryan Barbarena, Luke Sanders, and Kron Gracie earned bonuses.
VIDEO STEW
UFC Phoenix Post-Fight Show.
Bellator highlights.
Invicta highlights.
LFA 60 highlights.
TTTHS.
LISTEN UP
SBN Post-Fight. Immediate post-fight reaction to UFC Phoenix.
6th Round. Immediate post-fight reaction to UFC Phoenix.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Cold blooded.
I appreciate the compliment by Cynthia but I think I deserve a top five as well. That’s why I consider a title contention fight. 96611:30 AM – Feb 18, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy176 people are talking about this
Al the hero.
@ALIAQUINTA has a better chance at selling me a house than fighting me at ufc 23690410:53 AM – Feb 18, 2019 · Coconut Creek, FLTwitter Ads info and privacy144 people are talking about this
A1 Iaquinta✔@ALIAQUINTAReplying to @DustinPoirier
I’ll take it 1,00511:01 AM – Feb 18, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy77 people are talking about this
@DustinPoirier do you need 3 bedrooms or nah?6671:05 PM – Feb 18, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy77 people are talking about this
@DustinPoirier oh and have your lender send me you pre approval1461:07 PM – Feb 18, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy18 people are talking about this
@DustinPoirier if you don’t have one, i can recommend2371:07 PM – Feb 18, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy22 people are talking about this
The Diamond✔@DustinPoirierReplying to @ALIAQUINTA
We both have to wait for the appraisal first.2601:09 PM – Feb 18, 2019 · Coconut Creek, FLTwitter Ads info and privacy23 people are talking about this
A1 Iaquinta✔@ALIAQUINTAReplying to @DustinPoirier
Bro stopppp2081:10 PM – Feb 18, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacySee A1 Iaquinta’s other Tweets
More from Poirier.
Put Gold on the line or open up the check book otherwise don’t even call my phone. @ufc2,20210:40 AM – Feb 18, 2019 · Coconut Creek, FLTwitter Ads info and privacy365 people are talking about this
Listen its gotta be me and @TonyFergusonXT ……if he waits for Khabib then it has to be me and @TheNotoriousMMA or @BlessedMMA if he comes to 155lbs1,90310:57 AM – Feb 18, 2019 · Coconut Creek, FLTwitter Ads info and privacy407 people are talking about this
Ouch.
Gross.
Conor been very respectful on Twitter lately.
Conor McGregor✔@TheNotoriousMMA
Very excited to see Kron Gracie compete tomorrow in the UFC.
Son of Rickson, partner of Diaz.
So much lineage.
Very proud and exciting moment here for the prestigious Gracie family. Remember that without this family, none of us would have a job we loved.
Good luck and Respect.45.3K8:50 AM – Feb 17, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy5,328 people are talking about this
Savage.
Inevitable.
Anniversary.
Max out here getting people’s hopes up.View image on Twitter
Tony Ferguson is the type of guy to copy my back tattoo then tell me I’ve just been blessed11.5K1:01 AM – Feb 16, 20192,885 people are talking about this
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