Frampton to fight Gutierrez in Belfast
Mexican fighter Andres Gutierrez confirms he will be Frampton’s opponent for his July 29th homecoming fight in Belfast. The fight is believed to be an eliminator for the WBC title – although it is not specified whether it is for the featherweight belt held by Gary Russell Jr or the super featherweight belt held by Miguel Berchelt. As Gutierrez is ranked #10 at featherweight, with Frampton at #1, it is assumed to be a 126lbs eliminator. Gutierrez:
I know I have a great opportunity and I will not waste it. He had wanted this from a long time ago. I’m very happy for this news they gave me. I know it will be very difficult, but I have the character to prevail. I tell all the Querétanos that I’m not going to let them down that I’m going to put soul, life, and heart and I will fight for what I most want, that’s why I’ll prevail.
Mayweather books MGM Grand for August 26
Mayweather has booked the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for August 26th, for a potential superfight with McGregor. Mayweather has fought at the venue for the final dozen bouts of his career. His promotional company have also reserved the arena on August 25 for a weigh-in. The as yet unannounced fight will be shown on Showtime, Mayweather’s long-time broadcaster of choice.
Confirms Belfast fight for July 29
Frampton confirms he will fight in Belfast on July 29th. The opponent has yet to be named but Frampton has already ruled out a fight against IBF champion Lee Selby. Frampton has previously said that Windsor Park would be his preferred venue but the Irish FA has confirmed that it is still in negotiations with the boxer over the use of the stadium.
July 29th – keep it free. I can't wait to box @ home! Presser will be in the next week & tix will go on sale straight after #Homecoming 👊
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) June 7, 2017
McGregor associate: Mayweather fight in September
Abner ‘Skullman’ Lloveras, who was on Team McGregor for the 22nd series of Ultimate Fighter and is quite close with the ‘Notorious,’ claims a date has been set for the Mayweather fight in September. The fight would most likely happen on September 30, so as not to conflict with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin on September 16:
The big news that I want to tell you is that the fight between McGregor and Mayweather has a date. It will be in September.
Showtime exec: McGregor-Mayweather goal is ‘early fall’
A showtime executive says that while they would be willing to wait until next year if they had to, Mayweather and Showtime are targeting an early fall date for the proposed superfight.
I think the date really is a function of how long it takes to get a deal done because the reality is, it took a long time for the UFC and Conor to reach an agreement to allow Conor to participate. Now the real negotiations start which is the Floyd side versus the Conor-UFC side. If that drags on then you’re probably looking at late this year. If it really drags on then you’re looking at early next year. But if people are as motivated as they seem to be – I know how badly Floyd wants it – if we get this wrapped up pretty quickly we could be seeing it early fall. That’s the goal. That’s what we’ve heard from Floyd. Now it’s just getting in a room and seeing if people will be reasonable on the kind of deal that they’re looking for.
Frampton to fight in Ireland on July 29
Delivering a promise made to his fans to fight in Ireland, Frampton says he will fight at Windsor Park on July 29th. No announcement of his opponent has been made. A third fight against Leo Santa Cruz seems unlikely, due to the Mexican’s unwillingness to travel. Lee Selby has also been rumoured, but his team say there has been no contact about a fight.
Joshua-Klitschko could rematch at end of October
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirms that Joshua and Klitschko are likely to fight again before the end of the year.
I believe Klitschko will go ahead with the rematch so we are looking at dates. The Principality Stadium is not really available in November because of rugby so 28 October is the option. Most of December is available but I don’t really want to go that late. Josh has a bit of a sore shoulder, Klitschko has had a tough fight, his face was bashed up. You have got two more weeks in May, all of June and after that they will be thinking ‘right let’s get back in camp’. Even if you started back in camp in August, then you have September and October so end of October can work.
Cormier to fight Jones at UFC 214
More than a year after their last fight was cancelled due to Jones’ one-year suspension for doping, Cormier will meet Jones to defend his light heavyweight belt at UFC 214 in Anaheim on July 29.
McGregor appearance booked for Liverpool on April 8
Mansion Liverpool announces that McGregor will appear at the venue for a Grand National after party on Saturday 8th April.
***ANNOUNCEMENT***
THE KING IS COMING….👑
Saturday 8th April
We Bring You@TheNotoriousMMA 🙊🔥😍🎉Tables & Tickets Call:
☎️ 0151 227 4378 pic.twitter.com/2RjsqMwiCX— Mansion Liverpool (@MansionLiv) March 29, 2017
Will host party in NYC
McGregor will host a St. Patrick’s Day party at Lavo, a club in New York on Friday 17 March.
This just in! @TheNotoriousMMA hosts a special St. Patrick's Day celebration at @LavoNY this FRIDAY! ☘️👊 pic.twitter.com/8S3TCbMCry
— LAVO New York (@LavoNY) March 16, 2017
Las Vegas venue provisionally booked for June 10th
Reports surface that the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas has been provisionally booked for June 10th, for a potential McGregor-Mayweather fight.
https://twitter.com/frontrowbrian/status/841029290716213252
GSP vs Bisping announced for later in 2017
White announces St-Pierre will fight Bisping for the middleweight championship of the world later in 2017. Bisping and St-Pierre will have a press conference on this Friday 3rd March in Las Vegas. White:
He wanted to take some time off from the sport. He’s been talking about coming back for a couple of years now.I personally wasn’t a believer, but he and I got together in Las Vegas. We had dinner and got a deal done…He will fight Michael Bisping for the 185 pound title.
Rousey to appear on Blindspot
Rousey will appear in an upcoming episode of Blindspot on NBC, which airs Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. Rousey is set to appear in episode 200, scheduled to air in early May. It is Rousey’s first acting role since she scored a non-speaking part in Drunk History on Comedy Central in 2016. She will be playing Devon Penberthy, a female prison inmate who grew up in a working class family from the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and is serving time for transporting weapons across state lines. Show press release:
She is a tough, athletic woman who knows how to fight and handle a weapon.
Aldo-Holloway set for June 3 in Rio
Also vs Holloway will take place at UFC 212 on June 3 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Just taped 5ive Rounds with guest @danawhite. He told me Aldo vs. Holloway is a done deal … but couldn't remember the date.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 10, 2017
UFC owners invite McGregor, entire roster, to Las Vegas retreat
Emanuel and Whitesell, owners of the UFC, have invited McGregor and the entire roster of over 500 to attend a two day UFC Athlete Retreat in Las Vegas in May. Various actors/actresses, athletes, musicians and others represented by WME/IMG will be appear and interact with the fighters. Fighters will also be able to discuss concerns with the owners. The retreat will end with a concert performed by an as yet unnamed WME/IMG represented artist.
Will perform at 59th Grammy Awards
The Recording Academy announces that Perry will perform at the 59th Grammy Awards. She joins the lineup that includes John Legend, Metallica, Carrie Underwood, Bruno Mars, among others.
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) February 7, 2017
Red Cow Moran Hotel event announced
McGregor will appear at the Red Cow Moran Hotel on Naas Rd, Dublin on Friday 17th February, where he will taking some questions from the crowd and chat to fans. Tickets are €104.00 (available here).
McGregor’s Manchester event to be screened live worldwide on pay-per-view
McGregor’s live show at EventCity in Manchester on January 28 is set to be shown online around the world on pay-per-view. 5000 in-person tickets for the one-hour unscripted interview are already sold out. PPV streaming service Writemedia will show the event live for £3.99 on notoriouslive.co. McGregor will be interviewed on-stage by Ariel Helwani, with McGregor’s life, career and fight with Mayweather among the topics to be discussed. Organisers:
We knew this exclusive sporting showcase would appeal to the rest of the world, and wanted to offer those all over the globe the chance to see the event live. This rare opportunity had to be captured on film considering Conor’s past interview history, and we decided to take it one step further and distribute it globally, meaning fans who are not able to attend the event don’t have to miss out.
Helwani to host ‘An Experience with Conor McGregor’
An Experience With Conor McGregor announces that Helwani will host and interview McGregor at the event at Event City in Manchester on Jan 28.
We are pleased to announce highly respected journalist Ariel Helwani as our host/interviewer during "An Experience With Conor McGregor". pic.twitter.com/nh2Q9Bolpq
— Experience With.. (@AnExpWith) January 13, 2017
Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov for interim lightweight title confirmed for UFC 209
White announces that Ferguson will fight Nurmagomedov for the interim lightweight title at UFC 209 on March 4. At one point Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson seemed as if it was off the table, with Nurmagomedov claiming he was moving on from Ferguson who — according to White — was asking for too much money. It’s understood that Ferguson and the promotion came to a middle ground.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson for the interim LW title on March 4 at UFC 209!!! pic.twitter.com/oJwvlDl4eX
— danawhite (@danawhite) January 13, 2017