UFC 312 is in the rear-view mirror and the machinery is already looking ahead at future events. UFC head honcho Dana White already has the names of three events, with three marquee destinations. What are these events and where will they take place? Well, stay tuned because we’re back with yet another episode of MMA News Roundup.
From the three new events of the Dana White-led promotion, we will move on to a bit about Joaquin Buckley, who had some words for the undisputed middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis. Finally, we will end our piece with news about Conor McGregor and Tom Aspinall, who expressed sadness at the passing of a young boxer. So, without any further ado, let’s get started!
Dana White sets the stage for Mexico, Miami, and Montreal
UFC 312 is done and dusted, but Dana White is not sitting idle. The firebrand CEO had already planned upcoming UFC events just a day cut off from February’s pay-per-view. The news of the next three events was shared by MMA Orbit, wherein the first overseas event of the year will see the promotion returning to Mexico City on March 9th. The event will be headlined by former flyweight champion Brandon Royval and former No.1 contender Steve Erceg.
| Three events just announced, via #UFC312 broadcast.
Mar. 29 (#UFCMexico) – Moreno vs. Erceg
Apr. 12 (#UFC314 Miami) – Main Event TBD
May 10 (#UFC315 Montreal) Main Event TBD
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) February 9, 2025
In addition to the Mexican event, the UFC will be returning to Miami for UFC 314 in April, but the headliner of the event is yet to be announced by the promotion. Finally, the UFC will be making a reappearance in Montreal, Canada after a decade, where the last event held there was UFC 186 headlined by former flyweight king Demetrious Johnson and Japanese MMA phenom Kyoji Horiguchi.
According to some reports, Belal Muhammad is the front-runner to defend his welterweight title against Shavkat Rakhmonov at the Montreal showdown but no official announcements have been made. While Dana White works on the fights for the Miami and Montreal events, let’s talk about the middleweight division where rising contender Joaquin Buckley had some words for the undisputed champion Dricus Du Plessis.
Joaquin Buckley reveals the secret to defeat Dricus Du Plessis
Dricus Du Plessis has now defeated three former UFC champions; Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Sean Strickland (twice), and his unique (yet awkward) fighting style deserves credit for these victories. The undisputed middleweight champion remains undefeated in his UFC run, winning all his fights with his unorthodox approach. His opponents find it immensely difficult to get past him but welterweight-turned-middleweight fighter, Joaquin Buckley has come forward to reveal the formula to defeat him.
Taking to his X handle, the UFC star emphasized, “I will be the first too say this don’t let DDP goofy ass fighting style trick ya. You not gone beat buddy unless you can turn his tv off or control him on the ground for 25 minutes straight. You can’t play with buddy cause he gone put you in a fight which a lot of ya not use too in the UFC.”
I will be the first too say this don’t let DDP goofy ass fighting style trick ya
You not gone beat buddy unless you can turn his tv off or control him on the ground for 25mins straight
You can’t play with buddy cause he gone put you in a fight which a lot of ya not use too in…
— Joaquin New Mansa Buckley (@Newmansa94) February 9, 2025
Joaquin Buckley joins a plethora of other fighters who’ve mocked DDP for his fighting style, and his words suggest confidence in beating the champion. However, he’ll only know once he gets in there with the South African, so we’re inclined to take his threat with a pinch of salt while acknowledging the danger he brings as a fighter. For our final story, we’ll move across the Atlantic over to the British Isles, where Conor McGregor and Tom Aspinall reacted to a sad development.
Conor McGregor and Tom Aspinall mourn the devastating loss of John Cooney
The combat sports community was taken aback by ominous news of the tragic passing of John Cooney, a 28-year-old super-featherweight boxer from Clarinbridge, Ireland. The boxer suffered a fatal brain injury during his title fight against Nathan Howells at Belfast’s Ulster Hall on February 1st. The fight was paused in the ninth round after Cooney endured hellacious punishment. Soon after, the medical team attended to the fighter and he was then transported to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for an intracranial hemorrhage. However, he didn’t make it and passed away on February 8th.
Rest in Peace Warrior John Cooney pic.twitter.com/LsowOE4ukC
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 9, 2025
After the passing of the 28-year-old talented boxer, a GoFundMe campaign was established to support the family. It quickly raised $47,000 and in addition to that, Conor McGregor fielded more than $20,000 for the campaign. The former dual-weight Irish champion paid tribute to the deceased fighter by uploading a video on his Instagram handle and captioning it, “Rest in Peace Warrior John Cooney.”
Tom Aspinall also took to his Instagram handle to add a tribute to the fighter. Combat sports, as entertaining and rewarding as it is, it is equally dangerous. Our hearts go out to the family of John Cooney and may his soul rest in peace. What are your thoughts on the incidence of head trauma and brain damage in sports like boxing? Do you think it’s a conversation worth having? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments down below.
The post MMA News Roundup- Dana White Announces Miami & Montreal Events; Dricus Du Plessis’ Biggest Problem Revealed; Conor McGregor & Tom Aspinall Mourn John Cooney’s Demise appeared first on EssentiallySports.
