Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images LAS VEGAS — Heavyweight Tanner Boser spoke with the media backstage following his first-round knockout win over Philipe Lins at UFC on ESPN 12. “The Bulldozer” discussed his first UFC finish win, why he wants to fight Maurice Greene on “Fight Island,” people suggesting he should drop to light heavyweight, and more.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images The main event war between Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker helped UFC on ESPN 12 lead all ratings for programming on cable this past Saturday night. According to the Nielsen Ratings System, the UFC on ESPN 12 main card averaged 1.070 million viewers over the course of the broadcast along with a .43 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic. That was more than enough for the UFC card to land at No. 1 on cable on Saturday night with nearly double the ratings in the 18-49 demographic as the next closest competitor. Funny enough, the second-highest rated program on Saturday was the UFC on ESPN 12 prelims, which averaged 635,000 viewers over the two-hour

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC LAS VEGAS – Strawweight Kay Hansen was in line at Starbucks when UFC matchmakers called. Less than one week later, she had a new contract, octagon win and props from her MMA inspiration. Hansen spoke to reporters after her first-round armbar of Jinh Yu Frey on the prelims of UFC on ESPN 12, which took place on Saturday at UFC APEX. She spoke about former bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey – the reason she got into the sport – tweeting encouragement, one fan’s lucky bet, and more. Check out the video above.

Marcos DaMatta (right) was going to corner Alexandre Pantoja (center) in Abu Dhabi. | Photo via DaMatta's Instagram American Top Team jiu-jitsu coach Marcos “Parrumpinha” DaMatta might not be able to corner Amanda Ribas, Alexandre Pantoja and Arman Tsarukyan in Abu Dhabi. “Parrumpinha” is quarantined in a hotel room in Las Vegas after testing positive for COVID-19 on June 25, just days before UFC on ESPN 12 show in Las Vegas. DaMatta confirmed the news to MMA Fighting following a report from Combate. DaMatta was set to corner Luis Pena against Khama Worthy at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on June 27, but didn’t have contact with the fighter, therefore allowing "Violent Bob Ross" to go on and fight. Pena

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC Dan Hooker returned home to New Zealand following his five round war with Dustin Poirier but it will be at least two weeks before he can hug his family. As part of the travel restrictions set up by the government in his native country, the lightweight contender has to stay locked down in quarantine as part of the protocols for the coronavirus. After arriving back home, Hooker posted a photo on Twitter showing the social distancing required for his family to come see him. So close and yet so far! #familyovereverything pic.twitter.com/isfvXbZ6p5— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) June 30, 2020 New Zealand was one of the first countries to issue strict mandates to stop the spread of COVID-19. As

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC Between the Links returns with a special live edition. Mike Heck is joined by MMA Fighting’s Jose Youngs and fellow journalist Kristen King as they battle it out for the BTL interim title. This week, the panel will discuss the incredible UFC on ESPN 12 main event between Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker, Mike Perry’s victory over Mickey Gall in the co-main event, the best of the promotion’s five-fight card slate at the APEX, and a look ahead to “Fight Island.” Who will take on James Lynch next week to unify the most coveted title in MMA media? Find out at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT on Tuesday, June 30. Audio-only versions of

@danawhite, Twitter Dana White can’t wait for fans to see “Fight Island.” On Tuesday, the UFC President shared a first look at the testing procedure and developing infrastructure ahead of UFC 251 on July 11, the promotion’s return to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. That pay-per-view card marks the first “Fight Island”-branded event, and in the above clip, fans can see how the preparations are coming along. The short video touts 2004 COVID-19 tests being completed, apparently from June 15-June 24, as well as the level of medical assistance that will be available on the island. Regarding venue, its construction boasts some impressive numbers including 400,000 man hours, 350 tons of metal, and 650,000 square feet (approx. 6,900,000 square feet) of

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting If Conor McGregor is planning a comeback that would be news to his head coach. John Kavanagh, who has worked with Irish superstar before and during his run in the UFC, says as far as he’s concerned McGregor is abiding by his recent declaration that he’s retired from fighting with no plans to return. McGregor made the surprise announcement in early June just after UFC 250 came to an end and then later explaining that no fights being offered really interested him enough to compete again. Since that time, the former two-division UFC champion has stayed relatively quiet with no word on potentially returning to action. “Is Conor retired? Yes, he is as far as I can tell,” Kavanagh

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC Between the Links returns with a special live edition. Mike Heck is joined by MMA Fighting’s Jose Youngs and fellow journalist Kristen King as they battle it out for the BTL interim title. This week, the panel will discuss the incredible UFC on ESPN 12 main event between Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker, Mike Perry’s victory over Mickey Gall in the co-main event, the best of the promotion’s five-fight card slate at the APEX, and a look ahead to “Fight Island.” Who will take on James Lynch next week to unify the most coveted title in MMA media? Find out at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT on Tuesday, June 30. Audio-only versions of

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting Daniel Cormier has been waiting for his opportunity to settle the score with UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic ever since their rematch ended but a global pandemic and an eye surgery has delayed the fight for almost an entire year. In their first meeting in 2018. Cormier won with a first-round knockout but afterwards there were allegations that an eye poke occurred before the finish that may have altered the direction of the fight. Months later when Miocic was asked about the eye pokes in an interview with MMA Fighting, he declined to address it. Then came the rematch where Miocic exacted his revenge but once again the eye pokes apparently played a part with the Cleveland