UFC News
Jorge Masvidal calls for summer scrap with Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - March 22, 2019
Fresh off a stellar knockout victory over British welterweight contender Darren Till, Jorge Masvidal is now targeting a showdown with former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor. Jorge Masvidal made this callout on Twitter, offering McGregor one of his patented three-piece combos. He even offered to serve this dish in McGregor’s native Ireland.
Anthony Pettis explains why he won't fight Ben Askren
Tom Taylor - March 22, 2019
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis is set to debut in the welterweight division tomorrow night, as he’s scheduled to battle Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in the main event of UFC Nashville on ESPN+. If Pettis can spring the upset on Wonderboy, it will open the door to dozens of exciting matchups in the stacked UFC welterweight division. One matchup that seems to be off the table for Pettis, however, is a pairing with fellow Roufusport talent Ben Askren.
Frank Shamrock responds to reports of animal cruelty investigation
Tom Taylor - March 22, 2019
On Thursday night, WFAA-TV in Dallas reported that inaugural UFC light heavyweight champion Frank Shamrock was being investigated for animal cruelty after tying his mother’s dog Zelda to the back of a parked pickup truck and abandoning it at an airport for five days. Shamrock actually admitted to this incident, explaining that he first tried to find a home for the dog, and only decided to forsake the animal, which he says has a “goofy hip,” when he was unable to find a more suitable alternative.
Yoel Romero explains what he wants to accomplish before moving to light heavyweight
Tom Taylor - March 22, 2019
It’s previously been suggested that former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero could soon move up to the 205 pound light heavyweight division. From the sounds of it, however, Romero will not be making that move any time soon. His first priority, he says, is capturing gold in his current division.
EXCLUSIVE | Steven Peterson out to prove he's more violent than Luis Pena
Cole Shelton - March 22, 2019
At UFC Nashville, fan favorite Luis Pena will be moving down from 155lbs to 145lbs to take on Steven Peterson. ‘Violent Bob Ross’ was already a big 155’er, and Peterson thinks the weight cut will be a mistake for Pena.
EXCLUSIVE | ATT owner Dan Lambert discusses what's next for Amanda Nunes
Cole Shelton - March 22, 2019
Back at UFC 232 in December, Amanda Nunes shocked the world. Nunes was the reigning bantamweight champion and was moving up to featherweight to take on long-time champion Cris Cyborg. In this new division, Nunes knocked Cyborg out in just 51 seconds and became the first woman in UFC history to hold titles in two divisions simultaneously.
If he beats Anthony Pettis at UFC Nashville, Stephen Thompson wants fight with Robbie Lawler next
James Lynch - March 22, 2019
Stephen Thompson still has Robbie Lawler on his mind “Wonderboy” asked for a fight with “Ruthless” last year only instead to see Lawler face off against Ben Askren at UFC 235. While he still needs to take care of business against Anthony Pettis this Saturday, Thompson is still interested in that fight and would love for that matchup to take place close to home.
Tyron Woodley feels timing is perfect for showdown with Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - March 22, 2019
Conor McGregor recently divulged that he’s in negotiations for a return to the cage this July, but that he’s also still seeking an ownership stake in the UFC. Former UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley, who just lost the title to Kamaru Usman, doesn’t believe McGregor is in a position to be making these kinds of demands. In an interview with TMZ, Woodley suggested McGregor fight him first. If the Irishman is able to clear that huge hurdle, he’ll be in a much more favorable position.
UFC 236 | Dustin Poirier confident he can finish Max Holloway again
Cole Shelton - March 21, 2019
In the main event of UFC 236, Dustin Poirier is set to fight for the interim lightweight title against Max Holloway. It will be the rematch of their first fight, which saw Poirier beat Holloway by submission in the first round. Since that fight, the two have gone their separate ways with Holloway staying at featherweight and becoming the champion, while Poirier moved up to lightweight and has become a top contender.
Pedro Munhoz campaigns for bantamweight title fight with fellow contender Marlon Moraes
Tom Taylor - March 21, 2019
Now that TJ Dillashaw has vacated the UFC bantamweight title, the big question is which two fighters will compete in order to crown a new champion. Pedro Munhoz is hoping to be one of those fighters. Munhoz campaigned for a bantamweight title fight against streaking contender Marlon Moraes on Twitter, promising UFC President Dana White an instant classic if he books the bout.
Miesha Tate offers possible explanation for TJ Dillashaw drug test finding
Tom Taylor - March 21, 2019
Early on Wednesday morning, TJ Dillashaw took to Instagram to announce that he was vacating the UFC bantamweight title because one of his UFC Brooklyn drug tests turned up an ‘adverse’ finding. Former UFC bantamweight champ Miesha Tate believes Dillashaw’s situation could be similar to that of Jon Jones, in that his failed drug test could be the product of his previous ingestion of banned substance, rather than recent ingestion.
EXCLUSIVE | Colby Covington explains how his altercation with Abdelaziz and Usman started
Cole Shelton - March 21, 2019
Colby Covington didn’t fight at UFC 235, yet he still managed to generate many of the event’s biggest headlines. The day after the event, for example, video was released of Covington, Ali Abdelaziz, and Kamaru Usman getting into an altercation in the Palms Casino and Resort (see it here).
Aljamain Sterling blasts UFC for uncertainty at 125, 135
Tom Taylor - March 21, 2019
Things are very uncertain in the UFC flyweight and bantamweight divisions at present. At flyweight, reigning champ Henry Cejudo is floating the idea of moving up to bantamweight, while there’s also been rampant talk of shutting down his division altogether.
Dana White lists the fighters he expects to become big UFC stars
Cole Shelton - March 21, 2019
A common complaint UFC fans have is that there aren’t many huge MMA stars at the moment. It’s a recurring complaint, with Ronda Rousey leaving the spot, Brock Lesnar in the WWE and Conor McGregor fighting so infrequently. However, UFC President Dana White does not agree with these claims. Rather, he says there is a ton of up and coming prospects that will soon turn into stars.
Jimi Manuwa gives timeframe for Octagon return
James Lynch - March 21, 2019
Jimi Manuwa is still on the mend but has a clear idea of when we’ll likely see him compete next. The light heavyweight has been sidelined for the last few months with a groin injury but is targeting a return on the UFC on ESPN+10 card in Sweden, which takes place on June 1.
Holly Holm inks new UFC deal
Tom Taylor - March 21, 2019
Former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm isn’t going anywhere. The former champ was down to the last two obligations on her current UFC deal, but has reportedly inked a new, six-fight deal with the Las Vegas based promotion. This news was first reported by ESPN and subsequently verified by Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting, who spoke with Holm’s manager Lenny Fresquez.
EXCLUSIVE | Pro fighters make their picks for Anthony Pettis vs Stephen Thompson fight
Cole Shelton - March 21, 2019
The Octagon heads to Nashville, Tennessee this weekend, with a very interesting welterweight matchup in the main event. Former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis will be moving up in weight to challenge former welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson. Ahead of this welterweight fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight.
Henry Cejudo and Marlon Moraes trade barbs in wake of bantamweight title being vacated
Drake Riggs - March 20, 2019
The UFC bantamweight division was flipped on its head today as TJ Dillashaw was notified of a potential USADA violation thus resulting in a one-year suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission. Because of that, the bantamweight champion relinquished his title thus making it vacant for a new champion to be decided in the next fight for the crown.