UFC News
EXCLUSIVE | Alexander Hernandez has the 'purpose', 'passion', and 'focus' to become a champion
Mike Straus - January 11, 2019
Few fighters have made as big of an impact in such a short time as the rising lightweight contender, Alexander ‘The Great’ Hernandez. Hernandez will make the walk to the Octagon for just the third time when he faces Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at UFC Brooklyn on January 19. However, the 26-year-old exhibits a cool confident demeanor well beyond his years.
Jon Jones reacts to estimated UFC 232 PPV buys and then proceeds to delete post
Christopher Taylor - January 11, 2019
Jon Jones captured the promotions vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 232, defeating Alexander Gustafsson via third-round knockout in Los Angeles. The victory improved Jon Jones overall record to a sensational 23-1, with his lone career setback coming via disqualification – this after he landed illegal elbows on Matt Hamill at the TUF 10 Finale event in 2009.
Report | UFC returns to Russia in April, Alistair Overeem projected to face Alexander Volkov
Drake Riggs - January 11, 2019
September 15, 2018, marked the UFC’s very first trip over to Russia. This, of course, was just the continuation of the European expansion for the worldwide leader in MMA as the second event in the promotion’s history is set. According to MMA Team Dagestan, the UFC will hold their second event in Russia in St Petersburg on April 20. The venue name was not listed, but it is to be in the newest stadium in St Petersburg that can hold up to 80,000 people. The event will be aired on ESPN+.
Dustin Poirier targets Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson
Tom Taylor - January 11, 2019
Currently on an impressive four-fight unbeaten streak, and with just one loss in his last nine fights, Dustin Poirier is irrefutably one of the top contenders in the crowded UFC lightweight division. In fact, were it not for the existence of long-time contender Tony Ferguson, Poirier would most definitely be the next man in line for reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Speaking on Twitter on Thursday and Friday, Dustin Poirier looked to remind the world of his status as a top lightweight contender, calling both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson out for fights.
Justin Gaethje is 'f***ing pissed,' targets Edson Barboza, Al Iaquinta
Tom Taylor - January 11, 2019
Former World Series of Fighting lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has not fought since August 25. Gaethje was initially supposed to fight Al Iaquinta on that night, but when Iaquinta withdrew from the fight, he accepted a fight with the lower ranked James Vick. He won this fight with a devastating first-round knockout, and hasn’t been back in the cage since. He seems to be tired of waiting.
Firas Zahabi responds to Conor McGregor: It was nothing personal
Tom Taylor - January 11, 2019
Earlier this week, Tristar head coach Firas Zahabi shared his belief that, if Conor McGregor were to rematch Max Holloway in 2019, the latter would come out on top. “If I had to pick Max Holloway vs. McGregor today, I would pick Max Holloway,” Zahabi said on his podcast. “I think Holloway has grown leaps and bounds since then. In my opinion, Holloway would out-punch him, outwork him. He would do very much what Diaz did [to Conor McGregor], but more,” he said. “I think McGregor got away with a lot of stuff, like the leg kicks against Diaz, but I don’t think he’ll have that against Holloway.”
Manager explains what it will take for Colby Covington to accept Darren Till fight
James Lynch - January 11, 2019
BJPenn.com’s Chris Taylor broke the news earlier this week that UFC officials are looking to book Colby Covington against Darren Till at UFC London on March 17. However Covington’s manager and American Top Team owner Dan Lambert told Fightful that the only way that fight would happen is if gold is on the line. In addition, he’d rather see Covington fight the winner of the upcoming UFC 235 title fight between champ Tyron Woodley and challenger Kamaru Usman.
EXCLUSIVE | Coach Javier Mendez believes Ngannou is one of the most dangerous fights for Cain Velasquez
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2019
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is back. Velasquez is set to return to the Octagon on Feb. 17 against Francis Ngannou. The former champ was last seen at UFC 200 where he defeated Travis Browne by TKO in the first round. Despite this lengthy absence, he is once again on the hunt for the heavyweight belt.
UFC 232 does second biggest PPV buy-rate of 2018
Tom Taylor - January 11, 2019
UFC 232 was a massive success in terms of pay-per-view sales. According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, this stacked card sold roughly 700,000 pay-per-views.
Khabib Nurmagomedov borrows famous Conor McGregor quote on social media
Tom Taylor - January 11, 2019
Shortly after Conor McGregor defeated Dustin Poirier at UFC 178 in 2014, he proclaimed to his throngs of Irish fans in attendance “if one of us goes to war, we all go to war!” It’s one of the best one known quotes from the trash-talking Irish superstar, and one that’s now been borrowed by his arch rival Khabib Nurmagomedov — with a twist.
Daniel Cormier gives beautiful answer when asked what he'll miss most about fighting
Tom Taylor - January 11, 2019
Speaking on the on the Jim Rome Podcast this week, UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier was asked what he’ll miss most about fighting when he retires — whether that’s in March as originally planned, or a little later. His answer was incredible.
Bruce Buffer suggests Daniel Cormier should retire in favor of a trilogy bout with Jon Jones
Christopher Taylor - January 10, 2019
UFC announcer Bruce Buffer doesn’t think a trilogy fight between bitter rivals Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier “should happen”. The long time voice of the octagon, Buffer, shared his thoughts on the matter during a recent interview with Express Sport.
Anderson Silva in favor of bringing back testosterone replacement therapy usage
Drake Riggs - January 10, 2019
It has been roughly two whole years since we last saw Anderson Silva step into the Octagon. ‘The Spider’ last fought at UFC 208 which took place in Brooklyn, New York on February 11, 2017. He would defeat Derek Brunson via close and controversial unanimous decision.
Darren Till still wants Conor McGregor next, says 'Proper 12 is sh*te'
Drake Riggs - January 10, 2019
Liverpool’s finest fighting son is the No. 3 ranked UFC welterweight contender, ‘The Gorilla’ Darren Till. We haven’t seen Till compete inside the Octagon since September when he challenged Tyron Woodley for the division’s title at UFC 228.
UFC Brooklyn loses two fighters to injury with just a week away from fight night
Drake Riggs - January 10, 2019
It’s been a bit of a rough journey to get to the UFC’s very first show on ESPN programming. First, there was the trouble finding the main event which resulted in the UFC pulling UFC 233’s main event to put it on UFC Brooklyn (the first show on ESPN+). This led to the cancelation of UFC 233 entirely.
Dominick Reyes believes Anthony Smith can defeat Jon Jones at UFC 235
Mike Pendleton - January 10, 2019
As Jon Jones returns to the top of the light heavyweight division as champion, he has seen and heard from new names and faces coming after the belt. One of those fresh faces will be his next opponent Anthony Smith, who Jones is scheduled to defend his title against in the main event slot at UFC 235, on March 2, in Las Vegas. While many, including the oddsmakers, believe this matchup will look very one-sided for the champion, Anthony Smith and others don’t seem to be intimidated by Jones.
Joe Rogan compares legacies of Jon Jones and Demetrious Johnson
Tom Taylor - January 10, 2019
Speaking on the latest edition of the Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show, UFC commentator Joe Rogan began heaping praise on former UFC flyweight champ and new ONE Championship star Demetrious Johnson. In Rogan’s eyes, the man they call “Mighty Mouse” is simply the best ever.
EXCLUSIVE | Jason Knight released by the UFC
Cole Shelton - January 10, 2019
Jason Knight has been released by the UFC. “They cut me after that last loss,” Knight told BJPENN.com this week.