UFC News
USADA announces their partnership with the UFC will end in January 2024
Cole Shelton - October 11, 2023
USADA will no longer be working with the UFC. USADA has been partnered with the UFC since 2015 administering drug tests, and Dana White has said it has been a huge help in cleaning up and legalizing the sport. However, in shocking news, USADA took to social media to announce that their partnership with the Las Vegas-based promotion is over, starting on Jan. 1, 2024, and it has to do with Conor McGregor.
Dana White announces Kamaru Usman will replace Paulo Costa and face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294
Cole Shelton - October 11, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White has announced that Kamaru Usman will fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. On Tuesday after the Contender Series, White said it was a possibility the fight was off. Now, after Costa confirmed on social media he was out of the fight, the UFC CEO took to Instagram to announce that Usman will be the replacement opponent for the Brazilian and face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 next Saturday.
Paulo Costa claims the doctors won't "allow me to fight" Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294
Cole Shelton - October 11, 2023
Paulo Costa claims the doctors have pulled him from his UFC 294 fight against Khamzat Chimaev. Costa took to Instagram earlier this week to announce he had surgery three weeks out but still was adamant he would fight. However, on Tuesday following the Contender Series, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that it was possible the fight was off and he would know in a few hours.
Sodiq Yusuff plans to have "a striking fest" with Edson Barboza at UFC Vegas 81: "I don't think me or Edson are planning on going five rounds"
Cole Shelton - October 11, 2023
Sodiq Yusuff is thrilled to be headlining his first UFC main event. Yusuff hasn’t fought since October of last year when he beat Don Shainis by submission in 30 seconds. After the win, Sodiq wanted a quick turnaround. But unfortunately, just a week or two after the fight he suffered a serious back injury.
UFC CEO Dana White announces he has hired a new matchmaker to book fights: “I just hired Joe”
Susan Cox - October 11, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White has announced he has hired a new matchmaker to book fights. White posted to ‘Instagram’ a message along with a video of himself and Joe with the caption:
Islam Makhachev reacts to Alexander Volkanovski replacing Charles Oliveira at UFC 294
Susan Cox - October 11, 2023
Islam Makhachev is reacting to Alexander Volkanovski replacing Charles Oliveira at UFC 294. UFC 294 takes place on Saturday October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Jon Jones says he feels “strong like a lion” despite having been thrown some “wild distractions” by the enemy ahead of UFC 295
Susan Cox - October 11, 2023
Jon Jones is saying he feels ‘strong like a lion’ despite having been thrown some ‘wild distractions’ by the enemy ahead of UFC 295. UFC 295 will take place on Saturday, November 11th at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Headlining the event is a heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones (27-1 MMA) and Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA).
Sean O’Malley responds after Alexandre Pantoja claims he “doesn’t want to show the world” their sparring footage
Harry Kettle - October 11, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has responded to Alexandre Pantoja’s suggestion that he doesn’t want to show people their past sparring footage. Sean O’Malley and Alexandre Pantoja, in their own ways, are considered to be surprise champions as we near the end of 2023. O’Malley was seen as an underdog against Aljamain Sterling, and many were also surprised to see Pantoja overcome Brandon Moreno.
Dana White says the Khamzat Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa fight is now in jeopardy for UFC 294
Harry Kettle - October 11, 2023
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that the Khamzat Chimaev vs Paulo Costa fight is now in jeopardy for UFC 294. Just a few hours ago, it was announced that Alexander Volkanovski will be replacing Charles Oliveira in a rematch against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294. Now, in addition to that, there are rumors circulating regarding the well-being of Paulo Costa. The Brazilian announced recently that he had elbow surgery just a matter of weeks ago, leaving many to wonder whether or not he’d be able to make it to fight night.
Dana White explains why Charles Oliveira is out of UFC 294 and how the new main event came together
Harry Kettle - October 11, 2023
UFC president Dana White has explained why Charles Oliveira is now out of the UFC 294 main event. Just a matter of hours ago, news broke that Charles Oliveira will no longer be competing at UFC 294. Instead, it’ll be Alexander Volkanovski who challenges Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. It serves as quite the turn of events in the division, with many wondering what exactly went down to warrant ‘Do Bronx’ pulling out.
Islam Makhachev set to rematch Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 with Charles Oliveira out
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2023
Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski are set to run it back in the main event of UFC 294. The folks at the Overdogs Podcast just announced that Charles Oliveira is out of his lightweight title fight on Oct. 21 in Abu Dhabi against Makhachev, and Volkanovski has agreed to step in on short notice to rematch Makhachev in less than two weeks. ESPN has since confirmed the news.
Conor McGregor addresses his long layoff: “There was political shadiness going on in the background”
Zain Bando - October 10, 2023
Conor McGregor, former UFC double-champion, makes very few public media appearances when he’s inactive. But when he does, it garners buzz and intrigue like any other major sporting figure. McGregor has yet to compete since losing back-to-back fights against Dustin Poirier in 2021 and has not won in the Octagon since a 46-second stoppage victory over Donald Cerrone in January of 2020.
Logan Paul issues lengthy response to Brendan Schaub after being accused of breaking the first rule of fight club
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2023
Logan Paul has fired back at Brendan Schaub. Paul is set to return to the boxing ring on Saturday, Oct. 14 in Manchester, England as he faces Dillon Danis. In the lead-up to the fight, Danis has been posting unflattering photos of Paul’s fiancée Nina Agdal with other men. It has gone on for so long that Agdal is now suing Danis which Schaub isn’t a fan of.
Dan Hooker explains why he wants to fight Mateusz Gamrot his next time out
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2023
Dan Hooker is hoping to return to the Octagon against Mateusz Gamrot his next time out. Hooker is coming off a decision win over Jalin Turner but suffered a broken arm in the fight. It was expected that ‘The Hangman’ would be out for the rest of the year, but he has recovered ahead of schedule and is ready to return.
Aljamain Sterling believes “there's a very good chance” Marlon Vera defeats Sean O’Malley for a second time
Susan Cox - October 10, 2023
Aljamain Sterling believes ‘there’s a very good chance’ Marlon Vera defeats Sean O’Malley. Sean O’Malley (17-1 MMA) is expected to rematch with Marlon Vera (23-8 MMA) in his first title defence.
Khamzat Chimaev accused of “sabotaging” Paulo Costa fight camp ahead of UFC 294
Susan Cox - October 10, 2023
Khamzat Chimaev is being accused of ‘sabotaging’ Paulo Costa fight camp ahead of UFC 294. UFC 294 takes place on Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The co-main event will feature Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA) going up against Khamzat Chimaev (12-0 MMA) in a middleweight bout.
Gordon Ryan suggests Jon Jones will “leave the sport at the top” following his fight with Stipe Miocic at UFC 295
Harry Kettle - October 10, 2023
Grappling sensation Gordon Ryan has hinted that Jon Jones will retire from mixed martial arts after UFC 295. Next month at UFC 295, Jon Jones will defend his UFC heavyweight championship against Stipe Miocic. If he wins, many believe Jones will cement his status as the greatest of all time. In fact, some already believe he holds that distinction. In order to get ready for the contest, ‘Bones’ is doing everything in his power to improve in training, which includes rolling with BJJ star Gordon Ryan.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 142 with Sodiq Yusuff, Adrian Yanez, and Ashley Yoder
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2023
The 142nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 81 this Saturday. We’re first joined by 11th-ranked UFC featherweight Sodiq Yusuf (1:18). Next, 14th-ranked UFC bantamweight Adrian Yanez (16:31) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC strawweight Ashley Yoder (38:21).