UFC News
Terrance McKinney plans to silence the crowd at UFC 283 with a KO win over Ismael Bonfim: "I think it might be something crazy, fans should expect something insane"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Terrance McKinney has said his dream was to fight in Brazil and he now gets his wish at UFC 283. McKinney is set to face Ismael Bonfim at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although McKinney is fighting a UFC newcomer, he says the reason he took this fight is because it is in Brazil, which has been his dream to fight there.
Jon Jones lays out his goals for upcoming heavyweight run: "I'm guaranteeing the fans at least two more fights"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Jon Jones has laid out his ideal plan for his upcoming UFC heavyweight run. Jones is set to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 285 against Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup and it also marks the return of Jones who has not fought since 2020.
Conor McGregor gives Francis Ngannou advice after he was released from the UFC: "Correct representation is imperative"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Conor McGregor has shared some advice with Francis Ngannou. On Saturday, after Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight belt was reported, Dana White confirmed it and also announced Ngannou was released from the UFC. The news was surprising and on Tuesday, Ngannou spoke to The MMA Hour and said he was managing himself during the negotiations with the UFC.
Dana White slams critics concerned about brain damage in Power Slap league: "If you don't f*cking like it, don't watch it"
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2023
Dana White has a message for those concerned about brain damage in his upcoming Power Slap league. Last year, the UFC president announced his newest venture, as he revealed the Power Slap league. The new sport quickly received clearance from the Nevada State Athletic Commission to proceed. In the process, they established several rules for the upstart league, slated to hold events at the UFC Apex.
Leon Edwards admits he's rooting for Jorge Masvidal to secure title shot: "He just keeps losing so it’s hard to make the fight make sense"
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2023
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards is rooting for Jorge Masvidal’s success. ‘Gamebred’ has been out of action since his clash with Colby Covington last March at UFC 272. In that outing, Masvidal was dominated, losing by a lopsided unanimous decision. Weeks following the incident, he reportedly assaulted ‘Chaos’ in a Miami bar. He’s currently facing several charges in connection to the incident.
Francis Ngannou reveals plans to make boxing debut in July and names Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua as ideal opponents
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is preparing to make his boxing debut in July, and hopefully against a big name. ‘The Predator’ has been out of action since his heavyweight title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. Despite fighting with a devastating knee injury, Ngannou prevailed, using his wrestling en route to a unanimous decision victory last January.
Michael Bisping weighs in after Francis Ngannou parts ways with the UFC: “I think he’s mishandled that”
Susan Cox - January 17, 2023
Michael Bisping is weighing in after Francis Ngannou parts ways with the UFC. In a press conference last Saturday, January 14th, UFC President Dana White made the following statement:
Francis Ngannou unfazed by Dana White's comments, not ruling out a return to the UFC in the future: "Never say never"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Francis Ngannou wasn’t surprised by Dana White’s comments after it was announced he was released from the UFC. For months, it was reported that Ngannou and the UFC were in a contract dispute, but many were hopeful a deal would get done. However, on Saturday, it was revealed Jon Jones would face Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title and that Ngannou had been released from the UFC.
Francis Ngannou opens up on UFC departure, says he turned down around $8 million to fight Jon Jones: "They control the narrative"
Lewis Simpson - January 17, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has opened up on his departure from the UFC. On Saturday, UFC President Dana White announced that Ngannou had been stripped of his heavyweight title and released from the company after failing to agree on the terms of a new contract.
Aljamain Sterling believes Francis Ngannou made a mistake by parting ways with the UFC: “How much money is he gonna really generate from these other promotions?”
Susan Cox - January 17, 2023
Aljamain Sterling, the current bantamweight champion, believes Francis Ngannou made a mistake by parting ways with the UFC. The news that the UFC released the heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (17-3 MMA) made headlines in the MMA. ‘The Predator’ had not fought since defeating Ciryl Gane by unanimous decision in January of 2022 at UFC 270. The 36 year old is now officially a free agent.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 107 with Johnny Walker, Terrance McKinney, and Cody Stamann
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
The 107th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 263. We’re first joined by 12th-ranked UFC light heavyweight Johnny Walker (1:48). Next, UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney (13:47) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight Cody Stamann(23:48).
Coach explains that Francis Ngannou refused to be a “sellout” in UFC negotiations: “He’s not scared of anybody”
Harry Kettle - January 17, 2023
Xtreme Couture coach Eric Nicksick has hit back at UFC president Dana White following his claims regarding Francis Ngannou’s release. The news that Francis Ngannou was gone from the Ultimate Fighting Championship hit hard for the MMA community. The former UFC heavyweight champion is now set to explore other options outside of the promotion, and perhaps even outside of mixed martial arts.
Ciryl Gane does hilarious Nate Diaz impression ahead of UFC 285
Zain Bando - January 16, 2023
Ciryl Gane is on the verge of making history, as a win against Jon Jones March 4 will make him the first vacant heavyweight champion since the division’s inception in 1997. With the fight almost two months away, Gane is embracing his second crack at championship gold, as he fell short against ex-heavyweight champion and UFC superstar, Francis Ngannou, in Jan. 2022.
What's next for Sean Strickland and Nassourdine Imavov after UFC Vegas 67?
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2023
In the UFC’s first event of 2023, a light heavyweight bout headlined the card as Sean Strickland stepped up on short notice to take on Nassourdine Imavov. Strickland lost a split decision to Jared Cannonier in the final event of 2022 and decided to step up on a few days’ notice to try and get back in the win column. Prior to his loss to the ‘Killa Gorilla’, Sean had been knocked out by Alex Pereira in a potential title eliminator. Imavov, meanwhile, entered the fight on a three-fight winning streak to earn his first UFC main event.
Aljamain Sterling hopeful Henry Cejduo waits for him, but isn't mad if he takes "the easier fight" against Sean O'Malley
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2023
Aljamain Sterling wants to fight Henry Cejudo next but understands if ‘Triple C’ decides to face Sean O’Malley instead. Sterling and Cejudo have been taking shots at each other for quite some time and both said they agreed to fight one another on March 4 at UFC 285. However, Sterling then revealed he had a torn bicep and wanted to get that fixed before taking a fight.
Deiveson Figueiredo reveals plans to move to bantamweight as long as Henry Cejudo isn't champion: "He's my brother"
Josh Evanoff - January 16, 2023
UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo could be headed to bantamweight after this Saturday. ‘Deus Da Guerra’ has been out of action since his trilogy matchup with Brandon Moreno at UFC 270 last January. In that outing, the Brazilian made it 1-1-1 in the series, defeating ‘The Assassin Baby’ by unanimous decision. In the process, Figueiredo also reclaimed his 125-pound gold.
Jon Jones' manager says 'Bones' will be "the highest-paid heavyweight" in UFC history when he returns at UFC 285
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2023
Jon Jones will be the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC history when he makes his return at UFC 285. On Saturday, it was announced that Jones would be making his heavyweight debut for the vacant title at UFC 285 against Ciryl Gane. It’s a massive fight for the promotion and ‘Bones’ is getting paid for it as Jones’ manager says he is now the highest-paid heavyweight in history.
Paddy Pimblett expected to be out of action for foreseeable future due to ankle surgery in March
Josh Evanoff - January 16, 2023
Don’t expect UFC lightweight prospect Paddy Pimblett to fight anytime soon. ‘The Baddy’ has been out of action since his clash with Jared Gordon at UFC 282 in December. Despite being a heavy favorite against ‘Flash’, Pimblett faced a lot of adversity. Throughout the majority of the contest, Gordon was seemingly in control.