UFC News
Charles Oliveira targeting return in March or April to earn rematch against Islam Makhachev: "I'm one fight away from him"
Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2023
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is gearing up for a busy year. ‘Do Bronx’ has been out of action since his lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 in October. The Brazilian was famously previously stripped of his 155-pound championship in May, prior to a title defense against Justin Gaethje.
Rafael Fiziev says he'll be "shocked" if Justin Gaethje fight doesn't happen in March: "When the UFC wants it, they make it happen"
Cole Shelton - January 10, 2023
Rafael Fiziev is confident he will fight Justin Gaethje his next time out. Fiziev has called out Gaethje in the past and ‘The Highlight’ has expressed some interest in the fight as well, but to date it hasn’t come to fruition. Although it hasn’t been booked yet, Fiziev says Dana White and the UFC have told him they want to schedule the contest to take place in March.
Sean O’Malley reacts to news that UFC champion Aljamain Sterling has a torn bicep: “If that’s the case let me beat up Henry”
Susan Cox - January 10, 2023
Sean O’Malley is reacting to the news that UFC champion Aljamain Sterling has a torn bicep. Sterling (22-3 MMA) has not competed since last October at UFC 280 where he defeated T.J. Dillashaw (17-5 MMA) via TKO. With that win, the 33-year-old has an impressive record of 8 consecutive wins in the Octagon.
The CA Legislative Women’s Caucus demand that parent company Endeavour removes Dana White as UFC President
Lewis Simpson - January 10, 2023
Since the new year began, UFC President Dana White has been doing the rounds in the media for all the wrong reasons. While in a nightclub in Cabo, White was spotted slapping his wife Anne in footage released by TMZ. White has since taken accountability for his actions, labelling it as “embarrassing”. His wife has also made a statement revealing it’s “out of character” from the UFC boss.
Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub reacts to “brilliant” Jake Paul signing with the PFL: “He’s doing the lord’s work”
Susan Cox - January 10, 2023
Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub is reacting to the ‘brilliant’ move in Jake Paul signing with the PFL. It was recently announced that Jake Paul was joining the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and will make his debut in the sport in 2023.
Conor McGregor unloads on “scruff” Kelvin Gastelum over his UFC Vegas 67 withdrawal: “Clean your mats. Wash yourself”
Susan Cox - January 10, 2023
Conor McGregor has unloaded on ‘scruff’ Kelvin Gastelum over his UFC Vegas 67 withdrawal. UFC Vegas 67 takes place this coming Saturday night, January 14th, at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 106 with Dan Ige, Damon Jackson, and Isaac Dulgarian
Cole Shelton - January 10, 2023
The 106th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 67. We’re first joined by 13th-ranked UFC featherweight Dan Ige (1:54). Next, UFC featherweight Damon Jackson (28:11) then comes on. Closing out the program is UFC featherweight Isaac Dulgarian (40:04).
UFC champion Aljamain Sterling explains why his fight with Henry Cejudo is being delayed: “It’s whether or not I can compete with this torn bicep again”
Harry Kettle - January 10, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has explained why his proposed fight with Henry Cejudo may have to be delayed. For the longest time now, there’s been a lot of talk surrounding Aljamain Sterling fighting Henry Cejudo. ‘Triple C’ has been retired for almost three years but despite that, he seems poised to walk back into another crack at the 135-pound belt.
Joe Rogan explains why fighters who feel effects from CTE still continue to compete: “It's so above and beyond normal life experiences”
Harry Kettle - January 10, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has explained why he believes fighters carry on competing despite feeling the extreme effects. The impact of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) has been well documented across the last decade and beyond. Whether it be in the NFL or combat sports, a parade of athletes have been posthumously diagnosed with the condition that impacts the brain.
Kevin Lee explains how he would be “hurting” his “leverage” by returning to the UFC right now
Harry Kettle - January 10, 2023
Kevin Lee has explained how returning to the Ultimate Fighting Championship right now would hurt his leverage. It’s been a while since we saw Kevin Lee in the UFC. The former lightweight title challenger left the company in late 2021 after suffering a loss to Daniel Rodriguez. Ever since then, he’s only had one fight – defeating Diego Sanchez in Eagle FC last March.
Mike Jackson among two fighters removed from UFC roster
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2023
Mike Jackson, who once fought CM Punk, has been removed from the UFC roster. Twitter account, UFC Roster Watch, which tracks who is added or removed from the UFC roster has revealed Mike Jackson and Leah Letson are no longer on the roster.
Adrian Yanez warns Rob Font of thinking he is a tune-up fight: "It's going to be far more than a tune-up, he has to be ready for war"
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2023
Adrian Yanez was glad to finally be booked against Rob Font. After Yanez knocked out Tony Kelley in June at UFC Austin, a month later he was in discussions to fight Rob Font at Madison Square Garden. Yet, it never came to fruition, and Yanez was offered some different opponents but those too never happened.
Kelvin Gastelum issues statement after being forced to withdraw from UFC Vegas 67 main event
Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2023
Middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum has released a statement after being forced out of UFC Vegas 67. The former UFC title challenger has been out of action since a decision loss to Jared Cannonier in August 2021. That defeat was a brutal one, as it set him back to 1-5 in his last six contests. He previously lost to names such as Robert Whittaker, and Darren Till in that stretch.
Terrance McKinney calls to face Paddy Pimblett next: "The way he blocked Jared's punches with his chin was impressive"
Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2023
UFC lightweight prospect Terrance McKinney would like to face ‘The Baddy’ next. ‘T Wrecks’ has been out of action since his submission victory over Erick Gonzalez in August. That victory helped spring the 28-year-old back into the win column after suffering his first promotional loss to Drew Dober last March.
Kelvin Gastelum forced out of UFC Vegas 67, Sean Strickland vs. Nassourdine Imavov now headlines the event
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2023
Sean Strickland will be headlining back-to-back UFC events. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Strickland is set to replace the injured Kelvin Gastelum against Nassourdine Imavov and will headline UFC Vegas 67. With Strickland taking the fight on short notice, the scrap will be held at light heavyweight, according to the report.
Former UFC champion Jose Aldo and his wife reportedly caught up in scandal involving government handouts
Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2023
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is now once again back in hot water. ‘Junior’ retired from MMA following a loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278 last August. Prior to the bout, the Brazilian stated that he would retire if he loses, as he was disinterested in fighting for anything but titles. After UFC 278, he kept his word and retired.
Dustin Poirier still hopeful Michael Chandler will be "honest" about what he did at UFC 281: "I don’t want an apology. It doesn’t mean anything to me"
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2023
Dustin Poirier wants Michael Chandler to tell the truth. At UFC 281, Poirier and Chandler fought in a highly-anticipated bout that lived up to expectations. It was a back-and-forth war but in the third round, Poirier got the submission which he was pleased with.
Josh Thomson shares the one fighter capable of dethroning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev: “He's the only one”
Susan Cox - January 9, 2023
Josh Thomson is sharing the one fighter he feels is capable of dethroning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Islam Makhachev (23-1 MMA) is set to battle it out with featherweight title holder Alexander Volkanovski (25-1 MMA) on Saturday, February 11th at UFC 284. The lightweight main event title bout will take place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.