UFC News
Conor McGregor reacts after Israel Adesanya announces he is taking a long layoff from fighting
Josh Evanoff - October 13, 2023
Former UFC dual-weight champion Conor McGregor is happy to see Israel Adesanya take some time off. ‘The Last Stylebender’ has been out of action since a title defense against Sean Strickland last month at UFC 293. ‘Tarzan’ scored one of the biggest upsets in MMA history that night, knocking down Israel Adesanya in round one. From there it was academic, as he coasted to a unanimous decision victory.
UFC Vegas 81: ‘Yusuff vs. Barboza’ Weigh-in Results - 1 Fighter Misses Weight
Susan Cox - October 13, 2023
UFC Vegas 81: ‘Yusuff vs. Barboza’ takes place tomorrow, Saturday, October 14th at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Main Card can be viewed on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET, with the Prelims starting on ESPN+ at 4 p.m. ET. Featherweights Sodiq Yusuff (13-2 MMA) and Edson Barboza (23-11 MMA) are headlining the event.
Israel Adesanya says fans won't see him fight “for a long time" following loss to Sean Strickland
Cole Shelton - October 13, 2023
Israel Adesanya plans to take some time off after losing is middleweight title to Sean Strickland last month. Adesanya suffered a stunning decision loss to Strickland back at UFC 293 in Australia to lose his title. ‘The Last Stylebender’ was dominated in the fight as he lost 49-46 on all three judges’ scorecards, including being dropped in the first round.
Alexander Volkanovski is not feeling any pressure ahead of UFC 294: “If anyone can do this on 12 day’s notice it’s me”
Susan Cox - October 13, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski is not feeling any pressure ahead of UFC 294. UFC 294 takes place on Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Video | Khamzat Chimaev shares training footage ahead of UFC 294 fight with Kamaru Usman
Harry Kettle - October 13, 2023
Khamzat Chimaev has shared some of his training footage ahead of his fight against Kamaru Usman next weekend. Next Saturday night at UFC 294, Khamzat Chimaev will battle Kamaru Usman. He was initially scheduled to take on Paulo Costa, however, an injury ruled the Brazilian out of the bout. Now, Usman is stepping up to the plate as he attempts to get back on the winning trail following consecutive losses to Leon Edwards at welterweight.
Robert Whittaker shares his take on Alexander Volkanovski accepting a short notice rematch with Islam Makhachev at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - October 13, 2023
Robert Whittaker has given his thoughts on Alexander Volkanovski taking on Islam Makhachev on short notice at UFC 294. Next weekend at UFC 294, Alexander Volkanovski will challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. It will serve as the second time he’s done so, following a tight decision win for Islam earlier this year.
Islam Makhachev's coach expects Alexander Volkanovski will “take more chances” in upcoming rematch at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - October 13, 2023
Islam Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez has given his thoughts on what Alexander Volkanovski may do differently at UFC 294. Next weekend, on short notice, Alexander Volkanovski will step in for the injured Charles Oliveira and challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. It will serve as his second attempt at claiming Makhachev’s belt following a close decision defeat earlier this year.
Belal Muhammad believes Colby Covington will retire if he loses to Leon Edwards at UFC 296
Susan Cox - October 12, 2023
Belal Muhammad believes Colby Covington will retire should he lose to Leon Edwards at UFC 296. UFC 296 takes place on Saturday, December 16th at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
After a "rough two years" Ashley Yoder is "excited" to finally fight again as she faces Emily Ducote at UFC Vegas 81
Cole Shelton - October 12, 2023
Ashley Yoder is finally ready to fight. Yoder hasn’t fought since July of 2021 when she lost to Jinh Yu Frey by decision to drop her to 8-8 as a pro and 3-7 in the UFC. Since then, Yoder had an injury that resulted in surgeries, as well as filming a yet-to-be-released reality TV show.
Pro fighters make their picks for Sodiq Yusuff vs. Edson Barboza
Cole Shelton - October 12, 2023
In the main event of UFC Vegas 81, top-15 featherweights throw down as Sodiq Yusuff takes on Edson Barboza from the UFC Apex on Saturday night. Heading into the fight, Yusuff is a -178 favorite while the Brazilian is a +138 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. Most fighters are looking forward to this one, but they believe Edson Barboza will continue to prove age is just a number and beat Sodiq Yusuff at UFC Vegas 81.
UFC's Hunter Campbell claims USADA may be "legally liable" for what they did to Conor McGregor
Cole Shelton - October 12, 2023
Hunter Campbell, a UFC executive, didn’t like what USADA did to Conor McGregor. After Conor McGregor broke his leg, it was well-documented that he was out of the USADA testing pool. As it got closer to him making a return, the Irishman claimed being in the testing pool for six months didn’t matter and he would fight when he wanted to.
UFC books first Saudi Arabia fight night for March 2024, Conor McGregor reacts: "I am honored!"
Josh Evanoff - October 12, 2023
The UFC is heading to Saudi Arabia next year, and Conor McGregor is already a fan of the deal. The country’s PIF is infamously being used to help boost its economy. Already, Saudi Arabia has massive deals with the PGA, and the WWE, and has also attracted multiple boxing matches there. Later this month, Francis Ngannou will travel to the country to face Tyson Fury, for example.
Bo Nickal disappointed by Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev announcement: "Everyone knows I want that fight"
Josh Evanoff - October 12, 2023
UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal is admittedly disappointed by Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kamaru Usman. ‘Borz’ was scheduled to face Paulo Costa at UFC 294 later this month on pay-per-view. The fight was set to be Khamzat Chimaev’s first in over a year, submitting Kevin Holland last September. However, as many fans are likely aware, the Brazilian was forced out of action due to an elbow injury.
Dana White unloads on "scumbag” USADA following their announcement that their partnership is over
Cole Shelton - October 12, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White has unloaded on USADA. On Wednesday, USADA issued a press release announcing Conor McGregor is back in the testing pool. However, the bigger news was the fact that USADA wrote their partnership with the UFC is over effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Henry Cejudo continues to take aim at Merab Dvalishvili, calls him “Aljamain Sterling's Butt Plug”
Harry Kettle - October 12, 2023
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo has continued to go after divisional rival Merab Dvalishvili. It’s safe to say that when it comes to trash talking, Henry Cejudo is as prolific as anyone. From the start of the ‘Triple C’ era to the present day, there’s always been a lot of intrigue surrounding the Olympian and what he’s going to say next. After his narrow defeat to Aljamain Sterling earlier this year, some felt as if he may slow down a bit – but that isn’t the case.
Daniel Cormier shares his thoughts on the possibility of Conor McGregor headlining UFC 300
Harry Kettle - October 12, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on Conor McGregor possibly headlining next year’s UFC 300 card. As we now know, Conor McGregor is getting closer and closer to an Octagon return. Many questioned whether or not it’d ever happen, and some still won’t believe it until we see him inside the cage. Either way, there’s a lot of talk and excitement surrounding the Irishman right now, as you can imagine.
Adrian Yanez plans to prove he still "belongs with the top guys" with win over Jonathan Martinez at UFC Vegas 81
Cole Shelton - October 11, 2023
Adrian Yanez knows he’s still a top-15 bantamweight despite losing to Rob Font back in April. Yanez suffered a first-round knockout loss and after the defeat, he knew what went wrong. The plan was to stay patient with Font, but after he rocked him, Yanez said he got too reckless, which was a good learning lesson.
Opening odds released for Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski and Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294
Cole Shelton - October 11, 2023
The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi next Saturday for UFC 294 and the card has changed quite a bit, but Islam Makhachev will remain atop the bill. Makhachev was originally supposed to defend his lightweight title at UFC 294 in a rematch against Charles Oliveira. The co-main event was supposed to be a middleweight fight between Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev. However, in the past 24 hours, it was revealed that Makhachev will now be rematching Alexander Volkanovski in the main event for the lightweight title. Also, in the co-main event, Kamaru Usman has replaced Paulo Costa and will now face Khamzat Chimaev.