UFC News
UFC 264 adds dynamic welterweight bout between former title challengers Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns
Chris Taylor - April 2, 2021
A huge welterweight bout has been added to UFC 264, as ESPN is reporting that former title challengers Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns will collide on July 10. Thompson (16-4-1 MMA) is coming off of back-to-back unanimous decision victories over perennial division contenders Geoff Neal and Vicente Luque in his most recent Octagon appearances. ‘Wonderboy’ has gone 3-3 over his past six fight overall.
Alexander Volkanovski, Brian Ortega set to coach TUF 29, featherweight title fight at conclusion of season
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
The TUF coaches for season 29 have been revealed and it will be Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega. Ever since UFC president, Dana White announced TUF would be coming back, many were interested in seeing who the coaches would be. It was rumored to be Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, but “Gamebred” got a title shot so that was off. Now, according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Volkanovski and Ortega will coach the return season of TUF. The show will feature bantamweights and middleweights.
Anthony Johnson shares prediction for potential Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou fight
Chris Taylor - April 2, 2021
Former UFC title challenger Anthony Johnson has shared his thoughts on a potential heavyweight bout between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. Ever since Ngannou (16-3 MMA) dethroned Stipe Miocic to become “The Baddest Man on the Planet” at UFC 260, all the talk has been of a potential super-fight with Jones.
Video | Dustin Poirier grapples with 4x World's Strongest Man Brian Shaw
Chris Taylor - April 2, 2021
Dustin Poirier is doing some training with 4x World’s Strongest Man Brian Shaw ahead of his trilogy fight with Conor McGregor at UFC 264. Poirier and McGregor are set to have their rubber match at 155-pounds on July 10 in Las Vegas. The pair split their first two encounters, with Conor earning a first round knockout at UFC 178, and then Dustin most recently earning a second round KO victory at UFC 257.
Khetag Pliev issues statement after losing finger at CFFC fight
Adam D Martin - April 2, 2021
MMA fighter Khetag Pliev has issued a statement after losing one of his fingers at a Cage Fury Fighting Championships fight on Thursday night. It almost seemed like it couldn’t be real when Pliev lost his finger during his fight against Devin Goodale at CFFC 94. But he in fact did lose his finger during the fight. The photos are not for a weak stomach. It was an absolutely bizarre injury and one that happened apparently as a result of his opponent grabbing into his gloves and causing the injury. Fortunately, the finger was located in a quick fashion and the fighter was able to have it reattached at a hospital. The fighter took to his social media afterward and told fans that he is feeling better, not to worry, and he specifically thanked the doctor for her good work.
Dustin Poirier officially signs contract for Conor McGregor trilogy at UFC 264
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor 3 will happen at UFC 264 on July 10. For quite some time, reports have circulated that the fight would happen on that date, however, nothing had been signed. Poirier had even turned down a title shot in order to pursue the trilogy fight.
Alonzo Menifield knew he would submit Fabio Cherant, eyes June return
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
Alonzo Menifield knew there was a lot of pressure on him entering his UFC 260 fight. Originally, Menifield was set to face William Knight but just three days before Knight was out of the fight due to testing positive for COVID-19. When Menifield found out the news, he was disappointed as he thought he wouldn’t get the chance to fight.
Dustin Poirier confirms he turned down title shot against Charles Oliveira at UFC 262
Adam D Martin - April 2, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier confirmed that he turned down a potential 155lbs title shot against Charles Oliveira at UFC 262. After knocking out Conor McGregor at UFC 257 in January, it was widely expected that Poirier would be in the next lightweight title fight after former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov retired and vacated his title. However, the UFC instead booked Oliveira against Michael Chandler for the vacant belt in the main event of UFC 262. That news surprised a lot of fans, who thought Poirier deserved the title shot. However, UFC president Dana White confirmed that Poirier turned down the title shot to fight McGregor in a trilogy. Considering how much money that fight is destined to produce, it made sense for Poirier to decline the title show in order to take the money trilogy fight against McGregor instead.
Aleksandar Rakic believes Jon Jones should get paid more money to fight Francis Ngannou
Adam D Martin - April 2, 2021
UFC light heavyweight Aleksandar Rakic believes that former divisional rival Jon Jones should get paid more money to fight Francis Ngannou. Rakic, one of the best fighters in the UFC at 205lbs currently, is coming off of a decision win over Thiago Santos in his last fight, and he is widely expected to be just one or two fights away now from taking on UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. Jones, of course, was the kingpin of the UFC’s 205lbs division for the last decade, but he is planning on moving up to heavyweight this summer. The plan was for him to fight Ngannou in a mega-fight, but Jones is currently involved in a public financial despite with the UFC.
Colby Covington says he will be the unofficial backup for UFC 261, plans to be in attendance
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
Colby Covington says he will be in attendance for UFC 261 which sees Kamaru Usman defend his welterweight title against Jorge Masvidal. For months now, the talk was Covington would face Masvidal and the two would coach The Ultimate Fighter. Yet, with the UFC having a full capacity crowd in Jacksonville, the promotion decided to book the rematch with left Covington on the outside looking in.
Jan Blachowicz open to fighting Francis Ngannou at heavyweight
Adam D Martin - April 2, 2021
UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz says he is open to moving up to heavyweight and taking on champion Francis Ngannou. Blachowicz is coming off of his first successful title defense of the UFC’s 205lbs title when he defeated middleweight champion Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision at UFC 259. For his next fight, Blachowicz is expected to take on No. 1 contender Glover Teixeira. Having said that, Blachowicz is open to taking on another challenge if the UFC wants him to. Should Jon Jones not take the fight with Ngannou, then Blachowicz is open to taking it.
Michael Chandler believes "there’s going to be a ton of pressure on" Dustin Poirier after passing over title shot
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2021
Michael Chandler thinks there will be a ton of pressure on Dustin Poirier in his trilogy fight against Conor McGregor. After Poirier scored a second-round TKO over McGregor at UFC 257, many assumed he would be fighting for the lightweight title next. Yet, he passed over the title shot to fight McGregor again leaving Chandler to face Charles Oliveira in May.
Women's flyweight prospect Erin Blanchfield issues statement after signing with the UFC
Adam D Martin - April 2, 2021
Women’s flyweight prospect Erin Blanchfield has issued a statement after signing with the UFC and having her fight booked on short notice. Blanchfield is just 21 years old and she has already racked up a 6-1 record in mixed martial arts since making her professional debut in 2018. After starting off her MMA career with a TKO win in CFFC, Blanchfield was quickly scooped up by the all-women MMA promotion Invicta FC and she picked up two wins, including a majority decision victory over current UFC fighter Kay Hansen. After dropping a controversial split decision loss to Tracy Cortez, another current UFC fighter, Blanchfield returned to CFFC and picked up another stoppage win, before re-joining Invicta FC and picking up two more victories in that organization.
Eddie Alvarez believes winning ONE belt would make him the greatest lightweight ever
Adam D Martin - April 2, 2021
Former UFC and Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez believes that winning the ONE championship belt would make him the greatest lightweight ever. Alvarez returns to the cage next week at ONE on TNT 1 when he takes on Iuri Lapicus, with the winner next in line to fight for the ONE lightweight title. Alvarez, of course, is also the former UFC lightweight champion and the former Bellator lightweight champion, so winning a third belt in a major organization would make give him the rare “triple crown” in MMA.
Colby Covington calls Jake Paul 'an embarrassment to society,' predicts Ben Askren to beat him
Drake Riggs - April 1, 2021
Colby Covington and Ben Askren have never been too fond of each other. But when it comes to Jake Paul and the current welterweight title picture, they can put their differences aside. Set to make his pro boxing debut against Paul in two weeks on April 17, Askren is continually gaining support and belief in his abilities from his MMA peers. Surely to the surprise of many, that includes the lone-wolf in Covington.
Anderson Silva opens as a sizeable underdog in boxing match against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Cole Shelton - April 1, 2021
Anderson Silva is the betting underdog in his upcoming boxing match against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. this summer. On June 19, at the Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, Silva will have his first fight since being released from the UFC in the ring. It’s a very intriguing matchup as the Brazilian is known for his boxing but Chavez Jr. is a former boxing world champion, and to no surprise is the betting favorite.
Kevin Holland claims Marvin Vettori doesn't want to fight him at UFC on ABC 2
Adam D Martin - April 1, 2021
UFC middleweight Kevin Holland claims that Marvin Vettori doesn’t want to fight him next weekend in the main event of UFC on ABC 2. Vettori was supposed to fight Darren Till in the main event of next weekend’s card, but Till was forced to pull out of the fight due to a broken collarbone. That leaves Vettori without an opponent for the time being, but Holland was the first man to throw his name in the hat. Just a few weeks removed from a main event loss to Derek Brunson, Holland wants to get back in the Octagon and is willing to fight Vettori on short notice in order to do so.
Khabib Nurmagomedov shares his honest thoughts about Dana White: "Sometimes he is nice, sometimes he is not nice"
Adam D Martin - April 1, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov shares his honest thoughts about UFC president Dana White, saying that “sometimes he is nice, sometimes he is not nice.” “The Eagle” recently announced his retirement from MMA and he vacated his UFC lightweight title in order to step away from the sport. Though Nurmagomedov had first mentioned talks of retirement last October, White tried to convince him for six months to fight again. Alas, Nurmagomedov decided that he had already accomplished everything he wanted to in the sport, and he decided to step away from MMA with a 29-0 record.