UFC News
Dominick Reyes injured, out of fight with Jiri Prochazka
Tom Taylor - February 3, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes has sustained an injury, and is out of his planned fight with Jiri Prochazka. Reyes was slated to fight Prochazka, the former RIZIN Fighting Federation light heavyweight champion, on February 28 in Las Vegas. According to a report from MMA Fighting, that unfortunately won’t be happening due to an undisclosed Reyes injury.
MMA community reacts to Stephen A. Smith's comments about female fighters
Tom Taylor - February 3, 2021
Stephen A. Smith is in hot water after expressing his disinterest in seeing women compete in mixed martial arts and boxing. Smith recently appeared on the “Black on the Air” podcast, where he expressed his objection to women fighting men in combat sports, and later, his disinterest in seeing women fight at all.
Chris Weidman shares plan for 2021: KO Uriah Hall and make a run at the belt
Adam Martin - February 3, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman says he plans to KO Uriah Hall at UFC 261 and make another run at the belt he once held. Weidman was supposed to fight Hall this weekend in the co-main event of UFC 258, but the fight was postponed until UFC 261 in April after Weidman caught COVID-19. Weidman was once the UFC middleweight champion and one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, but it’s been a struggle for him the last few years. Though he got back into the win column against Omari Akhmedov in his last fight, Weidman had lost five of six fights by knockout before that much-needed win. Despite the losing skid, however, Weidman has remained confident the whole time.
Israel Adesanya will not put on extra weight or muscle ahead of 205lbs debut against Jan Blachowicz
Adam Martin - February 3, 2021
Israel Adesanya will not put on any extra weight or muscle ahead of his upcoming UFC light heavyweight title fight against Jan Blachowicz. Adesanya, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, is moving up to light heavyweight to take on Blachowicz in a champion vs. champion superfight that headlines UFC 259. With Blachowicz being one of the biggest and strongest light heavyweights, many thought Adesanya would maybe want to bulk up and put on some extra weight or muscle for this 205lbs fight. However, that isn’t the case.
Chris Weidman opens up on battle with COVID-19: "I ended up losing 12 pounds"
Tom Taylor - February 3, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has opened up on his battle with COVID-19, and it does not sound fun. Weidman had been expected to rematch fellow middleweight contender Uriah Hall at UFC 258 next weekend, but was unfortunately forced out of the fight when he tested positive for COVID-19. The matchup has been rescheduled April 24, and it sounds like the new date was very necessary.
Tito Ortiz to keep position as Huntington Beach Mayor Pro Tem
Tom Taylor - February 3, 2021
Former UFC champion Tito Ortiz will keep his position as Mayor Pro Tem of Huntington Beach, California. Ortiz was elected onto Huntington Beach City Council last year, and was subsequently selected to serve as the city’s Mayor Pro Tem, a role that puts him in position to serve as the city’s next mayor. Regrettably, his time in office has been marred by several high-profile blunders, primarily related to his refusal to wear a mask and his spreading of conspiracy theories.
Pro fighters make their picks for Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 18, Alistair Overeem is looking to continue his final run to a heavyweight title shot as he battles Alexander Volkov. Heading into the fight, Overeem is a +155 underdog while the Russian is a -190 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. Maybe to some surprise, nearly all the pros have Overeem edging it out as he will mix in his striking and wrestling.
Raphael Assuncao forced out of UFC Vegas 20 fight with Raoni Barcelos
Harry Kettle - February 3, 2021
Raphael Assuncao has been forced out of his scheduled UFC Vegas 20 fight against fellow bantamweight Raoni Barcelos, MMA Junkie reports. The report in question indicates that Assuncao has withdrawn for unknown reasons, marking just the second time he has pulled out of a scheduled fight since 2013.
Justin Gaethje feels he's in a position where he needs a win, 'I'm no fool'
Drake Riggs - February 2, 2021
Justin Gaethje (22-3) suffered his third career defeat in his last outing against Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0). Now, “The Highlight” is ready to regroup. The encounter with “The Eagle” saw the 32-year-old Gaethje succumb to the lightweight king’s pressure thus leading to a second-round submission loss. When addressing the possibility of who could be next, Gaethje is aware of what would be most lucrative.
Alistair Overeem makes pick for Miocic vs Ngannou 2
Andrew Whitelaw - February 2, 2021
Alistair Overeem knows Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou well, having fought both of them. Ngannou will again look to wrench the UFC heavyweight title from Miocic when the pair meet at UFC 260 next month.
Sean O’Malley makes his return to the cage at UFC 260 against Thomas Almeida
Adam Martin - February 2, 2021
A bantamweight bout between Sean O’Malley and Thomas Almeida is the latest addition to the upcoming UFC 260 pay-per-view in March. UFC 260 takes place on March 27 and is headlined by a heavyweight title fight rematch between Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou. Also on the card is a co-main event featherweight title fight between champion Alexander Volkanvoski and challenger Brian Ortega. O’Malley vs. Almeida could open up the main card or it could be placed on the prelims for this event. Regardless of where it lands on the card, this is a very fun fight that is likely going to be a stand-up war based on their styles.
Diego Ferreira preparing for a "brawl" against Beneil Dariush, eyes Felder or RDA next
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2021
Diego Ferreira is excited to rematch Beneil Dariush. At UFC 179 in October of 2014, Dariush edged out a decision against Ferreira in a fight the Brazilian took on short notice. Since then, however, both men have become top-15 lightweights and the Fortis MMA product believes the rematch just makes sense.
Paige VanZant says the "door is open" for a return to MMA after BKFC
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2021
Frankie Edgar plans to "turn some heads" with a "stellar performance" over Cory Sandhagen
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2021
Frankie Edgar knew he would end up fighting Cory Sandhagen. At UFC Raleigh in January of 2020, Edgar was booked to make his bantamweight debut against Sandhagen. However, the former lightweight champion ended up accepting a short notice fight against Korean Zombie and the bout against Sandhagen was canceled.
James Vick announces his retirement after displacing his jaw in "the worst loss" of his career
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2021
James Vick has announced his retirement from MMA. After Vick lost four straight fights in the UFC and was released many wondered if he would fight again. Yet, after a year away from the sports, Vick returned to headline an XMMA event last Saturday night. Unfortunately for Vick, he suffered a second-round TKO loss to PFL veteran, Andre Fialho.
Nate Diaz tells Dustin Poirier "f*ck a weight class" following "fighting words" video
Adam Martin - February 2, 2021
UFC superstar Nate Diaz told Dustin Poirier to “f*ck a class” following a video showing “The Diamond” using some very strong “fighting words.” After Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor at UFC 257, one of the first fighters to call him out was Diaz, who took to social media to post a mock photo of the two in a staredown before UFC president Dana White. With Poirier currently on the sidelines and waiting for the right opportunity to come up before he jumps back into the Octagon, Diaz is once again putting his hand up and making sure Poirier knows that he wants the fight. He made that clear in a series of tweets posted on Tuesday.
Randy Couture explains why he's called "Captain America" and "The Natural"
Adam Martin - February 2, 2021
UFC legend Randy Couture explained why he’s called “Captain America” and “The Natural” in a new sit-down interview with Burt Watson. Couture, one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, was known by several nicknames throughout his career, but the two most commonly associated with him are “Captain America” and “The Natural,” which is also the title of his book written by Loretta Hunt. Speaking to former UFC staff member Burt Watson, Couture explained to MMAjunkie.com the origins of his two most popular nicknames. For “The Natural,” Couture opened up about how it was coined in Full Contact Fighter Magazine.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 26 with Frankie Edgar, Diego Ferreira, Cody Stamann, Andre Ewell, and Mike Rodriguez
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2021
The 26th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 18. var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_22657921", "obj": {"id":"22947","width":"100%","height":"","video":"711792"} });
Jim Miller returns at UFC 258, takes on fellow veteran Bobby Green
Adam Martin - February 2, 2021
A lightweight bout between veterans Jim Miller and Bobby Green is the latest addition to the upcoming UFC 258 pay-per-view card. MMAjunkie.com was the first to report that UFC 258 will receive the Miller vs. Green bout. The card takes place on February 13 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is headlined by UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns. The co-main event was originally a middleweight rematch between Uriah Hall and Chris Weidman, and after that fight fell apart, the promotion scrambled to get a new addition added to the card, and the Miller vs. Green bout was the fight added.