UFC News
UFC rankings update: Uriah Hall cracks top-10
Tom Taylor - November 4, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 12 card, and as always, there have been some interesting changes. The most notable change concerns Uriah Hall, who has cracked the middleweight division’s top-10 after scoring a fourth-round TKO win over retiring legend Anderson Silva in the card’s main event. By moving into the No. 10 spot, Hall pushes former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman into the No. 11 spot.
Tito Ortiz wins Huntington Beach city council seat
Tom Taylor - November 4, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz has won a city council seat in his hometown of Huntington Beach, California. Ortiz has been in the running for this position for several months, and ultimately achieved his political goal by winning 34,901 votes—14.26 percent of the votes cast overall (h/t MMA Junkie).
Israel Adesanya names the "ultimate GOAT" of MMA: "Did everyone just forget about Demetrious Johnson?"
Tom Taylor - November 4, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has shared his picked for the greatest fighter in mixed martial arts history. Adesanya was asked to chime in on the GOAT debate during a recent appearance on Submission Radio. The champ quickly pointed to former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, who now competes under the ONE Championship banner.
UFC submission specialist Ryan Hall receives medical clearance, promptly makes callout
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2020
UFC featherweight Ryan Hall has immediately issued a callout after being medically cleared to compete once again. Hall, who is considered to be one of the best submission specialists in all of mixed martial arts, hasn’t fought since back in July 2019 when he beat Darren Elkins via unanimous decision. He had, however, twice been booked to fight Ricardo Lamas, only for the bout to fall apart on two separate occasions – the latter being due to Hall sustaining an injury.
Kevin Holland says coach Travis Lutter wants him to fight two more times in 2020
Adam Martin - November 3, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland says that his coach, former UFC fighter Travis Lutter, wants him to fight two more times in 2020. Holland has been one of the most active fighters on the UFC roster during the COVID-19 pandemic era. Dating back to May, Holland has fought four times and he’s won all four fights in impressive fashion. In May, Holland knocked out Anthony Hernandez in the first round at UFC Jacksonville. Holland then returned in August at UFC Vegas: Lewis vs. Overeem and defeated Joaquin Buckley via KO, winning a 50k bonus for his efforts.
Michael Chandler calls out Tony Ferguson or Justin Gaethje for UFC debut: "We're going to have a blast"
Adam Martin - November 3, 2020
Recent UFC free-agent signing Michael Chandler is requesting a matchup against either Tony Ferguson or Justin Gaethje for his Octagon debut. Chandler was the backup for the UFC 254 main event between UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Gaethje, but he wasn’t needed as both men made weight and made it to the fight unscathed. A former three-time lightweight champion in Bellator, Chandler ended up getting introduced on the UFC 254 pay-per-view broadcast to UFC fans for the first time. But he went to Fight Island with the hopes of stepping into the cage.
Rashad Evans believes Conor McGregor is "one of the best to do it" after seeing Khabib beat Gaethje
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2020
Rashad Evans has nothing but praise for Conor McGregor after seeing Khabib Nurmagomedov beat Justin Gaethje the way he did at UFC 254. In the lead up to the fight, many pundits had said Gaethje would be Nurmagomedov’s toughest test. However, that proved not to be true, and as Javier Mendez told BJPENN.com, the toughest test still seems to be McGregor.
Israel Adesanya understands why Robert Whittaker didn't force rematch: "I’ll probably see him again in New Zealand"
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2020
Israel Adesanya knows he and Robert Whittaker will fight again in the near future. After Whittaker defeated Jared Cannonier at UFC 254 to become the No. 1 contender, many figured the rematch with Adesanya would be next. However, Whittaker made it clear he would not fight until March as he wanted to spend the holidays with his family.
Ian Heinisch believes Brendan Allen is a "stepping stone," confident he will finish him
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2020
Ian Heinisch and Brendan Allen have been talking about fighting one another for years now. Both Heinisch and Allen were fighting in LFA and Allen had been calling Heinisch out. But, “The Hurricane” went on to win the interim middleweight belt and get on the Contender Series and get a UFC contract. Allen, meanwhile, had to stay fighting in LFA for another year, but when he signed to the Las Vegas-based promotion, he started calling out Heinisch once more, and at UFC Vegas 13, they will finally fight.
Welterweight contender Santiago Ponzinibbio makes long-awaited UFC return against Muslim Salikhov
Adam Martin - November 3, 2020
Welterweight contender Santiago Ponzinibbio will make his long-awaited return to the UFC against Muslim Salikhov in January. Ponzinibbio vs. Salikhov is set to take place at a UFC event on January 16, one that will most likely take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Other fights that have been announced for the event include Ricky Simon vs. Brian Kelleher, Justin Tafa vs. Carlos Felipe, and Tim Elliott vs. Jordan Espinosa. There is no main event confirmed for this card just yet, though there remains the possibility the Ponzinibbio fight could headline the card.
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Manel Kape added to Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards undercard
Adam Martin - November 3, 2020
An intriguing flyweight bout between Alexandre Pantoja and Manel Kape has been added to the Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards undercard. Pantoja vs. Kape is set for December 19 on the undercard of the Chimaev vs. Edwards UFC Fight Night event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. MMAjunkie.com broke the news.
Daniel Cormier: Dana White made "smart" decision not stripping Khabib Nurmagomedov of title
Tom Taylor - November 3, 2020
Former two-division UFC champ Daniel Cormier believes the UFC made the right move by allowing Khabib Nurmagomedov to keep his title. Nurmagomedov, the UFC lightweight champion and current pound-for-pound king of MMA, announced his retirement after he submitted Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Despite this announcement, UFC President Dana White expressed optimism that the lightweight star will fight again.
Video | Uriah Hall apologizes to Anderson Silva after scoring stoppage win
Tom Taylor - November 3, 2020
Uriah Hall apologized to Anderson Silva in the moments after their fight concluded. Hall stepped into the cage with Silva, widely regarded as one of the best fighters ever, in the main event of UFC Vegas 12 last Saturday. The bout was widely expected to be the last of Silva’s UFC career.
Valentina Shevchenko calls for "logical" trilogy fight with Amanda Nunes
Tom Taylor - November 3, 2020
UFC flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko wants a third fight with Amanda Nunes, who holds the promotion’s bantamweight and featherweight belts. Shevchenko and Nunes, two of the greatest female fighters of all time, have fought twice previously. Nunes won both of those fights by decision, but both were extremely close—particularly the second.
UFC Vegas 12 medical suspensions: Uriah Hall facing six months out
Tom Taylor - November 3, 2020
The medical suspensions for last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 12 card have been revealed, and main event winner Uriah Hall could be out six months. Hall defeated former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva by fourth-round knockout. Despite coming out on top in the fight, he’s facing a long stint on the sidelines, pending an orthopedic doctor’s ruling. Silva could also be out six months due to a broken nose.
Israel Adesanya not planning on bulking up for light heavyweight title fight
Tom Taylor - November 3, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya isn’t planning to pack on any extra muscle for his upcoming light heavyweight title superfight with Jan Blachowicz. Adesanya and Blachowicz don’t yet have a date for their collision, but UFC President Dana White has confirmed the fight is happening, and it’s already generating massive buzz.
Daniel Cormier on Anderson Silva: “I wouldn’t have wanted to see Michael Jordan playing in China”
Harry Kettle - November 3, 2020
UFC legend Daniel Cormier has praised former opponent Anderson Silva while suggesting he shouldn’t fight again. Silva was beaten in his final fight with the Ultimate Fighting Championship last Saturday night after a hard-fought affair against Uriah Hall. In the wake of the fight, many fans and pundits have been calling for Silva to outright retire from mixed martial arts – although the Brazilian continues to keep everyone guessing.
Robert Whittaker refutes Dana White’s claim, says he’s willing to fight Israel Adesanya at light heavyweight
Harry Kettle - November 3, 2020
UFC middleweight Robert Whittaker has questioned Dana White’s claim that he doesn’t want to fight Israel Adesanya. Whittaker, the former champion lost his title to “The Last Stylebender” last October, but since then, he’s been able to bounce back in style with decision wins over fellow contenders Darren Till and Jared Cannonier. It seemed as if he was destined to square off with Adesanya once again in a rematch, but White recently claimed that “The Reaper” turned the bout down.