UFC News
Francis Ngannou urges UFC to book him a fight, Gilbert Burns responds
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou is urging the promotion to book him for a fight, and a surprise opponent has thrown his name in the hat. “The Predator” took to Twitter to express his displeasure to the UFC for not booking him in a fight since his knockout win over Junior dos Santos in June. It appears that Ngannou is getting restless and wants to fight again as soon as possible.
Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa targeted for March PPV in Las Vegas
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2019
Israel Adesanya will have his first title defense against Paulo Costa this March in Las Vegas. Sources told BJPENN.com the two camps are in preliminary talks and a date has been agreed upon. The UFC flew Paulo Costa out to Australia to watch the fight between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker, where following the fight they started negotiations.
Conor McGregor takes a shot at Khabib Nurmagomedov one year after UFC 229
Harry Kettle - October 7, 2019
Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor has taken a shot at his UFC 229 opponent Khabib Nurmagomedov, one year after their iconic Lightweight Championship clash in Las Vegas. McGregor, who hasn’t fought since that infamous night at T-Mobile Arena, has been heavily linked with a return to the Octagon ever since he was defeated by The Eagle via fourth round submission.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says Conor McGregor lacks morality and manners, hasn't earned title shot
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov said that Conor McGregor hitting an elderly man shows that he lacks morality and manners and he doesn’t believe he has earned a title shot. “The Eagle” was interviewed by reporters in Russia and was asked his honest thoughts on McGregor. Here’s what the champ said via RT.
Kelvin Gastelum sends warm message to new champ Israel Adesanya
Thomas Taylor - October 7, 2019
Earlier this year, Kelvin Gastelum and Israel Adesanya collided with the UFC interim middleweight title on the line. After five, razor-close rounds, Adesanya was named the winner and adorned with a UFC belt. Over the weekend, Adesanya became the undisputed middleweight champion with a second-round stoppage of Robert Whittaker. Gastelum, on the other hand, is gearing up for a UFC 244 scrap with Darren Till.
Edson Barboza's manager says Paul Felder has agreed to trilogy
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
Edson Barboza’s manager Alex Davis says that rival Paul Felder has agreed to a trilogy fight after their controversial split decision outcome at UFC 242. Felder won a split decision with scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 27-30 in his favor. The fact that opposing judges had the fights 30-27 in favor of each fighter was very concerning.
Opinion: The UFC should let fighters get creative with their walkouts more often
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
Israel Adesanya did something not many UFC fighters have done at UFC 243 — and I’m not talking about beating Robert Whittaker, as impressive as that was. Instead, I’m referring to his walk to the cage which, in an absurdly rare twist, actually featured a degree of flavor and originality. For whatever reason, the fun-killers in UFC boardroom have historically shown a complete reluctance to let fighters make their walkouts even remotely interesting. Sure, there was the time Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes walked out to live performances from Sinead O’Connor and Aaron Lewis respectively. Former UFC fighters James Te Huna and Tom Lawlor have also had a few fun walkouts. But as a general rule, a UFC fighter’s walkout is little more than a trip from Point A to Point B set to some music that, in some cases, wasn’t even that fighter’s choice.
Chris Weidman believes he can 'skip the rankings' and fight Jon Jones next
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman makes his light heavyweight debut next weekend in the main event of UFC Boston against top-ranked contender Dominick Reyes. It’s a huge opportunity for Weidman, and he knows it. According to Weidman, a win over Reyes would immediately catapult him into the top-five and get him closer to a matchup against UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones Weidman spoke to UFC Unfiltered recently and said he believes a win over Reyes would allow him to skip the line and get a matchup against Jones sooner than expected.
Israel Adesanya impressed by Jared Cannonier: 'I like his style'
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
New UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya heaped praise upon surging contender Jared Cannonier, saying he has been impressed by Cannonier’s quick rise up the middleweight rankings. “The Last Stylebender” was asked by reporters at the UFC 243 post-fight press conference what other middleweight contenders impress him, and Adesanya immediately singled out Cannonier as someone who expects to defend his belt against in the near future.
Cain Velasquez removed from USADA testing pool, UFC rankings
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been officially removed from both the USADA testing pool and the UFC rankings. The moves are an indication that Velasquez is done with MMA, at least for the time being. The former two-time UFC heavyweight champion recently made an appearance on WWE Smackdown, putting the pain on former Octagon rival Brock Lesnar.
Jimi Manuwa makes prediction for Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier trilogy
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
For a time, Jimi Manuwa and Daniel Cormier were heated rivals in the UFC light heavyweight division. Regrettably, the pair never got the chance to share the cage and likely never will, as Manuwa has since retired, and Cormier has hiked up to the heavyweight division. Much of Cormier’s time in the heavyweight division has been consumed by a rivalry with Stipe Miocic. The pair are tied 1-1 across two previous title fights, with Cormier winning the first encounter by first-round knockout, and Miocic winning the rematch, which occurred at UFC 241 in August, by fourth-round TKO.
Jared Cannonier: Fight with Yoel Romero 'puts me right up there' in middleweight title picture
Mike Heck - October 7, 2019
Jared Cannonier went from rising middleweight fighter on the UFC roster to world title contender in just under six minutes last month at UFC Copenhagen. After defeating Jack Hermansson, Cannonier sees himself mixing things up with the likes of Yoel Romero, Kelvin Gastelum, Darren Till, or anyone blocking his path to a title shot. “Killa Gorilla” finished Hermansson via second-round TKO in the main event of the UFC’s trip to Denmark. While it was one of the biggest wins of his career — snapping the four-fight winning streak of Hermansson — Cannonier is already back to normal life as Dad.
Israel Adesanya expects Robert Whittaker rematch: 'I'll see you again'
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
UFC Tampa | Michelle Waterson believes win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk earns her next title shot
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2019
Michelle Waterson is calling it the biggest fight of her career. In the main event of UFC Tampa, she is taking on former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and the winner could very well be getting the next title shot.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk scolds Colby Covington: ‘You shouldn’t s**t in your gym’
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
Colby Covington has alienated many of his stablemates at American Top Team, and that includes former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Jedrzejczyk gave her thoughts on Covington during a recent interview with James Lynch of theScore.
Ben Askren on Israel Adesanya: 'Some of you are missing the boat'
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
Israel Adesanya put forth a star-making performance in the UFC 243 main event, first dazzling fans with an incredibly unique walkout (at least by UFC standards), then by delivering an impressive defeat of Robert Whittaker to capture the UFC middleweight belt. It’s truly difficult to imagine things going much better for Nigerian-born Kiwi, and all signs point to his achieving the kind of mainstream stardom we’ve only seem from a few fighters previously. UFC welterweight Ben Askren certainly seems to think that will be the case.
Joe Rogan praises Robert Whittaker after UFC 243
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
Robert Whittaker is no longer the UFC middleweight champion, having come up short to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243 over the weekend. Even in defeat, however, the Australian still has the respect and admiration of long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan. Rogan was not on commentary duty for UFC 243, and instead watched the card from the United States. Shortly after the card wrapped up, Rogan praised Whittaker for the way he handled his defeat to Adesanya and the loss of the UFC middleweight strap.
Opening odds released for Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2019
The opening odds have been released for a potential middleweight title fight between champion Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa. Adesanya called for a fight with Costa after he beat Robert Whittaker on Saturday to win the middleweight title.
Playing matchmaker for UFC 243: Who's next for Israel Adesanya?
Adam Martin - October 6, 2019
Over 57,000 fans got to see a great night of fights at UFC 243, and now it’s time to look ahead at what’s next for the winners. Who’s next for new UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya? We answer that question and others as we play matchmaker for UFC 243. Israel Adesanya vs. Jon Jones