UFC News
UFC rankings update: Daniel Cormier's retirement causes pound-for-pound shuffle
Tom Taylor - September 10, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last weekend’s UFC Vegas 9 card, and despite the lack of big names on the bill, there have been some interesting changes. On of the biggest changes to the UFC rankings stems from the UFC Vegas 9 main event, in which Alistair Overeem thumped Augusto Sakai en route to a fifth-round TKO win. This performance, which moved Overeem onto a two-fight win-streak, was enough to push him into the No. 5 spot in the heavyweight division.
Full betting odds released for UFC on ESPN+ 35: Waterson vs. Hill
Adam Martin - September 10, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the 13 fights scheduled to take place Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 35: Waterson vs. Hill event. In the main event, a pair of top-15 women’s strawweights go at is as Michelle Waterson takes on Angela Hill. Waterson is coming off of back-to-back decision losses to Carla Esparza and Joanna Jedrzejczyk, while Hill recently saw her four-fight win streak snapped with a split decision loss to Claudia Gadelha.
Paulo Costa doesn't want to beat Israel Adesanya quickly
Tom Taylor - September 10, 2020
Paulo Costa hopes to put a bit of a hurting on UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya when they step into the cage together at UFC 253. Once he’s done that—and sufficiently entertained the fans—he intends to put a stamp on things with yet another stoppage win.
Cat Zingano explains “very good decision” to part ways with UFC for Bellator
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2020
Bellator featherweight Cat Zingano has explained why she is satisfied with her decision to join the promotion after leaving the UFC. Zingano, 38, is set to make her promotional debut tomorrow night when she squares off against Gabrielle Holloway in the co-main event of Bellator 245. She’s been officially signed as a member of the roster for almost a year now, and she’s certainly ready to prove to the world why she could be a top contender in her new home.
Henry Cejudo begs UFC President Dana White to allow him to introduce the world to C4
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2020
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo has begged Dana White to allow him to try and win another title in the promotion. Cejudo has been enjoying retirement ever since he successfully defended the Bantamweight Championship against the returning Dominick Cruz in May. Still, while he may have “retired”, he hasn’t really stopped campaigning for a big fight if and when he decides to return to the Octagon.
Alistair Overeem makes it clear he wants Jairzinho Rozenstruik rematch: "I still have a score to settle"
Adam Martin - September 9, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem says that he “still has a score to settle” with rival Jairzinho Rozenstruik and he wants a rematch. Overeem is coming off of an impressive fifth-round TKO victory over Augusto Sakai at UFC on ESPN+ 34. The veteran heavyweight has won four of his last five fights by knockout, with the lone blemish in that stretch a controversial KO loss to Rozenstruik last December. After dominating the first four rounds of the fight, Overeem was knocked down by a punch from Rozenstruik with just four seconds left, and referee Dan Miragliotta stopped the fight.
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba re-booked for UFC 254
Adam Martin - September 9, 2020
The on-again, off-again rematch between light heavyweight contenders Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba has been re-booked for UFC 254. The UFC added Ankalaev vs. Cutelaba 2 to its official fight card for UFC 254, which takes place on October 24 on Fight Island. The main event of that card is scheduled to see UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov take on interim champ Justin Gaethje. Also on the card is a lightweight bout between Islam Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos.
Gilbert Burns roasts Ben Askren for suggesting that "MMA is kinda boring right now"
Christopher Taylor - September 9, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns was not happy about Ben Askren suggesting that Mixed Martial Arts is kind of boring right now. Earlier this afternoon, “Funky” took to Twitter where he shared his thoughts on the current state of MMA.
Dustin Poirier on Tony Ferguson negotiations for UFC 254: "I'm a prizefighter and the prize needs to be right"
Cole Shelton - September 9, 2020
Dustin Poirier is open to making a fight with Tony Ferguson happen next month at UFC 254. For weeks now, it has been rumored Poirier and Ferguson would meet at UFC 254 on October 24. It’s a phenomenal fight and one that makes a ton of sense for the lightweight division. Yet, the fight has yet to be official. For Poirier, he says he is open to making the fight happen.
Roxanne Modafferi knows Andrea Lee is a "different fighter" but expects rematch to end in the same result
Cole Shelton - September 9, 2020
Roxanne Modafferi handed Andrea Lee her first professional loss back at Invicta FC 10 with a split decision win and expects the same result at UFC Vegas 10. Now, nearly six years later, the two will have their rematch in the UFC. Since they fought they have become friends. Although Modafferi would prefer to not fight someone she is close with, she knows this is a business and has to fight anybody the UFC tells her to.
Kyle Nelson doesn't believe Billy Quarantillo is a "killer", expects to KO him in the first round
Cole Shelton - September 9, 2020
Kyle Nelson isn’t impressed with Billy Quarantillo and his fighting style. Nelson, who has not fought since he knocked out Polo Reyes last September, didn’t have Quarantillo on his radar but is excited to fight him.
Dana White reacts to COVID-19 shakeups on recent UFC cards
Tom Taylor - September 9, 2020
UFC President Dana White has reacted after the lineups for several recent UFC cards have been walloped by coronavirus-related shakeups. Last weekend’s UFC Vegas 9 card was particularly hard-hit by the COVID-19 induced lineup changes, and ultimately went down with far fewer fights on the bill than originally anticipated. This weekend’s UFC Vegas 10 card has also been banged up by the virus, as the originally scheduled Thiago Santos vs. Glover Teixeira light heavyweight main event was cancelled when the latter tested positive.
Dana White confirms The Ultimate Fighter 29 will start filming soon, coaches TBD
Adam Martin - September 9, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed that The Ultimate Fighter 29 will commence filming soon, but the coaches are still to be determined. White has been teasing the return of TUF for the last several months, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed its start. It now appears that the UFC is ready to get filming again. Speaking to the media following Tuesday’s edition of the Contender Series, White confirmed that the UFC plans on starting filming for TUF 29 in Las Vegas in November.
Dana White explains why Khamzat Chimaev has two fights booked at once: "It's fun"
Adam Martin - September 9, 2020
UFC president Dana White explained why Khamzat Chimaev has been booked for two fights at once, saying quite simply that “it’s fun.” White recently revealed that Chimaev, a super prospect who many say is a future UFC champion, will fight Gerald Meerschart on September 19 in Las Vegas in a middleweight fight. Chimaev is then expected to fight welterweight veteran Demian Maia a few weeks later. It is rare for a fighter to be booked for two fights at once, which has led some fans and media scratching their heads. As well, Meerscahert called the move “disrespectful.”
Rachael Ostovich booked for first fight in nearly two years, gets Gina Mazany in November
Tom Taylor - September 9, 2020
Fan favorite UFC flyweight contender Rachael Ostovich has been booked for her first fight in almost two years: a November 28 showdown with Gina Mazany. News of this matchup was first reported by MMA Junkie.
Khamzat Chimaev lays out ambitions for "easiest money" fights with Nick and Nate Diaz
Tom Taylor - September 9, 2020
Red-hot UFC welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev is hoping for fights with Nick and Nate Diaz in the future—fights he views as “easy money.” Chimaev is currently scheduled to take on Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 11 on September 19. In a rare situation that is wholly indicative of his massive potential, UFC President Dana White has already laid out plans to match Chimaev up with Demian Maia thereafter—much to Meerschaert’s chagrin.
Gilbert Burns drops hint that Michael Chandler is UFC bound
Andrew Whitelaw - September 9, 2020
Michael Chandler is arguably the most high-profile free agent in the sport right now and his teammate Gilbert Burns just dropped a massive hint that the long-time Bellator star is about to seal his move to the UFC. What’s going on here @MikeChandlerMMA and @usantidoping ????? @danawhite @seanshelby @ufc pic.twitter.com/0R13Nv7cvT
Amanda Ribas slated for UFC 256 return against the former champion Carla Esparza
Andrew Whitelaw - September 9, 2020
A fascinating women’s strawweight clash is reportedly being primed for UFC 256 with No. 7 contender Carla Esparza set to take on No. 12-ranked Amanda Ribas. According to MMA Fighting, the UFC is looking to book this one for their final numbered event of the year which is confirmed for December 12. The card does not currently have any fights confirmed and the location is yet to be revealed. Although, it’s widely believed that the event will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns or a featherweight title fight between Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson, with both fights likely to be made official soon.