UFC News
Michael Bisping: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier lacks hype
Fernando Quiles - August 29, 2019
Michael Bisping doesn’t see UFC 242, which will be headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier, bringing in high pay-per-view numbers. On Sept. 7, Nurmagomedov will take on Poirier in a lightweight title unification bout. “The Eagle” holds the lightweight title, while Poirier is recognized as the interim champion.
Robert Whittaker opens up on recent struggle with depression
Tom Taylor - August 29, 2019
Robert Whittaker was expected to defend his UFC middleweight title against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 234 in in Melbourne, Australia back in February. Regrettably, the Australian was forced out of this fight at the last minute with a hernia and a collapsed bowel that required immediate, emergency surgery. Whittaker says this unfortunate twist of fate left him in a pit of depression and despair. He opened up on this struggle on a recent episode of Submission Radio.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos not frustrated by having to fight unranked opponents
Cole Shelton - August 29, 2019
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is currently ranked 14th in the UFC welterweight division and is on a seven-fight winning streak. Despite his success, the Brazilian continues to be matched up with unranked opponents. Yet dos Santos doesn’t care if he fights ranked or unranked opponents. Instead, he is just focused on fighting.
Jessica Andrade plans to call out Valentina Shevchenko after UFC Shenzhen
Cole Shelton - August 29, 2019
UFC strawweight champ Jessica Andrade is days out from her first title defense, as she’s set to take on Weili Zhang in the main event of UFC Shenzhen this Saturday. Although Zhang is a tough opponent, the Brazilian champ is already eyeing her next fight, and she wants it to be a super fight. She has been talking about fighting Valentina Shevchenko and now plans on calling her out if she wins on Saturday.
Dustin Poirier reveals two attributes that will carry him to win over Khabib Nurmagomedov
Natasha Hooper - August 29, 2019
Dustin Poirier is ready to make history as the first man to beat UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. During an interview with The Mirror, ‘The Diamond’ Poirier discussed this huge opportunity.
Cris Cyborg hints at where she'll be signing, promises news soon
Tom Taylor - August 29, 2019
Cris Cyborg has parted ways with the UFC, and is now negotiating with other promotions in hopes of finding a setting for the next chapter of her illustrious career. Speaking in a video posted to her official YouTube channel, Cyborg divulged that she feels no regret about leaving the UFC.
Gregor Gillespie calls out Anthony Pettis
Adam Martin - August 28, 2019
Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Gregor Gillespie has finally called someone out, as he called out Anthony Pettis for a fight at UFC 244 in November. Here’s what “The Gift” said on his social media.
Carlos Condit to battle Mickey Gall in Washington DC
Thomas Taylor - August 28, 2019
Carlos Condit isn’t done yet. The former UFC interim welterweight champion will soon return to the Octagon opposite Lookin’ For a Fight product Mickey Gall. The pair will meet when the UFC touches down in Washington DC on December 7. The bout was first reported by Post Sports.
Jan Blachowicz sends message to Jon Jones, Jones jabs back
Tom Taylor - August 28, 2019
It’s hard to say which light heavyweight contender will get the next crack at champion Jon Jones, but many fans and pundits believe the opportunity should go to Poland’s Jan Blachowicz. Although Blachowicz was recently stopped by Thiago Santos, he has since rebounded with a violent knockout of Luke Rockhold, and has long stood out as one of the division’s top dogs.
Dana White responds to Paige VanZant's pay gripes
Tom Taylor - August 28, 2019
Paige VanZant has one fight left on her UFC contract, and when that’s over and done with, she intends to test free agency. The reason for this decision is that she believes she deserves more money. In fact, she claims she makes more money posting to her Instagram account than she does through fighting. “With endorsements, I make way more money sitting at home posting pictures on Instagram than I do fighting,” VanZant said during an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show. “If I were to stop everything I do outside of fighting and just fight, I would be at a loss. By a long shot.”
"The Leech" Li Jingliang aims to drain the momentum of Elizeu Dos Santos
Tom Taylor - August 28, 2019
Brazilian welterweight contender Elizeu Dos Santos has won his last seven fights. China’s Li Jingliang plans to put an end that win-streak. The pair will meet in the co-main event of the under-the-radar UFC Shenzhen card this Saturday in Jingliang’s native China. This is a big opportunity for the Chinese fighter nicknamed “The Leech”, as dos Santos currently holds the No. 14 spot in the UFC welterweight rankings. Jingliang has been seeking a ranked opponent for some time, and was very excited when the opportunity was finally offered.
Jessica Andrade plans to prove she is 'the best in the world' at UFC Shenzhen
Cole Shelton - August 28, 2019
Jessica Andrade is set for her first title defense in the main event of UFC Shenzhen. She will be taking on Weili Zhang in the challenger’s home country of China. For Andrade, defending her belt in hostile territory will be a new experience, but fighting in someone else’s backyard will not be.
Weili Zhang open to Valentina Shevchenko fight after UFC Shenzhen
Tom Taylor - August 28, 2019
There has never been a Chinese champion in the UFC. Hebei’s Weili Zhang is looking to change that. This Saturday, when the UFC touches down in Shenzhen, China, the streaking strawweight contender will battle Brazilian champion Jessica Andrade for divisional gold. Zhang can imagine no outcome more perfect than becoming the UFC’s first Chinese champion in front of an arena-full of Chinese fans, and believes a victory will inspire people all over her country.
Dana White defends Darren Till vs. Kelvin Gastelum booking
Tom Taylor - August 28, 2019
Darren Till will not get a warmup in his middleweight debut. Instead, the long-time welterweight has been booked to battle the middleweight division’s fourth-ranked fighter, Kelvin Gastelum, at UFC 244 in New York. This booking comes as a bit of a surprise, given that Till is riding back-to-back stoppage losses, and UFC President Dana White recently admitted that the promotion might have pushed the young striker along too quickly.
UFC Shenzhen | Pro fighters make their picks for Jessica Andrade vs. Weili Zhang title fight
Cole Shelton - August 28, 2019
This weekend, the Octagon heads to Shenzhen, China. In the card’s main event, Jessica Andrade will put her strawweight title on the line against China’s Weili Zhang. Heading into the fight, the champion is a -160 favorite, while the challenger from China is a +130 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority are leaning towards Jessica Andrade’s power being too much for Weili Zhang.
Dana White comments on Conor McGregor apology, sexual assault accusations
Tom Taylor - August 28, 2019
Conor McGregor found himself in hot water again earlier this month after he was caught on camera punching an older man in a bar in Dublin. Shortly thereafter, the Irish star appeared on ESPN to apologize for this incident.
Jan Blachowicz says he is the only one who can stop Jon Jones
Cole Shelton - August 27, 2019
Jan Blachowicz is confident that he is the only man capable of defeating current UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones. Blachowicz is coming off of a knockout win over Luke Rockhold at UFC 239 and believes he deserves the next title shot. Why he thinks that he deserves the next crack at ‘Bones’ is simple. Blachowicz, like many, believe that had former middleweight champ Luke Rockhold proved victorious in their fight last July, he would have been awarded the next title shot.
Anthony Johnson planning UFC return in 2020
Cole Shelton - August 27, 2019
Anthony Johnson retired from the UFC following a second loss to Daniel Cormier in April of 2017. Yet, the man they call “Rumble” is eyeing a comeback, according to his manager Ali Abdelaziz. Abdelaziz spoke to ESPN, and divulged that his client will return in 2020. They are currently filing the necessary paperwork to rejoin the UFC. One of the steps he must complete is to re-enter the USADA testing pool and be in it for six months before he can fight again.