UFC News
Santiago Ponzinibbio willing to move to lightweight to 'finish' Khabib Nurmagomedov
Natasha Hooper - August 15, 2019
Some of the most respected UFC lightweights have failed to put an end to the unbeaten streak of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Could the welterweight contender Santiago Ponzinibbio be the man for the job? According to him, yes he is. The number 9 ranked 170-pound fighter is open to moving to the lightweight division to take on the undefeated champion Nurmagomedov. During an interview at UFC Uruguay, he dished on this dream fight to MMA Fighting.
UFC rankings update: Valentina Shevchenko passes Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - August 15, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last Saturday’s UFC Uruguay card, and as expected, there have been some big changes. Perhaps the biggest changes in these new UFC rankings concern flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, who defeated Liz Carmouche in the UFC Uruguay main event. With this victory, Shevchenko breezed past long-absent MMA superstar Conor McGregor on the official pound-for-pound list.
Cory Sandhagen plans to jump Sterling, Yan in title picture with UFC 241 win
Mike Heck - August 15, 2019
Cory Sandhagen is on the short list of fighters in the bantamweight title discussion and he believes he can get right to the top of that list Saturday night. Sandhagen will square off against perennial contender Raphael Assuncao at UFC 241. The event takes place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. with the 135-pound clash taking place during the ESPN prelims.
Cat Zingano issues statement on UFC release
Tom Taylor - August 15, 2019
Yesterday afternoon, news surfaced that former UFC bantamweight title challenger Cat Zingano had been released from the UFC roster. Shortly after this news surfaced, Zingano released a brief statement on her divorce with the UFC to ESPN. In her statement, the fan favorite admitted that the timing of this ordeal is unfortunate, but assured that we haven’t seen the last of her.
UFC 241 | Ian Heinisch believes he will 'physically and mentally' break Derek Brunson
Cole Shelton - August 15, 2019
Ian Heinisch expects a dominating performance at UFC 241 when he takes on Derek Brunson. The 31-year-old called for this fight and for a good reason. He doesn’t believe Brunson is on his level and plans on exploiting him come Saturday.
Nate Diaz reveals what he was smoking at UFC 241 open workouts
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2019
Nate Diaz caused a scene at his first open workout in over three years. The fan-favorite took the stage and lit up a joint and started smoking it and then passed it around the crowd. The media members and fans were trying to figure out what he was smoking, and following the open workouts, he revealed it was CBD.
VIDEO | Nate Diaz sparks up at UFC 241 open workouts
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2019
Nate Diaz is back fighting after more than three years away from the Octagon. His reason for not fighting is unknown, but nonetheless, he is back. At UFC 241’s open workouts on Wednesday, Diaz took the stage and lit what appears to be a blunt and smoked it in front of the fans. If that wasn’t enough, the fan-favorite then passed it to the fans in attendance.
Daniel Cormier says Jon Jones should not be in GOAT conversation
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2019
When people start to think of who is the greatest fighter of all-time, names like Georges St-Pierre, Demetrious Johnson, and Jon Jones get brought up. Yet, Daniel Cormier believes his rival in “Bones” should not be in that conversation for a simple reason. Why? Well, Cormier thinks if anyone has a history with PEDs they should be removed from the GOAT conversation. Just like they are in other sports.
Kenny Florian thinks Paulo Costa took Yoel Romero bout too soon
Fernando Quiles - August 14, 2019
Kenny Florian believes that Paulo Costa is not ready for a middleweight the caliber of Yoel Romero. Ready or not, Costa will indeed go one-on-one with “The Soldier of God” (see pros picks here) this Saturday night (Aug. 17). The bout will take place on the main card of UFC 241. The action will be held inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Dana White says Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier 3 would be at 205lbs
Adam Martin - August 14, 2019
UFC president Dana White wants a third fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier to take place at heavyweight, but he says both men want it at 205lbs. Speaking to reporters Tuesday night following the latest episode of the Contender Series, White revealed that a trilogy fight between the two bitter rivals would take place at light heavyweight.
Paige VanZant updates on recovery, shares timeframe for return
Tom Taylor - August 14, 2019
It’s been a long time since we last saw Paige VanZant in the cage. Yet the popular flyweight contender is hoping to return this year, pending an all-clear with respect to her arm injury. “My arm feels good but my mind is still uneasy,” VanZant told MMA Fighting on Monday. “Before I had my first surgery, I felt great, I went in and my arm was still broken. I had to have a second surgery. I’m at the point where I don’t trust myself. I feel really good but my mind still isn’t at peace until I go in and have my first CT scan. I go in on Wednesday, so Wednesday is the day I get to go in and get my CT scan, see if my arm is healing and hopefully get cleared to start training.
Petition aims to have Joe Rogan host 2020 presidential debate
Tom Taylor - August 14, 2019
Joe Rogan is known for many things, from his standup comedy, to his popular podcast, to his gig as a color commentator for the UFC. If the creators of a recent Change.org petition have their way, he’ll soon be known as the host of a presidential debate, too. This petition references the UFC commentator’s experience interviewing people of all political persuasions on his podcast, among other things. It is rapidly closing in on its goal 150,000 signatures.
Dana White says Conor McGregor is waiting on results of UFC 241 and 242
Mike Pendleton - August 14, 2019
UFC President Dana White told reporters on Tuesday night that Conor McGregor is waiting to see how Anthony Pettis vs. Nate Diaz plays out at UFC 241, and how Dustin Poirier vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov plays out at UFC 242 before mounting his return. Following Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series, White spoke to the media and was asked about a potential return for the Irish superstar and said right now, it’s a wait-and-see situation with Conor McGregor.
Urijah Faber questions if Henry Cejudo is backing down
Fernando Quiles - August 14, 2019
Urijah Faber wonders whether or not Henry Cejudo truly wants to fight him. Back in June, Cejudo became a UFC “champ-champ.” He entered his UFC 238 headliner against Marlon Moraes as the flyweight champion. Once the smoke cleared, “Triple C” added the bantamweight gold to his mantle. After the fight, Cejudo called out the likes of Faber, Dominick Cruz, and Cody Garbrandt.
Dana White claims his relationship with Nate Diaz has 'always' been good
Tom Taylor - August 14, 2019
UFC President Dana White claims that he and Nate Diaz have always had a good personal relationship, despite what Diaz’s previous comments might suggest to the contrary. The UFC boss updated on his relationship with the younger Diaz bro shortly after Contender Series on Tuesday night.
Mike Perry says he's behind on taxes, has $6.00 in the bank
Adam Martin - August 14, 2019
Despite being one of the most popular fighters in the sport, UFC welterweight Mike Perry says that he’s behind on taxes and only has $6.00 in his bank account. Perry, who suffered one of the worst nose breaks in MMA history last weekend at UFC Uruguay, posted a story on his Instagram detailing his financial troubles. Here’s what Perry had to say.
Dana White reacts to Henry Cejudo calling out Valentina Shevchenko
Tom Taylor - August 14, 2019
Earlier this week, UFC men’s flyweight and bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo made a callout of UFC women’s flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko, challenging her to an ‘inter-gender’ showdown with all of their combined gold on the line. The following is a public service announcement for the supposed flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko. Signed, Triple C and soon to be The IGC. #bendtheknee @BulletValentina pic.twitter.com/kUQbCnmIWd
Coach: Anthony Pettis was 'the Conor before Conor was Conor'
Tom Taylor - August 14, 2019
Conor McGregor is far and away the biggest star in MMA history. Yet Duke Roufus, the coach behind former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, believes Pettis blazed a trail for McGregor. Roufus sees a number of similarities between the two former lightweight champs, and believes a fight between them could be in the cards if Pettis beats his rival Nate Diaz at UFC 241 this weekend.