UFC News
VIDEO | Paulo Costa unleashes 23 thunderous kicks in just 12 seconds
Natasha Hooper - August 5, 2020
Paulo Costa recently proved it isn’t just his striking power that Israel Adesanya needs to look out for, it’s speed too. The middleweight standout proclaimed “I’m a beast now” as he stepped up his training ahead of his title fight against Adesanya at UFC 253 on September 19. With the help of his Muay Thai coach Felipe Reis and his boxing coach Edvaldo Badola, the top contender showcased his speed and power as he uncorked 23 kicks in 12 seconds.
Calvin Kattar offers to step in on short notice to fight Zabit Magomedsharipov
Adam Martin - August 4, 2020
UFC featherweight contender Calvin Kattar has offered to step in on short notice and fight Zabit Magomedsharipov later this month. Magomedsharipov was expected to fight Yair Rodriguez in a potential No. 1 contender fight in the UFC featherweight division in the main event of a UFC Fight Night event on August 29. Unfortunately, this fight seems cursed. The UFC has tried to book it in the past but for one reason or another, it hasn’t come to fruition, and it won’t this time, either. On Tuesday, UFC president Dana White revealed that Rodriguez is injured and out of the fight.
Yair Rodriguez out of main event fight against Zabit Magomedsharipov
Cole Shelton - August 4, 2020
Yair Rodriguez and Zabit Magomedsharipov will have to wait a little longer to fight one another. The two have been linked to fighting one another for quite some time, and on Aug. 29 in the main event, they were expected to finally meet. Yet, on Tuesday evening, Mexican outlet Milenio, reported Rodriguez is out of the fight. Dana White later confirmed at the post-fight press conference following the Contender Series.
Conor McGregor blasts Khabib Nurmagomedov over planned strategy for Justin Gaethje fight
Cole Shelton - August 4, 2020
Conor McGregor is not a fan of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s strategy for his upcoming bout against Justin Gaethje. Nurmagomedov is returning to the Octagon at UFC 254 on October 24 to take on the Gaethje. It is a fascinating fight where many believe “The Highlight” poses a big threat to the undefeated Dagestani champion.
Alexey Oleynik asked for Derrick Lewis fight, expects to keep on competing for another 7-10 years
Cole Shelton - August 4, 2020
Alexey Oleynik always wanted to share the Octagon with Derrick Lewis and he now gets the chance to do so. In the main event of UFC Vegas 6, the Russian will be taking on Lewis. It is a very intriguing fight that the UFC wanted to headline the June 13 show according to Oleynik. But, he needed more time after his win over Fabricio Werdum.
Beneil Dariush says he's "extremely disappointed" to be fighting unranked Scott Holtzman
Cole Shelton - August 4, 2020
Beneil Dariush was looking to be fighting a ranked opponent but unfortunately did not get his wish. Dariush, who is currently ranked 14th at lightweight, is riding a four-fight winning streak and coming off a spectacular KO win over Drakkar Klose at UFC 248. It was a phenomenal finish. Looking back at it, the timing of that fight couldn’t have been any more perfect.
Dana White not committed to giving Khamzat Chimaev a top-15 opponent next
Adam Martin - August 4, 2020
UFC president Dana White is unsure who will be the next opponent for welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev and he isn’t sure it will be a top-15 fighter. Chimaev defeated John Phillips and Rhys McKee in dominant fashion on Fight Island, setting a record for the fewest time (10 days) to collect two wins in the modern UFC era. Chimaev took no damage in both fights and has told White and the UFC that he hopes to fight against in August, potentially at UFC 252: Miocic vs. Cormier 3.
Khamzat Chimaev calls Donald Cerrone "an easy fight"
Tom Taylor - August 4, 2020
Red-hot UFC welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev has a bold prediction for a potential fight with long-time contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. Speaking to Chael Sonnen in a video posted to YouTube, Chimaev opened up on a potential fight with Cerrone. While he admitted there’s been no discussions about this matchup, he’s confident he’d win it in the first or second round if it happened.
Kevin Lee says he will help Georges St-Pierre prepare for Khabib Nurmagomedov fight
Tom Taylor - August 4, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee says he’ll help Georges St-Pierre prepare for a potential fight with the lightweight division’s reigning champ, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib Nurmagomedov is scheduled to defend his lightweight title against the division’s interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje, on October 24. If he gets past that massive challenge, the expectation is that he could take on St-Pierre, the former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion, as he looks to improve his professional record to an absurd 30-0.
Tim Elliott issues statement after testing positive for marijuana
Tom Taylor - August 4, 2020
UFC flyweight contender Tim Elliott has issued a statement after testing positive for marijuana on an in-competition for his May 30 fight with Brandon Royval. On Monday, ESPN’s Marc Raimondi reported that both Tim Elliott and Jamahal Hill tested positive for marijuana, and are facing discipline from the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Both have been handed temporary suspensions by the commission, and could ultimately be hit with nine-month suspensions. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), could also issue suspensions, but has not yet decided if it will take action.
Dana White says UFC could return to Fight Island for five-week stint
Adam Martin - August 4, 2020
UFC president Dana White says his promotion is planning on having five more weeks of events on Fight Island. The UFC just finished its first foray on Fight Island on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi during the month of July and it was a huge success. The UFC held a total of four events within a two-week span, including a massive pay-per-view in UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal that did 1.3 million buys. White had been saying for months leading into it that Fight Island would be big for his company, but it was even bigger than anyone could have expected.
Manager: Usman Nurmagomedov is "a better version" of cousin Khabib
Tom Taylor - August 4, 2020
Ali Abdelaziz, the CEO of MMA management firm Dominance MMA, says that undefeated lightweight prospect Usman Nurmagomedov is even better than his cousin, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Speaking to Andy Whitelaw of Asian MMA, Abdelaziz was asked to identify the brightest prospects he currently represents—prospects like Khamzat Chimaev, who recently burst into the limelight in the UFC.
Daniel Cormier gives Jon Jones "respect" after rival calls him "an outstanding man"
Tom Taylor - August 4, 2020
Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones, who have both enjoyed reigns as UFC champions, are two of the most heated rivals in MMA history. In the year 2020, however, their rivalry seems to be waning.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 5 with Alexey Oleynik, Beneil Dariush, Scott Holtzman & Yana Kunitskaya
Cole Shelton - August 4, 2020
The fifth episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 6. Host Cole Shelton is first joined 10th ranked heavyweight, Alexey Oleynik (1:38). Next, 14th ranked lightweight, Beneil Dariush comes on (14:22). Then, UFC lightweight, Scott Holtzman (31:03) joins the program. Finally, eighth-ranked bantamweight, Yana Kunitskaya (49:21) is the final guest of the episode.
Frankie Saenz "not ok" with recent UFC loss, felt he was in "fight or be cut" situation
Tom Taylor - August 4, 2020
Long-time UFC bantamweight competitor Frankie Saenz is not happy about the circumstances of his most recent loss. Saenz competed on last Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 31 card, taking on Jonathan Martinez. Regrettably, Martinez missed the 136-pound bantamweight limit by a whopping 4.5 pounds—enough of a gap for Saenz to consider rejecting the fight, which would have been within his rights.
Daniel Cormier explains why he prefers rivalry with Stipe Miocic over Jon Jones
Harry Kettle - August 4, 2020
Former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier prefers his rivalry with Stipe Miocic to his intense rivalry with light heavyweight king Jon Jones. Back in July 2018 at UFC 226, Cormier shocked the world when he knocked Miocic out in the first round to claim the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Then, 14 months later, Miocic got his revenge by knocking Cormier out in the rematch to reclaim the title.
Jared Cannonier hopes to serve as alternate for Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa matchup
Natasha Hooper - August 4, 2020
Jared Cannonier will face Robert Whittaker at UFC 254 on October 24, but will be willing to serve as backup for the upcoming Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa middleweight title fight. Heading into his fight with Whittaker, Cannonier hasn’t fought in almost a year. “The Killa Gorilla” last beat Jack Hermansson by knockout in the second round of their September bout in 2019. Since then, the 36-year old suffered from a torn pectoral muscle that kept him out of action.
Dana White "guarantees" that Conor McGregor will not fight again in 2020
Adam Martin - August 3, 2020
UFC president Dana White once again confirmed Conor McGregor is retiring, saying that he “guarantees” that McGregor will not fight again in 2020. McGregor is the biggest superstar in MMA but he announced that he had lost passion for the sport and would be taking a break. UFC president Dana White has confirmed multiple times that the UFC superstar is retired, but that hasn’t stopped fans and media from speculating he could return. Still, White has remained adamant that McGregor is retired.