UFC News
Darren Till and Robert Whittaker disagree on who holds striking edge
Tom Taylor - July 21, 2020
Darren Till and Robert Whittaker, who will meet in the main event of UFC on ESPN 14 this Saturday, disagree on who holds the edge in the striking department. Till, who recently debuted in the middleweight division with a win over Kelvin Gastelum, believes he’s levels above Whittaker in terms of striking.
Dustin Poirier discusses goals for "last four or five years" of MMA career
Tom Taylor - July 21, 2020
Long-time UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier recognizes that he’s entering the final stretch of his incredible MMA career, and he wants to make his last years of competition count. Poirier is riding a thrilling, decision victory over New Zealand’s Dan Hooker, which instantly reasserted him as one of the top contenders in the lightweight division.
Shogun Rua confirms he only has two or three fights left in legendary MMA career, hopes to become UFC ambassador
Adam Martin - July 21, 2020
UFC legend Shogun Rua has confirmed he only has two or three fights left in his legendary MMA career before he finally hangs up his gloves. Rua, the former UFC light heavyweight champion and the 2005 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix champion, takes on long-time rival Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in the co-main event of this Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 14 event. Little Nog has already confirmed that at age 44, this will be the final fight of his own legendary career. As for Rua, at age 38 he isn’t planning on hanging his up gloves just yet, but at this point only has a few fights left to give fans.
Georges St-Pierre calls Khabib Nurmagomedov "the perfect fighter"
Tom Taylor - July 21, 2020
Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre says Khabib Nurmagomedov, the reigning lightweight champion, is the perfect fighter. St-Pierre, who is currently retired, has long expressed interest in a possible super fight with Nurmagomedov. Speaking on the MMA TRUFAN podcast, the Canadian MMA legend explained the allure of this potential matchup.
Henry Cejudo scoffs at Aljamain Sterling and Marlon Moraes for bickering over a ‘silver medal’
Harry Kettle - July 21, 2020
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo has taken yet another shot at former bantamweight rivals Aljamain Sterling and Marlon Moraes. While Cejudo may have “retired” from mixed martial arts, the man known as “Triple C” clearly isn’t planning on letting his guard down anytime soon. The expectation from many fans and pundits alike is that he’ll get back into the Octagon one day, and based on some of his recent remarks on social media, that day may not be too far away.
Deiveson Figueiredo says he ‘closed the casket’ on Joseph Benavidez
Natasha Hooper - July 21, 2020
On UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi last weekend, Deiveson Figueiredo earned the flyweight with a win over Joseph Benavidez. He already headed back to his home turf of Brazil on Sunday afternoon accompanied by his new UFC belt. Figueiredo and Benavidez first fought back in February, where it was Figueiredo who won by second-round knockout. However the Brazilian missed weight, so he didn’t claim the flyweight belt.
Sean O'Malley determined to avoid mistake Conor McGregor made
Tom Taylor - July 21, 2020
As Sean O’Malley closes in on a title fight with bantamweight champion Petr Yan, he’s keen to avoid a mistake made by MMA superstar Conor McGregor. O’Malley is easily one of the most promising prospects in MMA right now, and he’s already on the radar of many of his division’s top fighters, including former champions Henry Cejudo and Cody Garbrandt, and the reigning champion Yan.
Paige VanZant: I will "show off how good I am" after "rock bottom"
Tom Taylor - July 21, 2020
After a long stint with the UFC, Paige VanZant is now a free agent, but her mixed martial arts career is far from over. VanZant fulfilled the final obligation of her latest UFC contract at UFC 251, when she was submitted by Amanda Ribas. While it’s possible she will re-sign with the UFC, she can now field offers from other promotions.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 3 with Dan Lambert, Peter Sobotta & Ricky Bandejas
Cole Shelton - July 21, 2020
The third episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Fight Island 3 and Bellator 242. Host Cole Shelton is first joined by American Top Team owner Dan Lambert (1:56). Then, UFC welterweight Peter Sobotta (24:29) comes on and the final guest is Bellator bantamweight, Ricky Bandejas (41:26).
Video | Jorge Masvidal releases footage of backstage encounter with Michael Bisping
Harry Kettle - July 21, 2020
UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal has released footage of him and Michael Bisping officially squashing their beef backstage at a past event. While the two UFC veterans do now appear to be on great terms, once upon a time, there was a real sense of animosity between them that had been detailed thoroughly in various interviews and actual interactions between the two.
Ali Abdelaziz: “Khabib Nurmagomedov told me to tell Justin Gaethje to go fight Conor McGregor”
Natasha Hooper - July 21, 2020
According to his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, Khabib Nurmagomedov encouraged Justin Gaethje to go fight Conor McGregor next. UFC president Dana White recently revealed that “The Eagle” is taking some time away from the Octagon due to the tragic death off his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. He was expected to return to fighting at UFC 253 on September 19 and defend his belt against the lightweight interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje. White hasn’t ruled out the possibility of the fight but is still waiting for a callback from Nurmagomedov to see where his head is at.
Dana White praises Amanda Ribas, says she will fight again this fall
Adam Martin - July 20, 2020
UFC president Dana White praised women’s flyweight contender Amanda Ribas and said she will return to the Octagon this fall. Ribas is coming off of a first-round armbar submission win over Paige VanZant in the main card pay-per-view opener at UFC 251. The win upped Ribas’ record in the UFC to 4-0 with wins over VanZant, Randa Markos, Mackenzie Dern, and Emily Whitmire. White and the UFC are always looking for the next big thing, especially in the women’s weight divisions, and Ribas appears like she could break out and become a massive star for the promotion.
Dana White targeting three title fights to take place on Fight Island, claims Abu Dhabi is the new fight capital
Cole Shelton - July 20, 2020
Dana White is expecting to be on Fight Island for a while and is already looking at three title fights to take place there. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world, White has been adamant he will keep on holding events. He even said he’d be hosting them on an island. Well, on July 11 at UFC 251 he did just that as Fight Island was born in Abu Dhabi, which the UFC boss says is the new fight capital of the world.
What's next for Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez after UFC Fight Island 2?
Cole Shelton - July 20, 2020
In the main event of UFC Fight Island 2, Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez had an immediate rematch for the vacant flyweight title. The two fought back in February, where it was Figueiredo who won by second-round knockout. Yet, the Brazilian missed weight and there was a headbutt that impacted the stoppage.
Daniel Cormier doesn't know if teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight again following the death of his father
Cole Shelton - July 20, 2020
Daniel Cormier does not believe Khabib Nurmagomedov will be fighting in 2020. He also doesn’t know if his teammate will even fight again. Nurmagomedov was expected to face Justin Gaethje at UFC 253 on September 19. Yet, his father recently passed away due to complications of COVID-19. Since then, the undefeated champion has been mourning his father, while many have wondered when may he fight again.
Gilbert Burns announces he's "covid free"
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
On Monday afternoon, surging UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns announced that he has tested negative for COVID-19. Burns was expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. Regrettably, he tested positive for COVID-19, and was promptly removed from the matchup as a result. He was then replaced by Jorge Masvidal, who Usman defeated by unanimous decision.
Colby Covington slams "pathetic" Jorge Masvidal for requesting Usman rematch
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
Colby Covington has some choice words for Jorge Masvidal, who recently requested a rematch with UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. Masvidal challenged Usman for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 251 earlier this month. He accepted the fight on six days’ notice, replacing Usman’s originally slated foe Gilbert Burns, who tested positive for COVID-19.
Chael Sonnen thinks Petr Yan created 'confusing' situation in UFC bantamweight division
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 20, 2020
Chael Sonnen feels the UFC bantamweight division is a mess and we have Petr Yan to thank. Yan competed for the vacant UFC bantamweight title on July 11. He met Jose Aldo on the main card of UFC 251. Yan scored a fifth-round TKO victory to capture UFC gold for the first time in his pro MMA career.