UFC News
Henry Cejudo sends a message to Dana White after witnessing the UFC hand his belts to a couple of “Rent A champs”
Harry Kettle - July 20, 2020
Henry Cejudo has sent a message to UFC President Dana White in the wake of new bantamweight and flyweight champions being crowned. “Triple C” retired from mixed martial arts back in May after his convincing win over Dominick Cruz at UFC 249, opening the door for both of the aforementioned divisions to move on without him. In the last few weeks, Petr Yan and Deiveson Figueiredo have both stepped up to the plate and won titles in their respective weight classes – prompting more than a few responses from Cejudo.
Jack Hermansson thanks Kelvin Gastelum in classy post-fight statement
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Jack Hermansson has issued a classy statement after submitting Kelvin Gastelum at UFC on ESPN+30 last weekend. Hermansson battled Gastelum in the card’s co-main event, and with massive implications for the middleweight top-10 on the line.The Swedish-Norwegian ended up picking up one of his biggest wins to date, tapping Gastelum with a heel hook just over a minute into the first round.
VIDEO | Henry Cejudo goes to bat for Mike Perry, claims ‘Platinum’ is innocent
Natasha Hooper - July 20, 2020
The former UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo, has backed Mike Perry following his alleged bar fight in Texas, as the pair shrugged off any negativity in a video posted to social media. Perry, a welterweight, allegedly punched an older gentleman in a bar during an outing with his girlfriend earlier this month.
Dana White not rushing Khabib Nurmagomedov back to the Octagon: “He’s going to fight when he calls me”
Natasha Hooper - July 20, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov is taking some time away from fighting according to UFC President Dana White. It has been an unfortunate year for the undisputed lightweight champion. He was scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson in an eagerly-anticipated matchup at UFC 249 in May earlier this year. However, due to the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent travel restrictions, he was forced to withdraw from the upcoming title defence.
Dana White praises incredible striking duel between Rafael Fiziev and Marc Diakiese: "Oh my God"
Adam Martin - July 19, 2020
UFC president Dana White was a big fan of the striking duel between lightweight standouts Rafael Fiziev and Marc Diakiese at UFC Fight Island 2. In what was later deemed the “Fight of the Night” at UFC Fight Island 2, Fiziev and Diakiese went three hard rounds of pure striking, throwing everything in their arsenal at one another over the 15 minutes allotted. Fiziev ended up winning a unanimous decision in the fight, but Diakiese proved his worth with a durable showing against an elite striker.
Ali Abdelaziz lays out Conor McGregor's path to a lightweight title shot
Adam Martin - July 19, 2020
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz laid out the path for what it would take for UFC superstar Conor McGregor to get a lightweight title shot. Abdelaziz is the manager of not only UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, but also interim champ Justin Gaethje. The plan was originally set for Nurmagomedov to fight Gaethje at UFC 243 in September, but following the passing of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, that fight is on hold right now. Instead, the UFC plans to have Israel Adesanya take on Paulo Costa in the main event of UFC 243 for the middleweight belt.
Kamaru Usman rips Conor McGregor for fighting lightweights with double-digit losses
Adam Martin - July 19, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman ripped superstar Conor McGregor for fighting lightweights with double-digit losses at 170lbs. Usman, fresh off of a dominant decision win over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251, spoke to TMZ Sports and was asked about a potential fight with McGregor. According to the champ, he offered McGregor a title shot but never heard back from him. Instead, Usman says McGregor is too busy picking off lightweight at 170lbs so he doesn’t have to cut weight.
Khamzat Chimaev makes quick return at UFC Fight Island 3, has chance to set UFC record
Adam Martin - July 19, 2020
UFC welterweight Khamzat Chimaev will soon get the chance to break a modern-day UFC record for the shortest amount of time to get two wins in the Octagon. Chimaev made his UFC debut this past Wednesday when he submitted John Phillips in one of the most dominant UFC debuts we have ever seen. From the opening bell of the first round until the round was over, Chimaev beat down Phillips so badly that one judge even scored the round 10-7 in his favor. In the second round, Chimaev locked up a D’arce choke to defeat Phillips and earn himself a $50,000 bonus for “Performance of the Night.”
A look back at the astonishing career of UFC champion Jon Jones
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones turned 33 years old on Sunday, so it’s the perfect time to go back and take a look at his astonishing MMA career. Tomorrow I turn 33!
Deiveson Figueiredo warns Demetrious Johnson against making a return to the UFC
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020
New UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo warned former long-time flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson about making a return to the UFC. Figueiredo won the vacant flyweight belt when he dominated Joseph Benavidez in the main event of UFC Fight Island 2. After knocking Benavidez down three times and then nearly finishing the fight three times with rear-naked chokes, he finally was able to get the RNC late in the first when he choked Benavidez out cold in an incredible title-winning victory.
Video | Rafael Fiziev reacts to news that he is receiving a $50K performance bonus
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020
UFC lightweight Rafael Fiziev reacted to the news that he was one of the lucky winners of a $50,000 bonus award at UFC Fight Island 2. Along with Ariane Lipski and Deiveson Figueiredo, who won $50,000 each for “Performance of the Night,” Fiziev and fellow lightweight Marc Diakiese won bonuses for “Fight of the Night” for their incredible striking battle on the UFC Fight Island 2 main card. Following the event, a video was posted of Fiziev reacting to the incredible news that he won a bonus.
Photo | Former UFC champ Chris Weidman appears to be in phenomenal shape ahead of middleweight return
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman appears to be in phenomenal shape ahead of his middleweight return against Omari Akhmedov. Weidman takes on Akhmedov on August 8 at a UFC event that is set for the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Weidman was originally set to take on Jack Hermansson at UFC Oklahoma City in May, but that card fell apart due to the coronavirus pandemic. Weidman instead will now take on Akhmedov in what is essentially a must-win fight this August.
Photo | Darren Till is looking absolutely shredded ahead of middleweight showdown with Robert Whittaker
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Darren Till is looking absolutely shredded in anticipation of his fight against Robert Whittaker next Saturday on Fight Island. Till and Whittaker meet in the main event of the fourth overall Fight Island card. For these two middleweight contenders, this is a super important fight in the 185lbs division. The winner of this bout could very well earn a title shot against the winner of UFC 253’s Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa middleweight title fight that was just announced.
UFC Fight Island 2 bonuses: Ariane Lipski takes home $50k for her incredible kneebar submission
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2020
The bonus awards have been handed out for UFC Fight Island 2, and Ariane Lipski won $50,000 for her incredible kneebar submission win over Luana Carolina. The women’s flyweight contender Lipski was one of four fighters who earned the coveted $50,000 bonuses following the event. In addition to Lipski, new UFC men’s flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo won a bonus for his insane first-round stoppage win over Joseph Benavidez. As well, lightweights Rafael Fiziev and Marc Diakiese won $50,000 each for “Fight of the Night” for their incredible striking battle on the main card.
Dana White reacts to Deiveson Figueiredo's "pure violence" victory over Joseph Benavidez
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
UFC President Dana White was very impressed by Deiveson Figueiredo’s title-earning victory over Joseph Benavidez this evening. In the main event of UFC Fight Island 2, Figueiredo and Benavidez collided for a second time with the promotions vacant flyweight title on the line.
Joseph Benavidez issues statement following loss to Deiveson Figueiredo: "I'm not going out like that"
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
Joseph Benavidez received another shot at UFC gold when he squared off with Deiveson Figueiredo in tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 headliner. The bout marked Benavidez’s fourth career shot at UFC flyweight gold, this after coming up short in his three previous attempts to Demetrious Johnson (x2) and the aforementioned Figueiredo.
Henry Cejudo reacts to Deiveson Figueiredo's submission victory over Joseph Benavidez
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
Former flyweight champion Henry Cejudo was clearly watching tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 main event between Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez. Figueiredo and Benavidez were squaring off for a second time, this after their first encounter for the promotions vacant flyweight title had ended in somewhat controversial fashion. In their first meeting, the flyweights appeared to clash heads which opened up a cut on the head of ‘Joe-Jitsu’ and shortly after the Brazilian in Figueiredo was able to finish the fight.
Pros react to Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo 2 at UFC Fight Island
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez once again squared off for the promotions vacant flyweight title at tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 event. The flyweight standouts, Figueiredo and Benavidez, had first met at February’s event in Virginia, with the Brazilian emerging victorious by way of TKO shortly following an accidental headbutt.