UFC News
Ben Askren doesn’t think extra punches from Jorge Masvidal were “super necessary”, but admits the line is “kinda funny”
Natasha Hooper - July 9, 2020
Ben Askren recently reflected on his infamous KO loss at the hands of Jorge Masvidal. He admitted the final punches Masvidal administered weren’t “super necessary” but were at least “kinda funny”. The “BMF” winner, Masvidal is preparing to face off against the welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, at UFC 251 this weekend on UFC Fight Island. The anticipated matchup comes after a long list of career triumphs for “Gamebred”.
Jorge Masvidal’s manager suggests Kamaru Usman is upset that ‘Gamebred’ is getting all the media attention
Harry Kettle - July 9, 2020
MMA manager Abe Kawa has suggested that Kamaru Usman isn’t happy with Jorge Masvidal receiving all of the media attention ahead of their UFC 251 main event this Saturday. Ever since “Gamebred” stepped in to replace Gilbert Burns and challenge Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship, the media has been dying to get a glimpse into the mindset of the former Strikeforce star as he prepares for the biggest fight of his life.
VIDEO | Get your first look inside the UFC Fight Island arena
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2020
Footage has emerged from inside the arena on UFC Fight Island, where Saturday’s UFC 251 card and three subsequent events will occur. See this footage, which comes from Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting, below:
Ben Askren not surprised by Mike Perry’s recent actions: “Dude is a loose cannon”
Harry Kettle - July 9, 2020
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren has said he isn’t surprised by the recent actions of controversial UFC fighter Mike Perry. Footage emerged last night of Perry, who recently beat Mickey Gall in a decisive unanimous decision, getting into a fight with a man before going on a verbal tirade to both those in attendance and his girlfriend.
Daniel Cormier explains why Jorge Masvidal is in a "no-lose situation" at UFC 251
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2020
Daniel Cormier believes Jorge Masvidal is in a no-lose situation when he fights Kamaru Usman at UFC 251. Masvidal is entering this fight on just six days notice and is a sizeable underdog. Many people are picking against him and counting him out, yet for Cormier, he believes even if “Gamebred” loses, his stock doesn’t change.
VIDEO | Mike Perry involved in bar fight, caught dropping man with punch
Adam Martin - July 8, 2020
UFC welterweight Mike Perry was allegedly involved in a recent bar fight that was captured on video and posted and social media. Twitter user @MMAEejit posted the video on his social media on Wednesday night. The user added that the video was from last night, though we don’t know for sure when the incident in question took place. It’s worth noting in the video that Perry has a “Fight Island” t-shirt on.
Ben Askren says he is the one who put "the spotlight" on Jorge Masvidal: "I let him shine"
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2020
Ben Askren believes he played a major part in Jorge Masvidal’s rise to superstardom. After “Gamebred” knocked out Darren Till in the main event of UFC London, “Funky” was taking shots at Masvidal to try and get him to accept the fight. After several jabs, it worked and the two fought at UFC 239 where it was expected the winner would get a title shot.
Volkan Oezdemir plans on making a "statement" with KO win over Jiri Prochazka to get into title conversation
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2020
Volkan Oezdemir knows his UFC 251 fight against the promotional newcomer, Jiri Prochazka, will end by knockout. Prochazka is the former RIZIN light heavyweight champ and both he and Oezdemir are known as knockout artists. Yet, for the Swiss native, he says when the fight was originally offered he didn’t love the idea of fighting an unranked opponent. But, he knows he is a tough foe. So, he’s eager for the opportunity to welcome him to the Octagon.
Brendan Schaub on Geoff Neal working at Texas Steakhouse: 'It's such a bad look for the UFC'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 8, 2020
Brendan Schaub has weighed in on UFC welterweight Geoff Neal having to return to his job at Texas Steakhouse. Back in Dec. 2019, Neal turned in a statement-making win over Mike Perry. Neal dusted “Platinum” in the opening round, which is a feat not often accomplished against someone as tough as Perry. While many expected the UFC to attach the rocket to Neal and have him take off, that hasn’t been the case.
Alexander Volkanovski: Max Holloway is "being a bit of a sore loser"
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
Alexander Volkanovski feels that Max Holloway is “being a bit of a sore loser” ahead of their UFC 251 featherweight title fight. Volkanovski defeated Holloway by decision in December, claiming the UFC featherweight title for himself.
Uriah Hall plans to “go after” Yoel Romero and earn a middleweight title shot
Harry Kettle - July 8, 2020
UFC middleweight Uriah Hall has outlined his strategy as he prepares to go head to head with top contender Yoel Romero next month. The former Ultimate Fighter finalist has had his fair share of ups and downs in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but with three wins in his last four fights, it appears as if he’s finally starting to live up to the potential that fans knew he had when he first appeared on TUF.
UFC 251 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alex Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2020
In the co-main event of UFC 251 on Fight Island, Alex Volkanovski looks to defend his featherweight belt when he rematches Max Holloway. Heading into the fight, the champ is a -230 favorite while the Hawaiian in Holloway is a +180 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of the fighters believe Holloway will make the necessary adjustments to reclaim his featherweight title.
Jake Shields on COVID-19 Fight Island shake-ups: "Maybe it’s time for healthy people to stop being scared of this virus"
Adam Martin - July 8, 2020
Former UFC welterweight title contender Jake Shields reacted on social media after COVID-19 led to several Fight Island bouts being scrapped. Numerous bouts set to take place this month have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the most prominent being the scheduled UFC 251 main event between UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. After Burns tested positive on Friday, the UFC worked hard all weekend to book a replacement fight with Jorge Masvidal.
Andreas Michailidis eager to put Greece on the MMA map
Alfredo Zullino - July 8, 2020
Greece has not been a hotspot for fighters lately, but mixed martial arts was basically born there in 648 BC, when Pankration was introduced for the first time as an Olympic sport. Andreas Michailidis is here to change this trend.
Jorge Masvidal gives examples of Kamaru Usman's "multiple personalities"
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
Jorge Masvidal claims UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who he’ll fight in the main event of UFC 251 this Saturday, has “multiple personalities.” Masvidal made this claim on Twitter on Wednesday, pointing to the way Usman travels as an example.
Joe Rogan rails against win bonuses in MMA: "I just don't think it's fair"
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
Long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan is not a fan of win bonuses in combat sports. In combat sports, particularly in mixed martial arts, it’s typical for fighters to be paid a flat rate for competing, and then an additional figure (oftentimes the same amount) if they win.
Alexander Volkanovski rejects Henry Cejudo superfight talk: "I don’t want to put my division on hold"
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has responded to talk of a superfight with former UFC bantamweight and flyweight champ Henry Cejudo. Cejudo retired back in May, shortly after a successful bantamweight title fight against Dominick Cruz. Since then, he’s maintained that there are only a few fights that will lure him out of retirement, such as a boxing match with Ryan Garcia, or a featherweight superfight with Volkanovski.
Report: Paul Felder pulled from Fight Island commentary as a precaution
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2020
According to Michael Bisping, Paul Felder has been pulled from his commentary gigs on UFC Fight Island as a precaution. Felder was scheduled to commentate all four Fight Island cards, starting with UFC 251 this Saturday, and concluding with UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Till on July 25. Regrettably, he’s apparently been pulled from those commentary spots.