UFC News
UFC 251 | Pro fighters make their picks for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal title fight
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2020
In the main event of UFC 251 on Fight Island, Kamaru Usman looks to defend his welterweight title when he takes on Jorge Masvidal who took the fight on six days’ notice. Heading into the fight, the champ is a -300 favorite while “Gamebred” is a +230 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are nearly unanimous in thinking Usman defends his belt, but the big question is whether or not he gets the finish.
Tim Kennedy slams "pathetic" UFC fighter pay: "I would have made more as a garbage truck driver"
Adam Martin - July 7, 2020
Former UFC middleweight contender Tim Kennedy slammed the “pathetic” fighter pay in the UFC saying that he “would have made more as a garbage truck driver.” After Paige VanZant said that she would have made more money working a normal job in the last six years rather than fighting in the UFC, Kennedy took to social media to agree with her. In a fiery message directed to the UFC, the veteran middleweight said that the money the UFC pays the fighters is “pathetic” and admitted he would have made more driving a garbage truck. Here’s what Kennedy wrote on his Twitter.
Thiago Santos vs. Glover Teixeira headlines September UFC event
Adam Martin - July 7, 2020
A battle of top-five light heavyweights will headline a UFC event in September as Thiago Santos will make his return to the Octagon against Glover Teixeira. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto first reported the Santos vs. Teixeira matchup. It is set to take place on September 12 at a newly-revealed UFC event that as of right now has very few details about it, though we’re sure to find out more about this event soon.
Report | Two American Top Team coaches test positive for COVID-19
Tom Taylor - July 7, 2020
According to a report from Brazilian MMA outlet Combate, two American Top Team coaches have tested positive for COVID-19. Combate reports that both Mike Brown and Gabriel de Oliveira have tested positive for the virus. The ATT coaches’ positive tests come just days after UFC bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz, an American Top Team fighter, tested positive for the virus and was forced out of a July 15 fight with Frankie Edgar.
Coach Javier Mendez expects war in Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier trilogy at UFC 252
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 7, 2020
Head coach Javier Mendez anticipates a healthier Daniel Cormier to go to war with Stipe Miocic in the trilogy bout. UFC heavyweight champion Miocic and Cormier are scheduled to collide a third time on Aug. 15. The title bout is set to headline UFC 252 in Las Vegas. Cormier insists that this will be the last bout of his pro MMA career win or lose.
Leon Edwards says he is waiting on the UFC 251 main event winner
Tom Taylor - July 7, 2020
Streaking UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards says he’s waiting for a crack at the winner of the UFC 251 main event. UFC 251 goes down on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi this Saturday. In the card’s headliner UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will attempt to defend his title against Jorge Masvidal, who replaced Gilbert Burns just six days’ ahead of the event.
Gilbert Burns says he could "beat the s**t" out of Nate Diaz, "even with the 'rona"
Tom Taylor - July 7, 2020
No. 1 ranked UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns believes he could hand Nate Diaz a decisive loss in the Octagon, even if he’s infected with COVID-19. Burns was expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 251 this Saturday, but was regrettably forced out of the matchup when he tested positive for COVID-19. Burns was then replaced by Jorge Masvidal.
Paige VanZant on UFC career: I could made the same money with "a regular job"
Tom Taylor - July 7, 2020
After six years competing in the UFC, Paige VanZant says she could have earned the same amount of money working a “regular job.” VanZant is days out from a fight with Amanda Ribas, which will open the UFC 251 main card this Saturday night. The fight marks the final obligation on her current UFC contract.
Alex Volkanovski "surprised" Max Holloway is taking rematch, eyes stoppage win to send him to 155
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2020
Alex Volkanovski didn’t think Max Holloway would want to run things back right away. At UFC 245, Volkanovski beat Holloway to become the new featherweight champion. After the event, there was talk of an immediate rematch, but the Aussie admits he didn’t think the Hawaiian in Holloway would take it.
Dana White: Usman "terrorizing me" for BMF belt, but it won't be on the line at UFC 251
Tom Taylor - July 7, 2020
UFC President Dana White says there will only be one title on the line when Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal collide in the UFC 251 main event. Masvidal is set to challenge Usman for the undisputed welterweight title in the headliner of the card, which will emanate from Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night. The winner of the bout will leave the island with the welterweight title in their luggage.
Dana White calls Jorge Masvidal "absolutely brilliant" for sliding into UFC 251 main event
Adam Martin - July 7, 2020
UFC president Dana White called welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal “absolutely brilliant” for sliding into the UFC 251 main event against Kamaru Usman. Usman was supposed to put the UFC welterweight title on the line against No. 1 contender Gilbert Burns, but when Burns tested positive for COVID-19 and fell off the card, Masvidal put his hand up and said he wanted to take the fight. The UFC spent all weekend getting the Usman vs. Masvidal fight done, and once the fighters tested negative for the coronavirus, the promotion officially announced the new main event of UFC 251.
VIDEO | Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman narrowly avoid each other at hotel
Mike Pendleton - July 7, 2020
The rivalry between UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman and his next challenger Jorge Masvidal will come to a head in the main event of UFC 251 this weekend. Yet the pair very nearly came face-to-face early at the fighter hotel this week. In the lead-up to the fight, the two fighters haven’t hidden their disdain for each other.
Henry Cejudo teases "super legacy fight" with Demetrious Johnson
Tom Taylor - July 7, 2020
Former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo recently teased a “super legacy fight” with ONE Championship star Demetrious Johnson. Cejudo and Johnson have met twice previously. The pair first fought in 2019, when Johnson still held the UFC flyweight title in a vice grip. On that night, Johnson blew Cejudo away with a first-round TKO victory.
Colby Covington shares prediction for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251
Harry Kettle - July 7, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington has shared his prediction for UFC 251’s main event between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. Ever since his loss to Usman in the main event of UFC 245, “Chaos” has been relentless in calling out many top challengers at 170 pounds—including Usman and Masvidal.
Multiple fighters offer to step up and fight Frankie Edgar on short notice
Natasha Hooper - July 7, 2020
A whole host of fighters have offered to replace Pedro Munhoz against Frankie Edgar. Munhoz is the latest fighter to be pulled from a fight due to a positive COVID-19 test. The No. 7 ranked bantamweight was expected to face Edgar on the UFC’s Fight Island on July 15. Unfortunately, he tested positive for the virus, leaving “The Answer” without an opponent for the upcoming event.
Frankie Edgar reacts after Pedro Munhoz is forced to pull out of fight with COVID-19
Harry Kettle - July 7, 2020
UFC veteran Frankie Edgar has reacted to the news that Pedro Munhoz is out of their scheduled co-main event on next weekend’s Fight Island card. Edgar hasn’t had the best of luck when it comes to fights of his falling apart, and the same has happened here less than two weeks before he was set to make his debut in the bantamweight division.
Gilbert Burns says the welterweight division will become a "circus" if Jorge Masvidal beats Kamaru Usman at UFC 251
Cole Shelton - July 6, 2020
Gilbert Burns believes Jorge Masvidal will make the welterweight division like a circus if he becomes the champion. In the main event of UFC 251, Usman is looking to defend his belt against Masvidal. The fight was booked on just six days’ notice after Burns tested positive for COVID-19.
Claudia Gadelha returns to the Octagon in September against top-10 opponent
Adam Martin - July 6, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight star Claudia Gadelha will return to the Octagon in September when she takes on Yan Xiaonan at a newly-revealed UFC event in Las Vegas. Gadelha vs. Xiaonan was first revealed by Combate. The fight is set to take place on September 26 at a yet-to-be-announced UFC card in Vegas. It is so far the first fight to be announced for this new event. It is not yet known if this card will be a numbered event or a Fight Night, but with UFC 253 set to take place on September 19, it stands to reason that Gadelha vs. Xiaonan will be part of a Fight Night event.