UFC News
Felicia Spencer believes she will "shock the world" with stoppage win over Amanda Nunes
Cole Shelton - June 1, 2020
Felicia Spencer believes she’ll pull off one of the biggest upsets in MMA history on Saturday night. In the main event of UFC 250, Amanda Nunes is looking to defend her featherweight title against Spencer. It was originally supposed to happen at UFC 249 on May 9 but Nunes needed it delayed until June.
Dana White says Jon Jones' future is "up to him"
Mike Pendleton - June 1, 2020
After looking to setup a fight with Francis Ngannou, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones now has his future up in the air due to a financial public dispute with UFC President Dana White. Jones took to Twitter over the weekend and announced he would be vacating his 205-pound title, and now White has responded. White provided a statement to The Canadian Press on Monday, responding to Jones’ and said if the champion wants to retire, he has made enough money in his career where he can do that as well.
Jon Jones hits the streets of Albuquerque to clean up after protests
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is doing his part to clean up the streets Albuquerque, New Mexico after a number of protests hit the city over the weekend. On Monday afternoon, Jones rallied a crew of volunteers, packed them into a van, and set out to do affect some positive change. He announced his mission in a post to his Instagram story.
Report: Nearly half of MMA fighters now use marijuana
Adam Martin - June 1, 2020
A new report from The Athletic suggests that nearly half of MMA fighters now use marijuana for recovery or recreational purposes. The Athletic polled 170 MMA fighters from promotions all over the world and found that 45.9 percent use marijuana, while 76.5 percent say they have used CBD products. Additionally, 4.7 percent of the fighters polled used marijuana in the past but now don’t.
UFC on ESPN 9 salaries: Tyron Woodley out-earns Gilbert Burns
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
Gilbert Burns was the picture of dominance in his unanimous decision victory over Tyron Woodley at UFC on ESPN 9, but he earned less than his vanquished foe. The UFC on ESPN 9 card went down this past Saturday at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card marked the promotion’s return to its Sin City headquarters after three consecutive events in Jacksonville, Florida.
Following historic submission win Mackenzie Dern says her next goal is to become mom champ
Harry Kettle - June 1, 2020
Following her big win at UFC on ESPN 9 this weekend, Mackenzie Dern has set her sights on becoming a “mom champ” in the promotion. Dern put in an incredibly impressive showing on Saturday night as she secured a kneebar submission win over Hannah Cifers. The first round triumph earned Dern a Performance of the Night bonus, and it also got her back in the win column after her loss to Amanda Ribas back in October 2019.
What's next for Gilbert Burns and Tyron Woodley after UFC on ESPN 9?
Cole Shelton - June 1, 2020
In the main event of UFC on ESPN 9, Gilbert Burns was looking for the biggest win of his career as he was welcoming Tyron Woodley back to the Octagon. It was the first time Woodley would be fighting since his dominant decision loss to Kamaru Usman to lose his belt. In the lead up to the fight, he said he was motivated once again and would take Burns into deep waters. Yet, that is far from what happened as the Brazilian won every single round to take a decision win.
VIDEO | Chuck Liddell attempts to soothe tensions at Huntington Beach rally
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell did his part to diffuse tensions at a rally in Huntington Beach, California. Like many other cities across the United States, Huntington Beach has been the setting of rallies and protests in response to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25. Several of these protests have turned violent, and Liddell was evidently eager to avoid such an outcome in Huntington Beach.
Gilbert Burns wants to stay busy, eyes three potential opponents for June return
Harry Kettle - June 1, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns has named three possible opponents for a quick return to action in June. Burns dominated Tyron Woodley at the UFC Apex facility on Saturday night, registering a decisive unanimous decision victory to take his winning streak up to six.
Ben Askren thinks Jon Jones is likely worth more than the UFC is paying him
Natasha Hooper - June 1, 2020
Ben Askren backs Jon Jones as he suspects the UFC is not paying him what he is worth. Jon Jones’ relationship with the UFC and its president, Dana White, has been tainted over a possible clash against Francis Ngannou. The light heavyweight champion has shared his interest in moving up a weight division to face the heavy-hitter. Ngannou has also shown mutual interest in the blockbuster bout.
Georges St-Pierre explains decision to retire from MMA: “I stopped because of the stress”
Natasha Hooper - June 1, 2020
Georges St-Pierre revealed his reasons for hanging up his gloves in MMA, and discussed whether he could ever return to the Octagon. The widely regarded G.O.A.T officially retired from MMA in February 2019. He is often praised for retiring whilst still on top, as he was riding a 13-fight win streak and had already claimed welterweight and middleweight belts.
VIDEO | Jon Jones confiscates spray paint in Albuquerque protest: "Is this s**t even about George Floyd anymore?"
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones recently confiscated a can of spray paint from a protester in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Like many cities across the United States, Albuquerque has been the setting of major protests stemming from the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer late last month.
Ryan Bader tells Jon Jones he would "love to run it back" in Bellator
Adam Martin - May 31, 2020
Bellator double champion Ryan Bader told UFC light heavyweight Jon Jones that he would “love to run it back” under the Bellator banner. Bader and Jones fought back at UFC 126 in 2011 when both were still rising contenders in the UFC light heavyweight division. In a battle between the two top prospects in the division, Jones came away with the victory when he submitted Bader with a guillotine choke. Jones would then take on Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128 and win the UFC light heavyweight title. The rest, they say, is history.
Dominick Reyes reacts after Jon Jones announces plans to vacate belt
Adam Martin - May 31, 2020
Dominick Reyes expressed his disappointment following the news that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones plans on vacating his belt. Jones said on Sunday that he will vacate the light heavyweight belt after getting into a public contractual disagreement with the UFC about a potential Francis Ngannou superfight. Jones was looking to be compensated for what he feels to be fair value for the bout, but UFC president Dana White said Jones is asking for too much money, which is why the Ngannou fight fell apart.
Jon Jones says he is vacating UFC light heavyweight title, calls for Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz vacant title fight
Adam Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones says he’s vacating his belt and is proposing the UFC match up Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz for the title. Jones has been in a contract squabble with the UFC after a superfight with heavyweight Francis Ngannou felt through due to financial issues. UFC president Dana White suggested that Jones asked for an “obscene” amount of money for the fight, and Jones has since said that White is lying to be fans about how much money he’s asking for to fight Ngannou.
Dana White confirms UFC will "kick" extra bonus money to Billy Quarantillo and Spike Carlyle
Adam Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed the promotion will “kick” some extra bonus money to Billy Quarantillo and Spike Carlyle for their fight at UFC Las Vegas. Quarantillo defeated Carlyle via unanimous decisions in one of the most back-and-forth fights on the card, a bout that had fans buzzing as it was action-packed for all 15 minutes. Both Quarantillo and Carlyle were close to finishing the fight at numerous point, with Quarantillo ultimately being able to grind out a victory on the judges’ scorecards.
Former UFC fighter Jimi Manuwa offers to meet Jon Jones in the squared circle
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
Former UFC fighter Jimi Manuwa has offered to meet UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the squared circle if Jones transitions into boxing. Manuwa retired from MMA last year following a head kick KO loss to Aleksandar Rakic at UFC Sweden. Manuwa suffered four consecutive losses to end his UFC career but overall had a .500 record inside the Octagon with a 6-6 mark, including five wins by way of knockout. Some of his notable wins in the UFC include victories over Jan Blachowicz, Corey Anderson, and Ovince Saint Preux, the latter two via KO.
Dana White reacts to Gilbert Burns' dominant win over Tyron Woodley
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC president Dana White said he was impressed by welterweight standout Gilbert Burns’ win over Tyson Woodley at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Burns picked up the biggest win of his career when he earned a unanimous decision win over Woodley in the main event of the evening. It was the sixth win in a row for Burns, who moved to a perfect 4-0 since moving up to welterweight in 2019, with previous victories over Demian Maia, Gunnar Nelson, and Alexey Kunchenko. After the event, his boss White praised his performance against Woodley.