UFC News
Jon Jones divulges gameplan for possible Francis Ngannou matchup
Adam Martin - May 15, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has divulged his gameplan for a potential superfight against heavyweight slugger Francis Ngannou. Jones and Ngannou have gone back-and-forth all week about a potential fight between two of the most popular stars on the UFC roster. Jones has always been connected to a move up to the heavyweight division, and Ngannou says he would welcome a potential fight against “Bones” should he make the decision to go up a weight class.
Conor McGregor laughs off Justin Gaethje's claim that he's losing clout
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
Former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor has laughed off a recent claim from interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. McGregor and Gaethje have been jawing back and forth for months now, but their exchanges have escalated ever since Gaethje captured the interim belt with a win over Tony Ferguson in the main event of the stacked UFC 249 card last weekend. McGregor has even stated that he intends to fight Gaethje next, mentioning July as his desired timeframe.
Dan Hardy wants Donald Cerrone next: "The reality is he's at the end of his career"
Adam Martin - May 15, 2020
UFC commentator Dan Hardy is hoping to make a comeback to the Octagon and is hoping he gets to fight Donald Cerrone next. Hardy hasn’t fought since September 2012, when he defeated Amir Sadollah by decision. He has dealt with health issues since then related to Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, but in recent years he has made it clear he is hoping to fight again one day. Last year Hardy re-entered the USADA testing pool, helping clear the way for a potential return.
Marvin Vettori's nutritionist clears the air on the infamous confrontation with Karl Roberson
Alfredo Zullino - May 15, 2020
Basically everyone has seen the infamous clip of Marvin Vettori going after his former opponent Karl Roberson, but there are still questions about what actually happens. Both fighters gave their sides of the story but of course, they differ from each other.
Anthony Smith releases statement after brutal TKO loss to Glover Teixeira
Adam Martin - May 15, 2020
Jon Jones doubles down on Francis Ngannou callout: "I'm going to win this fight"
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
It appears that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is dead serious about moving up to heavyweight to fight Francis Ngannou. On Friday morning, Jones took to Instagram to double down on his call for a fight with the Cameroonian-French knockout artist, referring to it as a “modern day David and Goliath” matchup.
Urijah Faber could potentially fight at UFC on ESPN 8
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
Fans that tuned in for this morning’s UFC on ESPN 8 weigh-ins were greeted by an unexpected face: Urijah Faber’s. Despite not being scheduled to fight on the Jacksonville, Florida event, Faber stepped onto the scale and weighed in just below the lightweight limit. Normally, this would suggest Faber is on-tap to replace any lightweights scheduled to compete on the card in the event of a last-minute shakeup. However, the UFC on ESPN on 8 lineup doesn’t feature any lightweight bouts.
Dominick Reyes gives props to Anthony Smith after UFC Jacksonville
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
Anthony Smith experienced arguably the toughest loss of his career at the hands of Glover Teixeira on Wednesday, but he won the respect of Dominick Reyes. Smith had a good first round in his fight with Teixeira, which headlined the recent UFC Jacksonville card, but the momentum began to swing out of his favor in round two. By the time the fourth round ended, Smith had been brutalized to the point of losing multiple teeth. The fight was finally and most mercifully stopped in the fifth round.
Weili Zhang finally emerges from quarantine, sets sights on Valentina Shevchenko
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang has finally emerged from a lengthy period of quarantine in her native China, and she’s already plotting her next challenge in the Octagon. After she defeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk in one of the greatest fights of all time back in March, Zhang got stranded in the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic. When she finally made it back to China, she was forced to endure a two-week period of isolation as a precaution.
UFC on ESPN 8 weigh-in results: Main event official, Edson Barboza hits featherweight limit
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens for a third time in eight days with the surprisingly stacked UFC on ESPN 8 card. The card will be headlined by a heavyweight showdown between former DREAM, Strikeforce and K-1 heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, and Walt Harris, who returns to the cage after the tragic death of his daughter, Aniah Blanchard.
Marvin Vettori willing to fight at 205lbs this Saturday, Cub Swanson responds
Harry Kettle - May 15, 2020
Cub Swanson has teased the idea of a huge jump up in weight in order to fight Marvin Vettori this weekend. Vettori was set to square off with Karl Roberson on Wednesday night, but after Roberson dropped out due to reported issues with his weight cut, Vettori unleashed on him in the fighter hotel on the day of the event.
Dominick Reyes takes aim at Jon Jones and Tyron Woodley on social media
Natasha Hooper - May 15, 2020
Dominick Reyes took no prisoners on a recent Twitter campaign, targeting Jon Jones, Mike Perry, and Tyron Woodley. “The Dominator” has experienced a surge in popularity this year, particularly following his UFC 247 fight against Jon Jones. He fought the light heavyweight champion for the title and lost by decision, but many spectators believed he was the better fighter and should have won the clash.
UFC on ESPN 8 receives short-notice shakeup after Mike Davis is forced to withdraw from event
Natasha Hooper - May 15, 2020
Giga Chikadze will face a new opponent after a short notice shakeup surrounding this Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 event in Jacksonville. Mike Davis has withdrawn from his UFC featherweight debut against Chikadze over medical issues not relating to COVID-19. This news was first reported by Giorgi Kokiashvili of Adjara Sport.
Justin Gaethje thinks it is ironic that Conor McGregor is now "on his knees" asking for a fight
Christopher Taylor - May 14, 2020
Newly crowned UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje thinks it is ironic that Conor McGregor is now clamoring for a fight. ‘The Highlight’ captured the promotions interim 155lbs title this past Saturday at UFC 249, this after scoring a fifth-round TKO victory over Tony Ferguson.
Francis Ngannou responds to Jon Jones, says he’s willing to fight for bags of money
Cole Shelton - May 14, 2020
Francis Ngannou seems interested in potentially fighting Jon Jones. For years now, many fans have clamored for Jones to move up to heavyweight. His coach, Mike Winkeljohn told BJPENN.com it was time for “Bones” to move up in weight. If he does move up, many assumed it would be for the belt. Yet, recently, many fans brought up Ngannou’s name and Jones seems interested.
Videos | Top 5 Knockouts: UFC 41 - UFC 50
Chris Taylor - May 14, 2020
In our newest segment “Top 5 Knockouts” we take a look back at some of the most brutal finishes that have occurred during numbered UFC events. In this the fifth edition of “Top 5 Knockouts”, we reflect back on UFC events 41 – 50, which occurred between the years of 2003 to 2004.
Chael Sonnen scolds Anthony Smith’s corner for not throwing in the towel at UFC Jacksonville
Cole Shelton - May 14, 2020
Chael Sonnen is furious with Marc Montoya and Anthony Smith’s entire corner for not throwing in the towel at UFC Jacksonville. Smith was making his return after nearly a full year away from the Octagon due to injuries to take on Glover Teixeira. Early on, “Lionheart” was having a ton of success but after the first round, the tides shifted. The Brazilian dominated the rest of the fight, dropping Smith and landing vicious ground and pound shots to eventually earn a fifth-round TKO win.
UFC Jacksonville salaries: Andrei Arlovski and Ben Rothwell lead the way
Cole Shelton - May 14, 2020
The salaries have been released for UFC Jacksonville, which took place on Wednesday night, and heavyweights Andrei Arlovski and Ben Rothwell took home the top earnings. According to the salaries obtained by reporter Jed I. Goodman from the Florida State Boxing Commission, Andrei Arlovski made the most banking $325,000. The next closest was heavyweight contender Ben Rothwell pocketing $260,000.
Pro fighters make their picks for Walt Harris vs. Alistair Overeem
Cole Shelton - May 14, 2020
In the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card in Jacksonville, Florida, Walt Harris battles longtime heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem. Heading into the fight Harris is a -165 favorite, while the Dutchman is a +135 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros have a slight lean towards Harris to get it done by stoppage, as he’ll be motivated following the tragic murder of his stepdaughter.