UFC News
Dana White: A lot of MMA media "are going to get laid off pretty soon"
Tom Taylor - April 27, 2020
UFC President Dana White is adamant that, as of yet, no UFC employees have been laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic. That being said, White recognizes that many business are feeling the pinch during these unprecedented time, and forecasted that many members of the MMA media will soon find themselves on the chopping block. White discussed the topic in a recent interview with Yahoo! Sports, first assuring that all of “his people” are safe from potential layoffs.
Report | Former UFC champ Pat Miletich to end retirement for fight with boxer Michael Nunn
Natasha Hooper - April 27, 2020
Pat Miletich is putting the gloves back on. Miletich is a legend of the MMA. He was the UFC’s first welterweight champion and is a member of the UFC Hall of Fame. Alongside legends like Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie, he set the gold standard for the sport in the late ’90s.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father provides health update after hospitalization
Natasha Hooper - April 27, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap, has revealed he is “feeling fine” despite a suspected pneumonia scare. As the world faces an ongoing health crisis, so did the lightweight champion’s father, as Abdulmanap was hospitalized over suspected pneumonia and flu-like symptoms. The news came from Dagestani sports commentator, Ramazan Rabadanov on Instagram.
Videos | Top 5 Submissions: UFC 21 – UFC 30
Adam Martin - April 26, 2020
Check out videos of the top five submissions from UFC 21 to UFC 30, featuring the UFC debut of heavyweight legend Andrei Arlovski. In our latest series here at BJPenn.com, we look at the “Top 5 Submissions” of each block of 10 UFC events. Today’s edition in the series takes a closer look at the best submissions from UFC 21 to UFC 30, taking place from 1999 to 2001. Keep in mind there are other submissions deserving of the list, but we had to choose just five. Take a look at the list below.
Anthony Smith upset MMA media turned home invasion story into Jon Jones rivalry
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith is upset that the MMA media turned his recent home invasion story into a rivalry with champion Jon Jones. Smith and Jones, of course, met last March at UFC 235, with Jones once again defending the UFC light heavyweight championship with a unanimous decision win. The two have remained mostly cordial since that fight on social media and in interviews. But when Smith recently told the story of having his home invaded by an alleged drug-fueled former wrestler in the middle of the night, Jones used it to take a shot at Smith.
Ray Borg among fighters added to May 13 event in Jacksonville
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
Ray Borg is among the new fighters that have been added to the upcoming UFC card on Wednesday, May 13 in Jacksonville, Florida. Borg will take on Ricky Simon in a men’s bantamweight contest, while a women’s bantamweight bout featuring Sijara Eubanks vs. Sara Moras has also been added to the card. Jeff Fox was the first to report the new matchups.
Dana White says UFC 249 is "probably the best card" ever
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
UFC president Dana White believes the new UFC 249 card that is set to take place May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida, is the best card the UFC has ever booked. The full UFC 249 card was announced this week. The card is littered with big names both on the main card and on the prelims including two title fights at the top of the billing. On paper, it’s a very deep card that should be a welcome reprieve for fight fans who haven’t seen a live UFC fight in almost two months. It’s so good on paper that White even believes UFC 249 might be the best card the promotion has ever put together.
Dana White not expecting UFC to have live crowds "for a very long time"
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
UFC president Dana White doesn’t anticipate have crowds at a UFC event anytime soon, saying he doesn’t expect a live gate “for a very long time.” White has been adamant all along that the UFC’s show would not be affected by the coronavirus pandemic. But that didn’t stop several fight cards in March and April from being canceled. White did everything he could to hold the original UFC 249 card on April 18 at Tachi Palace in Leemore, California, but ultimately the UFC was forced to stand pat and not hold the event. The promotion is now looking to make a return to ESPN+ at the new UFC 249 card on May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida, though without a crowd present.
Fedor Emelianenko praised by Scott Coker: "The guy is still dangerous"
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker praised the legendary Fedor Emelianenko, gushing over the Russian’s recent KO win over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Emelianenko is one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time and is still fighting at a high level. In a legends’ match at the Bellator and RIZIN New Year’s Eve card in December, Emelianenko was able to stop Jackson in the first round in a battle of former PRIDE superstars. It was another big win for Emelianenko in the later stages of his career, and at age 43, don’t look now, but he’s won three of his last four fights overall, all by knockout.
Fabricio Werdum excited to return to Octagon, doesn't care about fighting on UFC 249 prelims
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 249, and he doesn’t care he’s on the prelims. Werdum hasn’t fought since March 2018 when he was knocked out by Alexander Volkov at UFC London. The veteran Brazilian was then suspended by USADA for two years after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, though the suspension was later reduced to 10 months.
Photo | Official poster for UFC 249 has been released
Adam D Martin - April 26, 2020
Just a few days after UFC president Dana White made the card official, the world’s leading MMA promotion has released the poster for UFC 249. White has been trying for weeks now to put a show on for the fans, and while it didn’t look like he would be able to get his way, things are now looking up. After previous events scheduled for Brooklyn, New York, and Leemore, Calfornia fell through, UFC 249 was officially announced to take place on May 9 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. The card will air live on ESPN+, with the main card on PPV.
Eddie Alvarez believes Conor McGregor would "put away" Tony Ferguson
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez believes that Conor McGregor would “put away” Tony Ferguson in a potential fight. Alvarez, who now fights for ONE Championship, recently sat down with The Score MMA where he discussed McGregor’s chances against fellow UFC lightweight contenders.
Videos | Top 5 Knockouts: UFC 21 - UFC 30
Chris Taylor - April 25, 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 third edition of “Top 5 Knockouts”, we reflect back on UFC events 21 – 30, which occurred between the years of 1999 to 2001.
Dana White defends decision to give Dominick Cruz a title shot at UFC 249
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
UFC President Dana White is defending the promotions decision to give Dominick Cruz a title shot against Henry Cejudo at UFC 249. ‘The Dominator’, who has not competed in over three years, will square off with ‘Triple C’ for the promotions bantamweight world title on May 9 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt set to return on June 6
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is set to make his highly anticipated return to the Octagon on June 6. According to the folks at MMAFighting.com, ‘No Love’ has been rebooked to fight Raphael Assuncao on the June 6 fight card.
Chael Sonnen warns of second Tony Ferguson screw job: "We as fans cannot allow that to happen"
Chris Taylor - April 25, 2020
Chael Sonnen believes it is up to fight fans to make sure that Tony Ferguson does not get screwed by the UFC for a second time. During a recent interview on Submission Radio, Sonnen was asked how committed he believes the promotion is to booking a McGregor vs. Nurmagomedov rematch and if it makes sense for Conor to have a trilogy bout with Nate Diaz while the dust settles at lightweight.
Dana White reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov will return in September or October against Ferguson vs. Gaethje winner
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2020
Dana White plans on having Khabib Nurmagomedov fight in September of October against the winner of Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje. Nurmagomedov was expected to return to the Octagon at UFC 249 on April 18 against Ferguson. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic halted those plans as the champion couldn’t get out of Russia, and the event was eventually canceled entirely.
Brian Ortega responds to Alexander Volkanovski’s invitation for UFC Fight Island
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2020
Brian Ortega is interested in fighting featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski on Fight Island. The UFC is set to return on May 9 with a stacked event and plans on having events every week. In June, however, the location is expected to change to the highly-anticipated Fight Island which Dana White has been talking about. If events do end up there Volkanovski wants to be a part of it.