UFC News
Dillian Whyte open to UFC move, tells Dana White: "hit me up"
Natasha Hooper - March 31, 2020
Boxing star Dillian Whyte is ready to make a transition into the UFC and has already called out his first opponent. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has spelt disaster for all combat sports, including boxing. The British heavyweight Whyte was scheduled to fight Alexander Povetkin on May 2 in London. His upcoming fight against the Russian has been rescheduled for July 4.
Chael Sonnen on criticism toward Dana White: He "can never win"
Tom Taylor - March 31, 2020
Chael Sonnen recognizes that the coronavirus pandemic is a serious issue, but he’s also having a hard time wrapping his head around the criticism directed at UFC President Dana White. While most other sports leagues — and many MMA promotions — have closed up shop to minimize the spread of of the virus, White has been defiantly attempting to promote events as normal in the early weeks of this crisis.
Tyron Woodley vows to "dance the line on what’s legal and illegal" in Colby Covington fight
Tom Taylor - March 31, 2020
Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington are two of the fiercest rivals in the UFC welterweight division. If they ever end up fighting, Woodley intends to punish his nemesis in the cage by stretching the MMA rule-set to its limits. Woodley opened up on his beef with Covington during a recent Instagram Live Q&A session with fans.
Felicia Spencer calls for UFC 250 to be moved to Florida
Adam Martin - March 31, 2020
Felicia Spencer is calling for her UFC women’s featherweight title fight scheduled against Amanda Nunes for UFC 250 to be moved from Brazil to Florida. Spencer is set to take on Nunes for the belt at UFC 250, which is scheduled to take place May 9 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The main event sees UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo take on Jose Aldo. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, many of the fighters on the card are calling for the event to be postponed due to a lack of training resources and the risk of catching the coronavirus.
Coach hints that Conor McGregor could be Tony Ferguson's next opponent
Tom Taylor - March 31, 2020
With UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov stuck in Russia due to new COVID-19 travel restrictions, his would-be opponent Tony Ferguson must make a decision: wait to fight Nurmagomedov when the pandemic subsides, or fight somebody else in the meantime. John Kavanagh, the coach behind Conor McGregor, seems to be hoping Ferguson goes the latter route. On Tuesday, ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani posted a poll on Twitter, asking fans if they’d prefer to see Ferguson wait to fight Nurmagomedov or fight replacement opponent Justin Gaethje on April 18.
Report | Florida still possible for UFC 249 location
Tom Taylor - March 31, 2020
The location of the upcoming UFC 249 card, scheduled for April 18, is still a mystery. UFC 249 was originally expected to go down in Brooklyn, New York, but this ultimately became impossible due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ever since then, the UFC has been frantically searching for a new location for the card.
Pro lightweights name their 155-pound GOAT
Cole Shelton - March 31, 2020
One of the biggest questions in all of MMA is who is the GOAT? Is it someone who had the biggest impact on the sport or the person who won the most? It’s an interesting debate for fighters and fans alike to have at any time. So, with little to no MMA on for the foreseeable future, BJPENN.com reached out to several current and former lightweights to ask who their divisional GOAT is. The majority believe it is Khabib Nurmagomedov but the likes of Tony Ferguson, BJ Penn, Frankie Edgar and Conor McGregor are in the discussion.
Jorge Masvidal claims he has said “yes” to a fight with “crotch-sniffing” champ
Harry Kettle - March 31, 2020
Jorge Masvidal has claimed that he agreed to fight Kamaru Usman — potentially at UFC 249 — but based on what he’s said, it doesn’t appear as if it’ll happen. The ongoing feud between Masvidal and Usman has taken on many different forms, with the initial plan seemingly being for the two to square off for the UFC Welterweight Championship on International Fight Week.
Tyron Woodley says he’s resumed “champ camp” ahead of UFC 249
Harry Kettle - March 31, 2020
Tyron Woodley has claimed that he has resumed “champ camp” — presumably for a short-notice fight at UFC 249. The highly anticipated UFC 249 event now hangs in the balance with Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson, for the fifth time, being called off.
Tyron Woodley calls for fight against Colby Covington at UFC 249 unless Tony Ferguson wants to scrap
Cole Shelton - March 30, 2020
Tyron Woodley continues to call for a fight with Colby Covington but says he’s also interested in taking on Tony Ferguson. On Monday morning, Khabib Nurmagomedov announced he is stuck in Russia and UFC 249 would most likely go on without him. Immediately, reports came out that Justin Gaethje was offered to scrap “El Cucuy.” Several other notable names also put their name in the hat. But, perhaps the most surprising is former UFC welterweight champion, Tyron Woodley saying he’ll fight Ferguson if the Covington bout doesn’t happen.
Daniel Cormier believes Jon Jones shouldn't be cut after recent arrest: 'UFC needs to save him'
Cole Shelton - March 30, 2020
Daniel Cormier doesn’t believe the UFC should cut Jon Jones after his recent arrest. On Thursday, news came out that Jones was arrested for a DWI, negligent use of a firearm and possession of an open container. It is another bad look for the light heavyweight champion who has had problems with the law and with USADA in the past.
Anthony Smith credits Dan Hardy for kicking off his broadcasting career
Mike Pendleton - March 30, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has a busy schedule these days. On top of being a husband, father, and third-ranked light heavyweight contender in the UFC, Smith is also a radio host on MMA Tonight on Sirius XM’s Fight Nation channel, and a desk analyst for ESPN covering the UFC. In a sport where fighters mainly rely on staying active and consistent inside the Octagon, Smith, who has dealt with a hand injury over the last few months has been able to get more work in with his broadcasting duties. In addition to his work on the ESPN desk and Sirius XM hosting gigs, Smith is scheduled to face Glover Teixeira at UFC Lincoln on April 25, although the status of the event is currently up in the air due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
John McCarthy guarantees 'absolute loser' Jon Jones will go to jail after recent arrest
Adam Martin - March 30, 2020
Big John McCarthy said that he guarantees Jon Jones will serve jail for his recent DWI arrest and called the light heavyweight champion “an absolute loser.” The long-time MMA official was a police officer in Los Angeles before he became the most important referee in mixed martial arts history. On the latest edition of the “Weighing In” podcast, McCarthy lashed out at Jones, saying that he guarantees he will go to jail after his recent arrest for a DWI and negligent use of a firearm. He went so far as to call Jones a loser.
Colby Covington says he turned down date with Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Adam Martin - March 30, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington says he turned down a date with former UFC strawweight champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Covington and Jedrzejczyk have been involved in a feud for a while now. Both fighters are teammates at American Top Team, but we all know Covington has had feuds with several fighters in the camp including Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier. Jedrzejczyk has made it clear she’s not a fan of Covington and his antics, but according to the welterweight, there’s more to it than just that.
Colby Covington challenges Tyron Woodley to fight on the White House lawn
Tom Taylor - March 30, 2020
With the UFC 249 lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson seemingly canceled, the UFC will be looking for some big fights to make up for it. Colby Covington is hoping to partake in one of those big fights. Speaking on Twitter on Tuesday, Covington once again called for a fight with former welterweight champion and long-time rival Tyron Woodley. He also suggested a fairly unique setting for the fight: the lawn of the White House.
Alex Volkanovski feels Jon Jones isn't being held accountable for his actions
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2020
Alex Volkanovski thinks Jon Jones gets passes too frequently when it comes to his run-ins with the law. On March 26, Jones was arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Police responded to a criminal complaint of gunshots. They found Jones inside his car with the engine on in the area of 3rd Street and Central Avenue. After being given a sobriety test and a breathalyzer, Jones was in handcuffs. Police then found a handgun under the driver seat and an open bottle of Recuerdo behind the passenger seat.
Dana White on UFC 249 location: 'When you need to know, I'll let you know'
Tom Taylor - March 30, 2020
The UFC 249 main event between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson is now seemingly a no-go thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, but UFC President Dana White is still insistent that the card will happen. The location of the April 18 event, however, remains a complete mystery.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia explains how he lost his desire to fight
Harry Kettle - March 30, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight Tim Sylvia has explained how he lost his desire to fight in the latest episode of UFC’s Where Are They Now series. Many fighters have been and gone over the years in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but very few stick in the mind of fans as cult heroes. While he may have had his ups and downs, Tim Sylvia is certainly an iconic heavyweight figure in the history books of mixed martial arts.