UFC News
Evan Dunham ends retirement, returns at UFC Lincoln
Natasha Hooper - February 20, 2020
Once a fighter, always a fighter. That statement rings true for lightweight veteran Evan Dunham, who will be returning from his short-lived retirement to fight Michael Johnson. In 2018, Dunham announced his retirement plans following his UFC Sao Paulo bout against Francisco Trinaldo. He shared the news on Instagram.
Henry Cejudo and Karyn Bryant end feud after ‘Triple C’ creates new nickname for Aljamain Sterling
Harry Kettle - February 20, 2020
Henry Cejudo & Karyn Bryant’s issues regarding the nickname Cejudo gave Aljamain Sterling have seemingly been resolved by the pair. A few days ago, in the midst of Cejudo and Sterling going back and forth on social media, the man known as “Triple C” decided to call his rival “Aljamima”. Many members of the mixed martial arts community were quick to call Cejudo out for racism, with one such example being ESPN anchor Karyn Bryant.
Dustin Poirier planning May return to the Octagon
Adam Martin - February 19, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier says he is planning a return to the Octagon in May after having not fought since last September. We last saw Poirier at UFC 242 when he was choked out by UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. That loss snapped a six-fight unbeaten streak for Poirier, but despite the loss he remains one of the highest-ranked lightweights in the UFC.
Jorge Masvidal says he's open to fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov if the UFC makes him the right offer
Cole Shelton - February 19, 2020
Jorge Masvidal hasn’t fought at lightweight since 2015 when he lost to Al Iaquinta by split-decision. But, that may change if the money is right. Since he decided to move up to welterweight he has become an elite-fighter. In 2019 he knocked out Darren Till, Ben Askren and TKO’d Nate Diaz to capture the promotions BMF title. He also is next in line to fight for the welterweight title.
Donald Cerrone hoping to return to the Octagon in March or April
Adam Martin - February 19, 2020
UFC legend Donald Cerrone is hoping to return to the Octagon in March or April following his knockout loss to Conor McGregor in the main event of UFC 246. Cerrone lasted only 40 seconds to McGregor back in January, suffering his third consecutive TKO defeat after losing to Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson before that. It’s been a brutal stretch for Cerrone, one of the most popular fighters in MMA history and the most active fighter in UFC history, as he appears to be on the downside of his career after years of being a durable fan favorite who was known for his ability to absorb damage.
John Kavanagh talks the evolution of Conor McGregor: “He’s trying to make himself a better person."
Natasha Hooper - February 19, 2020
Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh acknowledges major mistakes made by his fighter, but says he is “proud of how he’s come through those things.” “The Notorious” returned to the UFC Octagon this year for the first time since his UFC 229 loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov. He faced Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in his comeback and bulldozed his way to victory in just 40 seconds of the first round.
Eryk Anders vs. Krzysztof Jotko added to UFC Portland
Adam Martin - February 19, 2020
An intriguing middleweight bout between standouts Eryk Anders and Krzysztof Jotko is the latest addition to April’s UFC Portland card. UFC on ESPN+ 30 takes place on April 11 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The main event of the card is a five-round heavyweight bout between Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris. Anders vs. Jotko is expected to slot in somewhere on the main card.
Pedro Munhoz targeting Urijah Faber and Frankie Edgar for next fight
Adam Martin - February 19, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz has called out legends Urijah Faber and Frankie Edgar for his next fight inside the Octagon. Munhoz has not competed since last June when he dropped a unanimous decision to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 238. Prior to the Sterling loss, Munhoz was moving up the bantamweight rankings with three straight wins over Brett Johns, Bryan Caraway, and Cody Garbrandt. The KO win over Garbrandt at UFC 235 moved Munhoz into the upper echelon of title contenders at 135lbs, but the loss to Sterling dropped him down a peg.
Brendan Schaub has 'no desire' to watch Jon Jones vs. Jan Blachowicz
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 19, 2020
Brendan Schaub isn’t exactly counting down the days to a potential Jon Jones vs. Jan Blachowicz bout. Blachowicz may have secured himself the next UFC light heavyweight title opportunity. This past Saturday night (Feb. 15), Blachowicz took on Corey Anderson in a rematch. Blachowicz lost their first encounter back in Sept. 2015 via unanimous decision. The rematch was a different story as Blachowicz knocked out Anderson in the opening frame of the UFC Rio Rancho main event.
Diego Sanchez goes off on Daniel Cormier for commentary 'bias' at UFC Rio Rancho
Tom Taylor - February 19, 2020
Diego Sanchez and his unorthodox coach Joshua Fabia have been the subject of much controversy in the wake of Saturday’s UFC Rio Rancho card. Sanchez fought in the card’s co-main event, defeating Michel Pereira by disqualification after he was nuked by an illegal knee in the third round.
UFC rankings update: Jan Blachowicz passes Daniel Cormier
Tom Taylor - February 19, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last Saturday’s UFC Rio Rancho card, and as expected, there are some interesting changes. Most notably, Jan Blachowicz, who knocked out Corey Anderson in the card’s main event, has made a big climb up at light heavyweight, surpassing the former champ Daniel Cormier. Of course, Cormier hasn’t fought at light heavyweight in two years, and intends to retire in the heavyweight division, so it’s a head-scratcher that he’s ranked at light heavyweight at all. Then again, these are the UFC rankings we’re talking about, where whim and fancy rule over logic and reason, so we should probably be used to this by now.
Matt Serra criticizes Diego Sanchez's coach following UFC Rio Rancho
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 19, 2020
Matt Serra believes Diego Sanchez could use better advice in his corner. Much has been made about Sanchez’s camp situation after leaving Jackson-Wink MMA. The “Nightmare” was thought of to be a mainstay at the popular gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It wasn’t meant to be as Sanchez felt he was underappreciated at the gym after all the time and money he spent.
Kamaru Usman: 'I hope' to run it back with Colby Covington
Adam Martin - February 19, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says he hopes that he and rival Colby Covington can run it back in the future after their title fight at UFC 245. Usman knocked out Covington in the fifth round of their title fight epic back in December to defend the UFC welterweight title for the first time. The fight was not without controversy, as Covington felt referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight early. Still, it was a great title fight between two of the best welterweights in the world, and considering the way it ended, a rematch is something that could very well happen one day.
Coach sees silver lining in previous Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson fight cancelations
Tom Taylor - February 19, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson have been scheduled to fight four times previously. As of yet, however, the pair have never actually shared the cage. The hopes is that that will finally change at UFC 249 this April.
Referee Marc Goddard reveals he received death threats following UFC 245
Natasha Hooper - February 19, 2020
Referee Marc Goddard says he received death threats after his decision to stop the UFC 245 main event between welterweight champ Kamaru Usman and challenger Colby Covington. After four rounds of non-stop action in the main event of UFC 245, Usman knocked Covington down in the fifth. Goddard intervened and put a stop to the action, awarding Usman the TKO victory.
James Krause erupts after discovering UFC 247 judge had a conflict of interest
Natasha Hooper - February 19, 2020
The judge responsible for the controversial scoring of James Krause vs Trevin Giles at UFC 247 allegedly had a major conflict of interest. Judge Joe Soliz scored the closely contested bout in favour of Giles. This ultimately affected the split decision victory that Giles claimed after three rounds.
Darren Till reveals DM's he sent Donald Trump to try and get a visa for UFC 248
Cole Shelton - February 18, 2020
Darren Till has been sending DM’s to Donald Trump to try and get a visa for UFC 248. Till was expected to fight Jared Cannonier on the card but Cannonier recently announced that he was injured and needed surgery. So, Till changed his focus from fighting ‘The Killa Gorilla’ to being the backup/replacement fighter for Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero at UFC 248.
Kenny Florian blames Michel Pereira for DQ loss against Diego Sanchez
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2020
Kenny Florian believes Michel Pereira has no one to blame but himself for being disqualified against Diego Sanchez. Pereira and Sanchez collided this past Saturday night (Feb. 15). The bout served as UFC Rio Rancho’s co-main event. While Pereira appeared to have easily snagged rounds one and two, he made a costly mistake in the final frame. Pereira landed an illegal knee on a downed Sanchez. The “Nightmare” said he was unable to continue and the fight was called off. Sanchez was awarded the DQ win.