UFC News
UFC re-signs Mexican flyweight Brandon Moreno
Matheus Costa - July 11, 2019
Brandon Moreno is back in the UFC roster, and thanks in large part to two-division champ Henry Cejudo, there is still a flyweight division for him to return to. The Mexican flyweight, who got cut along with a long list of flyweights when it appeared that the division was being closed back in February, got hired again by the UFC brass.
Israel Adesanya criticizes 'fickle' and 'wishy-washy' MMA fans
Tom Taylor - July 11, 2019
UFC interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes that most MMA fans are fickle and disloyal. Speaking to MMA Fighting at the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony last weekend, the interim titleholder looked back on the moment he realized how “wishy-washy” fight fans are.
Henry Cejudo jokes that he wants Amanda Nunes' titles too
Tom Taylor - July 11, 2019
Henry Cejudo proudly calls himself a gold digger. Over the course of his illustrious combat sports career, he’s captured an Olympic gold medal, as well as the UFC flyweight and bantamweight titles — both of which he still owns.
Tyron Woodley reacts to 'weird' UFC Newark headliner, eyes rematch with Kamaru Usman
Mike Heck - July 11, 2019
With the chaos that is the UFC’s welterweight division, former champion Tyron Woodley seems to have a solution. “The Chosen One” had his over two year title reign come to an end at UFC 235 when he lost a unanimous decision to Kamaru Usman. We haven’t heard much from Woodley following his first defeat since 2014. Woodley was scheduled to face Robbie Lawler in the main event of UFC Minneapolis last month, but the 37-year-old was forced to withdraw from the bout with a hand injury.
UFC Sacramento | Pro fighters make their picks for Urijah Faber vs. Ricky Simon
Cole Shelton - July 11, 2019
UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber is set to return to the Octagon this Saturday when he takes on Ricky Simon at UFC Sacramento. This bout will be Faber’s first since he retired in 2016. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions. Although the 26-year-old in Simon is a -340 favorite, compared to Faber who is a +260 underdog, many are leaning towards the Hall of Famer getting it done.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's father takes shot at Nate Diaz after UFC 239 skirmish
Tom Taylor - July 11, 2019
Nate Diaz and Khabib Nurmagomedov crossed paths at UFC 239, and in a twist that should surprise absolutely nobody, the two long-time rivals promptly had to be separated. UFC President Dana White revealed at the card’s post-fight press conference that the pair had been “talking s**t to each other,” at which point security intervened.
Tyron Woodley believes Ben Askren will come back 'better man, better fighter'
Mike Heck - July 11, 2019
Tyron Woodley had a lot to think about on Saturday night following Jorge Masvidal’s vicious knockout of Ben Askren at UFC 239. For starters, Askren is a teammate and close friend of the former UFC welterweight champion. In addition, Masvidal is a surging contender looking to cut ahead of Woodley in the 170-pound title conversation.
Michael Chiesa: Diego Sanchez 'touched my butthole' in UFC 239 fight
Tom Taylor - July 11, 2019
Michael Chiesa picked up a big win at UFC 239, defeating The Ultimate Fighter season one winner Diego Sanchez by unanimous decision. Yet he didn’t escape the Octagon unscathed. Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, Chiesa divulged that Sanchez gave him what fight fans often refer to as an “oil check.”
Thiago Santos 'dreams' of rematch against Jon Jones
Adam Martin - July 10, 2019
Thiago Santos had the biggest fight of his MMA carer this past Saturday against Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 239. Thought he officially lost a split decision, he gained the respect of the entire MMA community for not only giving Jones a tough fight, but for fighting 25 minutes with two severely-damaged knees. Although Santos will be out until mid-2020 after having knee surgery, he told Combate that he isn’t giving up hope of eventually fighting Jones for a second time.
Daniel Cormier named 2019 ESPYS MMA Fighter of the Year
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 10, 2019
Daniel Cormier is riding high going into UFC 241 and he now has one more thing to celebrate. Cormier is set to put his heavyweight gold on the line against Stipe Miocic in a rematch. In their first encounter back in July 2018, Cormier knocked out Miocic in the first round to capture the UFC heavyweight title. They’ll run it back inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on Aug. 17.
Conor McGregor lands on Forbes highest-paid celebrity list
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2019
Forbes has released their 2019 highest-paid celebrity list (money earned from 2018) and there is only one MMA fighter on the list and that is Conor McGregor. The Irishman came in at 65 out of the 100 and earned an estimated $47 million. Forbes lists how he got that money which includes a $30 million payout from his UFC 229 fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov, after his base salary and pay-per-view bonuses. He also collected $5 million from Reebok and his whiskey company, Proper Twelve sold over 200,000 cases. He was also the 21st highest paid athlete for the year according to Forbes, even after fighting just once, and it is the fourth-straight year he is on that athlete-centric list.
Israel Adesanya compares Robert Whittaker to a 'meth head'
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2019
Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker don’t even know where their UFC 243 middleweight title fight will occur yet, but Adesanya is already letting the trash talk fly. Speaking at the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony over the weekend, the interim champion Adesanya shared his thoughts on his first staredown with the undisputed champ Whittaker.
Jorge Masvidal calls new KO record 'a real f**king achievement'
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2019
Jorge Masvidal is now a UFC record holder. At UFC 239, “Gamebred” took on Ben Askren. To start the fight, he ran across the cage and landed a perfectly placed flying knee that knocked his foe out cold. The official time of the knockout was five seconds, which is still the record. But, as Joe Rogan pointed on the broadcast, had the ref gotten in position faster, it could have very well been two or three seconds.
Chad Mendes officially announces retirement from MMA: 'This is a dangerous sport'
Adam Martin - July 10, 2019
Former UFC featherweight title contender Chad Mendes has officially announced his retirement from mixed martial arts at age 34. Although previously reported to be retired, Mendes did not confirm that he was officially done with the sport until Tuesday. Mendes told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto he has notified the UFC of his retirement, and he has been removed from the USADA testing pool.
Robert Whittaker says Israel Adesanya is 'arguing by himself'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 10, 2019
Robert Whittaker has no plans to be goaded into a verbal spat with Israel Adesanya. Whittaker and Adesanya are set to collide in a middleweight title unification bout on Oct. 5. The championship tilt will serve as UFC 243’s main event. While the headliner and event have been announced, a location has not. While many had anticipated Melbourne, UFC president Dana White revealed during the summer press conference 2019 that nothing is a lock yet.
Holly Holm speaks on UFC 239 loss to Amanda Nunes
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2019
At UFC 239, Holly Holm sought to usurp the UFC bantamweight throne by unseating reigning champion Amanda Nunes. Regrettably for Holm and her dedicated fanbase, this mission did not go as planned, as she was stopped by a first-round head kick and volley of followup punches. Speaking in a video on her Instagram story on Tuesday, Holm addressed this tough setback, assuring her fans that she will keep moving forward, as the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive played in the background.
Alexander Gustafsson: 'I’m far from a retired fighter in my way of thinking'
Natasha Hooper - July 10, 2019
Alexander Gustafsson is reconsidering his retirement. The Swedish fighter announced his retirement in Stockholm last month, after receiving a submission loss from Anthony Smith.
Anthony Smith reacts to rival Luke Rockhold's KO loss
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2019
Ahead of his light heavyweight debut opposite Jan Blachowicz, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold had a lot to say about a handful of the division’s top stars — namely the champion Jon Jones and top-ranked contender Anthony Smith. In the end, of course, Rockhold’s debut in the division did not go the way he envisioned, as he was knocked out by Blachowicz in the second round.