UFC News
Petr Yan opens as betting favorite for title fight against Jose Aldo
Adam Martin - May 29, 2020
Rising star Petr Yan has opened up as the betting favorite for a vacant UFC bantamweight title fight against legend Jose Aldo. In the wake of the abrupt retirement by Henry Cejudo and subsequent vacancy of his belt, UFC president Dana White confirmed this week that the next bantamweight title fight will feature Yan against Aldo. The fight has no confirmed date or location yet but it is rumored to take place at Fight Island this summer.
Dana White invites Jon Jones to take a lie detector test with him over Ngannou negotiations
Cole Shelton - May 29, 2020
Dana White says he and Jon Jones can take a lie detector test over the Francis Ngannou negotiations to prove who is lying. Ever since Jones has talked about moving up to heavyweight to take on Ngannou, his relationship with the UFC has gotten worse. He first said he would be walking away from the sport. He then claimed Dana White was lying about how much he was asking for.
Jon Jones asks for release from the UFC
Adam Martin - May 29, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has asked UFC president Dana White to release him following failed negotiations for a Francis Ngannou superfight. On Thursday, White told reporters that the Jones vs. Ngannou fight wasn’t happening because Jones had asked for an “obscene” amount of money to get the fight signed. In turn, Jones went on a long rant against the promotion’s leader for “lying to the fans” about the potential numbers being thrown around for the failed Ngannou fight.
Tyron Woodley roasts Leon Edwards for Masvidal brawl, Edwards fires back
Tom Taylor - May 29, 2020
Tyron Woodley and Leon Edwards are no longer scheduled to fight, but the pair seem to have plenty of lingering animosity towards each other. The pair were scheduled to fight in the main event of UFC London on March 21, but the card fell through due to travel restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Woodley was later matched up with Gilbert Burns, who he’ll fight tomorrow night.
Report | UFC, Reebok could soon "part ways"
Tom Taylor - May 29, 2020
Speaking to Dan LeBatard this morning, UFC President Dana White divulged that the promotion’s controversial outfitting deal with Reebok could soon come to an end. The UFC’s partnership with Reebok began in 2015, and was immediately the subject of much debate, as many fans, pundits and fighters felt to little money was ending up in the pockets of the fighters.
Dana White explains why he trademarked John Oliver's "UFSEA" phrase
Adam Martin - May 29, 2020
UFC president Dana White explained why his organization recently trademarked late-night television host John Oliver’s “UFSEA” phrase. While speaking about the UFC Fight Island on a recent episode of his show, Oliver suggested several comical nicknames for it, including Brawlhamas and UFSEA. It seems like the UFSEA phrase is something White and the other UFC executives liked, and it was revealed earlier this week the UFC had filed trademarks to use the UFSEA phrase for its mixed martial arts events and also on clothing.
Dana White doubles down, says Jon Jones asked for "obscene" sum for Ngannou fight
Tom Taylor - May 29, 2020
Dana White isn’t backing down on his claim that Jon Jones overreached in the negotiations for a potential fight with Francis Ngannou. A heavyweight scrap between Jones, the UFC light heavyweight champ, and Ngannou, the heavyweight division’s top contender, was dominating the headlines earlier this month. Regrettably, the negotiations for the bout fizzled out. According to White, that’s because Jones asked for an “absurd” amount of money.
UFC on ESPN 9 weigh-in results: Headliners on point, main card fighter misses mark
Tom Taylor - May 29, 2020
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens with the compelling UFC on ESPN 9 card out of the new Apex facility in Las Vegas. The card will be headlined by a welterweight clash between former champion Tyron Woodley, who will look to return to the cage for the first time since the loss of his title to Kamaru Usman, and Gilbert Burns, who will be looking for the biggest victory of his career to date.
Justin Gaethje targets three more matchups, then keen to "get the f**k out of here"
Tom Taylor - May 29, 2020
UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje only has three names left on his hit-list: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, and Dustin Poirier. After those fights, he’s prepared to hang up the gloves. Gaethje is expected to get the next crack at undefeated UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov. It’s an opportunity he relishes.
Eddie Hearn willing to co-promote with Dana White, open to Francis Ngannou vs. Dillian Whyte fight
Tom Taylor - May 29, 2020
Eddie Hearn is open to a potential heavyweight showdown between boxer Dillian Whyte and UFC star Francis Ngannou. In fact, he’s interested in working with Dana White to promote an entire MMA vs. boxing crossover fight card. Hearn was asked about a potential Ngannou vs. Whyte fight during a recent Instagram live Q&A with fans.
Chael Sonnen rips Jon Jones after "Bones" accuses Dana White of lying about his demands
Harry Kettle - May 29, 2020
Chael Sonnen has continued his ongoing war of words with former rival Jon Jones after the recent talks of a Francis Ngannou fight went south. It’s not exactly a secret that Sonnen and Jones don’t really like each other, and while “Bones” was able to get the better of “The Bad Guy” when they fought for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, it doesn’t really feel like that’s the point.
Jon Jones scolds the UFC for adding “salt to the wound” following failed Francis Ngannou negotiations
Natasha Hooper - May 29, 2020
Jon Jones has slammed the UFC for shutting down the possibility of a “super fight” against Francis Ngannou. Ngannou’s 20-second knockout of Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249 caught the attention of the light heavyweight champion. “Bones” has since expressed his interest in a blockbuster bout against the heavyweight “Predator”.