UFC News

Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik added to UFC 249
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
A heavyweight bout between top contenders Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik is the latest addition to the revamped UFC 249 card. Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik was originally set to take place at UFC Columbus in the main event before that card was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Both men have been campaigning to appear on the new UFC 249 card and it appears they will now get their wish. According to Rozestruik, the fight will indeed take place at UFC 249. It won’t be for the interim heavyweight belt like Rozenstruik suggested, but it has been booked nonetheless.

Tyron Woodley says Colby Covington turned down fight against him at UFC 249
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley says that Colby Covington turned down a fight against him for the fifth time at UFC 249. There is no love lost between Woodley and Covington, as they have been talking smack to each other for the better part of two years now. The two have been connected to a fight multiple times in the past but for whatever reason, it’s never been booked.

Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan De Castro set for new UFC 249 card
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2020
Greg Hardy and Yorgan De Castro will indeed fight, but it will now happen at UFC 249. Hardy and De Castro were expected to fight at UFC Columbus, yet that was one of the three promotional events postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, sources tell BJPENN.com that Hardy and de Castro will be on this month’s new UFC 249 card at a location to be announced.

Ben Askren sarcastically mocks Paige VanZant
Natasha Hooper - April 6, 2020
Ben Askren has poked fun at Paige VanZant for giving her number out to fans on social media. The women’s top flyweight has been hitting headlines this week. She posted a series of partially covered nude photos with her husband and fellow MMA fighter, Austin Vanderford to social media. The 26-year old also gave her number out online to interact with fans. However, she revealed that she received unsolicited “d*ck pics,” that quickly ruined the fun.

Justin Gaethje reacts to short-notice Tony Ferguson booking
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
It’s official. Justin Gaethje will fight Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 249 on April 18. Fighting a juggernaut like Ferguson on less than two weeks’ notice amid a pandemic when neither adequate training nor the fight itself can be guaranteed is certainly a risky move.

BREAKING | Tony Ferguson vs. Justin Gaethje official for UFC 249
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
Tony Ferguson will officially battle Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 249 on April 18. Both fighters have signed their contracts for the fight. The pair will collide for the interim lightweight title in the card’s main event. UFC President Dana White announced this news on Twitter on Monday.

As fighters struggle to train safely, coach Ray Longo wants UFC to cancel cards
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
Renowned MMA coach Ray Longo is hoping that UFC President Dana White will bite the bullet and cancel a few of the promotion’s upcoming shows amid the coronavirus pandemic. There are several arguments for the UFC canceling its upcoming events. One of the issues Longo sees is that, with almost all gyms closed, fighters are not able to make adequate preparations for their fights — if those fights even end up happening.

The Korean Zombie exposes multiple methods of cheating the scale at weigh-ins
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
As a decorated UFC and WEC veteran, “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung has been around the block. During his time in the game, he’s even come across a few methods of cheating the scale at weigh-ins for fights. The Korean Zombie exposed those methods in a recent video posted to his YouTube channel in hopes that it will help level the playing field in the sport.

Alexander Gustafsson explains origins of famous hospital photo with Jon Jones
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson recently explained how his famous hospital photo with Jon Jones after UFC 165 came to be. Jones and Gustafsson fought tooth-and-nail in an absolute classic in the main event of UFC 165. At the time Jones was running through everyone in his path and few believed Gustafsson would be able to give the champ a run for his money. But Gustafsson took Jones to deep waters and came closer to beating him than anyone else at that time, ultimately losing a unanimous decision in the best fight of 2013.

Anthony Smith expects Jon Jones' issues outside the cage to continue
Tom Taylor - April 6, 2020
Anthony Smith believes his former opponent, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, will continue to find trouble outside the cage until he decides to make some real changes. Smith shared his take on Jones’ ongoing personal issues, which most recently manifested in the form of a DWI arrest, during a recent interview with MMA Fighting.

Mike Winkeljohn believes UFC will start having longer cards to make up for postponed events
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2020
Mike Winkeljohn believes we may be seeing 20-plus fights on a UFC event to make up for the postponed events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the coronavirus shutting down the sports world, the UFC was forced to postpone three events and the status of the upcoming cards is unknown. But, Dana White has been adamant that all fighters will get three fights in.

Erick Silva and his family were infected by coronavirus
Adam Martin - April 6, 2020
Bellator welterweight Erick Silva and his family were infected with the coronavirus but they are all recovering well now and in quarantine. Combate reported that the 35-year-old Silva, his 23-year-old wife Isabela, his five-month-old son Carlos and his 10-year-old son Kalleu were all infected with the coronavirus. In addition, Silva’s 26-year-old sister-in-law Carol and her in-laws, 58-year-old Arilton and 52-year-old Jo, were also infected with the coronavirus. Thankfully, they discovered they had it relatively early and all are now in quarantine and expected to make full recovery.