UFC News
Ilia Topuria is predicting a “masterpiece” against Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298: “It will be one of the easier fights of my career”
Harry Kettle - December 9, 2023
UFC contender Ilia Topuria has predicted a masterpiece of a performance ahead of his fight against Alexander Volkanovski. At UFC 298 in February, Ilia Topuria will challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight championship. While some feel as if this is too quick, others expect him to put up a really good showing against the champion.
Jan Blachowicz calls for Jiri Prochazka headliner in Europe after he returns from shoulder surgery
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2023
Jan Blachowicz is hopeful to face Jiri Prochazka in the main event of a Fight Night card in Europe. Blachowicz is set for shoulder surgery, hopefully in the next week or two, he revealed to BJPENN.com on Friday. The plan is for the Pole to return in the summer, once he does the rehab and gets a training camp in.
Daniel Cormier praises Colby Covington's incredible work ethic: "No one has done more with less"
Josh Evanoff - December 8, 2023
Play-by-play Commentator Daniel Cormier believes Colby Covington might be the hardest-working fighter in the UFC today. ‘Chaos’ has been out of action since a unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal last March at UFC 272. While that victory was massive, he was later kept out of action due to being assaulted by ‘Gamebred’ later that month. However, Colby Covington is now set to return later this month in a welterweight title fight against Leon Edwards.
Shavkat Rakhmonov wants title shot with UFC 296 win, but admits: "Belal Muhammad also deserves"
Josh Evanoff - December 8, 2023
Shavkat Rakhmonov believes that either he or Belal Muhammad is likely next for a UFC welterweight title shot. ‘Nomad’ has been out of the cage since a submission win over Geoff Neal in March at UFC 285. That victory put the welterweight to a perfect 16-0 in his MMA career. Now, Shavkat Rakhmonov will return to the cage later this month to face Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. The Karate-based fighter is coming off a knockout win over Kevin Holland last December.
Jan Blachowicz details shoulder injury, lays out timeframe for return
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2023
Jan Blachowicz says his shoulder injury was something that has hindered him for years now. On Thursday it was revealed that Blachowicz was forced out of his UFC 297 rematch against Aleksandar Rakic due to him needing shoulder surgery. Speaking exclusively to BJPENN.com on Friday afternoon, Blachowicz revealed the injury is something he has been dealing with for years but finally gave out, which forced him to need the surgery.
UFC 296: Colby Covington accuses Leon Edwards of being a cheater: "This guy makes ‘Marty’ look like a freakin’ saint"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2023
Colby Covington thinks he has reason to believe his UFC 296 opponent Leon Edwards is a cheater. Covington will be challenging Edwards for the UFC Welterweight Championship on December 16. The title fight will headline UFC 296 inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’ll be Covington’s first bout since March 2022 when he defeated Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision.
Gilbert Burns has had enough of Ian Garry drama about his wife: "Do whatever you want"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2023
Gilbert Burns isn’t interested in the drama going on with Ian Garry and his wife. As word began to spread that Garry’s wife, Layla Machado, wrote a book on how to be WAG, UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland made a public video urging Garry to leave his wife. A WAG is a wife or girlfriend who links up with their partner solely for status and money.
Aljamain Sterling turns his attention to Calvin Kattar after Max Holloway fight fizzles out: “I just think he has bigger opportunities”
Harry Kettle - December 8, 2023
Aljamain Sterling has called for a fight against Calvin Kattar after plans for a bout with Max Holloway seemingly fell through. Ever since his loss to Sean O’Malley earlier this year, Aljamain Sterling has been looking for fresh opportunities. At the top of that list, seemingly, is a move to featherweight.
Text messages emerge showing Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta celebrating “cut throat” negotiations with Eddie Alvarez and Gilbert Melendez
Harry Kettle - December 8, 2023
A string of released text messages have shown Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta celebrating the “cut throat” nature of their business dealings. The ongoing antitrust lawsuit is something to keep a real eye on heading into 2024. While business is booming for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, this class action could hit them hard – and we don’t say that lightly. The potential damages could enter the billions if they lose in court, with the main claim being that they purposefully bought out competitors while driving down fighter pay.
Sean O'Malley says one trait drives him: "Meditation"
Zain Bando - December 7, 2023
Current UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has remained relaxed since knocking out Aljamain Sterling in August. O’Malley, 29, is already thinking about his long-term goals and what he hopes to achieve before the end of his career, which may include a trial run in boxing.
WATCH | Conor McGregor drops sparring partner with left hand ahead of potential UFC return
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2023
Conor McGregor dropped a sparring partner with his patented left hand. Training footage was recently released of McGregor sparring with someone ahead of his UFC return. In the clip, the two are getting good work in with one another as they worked on movement and landing light shots.
Anthony Smith explains why taking the belt from Alex Pereira "would mean more" to him
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2023
Anthony Smith believes he could get a title shot with a win at UFC Vegas 83. Smith stepped up on short notice to face Khalil Rountree in the co-main event on Saturday. It’s a key fight for the division, and although Jamahal Hill is likely to be next in line, Smith thinks he can make it clear he’s next in line with a great performance on Saturday.