UFC NEWS

BJPENN.COM News - October 27, 2012

The UFC lightweight division is considered the most “talent rich” weight class currently promoted under the ZUFFA LLC banner. At the very top of the heap is Stockton’s son, Nathan Diaz.

BJPENN.COM News - October 27, 2012

One of the season’s most recent feuds was settled in the Octagon on Friday as Canadian Michael Hill defeated Matt Secor with a split decision win on The Ultimate Fighter Fridays episode seven – ‘Summer Camp’ – that aired on FX. After a heated argument in the house, the rivals finally got to settle their differences where it matters. And the victory – the second in a row for Coach Roy Nelson’s team – ties the series at three each after six preliminary bouts. Team Nelson eradicated the previous two-win lead held by Coach Shane Carwin’s team, and it is all to play for heading into episode eight.

BJPENN.COM News - October 26, 2012

“Yeah, there are some questions there. I know the Showtime relationship with Zuffa has been rocky. I know they hoped to renew that relationship and build that relationship, but they weren’t able to pull that off. I think you’re gonna see the Strikeforce guys absorbed and plucked like they did the WEC. So, then the question is, is Ryan gonna be one of those guys they want to keep, or is he gonna be one of those guys that gets cut loose? Where are we gonna go with him? The Showtime contract’s up this year, so early next year, I think you’ll see something happen.” “At the end of the day, it’s really Ryan’s decision. They’re not gonna do you any favors in the UFC. It’s the deepest division in their promotion, at 155. And, you only get one chance at it, really. I think Ryan’s right there. He’s knocking on the door, with the level of competition. He can do whatever he wants. I think he’s capable, but we’ll see where he ends up.”

BJPENN.COM News - October 26, 2012

“Yeah December 29th my rematch with Dos Santos is coming up and I’m just ready for this. This is a loss that’s been in the back of my head for a year now. Can’t wait to get in there and bring that belt back to Arizona. … You always have it in the back of your head. It’s always a reminder that hey I need to keep training harder and get back to a point where you were before that and that was at the top. That’s the whole thing of doing this sport now is trying to be at the top.” Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez recently revealed to XTRA Sports 910 in Phoenix with Bickley and MJ that he has been bothered by his first career defeat ever since it happened a year ago.

BJPENN.COM News - October 26, 2012

According to a report on MMAFighting.com, UFC President Dana White as well as former UFC light-heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson both confirmed that Jackson turned down the TUF coaching gig opposite Chael Sonnen prior to the Jones booking. The currently anti-UFC “Rampage” Jackson had this to say on the matter:

BJPENN.COM News - October 26, 2012

“I’ll have to talk to me, man (laughs). I hope it is me, but at the moment I’m doing some fights to get more experience. I learned a lot with this fight against Maldonado. Even with the victory, learned a lot. I have to learn more and gain experience to enter the Octagon [against Jones]. One day, I will get there. I’m going to work, doing my best to get there. Whatever the UFC wants. Rampage is an idol of the sport and good when he trains. It is a fight that will be hard, but I will be ready for him. I’m always ready to fight and I will beat this guy. He is talking about he will destroy me, fighting with two guys in the night. He lost to Forrest Griffin and talking he will fight with Griffin and me on the same night? So I say, this guy is clueless.” In a recent interview with fiveknuckles.com fast rising UFC light-heavyweight fighter, Glover Teixeira, discussed the fight he wants against former champion Rampage Jackson.

BJPENN.COM News - October 26, 2012

That pesky injury bug has taken out another UFC fighter.

BJPENN.COM News - October 26, 2012

BJPENN.COM News - October 26, 2012

BJPENN.COM News - October 26, 2012

UFC ring girl and Playboy cover model Brittney Palmer talks to Mens Fitness about her dating life and working for the UFC.

BJPENN.COM News - October 26, 2012

The UFC is Introducing Korean celebrity, Kang Ye-bin, as its latest addition to their Octagon girl staff at the upcoming UFC on FUEL TV 6: “Franklin vs. Le” set for November 10. To check out her official UFC promo hop to page 2.

BJPENN.COM News - October 25, 2012

“I think [Edgar dropping to featherweight was] a great decision. I think that he’s going to give Jose Aldo hell, and I think he’s going to beat him. With Frankie’s wrestling and his mobility, I think he’s going to give Aldo all he can handle. I’d like to keep all the belts here in the States. Right now we’ve got half the UFC belts in Brazil, the other half are here in the United States. I want them all to be here. This is an American sport, man, let’s keep them here. No disrespect towards the Brazilians at all; I want to see Americans hold the title belts, just like they want to see the Brazilians hold title belts.” In an interview with MMA Torch, former UFC lightweight champion, Sean Sherk, lays down some nationalism and calls for an American resurgence in the UFC.

BJPENN.COM News - October 25, 2012

“Talks have gone really well with Bellator and Eddie just wants to fight the best fighters he can, and get a contract he feels is fair, but I can tell you Bjorn has gone out of his way to make Eddie feel welcome and talks have gone well so far, so we’ll see what the future brings. He doesn’t want to sit out too long so we’d like to get things wrapped up. At the end of the day, Bellator has a 90-day negotiating period, so we’re finishing talks with them and we have to see where things go with that. Yeah he’d like to fight right away, but he doesn’t want to rush to make a deal either, make a hasty deal because he’s in a rush. He’s a very smart guy, and we’ve got to take our time, take it one step at a time to get ultimately where he needs to be.” Eddie Alvarez is arguably the Bellator promotions biggest and most recognizable star. Currently a free agent, UFC President Dana White has had no issue with publicly expressing his interest in the lightweight talent.

BJPENN.COM News - October 25, 2012

Luiz Cane is the most recent fighter to receive his walking papers from the UFC. His last Octagon appearance was a losing effort to Chris Camozzi in front of his hometown crowd and it notched his fourth loss in five fights.

BJPENN.COM News - October 25, 2012

“Just an fyi JDS begged me for the Reem fight said he respects Cain very much and thinks he deserves the shot but would like to KO Reem first cause he hates him. word for word what he said.” AS he sometimes does, UFC President Dana White took to the infamous Underground forum to chat it up with MMA fans and drop this gem of a quote down about his heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos.

BJPENN.COM News - October 25, 2012

“I think [Cormier] wants to drop down [to light heavyweight].He’s been wanting that fight with Jon Jones for a while now. We’ve definitely talked about it. [When] he does come into the UFC, he can make 205 [pounds]. He’s heavy right now. He’s like 240 [pounds] right now. But, you know, we’ll clean up his diet really good, because the way his diet is, it isn’t the cleanest. He’s going to have to work a little bit at it, for sure. He just has to do it smart. The diet needs to be on-point. He can’t be messing around with that kind of stuff. I think he can do it. He’d beat him. He’s fast. He’s powerful. He has the best wrestling out there. I think he beats him wherever they’re at.” At a recent media luncheon, former UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez discussed the potential match up between his teammate and Strikeforce champ Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones.

BJPENN.COM News - October 25, 2012

“I agree with the criticism. I want to do better. I want to give more entertainment to the fans. Ive been training to jump more on opportunities that are open to me. I’m still gonna fight my fight, but I’m going to be more opportunistic.” In a recent interview with the New York Post, UFC welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre admits that his fighting style needs an upgrade to finisher.

BJPENN.COM News - October 25, 2012

“I had tons of fans begging me to make that fight. Just to make it clear from the last press conference when they talk about all the top contenders and all the top contenders whining who didn’t get that fight. I called every single one of them and they turned it down. Chael Sonnen accepted that fight on eight days notice, that’s my kind of guy. “There’s tons of people who want to see Chael Sonnen, if you’re not one of them, don’t buy it. I’ll guarantee you’ll like the next fight, and if you don’t like that one, we put on plenty of fights — there will be one that you do like.”