MMA News
UFC signs contract extension with EA Sports to produce the next generation of video games
Adam Martin - November 5, 2020
The UFC has signed a contract extension with EA Sports to continue producing video games for its popular video game franchise, EA Sports UFC. On Wednesday, EA Sports announced it has signed a multi-year deal with the UFC to continue producing the next generation of fighting and hockey video games. EA made the official announcement in a press release (via Business Wire).
Dana White shares quick reaction to Tito Ortiz winning city council seat
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2020
UFC President Dana White has shared a quick, initial reaction to Tito Ortiz winning a city council seat in his hometown of Huntington Beach, California. Ortiz, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, had been in the running for this position for several months, and ultimately achieved his political goal this by winning 34,901 votes—14.26 percent of the votes cast overall.
Paige VanZant to make BKFC debut on Super Bowl weekend
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2020
Former UFC star Paige VanZant is slated to make her debut in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship ring on Super Bowl weekend. VanZant signed with BKFC earlier this year after a lengthy stint with the UFC, throughout which she was one of the promotion’s biggest stars. She was originally expected to make her debut with the bare knuckle promotion in November, but that debut was ultimately delayed.
Pro fighters make their picks for Thiago Santos vs. Glover Teixeira
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 13, a pivotal light heavyweight bout headlines the card as Thiago Santos takes on Glover Teixeira. Heading into the fight, Santos is a -250 favorite while the 41-year-old is a +195 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are rather split on this one as they believe it is a coin-flip fight but the majority are leaning towards Santos landing the knockout punch.
Dana White comments on possible Joe Biden presidency
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2020
UFC boss Dana White has shared his thoughts on Joe Biden potentially winning the US presidency, and what that might mean for the UFC. White is a long-time friend and vocal supporter of current US President Donald Trump. The UFC boss has invited Trump and his family to several UFC events, brought fighters to the White House and to Trump rallies, and even spoke in Trump’s favor at the 2016 and 2020 Republican National Conventions.
Diego Sanchez would like a “legends fight” next, calls out McGregor, Cerrone, Maia and Hardy
Harry Kettle - November 5, 2020
UFC veteran Diego Sanchez has called out a handful of names as he goes in search of a “legends fight” for his next bout. Sanchez, who has won three of his last five fights, was beaten in his most recent outing as he fell to a unanimous decision defeat against Jake Matthews at UFC 253. Sanchez is known for being one of the more eccentric fighters on the UFC roster, and yet despite his longevity, many have wondered whether or not it’s time for him to consider hanging up the gloves.
Israel Adesanya on Jon Jones: “He shouldn’t be jealous of me, but he is”
Harry Kettle - November 5, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has questioned by his rival Jon Jones is “jealous” of him. The two men have been going back and forth at one another on social media for months now, and while it seemed for a time that they were set to square off sooner rather than later, that no longer appears to be the case with Adesanya moving to light heavyweight and Jones contemplating a jump up to heavyweight.
Dana White says UFC working to “loosen up” archaic marijuana rules, but warns "you can't have guys showing up high"
Adam Martin - November 4, 2020
UFC president Dana White says the UFC is working to “loosen up” archaic marijuana rules, but warned “you can’t have guys showing up high.” On Wednesday, several UFC fighters including welterweight Niko Price and lightweight Kevin Croom were suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. They tested positive for marijuana in their system during recent bouts in Las Vegas. Price tested positive following a draw against Donald Cerrone, while Croom tested positive in a pre-fight test. His submission win over Roosevelt Roberts was overturned to a No Contest.
Beneil Dariush hoping the UFC can match him up with Charles Oliveira again
Adam Martin - November 4, 2020
Lightweight contender Beneil Dariush is hoping that the UFC matchmakers can match him up with fellow submission ace Charles Oliveira again. Dariush was supposed to fight Oliveira at the UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Aldana event in early October, but Oliveira had to be removed from the fight and Dariush ended up not fighting either. With both men still currently not booked for a fight and with both looking to get back into the Octagon in the next few months, this still seems like a matchup the UFC could re-book. And if you ask Dariush, that’s exactly what he wants.
Former UFC middleweight Mark Munoz "happy" in retirement, but admits he has the itch to fight again
Adam Martin - November 4, 2020
Former UFC middleweight Mark Munoz says that he is “happy” in retirement, but also admits that he sometimes gets the itch to fight again. Munoz fought in the UFC from 2009 to 2015, racking up a 9-6 overall record in the Octagon. After losing three straight fights by stoppage to Lyoto Machida, Gegard Mousasi, and Roan Carneiro, Munoz defeated Luke Barnatt by unanimous decision in the final fight of his career in May 2015. The fight took place in Munoz’s native Philippines, and it was the perfect opportunity to retire in front of his family coming off of a win.
Petr Yan blasts Alajmain Sterling ahead of UFC 256 title fight: "You will be lying tanning just like Askren"
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2020
Petr Yan is confident he will defend his bantamweight title against Aljamain Sterling and will do so in devastating fashion. In the co-main event of UFC 256, Yan and Sterling will finally get the chance to share the Octagon. Heading into the fight, many pundits are split on who will win, but for the Russian, he plans on making Sterling be knocked out cold like Jorge Masvidal did to Ben Askren.
After highlight-reel KO in UFC debut, Adrian Yanez hopes Aaron Phillips fight gets rebooked for December
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2020
Adrian Yanez couldn’t have scripted a better UFC debut. Yanez earned a UFC deal earlier this summer on the Contender Series and at UFC Vegas 12, scored a first-round head kick KO in 2:46. The 26-year-old also got a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts.
Paulo Costa reveals he fought Israel Adesanya with a "totally impaired" leg and should've postponed the fight
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2020
Paulo Costa has finally revealed what happened before his UFC 253 fight against Israel Adesanya. Leading into the event, it was a highly-anticipated bout and one many were torn on who would win. Yet, Adesanya made it look easy as he TKO’d Costa in the second round and immediately the Brazilian called for a rematch as he claimed something happened before the fight.
Full betting odds released for UFC on ESPN+ 40: Santos vs. Teixeira
Adam Martin - November 4, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the 12 fights scheduled to take place at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 40: Santos vs. Teixeira event. The main event sees two of the top-five light heavyweights in the UFC go at it when Thiago Santos fights Glover Teixeira. Santos has not fought since July 2019, when he lost a close split decision to former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones at UFC 239. He has missed the last 16 months due to injuries. As for Teixeira, despite being 41 years old, he’s looking better than ever, winning four straight including a vicious TKO victory over Anthony Smith back at UFC Jacksonville in May.
Paulo Costa confirms fight with Robert Whittaker "very close" to being booked
Adam Martin - November 4, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa confirmed that a fight against former champion Robert Whittaker is “very close” to being booked. Costa recently called out Whittaker for what he said would be an “amazing fight” for the fans. Whittaker in turn said that he wasn’t interested in Costa at the moment, but it looks like the UFC has different plans. Speaking on his YouTube channel in a recent live chat with his fans, Costa confirmed that he’s deep into discussions with the UFC about the Whittaker fight, adding that a few details need to still be ironed out.
Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal added to undercard of Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards card
Adam Martin - November 4, 2020
An exciting matchup between two of the best welterweights in the UFC takes place in December when Stephen Thompson takes on Geoff Neal. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was the first to report the Thompson vs. Neal fight. The bout will take place on the UFC Fight Night card on December 19, one that features a main event between Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards. The card takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Niko Price among multiple UFC fighters to be suspended for marijuana use
Adam Martin - November 4, 2020
Niko Price was among the multiple UFC fighters who have been suspended in Nevada for marijuana use while another has tested positive for PEDs. According to MMAjunkie.com’s John Morgan, Price saw his temporary suspension for having carboxy THC in his system extended after testing positive for a prohibited cannabinoid following his fight against Donald Cerrone. Price fought to a draw in the fight. The Nevada State Athletic Commission has now placed Price under a temporary suspension and the two sides are expected to settle the matter in December.
Photos | Conor McGregor in phenomenal shape ahead of UFC return
Tom Taylor - November 4, 2020
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor looks to be in fantastic shape ahead of his widely anticipated return to the Octagon. Back in June, McGregor announced his retirement from mixed martial arts, citing a disinterest in the state of the sport.