MMA News
Jimmie Rivera on Petr Yan winning UFC bantamweight title: “It irks me”
Harry Kettle - July 17, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Jimmie Rivera has given his thoughts on Petr Yan capturing the UFC Bantamweight Championship at UFC 251. Rivera made a return to winning ways on Wednesday night when he beat Cody Stamann in a short notice featherweight showdown on Fight Island. While the 31-year-old did admit that the win wasn’t his best performance, it did help him break a two-fight losing streak – with one of those defeats coming against the aforementioned Yan at UFC 238 in June 2019.
Giga Chikadze vs. Alex Caceres slated for August 8
Alfredo Zullino - July 17, 2020
A featherweight scrap between Georgia’s Giga Chikadze (10-2 MMA; 3-0 UFC) and Alex Caceres (16-12 MMA; 11-10-1 NC UFC) is in the works for August 8; sources with knowledge of the situation told BJPENN.com. The former Glory kickboxer Chikadze made his UFC debut less than a year ago, in September 2019, and since then he racked up a perfect record of 3 victories and no losses, triumphing over Brandon Davis, Jamall Emmers and Irwin Rivera. All of these wins came by decision.
Dana White confirms Colby Covington signed contract: "Just waiting on Woodley"
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2020
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that Colby Covington signed a contract to fight former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, adding that the promotion is waiting on Woodley to sign and make the bout official. Woodley and Covington have been engaged in a heated war of words since the height of Woodley’s reign as the UFC welterweight champion. They’ve been linked to fights several times over the years, but as of yet, have not stepped into the cage together.
Gilbert Burns will get next shot at Kamaru Usman, Dana White confirms
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2020
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that No. 1 welterweight contender Gilbert Burns will get the next crack at the division’s champ Kamaru Usman. Usman and Burns were expected to fight in the main event of UFC 251 last weekend, but the fight was nixed when Burns tested positive for COVID-19. Burns was then replaced by Jorge Masvidal, who Usman defeated by unanimous decision.
Nate Diaz will "definitely" fight again, says Dana White
Adam Martin - July 17, 2020
UFC president Dana White says that welterweight superstar Nate Diaz will “definitely” fight again inside the Octagon, though he doesn’t know when exactly. Diaz is one of the biggest superstars in the UFC but he hasn’t fought since November 2019 when he lost via TKO (doctor stoppage) to Jorge Masvidal in a battle for the first-ever UFC BMF title. There have been rumblings of a potential rematch between Diaz and Masvidal, as well as a potential trilogy fight between Diaz and rival Conor McGregor, but so far nothing has been booked and the Stockton native continues to sit on the sidelines.
Pro fighters make their picks for Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - July 17, 2020
In the main event of UFC Fight Island 2, Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez are having an immediate rematch for the vacant flyweight title. Heading into the fight, the Brazilian, Figueiredo, is a -225 favorite while the American is a +175 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of the fighters believe Benavidez will finally become a UFC champion and beat Figueiredo in the rematch.
Dana White responds to Jorge Masvidal vs. Conor McGregor talk
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2020
UFC President Dana White has responded to talk of a potential super fight between UFC stars Jorge Masvidal and Conor McGregor. Masvidal fought at UFC 251 last weekend, taking on UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman on just six days’ notice. While Masvidal put up forth valiant effort, he wound up losing the fight by unanimous decision.
Colby Covington: "The UFC hates me and they hold a grudge against me"
Adam Martin - July 17, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington believes he hasn’t been booked for another fight yet because the UFC “hates” him and holds a “grudge” against him. Covington hasn’t fought since UFC 245 last December when he suffered a fifth-round TKO loss to Kamaru Usman in the last round of their epic welterweight title fight. Since then, Covington has remained on the sidelines without an opponent, though a week doesn’t go by where he isn’t busy calling one of the top contenders at 170lbs out.
Kelvin Gastelum in a “good place” ahead of UFC Fight Island after battling “some demons”
Harry Kettle - July 17, 2020
UFC middleweight Kelvin Gastelum believes he is in a good place heading into his UFC Fight Island showdown with Jack Hermansson. In early 2019 there was a whole lot of momentum behind The Ultimate Fighter 17 winner after he beat Michael Bisping and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in back-to-back fights. Unfortunately for him, since then, he’s been on a two-fight skid after losing an epic encounter against Israel Adesanya before falling to a split decision loss against rising contender Darren Till.
UFC on ESPN+ 30 weigh-in results: Flyweight title fight official
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2020
On Saturday night, the UFC will return our screens with UFC on ESPN+ 30, the promotion’s third event in the span of a week. In the card’s main event, Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez will collide for the vacant flyweight title. The pair met earlier this year with the same prize on the line, but no champion was crowned, as Figueiredo missed weight, making him ineligible to win the title, and then won the fight via TKO. The hope is that both fighters will make weight and battle to a more decisive end this weekend.
Gilbert Burns says he “knew” Kamaru Usman would win a “boring” decision over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251
Natasha Hooper - July 17, 2020
Gilbert Burns was not impressed with Kamaru Usman’s title defence against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251, calling it a “boring” decision. He has also responded to Leon Edwards’ hopes of getting the next shot at UFC welterweight title. Burns has been bulldozing his way through the division and was expected to put his skills the test against Usman at UFC 251. However, Burns tested posted for COVID-19 and was forced out of the championship fight that took place on Fight Island.
Khamzat Chimaev says he wants to fight Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, or Robbie Lawler next
Adam Martin - July 16, 2020
UFC welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev says he wants to fight Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, or Robbie Lawler next as he works his way up the 170lbs ladder. Chimaev had a UFC debut for the ages when he absolutely smoked John Phillips at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 13 card in Abu Dhabi. Chimaev took Phillips down right away and beat him up so badly that one judge even scored the first round 10-7 in his favor, one of the rarest scorecards in all of MMA. In the second round, Chimaev made quick work of Phillips and submitted him with a brutal D’arce choke to pick up his first UFC win.
Scott Coker confirms Bellator has "serious" interest in Paige VanZant
Adam Martin - July 16, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed that his promotion has a “serious” interest in signing UFC women’s fighter Paige VanZant to a free-agent deal. VanZant recently finished off the last fight of her UFC contract with a disappointing first-round submission loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi. Despite the loss, VanZant is expected to garner plenty of interest on the free-agent market. It seems doubtful she will re-sign with the UFC considering Dana White’s remarks after her fight, but Bellator, ONE Championship, and RIZIN FF could all make VanZant free-agent offers.
Tyron Woodley says he will "get around to exterminating that roach" Colby Covington in September or October
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2020
Tyron Woodley has made it clear that he is willing to fight Colby Covington, just not in August. On Wednesday night, Covington posted a signed bout agreement for a fight against Woodley on August 22. Yet, he claimed the former champ turned him down once again. According to Woodley, he says he is not ready to fight then, but will gladly fight him in the fall.
Urijah Faber explains why he would like to fight Pedro Munhoz
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2020
Urijah Faber is interested in continuing his legendary MMA career and has a name in mind. The UFC Hall of Famer came out of retirement last summer where he scored a first-round TKO win over Ricky Simon. He then fought again at UFC 245 where he suffered a KO loss to Petr Yan.
Deiveson Figueiredo confident he will make weight, promises to KO Joseph Benavidez again
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2020
Deiveson Figueiredo is confident he will beat Joseph Benavidez again and make weight in the process. In the main event of UFC Fight Island 2, Figueiredo and Benavidez are running it back for the vacant flyweight title. The two fought back at UFC Norfolk where it was the Brazilian in Figueiredo who won by second-round knockout. Yet, he missed weight leaving the title to still be vacant.
Bellator planning comeback events with Cris Cyborg and Ryan Bader title fights
Adam Martin - July 16, 2020
Bellator is planning on returning to action this fall with four events over the next two months including title fights featuring Cris Cyborg and Ryan Bader. Bellator officially announced this week it will be returning on July 24 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and according to British MMA journalist Gareth Davies, the promotion will in fact hold four events at the Mohegan Sun from July to September. Davies spoke to the organization’s president Scott Coker, who confirmed to him that Bellator is planning to hold four events for its comeback, with fights featuring Cyborg and Bader.
What's next for Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige after UFC Fight Island 1?
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2020
In the main event of UFC Fight Island 1, rising featherweight contenders, in Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige were looking to continue their hot streaks. It was a very intriguing scrap, where the winner would likely enter a number one contender bout, or perhaps earn a title shot. Both fighters told BJPENN.com they were planning on breaking the other in there, but that is far from what happened. Both Kattar and Ige kept on coming forward and landing heavy shots. But, it was Kattar who got the job done by decision.