MMA News
Sean O'Malley books Octagon return for UFC 252
Chris Taylor - July 11, 2020
UFC bantamweight standout Sean O’Malley has booked his Octagon return for UFC 252, a quick rebound following his sensation KO victory over Eddie Wineland. The undefeated bantamweight prospect, O’Malley (12-0 MMA), squared off with former WEC title holder Eddie Wineland at last month’s UFC 250 event in Las Vegas. The result was a first round knockout victory for “Sugar”, which earned him a third-straight performance bonus from the promotion.
Dana White believes a potential Conor McGregor vs. Jorge Masvidal "could be" the biggest fight in history
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2020
Dana White knows a potential Conor McGregor vs. Jorge Masvidal fight would be massive for the promotion. In the main event of UFC 251, Jorge Masvidal is stepping in on six days’ notice to battle Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title. Many believe if “Gamebred” wins, he would become the second-biggest star in MMA behind McGregor.
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez in jeopardy, Pantoja on standby as short notice replacement
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2020
Deiveson Figueiredo may not get a chance to run things back with Joseph Benavidez. In the main event of a UFC Fight Island card on July 18, Figueiredo is set to rematch Benavidez for the vacant flyweight title. The two fought back at UFC Norfolk in February where the Brazilian won but he also missed weight leaving the title to still be vacant.
Tyron Woodley explains why we need to give Mike Perry a second chance
Adam Martin - July 10, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Tyron Woodley believes that we need to give Mike Perry a second chance after a recent video of ‘Platinum’ caused major controversy. Perry was caught on video punching a man at a bar and saying the N-word numerous times. The video went viral on social media soon after and many fans were calling for the UFC to cut Perry. The UFC has since responded to the incident, saying that Perry will be given the help he needs to due with his alcohol issues, though the UFC also said in the statement that Perry will not be fighting anytime soon due to the incident.
Santiago Ponzinibbio tests positive for COVID-19
Adam Martin - July 10, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Santiago Ponzinibbio has become the latest mixed martial arts fighter to test positive for COVID-19. Ponzibbio is a member of American Top Team in Florida, which has seen a number of its team members including coach Mike Brown and bantamweight Pedro Munhoz test positive for the novel coronavirus. According to AG Fight, which confirmed the story, Ponzinibbio tested positive for the coronavirus during a recent test.
Leon Edwards wants to fight "little weasel" Colby Covington or Gilbert Burns next
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2020
Leon Edwards is looking to get a fight with Colby Covington or Gilbert Burns next, this in hopes of earning a title shot. Edwards was supposed to headline UFC London against Tyron Woodley, where many were assuming he won, he would get a title shot. Yet, the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Englishman has yet to get a fight since. He said he was offered the title fight before Burns but couldn’t take it due to lack of training and the COVID-19 restrictions in England.
Kamaru Usman hoping to fight Georges St-Pierre with win over Jorge Masvidal: "I would love GSP"
Adam Martin - July 10, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says he is hoping to fight George St-Pierre next should he get by Jorge Masvidal in the main event of UFC 251. Usman takes on Masvidal in a megafight on Fight Island this Saturday night. The UFC 251 pay-per-view is trending to do massive numbers for the UFC, so a win by Usman over Masvidal could potentially shoot him into superstardom. If Usman is able to get by Masvidal this weekend, then he’s already got his eyes on his next opponent: GSP.
Dana White claims UFC 251 is "trending higher than a Conor McGregor fight"
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2020
UFC President Dana White claims Saturday’s UFC 251 card is trending to be a massive success—perhaps an even bigger blockbuster than a Conor McGregor fight. UFC 251 will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between dominating champion Kamaru Usman and streaking challenger Jorge Masvidal. Usman was originally expected to defend his title agains Gilbert Burns, but Masvidal was called to step in on just six days’ notice when Burns tested positive for COVID-19. The card will also feature two other title fights: a featherweight showdown between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, and a bantamweight battle between Petr Yan and Jose Aldo.
Gilbert Burns reacts to Dana White's announcement he will fight winner of Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal
Adam Martin - July 10, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns reacted to the news from UFC president Dana White that he will fight the winner of Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal. Burns was set to fight Usman for the UFC welterweight title in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 251 pay-per-view, but he was pulled from the fight last Friday after testing positive for COVID-19. The UFC then struck a deal with Masvidal to fill in on short notice as Burns’ replacement, and the megafight between Usman and Burns headlines this weekend’s card.
Jorge Masvidal admits 20-pound weight cut for UFC 251 was "rough"
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2020
Jorge Masvidal admits his weight-cut for his short-notice UFC 251 title fight with Kamaru Usman was a taxing experience. Usman was originally scheduled to defend his title against Gilbert Burns in the UFC 241 main event. When Burns tested positive for COVID-19 just six days’ out from the fight, however, Masvidal got the call to step in against Usman. After rapidly negotiating a new UFC contract, he agreed.
Mark Hunt to return with boxing match against Paul Gallen
Adam Martin - July 10, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight contender Mark Hunt will make his return to combat sports when he takes on Paul Gallen in a boxing match later this year. Gallen, an Australian rugby player who transitioned into boxing, recently confirmed himself the news that he will box Hunt on either October 30 or October 31 at a location-to-be-named. No other details about the fight are known yet, according to MMAFighting.com, but rumors are that Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, could host the event. That’s the same venue the UFC traveled to earlier this year for the Dan Hooker vs. Paul Felder card.
VIDEO | UFC 251 main card staredowns
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2020
Shortly after the UFC 251 weigh-ins concluded, the stars of the card took center stage to face off with their opponents one last time. See the staredowns from the fighters competing on the UFC 251 main card below:
Dana White comments on Mike Perry situation: "That's not normal behavior"
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2020
VIDEO | Dana White leaks the promo that will open the UFC 251 PPV
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2020
UFC President Dana White has leaked the video that will kickstart the UFC 251 pay-per-view, which will air at 10:00pm ET on ESPN+ this Saturday. The promo, which is narrated by actor Ron Perlman, profiles the three title fights on the UFC 251 bill. See it below:
Kamaru Usman denies requesting picture with "nobody" Jorge Masvidal
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2020
Jorge Masvidal recently claimed that UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman asked to take a picture with them when they crossed paths on the set of TUF Talk in 2015. Usman, however, weaves a very different tale.
Dana White "hopes" Jon Jones fights in the UFC again, but makes no guarantees
Adam Martin - July 10, 2020
UFC president Dana White said that he “hopes” UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones fights in the Octagon again, but it’s no guarantee. Jones and the UFC have been in disagreement about fighter pay for months now, and Jones recently said that he had no problem sitting out numerous years if it helped the younger fighters get paid what they are worth. Jones and the UFC have always had a rocky relationship, but ever since the UFC refused to re-negotiate his contract for a potential Francis Ngannou megafight, Jones has been incredibly upset with White and the UFC.
UFC 251 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas 2
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2020
On the stacked UFC 251 card Jessica Andrade and Rose Namajunas are set to have their highly-anticipated rematch. Heading into the fight, the Brazilian, Andrade, is a +175 underdog while the American is a -225 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. Although Andrade won the first fight by KO at UFC 237, the majority believe it will be Namajunas who gets the job done.
Kamaru Usman is not taking Jorge Masvidal lightly: “He’s the best opponent that I have faced”
Harry Kettle - July 10, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has claimed that he is not taking Jorge Masvidal lightly ahead of their UFC 251 main event on Saturday night. Usman is set to defend his UFC Welterweight Championship against Masvidal on Fight Island this weekend in Abu Dhabi, with “Gamebred” taking the fight on just six days’ notice.
UFC 251 weigh-in results: title fights official, two fighters miss weight
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2020
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens with the stacked UFC 251 pay-per-view—the first event on the much discussed Fight Island. UFC 251 will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between dominating champion Kamaru Usman and ferocious challenger Jorge Masvidal. Usman was originally expected to defend his title agains Gilbert Burns on Fight Island, but Masvidal was called to step in on six days’ notice when Burns tested positive for COVID-19.