MMA News
Francis Ngannou reacts to Jon Jones changing tune on his negotiations with the UFC: "I think we all know that Jon Jones has multiple personalities"
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2023
Francis Ngannou has responded to Jon Jones changing his tune about his contract negotiations with the UFC. The hope for the UFC was to make a fight between Ngannou and Jones, but it did not come to fruition, as the heavyweight champ was firm in his negotiations and demands. With that, the UFC opted to release Ngannou and made Jones vs. Gane for the vacant heavyweight title.
Jon Jones knows he could "lose to any guy, any given night" if he isn't well prepared: "It's more like a chess match"
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2023
Jon Jones doesn’t think he is unbeatable by any means. Jones is set to finally end his three-year-long layoff on Saturday night as he will move up to heavyweight to face Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title. Although Jones only has one loss coming by DQ, he says he never underestimates anyone as he knows he can get beat on any given night.
Three fighters removed from the UFC active roster including Darren Till
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2023
Darren Till has been removed from the UFC’s active roster. According to the Twitter account, UFC Roster Watch, three fighters have been removed from the roster including the former title challenger, Darren Till. Along with Till, Zubaira Tukhugov and Jose Johnson were also removed from the roster.
Ciryl Gane believes Jon Jones' "time is done" ahead of UFC 285, vows to finish him to win heavyweight title
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2023
Ciryl Gane thinks Jon Jones’ time in the UFC is done. Gane and Jones are set to headline UFC 285 on Saturday night in Las Vegas for the vacant heavyweight title. It is the first time Jones will fight in three years and Gane believes he is a tough matchup for ‘Bones’ due to his size and speed.
Chris Weidman believes Logan Paul should give UFC fighters equity in PRIME after betting it on Jake Paul: "Split it all up"
Josh Evanoff - February 28, 2023
UFC middleweight Chris Weidman has an idea for what Logan Paul can do with his PRIME equity. Over the weekend, Jake Paul returned to the boxing ring against Tommy Fury. In keeping with tradition for the YouTuber’s previous fights, he made it a family affair. His brother, Logan, was in his corner and even had a mid-fight interview where he insulted ‘TNT’.
Tony Ferguson blasts "f*cker" UFC president Dana White: "treated his lady in public like that, how do you think he treats his fighters?"
Josh Evanoff - February 28, 2023
UFC welterweight Tony Ferguson doesn’t seem to be pleased with Dana White. ‘El Cucuy’ has been out of action since a short-notice clash with Nate Diaz last September. Originally, the two fan-favorites were slated to face different men at UFC 279. Diaz was expected to fight Khamzat Chimaev, while Ferguson was set to face Li Jingliang.
Valentina Shevchenko amused by Erin Blanchfield's recent callout: "I remember Maycee Barber, she said something similar"
Josh Evanoff - February 28, 2023
UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko isn’t worried about Erin Blanchfield. ‘Bullet’ is slated to make her return this Saturday night at UFC 285 against Alexa Grasso. The bout will be Shevchenko’s first since defeating Taila Santos by split-decision last June. Following that bout, the Brazilian called for an instant rematch, but it didn’t come to fruition.
Ciryl Gane reacts after Jon Jones diminishes his striking: "We’re going to do the job in the cage, and we will see"
Lewis Simpson - February 28, 2023
Ciryl Gane has responded after Jon Jones questioned his striking ability ahead of their upcoming heavyweight title fight at UFC 285. This Saturday, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Gane aim’s to secure UFC gold for the second time in his short mixed martial arts career. The Frenchman fell short in his first attempt at UFC 270 against his former training partner Francis Ngannou.
"Pissed off" Geoff Neal expecting an early finish or "a three-round war" against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 285: "I just feel disrespected"
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2023
Geoff Neal doesn’t think he is getting the respect he deserves heading into his UFC 285 fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov. Neal is set to take on Rakhmonov in a big fight for the welterweight division. The two were originally booked to fight back in January, but an injury to Neal forced the fight to be moved to UFC 285. After news of Neal’s withdrawal was made public, he got flooded with comments suggesting that he was scared of Rakhmonov, which he wasn’t happy about.
Bruce Buffer believes he has another 10 years of being the voice of the Octagon, but explains when he knows it will be time to retire
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2023
Bruce Buffer doesn’t plan to retire anytime soon. Buffer first worked for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, at UFC 8 in 1996, and 27 years later, he is still the voice of the Octagon. Although in 1996, the UFC was not as big as it is now, he says he pushed to get the job as he had a feeling the UFC could become the biggest thing in sports.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 112 with Bruce Buffer, Geoff Neal, Jalin Turner, and Mana Martinez
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2023
The 112th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 285. We’re first joined by the voice of the Octagon Bruce Buffer (2:02). Next, seventh-ranked UFC welterweight Geoff Neal (19:00) comes on. 10th-ranked UFC lightweight Jalin Turner (31:45) stops by. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight Mana Martinez (45:20).
Watch Jon Jones spar with Walt Harris and hit pads ahead of UFC 285 (Videos)
Harry Kettle - February 28, 2023
New footage has been released of UFC star Jon Jones hitting pads, in addition to him sparring with Walt Harris. This weekend, Jon Jones will return after three years away from the Octagon. He’ll be doing so against Ciryl Gane as he attempts to capture the UFC heavyweight championship.
Report | UFC 286 ticket prices are the second highest for any sporting event in 2023
Harry Kettle - February 28, 2023
According to a recent report from Slots Online Canada, UFC 286 will be one of the most expensive sporting events of the year to attend. It’s no secret that UFC events are expensive. Whether it be going to watch them live or on ESPN+, you’ll have to fork out a bit of cash to catch the action. In many ways, you could even make the argument that the ticket prices are one of the reasons why the promotion has been so successful.
Judge rules that the man accused of molesting Cain Velasquez’s child will stand trial for his alleged crime
Harry Kettle - February 28, 2023
A judge has ruled that the man accused of molesting Cain Velasquez’s son will stand trial, according to MMA Junkie. Back in February 2022, 44-year-old Harry Goularte was charged with one felony count of lewd acts with a minor under the age of 14. The victim in question was Cain Velasquez Jr., the son of the former UFC heavyweight champion, when he was four years of age.
Francis Ngannou responds to recent criticism from Jon Jones: "Jonny boy pick a side of the fence"
Chris Taylor - February 27, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has responded to the recent criticism he received from Jon Jones. Jones (26-1 MMA) will return to the Octagon for the first time in over three years this Saturday night in the main event of UFC 285. ‘Bones’ is set to square off with Ciryl Gane (11-1 MMA) for the promotion’s vacant heavyweight world title.
Jon Jones is not just "going out there to win” against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285: "I'm going out there to dominate”
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2023
Jon Jones doesn’t want to just beat Ciryl Gane but dominate him at UFC 285. Jones is set to end his three-year-long layoff on Saturday night in Las Vegas as ‘Bones’ is set to headline UFC 285 against Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup as many fans have clamored to see Jones make the move up to heavyweight for quite some time.
Sergei Pavlovich tabbed as backup fighter for Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane at UFC 285
Josh Evanoff - February 27, 2023
Sergei Pavlovich has been tabbed as the backup fighter for UFC 285’s main event. This Saturday night in Las Vegas, Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane will go head to head for heavyweight supremacy. The winner of the contest will be crowned the UFC’s heavyweight champion. The title had been vacated by Francis Ngannou in January, as ‘The Predator’ left the promotion to focus on boxing.
Jake Paul opens up as the underdog for probable rematch with Tommy Fury
Josh Evanoff - February 27, 2023
For the first time in his boxing career, Jake Paul is the underdog. ‘The Problem Child’ returned to the boxing ring over the weekend against Tommy Fury. While the bout was the first time the two fought, they’d been scheduled to fight on two prior occasions. ‘TNT’ withdrew from both matchups, due to an injury and visa issues.