MMA News
"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.
Chael Sonnen believes Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane shows lack of competition in UFC heavyweight division: "I don’t know if we’ve had a less deserving heavyweight match"
Josh Evanoff - February 27, 2023
Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen believes UFC 285’s main event shows a bad sign for the heavyweight division. This Saturday night on ESPN pay-per-view, Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane will collide in the main event. For ‘Bones’, the fight will be his first in the weight class and his first heavyweight fight ever. Jones has been out of action since his controversial decision win over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in 2020.
Jon Jones questions Ciryl Gane's hunger for MMA ahead of UFC 285 return: "He doesn't believe he'll be here for a long time"
Josh Evanoff - February 27, 2023
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones believes Ciryl Gane doesn’t have the same hunger as him. ‘Bones’ is slated to make his long-awaited heavyweight debut later this week against ‘Bon Gamin’. The pair will headline UFC 285, in what will be Jones’ first bout in over three years. Ahead of his return, the former champion is the underdog, unfamiliar territory for him.
Tyron Woodley shares what he thinks is the best performance of his career
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2023
Tyron Woodley thinks two fights stand out as the best performances of his career, but one more than the other. Woodley is the former UFC welterweight champion and defended his title three times and had great wins over Darren Till and Robbie Lawler to win the belt. Woodley says those two performances were the best of his career, but he says the win over Till was his best because it was clear the UFC wanted the Brit to win.
Dana White says he’s releasing a documentary about the media and their coverage of UFC and Power Slap: “It’s gonna live forever”
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2023
Dana White is planning to release another documentary about the media. When COVID-19 hit, many media members were skeptical about the UFC holding events so early, given that little information was known. Yet, the UFC pressed on and succeeded in Jacksonville, Fight Island, and the UFC Apex.
Jon Jones scoffs at the idea that Ciryl Gane will be the toughest kickboxer he’s ever faced: “Gane’s last three opponents had terrible defense”
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2023
Jon Jones doesn’t agree that Ciryl Gane is the toughest kickboxer he has faced. Jones is set to headline UFC 285 on Saturday against Gane in Las Vegas for the vacant heavyweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup as it is the first time Jones has fought in over three years and is his heavyweight debut.
Former UFC champion Quinton Jackson says he knows fighters have taken dives for money: “There's been fake fights in MMA”
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2023
Quinton Jackson says rigging MMA fights has happened, and he knows of a few. Many fans and conspiracy theorists have often said MMA fights are fixed, and those claims have only furthered with the rise of Jake Paul and his boxing matches. Although Jackson says he hasn’t heard of UFC fights being fixed, he hints at former PRIDE fights that featured pro wrestlers being fixed, as well as pro boxers.
Nate Diaz slams Logan Paul for his "obnoxious" trash talk during Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury fight
Jeffrey Walter - February 26, 2023
Former UFC title challenger Nate Diaz was not impressed by Logan Paul’s trash talk during today’s Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury fight. Jake Paul (6-1 Boxing) and Tommy Fury (9-0 Boxing) finally squared off inside of the squared circle earlier this evening at Diriyah Arena in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
Dana White on Conor McGregor allegedly kicking fighters off TUF 31: "Who gives a sh*t?"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 26, 2023
UFC President Dana White isn’t exactly putting much thought into the rumors surrounding the power Conor McGregor has been given as a coach on “The Ultimate Fighter” season 31. McGregor will coach opposite Michael Chandler, and the two will go one-on-one at some point this year. Recently, UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns accused McGregor of having his teammate, Loik Radzhabov, kicked off of TUF 31 in favor of his own selection. Well-known MMA manager Daniel Rubenstein also accused McGregor of having three of his fighters: Ken Cross, Mitch Ramirez, and Brandon Jenkins removed from the show.