MMA News
Stipe Miocic reveals he was intending on fighting Jon Jones at UFC 285 prior to Ciryl Gane announcement: "It’s not my decision"
Josh Evanoff - January 18, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic was surprised to learn Jon Jones will be fighting Ciryl Gane. The former champion has been out of action since UFC 260 in March 2021. In that outing, Miocic looked to defend his heavyweight gold against Francis Ngannou. ‘The Predator’ was previously defeated in his first title bid in January 2018 at UFC 220.
Former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson casts light on his negotiations with the UFC: "They tried to stiff-arm me"
Josh Evanoff - January 18, 2023
ONE flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson has reflected on his own negotiations with the UFC. Francis Ngannou recently made headlines for joining the rare club of champions to leave the UFC on their own accord. The last fighter to accomplish that feat was the legendary B.J. Penn. ‘The Prodigy’ left the promotion in 2004, having just become welterweight champion by defeating Matt Hughes.
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso added to UFC 285 in March
Josh Evanoff - January 18, 2023
The undercard to UFC 285 continues to build, as women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko has been added. ‘Bullet’ has been out of action since her clash with Taila Santos at UFC 275 last June. In that outing, the Brazilian brought the fight to the champion, who was a heavy favorite. Despite early success from Santos, Shevchenko rallied in the championship rounds.
Jamahal Hill open to waiting for Jiri Prochazka as his first title defense if he beats Glover Teixeira at UFC 283: "I want that fight"
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2023
Jamahal Hill is hopeful Jiri Prochazka can return to action this summer. Prochazka was supposed to defend his light heavyweight title against Glover Teixeira in December but had to pull out of the fight and vacate the belt due to a major shoulder injury.
UFC 283 | Pro fighters make their picks for Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill title fight
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2023
In the main event of UFC 283, the vacant light heavyweight title is up for grabs as Glover Teixeira takes on Jamahal Hill. Heading into the fight, Teixeira is a +104 underdog while the American is a -132 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros slightly lean towards Hill getting his hand raised and likely doing so by knocking out Teixeira.
UFC lightweight Rafael Fiziev responds to recent accusations from Phuket Top Team: "My side of the story"
Susan Cox - January 18, 2023
UFC lightweight Rafael Fiziev is responding to recent accusations from Phuket Top Team. Former kickboxer Rafael Fiziev (12-1 MMA) made his UFC debut in April of 2019, losing to Magomed Mustafaev (14-3 MMA) via TKO. Since then, ‘Ataman’ has won six in a row in the Octagon, his most recent victory coming against Rafael dos Anjos (32-14 MMA) in July of last year.
Former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic reacts to Francis Ngannou parting ways with the UFC
Susan Cox - January 18, 2023
Former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic is reacting to the news of Francis Ngannou parting ways with the UFC. Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA) last fought in March 2021 at UFC 260 where he lost the heavyweight title to Francis Ngannou (17-3 MMA) via KO. Prior to that loss Miocic had back-to-back victories against Daniel Cormier (22-3 MMA).
MMA analysts tip Francis Ngannou to get exposed in first boxing bout: "He’s an average puncher. He’s a below average boxer"
Lewis Simpson - January 18, 2023
Francis Ngannou is now officially a free agent after being released from the UFC. The former UFC heavyweight champion now has the freedom to negotiate new opportunities with other promoters across different sports. The 36-year-olds next likely move is to transition into boxing, a dream the Cameroon native has held close to his heart since childhood.
Amanda Nunes expected to return at UFC 285 on March 4 against Irene Aldana
Susan Cox - January 18, 2023
Amanda Nunes is expected to return at UFC 285 on March 4 against Irene Aldana. It was just last weekend that UFC President Dana White announced Jon Jones (26-1 MMA) vs Ciryl Gane (11-1 MMA) would be headlining UFC 285 for the vacant heavyweight belt.
Muhammad Mokaev explains why he agreed to fight unranked opponent at UFC 286: “Do you want me to sit and wait till September?”
Harry Kettle - January 18, 2023
UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev has explained why he agreed to fight unranked Jafel Filho in his next fight with the promotion. Ever since entering the Ultimate Fighting Championship last year, Muhammad Mokaev has been making waves. He’s 9-0 (1) as a pro in mixed martial arts and in the UFC, he holds a record of 3-0.
Gilbert Burns says he was told Khamzat Chimaev plans on fighting at middleweight going forward
Harry Kettle - January 18, 2023
UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns has claimed that he was told Khamzat Chimaev plans on moving up to middleweight. Last April, Gilbert Burns and Khamzat Chimaev went to war. The two men battled it out in a welterweight clash for the ages, with Chimaev being pushed to the limit more so than he ever has been before.
Jon Jones shares his thoughts on Francis Ngannou’s UFC release: “I do believe my path will cross with Francis”
Harry Kettle - January 18, 2023
Jon Jones has given his thoughts following Francis Ngannou‘s release ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 285. Last weekend, it was announced that Jon Jones will return to the UFC after three years away. He’ll do so in March, taking on Ciryl Gane for the UFC heavyweight championship.
Jon Jones won’t reveal how much he’ll weigh in heavyweight debut at UFC 285: “I want Ciryl to see me for the first time and it be a nice surprise”
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Jon Jones won’t let anyone know his weight until he steps onto the scales. Jones is set to make his heavyweight debut for the vacant title in the main event of UFC 285 on March 4 against Ciryl Gane. The fight marks Jones’ heavyweight debut which is something he has teased for years but he won’t be telling anyone what he plans on weighing until he steps onto the scale on weigh-in day.
Terrance McKinney plans to silence the crowd at UFC 283 with a KO win over Ismael Bonfim: "I think it might be something crazy, fans should expect something insane"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Terrance McKinney has said his dream was to fight in Brazil and he now gets his wish at UFC 283. McKinney is set to face Ismael Bonfim at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although McKinney is fighting a UFC newcomer, he says the reason he took this fight is because it is in Brazil, which has been his dream to fight there.
Jon Jones lays out his goals for upcoming heavyweight run: "I'm guaranteeing the fans at least two more fights"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Jon Jones has laid out his ideal plan for his upcoming UFC heavyweight run. Jones is set to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 285 against Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup and it also marks the return of Jones who has not fought since 2020.
Conor McGregor gives Francis Ngannou advice after he was released from the UFC: "Correct representation is imperative"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Conor McGregor has shared some advice with Francis Ngannou. On Saturday, after Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight belt was reported, Dana White confirmed it and also announced Ngannou was released from the UFC. The news was surprising and on Tuesday, Ngannou spoke to The MMA Hour and said he was managing himself during the negotiations with the UFC.
Johnny Walker not ruling out grappling with Paul Craig, plans to get a stoppage win at UFC 283: "If 2023 goes the way I want, I get the title shot in 2024"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Johnny Walker is prepared to grapple at UFC 283. Walker is set to be on the pay-per-view main card against Paul Craig in an intriguing matchup at light heavyweight. It’s also exciting for Walker as he gets to fight at home in Rio de Janeiro in front of his friends and family.
Leon Edwards admits he's rooting for Jorge Masvidal to secure title shot: "He just keeps losing so it’s hard to make the fight make sense"
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2023
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards is rooting for Jorge Masvidal’s success. ‘Gamebred’ has been out of action since his clash with Colby Covington last March at UFC 272. In that outing, Masvidal was dominated, losing by a lopsided unanimous decision. Weeks following the incident, he reportedly assaulted ‘Chaos’ in a Miami bar. He’s currently facing several charges in connection to the incident.