MMA News
Dana White: No comeback plans for GSP despite intense snowstorm training videos
Adam Martin - February 12, 2021
UFC president Dana White said there are no comeback plans for GSP despite his recent posts doing intense training in the Canadian snowstorms. St-Pierre hasn’t fought since November 2017, when he submitted Michael Bisping to win the UFC middleweight title. He vacated the title soon after that and then made the decision to officially retire in 2019. However, there has been chatter in recent months about a GSP comeback. The reason being, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov wants this fight, and so do the fans. However, there appear to be too many hurdles to climb to make that happen, as White once again shot down any sort of rumors about a GSP return.
Dana White shares rough plans for UFC lightweight championship
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2021
UFC President Dana White has shared loose plans for the future of the promotion’s lightweight championship. The status of the UFC lightweight championship has been a mystery for several months, thanks to the retirement of long-time champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Leon Edwards doubles down on Nate Diaz callout: "Let’s go if you still think you're a real one"
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2021
Leon Edwards has doubled down on his callout of Nate Diaz. Edwards, the UFC’s No. 3-ranked welterweight contender, was slated to fight Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on March 13. Unfortunately, Chimaev has been forced out of the fight, marking the third consecutive time this matchup has fallen apart.
Dana White shares potential timeframe for Jon Jones' heavyweight title shot
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2021
UFC President Dana White says Jon Jones could get a heavyweight title shot this year, and perhaps as early as this summer. Jones is the former UFC light heavyweight champion, and is widely regarded as the greatest fighter in MMA history. Last year, he vacated his light heavyweight title with the goal of moving up to heavyweight in search of a new belt.
Leon Edwards aims to stay on March 13 card, has three replacement opponents in mind
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2021
No. 3 UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards wants to fight on March 13, and has three opponents in mind for that date. Edwards was scheduled to fight Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on March 13. Unfortunately, Chimaev was forced out of the fight due to lingering issues stemming from a previous COVID-19 infection, marking the third time the bout has fallen through.
UFC president Dana White shares insight on the promotion's discretionary backstage bonuses
Harry Kettle - February 12, 2021
UFC president Dana White has given fans and pundits alike a look into the discretionary backstage bonuses he hands out after events. Everyone is well aware of the Performance and Fight of the Night bonuses that are given out across all Ultimate Fighting Championship PPVs and fight nights, but as it turns out, White also hands out extra bonuses when there’s an evening in which many fighters have put in an impressive performance.
Josh Barnett on the Paul brothers in boxing: 'If we don't pay for it, it doesn't become the thing that it is'
Drake Riggs - February 11, 2021
Josh Barnett has always been an entertainer whether it’s in the ring or the cage. When it comes to seeing YouTube stars like Jake and Logan Paul boxing, he’s not interested. With a combined three fights under their belts, the Paul’s appear to have no intention of slowing down their boxing antics as Jake is scheduled to face former MMA champion Ben Askren in April. Meanwhile, Logan has had his exhibition with Floyd Mayweather postponed.
Tyron Woodley rips Israel Adesanya for moving up to 205lbs as soon as Jon Jones left the division
Christopher Taylor - February 11, 2021
Tyron Woodley is perplexed by Israel Adesanya’s decision to move up to 205lbs immediately after Jon Jones left the division. Last summer it appeared that a potential showdown between Jones and Adesanya was a real possibility. However, the potential super-fight was shutdown after ‘Stylebender’ stated that he intended on clearing out the promotions middleweight division before making a move up to light heavyweight.
UFC 258 | Gilbert Burns shares footage of his last training session with Kamaru Usman
Chris Taylor - February 11, 2021
Gilbert Burns will challenge Kamaru Usman for the promotions welterweight championship in the headliner of this Saturday’s UFC 258 event. Burns and Usman have a storied history having trained together under coach Henri Hooft in South Florida for many years.
Alexander Volkov explains why he was starstruck being in the cage with Alistair Overeem
Adam Martin - February 11, 2021
UFC heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov explained why he was starstruck being in the Octagon across from Alistair Overeem at UFC Vegas 18. Volkov picked up the biggest win of his career when he finished Overeem with punches in the second rounds of their recent main event heavyweight bout. Volkov showed technical striking skills and a heavy hand as he systematically picked apart Overeem with his powerful punches until the referee stopped the fight. Considering how awesome of a performance he had, you’d be surprised to know that Volkov admits he was initially starstruck. For a fighter who had such a long road to the UFC, Volkov can now look back at his career and be proud of it.
Gillian Robertson plans to go "straight for the throat" and submit Miranda Maverick at UFC 258
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Gillian Robertson is not hiding her gameplan for UFC 258. In the first fight of the night, Robertson is making the walk to the Octagon against Miranda Maverick. It’s a very intriguing matchup, but a fight many were surprised it is happening given the fact they are two of the up and coming prospects. However, the Canadian actually thought this would be her opponent.
Dustin Poirier awarded "key to the city" in Youngsville, Louisiana
Adam Martin - February 11, 2021
UFC lightweight superstar Dustin Poirier was awarded the “key to the city” by Youngsville, Louisiana, showing fans his award on social media. Poirier is coming off of an incredible knockout win over Conor McGregor at UFC 257. In addition to being a badass cage fighter, Poirier is also a model citizen outside of the Octagon. Poirier and his wife Jolie run the nonprofit “Good Fight Foundation” which has raised thousands of dollars for the local community and for underserved populations. With Poirier in the lead, the Good Fight Foundation has been able to help better the lives of many people in his local communities.
Ryan Hall details the injury that forced him out of Dan Ige fight, wants Jeremy Stephens in April
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Ryan Hall’s return to the Octagon will be delayed a few months. Earlier on Thursday, BJPENN.com broke the news that Hall was forced to withdraw from the fight due to an injury. Shortly after the news became public, Hall revealed to BJPENN.com that he tore his hip flexor.
Justin Gaethje rips Charles Oliveira over his recent UFC title shot demands
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Justin Gaethje doesn’t think Charles Oliveira deserves a title shot as he seems to think. After Oliveira dominated Tony Ferguson for three rounds to win a decision at UFC 256, he called for a title shot. The Brazilian is riding an eight-fight winning streak and had seven finishes during that run. However, for Gaethje, he doesn’t believe the level of competition is good enough to warrant a title shot.
Frankie Edgar recounts scary moments following KO loss to Cory Sandhagen: “For the life of me I couldn’t remember what day it was”
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Frankie Edgar doesn’t remember much from his KO loss to Cory Sandhagen last weekend. In the co-main event of the card, Edgar was looking to become the number one contender and beat Sandhagen. However, just 28 seconds in Sandhagen landed a perfectly timed flying knee that knocked Edgar out cold.
Breaking | Khamzat Chimaev out of scheduled UFC fight with Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev has been forced to pull out of his fight with Leon Edwards on March 13. Chimaev and Edwards were scheduled to face one another on December 19 and January 20 but both fights were postponed due to both men getting COVID-19. They were then rescheduled for March 13 but UFC president, Dana White revealed to ESPN that Chimaev has been forced to pull out of the fight due to lingering effects of the virus. The promotion is now moving on from the fight and the UFC is searching for a new opponent to fight Edwards.
Dominick Reyes returns to the Octagon against Jiri Prochazka on May 1st
Adam Martin - February 11, 2021
UFC light heavyweight Dominick Reyes returns to the Octagon against Jiri Prochazka on May 1st, in a fight originally booked for February. The UFC originally intended on Reyes vs. Prochazka headlining the Fight Night card planned for February 27, but the fight was scratched and replaced by a new main event featuring heavyweights Ciryl Gane and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Fortunately, Reyes vs. Prochazka has been quickly salvaged and re-booked for just two months later. It now takes place on May 1. Prochazka’s management team at Paradigm Sports was the first to reveal the new fight announcement. The fight will serve as the five-round main event.
Gilbert Burns offers UFC title shot advice to Charles Oliveira: Improve your English skills
Adam Martin - February 11, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns offered his best UFC title shot advice to Charles Oliveira, suggesting that he improves his English. With the welterweight title on the line, Burns takes on Kamaru Usman in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 258 event. This is actually the third time this fight has been scheduled, so if anyone knows a thing-or-two about getting a UFC title shot, it’s Burns. Meanwhile, his fellow Brazilian Oliveira is having a hard time breaking through. Even though Oliveira is riding an eight-fight win streak, it seems like he’ll be passed over for the next UFC lightweight title match.