MMA News
Francis Ngannou reflects on title-earning knockout of Stipe Miocic at UFC 260
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou reflected on his title-earning knockout of Stipe Miocic earlier this afternoon. Ngannou (16-3 MMA) and Miocic ( MMA) squared off for a second time in the headliner of March’s UFC 260 event in Las Vegas. The pair had initially collided at UFC 220 in January of 2018, with Miocic retaining his heavyweight title by way of unanimous decision.
Previously quiet Israel Adesanya trolls Marvin Vettori ahead of UFC 263 rematch
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has been relatively quiet ahead of his UFC 263 rematch with Italian standout Marvin Vettori. Adesanya (20-1 MMA) and Vettori (17-4-1 MMA) originally collided in April of 2018, with the promotions reigning middleweight champion emerging victorious by way of split decision.
Alex Volkanovski dubs Brian Ortega "fake" and "awkward" following filming of TUF 29
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski has dubbed his upcoming opponent Brian Ortega “fake” and “awkward” following their filming of TUF 29. Volkanovski (22-1 MMA) and Ortega (15-1 MMA) just spent weeks in each others presence while serving as coaches of Season 29 of The Ultimate Fighter.
Brian Ortega responds after Colby Covington trashes his TUF 29 coaching gig: "I’m glad you ain’t get it B*tch."
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
Brian Ortega has responded after former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington trashed his TUF 29 coaching gig. Prior to Ortega and Volkanovski being announced as the coaches of the new season of The Ultimate Fighter, rumors were swirling that Colby Covington could be a part of TUF 29.
Shamil Abdurakhimov returns to action on July 24, faces Chris Daukaus
Alfredo Zullino - May 28, 2021
A heavyweight clash between Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC) and Chris Daukaus (11-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is slated for later this summer, on July 24, sources with knowledge of the situation told BJPENN.com. The sources asked for anonymity since the news hasn’t been officially announced yet. Las Vegas, Nevada has been targeted as a possible location, but it’s not official at the minute.
Charles Oliveira open to moving back to 145lbs, but only for title shot: "I would do well"
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira says he open to moving back to 145lbs, but only for a title shot, saying that he “would do well.” Oliveira knocked out Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 262 in Houston two weeks ago to become the new UFC lightweight champion. He has won his last nine fights in a row at 155lbs and overall looks like one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world while fighting in this division. However, “Do Bronx” admits a move back to 145lbs is possible.
TJ Dillashaw had spies in Cory Sandhagen's camp, says teammate
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
A teammate of Cory Sandhagen at Elevation Fight Team accused TJ Dillashaw of having spies in his rival’s training camp ahead of their fight. Justin Wetzell, a featherweight prospect who competes in LFA, recently spoke to James Lynch and spoke about his teammate Sandhagen’s training camp for the Dillashaw fight this summer. According to Wetzell, it was a peculiar training camp because he said that Dillashaw had Duane “Bang” Ludwig striking students come into the gym and spy on them.
Alexander Volkanovski leaks planned date for Brian Ortega TUF coaches fight
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has leaked the planned date for his upcoming TUF coaches’ fight against rival Brian Ortega. Volkanovski and Ortega will be the coaches of The Ultimate Fighter 29, which starts airing next week on June 1. The two featherweights were originally supposed to meet at UFC 260 in March but the fight was scrapped after Volkanovski tested positive for COVID-19. Following the cancelation of the fight, the UFC decided to book them as the TUF coaches and keep the matchup intact, and we now have a potential date for the re-booked bout.
Paige VanZant, Rachael Ostovich react after rematch booked in BKFC
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
Women’s bare-knuckle fighters Paige VanZant and Rachael Ostovich reacted after their rematch was officially booked in BKFC. BKFC announced this week that the VanZant vs. Ostovich rematch will take place on July 23 at BKFC 19. It’s a rematch of the pair’s fight at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in January 2019, which VanZant won via second-round tapout. This time around, the two will meet in the BKFC ring with no grappling involved. It’s a striking-only fight and considering the popularity of both women, it figures to be one of the biggest fights that BKFC will hold this summer.
Michael Bisping says Jan Blachowicz "set the tone" for how Marvin Vettori can beat Israel Adesanya
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
UFC commentator Michael Bisping says that Jan Blachowicz “set the tone” for how Marvin Vettori can beat Israel Adesanya at UFC 263. Back at UFC 259 in March, Blachowicz handed Adesanya his first loss in MMA when he was able to win a unanimous decision to defend the UFC light heavyweight title. Although Blachowicz held his own on the feet, the key to beating Adesanya was to take him down in open space. Other fighters saw that the blueprint to beat Adesanya is there, and according to Bisping, it’s a tactic that other fighters will use against the champion going forward.
Rob Font wants Petr Yan next: "The fans want to see exciting fights and I know that’s an exciting fight"
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Rob Font says he wants Petr Yan next: “The fans want to see exciting fights and I know that’s an exciting fight.” Font is coming off of the biggest win of his UFC career to date, a five-round unanimous decision win over Cody Garbrandt in the main event of UFC Vegas 27. Font has now won four straight fights and he is one of the top-three ranked fighters in the UFC bantamweight division. He knows that a big fight is coming up for him his next time out, and if he had his choice, there is one man that he would want to fight more than anyone, and that’s Yan.
Jon Jones claps back at online troll for suggesting that he’s been skipping leg day
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones clapped back at an online troll for suggesting that he’s been skipping leg day. Jones has been bulking up in anticipation of a potential move to the UFC heavyweight division for the past year, and he has been regularly posting videos and photos of his transformation to the UFC’s heaviest weight class. On Thursday, Jones clapped back at one of the trolls who took a shot at him for suggesting that he has skipped leg day. Seeing that comment, Jones decided to take a shot at the fan, though he later deleted the tweet.
Michel Pereira vs. Niko Price added to July’s blockbuster UFC 264 event
Harry Kettle - May 28, 2021
The UFC has officially added Michel Pereira vs Niko Price to their insanely stacked UFC 264 event that’s set to take place on July 10. UFC 264 is set to feature one of the biggest fights of the year as Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier prepare to meet for the third time in their trilogy bout. In addition to that, however, we’re also going to be treated to a variety of other amazing fights – including this one.
Jon Jones new advisor Richard Schaefer details his strategy to "represent the legend against UFC"
Christopher Taylor - May 27, 2021
Richard Schaefer, the new advisor to MMA legend Jon Jones, has detailed his strategy to represent ‘Bones’ against the UFC. According to Schaefer, he was recently introduced to Jones through a mutual friend, and after meeting with Jon he knew “this is the kind of guy” he’d like to work with.
Georges St-Pierre reveals the rules for now nixed Oscar De La Hoya Boxing Match
Cole Shelton - May 27, 2021
Georges St-Pierre has revealed what the rules would’ve been had he boxed Oscar De La Hoya. After De La Hoya talked about a return he said he wanted to box the best and it was revealed he was set to box St-Piere. However, the UFC and Dana White blocked that from happening which the former welterweight and middleweight champion said was his dream fight. Had the fight happened, however, the rules would’ve been much different as they would’ve boxed two-minute rounds with bigger gloves among other rules.
Artem Lobov gives prediction for McGregor vs Poirier III
Andrew Whitelaw - May 27, 2021
If there’s one man who knows Conor McGregor (22-5) the fighter as well as anyone; it’s Artem Lobov. The pair have spent years sparring at SBG gym in Ireland and the Russian was coached by McGregor for The Ultimate Fighter 22.
Max Holloway opens as massive favorite over Yair Rodriguez
Cole Shelton - May 27, 2021
Max Holloway has opened as a sizeable favorite over Yair Rodriguez. In the main event of UFC Vegas 31 on July 17, Holloway is set to welcome Rodriguez back to the Octagon in a highly-anticipated fight. Both men are top-three featherweights and have proven themselves to be phenomenal strikers, but oddsmakers are liking the former champ in Holloway to win the fight.
Dana White reveals potential locations for upcoming UFC pay-per-view cards
Adam D Martin - May 27, 2021
UFC president Dana White has revealed the potential locations of upcoming UFC pay-per-view cards, saying he’s looking at several U.S. cities. The UFC has begun to visit different cities in the United States now that the country is opening back up following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The UFC has already held two pay-per-view events, UFC 261 and UFC 262, in Jacksonville, Florida, and Houston, Texas, respectively, and next month heads to Phoenix, Arizona for UFC 263. The promotion then heads back to Las Vegas, Nevada in July for UFC 264 before going back to Houston in August for UFC 265 with the rematch between Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis.