MMA News
Yoel Romero appears to be in good spirits after parting ways with the UFC
Christopher Taylor - December 8, 2020
Yoel Romero appears to be in good spirits following news that he has parted ways with his longtime employer the UFC. On Friday evening ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported on Twitter that the former UFC middleweight title challenger, Romero (13-5 MMA), was now a free agent.
Amanda Ribas gets new opponent for UFC 257 as Marina Rodriguez steps in
Adam Martin - December 8, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight prospect Amanda Ribas has received a new opponent for UFC 257 as Marina Rodriguez has stepped in. Ribas was originally set to take on Michelle Waterson in a high-profile women’s strawweight bout at UFC 257, but Waterson was forced to withdraw for the contest, leaving Ribas temporarily without an opponent. Fortunately, the UFC matchmakers were able to work quickly and secure a new opponent for Ribas as Rodriguez, the No. 8 ranked fighter in the division. On paper, Rodriguez is a perfect opponent for Ribas, who is ranked just one spot below her at No. 9 in the UFC 115lbs rankings.
Ciryl Gane believes a win over Junior dos Santos earn him a fight against Francis Ngannou
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2020
Ciryl Gane expects to fight former teammate, Francis Ngannou in the very near future. Gane is considered the top heavyweight prospect and will get his toughest test against Junior dos Santos at UFC 256. It is a very intriguing matchup and if Gane wins, he believes it sets him up to fight Ngannou.
Dana White says UFC roster cuts have "nothing to do with fighter pay"
Adam Martin - December 8, 2020
UFC president Dana White says that the upcoming roster cuts from the world’s leading MMA promotion have “nothing to do with fighter pay.” Last week, the UFC made the surprising move to release former middleweight title contender Yoel Romero. Although Romero is 43 years old and riding a three-fight losing streak, he was still ranked in the top-five and the move came as a surprise to a lot of people. White told the media that these surprises will keep on coming as the promotion looks to cut up to 60 fighters from its active roster. That has led fans and media to speculate on the UFC’s motivation to cut all of these 60 fighters.
Michelle Waterson out of UFC 257 fight wth Amanda Ribas
Adam Martin - December 8, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight contender Michelle Waterson has been forced out of her upcoming UFC 257 bout against Amanda Ribas. MMAFighting.com was the first to report that Waterson has had to withdraw from her bout against Ribas at UFC 257, which was set to take place on January 23 at Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. With Waterson off of the card, the UFC will likely look to find a replacement opponent for Ribas. With the card still well over a month away, it shouldn’t be difficult for the UFC to find someone to fight Ribas next month, though it’s doubtful the replacement opponent will be as highly-ranked as Waterson is.
Tony Ferguson says he will bail on UFC 256 if Charles Oliveira misses weight by 3 or more pounds
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2020
Tony Ferguson has issued a warning to Charles Oliveira. In the co-main event of UFC 256, Ferguson is set to return to the Octagon against Oliveira. It is a very intriguing match and one Tony Ferguson no doubt needs to win if he is going to remain a top contender. However, the fight may not even happen according to “El Cucuy” if the Brazilian misses weight.
Jon Jones knows he has to win the heavyweight title in order to cement himself as the GOAT
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2020
Jon Jones knows he has to win the heavyweight title for his legacy. Earlier this year, Jones vacated the light heavyweight title to focus on his move up to heavyweight. However, he still hasn’t gotten a fight booked but that is because he is taking his time in bulking up the right way. Once he is ready, he could very well get an immediate title shot which he knows if he wins, would cement his case as the best ever.
Brandon Moreno plans for "upset of the year" with stoppage win of Deiveson Figueiredo
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2020
Brandon Moreno plans to shock the world. In the main event of UFC 256, Moreno is making a three-week turnaround to battle Deiveson Figueiredo for the flyweight title. It is a very intriguing matchup given both men just fought at UFC 255.
Artem Lobov "gutted" after return to MMA is cancelled due to COVID-19
Tom Taylor - December 8, 2020
Arena Fight Championship 2, an event that was slated to include the MMA return of Artem Lobov, has been cancelled due to several positive COVID-19 tests. The promotion announced this unfortunate news in a public statement on Tuesday.
Fan-favorite Clay Collard ready for PFL, boxing success
Tom Taylor - December 8, 2020
If there is one thing Clay Collard wants you to remember when he leaves the cage or boxing ring, it is that he gave everything he had. Collard, who will compete in the upcoming Professional Fighters League lightweight regular season in 2021, steps back into the boxing ring for Top Rank Boxing this Saturday night.
Kayla Harrison set to compete in rematch in Titan FC
Adam Martin - December 8, 2020
PFL women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison is set to compete in a rematch against Jozette Cotton in Titan FC next week. Harrison is still a member of the PFL roster but the promotion allowed her to take two fights outside of the organization in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Harrison ventured to Invicta FC in her last fight and picked up a vicious TKO win over Cortney King in a bloody battle. She will now head to Titan FC to take on Cotton, a former opponent in PFL, on December 17. The event takes place in Miami.
UFC Vegas 16 medical suspensions: Jack Hermansson facing long break
Tom Taylor - December 8, 2020
The medical suspensions for last weekend’s UFC Vegas 16 card are in, and a handful of fighters are facing long absences after their fights. Most notably, middleweight contender Jack Hermansson is facing a potential six-month sit due a fractured orbital he sustained in his decision loss to Marvin Vettori in the UFC Vegas 16 main event.
Jon Jones shares initial impression of Claressa Shields after training session
Tom Taylor - December 8, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has shared his initial thoughts on Claressa Shields after their first training sessions together. Shields, a three-division boxing champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, is set to make her MMA debut in the PFL cage in 2021. Ahead of this anticipated debut, Shields has set up camp at JacksonWink MMA in Albuquerque—the training home of many top fighters, including Jones.
Daniel Cormier will not watch Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul, calls it a "work"
Adam Martin - December 8, 2020
UFC legend Daniel Cormier says he will not watch the Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul special exhibition boxing match, calling it a “work.” The Mayweather vs. Paul matchup was officially announced this week and the two will meet on February 20 in a special exhibition bout. Initially, reaction to the matchup has been mixed, with some fans saying that the fight is a joke, while others are intrigued by the spectacle of it all. Count Cormier in the camp of the former, as the former UFC double champion has no interest in watching this fight.
Charles Oliveira says Khabib Nurmagomedov swore on his father's grave he's retired
Adam Martin - December 8, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira says that he was told Khabib Nurmagomedov swore on his father’s grave that he’s retired from MMA. Oliveira takes on Tony Ferguson this Saturday night at UFC 256 in what is the most important fight of his career to date. The Brazilian is currently riding a seven-fight wins streak and he is looking to earn a shot at the UFC lightweight title. While his focus is completely on Ferguson ahead of this weekend’s matchup, he can’t help but look at the rest of the landscape at 155lbs, including what Nurmagomedov is doing.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 22 with Brandon Moreno, Artem Lobov, Renato Moicano, Daniel Pineda and Peter Barrett
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2020
The 22nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 256. We’re first joined by one-half of the main event, Brandon Moreno (2:46). Next, the GOAT, Artem Lobov (22:16) joins the show. Then, UFC lightweight, Renato Moicano (38:29) comes on. UFC featherweight, Daniel Pineda (56:10) joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC featherweight, Peter Barrett (1:08:30).
Video | Tito Ortiz gets roasted at first city council meeting
Tom Taylor - December 8, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz is now a member of the Huntington Beach City Council, and he’s already receiving some hate in the role. This week, Ortiz attended his first City Council Meeting, where he was sworn in for the role—and also roasted by a citizen who called in to voice his disappointment with some of the former fighter’s recent remarks.
Jon Jones feels new motivation ahead of heavyweight move: "These guys are intimidating"
Tom Taylor - December 8, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is feeling new motivation ahead of his debut in the promotion’s perilous heavyweight division. Jones has not fought since he defended the light heavyweight title with a decision defeat of Dominick Reyes earlier this year. Not long thereafter, he vacated the light heavyweight title with plans to move up to heavyweight.