MMA News
Daniel Cormier responds to recent backlash from Jon Jones: “They never ‘proved’ him innocent”
Harry Kettle - November 25, 2020
Former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier has responded to the latest criticism he’s faced from rival Jon Jones. Despite the fact that these two men almost certainly won’t fight against one another inside the Octagon again, it seems as if they’re destined to bicker back and forth until the end of time.
Charles Oliveira plans to "shock the world" in war with Tony Ferguson at UFC 256
Adam Martin - November 24, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira says he plans to “shock the world” in a war with Tony Ferguson at UFC 256. Oliveira is currently ranked No. 6 in the UFC lightweight division and, on the heels of an incredible seven-fight win streak, he has been asking the UFC for a top opponent. Enter No. 3 Ferguson, who is looking to get back in the cage and get a win following a TKO loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 in May. With the status of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov up in the air right now, the winner of Oliveira vs. Ferguson could be in line to fight for a vacant title should the champion decide to hang his gloves up.
Dan Hooker "would love the chance" to fight Justin Gaethje next
Cole Shelton - November 24, 2020
Dan Hooker is hoping he gets to fight Justin Gaethje next. Ever since Gaethje was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 for the lightweight title, many wondered what would be next for ‘The Highlight’. He is still a top-ranked lightweight and will likely fight someone in the top-five. So, Hooker has thrown his name in the hat to be his next opponent.
Justin Gaethje would "smash" Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Tony Ferguson claims manager
Cole Shelton - November 24, 2020
Ali Abdelaziz is confident his client, Justin Gaethje would smash Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Tony Ferguson. Ever since Khabib Nurmagomedov retired following his win over Gaethje at UFC 254 many wondered who would fight for the vacant belt. Many figured it would be McGregor and Poirier. But, Dana White has made it clear he believes Nurmagomedov will return. But, if he doesn’t, Abdelaziz believes Gaethje is no doubt the best lightweight on the roster.
Joaquin Buckley issues a warning to James Krause: "I'm gonna see him regardless if the UFC gives me the fight"
Cole Shelton - November 24, 2020
Joaquin Buckley and James Krause’s rivalry has gone up a notch. Ever since Buckley scored one of the best KO’s of all-time against Impa Kasanganay it was revealed he and Krause did not like each other. Krause told BJPENN.com’s Just Scrap Radio about their beef and made it clear he is open to making the fight happen.
Curtis Blaydes says UFC has to pay him more to fight Jon Jones: "I can fight a bum to make 200k"
Adam Martin - November 24, 2020
UFC heavyweight Curtis Blaydes says the promotion has to pay him more if it wants to book him against pound-for-pound great Jon Jones. Blaydes returns to the Octagon this weekend when he takes on Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC Vegas 15, with the winner of this fight closing in on title contention. In Blaydes’ last fight, he won a unanimous decision over Alexander Volkov and was criticized by UFC president Dana White for his cardio and for pre-fight comments where he suggested he deserved a raise. Blaydes, though, doesn’t care what White thinks.
Khabib Nurmagomedov to Dana White: "See you soon"
Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has sent a message to UFC President Dana White—and it’s going to send fans into a frenzy. Khabib last fought in the main event of UFC 254 in October, defending the lightweight belt with a second-round submission win, and improving his record to 29-0 in the process. After that victory, he shocked the MMA world by announcing his retirement from competition.
Cub Swanson open to cross-divisional fights with Anthony Pettis, Urijah Faber, and Jose Aldo
Adam Martin - November 24, 2020
Veteran UFC featherweight Cub Swanson says he is open to cross-divisional fights with Anthony Pettis, Urijah Faber, and Jose Aldo. Swanson’s return to the Octagon was recently announced as he will take on Daniel Pineda next month at UFC 256. Swanson has been a member of the UFC roster since 2011 and has been one of the top-15 ranked fighters in the division for most of that time. However, he suffered a four-fight losing skid between 2017 and 2019 before finally snapping it with a “Fight of the Night” decision win over Kron Gracie last fall.
Alistair Overeem admits retirement is looming, but says he still has a couple UFC fights left in him
Adam Martin - November 24, 2020
UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem admits the end of his career is nearing, but the legend says he still has a couple more fights left. Overeem is now 40 years old, but he remains one of the top-10 heavyweights on the UFC roster. Following back-to-back stoppage wins over Augusto Sakai and Walt Harris, Overeem is now the No. 5 ranked heavyweight contender. On February 6, 2021, he will take on No. 6 ranked Alexander Volkov in what should be an important fight for both men as they look to get one step closer to earning a coveted heavyweight title shot.
Francis Ngannou "very interested" in a potential showdown with "Rumble"
Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou says he’s “very interested” in a potential heavyweight fight with Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Johnson, who has competed as low as the welterweight division in the past, achieved his biggest successes in the UFC light heavyweight division, where he twice challenged for the title. While he announced his retirement from MMA in 2017, he is now plotting a return to the Octagon, perhaps to the heavyweight division.
Video | Relive the first time Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier ever crossed paths
Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020
Years ago, ahead of their UFC 178 fight in the featherweight division, Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier crossed paths for the very first time. You can relive their first-ever encounter, which occurred in the lobby of the UFC 178 fighter hotel, in a recent Instagram post from the UFC. See it below:
Israel Adesanya to serve as "ringside analyst" for Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. card
Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is slated to appear as a “ringside analyst” for the upcoming Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. boxing card. Tyson and Jones, two legends of the boxing ring, will meet in a special, eight-round exhibition bout this Saturday night. The undercard of the event will feature names like Jake Paul, Nate Robinson, Badou Jack, Rashad Coulter, and as it turns out, we’ll also be hearing from Adesanya during the broadcast.
Ben Askren on potential MMA return: "Never say never"
Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020
Former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight titleholder Ben Askren isn’t ruling out a return to mixed martial arts. Askren retired from competition last year, after a knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal and a submission loss to Demian Maia in the UFC. Once his retirement was confirmed, he underwent a complete hip replacement.
Dustin Poirier: Conor McGregor rematch "isn't about getting even"
Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier claims his upcoming rematch with Conor McGregor is not about revenge. After months of rumors and negotiations, Poirier is officially slated to take on McGregor in the main event of UFC 257 on January 23. The bout will mark the second time they’ve met, after McGregor knocked Poirier out in the featherweight division back in 2014.
Khabib Nurmagomedov awarded with ‘Best Mom’ medal in Dagestan
Harry Kettle - November 24, 2020
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has been awarded an amusing “Best Mom” medal in Dagestan following his retirement. “The Eagle” decided to hang up his gloves in the wake of his recent win over Justin Gaethje, taking his official record to 29-0. He did so after a discussion with his mother in which he promised to end his mixed martial arts career after the Gaethje bout.
Henry Cejudo takes aim at Ariel Helwani for suggesting Deiveson Figueiredo saved the flyweight division
Harry Kettle - November 24, 2020
Former UFC two-weight world champion Henry Cejudo has taken a shot at ESPN’s Ariel Helwani for comments he made about Deiveson Figueiredo. Figueiredo is coming off the back of a strong submission win against Alex Perez at UFC 255, and now, he’s already preparing to defend the Flyweight Championship once again next month when he locks horns with top contender Brandon Moreno.
Petr Yan explains why Aljamain Sterling title fight was scrapped, confident "the fight will happen" soon
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2020
Petr Yan has explained why he won’t be fighting Aljamain Sterling on Dec. 12 at UFC 256. Yan and Sterling were set to headline the year-end pay-per-view but on Sunday it was revealed the fight was off.
Sean O’Malley says he is returning to the Octagon at UFC 258
Adam Martin - November 23, 2020
UFC bantamweight prospect Sean O’Malley says he will be returning to the Octagon at UFC 258, though he didn’t reveal his next opponent. O’Malley is coming off of a devastating first-round TKO loss to Marlon Vera at UFC 252 that halted his progression up the bantamweight rankings. O’Malley was coming off of an incredible one-punch KO win over Eddie Wineland at UFC 250 and the promotion rewarded him with a high-profile spot on the UFC 252: Miocic vs. Cormier III card. Unfortunately for O’Malley, he suffered an ankle injury early in the fight and Vera took advantage of it as he finished O’Malley with strikes, handing him his first career loss.