UFC News

Tom Taylor - June 27, 2019

The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last Saturday’s UFC Greenville card, and as expected “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung has taken a big climb up the featherweight list on the strength of his first-round drubbing of Renato Moicano. In fact, the Korean Zombie has caused something of a domino effect at featherweight, as his recent opponent Yair Rodriguez has also taken a big climb up the ranks, while a host of others have dropped down two or three spots each.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 27, 2019

Luke Rockhold believes Jon Jones is doing all he can to avoid a heavyweight bout with Daniel Cormier. Jones is the reigning UFC light heavyweight title holder. He’ll put his gold on the line against Thiago Santos at UFC 239 on July 6. Rockhold will also be on the card and he’ll make his 205-pound debut against Jan Blachowicz. Rockhold has made it clear that he feels he can give “Bones” the toughest challenge.

Adam Martin - June 27, 2019

Although Georges St-Pierre officially announced his retirement from the UFC back in February, his long-time head trainer at Tristar gym still believes he could one day return to the Octagon. Speaking on his YouTube Channel, Zahabi admitted that the welterweight legend is still training in his hometown of Montreal, and that he thinks St-Pierre could make a return to the Octagon if the right offer materializes.

Tom Taylor - June 27, 2019

Colby Covington was widely expected to get the first crack at new UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but after a series of twists and turns, he ultimately found himself booked for a crucial welterweight contender bout with the former champion Robbie Lawler instead. Surprisingly, Covington seems to be just fine with this matchup. He gave his take on how it all came to be on the latest episode of BJPenn.com Radio. 

Cole Shelton - June 27, 2019

Jorge Masvidal is not a big fan of trash talk. The welterweight contender prefers to do his talking in the Octagon. But there is one person who Masvidal can get behind in terms of trash talking, and that is Henry Cejudo. He likes the Olympic gold medalist’s talk because the champ-champ backs it up.

Natasha Hooper - June 27, 2019

Petr Yan will be taking some time off due to an elbow injury, according to his manager (via MMA Junkie). Petr Yan (13-1) has gained a lot of respect in the MMA world. Currently ranked number 4 in the bantamweight division, Yan is on a 5-0 winning streak since making his UFC debut. His intelligent footwork, great chin and technical striking ability makes him one of the most exciting upcoming UFC prospects.

Tom Taylor - June 27, 2019

If Junior dos Santos defeats Francis Ngannou at UFC Minneapolis this weekend, he hopes it’ll earn him a heavyweight title shot — though he doesn’t intend to wait for that opportunity. If he does re-capture heavyweight gold, dos Santos then plans to challenge one of the top boxing champions in the world — something he attempted to do during his first reign as UFC champion. “Back when I was the champion in 2012, I challenged Wladimir Klitschko, he was the champion at that time, and I said I would beat Wladimir Klitschko in a boxing match but of course I’m not a good promoter like Conor McGregor and he got the fight against [Floyd] Mayweather,” Junior dos Santos told MMA Fighting this week. “Klitschko actually replied to me, he said anytime, anywhere, something like that. But then I lost my belt, I lost the fight to Velasquez and I lost the belt so it didn’t make much sense anymore to promote that fight.

Cole Shelton - June 27, 2019

The Octagon returns to Minnesota this Saturday for UFC Minneapolis. In the main event of the card, Francis Ngannou is taking on Junior dos Santos in a pivotal heavyweight clash. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight. In this case, a few believe Ngannou will be able to knock out dos Santos, while the rest think the Brazilian will use his wrestling and experience to win this fight.

Christopher Taylor - June 26, 2019

UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones will return to the octagon against dangerous knockout artist Thiago Santos at next month’s UFC 239 event. While ‘Bones’ is clearly focused on his upcoming fight with the Brazilian, it hasn’t stopped questions surrounding future fights with bitter rival Daniel Cormier and rising star Israel Adesanya from being asked. Jones, who has taken shots at both ‘DC‘ and ‘Stylebender’ in recent weeks, took the opportunity to add salt to the wound during a recent interview.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 26, 2019

Brendan Loughnane says he is ready to cash in after failing to get a UFC roster spot through Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. Loughnane picked up a unanimous decision victory over Bill Algeo on DWCS on June 18. The 17-3 fighter did not receive a UFC contract and controversy ensued. Dana White said that Loughnane’s takedown attempt in the final 10 seconds of the fight cost him a roster spot:

Cole Shelton - June 26, 2019

When Kamaru Usman beat Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 to become the welterweight champion, all signs pointed to his first title defense being against Colby Covington. Well, that likely won’t happen now. On Monday it was announced that the former interim champion would take on Robbie Lawler at UFC Newark. Much to the despair of Usman.

Matheus Costa - June 26, 2019

Alexander Gustafsson surprised the entire MMA community, including rival Jon Jones, after announcing his retirement from fighting following his loss to Anthony Smith at UFC Stockholm. The former 3-time UFC title challenger, Gustafsson, cemented a legacy inside the octagon despite never winning a championship on the biggest stage of them all. And his biggest rival ever, the reigning 205lbs champion Jon Jones, reacted for the first time about ‘The Mauler’s’ retirement in a recent interview with “ESPN“.

Tom Taylor - June 26, 2019

UFC Copenhagen, which is scheduled September 28, finally has its first fight — days after tickets went on sale. This fight, which was recently announced by the promotion on Twitter, will occur in the welterweight division, where long-time Icelandic contender Gunnar Nelson will battle a former title challenger in Brazil’s Thiago Alves.

Tom Taylor - June 26, 2019

UFC lightweight Desmond Green is in custody in the Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on bonds amounting to $194,000, per a report from the South Florida SunSentinel. Green is reportedly facing 20 charges, including a DUI charge, stemming from an August, 2018 car accident that killed two women: Emelina Morfa, 67, and Emma Suarez Hernandez, 76. The crash also left Green and one other person with injuries. The SunSentinal’s report details this Desmond Green incident as follows:

Cole Shelton - June 26, 2019

After Alex Volkanovski beat Jose Aldo at UFC 237, he along with many others expected he would the next title shot. Yet, that was not the case. Instead, the Aussie was passed over as Frankie Edgar will next face Max Holloway at UFC 240 for the featherweight title. Obviously, this was disappointing news for the 30-year-old, but he says he will make the trip to Edmonton, Alberta to be on hand for the fight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 26, 2019

UFC color commentator and analyst Dan Hardy doesn’t believe anyone in the UFC can beat Jon Jones by being technical. Throughout his career, Jones has outclassed high-level mixed martial artists. From former champions to legends in the sport, “Bones” has made many renowned fighters look average. He’ll look to continue that trend when he puts his light heavyweight gold on the line against Thiago Santos at UFC 239 on July 6.

Mike Heck - June 26, 2019

If there’s anyone who knows what Sean O’Malley has been going through as of late, it’s the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Jones was one of the big stories throughout 2018 for his active schedule, but also for the traces of the long-term oral Turinabol metabolite remaining in his system. “Bones” was not suspended for the positive test that occurred at the end of 2018, but it is a question that will continue to be asked in regards to Jones for the foreseeable future.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 26, 2019

Amanda Nunes expects Holly Holm to be at her best, but she feels prepared for her next challenger. Nunes is a UFC “champ-champ.” She holds the UFC women’s bantamweight and women’s featherweight gold. She’ll put her 135-pound title on the line against Holm in the co-main event of UFC 239 on July 6. It’ll be Nunes’ fourth bantamweight title defense.