UFC News

Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019

UFC flyweight star Paige VanZant will explore free agency after her next fight, which will mark the final obligation on her current UFC contract. “I am, yeah,” VanZant said when asked about free agency on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show (via Bloody Elbow). “You know, it’s more for me, I want to prove my worth. And obviously, with my arm injuries I’ve had three surgeries in a row now. Even though I’m so popular, I guess… I’ve been doing amazing things outside the UFC—Sports Illustrated, Dancing with the Stars, all these amazing things. I want to show, ‘Hey, I’m a huge player in this division. I’m a huge player in the UFC.’ And I think it’s going to take one more fight to do that.”

Cole Shelton - June 20, 2019

Ahead of UFC 235, it was reported Nick Diaz would return to the Octagon to take on Jorge Masvidal. But, the Stockton native said he never signed a contract and the fight never happened.”Gamebred” then fought Darren Till, who he knocked out back in March. Now, at UFC 239, Masvidal is taking on Ben Askren in a fight that could earn the winner a title shot. Although the stakes are high for this one, “Gamebred” is already eyeing a future opponent in Nate Diaz, Nick’s little brother.

Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019

Robert Whittaker captured the UFC interim middleweight title with a July, 2017 defeat of Yoel Romero. He was then promoted to undisputed champion when Georges St-Pierre vacated the undisputed title in late 2017. Current interim champ Israel Adesanya, who fights Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 in October, believes Whittaker’s unconventional road to middleweight gold casts doubt on his status as a legitimate champion.

Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019

Henry Cejudo, now the UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion, could be out of action for quite some time. After a busy start to 2019, he’s gone under the knife to repair a torn subscapularis muscle, and his recovery could keep him out of action for the remainder of the year. This according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani. Cejudo sustained this shoulder injury in his UFC 238 bantamweight title fight with Marlon Moraes. After a rough opening round, Cejudo gradually took control of the fight, and ultimately finished his dangerous Brazilian foe in the third round, winning the vacant bantamweight belt.

Christopher Taylor - June 19, 2019

UFC President Dana White recently shared his thoughts on the post-UFC fight career of current Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald. MacDonald had made headlines earlier this year, this after he questioned his desire to inflict pain on others following a draw with Jon Fitch.

Cole Shelton - June 19, 2019

Back in March, Conor McGregor announced his retirement from MMA. Many people believed it was only to keep him in the headlines and he would soon return to action. But, as of right now, there is still no word on if or when the Irishman will return to the Octagon. According to his teammate in James Gallagher, he believes the former champ-champ won’t return unless he gets what he deserves. What Conor McGregor  deserves, says Gallagher is a share in the UFC.

Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019

Tony Ferguson wants a shot at the UFC lightweight title currently owned by Khabib Nurmagomedov. Riding high on 12-straight wins over some of the division’s best fighters, he’s more than earned the opportunity, and he’s getting tired of waiting. As it turns out, his fans are tired of waiting too.

Adam Martin - June 19, 2019

Former Ultimate Fighter winner Julianna Pena has not fought since January 2017, but she’ll be making her return to the Octagon next month at UFC Sacramento. According to Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com, Pena is stepping up on short notice to replace the injured Sara McMann and take on Nicco Montano in a women’s bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night 155, which takes place July 13 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.

Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019

UFC President Dana White has long teased a move into the boxing business, and with the unveiling of the new UFC Apex facility, and rumors that UFC parent company Endeavor could potentially purchase Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), that move is looking more imminent than ever. If White does jump into the boxing industry, he is confident he can breathe new life into the sport, which he believes is hindered by a broken business model.

Cole Shelton - June 19, 2019

Max Holloway will look to defend his featherweight title against Frankie Edgar in the main event of UFC 240 in Edmonton this July. That being said, many thought Alex Volkanovski would get the title shot against Holloway after he beat Jose Aldo. In the end, the UFC decided on Edgar which leaves the Aussie on the sidelines awaiting the winner of the fight. But given the stakes of this featherweight title bout, Alex Volkanovski says he plans on being in Edmonton in case anything happens.

Mike Pendleton - June 19, 2019

In a fight that likely has some title implications in the welterweight division, Jorge Masvidal has a personal goal for his UFC 239 opponent, Ben Askren. Since his arrival into the UFC, “Funky” Ben Askren has gotten under the skin of a lot of fighters, especially in the welterweight division, but Masvidal isn’t here for any jokes or games. Askren is coming off a controversial win over Robbie Lawler at UFC 235, the first fight of his UFC career, after a long beef with Dana White kept him away from the promotion. During a recent interview with BJPenn.com Radio, Masvidal discussed his fight with Askren and said he’d like to break the wrestling specialist’s face “on a personal note.”

Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019

Yesterday, the UFC unveiled its new Apex facility — which includes a swanky new office for UFC President Dana White. Pictures of White’s new digs quickly began making the rounds on social media, and before long, former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor was chiming in, expressing interesting in a meeting with the UFC boss. The new office is looking great Dana, congrats on the re-up! I’ll catch ye soon and we’ll lock stock.For two smoking barrels. pic.twitter.com/xR8cc4Mfjd

Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019

Pop star Justin Bieber recently made headlines by calling for a UFC fight with Hollywood actor Tom Cruise — although he then walked that call-out back, admitting a fight with Cruise is most likely Risky Business, and that he’d probably lose. Well, it sounds like Bieber will potentially have to answer for his words anyway.

Natasha Hooper - June 19, 2019

Anderson Silva’s son, Gabriel Silva is following in the footsteps of his father as he secured a confident TKO victory in his combat sports debut. MMA veterans have paved the way for the next new wave of prospective fighters, and one of the greatest rewards is being able to pass the baton on to a family member. In this case, Silva gives the honour to his son, who won his first ever Muay Thai fight last Saturday, June 15 at WCK 35 in southern California. The young Silva beat his opponent, Nick Navarro during the second round in a light heavyweight bout.

Adam Martin - June 19, 2019

UFC president Dana White has long promised he would get into the boxing business, and it appears that dream is nearing reality. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday before the new season of the Contender Series at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, White said the newly-built facility will host a boxing event in the coming months, and one of the boxers on the card will be none other than White’s own son.

Mike Pendleton - June 18, 2019

After a year of speculation that his return was happening, former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar decided not to return to the UFC and opted to re-sign with WWE instead. Following Lesnar’s decision, the UFC booked a heavyweight title rematch between champion Daniel Cormier and former champion Stipe Miocic, who waited out the rumors of Lesnar’s return, and got the rematch he had been calling for. While there were reports that Lesnar and the UFC could not come to an agreement because of their new ESPN deal, UFC President Dana White shut those rumors down immediately. Now that the dust has settled with the heavyweight title fight, White gave his thoughts on the former champion sticking with WWE. Speaking on ESPN MMA’s Instagram ahead of the 2019 Contender Series season premiere, White was asked about Brock Lesnar’s decision and he said he believes Lesnar made the right decision.

Mike Pendleton - June 18, 2019

UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is getting right back into the Octagon after her first successful title defense. Shevchenko defeated Jessica Eye at UFC 238 in Chicago with a highlight reel head kick earlier this month, and she’s getting a quick turnaround for her second title defense. According to Brett Okamoto of ESPN citing multiple sources, Shevchenko will defend her flyweight title against Liz Carmouche on August 10, in the main event of UFC Uruguay.

Cole Shelton - June 18, 2019

Anthony Pettis is set to take on Nate Diaz at UFC 241. But, that isn’t stopping his manager, Abraham Kawa from thinking of what could be next for the former lightweight champ. Kawa believes if “Showtime” gets past the Stockton native, a fight against Conor McGregor should be next on the agenda. “Even Conor fighting Khabib (Nurmagomedov), I don’t think that’s the fight,” Kawa said to MMA Junkie. “I actually don’t want to see that fight right now. Maybe after a while, yes. But right now I think Conor vs. Anthony is the fight. I’m looking at it as (if) Anthony beats Nate, and I think Conor is next on the horizon.”