UFC News
UFC extends contract with USADA, drug testing to increase by '30 to 40 percent'
Drake Riggs - December 27, 2018
It’s been a wild week for the UFC and USADA. After an ‘atypical finding’ in one of Jon Jones’ drug tests leading up to his next fight at UFC 232 on Saturday night, it prompted the UFC to relocate the whole event as the Nevada State Athletic Commission wouldn’t grant Jones a license.
Dillon Danis sends challenge to Jon Jones: 'I'll be waiting'
Thomas Taylor - December 27, 2018
Speaking after a win over AJ Agazarm at Chael Sonnen’s Submission Underground 3 in 2017, Conor McGregor training partner Dillon Danis made a bold callout of former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. “I’ve got one last thing to say,” Danis said in his post-fight speech. “Jon Jones, you’re a f***ing b***h!”
Lance Armstrong trashes UFC executive Jeff Novitzky for handling of Jon Jones situation
Tom Taylor - December 27, 2018
UFC VP of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitzky has been adamant that the trace amounts of turinabol detected in a recent Jon Jones drug test are due to Jones’ previous ingestion of the banned substance, and not due to a more recent re-ingestion of it. On Thursday afternoon, the UFC exec appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience to further argue this point — but infamous American cyclist Lance Armstrong isn’t buying it. When Joe Rogan took to Instagram to promote Jeff Novitzky’s upcoming appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, Lance Armstrong piped up in the comments with some choice words for the UFC exec.
Cris Cyborg frustrated by 'ridiculous' changes caused by UFC 232 relocation
Tom Taylor - December 27, 2018
When the UFC decided to move the entire UFC 232 fight card from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on just six days notice, it caused all kinds of problems for the fighters for the card. That includes UFC featherweight champion Cris Cyborg, who is set to defend her title against bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes in the card’s co-main event. Cyborg, who was licensed to fight in Nevada, recently had to do additional pre-fight medicals in order to get a last-minute license to fight in California. She feels that having to do these pre-fight medicals in the midst of an already chaotic fight week is ridiculous, and wasn’t afraid to say so in the second instalment of her fantastic UFC 232 fight week video blog.
Jon Jones feels it will be 'virtually impossible' to prove innocence ahead of UFC 232
Tom Taylor - December 27, 2018
Late last week, a Jon Jones drug test turned up trace amounts of the banned substance turinabol — the same substance he was flagged and suspended for after UFC 214 in 2017. The amount of turinabol detected on this test was so small, however, that the United States Anti-Doping Agency was not prepared to label it a violation. While the UFC had to move Jon Jones’ UFC 232 fight with Alexander Gustafsson from Las Vegas to Los Angeles as a result of this test anomaly, the fight will go ahead as planned this Saturday. That being said, many fans have lingering doubts surrounding the former champ’s innocence.
Joe Rogan defends CSAC director Andy Foster, UFC exec Jeff Novitzky after controversial UFC 232 move
Tom Taylor - December 27, 2018
Despite the assurances of California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) director Andy Foster and UFC VP of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitzky, some members of the MMA community still aren’t convinced that Jon Jones is completely clean heading into to his UFC 232 showdown with Alexander Gustafsson. In the opinion of UFC commentator Joe Rogan, however, Foster and Novitzky’s comments on the topic of Jones’ “atypical” drug test findings can be trusted. He reminds that both men are experts in their fields.
EXCLUSIVE | Pro fighters make their picks for Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson 2
Cole Shelton - December 27, 2018
In the main event of UFC 232 this Saturday, former UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon — though not in the setting we originally expected. His opponent in this return to action will be Alexander Gustafsson, the Swedish star who gave him his toughest challenge to date back in 2013. Ahead of this massive UFC 232 rematch between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson, BJPENN.com reached out to a number of pro fighters to get their predictions for the bout.
Jon Jones gives back to fans in Las Vegas with impromptu meet-and-greet: 'I thought you all hated me'
Tom Taylor - December 27, 2018
Last night, Jon Jones hosted an impromptu meet-and-greet with his fans in Las Vegas. Jones announced this meet-and-greet on social media earlier in the day. Fetching content “What’s up guys, today is Wednesday, December 26, 2018, UFC 232,” he announced. “I just came up with a crazy idea, but hopefully it turns out to be a really good idea. I want to meet some of you fans that came from different countries, different places around America, to shake your hands. So what I’m going to do is, me and my coaches are going to be in the lobby at the MGM Grand from 7:00pm until 7:45. Bring pictures, bring whatever you’ve got, I’ll bring the marker. I’m going to be signing autographs, taking pictures, chatting with you guys, getting to meet you guys and I really hope some of you guys show up. So I’ll see you at the MGM Grand at 7:00, don’t be late because I’m only staying until about 7:45. I have a workout scheduled at 8:00. So I hope that you guys come, can’t wait to meet some of you guys. God bless you, I love you and I’ll see you soon.”
Jon Jones apologizes to the fighters of UFC 232 following location change
Drake Riggs - December 26, 2018
From Las Vegas to Los Angeles all on one week’s notice. And all because of one half of the UFC 232 headliner, Jon ‘Bones’ Jones. Jones makes his return to the Octagon once again this Saturday night after some troubles with USADA. And after another recent scare due to an ‘atypical finding’ in one of Jones’ recent tests, the UFC moved the entire UFC 232 card from its original location of Las Vegas to Los Angeles, California in the Inglewood Forum.
Colby Covington fires back at Tyron Woodley after Woodley claimed he turned down their fight
Drake Riggs - December 26, 2018
Booking a welterweight title bout seems to be more of a struggle than it should be for the UFC lately. With three fighters all in the immediate mix and their voices being heard when it comes to who and when they would like to fight next, there should be more clarity than there is. After capturing the interim crown in June, Colby Covington seemed perfectly positioned to face his former teammate turned rival in the champion Tyron Woodley.
Manager discusses futures of Cody Garbrant, Justin Gaethje, and Fabricio Werdum
Drake Riggs - December 26, 2018
When it comes to discussing the most notable managers in MMA, you can’t leave Ali Abdelaziz’ name out of the mix. He works with some of the biggest and best names MMA has to offer. Some of which he has recently provided updates for when making an appearance on MMAJunkie Radio.
Dana White gave Alexander Gustafsson option to move Jon Jones rematch to March
Drake Riggs - December 26, 2018
It takes two to tango. So if one party isn’t down to dance, you’ll need to find someone else. This was the case for Alexander Gustafsson and Jon Jones who are headlining this Saturday night’s UFC 232 event which closes out the year for the UFC.
Dana White says Kamaru Usman will fight for title, but it might not be against Tyron Woodley
Thomas Taylor - December 26, 2018
Earlier today, on an episode of MMAjunkie Radio, manager Ali Abdelaziz claimed that streaking welterweight contender Kamaru Usman will “100%” get the next crack at UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, apparently at UFC 235 on March 2 in Las Vegas. Shortly thereafter, UFC President Dana White confirmed to MMAjunkie that Kamaru Usman will fight for the welterweight title next — but it might not be against Tyron Woodley. The UFC boss says Usman will fight for the welterweight title with our without Woodley.
Tyron Woodley says Colby Covington 'must have b*itched out again'
Tom Taylor - December 26, 2018
UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley says he was hoping to find a contract for a fight with Colby Covington under his Christmas tree this year, but apparently, he didn’t get his wish. Speaking on Twitter on Wednesday, the welterweight champion took a shot at Covington, accusing the top welterweight contender of “b*tching out.”
Manager claims Kamaru Usman is '100%' fighting Tyron Woodley for welterweight title in March
Tom Taylor - December 26, 2018
According to manager Ali Abdelaziz, streaking welterweight contender Kamaru Usman will “100%” get the next shot at UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. The fight will apparently occur at UFC 235, which goes down on March 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Abdelaziz made this claim on a Wednesday episode of MMAjunkie Radio.
UFC holiday message backfires as fans decry UFC 232 move in replies
Tom Taylor - December 26, 2018
UFC 232 was originally expected to occur in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, December 29. When a Jon Jones drug test turned up an “atypical finding,” however, the Nevada Athletic Commission decided not license the former champ for his UFC 232 main event rematch with Alexander Gustafsson. The UFC brass then made the unprecedented decision to move the entire UFC 232 card from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on just 6 days’ notice, as the California Athletic Commission agreed to license Jon Jones for the fight. While the UFC immediately offered refunds to fans who had purchased tickets to see the fights in Las Vegas, this didn’t do much to curb the disappointment of fans who had shelled out hundreds and even thousands of dollars on hotels, flights and other expenses to watch the card in Sin City.
EXCLUSIVE | Pro fighters make their picks for Cris Cyborg vs. Amanda Nunes super fight
Cole Shelton - December 26, 2018
This Saturday night, in the co-main event of UFC 232 in Inglewood, California, UFC featherweight champ Cris Cyborg will look to defend her belt when bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes moves up in weight to challenge her. There is no question that this will be one of Cyborg’s toughest tests to date, and because of that, fans are undecided on who will come out on top. Cyborg and Nunes’ fellow fighters, however, seem to be leaning toward the featherweight champ.
Joe Rogan gives his take on 'atypical' Jon Jones drug test result
Tom Taylor - December 26, 2018
Speaking on the latest episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, UFC commentator Joe Rogan gave his take on the recent “atypical finding” found on a Jon Jones drug test. From the sounds of it, he’s as confused as the rest of us. That being said, he’s compelled to believe that Jon Jones is innocent, and that the former light heavyweight champion has not ingested any banned substances of late.