UFC News
MMA analysts tip Francis Ngannou to get exposed in first boxing bout: "He’s an average puncher. He’s a below average boxer"
Lewis Simpson - January 18, 2023
Francis Ngannou is now officially a free agent after being released from the UFC. The former UFC heavyweight champion now has the freedom to negotiate new opportunities with other promoters across different sports. The 36-year-olds next likely move is to transition into boxing, a dream the Cameroon native has held close to his heart since childhood.
Jake Shields reacts to news of Mike Jackson being cut by the UFC: “Now he goes back to being a nobody”
Susan Cox - January 18, 2023
Jake Shields is reacting to the news of Mike Jackson being cut by the UFC. It was earlier this week that the UFC released Mike Jackson (1-2 MMA) from their current roster. The 37 year old welterweight last fought and lost to Pete Rodriguez (5-1 MMA) this past October at UFC Fight Night 212.
Amanda Nunes expected to return at UFC 285 on March 4 against Irene Aldana
Susan Cox - January 18, 2023
Amanda Nunes is expected to return at UFC 285 on March 4 against Irene Aldana. It was just last weekend that UFC President Dana White announced Jon Jones (26-1 MMA) vs Ciryl Gane (11-1 MMA) would be headlining UFC 285 for the vacant heavyweight belt.
Muhammad Mokaev explains why he agreed to fight unranked opponent at UFC 286: “Do you want me to sit and wait till September?”
Harry Kettle - January 18, 2023
UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev has explained why he agreed to fight unranked Jafel Filho in his next fight with the promotion. Ever since entering the Ultimate Fighting Championship last year, Muhammad Mokaev has been making waves. He’s 9-0 (1) as a pro in mixed martial arts and in the UFC, he holds a record of 3-0.
Jon Jones shares his thoughts on Francis Ngannou’s UFC release: “I do believe my path will cross with Francis”
Harry Kettle - January 18, 2023
Jon Jones has given his thoughts following Francis Ngannou‘s release ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 285. Last weekend, it was announced that Jon Jones will return to the UFC after three years away. He’ll do so in March, taking on Ciryl Gane for the UFC heavyweight championship.
Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili set to headline UFC Fight Night event on March 11
Harry Kettle - January 18, 2023
Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili are set to meet in the main event of a UFC Fight Night on March 11, Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. The bantamweight division is as stacked as it has ever been. From the top 15 to the rising prospects, there’s a whole lot to like at 135 pounds. In terms of the elite, however, there are a few contenders that stand out above the rest.
Jon Jones won’t reveal how much he’ll weigh in heavyweight debut at UFC 285: “I want Ciryl to see me for the first time and it be a nice surprise”
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Jon Jones won’t let anyone know his weight until he steps onto the scales. Jones is set to make his heavyweight debut for the vacant title in the main event of UFC 285 on March 4 against Ciryl Gane. The fight marks Jones’ heavyweight debut which is something he has teased for years but he won’t be telling anyone what he plans on weighing until he steps onto the scale on weigh-in day.
Terrance McKinney plans to silence the crowd at UFC 283 with a KO win over Ismael Bonfim: "I think it might be something crazy, fans should expect something insane"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Terrance McKinney has said his dream was to fight in Brazil and he now gets his wish at UFC 283. McKinney is set to face Ismael Bonfim at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Although McKinney is fighting a UFC newcomer, he says the reason he took this fight is because it is in Brazil, which has been his dream to fight there.
Conor McGregor gives Francis Ngannou advice after he was released from the UFC: "Correct representation is imperative"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Conor McGregor has shared some advice with Francis Ngannou. On Saturday, after Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight belt was reported, Dana White confirmed it and also announced Ngannou was released from the UFC. The news was surprising and on Tuesday, Ngannou spoke to The MMA Hour and said he was managing himself during the negotiations with the UFC.
Dana White slams critics concerned about brain damage in Power Slap league: "If you don't f*cking like it, don't watch it"
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2023
Dana White has a message for those concerned about brain damage in his upcoming Power Slap league. Last year, the UFC president announced his newest venture, as he revealed the Power Slap league. The new sport quickly received clearance from the Nevada State Athletic Commission to proceed. In the process, they established several rules for the upstart league, slated to hold events at the UFC Apex.
Johnny Walker not ruling out grappling with Paul Craig, plans to get a stoppage win at UFC 283: "If 2023 goes the way I want, I get the title shot in 2024"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Johnny Walker is prepared to grapple at UFC 283. Walker is set to be on the pay-per-view main card against Paul Craig in an intriguing matchup at light heavyweight. It’s also exciting for Walker as he gets to fight at home in Rio de Janeiro in front of his friends and family.
Leon Edwards admits he's rooting for Jorge Masvidal to secure title shot: "He just keeps losing so it’s hard to make the fight make sense"
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2023
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards is rooting for Jorge Masvidal’s success. ‘Gamebred’ has been out of action since his clash with Colby Covington last March at UFC 272. In that outing, Masvidal was dominated, losing by a lopsided unanimous decision. Weeks following the incident, he reportedly assaulted ‘Chaos’ in a Miami bar. He’s currently facing several charges in connection to the incident.
Michael Bisping weighs in after Francis Ngannou parts ways with the UFC: “I think he’s mishandled that”
Susan Cox - January 17, 2023
Michael Bisping is weighing in after Francis Ngannou parts ways with the UFC. In a press conference last Saturday, January 14th, UFC President Dana White made the following statement:
Francis Ngannou unfazed by Dana White's comments, not ruling out a return to the UFC in the future: "Never say never"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
Francis Ngannou wasn’t surprised by Dana White’s comments after it was announced he was released from the UFC. For months, it was reported that Ngannou and the UFC were in a contract dispute, but many were hopeful a deal would get done. However, on Saturday, it was revealed Jon Jones would face Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title and that Ngannou had been released from the UFC.
UFC flyweight Jeff Molina suspended by NAC for “substantial” involvement in “gaming scheme”
Susan Cox - January 17, 2023
UFC flyweight Jeff Molina has been suspended by NAC for his ‘substantial’ involvement in a ‘gaming scheme’. The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) suspended Molina today, Tuesday January 17th in a scheme that allegedly involved his coach, James Krause.
Francis Ngannou opens up on UFC departure, says he turned down around $8 million to fight Jon Jones: "They control the narrative"
Lewis Simpson - January 17, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has opened up on his departure from the UFC. On Saturday, UFC President Dana White announced that Ngannou had been stripped of his heavyweight title and released from the company after failing to agree on the terms of a new contract.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 107 with Johnny Walker, Terrance McKinney, and Cody Stamann
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2023
The 107th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 263. We’re first joined by 12th-ranked UFC light heavyweight Johnny Walker (1:48). Next, UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney (13:47) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight Cody Stamann(23:48).
Coach explains that Francis Ngannou refused to be a “sellout” in UFC negotiations: “He’s not scared of anybody”
Harry Kettle - January 17, 2023
Xtreme Couture coach Eric Nicksick has hit back at UFC president Dana White following his claims regarding Francis Ngannou’s release. The news that Francis Ngannou was gone from the Ultimate Fighting Championship hit hard for the MMA community. The former UFC heavyweight champion is now set to explore other options outside of the promotion, and perhaps even outside of mixed martial arts.