UFC News
Colby Covington claims Kamaru Usman told Dana White "I don't know how much more I got left in this sport" after UFC 268
Adam D Martin - November 24, 2021
Colby Covington claims that his rival Kamaru Usman told Dana White “I don’t know how much more I got left in this sport” after UFC 268. Covington gave Usman all he could handle when the pair met earlier this month in their rematch that headlined UFC 268. Much like their first encounter back at UFC 245 two years ago, this rematch was a competitive fight that saw both men have their moments. However, it was Usman who was awarded the decision on the judges’ scorecards following the match, and he is now a perfect 2-0 against Covington. Despite Usman having the superior record head-to-head against his rival, Covington still wants to fight him again.
Jake Paul declined drug testing for upcoming fight according to Tommy Fury's team
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2021
Jake Paul has reportedly declined to have drug testing ahead of his upcoming fight against Tommy Fury. Fury’s dad, John Fury, recently revealed in an interview with Marca that Paul and his team declined drug testing for the fight. Fury’s team was pushing for VADA (voluntarily anti-doping association) to handle the drug testing which was shot down.
Dustin Poirier plans to bring Charles Oliveira into 'deep waters' to see 'who really wants it more' at UFC 269
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2021
Dustin Poirier is hoping to test Charles Oliveira’s grit and will when they meet in the main event of UFC 269 on December 11. Oliveira is set to defend his lightweight title against Poirier in an intriguing scrap. Both men have proven to be the best at lightweight and heading into the fight, “The Diamond” is hoping to bring this fight to the deep waters to see who wants the fight more.
UFC 268 reportedly sells over 700,000 pay-per-view buys in the United States
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2021
UFC 268, headlined by a welterweight title fight at Madison Square Garden, did fairly well on pay-per-view. According to the Sports Business Journal, UFC 268 sold 700,000 pay-per-view buys in the United States. Those numbers are from ESPN+ buys only and do not reflect buys from other countries like Canada. UFC 268 is the fourth highest-selling PPV of the year behind UFC 257 (1.6 million), UFC 264 (1.5 million), and UFC 269 (800,000). UFC 261, which Usman also headlined also came in at 700,000 showing he is a PPV draw.
Rob Font expects to 'pick apart' Jose Aldo and earn stoppage win to enter title conversation at bantamweight
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2021
Rob Font is eager to be able to share the Octagon with an MMA legend in Jose Aldo. Font and Aldo are set to headline UFC Vegas 44 on December 4 and when Font got the call for the fight, he immediately accepted as it is a massive opportunity for him.
Matt Brown preparing for a 'war' against Bryan Barberena, eyes a violent KO by elbow or knee
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2021
Matt Brown is excited for his matchup against Bryan Barberena at UFC Vegas 44 on December 4. When Brown got the fight offer, he admits he didn’t know a ton about Barberena. But, after watching tape on him, Brown began getting excited as he is expecting a very fan-friendly fight.
Miesha Tate issues statement following loss to Ketlen Vieira at UFC Vegas 43: "I am not sad"
Adam D Martin - November 23, 2021
UFC women’s bantamweight contender Miesha Tate issued a statement following her loss to Ketlen Vieira at UFC Vegas 43, saying “I am not sad.” Tate lost a unanimous decision to Vieira in what was mostly a standup fight between two fighters who generally prefer to grapple with their opponents. Taking to her social media in the days following the loss, Tate issued a statement after her defeat to Vieira. In the statement, Tate admitted that she lost fair and square, but said she was happy with the improvements that she showed in the fight. Take a look at the full statement Tate shared.
Colby Covington still believes he beat Kamaru Usman at UFC 268, calls for trilogy match
Adam D Martin - November 23, 2021
Colby Covington still believes he beat UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 268, and he is calling for a trilogy match. Covington and Usman met earlier this month in the main event of UFC 268 and the fight turned out to be a back-and-forth war, much like their first meeting back at UFC 245. In the first fight, Usman won the fight via fifth-round TKO. This time around, the fight was closer, but it was still Usman who ended up winning via unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards. But if you ask Covington, he should have been named as the fight’s winner.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 60 with Rob Font, Matt Brown, Louis Smolka, and Vince Morales
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2021
The 60th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 44 on December 4. We’re first joined by the fourth-ranked bantamweight and one-half of the main event in Rob Font (2:10). Next, UFC welterweight, Matt Brown (14:30) joins the program. UFC bantamweight, Louis Smolka (27:32) then comes on. UFC bantamweight, Vince Morales (40:02) closes out the show.
Miesha Tate reflects on loss to Ketlen Vieira at UFC Vegas 43: "I don't have any regrets"
Adam D Martin - November 23, 2021
UFC women’s bantamweight Miesha Tate reflected on her decision loss to Ketlen Vieira at UFC Vegas 43, saying “I don’t have any regrets.” Tate returned to the Octagon after a five-year layoff during the summer and she picked up a TKO win over Marion Reneau to announce her return as a title contender at 135lbs. The UFC then matched her up against Vieira in what could have been a fight that earned her a title shot, but Tate ended up losing via unanimous decision. Following the fight, Tate spoke on the Throwing Down with Renee and Miesha podcast and reflected on her performance.
Chael Sonnen calls a fourth fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier "a tough sell"
Adam D Martin - November 23, 2021
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen called a fourth fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier “a tough sell” for his return fight to the Octagon. McGregor and Poirier fought twice this year, with McGregor losing via TKO both times. Their fight at UFC 257 resulted in Poirier winning by second-round knockout with punches, but at UFC 264, the fight ended with McGregor breaking his leg. Since then, the Irishman has been out on the sidelines with his injury, but he is hoping that he gets the fourth fight when he returns to the Octagon. However, Sonnen believes that is going to be “a tough sell,” as he explained in a new video. As far as Sonnen goes, there is no reason to book this fight.
Daniel Cormier wants fighters to choose championship opportunities over money fights: “What happened to the title being the most important thing?”
Harry Kettle - November 23, 2021
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has questioned the debate between fighters choosing money fights over title opportunities. Cormier, a former two-weight UFC champion, is one of many to pose this question in the mixed martial arts sphere. While some understand the allure behind fighters wanting to chase big paydays, others believe the championship is what everyone on the roster should be pushing for.
Dan Hooker makes featherweight in test cut to signal move down: '45 look alive'
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2021
Dan Hooker will be returning to featherweight. Hooker, who entered the UFC as a featherweight, has been competing as lightweight and has been a perennial contender. Yet, after a 1-3 skid, he recently revealed he would be working with the PI to possibly get back to down to 145lbs.
Stipe Miocic disappointed he wasn't asked to fight for interim title, wants Ngannou trilogy or Jones next
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2021
Stipe Miocic was disappointed he wasn’t asked to fight for the interim heavyweight title. Miocic said after his KO loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 to lose his heavyweight title, he would take the rest of the year off. With that, the promotion decided to book Ciryl Gane vs. Derrick Lewis for the interim title, which Miocic is upset he wasn’t asked to fight either one of them.
Colby Covington says Jorge Masvidal will 'get dumped on his head and knocked the f**k out' when they fight
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2021
Colby Covington has made it clear he wants to fight Jorge Masvidal and he has violent plans for his former teammate. .@ColbyCovMMA tells Jorge Masvidal to put his “BMF belt back on the fucking line” and “show up or just shut your fucking mouth”:
Ben Askren admits Jake Paul 'is kind of good' at boxing
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2021
Ben Askren, who was considered Jake Paul’s first real test, admits the brash YouTuber turned boxer is pretty good at boxing. Askren ended his retirement to box Paul and in the lead-up to the fight, he made it clear he didn’t think the Disney actor turned Youtuber turned boxer was good. He was just 2-0 with knockout wins over former NBA player Nate Robinson, and YouTuber, AnEsonGib. However, Paul scored a vicious first-round KO over Askren in their boxing match back in April.
Colby Covington reveals Jorge Masvidal pulled out of UFC 269 due to broken ribs
Adam D Martin - November 22, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington revealed that Jorge Masvidal pulled out of the upcoming UFC 269 card due to broken ribs. Masvidal was set to take on Leon Edwards on the UFC 269 main card, but “Gamebred” pulled out of the fight due to an undisclosed injury. According to Covington, however, he knows what the injury was that forced Masvidal out of the fight. Based on what Covington’s sources at American Top Team told him, Masvidal pulled out of the fight due to broken ribs.
What's next for Ketlen Vieira and Miesha Tate after UFC Vegas 43?
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 43, top-10 bantamweights were set to collide as Ketlen Vieira was set for her first main event against the former champ in Miesha Tate. Vieira entered the fight coming off a decision loss to Yana Kunitskaya and was just 1-2 in her last three fights. Tate, meanwhile, was coming off a TKO win over Marion Reneau in July which was her comeback fight after retiring in 2016.