UFC News
Luana Pinheiro reacts to DQ win over Randa Markos at UFC Vegas 25: "Nobody feels more than I do for the outcome of the fight"
Adam D Martin - May 5, 2021
UFC women’s strawweight prospect Luana Pinheiro has reacted to her controversial illegal upkick DQ win over Randa Markos at UFC Vegas 25. Pinheiro was making her UFC debut this past Saturday night on the preliminary card of UFC Vegas 25 against the veteran Markos. The Brazilian was having an incredible start to her UFC debut as she was seen throwing Markos to the mat using her judo skills and also getting the better of her on the feet. Unfortunately, the fight ended in controversy near the end of the first round when an illegal upkick from Markos appeared to knock Pinheiro out. That led referee Mark Smith to disqualifying Markos and awarding Pinheiro the win via DQ.
Diego Sanchez says he is scared the UFC might kill him and frame it as a suicide
Adam D Martin - May 5, 2021
Former UFC fighter Diego Sanchez says that he is scared the UFC might kill him and frame it as a suicide in the next two years. Sanchez was recently released by the UFC due to a disagreement about medical records between his coach Joshua Fabia and UFC lawyer Hunter Campbell. It was an unfortunate ending for Sanchez’s UFC career considering he has been with the company since 2015 and was the longest-tenured fighter on the roster. But as far as Sanchez is concerned, it’s all for the best, because his perception of what the UFC is today has changed over the years.
Michael Bisping explains how the introduction of a cruiserweight division would benefit numerous UFC fighters
Harry Kettle - May 5, 2021
UFC legend Michael Bisping has explained why adding a cruiserweight division to the promotion could help multiple fighters. “The Count” is well known for his iconic run with the UFC that crossed over from light heavyweight to middleweight. Eventually, Bisping was able to rise up and capture the 185-pound title.
Diego Sanchez sends emotional message to Dana White: 'You can't meet with your boy?'
Drake Riggs - May 4, 2021
Diego Sanchez has seen his lengthy run in the UFC come to an abrupt and unceremonious end ahead of what was to be a bout with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone this Saturday. After being released from the promotion following a 16-year tenure, Sanchez began leaking some footage of and audio from his current coach, Joshua Fabia. Ultimately, the problematic nature of the entire scenario was seemingly too much for the UFC to continue having “The Nightmare” on the roster.
Cory Sandhagen says he turned down a short-notice fight against Pedro Munhoz after TJ Dillashaw withdrew
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2021
Cory Sandhagen was offered the chance to still headline UFC Vegas 26 this Saturday but opted not to. Sandhagen was originally supposed to fight TJ Dillashaw in a fight many fans were looking forward to. The winner was likely going to get a title shot, but Dillashaw was forced out of the fight due to a cut above the eye.
Billy Joe Saunders says the ring issue for his fight against Canelo Alvarez has been "resolved"
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2021
Billy Joe Saunders says the issue with the ring size for his fight against Canelo Alvarez on Saturday has been resolved. Saunders and Alvarez were set to fight at AT&T Stadium in a unification bout of the super-middleweight titles. It was a fight many fans were eager for as it would be a tough test for the Mexican. Yet, on Tuesday, it was revealed the size of the ring was an issue as an 18-foot ring was installed, not the 24-foot ring expected. That forced Saunders’ dad, Tom, and team to say they are out of the fight.
UFC Vegas 26 rankings update: Jiri Prochazka officially the No. 2 ranked light heavyweight
Adam D Martin - May 4, 2021
The latest UFC rankings updates are in, and Jiri Prochazka has officially broken into the top-three rankings in the light heavyweight division. Jiri Prochazka’s knockout win over Dominick Reyes at UFC Vegas 26 earned him not only $100,000 in bonus awards, but also the No. 2 ranking in the world at 205lbs. It’s an incredible accomplishment for the Czech Republic native, who wasn’t even in the UFC a year ago. But he absolutely deserves it after beating Reyes and Volkan Oezdemir by knockout in his first two UFC appearances. As well, he is riding a 12-fight win streak. With Prochazka moving into the No. 2 spot at 205lbs, Reyes dropped all the way to No. 5. It’s also worth noting that Aleksandar Rakic also dropped one spot in the rankings to No. 3.
Colby Covington blasts Conor McGregor for wanting welterweight title shot: "He's a joke"
Adam D Martin - May 4, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington blasted Conor McGregor for wanting a title shot at 170lbs, calling the MMA superstar “a joke.” Covington is one of the top-ranked contenders at 170lbs right now and is likely next in line to fight UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman following his big KO win over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261. However, that hasn’t stopped McGregor from taking to social media recently and suggesting that he will be coming for the welterweight strap soon, despite the fact he is coming off of a TKO loss to a lightweight in Dustin Poirier in his last outing.
Giga Chikadze hoping for quick turnaround fight against Jeremy Stephens
Adam D Martin - May 4, 2021
UFC featherweight contender Giga Chikadze is hoping to return to the Octagon for a quick turnaround fight against veteran Jeremy Stephens. Chikadze is coming off of the best win of his UFC career, a body kick TKO over Cub Swanson at this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 25 card. It was the best performance of the Georgian’s career to date, and it improved his UFC record to a perfect 6-0. Chikadze is one of the hottest fighters in the division at the moment and after beating Swanson in short order, he has been hanging around in Las Vegas hoping to get another fight booked.
Geoff Neal eyeing first or second round KO over Neil Magny to get top-ranked opponent next
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2021
Geoff Neal is excited he finally gets the chance to face Neil Magny. Last August, Neal and Magny were scheduled to fight but Neal had serious health problems that hospitalized him and forced him out of the scrap. The two then got different fights and Neal ended up losing a decision to Stephen Thompson back in December, which he says was a good learning experience.
Chris Weidman shares latest health update after leg break at UFC 261
Adam D Martin - May 4, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman shared his latest health update after breaking his leg against Uriah Hall at UFC 261. In what was one of the most horrific injuries we have ever seen in the Octagon, Weidman broke his leg when he threw a leg kick that was checked by Uriah Hall. Immediately after throwing the kick, Weidman went down in pain and had to be stretchered out of the Octagon and taken to the hospital for emergency surgery. Fortunately, surgery went well and Weidman is expected to make a full recovery in six-to-12 months. But right now in the early days of his leg break, it has been extremely painful for him as he told his fans.
Michelle Waterson eager to headline another UFC show, knows she's "dangerous" everywhere against Marina Rodriguez
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2021
Michelle Waterson didn’t hesitate to accept when the UFC offered her another short-notice main event fight. After TJ Dillashaw was forced out of the UFC Vegas 26 main event against Cory Sandhagen, the UFC was quick to book Waterson vs. Marina Rodriguez at flyweight. For “The Karate Hottie,” she’s ecstatic to be headlining another UFC card.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 36 with Michelle Waterson, Geoff Neal, Diego Ferreira, Patrick Mix, and Maurice Greene
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2021
The 36th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 26 and Bellator 258. We’re first joined by UFC Vegas 26 headliner and ninth-ranked strawweight, Michelle Waterson (2:56). Next, 10th-ranked welterweight, Geoff Neal (14:32) comes on. 12th-ranked lightweight, Diego Ferreira joins the show (30:30). Then, second-ranked Bellator bantamweight, Patrick Mix (45:40) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC heavyweight, Maurice Greene (1:03:26).
Daniel Cormier says Jon Jones doesn't deserve Conor McGregor money
Adam D Martin - May 4, 2021
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier says that former rival Jon Jones doesn’t deserve Conor McGregor money when he fights Francis Ngannou. Jones is hoping to fight Ngannou for the UFC heavyweight title sometime later this year, and reports have indicated he is asking upwards of $30 million for the fight. If you ask Cormier, however, that is too rich because it would be more than McGregor, the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view superstar. For DC, it doesn’t make sense that Jones should be paid more than McGregor. Speaking on the “DC and Helwani” podcast, Cormier suggested that Jones be paid in the $8 to $10 million dollar range to take on Ngannou instead.
UFC commentator Brendan Fitzgerald discusses "awkward" production meeting incident with Joshua Fabia and Diego Sanchez on Fight Island
Adam D Martin - May 4, 2021
UFC play-by-play commentator Brendan Fitzgerald discussed the production meeting incident with Joshua Fabia and Diego Sanchez on Fight Island. Last week, it was revealed that the UFC had cut Sanchez after a back-and-forth email exchange with the promotion’s lawyer Hunter Campbell. Sanchez and Fabia were requesting medical documents and the UFC believed that it was the right call to release him instead. Later on, there was a video leaked of an argument between Fabia and the UFC production team on Fight Island. Fitzgerald himself was in the room for it and speaking to John Hyon Ko of South China Morning Post, he gave his thoughts on the situation.
Alex Morono reacts after landing Donald Cerrone fight at UFC Vegas 26
Adam D Martin - May 4, 2021
UFC welterweight Alex Morono reacted to the news that he will be taking on Donald Cerrone at this weekend’s UFC Vegas 26 event. Cerrone was expected to take on fellow Octagon veteran Diego Sanchez this Saturday night at UFC Vegas 26, but the fight fell apart when Sanchez got into a medical disagreement with the UFC and was released from his contract. The UFC has spent the last week looking for a replacement opponent to keep Cerrone on the card, with a number of fighters offering to fill in on short notice. In the end, the matchmakers decided that the right man for the job is Morono, who will step in on just six days’ notice to fight Cerrone this Saturday night.
Referee Herb Dean shares his thoughts on Aljamain Sterling’s DQ win over Petr Yan
Harry Kettle - May 4, 2021
UFC referee Herb Dean has given his thoughts on the controversial ending to Petr Yan vs Aljamain Sterling back at UFC 259. In their UFC Bantamweight Championship clash, it appeared as if Yan was well on his way to successfully retaining his title. However, after he threw an illegal knee at a downed opponent, Sterling was able to leave the UFC APEX as champion through a disqualification victory.
Nate Diaz suffers minor injury, bout with Leon Edwards moved to UFC 263
Christopher Taylor - May 3, 2021
Nate Diaz will no longer be fighting Leon Edwards in the co-main event of UFC 262 on May 15 in Houston, Texas. Unfortunately for fight fans, ESPN reported this evening that Diaz (20-12 MMA) has suffered a minor injury and his highly anticipated welterweight showdown with ‘Rocky’ has been postponed until June’s UFC 263 pay-per-view event.