UFC News
Tony Ferguson, Ali Abdelaziz go for the throat in post-UFC 256 war of words
Tom Taylor - December 15, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson and MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz did not hold back in their latest verbal skirmish on social media. Ferguson returned to the cage in the co-main event of UFC 256 last weekend, where he was out-grappled to a decision loss against Charles Oliveira. After the fight concluded, Abdelaziz, who manages lightweight stars like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje, decided to kick Ferguson while he was down.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 23 with Stephen Thompson, Geoff Neal, Marlon Vera, Rob Font, Khaos Williams, and Maycee Barber
Cole Shelton - December 15, 2020
The 23rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 17. We’re first joined by one-half of the UFC Vegas 17 main event, Stephen Thompson (3:16). Next, the other fighter in the main event, Geoff Neal (23:26) stops by. UFC bantamweight, Marlon Vera (39:56) comes on. Next, UFC bantamweight, Rob Font (54:15) joins the program. Then, UFC welterweight, Khaos Williams (1:05:58) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC flyweight, Maycee Barber (1:16:06).
Kevin Holland has no plans to slow down: “I guess we will have to do 6 fights in 2021”
Harry Kettle - December 15, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland is planning for a big year in 2021 after a sensational five wins in 2020. While some aren’t including him in the discussion for Fighter of the Year, there’s no way of denying that Holland has been able to transform himself into a legitimate divisional contender between May and December with wins over highly regarded foes like Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Darren Stewart and Joaquin Buckley.
Photo | Jorge Masvidal shares photo of Colby Covington giving props to LeBron James on social media
Harry Kettle - December 15, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal has taken a shot at rival Colby Covington’s feud with LeBron James in a recent social media post. Masvidal and Covington, who used to be close friends and training partners, are now expected to square off in early 2021 with the expectation being that the winner will get another crack at divisional champion Kamaru Usman later in the year.
Former UFC champ Cody Garbrandt has some choice words for Jake Paul
Adam Martin - December 14, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt joined Nate Diaz in directing some choice words toward YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Diaz took a shot at Paul on Monday, just hours after Paul had taken a shot at UFC superstar Conor McGregor, calling him out in a video posted to his social media. Paul has no MMA fights, but after his viral KO of Nate Robinson in boxing was heard around the world, plenty of athletes in MMA and other sports, not to mention celebrities, have called him out for a money fight. Paul has said that his goal is to get a fight with McGregor and that he is dedicating his life to beating him. But so far McGregor has ignored him.
Tony Ferguson issues statement following UFC 256 loss to Charles Oliveira
Adam D Martin - December 14, 2020
Former interim lightweight champ Tony Ferguson has issued a statement following his unanimous decision defeat at UFC 256 to Charles Oliveira. Despite entering the contest as the betting favorite to get his hand raised, Ferguson suffered a one-sided defeat as Oliveira pretty much dominated the former interim champ for the full 15 minutes of the bout. Oliveira had the upper hand in the striking department and proved to be the superior wrestler as well, as he dominated Ferguson for 15 minutes en route to a unanimous decision victory. It’s eight straight wins in a row now for Oliveira, while for Ferguson the loss was his second straight defeat.
WATCH | Mark Hunt throws punches at his opponent during weigh-ins ahead of pro boxing bout
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2020
Mark Hunt is set to return to boxing on December 16 in Australia against Paul Gallen. Hunt is currently 0-1-1 as a pro boxer as he lost to Josh Wyborn in 1999. He then had his second fight in 2000 and fought Joe Askew to a draw. Following that, he then turned his attention to MMA.
Dana White says Charles Oliveira is "without a doubt" one of the top three lightweights in the world
Adam Martin - December 14, 2020
UFC president Dana White says that Charles Oliveira is “without a doubt one of the top three lightweights in the world right now.” Oliveira had a brilliant performance at UFC 256 this past weekend, as he completely dominated former interim UFC lightweight champ Tony Ferguson for 15 minutes. Oliveira has now won eight straight fights and is banging on the door of a title shot. The Brazilian said that he believes UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will stay true to his retirement after he was told he swore on his father’s grave, so Oliveira is now targeting the winner of UFC 257’s Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier.
Jake Paul claims Conor McGregor is "scared to fight," tells the Irishman to "sign the contract"
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2020
Jake Paul claims he has sent Conor McGregor a $50 million contract for them to box. Before Paul fought Nate Robinson, he mentioned Conor McGregor and Ben Askren as future opponents. However, he only intensified the callouts of McGregor following his KO win over Robinson.
Alex Morono expects to finish Anthony Pettis, eyes future fights with Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2020
Alex Morono didn’t expect to be fighting Anthony Pettis. Morono started the year with a disappointing KO loss to Khaos Williams at UFC 247. The Fortis MMA product then returned at UFC Vegas 14 with a decision win over Rhys McKee. After the win, Morono was hoping he could make a quick turnaround but never expected it to be against Pettis.
Max Holloway willing to fight Alex Volkanovski 100 times to prove "I'm the better guy"
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2020
Max Holloway knows he is better than Alex Volkanovski. Holloway and Volkanovski, of course, fought at UFC 245 and 251 with Volkanovski winning both by decision. However, at UFC 251, the champ edged out a split decision but many thought Holloway won.
Conor McGregor vs. Jake Paul type fights are "not what I do," says UFC's Dana White
Tom Taylor - December 14, 2020
UFC President Dana White says there’s “zero” chance that YouTube star turned boxer Jake Paul will get his desired fight with Conor McGregor. At least not right now. Paul has been the talk of the combat sports world of late, after he knocked out former NBA star Nate Robinson on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard last month. In the buildup to and fallout of that fight, Paul called for a showdown with McGregor, who is the biggest star in MMA history and one of the UFC’s top lightweights. He even claimed his team has reached out to the Irishman about this potential showdown.
Betting odds released for potential Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal UFC fight
Adam Martin - December 14, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for a potential UFC welterweight bout between rivals Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal. Right away it must be stated that Covington vs. Masvidal is just a rumor at this point and not a confirmed matchup by the UFC, but all signs are pointing towards the promotion booking this bout for 2021. Covington and Masvidal do not like each other and with both men looking to get a rematch with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, a No. 1 contender bout between these two makes all the sense in the world. There have also been suggestions that the rivals may coach The Ultimate Fighter, too.
Yoel Romero finds a new home after UFC release, expected to sign contract with Bellator
Tom Taylor - December 14, 2020
Former UFC middleweight title contender Yoel Romero has found a new home, having signed a deal with Bellator MMA. The UFC is currently in the process of downsizing its roster, and has cut many fighters over the last few weeks. While many of the promotion’s cuts have been fairly easy to justify, it’s decision to release Romero came as a massive surprise to pretty much everybody.
Stephen Thompson: Khamzat Chimaev's promotional push is "a slap in the face to everybody who’s worked their butts off’
Tom Taylor - December 14, 2020
Stephen Thompson says the push Khamzat Chimaev is getting from the UFC is “”a slap in the face to everybody who’s worked their butts off” in the promotion. Chimaev was one of the breakout stars of 2020 for the UFC, rattling off stoppage wins over John Philips, Rhys McKee and Gerald Meerschaert in the span of a few months. Despite the fact that he’s yet to be beat a ranked opponent, and that his lone welterweight win came against McKee, who is now 0-2 in the division, Chimaev has been given a fight with No. 3-ranked welterweight contender Leon Edwards.
Ciryl Gane issues statement after beating "a legend and someone I deeply respect"
Tom Taylor - December 14, 2020
Surging UFC heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane has issued a statement after defeating former heavyweight champ Junior dos Santos at UFC 256 last weekend. France’s Gane and Brazil’s dos Santos collided in the event’s pay-per-view opener, and the Frenchman could not have looked much more impressive. After softening the former heavyweight champion up with kicks in round one, he sealed the deal in round two, vanquishing his foe with an elbow to the temple.
Mackenzie Dern issues statement after UFC 256 win
Tom Taylor - December 14, 2020
Rising UFC strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern has issued a statement after her decision victory over Virna Jandiroba on the UFC 256 main card. Despite being two of the best jiu jitsu players in women’s MMA, Dern and Jandiroba spent the majority of their three-round strawweight contest slugging it out on the feet. In fact, had the UFC 256 main event between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno—an all-time great fight—gone differently, Dern and Jandiroba almost certainly would have received $50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses.
Marvin Vettori makes case for 2020's Fighter of the Year honors
Tom Taylor - December 14, 2020
Italian middleweight contender Marvin Vettori believes he should receive Fighter of the Year honors for 2020. As we prepare to close our 2020 calendars, debates about the year’s top fighter are already roiling. Vettori is certainly in the conversation, but so are several other fighters, such as his fellow middleweight contender Kevin Holland.