UFC News
Charles Oliveira on fighting Tony Ferguson at UFC 256: “ It will be eight finishes in a row”
Harry Kettle - December 2, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira believes that he will make it eight finishes in a row when he fights Tony Ferguson at UFC 256. After much speculation over who both men would fight next, the two have been paired together in what many consider to be the most anticipated bout left in 2020 for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Henry Cejudo responds to challenge from Kayla Harrison: “You’ll bend the knee within round one”
Harry Kettle - December 2, 2020
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo has issued a somewhat light-hearted response to PFL star Kayla Harrison’s open challenge. Harrison, who is 8-0 since beginning her professional mixed martial arts career, is searching for more competition as she awaits the return of the new PFL season. Cejudo, on the other hand, has been “retired” for months now after walking away from the sport earlier this year.
10 women to watch in MMA in 2021
Tom Taylor - December 2, 2020
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made 2020 a very tough year for MMA, but 2021 looks like it could much better—particularly for the women’s side of the sport. As the 2021 calendar starts to fill up, a number of female fighters look poised for huge things, from the UFC’s Octagon, to the ONE Championship Circle, to the PFL and Bellator MMA cages.
The Korean Zombie calls out Zabit Magomedsharipov: "This is a fight that would bring the fans to their feet"
Adam Martin - December 1, 2020
UFC featherweight The Korean Zombie called out Zabit Magomedsharipov, saying “This is a fight that would bring the fans to their feet.” TKZ is coming off of a surprising one-sided decision defeat to Brian Ortega on Fight Island in October. It was a disappointing loss for TKZ, who was coming off of back-to-back knockout wins over Frankie Edgar and Renato Moicano. However, he is still ranked No. 5 overall in the UFC featherweight rankings, so despite the loss to Ortega, TKZ would likely only need another win or two to jump back into title contention at 145lbs.
Anthony Pettis explains why he's fighting Alex Morono at UFC Vegas 17
Adam Martin - December 1, 2020
Joseph Benavidez returns after back-to-back losses at UFC 259 against Askar Askarov
Cole Shelton - December 1, 2020
Joseph Benavidez is looking to return to the win column on March 6 at UFC 259. According to Russian outlet TASS, Benavidez is set to take on rising contender, Askar Askarov. Currently, the event does not have a location or venue.
BREAKING: UFC to start 2021 on Fight Island
Cole Shelton - December 1, 2020
The UFC will begin 2021 on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Multiple sources have informed BJPENN.com that the January 16 fight night card and UFC 257 on January 23 have been confirmed to take place on Fight Island. Contracts have been issued out with Fight Island as the location. Currently, it is unknown if the January 30 fight night card will also take place in Abu Dhabi.
Jack Hermansson says Darren Till was supposed to be a "tune-up fight" only interested in fighting Whittaker or Costa next
Cole Shelton - December 1, 2020
Jack Hermansson will still be fighting on Saturday night in the main event of UFC Vegas 16. Originally, Hermansson was expected to fight fan-favorite, Darren Till. However, the Englishman was forced out with an injury and was replaced by Kevin Holland. Yet, Holland got COVID-19 and now Hermansson is set to fight Marvin Vettori.
Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal will now serve as UFC Vegas 17 headliner
Cole Shelton - December 1, 2020
The UFC’s final event of 2020 will still be headlined by a welterweight fight. Originally, UFC Vegas 17 was supposed to see Leon Edwards take on Khamzat Chimaev in the main event. However, on Tuesday it was revealed the Englishman was out of the fight due to testing positive for COVID-19. Now, multiple sources have told BJPENN.com that Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal will be the main event and will be five rounds. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.
Francisco Figueiredo calls it a "dream come true" to join "warrior" brother Deiveson Figueiredo in the UFC
Adam Martin - December 1, 2020
Francisco Figueiredo, the brother of UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, called it a “dream come true” to join his big bro in the UFC. Manager Wallid Ismail recently announced that the UFC signed Francisco to a contract and he’s expected to compete in the flyweight division, where he will fight alongside his brother Deiveson. Francisco has been a professional MMA fighter for over a decade before finally getting the call. Speaking to AG Fight, the younger Figueiredo brother said it’s a “dream come true” to finally realize his goal of making it to the big show.
Anthony Smith uninterested in fighting Jimi Manuwa, suggests teammate Dustin Jacoby "do him dirty"
Adam Martin - December 1, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith says he’s uninterested in fighting Jimi Manuwa and suggested that Dustin Jacoby “do him dirty” instead. Smith is coming off of a great win over Devin Clark at UFC Vegas 15, as he submitted his opponent with a triangle choke in the first round to snap a two-fight losing skid. Smith is No 6. in the UFC light heavyweight rankings so plenty of light heavyweights have been calling him out, including Paul Craig and Jimmy Crute. One other fighter calling Smith out is Jimi Manuwa, who is currently retired. Manuwa has hinted at a comeback and he suggested a fight against Smith would be a good return fight.
UFC rankings update: Anthony Smith gains ground at light heavyweight
Tom Taylor - December 1, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 15 card, and there have been a handful of interesting changes. While the card lost its originally scheduled Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis fight at the last minute, it still featured one ranked fighter as top-15 light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith submitted Devin Clark in the short-notice main event.
Daniel Cormier makes suggestion for Jon Jones' first heavyweight opponent
Tom Taylor - December 1, 2020
Former two-division UFC champ Daniel Cormier believes a heavyweight fight between Jon Jones and Curtis Blaydes makes “all the sense in the world.” Jones, the most dominant light heavyweight fighter in MMA history, recently vacated the UFC light heavyweight title with plans to move up to the heavyweight division. While it’s still not clear who he’ll fight in his first fight in this new weight class, Cormier believes Blaydes should get the call.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 21 with Jack Hermansson, Diego Ferreira, Montana De La Rosa and Cody Durden
Cole Shelton - December 1, 2020
The 21st episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 16. We’re first joined by fourth-ranked middleweight contender, Jack Hermansson (3:01). Next, ninth-ranked lightweight, Diego Ferreira (17:36) joins the show. Then, the 15th-ranked flyweight, Montana De La Rosa (31:34) comes on. Closing out the show is flyweight contender, Cody Durden (41:31).
Odds released for a potential MMA bout between Colby Covington and LeBron James
Harry Kettle - December 1, 2020
The odds have been released for a potential mixed martial arts fight between UFC welterweight Colby Covington and NBA star LeBron James. In the wake of Jake Paul knocking out Nate Robinson this past weekend, it seems as if there is a revived interest in the world of celebrity boxing – and potentially even celebrity MMA. From basketball to baseball and beyond, plenty of stars are starting to throw their name into the hat for a potential bout somewhere down the road.
10 MMA champions ready to make waves in 2021
bjpenndotcom - December 1, 2020
There’s no question that 2020 has been rough for mixed martial arts. COVID-19 hit professional sports particularly hard, and the road to recovery only began in recent months. But despite the difficult challenges, MMA is looking forward to a fantastic 2021. That’s because the sport is absolutely stacked with talented fighters who are ready to cement themselves as the best in the business. Here are 10 reigning MMA world champions from organizations around the world who are primed for an epic 2021.
Daniel Cormier responds after Dillon Danis suggests he will shut his "fat mouth"
Christopher Taylor - November 30, 2020
Dillon Danis was not happy with Daniel Cormier for suggesting that he would get “beat up” by Jake Paul in a boxing match. Earlier today on ESPN‘s “DC & Helwani show”, the former UFC champ-champ turned heads when he suggested that Jake Paul would defeat Dillon Danis in a boxing match.
Diego Sanchez says he is looking for an opponent for his retirement fight
Cole Shelton - November 30, 2020
Diego Sanchez appears close to hanging up the gloves. Following Sanchez’s UFC 253 loss to Jake Matthews, many wondered what would be next for him. Some thought he should retire but he made it clear he would look to continue fighting.
Jessica Andrade drops timeline for potential Valentina Shevchenko fight
Adam Martin - November 30, 2020
Top contender Jessica Andrade dropped a timeline for a potential fight against UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in 2021. Andrade, the former UFC women’s strawweight champion, made her flyweight debut back at UFC Fight Island 6 in October and knocked out former title challenger Katlyn Chookagian with a nasty body shot. UFC president Dana White praised Andrade following the fight and hinted that she could be next in line to fight Shevchenko. Thus far that fight has not been booked but it appears it’s the direction the UFC is headed.