UFC News
Dana White unveils plans for next two Khamzat Chimaev fights
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2020
UFC President Dana White has revealed his immediate plans for Khamzat Chimaev, arguably the hottest prospect in the UFC at present. Chimaev was the breakout star of the UFC’s four-event stint on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi this past July, picking up a pair of stoppage wins over John Phillips at middleweight and Rhys McKee at welterweight in the span of less than two weeks. Ever since, fight fans have been dying to know what will be next for him.
UFC rankings update: Aleksandar Rakic rises, Robbie Lawler plummets
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last weekend’s UFC Vegas 8 card at the Apex facility, and as expected there’s been quite a bit of movement. Most notably, Aleksandar Rakic can now call himself a top-5 light heavyweight after beating up former title challenger Anthony Smith in the card’s main event.
Marc Goddard: It was "an honor" to officiate final Daniel Cormier fight
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2020
Referee Marc Goddard says it was an “honor” to officiate the last fight Daniel Cormier will ever compete in—but that’s nothing new. Cormier, the former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, competed in his retirement fight in the UFC 252 main event in August, giving up a close decision in a bid to reclaim the UFC heavyweight title from Stipe Miocic.
Israel Adesanya reveals simple strategy for Paulo Costa fight
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has a very simple strategy for his UFC 253 title defense against Paulo Costa: hit him until he falls. Adesanya was asked about his plans for the fight, which headlines the September 26th UFC 253 card, in an interview with SCMP MMA.
Dana White clears up women's bantamweight title contendership picture
Tom Taylor - September 4, 2020
UFC President Dana White has shed some light on who is likely next for women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. Nunes has looked more or less unbeatable since capturing the bantamweight strap, authoring impressive title defenses against Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko, Raquel Pennington, Holly Holm, and Germaine de Randamie—and that doesn’t include her work up in the featherweight division, where she’s also the champion.
Michelle Waterson vs. Angela Hill promoted to five-round UFC Vegas 10 main event
Cole Shelton - September 4, 2020
Michelle Waterson will be headlining another UFC show. After next Saturday’s main event between Thiago Santos and Glover Teixeira was postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test, the UFC has found its new main event. Multiple sources confirm to BJPENN.com that Waterson vs. Hill has been promoted to the main event. The fight will also be five rounds. Ariel Helwani of ESPN has also confirmed the fight will serve as the main event.
UFC releases official poster for Colby Covington vs. Tyron Woodley
Natasha Hooper - September 4, 2020
The UFC has released the official poster for Colby Covington and Tyron Woodley’s upcoming fight. The former teammates turned rivals will finally face off in an eagerly anticipated fight at UFC Vegas 11 on Saturday 19 September. Their grudge match will take place at the UFC APEX area in Las Vegas in the main event.
Israel Adesanya shares an interesting theory regarding power punchers
Natasha Hooper - September 4, 2020
Israel Adesanya has his own theory on power punchers. The middleweight champion is set to defend his title for a second time in the main event of UFC 253 on Saturday, September 26. He will be facing off against Paulo Costa, who is currently undefeated and is known for being able to finish his opponents with his punching power. “Borrachinha” has finished a whopping nine out of 13 fights via knockout punches.
Alistair Overeem would be "honored" to welcome Jon Jones to the UFC heavyweight division
Adam Martin - September 3, 2020
MMA legend Alistair Overeem says that he would be “honored” to welcome Jon Jones to the UFC heavyweight division. Jones recently announced that he was vacating the UFC light heavyweight title with a planned move up to heavyweight. He has already been connected to fights against UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, top contender Francis Ngannou, and former champ Brock Lesnar. Now Overeem, the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion, has joined those names as someone who’d be interested in fighting Jones at his new weight class.
Michel Pereira explains his unusual training involving taking down cows and running with horses
Cole Shelton - September 3, 2020
Michel Pereira may best be known for his backflips and somersaults while fighting, but his training camp might be even weirder. Pereira is set to return to the Octagon at UFC Vegas 9 after he lost by DQ to Diego Sanchez earlier this year. For the Brazilian, he says his training camp was strange as his training partners were farm animals.
Stipe Miocic's coach believes the heavyweight champ would "shut down" Jon Jones in a potential fight
Cole Shelton - September 3, 2020
Marcus Marinelli, the head coach of Stipe Miocic, believes the heavyweight champ would be able to shut down Jon Jones in a potential fight. Ever since Jones vacated the light heavyweight title many thought “Bones” would get an immediate title shot. A fight against Miocic would be massive and it would be a very competitive fight. Yet, for Marinelli, he doesn’t know where Jones would have success in the fight.
Video | Miley Cyrus insults Joe Rogan on his own podcast
Chris Taylor - September 3, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan welcomed popular singer Miley Cyrus to his Uber-popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast on Wednesday. The two-hour interview covered a wide range of topics, including Cyrus’ “very public divorce” as well as her recent vocal surgery.
Michael Chiesa dubs Demetrious Johnson as the undisputed GOAT of MMA
Natasha Hooper - September 3, 2020
Michael Chiesa thinks the number one GOAT spot belongs to Demetrious Johnson On Twitter, MMA journalist Sean Sheehan posted a clip of “Mighty Mouse” during some of his best Octagon moments and wrote, “Just take a moment to enjoy the most skilful fighter in human history.”
Cody Garbrandt tests positive for COVID-19
Adam Martin - September 3, 2020
Ahead of his training camp for UFC 256 in November, UFC flyweight title contender Cody Garbrandt has tested positive for COVID-19. AG Fight first reported that Garbrandt tested positive for the coronavirus. The former UFC bantamweight champion reportedly tested positive earlier in the week for COVID-19 and he is currently in isolation as he waits for the results of his latest test. The report says that Garbrandt is feeling better but he did experience mild symptoms including a headache. However, the hope is he will be able to test negative and get back to training camp soon.
Conor McGregor featured on Forbes list of highest paid celebrities
Tom Taylor - September 3, 2020
Conor McGregor is not only one of the highest paid athletes in the world, but one of the highest paid celebrities period. Despite fighting just once since 2018, the Irish MMA superstar placed on Forbes‘ list of the highest paid celebrities in the world in 2020, nabbing the No. 53 spot with $48M in earnings. While McGregor ranked well behind the likes of Kylie Jenner and Kanye West, and other pugilists such as Tyson Fury, he’s positioned ahead of the likes of NBA star James Harding, NFL star Tom Brady, pop stars Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez, and boxers Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.
Tim Elliott among numerous UFC fighters suspended and fined for marijuana, others facing steroid suspensions
Adam Martin - September 3, 2020
Numerous UFC fighters including flyweight Tim Elliott have been suspended and fined after testing positive for marijuana. According to a report from Marc Raimondi of ESPN, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has officially suspended Elliott, UFC lightweight Luis Pena, and UFC light heavyweight Jamahal Hill after testing positive for marijuana following recent fights in Las Vegas. Both Elliott and Pena were fined 15 percent of their fight purses and also suspended for four-and-a-half months for having cannabis in their system for their recent fights against Brandon Royval and Khama Worthy, respectively. Elliot and Pena both lost those fights.
Dan Hardy on Abel Trujillo child exploitation case: "Hang him and be done with it"
Tom Taylor - September 3, 2020
UFC welterweight turned commentator Dan Hardy believes former UFC lightweight Abel Trujillo should be put to death after pleading guilty to exploiting minors. Trujillo pled guilty to charges of child exploitation earlier this year after sending pictures and videos of his genitals to a 16 year-old girl. Trujillo reportedly continued to harass the girl even after she blocked him on social media, and is believed to have known her age. When he was arrested, multiple photos of other “nude young women” were found on his phone, but police were unable to verify their ages.
Full betting odds released for UFC on ESPN+ 34: Overeem vs. Sakai
Adam Martin - September 3, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the 10 fights scheduled to take place Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 34: Overeem vs. Sakai event. In the main event, two top-10 heavyweights go at as the legend Alistair Overeem takes on the surging Augusto Sakai. Overeem is coming off of an impressive second-round TKO win over Walt Harris while Augusto Sakai has won his last six fights in a row. No doubt the winner of this fight will take one more step towards the elite of the heavyweight division.