UFC News
Video | Brian Ortega details what was going on in his head during the fourth round of his fight with Max Holloway
Harry Kettle - September 3, 2020
UFC featherweight Brian Ortega has revealed what he was thinking during the fourth round of his title fight against Max Holloway. Ortega looks set to return to the Octagon next month for a highly anticipated showdown against The Korean Zombie. It’ll be the first time fans have seen him fight since back in December 2018 when he unsuccessfully challenged Max Holloway for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 231.
Francis Ngannou tells Jon Jones to "sit down" after calling for Stipe Miocic fight
Cole Shelton - September 2, 2020
Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones are still going at one another in the hopes they are the one to fight Stipe Miocic. Ever since Miocic beat Daniel Cormier at UFC 252 to defend his heavyweight title, many wondered what would be next for the champ. The rematch with Ngannou made sense but the Jon Jones super fight was an intriguing option.
Tyron Woodley credits Jorge Masvidal for rejuvenating career: "I'm back and it feels good"
Cole Shelton - September 2, 2020
Tyron Woodley believes Jorge Masvidal has rejuvenated his career. In the main event of UFC Vegas 11 on September 19, Woodley is set to take on Colby Covington. It is a very intriguing fight given the two do not like each other and have been linked to fighting one another for two years now. In preparation for the fight, Woodley and Masvidal started to train together again.
Glover Teixeira tests positive for COVID-19, fight against Thiago Santos rescheduled
Adam Martin - September 2, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Glover Teixeira tested positive for COVID-19, and the UFC has rescheduled his upcoming fight against Thiago Santos. Combate reported that Teixeira tested positive for the coronavirus. He was set to meet Santos in the main event of the UFC Fight Night card scheduled to take place on September 12 in Las Vegas. However, that fight has now been rescheduled to the October 3 card that is headlined by women’s bantamweight contenders Holly Holm and Irene Aldana. The main event of the September 12 card is undetermined at this time, per Combate.
Zak Cummings brutally honest on UFC Vegas 8 win: "I truly don’t think I deserve a ranked guy after that"
Cole Shelton - September 2, 2020
Zak Cummings isn’t happy with his UFC Vegas 8 win over Alessio Di Chirico. Cummings was coming off a loss to Omari Akhmedov and looking to return to the win column. He even entered as the betting underdog which surprised him.
Cole Smith changing approach to fighting after first career loss: "I just want to have fun"
Cole Shelton - September 2, 2020
Cole Smith is changing his approach to fighting. Last September at UFC Vancouver, Smith was set for his second UFC fight against Miles Johns in his home city of Vancouver. It was a big stage for him but unfortunately, the Canadian suffered a split decision loss. After the fight, Smith realized he was putting too much pressure on himself to win and is now just focused on winning fights.
Opening betting odds released for Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson
Adam Martin - September 2, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for the upcoming UFC women’s featherweight title fight between Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson. Nunes is set to make her second defense of the women’s featherweight title when she takes on Anderson at UFC 256, which is set to take place on December 12. With the fight being officially announced recently, the oddsmakers have opened up the opening betting line for Nunes vs. Anderson. Take a look at it below via BestFightOdds.
Kelvin Gastelum names the hardest hitter he's ever fought
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum has identified the hardest hitter he’s ever met inside the Octagon, and it’s none other than reigning UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya. Gastelum was asked to name the hardest puncher he’s fought to date by a fan on Twitter, and pointed to Adesanya, who remains the only fighter to drop him in the cage.
Claudia Gadelha forced out of UFC 253 fight with Yan Xiaonan
Natasha Hooper - September 2, 2020
Claudia Gadelha is out of her upcoming UFC 253 bout after suffering a knee injury. The strawweight won’t be able to fight at the September 26 pay-per-view event against Yan Xiaonan.
Dustin Poirier updates on rumored Tony Ferguson fight
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Dustin Poirier has provided an update on his rumored scrap with fellow top-5 UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson. While most fight fans are dying to see this matchup, Poirier says he hasn’t received an offer yet. However, he added that he’s ready to accept the fight when the offer comes, and he believes the UFC is keen to make it happen at UFC 254 in October, which will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between undisputed champ Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champ Justin Gaethje.
Dominick Reyes recounts "running around the streets of New York" with Israel Adesanya
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Dominick Reyes, who will battle Jan Blachowicz for the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 253 this September, has some fond memories with Israel Adesanya. Reyes was asked about Adesanya, who is scheduled to defend the UFC middleweight title against Paulo Costa in the UFC 253 main event, on the latest episode of Submission Radio.
Daniel Cormier sees Jones vs. Miocic fight going one of two ways
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier believes a Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight will end one of two ways. Cormier has fought both Jones and Miocic multiple times before—Jones twice and Miocic on three occasions—and is therefore uniquely positioned to weigh in a potential fight between them. That potential fight suddenly seems quite likely, after Jones vacated the UFC light heavyweight title with ambitions to steal the heavyweight strap from Miocic.
Michael Chandler open to moving up to welterweight to fight Leon Edwards: "I'm game"
Adam Martin - September 2, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler says he is interested in moving up to welterweight to fight Leon Edwards in the UFC. Chandler, a three-time lightweight champion in Bellator, recently became a free agent and is currently fielding offers from other promotions. Although a return to Bellator is always possible, he has been connected to the UFC, ONE Championship and the PFL in free agency, and he is expected to make his decision on his new home in the upcoming weeks.
Dominick Reyes "grateful" for Jon Jones saga, but admits "it's over"
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
Dominick Reyes is grateful for his rivalry with former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, but concedes that their rivalry has reached its conclusion. Reyes challenged Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title in February, and ultimately lost a hotly debated unanimous decision. After this controversial outcome, he was adamant that he deserved a second crack at the champion. In the end, however, Jones vacated the light heavyweight title to move up to the heavyweight division, and Reyes was booked for a fight with Poland’s Jan Blachowicz, which will crown the new light heavyweight champ.
Ben Askren roasts UFC 256 title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2020
Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren isn’t a fan of the UFC 256 title showdown between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. It’s safe to say that “Funky” is one of the most outspoken figures in recent MMA history, and while his time with the Ultimate Fighting Championship didn’t quite go to plan, he still knows how to rile people up on social media.
Anthony Smith "not doing well" following loss to Aleksandar Rakic
Tom Taylor - September 2, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith says he’s having a tough time recovering from his recent decision loss to Aleksandar Rakic. Smith and Rakic collided in the main event of UFC Vegas 8 last Saturday, with Rakic ultimately winning a clear-cut unanimous decision. In defeat, Smith fell onto a two-fight skid, having also come up short against Glover Teixeira earlier this year.
Video | Post-op Ben Askren takes aim at Sean O’Malley: “Toughen up a little bit, son”
Natasha Hooper - September 2, 2020
As soon as he exited the operating theatre, Ben Askren took aim at Sean O’Malley, encouraging him to “toughen up a little bit.” Askren has long been suffering from a hip injury which ultimately impacted his fights against Demian Maia, Jorge Masvidal, and his decision to retire in November 2019. His affliction is the collateral damage of his accomplished wrestling and MMA career which saw him climb through the ranks of Bellator and ONE Championship and perform in the Olympics.
Dana White says Jon Jones "can't jump over" Francis Ngannou for the next title shot against Stipe Miocic
Adam Martin - September 1, 2020
UFC president Dana White says Jon Jones “can’t jump over” Francis Ngannou for the next heavyweight title shot against Stipe Miocic. Jones recently vacated the UFC light heavyweight title and announced his move up to heavyweight. “Bones” has been lifting weights in an effort to put on more mass before making the move up a weight class, where he hopes to land an immediate title shot against Miocic. However, the No. 1 contender for Miocic’s belt is Ngannou, who has won his last four fights by knockout, meaning Jones may have to wait a while to get his title shot.