UFC News
UFC 251 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas 2
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2020
On the stacked UFC 251 card Jessica Andrade and Rose Namajunas are set to have their highly-anticipated rematch. Heading into the fight, the Brazilian, Andrade, is a +175 underdog while the American is a -225 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. Although Andrade won the first fight by KO at UFC 237, the majority believe it will be Namajunas who gets the job done.
Jorge Masvidal scolds Kamaru Usman for talking about his “butthole” and “ethnicity”
Natasha Hooper - July 10, 2020
Jorge Masvidal has a few choice words for his upcoming opponent, Kamaru Usman. The welterweight stars will face off this weekend in the main event of UFC 251 on UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
Kamaru Usman is not taking Jorge Masvidal lightly: “He’s the best opponent that I have faced”
Harry Kettle - July 10, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has claimed that he is not taking Jorge Masvidal lightly ahead of their UFC 251 main event on Saturday night. Usman is set to defend his UFC Welterweight Championship against Masvidal on Fight Island this weekend in Abu Dhabi, with “Gamebred” taking the fight on just six days’ notice.
UFC 251 weigh-in results: title fights official, two fighters miss weight
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2020
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens with the stacked UFC 251 pay-per-view—the first event on the much discussed Fight Island. UFC 251 will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between dominating champion Kamaru Usman and ferocious challenger Jorge Masvidal. Usman was originally expected to defend his title agains Gilbert Burns on Fight Island, but Masvidal was called to step in on six days’ notice when Burns tested positive for COVID-19.
Paige VanZant, Max Holloway, and Jorge Masvidal bets "through the roof" heading into UFC 251
Adam Martin - July 9, 2020
Bets on UFC welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal are “through the roof” and Paige VanZant and Max Holloway aren’t far behind heading into UFC 251. All three of Masvidal, VanZant, and Holloway are the underdogs in their fights against Kamaru Usman, Amanda Ribas, and Alexander Volkanovski, respectively. While the oddsmakers are pegging them all as underdogs, bettors have been quick to put their money on all three heading into Saturday night’s massive UFC 251 event on Fight Island.
Jose Aldo says he deserves UFC 251 title shot, plans to KO Petr Yan
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2020
Jose Aldo knows he deserves his chance to fight for bantamweight gold at UFC 251. On the stacked UFC 251 pay-per-view card, Aldo is set to take on the surging Russian contender, Petr Yan for the vacant bantamweight title. It is a very intriguing matchup where many are picking the Russian to get the win.
Dana White previews two under-the-radar fights at UFC 251
Adam Martin - July 9, 2020
UFC president Dana White previewed two under-the-radar fights on this Saturday night’s stacked UFC 251 event in a new video blog. Most fans are looking forward to the three title fights at the top of the UFC 251 card: Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal for the UFC welterweight title; Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway in a rematch for the UFC featherweight title; and Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo for the vacant UFC bantamweight title. Those are three incredible fights so it makes sense everyone is talking about them, but what truly makes UFC 251 a special card is its depth as White and the UFC matchmaker have put together and incredibly deep lineup.
UFC releases statement on Mike Perry, says he needs to complete treatment before fighting again
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2020
The UFC has released a statement following the incident involving welterweight Mike Perry. On Wednesday evening video got released showing Perry punching an older man in a bar, where he appeared to knock him out. He could also be heard yelling the N-word and screaming at patrons of the bar. The video was disturbing, and immediately many MMA fans called for “Platinum” to be released. They also wondered whether or not the UFC would comment on the matter.
Dana White believes Conor McGregor will fight "next year"
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2020
UFC President Dana White believes former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor could end up fighting next year. McGregor shocked the MMA world back in June when he announced his retirement from the sport.
Matt Riddle admits to cheating on wife, but denies sexual assault of Candy Cartwright
Adam Martin - July 9, 2020
Former UFC welterweight Matt Riddle issued a video statement vehemently denying sexual assaulting fellow pro wrestler Candy Cartwright. Cartwright recently accused Riddle of sexually assaulting her. The former Ultimate Fighter competitor Riddle has now released a video statement where he admitted to cheating on his wife and having an affair with Cartwright, but assuring that it was consensual. Riddle is now accusing Cartwright of harassing him. Check out Matt Riddle’s video statement below (via Wrestling Inc.).
Angela Hill contacted by USADA lawyers over D.A.R.E. inspired t-shirt
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2020
UFC strawweight contender Angela Hill says she was contacted by lawyers from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) about a t-shirt she created. Hill recently created a clever USADA t-shirt that took inspiration from the organization D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), “an education program that seeks to prevent use of controlled drugs, membership in gangs, and violent behavior.”
Dana White challenges fighter pay critics to "ask Jon Jones how much he’s getting paid"
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2020
UFC President Dana White is challenging his naysayers to ask UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones how much he’s getting paid. Over the last few week, Jones has made no secret of the fact that he doesn’t believe he’s paid enough by the UFC. He’s spoken out multiple times on social media, and also aired his displeasure with his pay on Steve-O’s “Wild Ride” podcast.
Dustin Poirier makes prediction for Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway 2
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2020
No. 2 ranked lightweight contender Dustin Poirier has made his prediction for the upcoming featherweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. Volkanovski and Holloway are set to collide for featherweight gold in the co-main event of UFC 251 this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The pair first met in December, when Volkanovski defeated Holloway by decision to claim the featherweight belt.
Jimmie Rivera claims Frankie Edgar turned him down for Fight Island matchup: "Frankie said no"
Adam Martin - July 9, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Jimmie Rivera says that Frankie Edgar turned down a short-notice matchup against him for a Fight Island card next week. Edgar was set to fight Pedro Munhoz at UFC on ESPN 12: Kattar vs. Ige, but the fight was scrapped when Munhoz tested positive for COVID-19. Immediately, fighters such as Rivera, Chito Vera, and Ricky Simon all raised their hands up on social media by saying they would take the fight but so far no replacement opponent for Edgar has been announced. It’s unknown at this point whether or not Edgar will remain on the card going forward.
Gym reveals Alexander Romanov withdrew from UFC 251 due to positive COVID-19 test
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2020
Undefeated Moldovan heavyweight Alexander Romanov was expected to take on Marcin Tybura at UFC 251, but withdrew from the card earlier this month. Initially, the cause for his exit was not clear, however, his gym has now revealed he tested positive for COVID-19.
Mackenzie Dern targeted for Octagon return against Randa Markos
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2020
Mackenzie Dern is set to take on Randa Markos in a compelling strawweight fight targeted for September 12 in Las Vegas, according to a report from MMA Fighting. Dern last fought in late May, when she picked up a first-round submission victory over Hannah Cifers with a knee-bar. The win separated her from the first loss of her professional career, a decision defeat at the hands of Amanda Ribas. With her win over Cifers, Dern improved to a solid 8-1 overall in mixed martial arts.
Ben Askren doesn’t think extra punches from Jorge Masvidal were “super necessary”, but admits the line is “kinda funny”
Natasha Hooper - July 9, 2020
Ben Askren recently reflected on his infamous KO loss at the hands of Jorge Masvidal. He admitted the final punches Masvidal administered weren’t “super necessary” but were at least “kinda funny”. The “BMF” winner, Masvidal is preparing to face off against the welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, at UFC 251 this weekend on UFC Fight Island. The anticipated matchup comes after a long list of career triumphs for “Gamebred”.
Jorge Masvidal’s manager suggests Kamaru Usman is upset that ‘Gamebred’ is getting all the media attention
Harry Kettle - July 9, 2020
MMA manager Abe Kawa has suggested that Kamaru Usman isn’t happy with Jorge Masvidal receiving all of the media attention ahead of their UFC 251 main event this Saturday. Ever since “Gamebred” stepped in to replace Gilbert Burns and challenge Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship, the media has been dying to get a glimpse into the mindset of the former Strikeforce star as he prepares for the biggest fight of his life.