UFC News
Daniel Cormier training at home gym, not AKA, for Stipe Miocic trilogy
Adam Martin - June 26, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Daniel Cormier is training at a home gym, and not AKA (American Kickboxing Academy), for his trilogy fight against Stipe Miocic. On August 15, Cormier will make the final walk to the Octagon of his future UFC Hall of Fame career when he meets his rival Miocic for the third and final time at UFC 252 at the UC Apex in Las Vegas. Cormier and Miocic have fought against each other the last two summers, with Cormier knocking Miocic out at UFC 226 in July 2018 to win the belt, and then Miocic finishing Cormier at UFC 241 in August 2019 to take back his title.
UFC on ESPN 12 weigh-in results: Main event official
Tom Taylor - June 26, 2020
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens for the fourth week in a row with the exciting UFC on ESPN 12 card. UFC on ESPN 12 will be headlined by a clash of lightweight contenders, as the No. 3 ranked Dustin Poirier looks to rebound from a failed title bid against Khabib Nurmagomedov by defeating streaking Kiwi contender Dan Hooker.
Cornerman's positive COVID-19 test forces late changes to UFC on ESPN 12
Natasha Hooper - June 26, 2020
A positive COVID-19 test has caused a last-minute change to the UFC on ESPN 12 lineup. Ramiz Brahimaj has been forced to withdraw from his promotional debut on this weekend’s fight card after his cornerman tested positive for COVID-19. The welterweight (8-2) has been fighting for LFA, and was ready to make his transition to the UFC against Takashi Sato at UFC on ESPN 12 on Saturday night. However, on Thursday evening, it was announced that Brahimaj was forced to withdraw from the card due to the risk of infection.
Mike Perry says Jon Jones introduced him to his new girlfriend and cornerwoman
Tom Taylor - June 26, 2020
“Platinum” Mike Perry says UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones introduced him to his current girlfriend, Latory Gonzalez. Perry and Gonzalez have been in the headlines quite a bit over the last few weeks.
Shane Burgos rips the UFC Rankings system after plummeting 5 spots following loss to Josh Emmett
Natasha Hooper - June 26, 2020
Shane Burgos has been added to the list of UFC fighters who have called out the promotion’s questionable ranking system. The UFC’s ranking board has received wide criticism over the way it ranks fighters. Last year, a Reddit user discovered the flawed methods that the organization implements to rank its fighters. He posted an in-depth rundown of all 14 panellists who determine the final rankings, and revealed that a third are not even active MMA media members. The UFC have been criticized for ranking fighters based on their media presence, and personality, not just their fighting record. Jon Jones, Edson Barboza and Leon Edwards have all called out the current system and its shortcoming of late.
Referee John McCarthy claims Jon Jones "would have lost his world title if I wasn't doing his fight at UFC 165"
Christopher Taylor - June 25, 2020
Veteran mixed martial arts referee John McCarthy claims Jon Jones would have lost his world title at UFC 165 if it were not for him. Jones (26-1 MMA) squared off with Alexander Gustafsson for the first time at the September 2013 pay-per-view event in Toronto, which resulted in arguably the greatest light heavyweight contest in mixed martial arts history.
Bas Rutten shares his Mount Rushmore of MMA, includes Conor McGregor
Chris Taylor - June 25, 2020
Former UFC champion Bas Rutten has followed in the footsteps of Dana White by revealing his selections for the current Mount Rushmore of MMA. Last week the UFC President surprised many fight fans with his four picks for the current Mount Rushmore of MMA.
Paulo Costa tells the UFC to send him Israel Adesanya’s address so he can make ‘Stylebender’ sign the contract
Cole Shelton - June 25, 2020
Paulo Costa is getting frustrated with Israel Adesanya. Ever since Costa beat Yoel Romero by unanimous decision at UFC 241, it was expected he would fight the winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Adesanya at UFC 243. The Brazilian was there Octagon-side and following the event, it was reported him and “The Last Stylebender” would meet in March.
Youssef Zalal promises there "will be a finish" in UFC on ESPN 12 fight against Jordan Griffin
Cole Shelton - June 25, 2020
Youssef Zalal is looking to go 2-0 inside the UFC Octagon when he battles Jordan Griffin this Saturday night at UFC on ESPN 12. Zalal made his UFC debut on short notice against Austin Lingo where he scored a decision win. Now, his second UFC appearance will also be happening on short notice, which for the Morrocan, says is normal.
Jon Jones prepared to sit out multiple years to "make change"
Tom Taylor - June 25, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones believes fighters deserve to be paid more, and he’s willing to risk precious years of his own career to prove it. Jones, 32, has spent the last few weeks butting heads with UFC brass over the amount he’s paid to fight.
Jorge Masvidal "a hundred percent" interested in fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tom Taylor - June 25, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal says he’s interested in a potential fight with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Masvidal discussed the possibility of a fight with Nurmagomedov during a Q&A on Instagram Live this week. He praised the lightweight champion, and conceded that he’d be willing to fight him in the 155-pound lightweight division, so long as the UFC makes the move worth his while.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira will retire after Shogun Rua trilogy: "I think my time has arrived"
Adam Martin - June 25, 2020
UFC light heavyweight veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira says he will retire from MMA after his trilogy fight against Shogun Rua on July 25 on Fight Island. Nogueira takes on his long-time rival Shogun at the fourth and final Fight Island event in Abu Dhabi this summer. The bout marks the third meeting between these two legends of the game after their previous encounters in PRIDE in 2005 and in the Octagon in 2015. Shogun won decisions in both of their previous bouts, and Nogueira will look to break that streak this summer as he looks to end his incredible career on a high note.
Gilbert Burns believes Jorge Masvidal could learn from Khabib, Cormier, GSP
Tom Taylor - June 25, 2020
Gilbert Burns feels Jorge Masvidal is employing the wrong strategy as he seeks to improve the pay he receives from the UFC. Masvidal was expected to receive a shot at UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but was ultimately sidelined after he entered into a heated contract dispute with the UFC. The fan favorite welterweight made no secret of his gripes about his pay, frequently lashing out at the UFC on social media, and even asked the promotion to release him if they’re not willing to pay him more.
Brock Lesnar accused of exposing himself to female peer
Tom Taylor - June 25, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight champion and current WWE star Brock Lesnar has been accused of exposing himself to a female wrestler. The accusation comes from retired wrestler Terri Runnels.
Pro fighters make their picks for Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker
Cole Shelton - June 25, 2020
In the main event of UFC on ESPN 12, Dustin Poirier returns to the Octagon to battle Dan Hooker. Heading into the fight, Poirier is a -225 favorite, while the Kiwi is a +175 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros believe this could be one of the best fights we see in 2020 but the majority lean towards Poirier getting it done.
Jorge Masvidal says he will fight in 2020
Tom Taylor - June 25, 2020
Jorge Masvidal is currently embroiled in a heated contract dispute with the UFC, but he says he intends on fighting in 2020 nonetheless. Masvidal was expected to be given the next crack at UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but demanded a pay bump after a banner year in 2019. Evidently, the UFC was unwilling to play ball, as the promotion ultimately awarded the next welterweight title shot to Gilbert Burns, leaving Masvidal without a fight.
Jorge Masvidal claims Gilbert Burns is getting the "lowest possible money" for title fight
Tom Taylor - June 25, 2020
Jorge Masvidal says Gilbert Burns is getting the lowest possible amount of money for his upcoming welterweight title fight with champion Kamaru Usman. Masvidal was widely expected to be the next man in line for a shot at Usman, but ultimately entered into a heated contract dispute with the UFC. When negotiations stalled, Burns was awarded the next shot at Usman.
Marlon Vera responds after Sean O’Malley shows interest in potential UFC bout
Natasha Hooper - June 25, 2020
Marlon Vera has responded to a possible UFC matchup against Sean O’Malley. O’Malley and Vera were initially expected to fight at UFC 239 in 2019. However, “Sugar” was forced to withdraw from the card after traces of Ostarine were found in his system. “Chito” then called out the 25-year old for the last-minute change of plans.