UFC News
Jon Jones hits the streets of Albuquerque to clean up after protests
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is doing his part to clean up the streets Albuquerque, New Mexico after a number of protests hit the city over the weekend. On Monday afternoon, Jones rallied a crew of volunteers, packed them into a van, and set out to do affect some positive change. He announced his mission in a post to his Instagram story.
Report: Nearly half of MMA fighters now use marijuana
Adam Martin - June 1, 2020
A new report from The Athletic suggests that nearly half of MMA fighters now use marijuana for recovery or recreational purposes. The Athletic polled 170 MMA fighters from promotions all over the world and found that 45.9 percent use marijuana, while 76.5 percent say they have used CBD products. Additionally, 4.7 percent of the fighters polled used marijuana in the past but now don’t.
Valentina Shevchenko praises Antonina following sister's loss to Chookagian
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
UFC flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko has sent a warm message to her older sister, Antonina, who was defeated by Katlyn Chookagian at UFC on ESPN 9 last weekend. In her message, Valentina called Antonina her inspiration, and apologized for not being in her corner on fight night.
UFC on ESPN 9 salaries: Tyron Woodley out-earns Gilbert Burns
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
Gilbert Burns was the picture of dominance in his unanimous decision victory over Tyron Woodley at UFC on ESPN 9, but he earned less than his vanquished foe. The UFC on ESPN 9 card went down this past Saturday at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card marked the promotion’s return to its Sin City headquarters after three consecutive events in Jacksonville, Florida.
What's next for Gilbert Burns and Tyron Woodley after UFC on ESPN 9?
Cole Shelton - June 1, 2020
In the main event of UFC on ESPN 9, Gilbert Burns was looking for the biggest win of his career as he was welcoming Tyron Woodley back to the Octagon. It was the first time Woodley would be fighting since his dominant decision loss to Kamaru Usman to lose his belt. In the lead up to the fight, he said he was motivated once again and would take Burns into deep waters. Yet, that is far from what happened as the Brazilian won every single round to take a decision win.
VIDEO | Chuck Liddell attempts to soothe tensions at Huntington Beach rally
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell did his part to diffuse tensions at a rally in Huntington Beach, California. Like many other cities across the United States, Huntington Beach has been the setting of rallies and protests in response to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25. Several of these protests have turned violent, and Liddell was evidently eager to avoid such an outcome in Huntington Beach.
Georges St-Pierre names the UFC fighters he enjoys watching most
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre is now retired, but he still enjoys watching the sport that made him a star. Speaking to Mathew Scott of the South China Morning Post recently, St-Pierre named the UFC fighters that have been capturing his attention of late.
Gilbert Burns wants to stay busy, eyes three potential opponents for June return
Harry Kettle - June 1, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns has named three possible opponents for a quick return to action in June. Burns dominated Tyron Woodley at the UFC Apex facility on Saturday night, registering a decisive unanimous decision victory to take his winning streak up to six.
Georges St-Pierre explains decision to retire from MMA: “I stopped because of the stress”
Natasha Hooper - June 1, 2020
Georges St-Pierre revealed his reasons for hanging up his gloves in MMA, and discussed whether he could ever return to the Octagon. The widely regarded G.O.A.T officially retired from MMA in February 2019. He is often praised for retiring whilst still on top, as he was riding a 13-fight win streak and had already claimed welterweight and middleweight belts.
VIDEO | Jon Jones confiscates spray paint in Albuquerque protest: "Is this s**t even about George Floyd anymore?"
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones recently confiscated a can of spray paint from a protester in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Like many cities across the United States, Albuquerque has been the setting of major protests stemming from the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer late last month.
Tito Ortiz shares unfounded George Floyd conspiracy theory
Tom Taylor - June 1, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz recently shared a conspiracy theory about the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by a police offer in Minneapolis, Minnesota in late May. Ortiz voiced this conspiracy theory, which is equal parts baseless and toxic, on social media. In short, he suggested the killing of George Floyd is part of some elaborate scheme by the Joe Biden presidential campaign, rather than the result of deep-rooted and institutionalized racism in the United States.
Ryan Bader tells Jon Jones he would "love to run it back" in Bellator
Adam Martin - May 31, 2020
Bellator double champion Ryan Bader told UFC light heavyweight Jon Jones that he would “love to run it back” under the Bellator banner. Bader and Jones fought back at UFC 126 in 2011 when both were still rising contenders in the UFC light heavyweight division. In a battle between the two top prospects in the division, Jones came away with the victory when he submitted Bader with a guillotine choke. Jones would then take on Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128 and win the UFC light heavyweight title. The rest, they say, is history.
Jon Jones says he is vacating UFC light heavyweight title, calls for Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz vacant title fight
Adam Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones says he’s vacating his belt and is proposing the UFC match up Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz for the title. Jones has been in a contract squabble with the UFC after a superfight with heavyweight Francis Ngannou felt through due to financial issues. UFC president Dana White suggested that Jones asked for an “obscene” amount of money for the fight, and Jones has since said that White is lying to be fans about how much money he’s asking for to fight Ngannou.
Dana White confirms UFC will "kick" extra bonus money to Billy Quarantillo and Spike Carlyle
Adam Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed the promotion will “kick” some extra bonus money to Billy Quarantillo and Spike Carlyle for their fight at UFC Las Vegas. Quarantillo defeated Carlyle via unanimous decisions in one of the most back-and-forth fights on the card, a bout that had fans buzzing as it was action-packed for all 15 minutes. Both Quarantillo and Carlyle were close to finishing the fight at numerous point, with Quarantillo ultimately being able to grind out a victory on the judges’ scorecards.
Photo | Antonina Shevchenko releases statement following “tough” loss to Katlyn Chookagian
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC women’s flyweight Antonina Shevchenko has released a statement following a “tough” loss to Katlyn Chookagian at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Burns. Despite entering the fight as the betting favorite, Shevchenko was dominated by Chookagian for 15 minutes, getting taken down at will and beat up on the ground. It was the best performance of Chookagian’s UFC career to date, and she needed it after losing in devastating fashion to UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in his last fight, Antonina’s sister.
Former UFC fighter Jimi Manuwa offers to meet Jon Jones in the squared circle
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
Former UFC fighter Jimi Manuwa has offered to meet UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the squared circle if Jones transitions into boxing. Manuwa retired from MMA last year following a head kick KO loss to Aleksandar Rakic at UFC Sweden. Manuwa suffered four consecutive losses to end his UFC career but overall had a .500 record inside the Octagon with a 6-6 mark, including five wins by way of knockout. Some of his notable wins in the UFC include victories over Jan Blachowicz, Corey Anderson, and Ovince Saint Preux, the latter two via KO.
Dana White claims the UFC will lose $100 million this year
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC president Dana White claimed that the world’s leading mixed martial arts promotion will lose $100 million this year due to not having a live gate. The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged businesses all over the world, and the sports world is no different. The NBA, MLB, and NHL are all currently on hiatus, while the UFC only recently returned to action, albeit with no crowd in attendance. Although the UFC is still pulling in money from its TV deal with ESPN, not having a live gate is apparently costing the organization millions of dollars in lost revenue each event they put on.
Joe Rogan reacts to the riots in LA: The country is "haywire" right now
Adam D Martin - May 31, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan reacted to the riots in Los Angeles, writing on his social media that the United States is “haywire” right now. The entire world is on fire right now due to the murder of George Floyd, and riots have emerged in several cities in the U.S. because of it including Rogan’s home base of LA. Rogan is one of the most influential podcasters in the world right now and what he thinks about the Floyd incident is an opinion that is heard by millions of his fans.