UFC News

Harry Kettle - February 27, 2020

A physician with notable links to UFC legends and veterans has been charged in a money laundering scheme worth over $120 million. As confirmed by the United States Department of Justice in a statement yesterday and initially reported by MMA Fighting, 65-year-old Francisco Patino has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, in addition to one count of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Natasha Hooper - February 27, 2020

Diego Sanchez has defended his controversial coach Joshua Fabia following criticism of his training approach. The Ultimate Fighter winner and his coach became a hot topic of discussion after his Michel Pereira bout in the co-main event of UFC Rio Rancho. Sanchez absorbed an illegal knee in the third round and decided not to continue the fight. Much to the dismay of some spectators, “The Nightmare” was awarded the disqualification victory.

Cole Shelton - February 26, 2020

Zabit Magomedsharipov knows he doesn’t have the best cardio out there. Magomedsharipov was hounded on his cardio after he appeared to fade in the middle of the second round against Jeremy Stephens and Calvin Kattar, which are his past two fights. Yet, the Russian knows he doesn’t have the best endurance but says he still can go five rounds.

Mike Pendleton - February 26, 2020

Judging has been a very big topic of discussion in the MMA world as of late, and the main event of UFC Auckland, which pitted Paul Felder against Dan Hooker, brought more to that conversation. After Hooker and Felder engaged in a very close fight, the judges gave the victory to Hooker by way of split decision — but not everyone agreed with that verdict.

Adam Martin - February 26, 2020

Bellator commentator and veteran MMA official John McCarthy believes that Paul Felder edged out Dan Hooker at UFC Auckland, but admits it was not a robbery. Hooker won a narrow split decision over Felder in the main event of UFC Auckland, with the judges scoring it 48-47, 47-48 and 48-47 in favor of the New Zealander. Fans and media were split on who they thought won the fight, but there was a certain subset of MMA fans who were adamant the decision to award Hooker the fight was a ‘robbery.’

Natasha Hooper - February 26, 2020

Dapper Labs, the company responsible for CryptoKitties, has announced a partnership with the UFC to provide a “new digital experience” for MMA fans around the world. Dapper Labs is a cryptocurrency company, best known for creating CryptoKitties: a blockchain game on Ethereum which allows players to purchase, breed, collect and sell virtual cats.

Adam Martin - February 26, 2020

The sportsbooks have released the opening betting odds for the upcoming main event of UFC 250 between UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo and Jose Aldo. The UFC officially announced this week that Cejudo vs. Aldo will headline UFC 250, which takes place on May 9 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The announcement has been met with plenty of criticism from fans, media and fighters as Aldo is getting a title shot despite being on a two-fight losing streak. But it’s the fight that both Cejudo and Aldo wanted.

Tom Taylor - February 26, 2020

The next crack at UFC bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo will go to former UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo. Unfortunately, this matchup is generating quite a bit of controversy, as Aldo lost his only fight in the bantamweight division, and is seen as less deserving of the shot than many of his rivals. Chael Sonnen doesn’t see the issue.

Mike Heck - February 26, 2020

Bryce Mitchell and Charles Rosa have been asking for it, the fans have been in agreement, and it looks like everybody may just get their wish after all.  Sources confirmed to BJPENN.com that a featherweight matchup between Mitchell and Rosa is in the works for UFC on ESPN+ 32. The event takes place May 2 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City and will be headlined by a middleweight bout between former middleweight champion Chris Weidman and Jack Hermansson. 

Tom Taylor - February 26, 2020

UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov is well aware of how tough his upcoming opponent Tony Ferguson is. In fact, he considers Ferguson a tougher test than his other recent opponents like Edson Barboza, Rafael dos Anjos, Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Al Iaquinta. Nurmagomedov rated Ferguson against his other recent opponents in a recent interview with TMZ.

Cole Shelton - February 26, 2020

Juan Adams didn’t have much time to develop as a fighter before he got the call to the UFC. Adams made his amateur debut in September of 2016 and quickly turned pro not even a full year later. As a pro, he started his career out 3-0 before getting a shot on the Contender Series and winning and earning a UFC contract.

Cole Shelton - February 26, 2020

Leon Edwards thinks it’s crazy how different he and Darren Till’s careers went in 2019. Last March at UFC London, Till was the main event against Jorge Masvidal while Edwards was the co-main against Gunnar Nelson. Yet, during the press conference, it was the two Englishman going back-and-forth in trash-talking one another. Edwards admits that was the fight he would’ve rather had.

Harry Kettle - February 26, 2020

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is planning to make its debut in Kazakhstan this summer with a Fight Night event in June. As reported by MMA Fighting, the aim is for the promotion to put on a card on June 13 in the Central Asian nation. At this moment in time it’s not yet known as to where exactly the event will be held. The frontrunner is said to be Nur-Sultan, formerly called Astana, which is home to the 30,000-seater Astana Arena.

Harry Kettle - February 26, 2020

Jon Jones and Jan Blachowicz have seemingly confirmed on social media that they’re going to fight for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Ever since Jan Blachowicz dismantled Corey Anderson at UFC Rio Rancho many fans have been calling for the Pole to receive the next shot at Jon Jones’ title. Blachowicz has won seven of his last eight fights with the knockout over Anderson coming just seven months after he also knocked out Luke Rockhold.

Cole Shelton - February 25, 2020

Justin Gaethje is interested in fighting Dublin, Ireland. Gaethje has recently been calling out Conor McGregor and there were reports they are linked to a summertime scrap. Given there is an upcoming card in Dublin, Ireland on August 15, “The Highlight” says he’d love to be featured at the event.

Cole Shelton - February 25, 2020

Joanna Jedrzejczyk is still not a fan of her teammate, Colby Covington. Covington had a public falling out with Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier at American Top Team. And, it didn’t stop there as Jedrzejczyk said she and Covington got into a massive argument before her last fight in October. It resulted in the former champion doing interviews saying she hopes Usman beats Covington’s ass.

Adam Martin - February 25, 2020

UFC bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling says the UFC is considering booking a four-man tournament to determine the next contender at 135lbs. It was officially announced on Monday that UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo will take on Jose Aldo in the main event of UFC 250 on May 9 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. By giving Aldo the title shot, it left the other top contenders at 135lbs without the opportunity to fight for the belt even though there are at least four other fighters more deserving based on merit.

Mike Pendleton - February 25, 2020

Following the UFC 246 main event which saw Conor McGregor defeat Donald Cerrone in a 40-second TKO, ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith said he felt Cerrone’s performance was “atrocious.” That comment brought criticism from the likes of Joe Rogan, Jon Jones, and even McGregor himself. After making it known that he wouldn’t be apologizing to anyone and being defended by others like Chael Sonnen and Nate Diaz, the ongoing feud between Smith and the MMA world seemed to quiet down — until now.