UFC News
Chael Sonnen argues Jorge Masvidal is '100%' legitimate champion
Tom Taylor - January 2, 2020
Back in November, Jorge Masvidal captured the UFC’s one-off BMF belt with a win over Nate Diaz. While this BMF belt win represented a nice feather in Masvidal’s cap, it was not considered by many fans as a legitimate championship accomplishment. Chael Sonnen begs to differ. Sonnen, an analyst for both the UFC and Bellator, believes Masvidal is an absolutely legitimate MMA champion — even if that fact bothers people. Sonnen points to Conor McGregor’s interest in a BMF title fight with Masvidal as proof of this reality.
Joe Rogan praises Conor McGregor for 'El Chapo' tribute
Tom Taylor - January 2, 2020
Conor McGregor has always been known for his bold fashion choices. Perhaps the best example of this was in 2016 when, ahead of a scheduled lightweight title fight with Rafael dos Anjos, the Irishman donned the attire of infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquín Guzmán, better know as “El Chapo.” Speaking on on a recent episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, UFC commentator Joe Rogan looked back on this fabled Conor McGregor moment. He could not contain his enjoyment of it.
UFC Raleigh: ‘Blaydes vs Dos Santos’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - January 2, 2020
The UFC is currently going through a bit of a break, but the promotion’s jam-packed 2020 calendar will soon be underway, starting with events like UFC 246 and UFC Raleigh. While UFC 246 is generating more attention than any other upcoming UFC card, due to the return of Conor McGregor, UFC Raleigh is definitely a card to keep an eye on.
The callout that seemingly changed the career of Jorge Masvidal
Chris Taylor - January 1, 2020
UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal was voted 2019 Fighter of The Year by multiple outlets including Forbes and CBS Sports. The Miami native had an absolutely spectacular year in 2019, which saw him go 3-0 with all three wins coming by way of Knockout/TKO.
Coach John Kavanagh: Conor McGregor is 'the best i've seen him'
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
John Kavanagh, the head coach behind former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor, says the MMA star is better than ever ahead of his UFC 246 welterweight scrap with Donald Cerrone. Kavanagh sung McGregor’s praises on Twitter shortly after the Irish star’s last hard sparring session in Ireland. He admitted that he wasn’t sure how McGregor would look when this comeback plan was first mounted, but says fans are in for a “real treat.”
Dana White not sure Jon Jones will move to heavyweight
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
Fight fans have been dying to see UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones move up to heavyweight for years. According to UFC President Dana White, however, it may never happen. White shared his thoughts on Jones moving up a weight class in a recent interview with ESPN. He believes Jones is quite comfortable at light heavyweight, and emphasized that before any potential move up to heavyweight is discussed, Jones needs to get by Dominick Reyes at UFC 247.
Michael Bisping announces his year-end MMA awards
Natasha Hooper - December 31, 2019
Michael Bisping recently down with co-host Luis J Gomez on his podcast to announce the long-awaited results of his Believe You Me 2019 awards. Here are the former middleweight champ’s awards:
Edson Barboza plans to drop to featherweight
Tom Taylor - December 31, 2019
Long-time UFC lightweight contender Edson Barboza has decided to drop down to featherweight in search of greener pastures. This news was first reported by Brazilian publication Combate. Barboza has won just once in his last five fights, sandwiching an impressive TKO victory over Dan Hooker between losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Kevin Lee, Justin Gaethje, and most recently, Paul Felder, who he lost to by controversial split decision. This skid was preceded by three-straight victories over Anthony Pettis, Gilbert Melendez, and Beneil Dariush.
Dana White: Conor McGregor wants BMF belt from Jorge Masvidal
Natasha Hooper - December 31, 2019
Conor McGregor has high ambitions for 2020, and that could potentially include taking Jorge Masvidal’s “BMF” belt, according to Dana White. During an interview with ESPN, UFC president Dana White revealed that Conor McGregor plans to fight three times in 2020. First up on the agenda is the Irish superstar’s Octagon return against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.
Paulo Costa was the most-tested UFC fighter by USADA in 2019
Adam Martin - December 30, 2019
According to a new report, top-ranked UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa was the most-tested athlete on the UFC roster by USADA in 2019. Yahoo! Esportes recently reported that with 14 blood and urine tests, Costa was tested more than any other male fighter on the entire UFC roster by USADA. Women’s strawweight contender Claudia Gadelha tied Costa with 14 USADA tests as the most-tested female fighter on the UFC roster. That means both Costa and Gadelha were tested more than once a month over the last year — and they both passed all of their tests.
Dana White believes Weili Zhang can be 'one of the biggest stars' in UFC history
Cole Shelton - December 30, 2019
Dana White believes current UFC strawweight champion, Weili Zhang can be one of the biggest stars in UFC history. Zhang had a massive 2019 where she dominated Tecia Torres at UFC 235 and then headlined a UFC event in her home country of China. There, she was taking on Jessica Andrade for the title. She ended up knocking out the Brazilian out in under a minute to become the UFC champ.
Yoel Romero asks Israel Adesanya if he needs a pen to sign fight contract
Adam Martin - December 30, 2019
Top contender Yoel Romero asked UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya if he needs a pen to sign a reported fight contract against him. UFC president Dana White recently told ESPN that the UFC is planning on booking a middleweight title fight between Romero and Adesanya. Rumors out there have suggested that the bout could take place at UFC 248, which is set for March 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The co-main event is set to be a women’s strawweight title bout between champion Weili Zhang and challenger Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Dana White confirms UFC working on Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero
Adam Martin - December 30, 2019
UFC president Dana White has confirmed the promotion is working on booking UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya against Yoel Romero. For months we have heard rumors that Adesanya could fight Romero but so far nothing has been made official. White said that he didn’t have anything official to announce just yet, but hinted an announcement for Adesanya vs. Romero could come soon.
Dana White claims UFC stars now make 'crazy money'
Tom Taylor - December 30, 2019
The UFC has always caught flack for fighter pay, which tends to pale in comparison to what athletes make in other similarly dangerous sports like boxing or football. According to UFC President Dana White, however, fighter pay has skyrocketed over recent years — in 2019 in particular.
Tyron Woodley threatens not to fight Leon Edwards after rap career diss
Natasha Hooper - December 30, 2019
Tyron Woodley has shut down Leon Edwards’ trash-talking on social media by threatening to withdraw from their anticipated fight. Earlier this month, it was announced that the former champ and No. 1 contender Woodley is being targeted for a fight against Leon Edwards at UFC London in March of 2020.
Petr Yan would love to 'put on a Russian boxing clinic' against 'no chin' Cody Garbrandt in the future
Cole Shelton - December 30, 2019
After Petr Yan beat Urijah Faber at UFC 245, Faber’s teammate, Cody Garbrandt, accosted the Russian backstage. According to Yan, nothing really happened backstage other than Garbrandt being all talk and not backing up his words.
VIDEO | Khabib Nurmagomedov and Cristiano Ronaldo team up to surprise young boy born without legs
Natasha Hooper - December 30, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Cristiano Ronaldo recently partnered up to fulfil the dream of a young boy born without legs. The UFC champ and football legend took time out during the holidays to surprise the 12-year old Ali Turganbekov.
Jon Jones continues to mock Dominick Reyes' athletic background
Thomas Taylor - December 29, 2019
Last week, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones took to Twitter to bash his UFC 247 opponent Dominick Reyes. “Dominic watching your interviews, it’s obvious you think you’re better than me,” Jones wrote. “You never struggled with substance abuse, you have your big degrees, was always team captain at everything. We get it.