UFC News
UFC rankings update: Jairzinho Rozenstruik rockets up at heavyweight
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last Saturday’s card in Washington, D.C., and as expected, Jairzinho Rozenstruik has rocketed up the heavyweight list after smashing Alistair Overeem in the card’s main event. Outside this huge climb from Rozenstruik, the biggest change to the new UFC rankings occurred in the flyweight division as a result of recent title challenger Liz Carmouche’s release from the promotion.
Leon Edwards responds after Tyron Woodley says 'f*ck that' to fighting in London
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2019
Streaking UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards was hoping to fight Tyron Woodley, the former welterweight champ, when the UFC returns to London this March. Unfortunately for Edwards, Woodley is not interested in fighting overseas.
Frankie Edgar explains why he accepted 'Korean Zombie' fight, addresses frustrated Cory Sandhagen
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2019
Frankie Edgar was expected to make his bantamweight debut opposite Cory Sandhagen at UFC Raleigh in late January. When he was asked to replace the injured Brian Ortega against the injured “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung, however, he accepted. He’s now scheduled to meet the undead Korean in the main event of UFC Busan on December 21, while a frustrated Sandhagen has been left without the high-profile dance partner he was expecting.
Kamaru Usman makes violent prediction for Colby Covington fight
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2019
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has a violent prediction for his welterweight title fight with Colby Covington, which headlines UFC 245 this Saturday in Las Vegas. “I swear every time I think about this fight, the only way that I see it playing out is me standing over this guy while his face is full of blood,” Usman told FanSided ahead of the fight. “There’s a bunch of cuts on his face and his eyes are rolled to the back of his head and he’s trying to find out what’s going on. And there’s referees and doctors there standing over him, trying to wake him up.
Thiago Santos updates on recovery, gives timeframe for return
Mike Pendleton - December 11, 2019
Having been on the sidelines due to knee surgery since his title fight against Jon Jones at UFC 239 this past summer, Thiago Santos has finally given a timeline for when he expects to return, and he’s still got some waiting ahead. Speaking to MMA Junkie while in Washington, D.C. for the UFC’s latest fight card, Santos gave an update about where he’s at in recovery, when he expects to return, and what he plans for his return to the light heavyweight division.
UFC 245 | Irene Aldana believes win over Ketlen Vieira earns her title shot; eyes being backup for Nunes-GDR
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2019
Irene Aldana believes she is part of a No. 1 contender fight with Ketlen Vieira at UFC 245. Vieira, who is ranked No. 2 in the division, has not fought since March of 2018, so Aldana was surprised she was offered this fight.
UFC 247 loses Ovince Saint Preux vs. Ryan Spann matchup
Harry Kettle - December 11, 2019
The scheduled light heavyweight bout between Ovince Saint Preux and Ryan Spann has been canceled by the UFC. The showdown was set to take place at UFC 247 on February 8, on a card that will also feature Jon Jones vs Dominick Reyes with the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship being on the line. As you can imagine, it would’ve served as a wonderful opportunity for either “OSP” or Spann to really make an impact and put themselves into the conversation for a title shot.
UFC 245 | Pro fighters make their picks for Max Holloway vs. Alexander Volkanovski title fight
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2019
In the co-main event of UFC 245, Max Holloway will look to defend his featherweight title against Alexander Volkanovski. Heading into the fight, the Hawaiian champion is a -175 favorite, while the challenger is a +145 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get the predictions for the scrap. This time around, the majority believe Max Holloway’s cardio will be too much for Volkanovski, and that the champ will defend his throne.
Jon Fitch says he can beat anyone in the UFC welterweight top 15
Adam Martin - December 11, 2019
Bellator welterweight contender Jon Fitch says that even though he’s an “old fart” he can still beat anyone in the top-15 UFC welterweight rankings. Fitch fought for the UFC between 2005 and 2013 before being unceremoniously dumped by the promotion following a loss to Demian Maia at UFC 156. Fitch ended up signing with WSOF and was the welterweight champion in WSOF and later PFL before the promotion released him and he signed with Bellator.
Dana White: UFC could be 'looking at' Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor rematch 'down the line'
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, two of the most heated rivals in UFC history, both have fights booked. Nurmagomedov will defend the lightweight title against Tony Ferguson in April of the new year, while McGregor is slated to return to the cage against Donald Cerrone on January 18 in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to UFC President Dana White, McGregor and Nurmagomedov will likely fight each other again thereafter if they win these upcoming challenges.
Coach says fans will see the Conor McGregor they 'fell in love with' at UFC 246
Natasha Hooper - December 11, 2019
Conor McGregor is scheduled to make his long-anticipated return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 246, where he’ll take on Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. The fight goes down on January 18. McGregor striking coach Owen Roddy recently appeared on the Eurobash podcast, where he explained what McGregor is doing differently to prepare for his upcoming bout.
Arnold Schwarzenegger praises UFC commentator Joe Rogan: 'I’m proud of you'
Harry Kettle - December 11, 2019
Hollywood legend Arnold Schwarzenegger has praised UFC commentator Joe Rogan for changing his stance on “The Game Changers” documentary. The doc focused on the benefits of plant-based eating for athletes, but alongside Chris Kresser, M.S., L.Ac., Rogan changed his tune after discussing the matter with James Wilks on a recent podcast. The honesty of Rogan in letting the world know that he had jumped to conclusions was met with a lot of praise, including from Schwarzenegger.
Paul Felder shares bold prediction for fight with Dan Hooker at UFC Auckland
Natasha Hooper - December 10, 2019
Paul Felder will be back in the Octagon to face rising contender, Dan Hooker in his opponent’s home turf of Auckland. The lightweight fighters will collide in the main event of the February 2020 showdown. Their intense staring contest last week was enough to get fans hyped for the upcoming event, and Paul Felder confirmed that the tension was completely real: Felder said (via MMA Junkie): “As far as intensity, that was real. I went down to New Zealand expecting a little bit of that from Dan because of how we interacted on social media. We kind of went back-to-forth a little bit. But that’s what it’s all about.
Urijah Faber says UFC 245 could be his final fight but nothing is certain
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2019
When Urijah Faber makes the walk to the Octagon in Las Vegas at UFC 245, the Hall of Famer says it could be the last time. Faber already retired once from the sport and made a massive return earlier this year with a knockout win over Ricky Simon. Now, at UFC 245, “The California Kid” will battle Petr Yan where Faber believes he will probably win by stoppage.
Big John McCarthy discusses controversial Alistair Overeem referee stoppage
Adam Martin - December 10, 2019
Bellator color commentator and MMA referee Big John McCarthy has given his thoughts on the controversial stoppage in the Alistair Overeem vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik fight. Referee Big Dan Miragliotta stopped the fight at 4:56 of the fifth round after Rozenstruik knocked Overeem down. But instead of continuing to attack Overeem, Rozenstruik walked away from his opponent, which has led some to believe it was a premature stoppage.
Urijah Faber doesn’t think bantamweight move is good for Jose Aldo
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2019
Urijah Faber has revealed that he doesn’t believe Jose Aldo’s move down to bantamweight is a good idea. Aldo is set to face off against Marlon Moraes at UFC 245 this weekend, although there have been more than a few concerns from fans and media members alike regarding whether or not the Brazilian would physically be able to get down to the necessary weight.
Michael Bisping questions Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Alistair Overeem stoppage
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2019
Michael Bisping believes Alistair Overeem should’ve been given more of a chance in the final moments of his bout with Jairzinho Rozenstruik. This past Saturday night (Dec. 7), Rozenstruik vs. Overeem headlined UFC Washington. The bout was widely viewed as eventful and Overeem appeared to be well on his way to a unanimous decision victory. With just four seconds left in the fight, Rozenstruik cracked Overeem with a right hand to send him crashing to the canvas. Overeem suffered a gnarly lip split and referee Dan Miragliotta stopped the fight.
Duke Roufus says Donald Cerrone will train with him ahead of Conor McGregor fight
Mike Pendleton - December 10, 2019
Duke Roufus has a team full of superstar fighters including top lightweight contenders Paul Felder and Anthony Pettis at Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and after the Christmas holiday, another top fighter will be visiting to get some work in: Donald Cerrone. Ahead of his welterweight fight against former UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor, “Cowboy” will be making a trip up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to train with Duke Roufus and his team. Roufus announced this news while making an appearance on The Luke Thomas Show this past Friday.