UFC News
Dana White and UFC release video response to those critical of the promotion holding events during pandemic
Drake Riggs - December 21, 2020
Dana White has seemingly never been a fan of the media. But in 2020, the heat intensified for the UFC boss and that was on full display in a video he released Monday. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that saw the world shut down, including the UFC’s operations, it left many wondering when things would start back up. For White and company, he never wanted to stop in the first place and was, in turn, met with backlash by many for his potential recklessness.
Video | Nate Diaz releases new training footage with Nick Diaz from 2020 quarantine
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
Ahead of his return to the UFC Octagon in 2021, Nate Diaz released new training footage with his brother Nick Diaz from the 2020 quarantine. Neither Diaz brother fought at all in 2020, but they haven’t been wasting their time. In a video posted to the official Nate Diaz YouTube channel, the welterweight superstar shared a video of him training with his brother Nick during the 2020 quarantine. Both men look to be in fantastic shape during the video as they each gear up for a big comeback in 2021.
UFC targeting Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2 for March, winner expected to fight Jon Jones this summer
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2020
Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou will be running it back. Ever since Miocic defeated Daniel Cormier at UFC 242 in the trilogy, talk of the rematch between Miocic and Ngannou intensified. Now, according to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, the UFC is planning on having two pay-per-views in March with one being headlined by Miocic vs. Ngannou and the other being Israel Adesanya vs. Jan Blachowicz.
Rose Namajunas responds to Dana White’s claim that she does not want a title shot
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight contender Rose Namajunas has responded to UFC president Dana White’s claims that she does not want a title shot. Namajunas defeated Jessica Andrade on Fight Island in a “Fight of the Night” performance that earned her the next title shot against UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang. That fight was initially expected to take place in early 2021. However, UFC president Dana White recently said that Namajunas doesn’t want the fight with Zhang and the UFC is now considering giving the next title shot at 115lbs to Carla Esparza instead.
Daniel Cormier says he should've retired after beating Derrick Lewis and having back surgery: "It was over"
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2020
Daniel Cormier believes he should’ve ended his career after UFC 230. In the main event of the pay-per-view card, Cormier defended his heavyweight title for the first and only time as he submitted Derrick Lewis. However, after the event, “DC” was forced to have a back surgery but decided to fight two more times against Stipe Miocic and lost both.
Conor McGregor reveals UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy is highest-selling PPV of 2020
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
UFC superstar Conor McGregor revealed that UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy has been confirmed as the highest-selling UFC pay-per-view of 2020. Initially, it appeared that UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal was the highest-selling PPV at 1.3 million buys. However, McGregor posted a photo on his social media on Monday showing a letter from the UFC indicating that UFC 246 sold 1,353,429 PPVs, which means it would edge out the 1.3 million number that UFC 251 did. McGregor, ever the salesman, took to his Twitter to share the news that he and Cerrone are the highest-selling PPV of the year.
Marcin Tybura issues statement after stopping Greg Hardy
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Marcin Tybura has issued a statement after his victory over Greg Hardy at UFC Vegas 17 last weekend. Tybura met Hardy on the event’s main card. The Polish heavyweight ended up scoring a decisive win in the over the former NFL player, strafing his exhausted foe from top position to set up a second-round TKO.
Mackenzie Dern gets quick turnaround, slated for fight with returning Nina Ansaroff
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
Rising UFC strawweight star Mackenzie Dern is expected to return the Octagon against established contender Nina Ansaroff on April 10. News of this bout was first reported by Brett Okamoto of ESPN, the official broadcast partner of the UFC.
Jose Aldo calls TJ Dillashaw's past drug test failures "just a mistake," still considers him a champion
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
UFC legend Jose Aldo called TJ Dillashaw’s past drug test failures “a mistake” and says he still considers him a champion in MMA. Dillashaw has not fought since January 2019 when he suffered a TKO loss to Henry Cejudo at UFC on ESPN+ 1. Following that fight, Dillashaw tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and he has missed the last two years of action. Next month, Dillashaw will finally be able to return to the Octagon after serving his two-year USADA suspension, and already several UFC fighters have called him out for his return.
Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson gets new date, now scheduled for March 6
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
A women’s featherweight title fight between champion Amanda Nunes and challenger Megan Anderson will now go down on March 6. Nunes and Anderson were originally slated to collide at UFC 256, which occured on December 12. Unfortunately, Nunes was forced out of that initially slated matchup with an injury, and the bout was put on ice.
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Li Jingliang added to UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar
Adam Martin - December 21, 2020
An intriguing welterweight bout between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Li Jingliang has been added to UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar. MMAFighting.com was the first to confirm that Ponzinibbio vs. Jingliang will take place on the UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Kattar card, which is set to take place on January 16 on Fight Island. It seems likely that Ponzinibbio vs. Jingliang will be placed on the main card considering it features two former top-15 welterweights who are exciting.
Jake Paul claims $50M fight offer is being discussed with Conor McGregor's team: "We've got proof of funds"
Tom Taylor - December 21, 2020
YouTuber turned boxing star Jake Paul claims that his team is in discussions with Conor McGregor’s over a $50M fight offer. Paul has been the talk of the combat sports world after he picked up a brutal knockout victory over former NBA star Nate Robinson on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard last month.