UFC News
Dana White takes a shot at Bellator MMA: "There's much better promotions all over the world"
Adam Martin - December 10, 2020
UFC president Dana White took a shot at Bellator MMA, saying “there’s much better promotions all over the world” when it comes to talent. Bellator is, by all accounts and purposes, the UFC’s main rival, especially when it comes to the North American MMA scene. The UFC is still the top dog and has been for many years, but that hasn’t stopped Bellator from trying to compete and stay the course as the No. 2 promotion. Bellator, in fact, signed former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson this week, indicating once again it means business.
Henry Cejudo throws shade at Petr Yan’s two most recent wins: “You might as well just fought Alzheimers”
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
Henry Cejudo continues to trash-talk current UFC bantamweight, Petr Yan. Although Cejudo retired and vacated the bantamweight title, he still is paying close attention to the division and the current champ in Yan. He has called Petr a rent-a-champ and now is critiquing his recent wins.
Dana White says UFC had Anthony Johnson under contract, but it was "in his best interest" to go to Bellator
Adam Martin - December 10, 2020
UFC president Dana White says he had Anthony Johnson under contract, but that it was “in his best interest” to go to Bellator. When news broke this week that Johnson was making a comeback to MMA with Bellator and not with the UFC, it surprised a lot of fans and media, who assumed that Johnson would want to make another title run in the Octagon. “Rumble” has been testing a comeback to the game for a little while now, and with Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones leaving the UFC’s 205lbs weight class, it seemed like a prime opportunity for Johnson to make a run for the UFC light heavyweight title in 2021.
Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev targeted to headline January event on Fight Island
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev are expected to headline a Fight Night card on Fight Island. Originally, Edwards and Chimaev were expected to headline the final event of 2020 on December 19 in Las Vegas. However, the fight was postponed after Edwards tested positive for COVID-19 but it appears the promotion is moving quickly to rebook it.
Artem Lobov open to boxing Jake and Logan Paul if the money is right
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
Artem Lobov is open to boxing either of the Paul brothers. After Jake Paul knocked out Nate Robinson on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard, the 23-year-old called out the likes of Dillon Danis and Conor McGregor. Given those are his teammates, Artem Lobov says if those fights don’t come to fruition, he would take the fight and beat up Paul if he is paid accordingly.
UFC 256 loses undercard fight after Jared Vanderaa tests positive for COVID-19
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2020
A heavyweight fight between Sergey Spivak and Jared Vanderaa, scheduled for the UFC 256 undercard, has been cancelled after the latter tested positive for COVID-19. News of this bout’s cancellation—the 11th fight cancellation this card has experienced— was first reported by MMA Junkie.
Yoel Romero now targeted by multiple promotions
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2020
Multiple combat sports promotions are reportedly interested in signing former UFC middleweight title challenger, Yoel Romero. The UFC has recently cut a number of high-profile fighters, and none came as more of a surprise than Romero, who received his walking papers last week.
Kevin Lee outlines plan to lure Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2020
Kevin Lee is hoping to lure unbeaten UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov out of his recently announced retirement. Nurmagomedov, who is 29-0 as a pro, announced his retirement after defeating Justin Gaethje by submission in the main event of UFC 254 in September.
Charles Oliveira to be without head coach at UFC 256 due to positive COVID-19 test
Adam Martin - December 10, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira will be without his head coach Diego Lima for his UFC 256 bout this weekend against Tony Ferguson. Oliveira faces off against the toughest test of his career to date when he takes on Ferguson in the co-main event of this weekend’s UFC 256 card. Oliveira is riding a seven-fight win streak into this bout with all of those wins coming by stoppage. During his win streak, Oliveira has won five fights with his trademark submissions, but he has also won two fights by knockout, which shows he is improving in his standup. One of the people who he credits for his improvements is his coach at Chute Boxe, Lima. But he won’t have him at UFC 256.
UFC 256 | Pro fighters make their picks for Tony Ferguson vs. Charles Oliveira
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2020
In the co-main event of UFC 256, Tony Ferguson is set to return to the Octagon against rising contender, Charles Oliveira. Heading into the fight, Ferguson is a -175 favorite while the Brazilian is a +145 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe Ferguson gets it done but they aren’t counting out Oliveira.
Dustin Poirier in fantastic shape ahead of Conor McGregor fight
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier looks to be in fantastic shape ahead of his rematch with former two-division champ Conor McGregor. Poirier will collide with McGregor in the main event of UFC 257 on January 23 in Abu Dhabi. While Poirier is always in peak physical condition for his fights, this one seems to have him working particularly hard in the gym.
Tony Ferguson compares fighting for UFC title to "a wet dream"
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2020
Tony Ferguson says the thought of fighting for an undisputed UFC title feels a bit like a “wet dream.” Ferguson is slated to return to the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 256 this Saturday, where he will take on streaking contender Charles Oliveira. The bout will mark his opportunity to rebound from a TKO loss to Justin Gaethje, which marked the end of an incredible, 12-fight win-streak.