UFC News
Joseph Duffy announces retirement following submission loss at UFC Fight Island
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
Joseph Duffy announced his retirement from fighting shortly following his submission loss to Joel Alvarez at tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 event. Duffy (16-5 MMA) squared off with Alvarez (17-2 MMA) on the preliminary card of this evenings event on Yas Island. The result was a quick submission victory for the Spanish fighter, this after he locked up a guillotine choke while ‘Irish Joe’ was shooting in for a takedown attempt (see that here).
Paulo Costa reacts after securing title shot against Israel Adesanya at UFC 253
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
Paulo Costa will get his first opportunity to fight for UFC gold when he squares off with middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 253. Following an initial report from Combate, BJPENN.com confirmed with sources that Costa will in fact square off with Adesanya at the September 19 pay-per-view event.
Confirmed | Paulo Costa vs. Israel Adesanya middleweight title bout set for UFC 253
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
It appears fight fans will finally get to see undefeated middleweights Paulo Costa and Israel Adesanya throw down inside of the Octagon. Initially, it looked like the highly anticipated title fight might occur in late 2019. Unfortunately, that plan was derailed by a Costa bicep injury, and Adesanya ultimately accepted a title defense against Yoel Romero in March instead.
UFC Fight Island 2: 'Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - July 18, 2020
The Octagon remains on Yas Island for tonight’s UFC Fight Island 2 event, a twelve-bout fight card headlined by a rematch between Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez. The flyweight standouts, Figueiredo and Benavidez, will once again collide for the promotions vacant 125lbs title this evening.
Joseph Benavidez plans to make Deiveson Figueiredo "cry and be embarrassed" in title fight rematch
Cole Shelton - July 17, 2020
Joseph Benavidez has bad intentions for Deiveson Figueiredo on Yas Island. In the main event of UFC Fight Island 2, Benavidez and Figueiredo are having an immediate rematch. The two fought back at UFC Norfolk on February 29 for the vacant flyweight title. Yet, the Brazilian missed weight but went on to score a second-round KO win over Benavidez following a controversial headbutt.
Kamaru Usman gets lengthy medical suspension following win over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251
Cole Shelton - July 17, 2020
Kamaru Usman may be forced to be on the sidelines longer than originally anticipated. At UFC 251 on Fight Island, Usman defended his welterweight title against Jorge Masvidal by decision. The champion clearly won four rounds, where many thought he won all five. Usman also didn’t take much damage but he has been handed a 180-day medical suspension.
Dana White responds after Dan Hooker calls out Tony Ferguson
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2020
UFC President Dana White has responded to Dan Hooker calling for a showdown with former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson. Hooker last fought in late June, when he lost a decision to Dustin Poirier in a 2020 Fight of the Year contender. Since that setback, he’s expressed interest in fights with Charles Oliveira and Tony Ferguson.
Jimmie Rivera on Petr Yan winning UFC bantamweight title: “It irks me”
Harry Kettle - July 17, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Jimmie Rivera has given his thoughts on Petr Yan capturing the UFC Bantamweight Championship at UFC 251. Rivera made a return to winning ways on Wednesday night when he beat Cody Stamann in a short notice featherweight showdown on Fight Island. While the 31-year-old did admit that the win wasn’t his best performance, it did help him break a two-fight losing streak – with one of those defeats coming against the aforementioned Yan at UFC 238 in June 2019.
Dana White confirms Colby Covington signed contract: "Just waiting on Woodley"
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2020
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that Colby Covington signed a contract to fight former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, adding that the promotion is waiting on Woodley to sign and make the bout official. Woodley and Covington have been engaged in a heated war of words since the height of Woodley’s reign as the UFC welterweight champion. They’ve been linked to fights several times over the years, but as of yet, have not stepped into the cage together.
Gilbert Burns will get next shot at Kamaru Usman, Dana White confirms
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2020
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that No. 1 welterweight contender Gilbert Burns will get the next crack at the division’s champ Kamaru Usman. Usman and Burns were expected to fight in the main event of UFC 251 last weekend, but the fight was nixed when Burns tested positive for COVID-19. Burns was then replaced by Jorge Masvidal, who Usman defeated by unanimous decision.
Paige VanZant responds to Dana White's comments, updates on free agency goals
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2020
UFC flyweight contender Paige VanZant is officially a free agent, and will begin discussing the next phase of her career with the UFC and any other interested promotions. VanZant fulfilled the final obligation of her latest UFC contract at UFC 251, where she took on the streaking Amanda Ribas. Unfortunately for the fan favorite and her legions of supporters, this fight didn’t go as she planned, as she was submitted in the first round.
Nate Diaz will "definitely" fight again, says Dana White
Adam Martin - July 17, 2020
UFC president Dana White says that welterweight superstar Nate Diaz will “definitely” fight again inside the Octagon, though he doesn’t know when exactly. Diaz is one of the biggest superstars in the UFC but he hasn’t fought since November 2019 when he lost via TKO (doctor stoppage) to Jorge Masvidal in a battle for the first-ever UFC BMF title. There have been rumblings of a potential rematch between Diaz and Masvidal, as well as a potential trilogy fight between Diaz and rival Conor McGregor, but so far nothing has been booked and the Stockton native continues to sit on the sidelines.