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Walt Harris, Alistair Overeem, UFC on ESPN 8
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Pro fighters make their picks for Walt Harris vs. Alistair Overeem

Cole Shelton - May 14, 2020

In the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card in Jacksonville, Florida, Walt Harris battles longtime heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem. Heading into the fight Harris is a -165 favorite, while the Dutchman is a +135 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros have a slight lean towards Harris to get it done by stoppage, as he’ll be motivated following the tragic murder of his stepdaughter.

Glover Teixeira, UFC Vancouver
Glover Teixeira

What's next for Glover Teixeira and Anthony Smith after UFC Jacksonville?

Cole Shelton - May 14, 2020

In the main event of UFC Jacksonville, Glover Teixeira was taking on Anthony Smith in a critical fight for the title picture of the light heavyweight division. The winner could very well be one win away from a title shot, so the stakes were high. In the end, the Brazilain in Teixeira pulled off the betting upset as he TKO’d Smith in the fifth round to extend his winning streak to four.

Dana White, UFC 249
UFC

Dana White says he doesn't "give a f*ck" about coronavirus protocol criticism

Adam Martin - May 14, 2020

UFC president Dana White said he doesn’t “give a f*ck” about the criticism of the UFC’s coronavirus protocol from the New York Times. The NYT obtained the coronavirus protocol that was supposed to be upheld by everyone connected to the UFC Jacksonville events, but not everything was. For example, White was supposed to wear a mask at all times and he didn’t. As well, post-fight interviews in the Octagon at UFC 249 were supposed to be conducted at a distance, but UFC commentator Joe Rogan was close to the fighters when he conducted them.

Glover Teixeira, UFC Vancouver
UFC

Glover Teixeira explains why he apologized to Anthony Smith mid-fight

Adam Martin - May 14, 2020

UFC light heavyweight contender Glover Teixeira explained why he apologized to Anthony Smith mid-fight at UFC Jacksonville—an exchange that caught the ears of viewers and quickly went viral on social media. The 40-year-old Brazilian Teixeira absolutely pulverized Smith for nearly five rounds in one of the most lopsided beatdowns in recent memory. The referee and corner of Smith refused to stop the fight until late in the fifth round despite Smith admitting after the fourth round that he had lost two of his teeth during the match. The refusal to stop the fight after Smith said he lost his teeth led to fans and media criticizing the ref for not calling a TKO sooner and Smith’s coach Marc Montoya for not throwing in the towel.

Jon Jones, Francis Ngannou, Alistair Overeem
Jon Jones

Jon Jones is certain he'd beat Francis Ngannou and is ready to prove it: "send the deal"

Tom Taylor - May 14, 2020

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is certain he’d win a potential fight with heavyweight knockout artist Francis Ngannou, and he’s ready to prove it. Speaking on Twitter on Thursday morning, Jones shared his belief that his recent opponent Thiago Santos, who he beat by decision in 2019, is a more dangerous striker than Ngannou—so he’d likely beat Ngannou too.

Jacare Souza, Jack Hermansson, COVID-19
UFC

Jacare Souza issues first statement after COVID-19 diagnosis, UFC 249 withdrawal

Tom Taylor - May 14, 2020

UFC middleweight contender Jacare Souza has issued a statement after he was pulled from a UFC 249 fight with Uriah Hall due to testing positive for COVID-19. Jacare made his statement—his first since the fight fell through—on Instagram.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov
UFC

Khabib Nurmagomedov's father reportedly wakes from coma

Tom Taylor - May 14, 2020

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of undisputed UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, has reportedly awoken from a medically-induced coma. On Wednesday, several Russian media outlets reported that the elder Nurmagomedov had been flown from his native Dagestan to Moscow, where he was put into a medically-induced coma and was in “critical condition.”

Glover Teixeira, UFC Vancouver
Glover Teixeira

Glover Teixeira scolds Jon Jones over "the stupidest thing he's ever said"

Tom Taylor - May 14, 2020

Glover Teixeira, who defeated Anthony Smith in the UFC Jacksonville main event, is pretty disappointed with a comment Jon Jones made after the fight concluded. Teixeira defeated Smith via a lopsided, fifth-round TKO—one of the worst beatdowns of the year so far.

Dana White, UFC Jacksonville, Anthony Smith, Glover Teixeira, Sean O'Malley
UFC

Dana White reacts to Glover Teixeira vs. Anthony Smith beatdown

Tom Taylor - May 14, 2020

UFC President Dana White has shared his thoughts on the violent beatdown Glover Teixeira unleashed on Anthony Smith in Wednesday’s UFC Jacksonville main event. Teixeira brutalized Smith for the majority fight, causing a litany of injuries in the process — including a fractured orbital and multiple broken teeth. In the eyes of many fans, this lopsided fight went on for much longer than it should have, with referee Jason Herzog and Smith’s corner catching flack for their reluctance to stop the fight and spare the former light heavyweight title challenger from additional punishment.

Jon Jones, UFC 247
Jon Jones

Jon Jones says he is not afraid of Francis Ngannou: “I have no reason to doubt my chin”

Harry Kettle - May 14, 2020

UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones has claimed that he isn’t afraid of Francis Ngannou, stressing that he has faith in his chin. “The Predator” is still enjoying the high from his decisive knockout win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249 last weekend, in a win that all but guaranteed he will be one of the next two challengers in the race to capture the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov
Nate Diaz

Conor McGregor reacts following Wednesday’s UFC Jacksonville event

Natasha Hooper - May 14, 2020

Conor McGregor weighed-in on the action-packed UFC Jacksonville event on Wednesday, May 13 by tooting his own horn. The UFC is back in business, as seen at yesterday’s UFC Fight Night event in Jacksonville, Florida. The card featured a number of compelling fights including a light heavyweight contender bout between Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira in the main event.

Anthony Smith, Paulie Malignaggi
Glover Teixeira

Anthony Smith reacts to the decisions of the referee and his corner at UFC Jacksonville

Harry Kettle - May 14, 2020

UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has reacted to the decisions made by the referee and his corner during his loss to Glover Teixeira last night. Smith, who challenged Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship last year, was enjoying some success in the early stages of the main event fight – but the veteran Teixeira was able to take over and issue a severe beating on “Lionheart”.