UFC News
Dana White provides update on Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane UFC title bout: "We're working on it right now"
Adam D Martin - August 20, 2021
UFC president Dana White provided an update on the Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane heavyweight bout, saying “we’re working on it right now.” Ngannou defeated former champ Stipe Miocic back at UFC 260 in March to claim the promotion’s heavyweight championship. However, the UFC created an interim belt to be fought for between Gane and Derrick Lewis at UFC 265 in August, and Gane ended up winning that fight via third-round TKO to earn a title unification bout against Ngannou.
Kelvin Gastelum credits Henry Cejudo for knowledge gained ahead of Jared Cannonier fight at UFC Vegas 34
Adam D Martin - August 20, 2021
UFC middleweight Kelvin Gastelum credited Henry Cejudo for the knowledge he has gained ahead of the Jared Cannonier fight at UFC Vegas 34. Gastelum returns to the Octagon on Saturday night in the main event of UFC Vegas 34 when he squares off with Cannonier in a battle between top-10 ranked middleweights. Both fighters are coming off of decision losses to No. 1 contender Robert Whittaker, so it makes all the sense in the world that these two are fighting now as they look to bounce back into the win column. It’s a huge fight for both fighters’ careers in the UFC, but it’s especially important for Gastelum, who enters this fight having lost four of his last five fights overall.
Michael Bisping scoffs at Colby Covington’s champ-champ aspirations: “What reality are we living in here, buddy?”
Adam D Martin - August 20, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping scoffed at Colby Covington’s champ-champ aspirations, saying, “what reality are we living in here, buddy?” Covington is set to take on his rival, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, in a rematch at UFC 268 in November for 170lbs glory. Although Covington already has a tough matchup right in front of him, “Chaos” has spoken about moving up to 185lbs at some point and taking the belt at that weight class from UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Bisping heard the comments that Covington made about winning a second UFC title, and, on his podcast “Believe You Me,” he took a shot at Covington for his optimism.
Miesha Tate discusses comeback fight payout after expenses, 'You cannot set out to do this for the money'
Drake Riggs - August 19, 2021
Miesha Tate needed to make a successful comeback in July – not only for her title hopes but her bank account. The former UFC bantamweight champion returned after a five-year retirement to take on Marion Reneau. Looking sharper than ever, Tate managed to outstrike and outgrapple her opponent en route to a third-round TKO and earn a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Khabib Nurmagomedov not convinced Jose Aldo is having a UFC career revival
Adam D Martin - August 19, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is not convinced that MMA legend Jose Aldo is having a UFC career revival at age 34. After losing three straight fights to Alexander Volkanovski, Marlon Moraes, and Petr Yan in 2019 and 2020, there were many observers of the sport who felt that “Junior” was on the decline in his career. However, to the astonishment of many, Aldo has bounced back from those three losses with back-to-back wins over top bantamweight contenders Pedro Munhoz and Marlon Vera. It’s why Aldo is now back to wanting a title fight down at 135lbs.
Ramiz Brahimaj says there's no pressure on him after eventful UFC debut, confident he will finish Sasha Palatnikov
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2021
Ramiz Brahimaj had a memorable UFC debut, although it didn’t go the way he wanted. Brahimaj finally made his Octagon debut against Max Griffin in November and lost the fight by TKO due to his ear nearly falling off. Despite the ending of the fight, Brahimaj says the way he fought Griffin and how it was competitive, proves he belongs in the UFC.
Pro fighters make their picks for Jared Cannonier vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 34, top-10 middleweights collide as Jared Cannonier takes on Kelvin Gastelum. Ahead of the fight, Cannonier is a -150 favorite while Gastelum is a +130 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe Gastelum will pull off the upset and get back in the win column.
Anthony Smith explains how Conor McGregor has gone "way too far" with his social media antics
Adam D Martin - August 19, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith explained how superstar Conor McGregor has gone “way too far” with his social media antics. McGregor has been taking to his social media as of late to make numerous vulgar comments about the likes of Dustin Poirier, Daniel Cormier, and Michael Bisping, plus of course all the things he said about Khabib Nurmagomedov in the past. It’s gotten to the point where his UFC peers, like Smith, are getting tired of his antics. Speaking to LowKickMMA’s James Lynch, Smith explained why McGregor has gone “way too far.”
Francis Ngannou opens up on contract negotiations with the UFC: "There’s a lot going on behind the scenes"
Adam D Martin - August 19, 2021
Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou opened up on contract negotiations with the UFC, saying “there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.” Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic back in March to become the new UFC heavyweight champion. Initially, the fight to make was Ngannou against Jon Jones, but Jones and the UFC couldn’t come to financial terms and that fight was called off. Instead, the UFC wanted to book Ngannou against Derrick Lewis at UFC 265. However, Ngannou couldn’t fight on that date and the UFC instead brought in Ciryl Gane, who knocked out Lewis to become the new interim UFC heavyweight champion — just three months after Ngannou won the belt.
Colby Covington says he would verbally submit Dustin Poirier: "It wouldn't be competitive"
Adam D Martin - August 19, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington says he would verbally submit Dustin Poirier in a fight, suggesting “it wouldn’t be competitive.” Covington and Poirier are former teammates at American Top Team who are now heated rivals. Poirier is one of the best lightweights in the world, while Covington has established himself as a welterweight contender, so a fight on paper doesn’t seem like one that would happen anytime soon. But “The Diamond” has mentioned in the past that he would be interested in moving up to 170lbs, and if that’s the case, then Covington would welcome it.
Mauricio Rua names the three toughest opponents he ever fought in the UFC
Adam D Martin - August 19, 2021
Mixed martial arts legend Mauricio Rua aka “Shogun” named the three toughest opponents he ever fought in the UFC in a recent interview. Rua is one of the most legendary MMA fighters of all time, having been a former PRIDE and UFC champion. Now 39 years old, Shoun has spoken openly about retiring in the next year or two. He is coming off of a brutal TKO loss to Paul Craig in his last outing and considering he turns 40 years of age later this year, the future UFC Hall of Famer knows that his time in the sport is nearing its end. Although he still has another fight or two in him, it’s starting to become the time where Shogun is looking back at his MMA career and reminiscing on it.
Tresean Gore forced to withdraw from TUF 29 finale fight with Bryan Battle
Harry Kettle - August 19, 2021
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Tresean Gore has been ruled out of his Ultimate Fighter 29 finale fight against Bryan Battle due to an unfortunate knee injury. Gore was tipped to be the big star coming out of the 29th edition of the show and had managed to make it all the way through to the final of the middleweight bracket. Alas, such is the unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts, we will now not see him go up against the last pick Bryan Battle for the right to win the contract.