UFC News
Dana White on working with RIZIN in future: 'I'm not saying I would but I'm not saying I wouldn't'
Drake Riggs - June 14, 2021
UFC President Dana White and RIZIN FF Founder Nobuyuki Sakakibara go way back. During the rise of the UFC in the early 2000s, PRIDE FC was doing its thing over in Japan. 15 years later and two most prolific MMA bosses reunited recently.
Paulo Costa responds to Marvin Vettori's callout: "I could fight this Moron"
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2021
Paulo Costa seems open to fighting Marvin Vettori next time out. Costa was supposed to headline a Fight Night card on August 21 against Jared Cannonier. However, the Brazilain withdrew from the fight after he had concerns over his pay and claimed he never signed the contract. After that, many expected him to be away from the Octagon for quite some time but after UFC 263, Vettori called him out.
Eryk Anders says he's "not really" happy with his UFC 263 performance, wants Ed Herman next
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2021
Eryk Anders wasn’t thrilled with his UFC 263 win over Darren Stewart. On Saturday night, Anders and Stewart were running back their fight in March that ended in a No Contest. In the first bout, Anders nearly finished the Brit before throwing an illegal knee and entering the rematch, “Ya Boi” said the gameplan was very similar.
Askar Askarov vs. Alex Perez set for UFC Vegas 33
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2021
Askar Askarov will face Alex Perez in a potential number one contender bout at UFC Vegas 33. Multiple sources have informed BJPENN.com that Askarov and Perez will fight one another on July 31 at the UFC Apex in Nevada. Contracts for the fight have already been signed, the sources revealed.
Dana White comments on potential long-term health care for UFC fighters: "I don’t know about health care forever"
Adam D Martin - June 14, 2021
UFC president Dana White commented on potential long-term health care for UFC fighters, saying “I don’t know about health care forever.” White recently suggested on Instagram that the UFC would “soon” be introducing long-term health benefits to its fighters in a reply to a fan who asked him about it. However, White admitted this past week that he accidentally replied to the wrong fan, and he confirmed that nothing is imminent. It was disappointing news for the fighters, who seemed like they were about to get improved health care, but as of right now there is nothing new to report. However, White said the UFC is still working on other things.
Demian Maia calls out Nate Diaz for final fight of UFC career: "You’re a great fighter who also represents Jiu Jitsu and you’re real"
Adam D Martin - June 14, 2021
Demian Maia called out Nate Diaz for the final fight of his UFC career, telling Diaz “you’re a great fighter who also represents jiu-jitsu.” Maia lost a unanimous decision to Belal Muhammad on the UFC 263 main card, and Diaz lost a decision to Leon Edwards in the very next fight. Following the event, UFC president Dana White said that Maia’s UFC contract is up and he doesn’t see the legend fighting in the promotion anytime soon. But for the 43-year-old Maia, he says he still has one more fight left in him. And he says if he wants anyone for the final walk, he wants it to be Diaz.
Leon Edwards reveals the advice Nate Diaz gave him following their battle at UFC 263
Adam D Martin - June 14, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards revealed the advice that Nate Diaz gave him following their five-round battle at UFC 263. Edwards defeated Diaz via unanimous decision in the first five-round non-title, non-main event fight in promotional history this past weekend at UFC 263. It was a fantastic performance by Edwards, who was dominating the fight up until the final minute of the bout when Diaz rocked him with a straight left and had Edwards badly wobbled. Edwards was able to hang on and survive and make it to the final bell and was rewarded the decision. Although Edwards and Diaz had some words to say in the leadup to the fight, they were extremely respectful after going to battle with each other for 25 minutes.
What's next for the stars of UFC 263?
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2021
The UFC was back in front of a full capacity crowd in Glendale, Arizona for UFC 263. The card saw two titles on the line as Israel Adesanya fought Marvin Vettori, Deiveson Figueiredo rematched Brandon Moreno and Nate Diaz returned against Leon Edwards in a five-round non-title fight. The event ended up being a good one as Adesanya dominated the Italian in their rematch winning every round to defend his belt. Moreno, meanwhile, became the new flyweight champ as he submitted Figueiredo in a great performance. Finally, it was Edwards winning a clear-cut decision over Diaz but the final minute is what most will remember.
Marvin Vettori calls out Paulo Costa following loss at UFC 263: "I'd like to really destroy this drunk guy"
Adam D Martin - June 14, 2021
UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori called out Paulo Costa following his loss at UFC 263, saying “I’d like to really destroy this drunk guy.” Vettori lost a unanimous decision to UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in their rematch that served as the main event of UFC 263. For Vettori, this was a tough loss because it’s his second defeat to the champ, which means that he won’t be fighting for the title anytime soon unless Adesanya loses it to someone else or moves up to 205lbs permanently. With the belt not in his grasp anytime soon, Vettori is already looking ahead at some of the other top contenders in the UFC middleweight division for his next fight, and the one name who is has zeroed in on is Paulo Costa, the No. 2 ranked middleweight.
Belal Muhammad praises "legend" Demian Maia following win at UFC 263: "Class act"
Adam D Martin - June 14, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad praised the “legend” Demian Maia following his win at UFC 263, calling the Brazilian a “class act.” Muhammad won a unanimous decision over Maia on the main card of UFC 263 this past Saturday night in Glendale, Arizona. For Muhammad, this was arguably the biggest win of his career, and by taking out Maia, he will now be ranked in the top-10 of the UFC welterweight division. For Maia, however, this could have been the last time we saw him in the Octagon, as UFC president Dana White suggested later his time with the UFC is over.
Deiveson Figueiredo admits he had bad weight cut, wants trilogy fight with Brandon Moreno after UFC 263
Adam D Martin - June 14, 2021
Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo reacted after losing his belt to Brandon Moreno by third-round submission at UFC 263. Figueiredo entered the rematch with Moreno as the champion after they fought to a draw in a 2020 “Fight of the Year” candidate at UFC 256 last December. But after struggling on the scale to make weight on Friday, Figueiredo looked slow in the fight and wasn’t able to get anything going. On the other hand, Moreno looked fast and sharp and he put together the most complete performance of his MMA career to date when he finished Figueiredo in the third round with a rear-naked choke. It was an absolutely phenomenal performance by Moreno to steal Figueiredo’s title away from him, and now he’s the new champion.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals he is considering a move to football after receiving offers from “a lot of clubs”
Harry Kettle - June 14, 2021
Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed that he is contemplating a move over to association football. After his win over Justin Gaethje last year, Khabib officially retired from mixed martial arts and left with a 29-0 unbeaten record. “The Eagle” is considered to be the greatest lightweight of all time and while some may dispute that, it’s hard to argue with what he’s accomplished.