UFC News
Marvin Vettori blasts "fake" Israel Adesanya ahead of UFC 263 rematch: "I get to beat his ass and get his belt"
Adam D Martin - June 11, 2021
Marvin Vettori blasted “fake” Israel Adesanya ahead of their UFC 263 rematch, saying he’s excited “to beat his ass and get his belt.” Vettori and Adesanya meet on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 263 with Adesanya’s middleweight title on the line. Ahead of the fight, the two got into an altercation at the fighter hotel earlier this week. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Vettori shed more like on his run-in with Adesanya, explaining why the champ is “fake” for the cameras.
Francis Ngannou wants Jon Jones next, not Derrick Lewis: "I love that fight"
Adam D Martin - June 11, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is still holding out hope that he will fight Jon Jones next and not Derrick Lewis. Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic in March at UFC 260 to become the new heavyweight champion of the world. For his first title defense he was fully expected to fight Jones, but the UFC and Jones have not been able to come to terms on a new contract for this heavyweight superfight. With Jones temporarily out of the picture, UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Lewis will be next in line for a belt coming off of a KO win over Curtis Blaydes. The plan is for them to headline UFC 265 in August in Houston, Texas.
Leon Edwards sounds off on Covington vs Usman 2: “I don’t know how Dana's justifying giving Colby the title shot next”
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards has questioned the logic of Colby Covington getting the next shot at Kamaru Usman. Ever since losing to Usman back in December 2015, Edwards has gone on a phenomenal run that saw him win eight fights in a row prior to his unfortunate no contest against Belal Muhammad. On the flip side, Covington bounced back from a brutal loss to Usman at UFC 245 with a TKO victory over rival Tyron Woodley.
Nate Diaz smokes a joint at UFC 263 press conference, offers Brandon Moreno a hit (Video)
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
Nate Diaz was up to his usual tricks at the UFC 263 press conference. While most of the questions were towards Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori, Diaz sat back in his seat and started to smoke a joint. Of course, with the Arizona commission, you can smoke marijuana all you want as long as you don’t show up to the fight impaired so Diaz took full advantage of it.
Marvin Vettori suggests he's a “superior fighter”, Israel Adesanya responds with bold prediction
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
Marvin Vettori believes he’s a much better fighter than Israel Adesanya. In the main event of UFC 263, Adesanya and Vettori will rematch in the same arena where they fought back in 2018 with ‘Stylebender’ winning a split decision. It was a close fight which makes the rematch intriguing and ahead of the scrap, Vettori wants it known that he is the much better fighter.
Israel Adesanya says Kamaru Usman "inspired" him to beat Marvin Vettori again, plans to "shut him down"
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
Israel Adesanya admits he wasn’t too interested in fighting Marvin Vettori again. Adesanya and Vettori fought back in 2018 with Adesanya winning a split decision win. Since then, Vettori claimed he won the scrap and was eager for the rematch. Now that they are set to meet in the main event of UFC 263 the rivalry between the two have gotten intense including a hotel run-in. Yet, according to “The Last Stylebender” he says Vettori wasn’t as loud as he was in person.
Diego Sanchez hints at potential move to boxing
Adam D Martin - June 10, 2021
Former Ultimate Fighter winner Diego Sanchez says his fighting career is not over and he is now hinting at a future in the world of boxing. Sanchez was recently released by the UFC following a disagreement between his former coach/manager Joshua Fabia and the promotion regarding the release of medical documents. The UFC decided to let him go and paid off the final fight of his contract, which was supposed to be a welterweight bout against Donald Cerrone. Sanchez later severed ties with Fabia, but he is still technically a free agent now. There is still the possibility things could work out with the UFC now that Fabia is out of the picture, but more than likely it seems like Sanchez will have to go to another promotion, or perhaps another sport.
Joe Rogan praises the boxing skills of Jake Paul: "Jake throws things straight and hard"
Adam D Martin - June 10, 2021
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan praised of Jake Paul, saying that “Jake throws things straight and hard.” Paul takes on former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley on August 28 in a professional boxing match. Paul is coming off of a huge TKO win over Ben Askren which earned him this big opportunity against Woodley, who was recently released from the UFC following the end of his last contract. Paul vs. Woodley is expected to be one of the biggest combat sports events of the summer and it should be a very exciting fight regardless of what happens. And if you ask Rogan, it’s going to be a very competitive boxing match.
Matt Frevola believes Ottman Azaitar had IVs to "hide the steroids he's on," plans to give him "a beating he deserves"
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
Matt Frevola had a crazy 2020 as he had three canceled fights due to COVID-19 and Frevola fracturing his foot. He was then set to return at UFC 257 but his 2021 also got off to a hectic start. Frevola was set to face Ottman Azaitar at UFC 257 in a highly-anticipated bout. However, on the day of weigh-ins, it was revealed Azaitar was out of the fight due to sneaking people into Fight Island. He ended up having to fight Arman Tsarukyan which he says is a fight he wants back.
UFC 263 | Pro fighters make their picks for Leon Edwards vs. Nate Diaz
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
In a very intriguing five-round welterweight bout at UFC 263, Leon Edwards welcomes back fan favorite Nate Diaz. Heading into the fight, Edwards is the biggest favorite on the card at -600 while the Stockton native is a +450 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. To no surprise, the majority believe Edwards will get his hand raised as many don’t see a path to victory for Diaz.
Video | Nate Diaz heads to Arizona for UFC 263 with the Skrap Pack
Adam D Martin - June 10, 2021
UFC welterweight superstar Nate Diaz posted a video of him heading to Arizona for UFC 263 along with the rest of his team the Skrap Pack. Diaz takes on Leon Edwards on the UFC 263 pay-per-view main card. It’s the first fight in UFC history that is a non-title, non-main event that is set for five rounds. Both Diaz and Edwards are two of the best in the game and this should be a very exciting fight. UFC president Dana White has already confirmed that the winner of the fight will get a future welterweight title shot after Colby Covington gets his against champion Kamaru Usman.
UFC Vegas 28 rankings update: Santiago Ponzinibbio in at welterweight, Robbie Lawler and Khamzat Chimaev removed
Adam D Martin - June 10, 2021
UFC welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio is back in the top-15 rankings at welterweight, while Robbie Lawler and Khamzat Chimaev were removed. Ponzinibbio defeated Miguel Baeza at UFC Vegas 28 via unanimous decision in a “Fight of the Night” performance by both men. It was an incredible fight, and Ponzinibbio is now being rewarded with a top-15 ranking once again. He has in fact re-entered the welterweight rankings at No. 13, and Muslim Salikhov broke into the top-15 at No. 15 following his unanimous decision win over Francisco Trinaldo last weekend as well.