UFC News
Report | David Branch released by UFC after positive drug test
Adam Martin - September 19, 2019
UFC middleweight David Branch has reportedly been given his walking papers after testing positive for banned substances and receiving a two-year suspension by United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for the infraction. Veteran MMA journalist Mike Russell reported the news on Twitter that Branch has been released by the UFC after USADA announced his suspension yesterday. Russell also revealed that Branch has left Dominance MMA.
Dustin Poirier interested in moving up to welterweight
Adam Martin - September 19, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier recently told fans that he is interested in potentially competing in the welterweight division. “The Diamond” responded to a fan on Twitter, who asked him if he was open to moving up in weight. Here’s what he said.
UFC Mexico City | Pro fighters make their picks for Yair Rodriguez vs. Jeremy Stephens
Cole Shelton - September 19, 2019
In the main event of UFC Mexico City, top-10 featherweights collide as Yair Rodriguez takes on Jeremy Stephens. Heading into the fight, the Mexican in Rodriguez is a -110 underdog while the American is the -120 favorite, meaning it is practically a pick’em fight. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros believe it will be a close fight but give a slight edge to the local fighter.
Francis Ngannou wants 'revenge' on Stipe Miocic in 2019
Tom Taylor - September 19, 2019
Francis Ngannou fell short in his first bid to steal the UFC heavyweight belt from Stipe Miocic, but is eager for a chance to right this wrong. Now on a three-fight win-streak, he feels he’s earned a second crack at the champion, and hopes that opportunity comes before years’ end.
Jeremy Stephens has violent plans for Yair Rodriguez
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2019
Jeremy Stephens will look to get back into the win column when he takes Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC Mexico City on Saturday. Although he is going into hostile territory to fight the Mexican in Rodriguez, Stephens isn’t worried about that. Instead, he believes his experience will be too much for the 26-year-old as he will embarrass him.
Stipe Miocic 'upset' with Colby Covington, plans to have conversation with him
Thomas Taylor - September 18, 2019
UFC heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic wants a word with welterweight contender Colby Covington. Miocic recently heard through the grapevine that Covington was being disrespectful to his wife at UFC 241 — although he’s not sure how exactly.
Colby Covington will '100 percent' stay at ATT; partially switches management group
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2019
Colby Covington has gotten some heat from fellow American Top Team (ATT) fighters as of late. ‘Chaos’ has taken shots at both Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier with both firing right back at the former UFC interim welterweight champion. It got to the point that Covington admitted a brawl may take place at ATT and he could very well have to leave the gym.
Matt Serra names two fighters who can give Khabib Nurmagomedov problems
Fernando Quiles - September 18, 2019
Matt Serra believes two fighters could solve the puzzle of Khabib Nurmagomedov. At a stellar 28-0 and holding UFC lightweight gold, Nurmagomedov has become one of the most dominant fighters in the history of mixed martial arts competition. He’s coming off a successful title defense against Dustin Poirier, submitting “The Diamond” in the third round.
Jacare Souza opens up on mental health struggles
Tom Taylor - September 18, 2019
Former Strikeforce middleweight champion and long-time UFC middleweight contender Jacare Souza has recently been dealing with some mental health struggles. These issues were severe enough that they almost led him to give up on fighting. Jacare opened up on this struggles in a recent interview with MMA Fighting.
Ben Askren eyes grappling match with Dillon Danis, Danis responds
Tom Taylor - September 18, 2019
Ben Askren and Dillon Danis are separated by promotional bounds, as they’re currently signed with the UFC and Bellator respectively. Nonetheless, the pair of grappling specialists have taken every opportunity to swap trash talk on Twitter. From the sounds of it, they could soon settle their differences on the mats.
UFC Vancouver medical suspensions: Cerrone gets long sit
Tom Taylor - September 18, 2019
UFC Vancouver produced some violent finishes and some fun wars. An unfortunate side-effect of entertainment like this is that it often results in lengthy medical suspensions for the fighters involved. The medical suspension for UFC Vancouver are now public, and as expected, Donald Cerrone has been sidelined for a significant period after his knockout loss to Justin Gaethje in the main event. He’ll be out 90 days.
Colby Covington responds to Nick Diaz, claims he is 'scared to fight'
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2019
Colby Covington and Nick Diaz have gone back-and-forth in interviews trash-talking one another. It even got to the point where Diaz challenged Covington to a fight. “I’m not gonna sit here and call the man a liar, I never heard about it, I just found out,” Diaz said of Covington’s trash talk to TMZ Sports. “If you wanna fight, you know where to find me. I’m not a hard guy to find. Step in my motherf**king range right here. Come at me, bro.”
Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier continue to trade barbs on social media
Natasha Hooper - September 18, 2019
Conor McGregor has teased an imminent return to the Octagon, so he posted a throwback picture on Twitter of him pummelling Dustin Poirier to remind potential opponents who’s boss. The lightweight fighters exchanged blows in the Octagon at UFC 178, five years ago. McGregor tagged Poirier with a left hook which hurt the American Top Team prospect. He continued to utilize his leg kicks and reach, finishing with a right punch that clipped Poirier behind the ear. McGregor followed up with some hammer fists and secured a KO stoppage win over ‘The Diamond’. McGregor shared a snapshot of the final moments of their UFC encounter 178 on Twitter:
UFC rankings update: Justin Gaethje climbs at lightweight
Tom Taylor - September 18, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last Saturday’s UFC Vancouver card, and as expected, there have been some interesting changes. Most notably, Justin Gaethje has climbed up to the number-four spot in the lightweight division on the strength of his devastating knockout of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
PETA comes after Khabib Nurmagomedov for wrestling bears
Adam Martin - September 17, 2019
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have come after UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov after old videos of him wrestling bears recently resurfaced. Videos of Nurmagomedov wrestling bears as a child have been known in the MMA community for years, however with the champ recently becoming a global star after headlining UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, the mainstream media has now become aware of them.
Colby Covington slams UFC for 'slave labor negotiations'
Tom Taylor - September 17, 2019
Colby Covington is once again butting heads with the UFC. The former interim welterweight champ was expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the undisputed welterweight title at UFC 244 this November, but this plan fizzled when the fighters and the promotion could not come to an agreement that worked for all parties involved.
Anthony Pettis sets sights on Diego Sanchez fight
Tom Taylor - September 17, 2019
Anthony Pettis is riding a loss to Nate Diaz, but still feels like he’s in a good place in his career. Currently competing at welterweight, but well within reach of the lightweight division, he believes he’s got lots of interesting options going forward. One of those options is lightweight and welterweight veteran Diego Sanchez.
Tyron Woodley explains why he wants Khabib Nurmagomedov fight
Cole Shelton - September 17, 2019
Tyron Woodley has his eyes set on reclaiming his welterweight title, but he also wants another fight. “The Chosen One” would like to fight the undefeated UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Although making 155 pounds is out of the question for Woodley, he is open to fighting Nurmagomedov at a catchweight. He just wants the fight, and to show off his takedown defense. It is also a fight he thinks he can win.