UFC News
Andrea Lee signs new six-fight extension heading into UFC 242
Mike Heck - August 28, 2019
Andrea Lee will return to action next weekend in a pivotal women’s flyweight matchup with Joanne Calderwood at UFC 242 and will do so with a new contract with the organization. In a recent interview with BJPENN.com, “KGB” revealed that she has signed a six-fight deal with the organization heading into her bout with Calderwood, which takes place Sept. 7 The Arena, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Weili Zhang open to Valentina Shevchenko fight after UFC Shenzhen
Tom Taylor - August 28, 2019
There has never been a Chinese champion in the UFC. Hebei’s Weili Zhang is looking to change that. This Saturday, when the UFC touches down in Shenzhen, China, the streaking strawweight contender will battle Brazilian champion Jessica Andrade for divisional gold. Zhang can imagine no outcome more perfect than becoming the UFC’s first Chinese champion in front of an arena-full of Chinese fans, and believes a victory will inspire people all over her country.
Dana White defends Darren Till vs. Kelvin Gastelum booking
Tom Taylor - August 28, 2019
Darren Till will not get a warmup in his middleweight debut. Instead, the long-time welterweight has been booked to battle the middleweight division’s fourth-ranked fighter, Kelvin Gastelum, at UFC 244 in New York. This booking comes as a bit of a surprise, given that Till is riding back-to-back stoppage losses, and UFC President Dana White recently admitted that the promotion might have pushed the young striker along too quickly.
UFC Shenzhen | Pro fighters make their picks for Jessica Andrade vs. Weili Zhang title fight
Cole Shelton - August 28, 2019
This weekend, the Octagon heads to Shenzhen, China. In the card’s main event, Jessica Andrade will put her strawweight title on the line against China’s Weili Zhang. Heading into the fight, the champion is a -160 favorite, while the challenger from China is a +130 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority are leaning towards Jessica Andrade’s power being too much for Weili Zhang.
Dustin Poirier says Ferguson, not McGregor, is next in line for lightweight title
Cole Shelton - August 28, 2019
Dustin Poirier is the current interim lightweight champion and he will take on the undisputed champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, at UFC 242. If Poirier can get past the undefeated Russian, fans will immediately begin speculating who is next for him. A rematch against Nurmagomedov could certainly happen, or a bout with Conor McGregor. However, Poirier says it is clear Tony Ferguson deserves the next title shot. But, he isn’t focused on any of that right now.
Jan Blachowicz says he is the only one who can stop Jon Jones
Cole Shelton - August 27, 2019
Jan Blachowicz is confident that he is the only man capable of defeating current UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones. Blachowicz is coming off of a knockout win over Luke Rockhold at UFC 239 and believes he deserves the next title shot. Why he thinks that he deserves the next crack at ‘Bones’ is simple. Blachowicz, like many, believe that had former middleweight champ Luke Rockhold proved victorious in their fight last July, he would have been awarded the next title shot.
Anthony Johnson planning UFC return in 2020
Cole Shelton - August 27, 2019
Anthony Johnson retired from the UFC following a second loss to Daniel Cormier in April of 2017. Yet, the man they call “Rumble” is eyeing a comeback, according to his manager Ali Abdelaziz. Abdelaziz spoke to ESPN, and divulged that his client will return in 2020. They are currently filing the necessary paperwork to rejoin the UFC. One of the steps he must complete is to re-enter the USADA testing pool and be in it for six months before he can fight again.
Matt Serra chides Joe Rogan, Dana White for Conor McGregor comments
Thomas Taylor - August 27, 2019
Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra is not impressed with the comments UFC commentator Joe Rogan and UFC President Dana White have made in the wake of the latest Conor McGregor drama. McGregor was recently caught on film punching an older man at a bar in Ireland.
CB Dollaway issues statement on USADA suspension
Thomas Taylor - August 27, 2019
Yesterday afternoon, it was announced that UFC middleweight veteran CB Dollaway had been handed a two-year ban by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after testing positive for multiple prohibited substances. “USADA announced today that CB Dollaway of Gilbert, Ariz., has accepted a two-year sanction for a violation of the UFC® Anti-Doping Policy after testing positive for multiple prohibited substances and using a prohibited method,” USADA’s press release read.
Michael Bisping gives take on Conor McGregor apology
Tom Taylor - August 27, 2019
When video surfaced showing Conor McGregor punching an older man at a bar in Dublin, the Irish star immediately had some explaining to do. McGregor did that explaining in an interview with ESPN last week, and also offered an apology.
Tyron Woodley 'thinking about' training with Diaz Brothers
Fernando Quiles - August 27, 2019
Tyron Woodley once wanted to share the Octagon with Nate and Nick Diaz, but now he’s thinking about training with them. Woodley hasn’t been shy in the past about wanting major fights. When he was the UFC welterweight champion, Woodley was aiming for the likes of Conor McGregor, Georges St-Pierre, Michael Bisping, and the Diaz brothers. Fast forward to 2019 and Woodley finds himself training with the now-retired St-Pierre. If “The Chosen One” has his way, then some sparring sessions with the Diaz brothers could be next.
Sodiq Yusuff wants ranked opponent on D.C. card after huge UFC 241 win
Cole Shelton - August 27, 2019
Sodiq Yusuff had a big opportunity at UFC 241. He fought on the main card and he knew it was his chance to make his a household name. Ultimately, Yusuff did just that as he knocked out his opponent Gabriel Benitez in the first round. For the 26-year-old, the fight went exactly as he and his team thought it would.
Nick Diaz responds to Colby Covington trash talk
Tom Taylor - August 27, 2019
It seems that nobody is exempt from Colby Covington’s trash talk — not even the long-absent Nick Diaz. Covington has targeted Nick and his brother Nate countless times before, most recently in an interview with MMA Fighting.
Floyd Mayweather Sr: I would beat the s**t out of Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - August 27, 2019
Floyd Mayweather Sr., father of undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr., was recently informed about the latest legal turmoil of Conor McGregor. Earlier this month, footage was released of McGregor punching an older man — a man who was not much younger than Mayweather Sr.— inside a bar in Dublin.
Michael Bisping: Masvidal vs. Diaz more exciting than Usman vs. Covington
Natasha Hooper - August 27, 2019
According to Michael Bisping, a potential welterweight contender bout between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz is a bigger deal than the upcoming welterweight title fight between champ Kamaru Usman and challenger Colby Covington. After successfully beating Anthony Pettis at UFC 241, Diaz called for a fight against the formidable contender Masvidal. Masvidal was receptive of this callout.
VIDEO | Dana White consoles Daniel Cormier backstage after UFC 241 loss
Adam Martin - August 27, 2019
In the aftermath of UFC 241, a video has been released showing UFC president Dana White consoling Daniel Cormier after Cormier’s TKO loss to Stipe Miocic. Reddit user u/metanoia09 posted the video on r/mma and it’s a tough one to watch.
Henry Cejudo calls for 'easy fight' against Dominick Cruz
Natasha Hooper - August 27, 2019
Two-division UFC champ Henry Cejudo called out another fighter last night, this time targeting former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz. Watch the video, posted to his Twitter account, here:
Joe Rogan recants comment on Conor McGregor bar punch
Natasha Hooper - August 27, 2019
On a recent episode of his podcast, UFC commentator Joe Rogan admitted he misspoke on Conor McGregor’s infamous pub attack. Earlier this month, a video surfaced of McGregor sucker punching an older man in the face for allegedly refusing a drink offer. In a subsequent interview with ESPN, the Irish fighter apologized for the incident. However, Joe Rogan found the bar altercation comical: