UFC News
Miesha Tate suspects Dana White was misrepresented in Cris Cyborg confrontation video
Tom Taylor - August 1, 2019
Yesterday, Cris Cyborg released a video of a backstage encounter with UFC President Dana White. Former UFC bantamweight champ and current ONE Championship executive Miesha Tate has some questions about that video. During this encounter, she told the UFC boss to ‘stop lying’ about her willingness to rematch Amanda Nunes. According to the videos subtitles, White ultimately responded by saying ‘And listen, when you hear me saying stuff, I’m not saying… the truth.’
UFC Newark | Pro fighters make their picks for Colby Covington vs. Robbie Lawler
Cole Shelton - August 1, 2019
In the main event of UFC Newark, former interim welterweight champion,Colby Covington returns after over a year off to take on former undisputed champ Robbie Lawler. Heading into the fight, “Chaos” is a -235 favorite, while the former champ Lawler is a +185 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are split on this one, despite Covington being a big favorite.
Arjan Bhullar explains why he chose ONE Championship over the UFC
Tom Taylor - August 1, 2019
In May, at UFC Ottawa, former Olympic wrestler Arjan Bhullar picked up a decision victory over Juan Adams, extending his win-streak to two-straight and his overall UFC record to 3-1. Several weeks later, the Indian-Canadian heavyweight parted ways with the UFC and signed with Singapore-based promotion ONE Championship. Bhullar, who trains alongside Cain Velasquez and Daniel Cormier at American Kickboxing Academy, is now set to make his ONE Championship debut against former Cage Warriors champion Mauro Cerilli at ONE: Dawn of Heroes on Friday, August 2.
Chael Sonnen hails Georges St-Pierre as the GOAT
Tom Taylor - August 1, 2019
Chael Sonnen has fought three of the greatest fighters of all time in Anderson Silva (twice), Jon Jones, and Fedor Emelianenko. He’s also trained with Georges St-Pierre. Given his history, he has a unique perspective in MMA’s Greatest of All Time (GOAT) debate. In his eyes, the sport’s true GOAT is St-Pierre.
Israel Adesanya is insulted by comparisons to Jon Jones' striking
Cole Shelton - July 31, 2019
Israel Adesanya is set to fight Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 243 this October in Australia. Yet, in the lead up to the fight, a lot of the talk has been about the budding rivalry between Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya. It even got the point where “Bones” and Whittaker were talking about training with one another for this title fight.
Breaking | Derrick Lewis slated to return at UFC 244 against former WSOF champion Blagoy Ivanov
Natasha Hooper - July 31, 2019
The UFC is preparing a heavyweight bout between Derrick Lewis and Blagoy Ivanov, according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. The ESPN journalist reported on Twitter that the UFC is lining up a fight between the perennial heavyweight contenders at UFC 244 this November at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.
VIDEO | Cris Cyborg tells Dana White to 'stop lying' to his face
Thomas Taylor - July 31, 2019
UFC President Dana White has had plenty to say about Cris Cyborg of late, primarily with respect to a potential rematch between Cyborg and Amanda Nunes. Despite the fact that Cyborg has been vocal about her desire for this rematch, White claims she doesn’t actually want the fight. In response, Cyborg has repeatedly called White a liar in the media.
Whether Cris Cyborg stays in the UFC or signs elsewhere, she clearly deserves better
Jordy McElroy - July 31, 2019
Cris Cyborg emerged from her UFC 240 co-main event bout with Felicia Spencer on Saturday night bloodied but unbroken. A single gash in the middle of her forehead from an elbow strike will leave a scar to tell the story of the night she shoved countless fists in Spencer’s face, and none of it mattered. The rematch with Amanda Nunes isn’t any closer to happening, and her fractured relationship with UFC President Dana White isn’t any closer to mending. Even diehard skeptics can admit it was demoralizing watching one of the greatest fighters in MMA history reduced to campaigning for a rematch she already deserved before the fight with Spencer. A fighter that spent most of her career with the byline as the baddest woman on the planet wore a custom-made t-shirt advocating for a fight with Nunes, hell-bent on proving she wasn’t ducking a rematch with the reigning two-division champion.
VIDEO | Will Brooks vs. Gleison Tibau fight ends with ridiculous stoppage
Adam Martin - July 31, 2019
A battle between former UFC lightweights Will Brooks and Gleison Tibau ended in controversial fashion in the main event of Battlefield FC 2 this past weekend in Macau. Tibau had Brooks caught in a guillotine choke along the cage but Brooks looked to be fighting the choke. Brooks relaxed his arms and the referee immediately stepped in to stop the fight, handing Tibau the victory. Brooks was fully conscious and was in compete shock the referee stopped the bout.
Khabib Nurmagomedov talks facing distractions ahead of UFC 242
Fernando Quiles - July 31, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov dealt with distractions ahead of his massive bout with Conor McGregor, but things are different preparing for Dustin Poirier. On Sept. 7, Nurmagomedov and Poirier will collide in a lightweight title unification bout. “The Eagle” holds UFC lightweight gold, while “The Diamond” is the interim title holder. Nurmagomedov vs. Poirier is set to headline UFC 242 (see info on how to watch here) in Abu Dhabi.
Greg Hardy: Francis Ngannou is 'not an athlete'
Natasha Hooper - July 31, 2019
Despite a shaky start to his Octagon career, former NFL player Greg Hardy has been making moves in the heavyweight division. He has bounced back from a disqualification loss in his UFC debut in his two subsequent bouts, securing two first-round TKOs. Needless to say, he’s powerful.
Dana White explains why The Ultimate Fighter is still key to building UFC talent
Fernando Quiles - July 31, 2019
Dana White is still high on The Ultimate Fighter. The reality television series was crucial for the UFC’s success back in the days of Spike TV. Back in 2005, the UFC was fighting to be accepted as a mainstream sport. Once fans saw The Ultimate Fighter season one finale between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar, they were hooked.
Kamaru Usman: There could be psychological aspect in Lawler vs. Covington matchup
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2019
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC Newark, former interim welterweight champ Colby Covington will step into the cage with former undisputed welterweight champ Robbie Lawler in a bout that could produce the next welterweight title challenger. As such, reigning champ Kamaru Usman will be watching the action closely. Lawler used to train at American Top Team, the gym Covington still calls home, and the pair actually got quite a bit of training in together over the years. Usman believes their previous training sessions could definitely play a psychological role in their fight — though he’s not sure who will benefit.
Al Iaquinta says 'sissy' Conor McGregor has lost stock with UFC
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2019
Conor McGregor is by far the biggest far in UFC history, and his star power has historically given him some real influence within the organization. According to UFC lightweight contender Al Iaquinta, however, McGregor’s stock has taken a major hit since his submission loss to UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov — even if he doesn’t realize it himself.
Boxing champion Claressa Shields considering 'trying the UFC'
Mike Heck - July 31, 2019
It seems like two-time Olympic champion and undefeated professional boxer Claressa Shields is truly pondering a transition to the sport of mixed martial arts. Shields, who captured gold medals in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, has been eyeing a fight in the boxing ring with current UFC women’s bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes. Tuesday morning, Shields took to Twitter and doubled down on a quote that inspired her to turn pro in the boxing world from sports medicine physician Dr. Jordan Metzl.
Jorge Masvidal praises 'f*cking G' Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2019
Jorge Masvidal has been campaigning for a fight with Conor McGregor for several weeks, but from the sounds of it, his callouts of the Irishman are not rooted in bad blood. In fact, Masvidal seems to have quite a bit of respect for the former two-division champion. “First, let me say whether Conor takes it or not — because people be putting sometimes words in people’s mouths, from my mouth in particular — I got good things to say about Conor,” Masvidal told TMZ Sports (transcript via MMA Fighting). “He’s done a lot in this sport and he’s made his money already. If he feels he’s not getting the money he deserves to come back, man I’m the first one to applaud him and be like, ‘Do your thing my brother. Go get the money.’ I always cheer for my MMA brothers and sisters. So if he feels he ain’t getting his money’s worth, I’m not gonna call ever him a p*ssy for that, or nothing like that. Go get your money’s worth. That’s the first thing I want to say.
Contender Series Antonio Trocoli flagged by USADA, released by the UFC
Matheus Costa - July 30, 2019
Antonio Trocoli impressed the UFC brass on the 2019 season of Dana White’s Contender Series by submitting Kenneth Berg in the first round with a broken foot. However, he won’t be able to display his talent inside the octagon anytime soon. The Brazilian fighter got flagged by USADA for using the prohibited substance Nandrolone and was immediately released from his contract with the UFC. The news was first reported by Combate and confirmed by BJPenn.com.
Colby Covington believes Ben Askren gets 'his walking papers' if he loses to Demian Maia
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2019
Colby Covington and Ben Askren do not like each other to say the least. They trade shots at one another in interviews and “Chaos” believes “Funky” will be released if he loses his next fight. Ben Askren is coming off of a knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 in five seconds. He is now rumored to fight Demain Maia after his medical suspension is up, which Covington believes is a fight “Funky” losses.