UFC News
Alex Volkanovski details insane journey he made to be UFC 240 backup fighter
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2019
Australian featherweight contender Alex Volkanovski is in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for UFC 240, and is prepared to spring in to action in the event that Max Holloway or Frankie Edgar is unable to compete in the main event. In the end, both Holloway and Edgar made weight, which means Volkanovski won’t get a short-notice title shot due to a weigh-in blunder — although it’s still possible some other disaster could render his services necessary.
UFC 240 | Geoff Neal believes Niko Price bout will be 'Fight of the Night'
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2019
Geoff Neal did not expect to wait this long in between fights, but he is excited with the way things worked out. The Texan will now fight on the main card of UFC 240 against Niko Price in a fight that promises to deliver. “It is really cool. Everyone knows it will be a really fun fight,” Neal said to BJPENN.com. “This is the type of fight that I like to see, so I know fans will love to see. Just a great matchup.”
UFC 240 weigh-in results: Headliners hit their marks
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2019
On Saturday night, the UFC will take over Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with UFC 240. The card will be topped by a dynamite featherweight title fight between reigning UFC divisional champion Max Holloway and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. The two stars have been booked several times previously to no avail, but all signs point to their finally meeting this weekend in Canada.
Megan Anderson returns at UFC 243
Mike Heck - July 26, 2019
Megan Anderson will return to the Octagon and her home country in October. Anderson will welcome newcomer Zarah Fairn dos Santos to the organization when they square off at UFC 243, sources confirm to BJPenn.com. The event will take place Oct. 6 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
Alexandre Pantoja: Joseph Benavidez 'needs to fight me first' before Cejudo
Natasha Hooper - July 26, 2019
Alexandre Pantoja is already predicting an interim title fight for himself against Joseph Benavidez. This Saturday, Alexandre Pantoja will be going up against rival Deiveson Figueiredo in a flyweight bout at UFC 240. Figueiredo has vocalized his expectation of a future interim title fight against Joseph Benavidez. However, Pantoja believes he should get Benavidez next.
Cris Cyborg: 'Everything Dana says is a lie'
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2019
UFC President Dana White has recently had plenty to say about former UFC featherweight Cris Cyborg — most notably suggesting that the Brazilian is not interested in a rematch with two-division champion Amanda Nunes. Cyborg has vehemently denied White’s claims in the past, but at this point, almost seems to find them comical.
UFC 240 loses undercard fight due to failed drug test
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2019
If you tuned in for the UFC 240 weigh-ins, you may have noticed that Alberta’s own Tanner Boser was absent. That’s because his opponent Giacomo Lemos reportedly failed a last-minute drug test and was pulled from the card. Boser claims Lemos’ withdrawal was so down-to-the-wire that the UFC could not find him a replacement opponent for UFC 240. Considering he was set to make his long-awaited UFC debut in his hometown, it’s understandable that he’s not happy. To add insult to injury, Boser will apparently only get his show money and his Reebok sponsorship money — not his win bonus.
Dana White: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor rematch is 'absolutely possible' after UFC 242
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2019
The UFC lightweight division is arguably the best division in MMA. Home to champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and stars like Conor McGregor, Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, it is absolutely packed with top talent. Speaking with Rich Eisen this week, UFC President Dana White gave his take on the UFC lightweight division and the exciting matchups that can be made therein. He even sees retired former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre as a player in the division.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is starting to 'hate' combat sports after boxers death
Cole Shelton - July 25, 2019
Earlier this week, tragic news came out that boxer Maxim Dadashev passed away due to the injuries he sustained in his fight with Subriel Matias. Maxim’s trainer, Buddy McGirt called off the fight after the 11th round and said he wanted to stop it earlier.
Dan Hardy thinks Ben Askren vs. Demian Maia is 'fascinating fight'
Fernando Quiles - July 25, 2019
Dan Hardy believes a potential matchup between Ben Askren and Demian Maia is quite intriguing. Askren is coming off the first loss of his professional mixed martial arts career. He was knocked out in five seconds courtesy of Jorge Masvidal’s flying knee. This set a record for the fastest knockout in UFC history. Meanwhile, Maia is coming off a majority decision victory over Anthony Rocco Martin.
Felicia Spencer criticizes team Cyborg for 'disrespectful' social media posts
Tom Taylor - July 25, 2019
Earlier this month, rumors briefly swirled suggesting that Felicia Spencer was out of her UFC 240 fight with Cris Cyborg. Though these rumors were quickly proven to be inaccurate, several posts on Cris Cyborg’s social media channels seemed to fan the flames, so to speak. Spencer was not happy about this.
CM Punk still training, open to another fight
Tom Taylor - July 25, 2019
Former WWE star CM Punk has now fought twice in the UFC’s Octagon, first losing by submission to Mickey Gall, then losing a lopsided decision to Mike Jackson. Despite these tough losses, however, the gritty pro veteran is still open to getting back on the horse and competing in the Octagon again. Punk, who still trains alongside UFC stars at Roufusport every day, discussed his future in the sport in a recent interview with ESPN.
Teammate believes Conor McGregor may return by end of 2019
Fernando Quiles - July 25, 2019
Don’t close the book on a 2019 return for Conor McGregor just yet. McGregor has teased retirements and returns several times. The former UFC “champ-champ” competed back in Oct. 2018 against Khabib Nurmagomedov. “The Eagle” successfully retained his UFC lightweight title by submitting McGregor in the fourth round at UFC 229. Chaos ensued in a post-fight brawl and both men were suspended and fined for their roles in the fracas. They are both free to return to the Octagon now and Nurmagomedov will be in action on Sept. 7 against Dustin Poirier.
Colby Covington questions Robbie Lawler's longevity: 'It doesn't make sense'
Tom Taylor - July 25, 2019
Former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler is seemingly as dangerous today, at 37 years old, as he’s ever been. Lawler’s next opponent, Colby Covington, is cognizant of that fact — and from the sounds of it, he’s a tad suspicious about it. Colby Covington commented on Lawler’s incredible longevity on a recent episode of Submission Radio.
Frankie Edgar discusses possible featherweight title win, potential move to 135
Cole Shelton - July 25, 2019
In the main event of UFC 240, Frankie Edgar has the chance to become a two-division UFC champion. “The Answer” already held the lightweight title from 2010-2012. Since then, the 37-year-old has dropped down to featherweight, and has been chasing gold in the division ever since. At 145 pounds, Edgar has previously fought for the undisputed title and the interim title, both times against the former champ Jose Aldo, and both times losing by decision. Now, he has a chance to capture the belt once again, this time against reigning champ Max Holloway.
Dana White interested in booking Jorge Masvidal vs. Leon Edwards
Adam Martin - July 25, 2019
UFC president Dana White says he is interested in booking a high-profile welterweight grudge match between top contenders Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards. White told reporters that a fight between Masvidal and Edwards — who clearly do not like each other — intrigues him.
UFC 240 | Pro fighters make their picks for Max Holloway vs. Frankie Edgar title fight
Cole Shelton - July 25, 2019
In the main event of UFC 240, Max Holloway is looking to defend his featherweight title when he takes on the former lightweight champion, Frankie Edgar. Heading into this fight, the featherweight champion is a -400 favorite, while “The Answer” is a +300 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions. As the odds suggest, most are leaning towards Holloway.
Dana White 'numb' to latest in Jon Jones saga
Mike Heck - July 25, 2019
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has found himself in hot water once again and Dana White seems to be densensitized to the situation at this point. Jones was recently charged with battery after an alleged incident involving a waitress at a strip club in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “Bones”, along with his team, are maintaining that the light heavyweight champion was not involved in any wrongdoing during the innocent that reportedly took place before Jones’ latest title defense against Thiago Santos at UFC 239.