UFC News

Drake Riggs - April 9, 2019

The Summertime is always a big time of the year for the UFC as evidenced by the big events they put on with all of them culminating at the end of International Fight Week. This year, the end event of that will be UFC 239 on July 6. But before we get there, the promotion has to head through Chicago, Illinois for UFC 238. And with plenty of fantastic bouts already on the bill, it continues to get more as finalization looms.

Thomas Taylor - April 9, 2019

TJ Dillashaw has been suspended for two years by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after testing positive for EPO in an in-competition drug test. Whether it’s coincidental or not, it’s worth noting that former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt accused Dillashaw of using this banned substance specifically almost one year ago.

Tom Taylor - April 9, 2019

Last month, we learned that former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw had failed an in-competition drug test surrounding his UFC Brooklyn flyweight title fight with Henry Cejudo. Dillashaw broke this news himself, announcing that he was being investigated by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), and that he was relinquishing the UFC bantamweight strap as a result. On Tuesday afternoon, ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported that the substance detected on the TJ Dillashaw test in question was recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), and that Dillashaw has received a two-year suspension as a result. This suspension is dated retroactively to January 18, 2019, meaning TJ Dillashaw can fight again on the same day in 2021. Dillashaw reportedly didn’t contest this verdict.

Nolan King - April 9, 2019

Thirty-one-year-old welterweight Derrick Krantz has been competing in mixed martial arts longer than most. Last Friday night, Dana White validated all the blood, sweat, and tears Krantz has poured into the sport. After a short tenure as an amateur competitor, Krantz made the jump to the professional ranks in 2008. Battling the who’s who of welterweights on the Texas regional scene.

Tom Taylor - April 9, 2019

When Brock Lesnar relinquished his WWE title at WrestleMania 35 on Sunday night, one of the final hurdles between him and a title fight with UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier disappeared. Suddenly, it seems as though this long-discussed fight could happen quite soon. Daniel Cormier is certainly hoping that’s the way things shake out. The heavyweight champion explained why this fight needs to happen in a recent interview with TMZ Sports.

Tom Taylor - April 9, 2019

Ask undefeated UFC heavyweight Juan Adams how he feels about disgraced NFL veteran Greg Hardy, and he will not mince words. Adams went off on the former football player, who has been getting a massive push from the UFC, on the latest episode of BJPENN.com Radio.

Tom Taylor - April 9, 2019

The UFC is set to host another one of its star-studded seasonal press conferences at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia this Friday at 12 p.m. ET. This press conferences, which precedes the exciting UFC 236 card in the same venue, will be emceed by UFC President Dana White, and feature the stars of several upcoming cards including Jon Jones, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo. In the past, these press conferences have produced some massive headlines, and this event, which is free and open to the public, figures to be no different.

Drake Riggs - April 8, 2019

10 years ago, Ross ‘The Real Deal’ Pearson made his UFC debut by becoming the lightweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 9 when he defeated Andre Winner via unanimous decision. 25-fights later and the British slugger is now calling it a career. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwA_GBihiO7/ “After some long hard talks, and careful consideration with my family, friends and team, I’ve decided it’s time to retire as an MMA fighter. As hard as that is to say, it’s not the end of my career as a competitor. I’ve always been a fighter, and right now I am keeping my mind open as to what’s next for me. I’d like take this time to thank everyone at the @UFC for having me for the past 10 years @danawhite for seeing something in me and believing in me for all these years ago. To my family, my teammates, and my friends, your support has been endless and I appreciate all of you – with a special shout out to all the north east training partners & coaches who where there for me in the beginning @grapplefit to @alliancemma for taking me in as part of the family, my wife @kristiejpearson for following my dream with me and all the guys at @centralcoastmma. . And to all my fans , thanks for all the love & support !” Pearson said on Instagram.

Drake Riggs - April 8, 2019

For years now, there have been two consensus top 155-pound lightweight fighters on the planet. One of those men being none other than ‘El Cucuy,’ The Ultimate Fighter season 13 winner, Tony Ferguson. With only a single loss in his UFC career, Ferguson has gone on to win 11 consecutive fights since then and done so all in thrilling fashion.

Drake Riggs - April 8, 2019

The nation of Kyrgyzstan officially has their first ever UFC champion and that’s the “Bullet,” Valentina Shevchenko. On December 8, 2018, at UFC 231 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Shevchenko won the vacant UFC flyweight championship by defeating former strawweight queen, Joanna Jedrzejczyk via dominant unanimous decision.

Tom Taylor - April 8, 2019

Last month, Irish MMA star Conor McGregor found himself in hot water after getting into an ugly altercation with a fan, and smashing that fan’s cell phone. After this incident, Ahmed Abdirzak, the owner of the phone, sought more than $15,000 in damages, accusing McGregor of battery, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The incident was captured on video. In this video, McGregor could be seen stomping Abdirzak’s phone.

Nolan King - April 8, 2019

The UFC is working on an eye-catching bout for its debut in South Carolina. The promotion is angling for a bout between female flyweights Montana De La Rosa and Andrea Lee for UFC Greenville on June 22, per FloCombat. Initially, the UFC was targeting Montana De La Rosa for a bout at UFC 236 against Paige VanZant -— a fight De La Rosa was lobbying for. However, an arm injury prevented VanZant from being able to take the fight.

Tom Taylor - April 8, 2019

Last night, in the first-ever all-female WrestleMania main event, Ireland’s Becky Lynch defeated Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey to become the Smackdown and Raw champion. In an unsurprising twist, Irish UFC star Conor McGregor quickly took to social media to congratulate Lynch on her massive, history-making victory. McGregor also took this opportunity to once again hint as his own potential move to the WWE ring.

Mike Straus - April 8, 2019

“The Immortal” Matt Brown has been in the MMA game for nearly 15 years, and the 38-year-old welterweight is showing few signs of slowing down. Although Brown hasn’t had a fight since smashing Diego Sanchez back at Fight Night 120 in November of 2017, the veteran of 24 Octagon appearances has been staying busy.

Tom Taylor - April 8, 2019

Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett is now a Bellator MMA fighter. Although this news broke on April Fools day, it is indeed factual. Bellator President Scott Coker even has an opponent in mind for the heavyweight legend’s debut. Coker first announced that reigning Bellator light heavyweight and heavyweight champ Ryan Bader will defend his heavyweight belt against Cheick Kongo before returning to the light heavyweight division. He then added that Josh Barnett is likely to get an immediate title shot against the winner of Bader and Kongo’s fight.

Cole Shelton - April 8, 2019

Max Griffin is looking to get back into the win column at UFC 236. Griffin is currently on a two-fight losing streak with losses to Curtis Millender and Thiago Alves, although many thought Griffin beat Alves back in February.

Thomas Taylor - April 7, 2019

It was only a matter before Conor McGregor reacted to Artem Lobov’s thrilling, Saturday-night victory over Jason Knight at BKFC 5. On Sunday evening, the Irish MMA superstar took to Twitter to congratulate his long-time training partner — and his foe — on this unforgettable fight. He also claimed that Lobov now deserves a new BKFC contract, and took a shot at their shared rival Paulie Malignaggi.

Mike Pendleton - April 7, 2019

Leon Edwards is more than just some guy that got into it with Jorge Masvidal at UFC London this past March. In fact, Leon Edwards has the resume that should see him inside the top-10 in the UFC’s welterweight division, yet because he doesn’t trash talk like others in his division, he still sits waiting for his chance at a top-ranked opponent. In an exclusive interview with BJPenn.com, Edwards discussed how he’s enjoying the momentum of his current winning streak, fighting for his country and family, and having his sights set on a title shot by the end of 2019.