UFC News
EXCLUSIVE | Jason Knight released by the UFC
Cole Shelton - January 10, 2019
Jason Knight has been released by the UFC. “They cut me after that last loss,” Knight told BJPENN.com this week.
Rose Namajunas opens as underdog against Jessica Andrade
James Lynch - January 10, 2019
Rose Namajunas is getting no love from the oddsmakers. The UFC strawweight champion, who is scheduled to defend her title against Jessica Andrade at UFC 237, opened as a +100 underdog (bet $100 to win $100) according to 5Dimes. Since then, the line has shot up even further, as Namajunas is sitting at a +135 underdog (bet $100 to win $135) with Andrade coming in at -165 (bet $165 to win $100).
Coach Din Thomas breaks down the 'four categories' of mixed martial artist
Tom Taylor - January 10, 2019
Speaking on the latest edition of the Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show, American Top Team coach Din Thomas detailed what he calls the ‘four categories’ of mixed martial artist. He says that, as a coach, it’s important for him to identify which category each fighter falls into in order to train them effectively. https://youtu.be/iTLbaarXoW8?t=1501
Dominick Cruz shares update after shoulder surgery
Tom Taylor - January 10, 2019
On Tuesday, former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz went under the knife to repair an injured shoulder. Speaking on Twitter shortly thereafter, the former champion called this surgery a success and said that he’s back on the road to recovery.
Report | Conor McGregor in negotiations to return to boxing for grudge match with Paulie Malignaggi
Christopher Taylor - January 9, 2019
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor is reportedly in negotiations to fight former boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi in the squared circle. That news comes via @BoxingKingdom14, who reported the following on Twitter:
Report | Officials looking to add a welterweight fight between Darren Till and Colby Covington to UFC London
Christopher Taylor - January 9, 2019
Darren Till and Colby Covington have engaged in some heated exchanges on social media in the past and have now been offered the opportunity to settle their beef inside the octagon at UFC London. BJPENN.com’s Chris Taylor reported the news of the proposed welterweight clash moments ago on Twitter.
Joe Rogan names a potential Jon Jones matchup that he wishes we could have seen
Thomas Taylor - January 9, 2019
Having smashed Alexander Gustafsson to a third-round TKO victory in the main event of UFC 232 in late December, Jon Jones is once again the UFC light heavyweight champion. With the belt once again wrapped around his waist, Jones is now scheduled for a fight with Anthony Smith at UFC 235. If the champ clears that hurdle, he can look forward to more huge fights in the UFC light heavyweight division and beyond.
Coach updates on Cris Cyborg's status with the UFC
Tom Taylor - January 9, 2019
Cris Cyborg is no longer the UFC women’s featherweight champion. The long-time titleholder’s reign came to a shocking halt in the co-main event of UFC 232 in late December, when she was knocked out by Amanda Nunes in just 51 seconds. Given that Cyborg’s current UFC contract will expire in March, some fans have speculated that she might take her services elsewhere at that point — perhaps to the boxing world, or to Japan for an exhibition bout.
Joe Rogan explains why Nate Diaz is such a big star
Tom Taylor - January 9, 2019
In the opinion of UFC color commentator Joe Rogan, Nate Diaz is one of the biggest stars in the UFC — perhaps almost as big a star as Conor McGregor. Rogan gave his take on the star power of the younger Diaz brother on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show, discussing the topic with American Top Team coach Din Thomas.
Din Thomas and Joe Rogan discuss the importance of telling fighters when to retire
Tom Taylor - January 9, 2019
Din Thomas, one of the coaches at American Top Team, and a former fighter himself, says he has no problem telling his fighters when it’s time to hang up the gloves. Thomas opened up on the topic in a conversation with Joe Rogan on the Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show. https://youtu.be/iTLbaarXoW8
Coach feels Cris Cyborg 'beat herself' against Amanda Nunes
Tom Taylor - January 9, 2019
Back at UFC 232 in late December, the longstanding title reign of UFC featherweight champ Cris Cyborg came to a shocking end at the hands of Amanda Nunes, who needed just 51 seconds to win by knockout. Speaking to MMAjunkie recently, Cyborg’s coach Jason Parillo gave his take on this shocking upset defeat. In his eyes, a big part of the problem was Cyborg’s approach to the first exchanges of the bout.
Jimmy Smith has an interesting theory about why so many UFC fighters are getting commentary jobs
Tom Taylor - January 9, 2019
Jimmy Smith served as a UFC commentator for the duration of 2018, but in 2019, the promotion decided not to renew his contract. Instead, he explained on The MMA Hour, they’re planning on hiring more fighters as commentators.
Jorge Masvidal praises Nick and Nate Diaz, still wants to fight both
Tom Taylor - January 9, 2019
Jorge Masvidal was briefly linked to a UFC 235 showdown with Nick Diaz, but that fight unfortunately fizzled out. All the same, Masvidal still has tremendous respect for Nick Diaz and his brother Nate, and is definitely interested in fighting both under the right circumstances. “Obviously, I want to fight Diaz, because they’re dogs,” Masvidal said on a recent episode of MMAjunkie Radio. “That’s what I really admire about them. Their skillset is not the greatest. They’re great at boxing. They’re great at jiu-jitsu even off their backs, but that thing – they don’t kick, they don’t wrestle.
Conor McGregor and Al Iaquinta exchange shots on social media
Christopher Taylor - January 8, 2019
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor took aim at Tristar gym head coach Firas Zahabi earlier this evening, which resulted in an bitter exchange with Al Iaquinta. “Mystic Mac” had blasted Zahabi for his recent comments in which he insinuated that current UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway would defeat Conor McGregor in a rematch.
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Michelle Waterson added to UFC Philadelphia
Drake Riggs - January 8, 2019
Today the UFC announced that their second event on the ESPN channel will be taking place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event got its first bout in a strawweight affair between top prospects Alexa Grasso (10-2) and Marina Rodriguez (10-0-1) after it was moved from UFC Fortaleza due to a Rodriguez injury.
Conor McGregor fires back at Firas Zahabi: "Stay ready!"
Christopher Taylor - January 8, 2019
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has fired back at Tristar coach Firas Zahabi over his recent comments. The famous coach of UFC star Georges St-Pierre, Zahabi, had recently shared his thoughts on the possible outcome of a rematch between Conor McGregor and current UFC featherweight kingpin Max Holloway.
AUDIO | Anthony Smith sends firey response to 'arrogant prick' Luke Rockhold
Drake Riggs - January 8, 2019
“I would fight that guy in aisle five of Walmart.“– @lionheartasmithresponds to Luke Rockhold’s comments about him #TLTS @lthomasnews pic.twitter.com/jjjS1n1BCT — MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) January 8, 2019
Cris Cyborg echoes Conor McGregor, shares interest in exhibition fight in Tokyo
Tom Taylor - January 8, 2019
Back at UFC 232 in late December, the longstanding title reign of UFC featherweight champ Cris Cyborg came to a shocking end at the hands of Amanda Nunes. Given Cyborg’s status as one of MMA’s most dominant champions ever, most fans feel that she deserves an immediate opportunity to avenge her loss to Nunes and reclaim the UFC featherweight title. If she doesn’t get this opportunity, however, she’s got a backup plan.