UFC News
Jon Jones: Heavy Lies The Crown
Chris Taylor - March 9, 2019
In this week’s “Heavy Lies the Crown” feature, BJPENN.com’s Chris Taylor takes a look at the dangerous challenges awaiting current UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones. Jones was most recently seen in action at last weekend’s UFC 235 event in Las Vegas, where he scored a unanimous decision victory over Anthony Smith.
Derrick Lewis reveals his lone concern for tonight’s fight with Junior Dos Santos
Chris Taylor - March 9, 2019
Derrick Lewis will square off with former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos in the headliner of tonight’s UFC Witchita event. Derrick Lewis (21-6 MMA) has not been seen in action since falling short in his bid to dethrone current UFC heavyweight title holder Daniel Cormier at November’s UFC 230 event in New York.
Nate Diaz has some strong words for Conor McGregor: “In real life your dead”
Chris Taylor - March 9, 2019
Earlier this week was the three-year anniversary of the first fight between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz which took place at UFC 196 in March of 2016. Diaz, who took the pairs initial fight on short-notice, went on to submit McGregor with a rear-naked choke in Round Two at the event.
Ben Askren vows to retire if he gets KO’d by Kamaru Usman
Chris Taylor - March 9, 2019
Ben Askren continues to wreak havoc both inside and outside of the octagon, with his latest target being newly-crowned UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. “Funky” made his highly anticipated octagon debut earlier this month at UFC 235, where he scored a controversial submission victory over former division title holder Robbie Lawler.
Colby Covington says he and Dana White are on 'great terms'
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2019
Colby Covington flew to Las Vegas for UFC 235 with the intentions of talking face to face with UFC President Dana White. Covington and White were not on the best of terms heading into last weekend’s event, this after Covington was snubbed of his “promised” title shot by the promotion.
Aljamain Sterling says TJ Dillashaw vs Henry Cejudo 2 is on, wants rematch with Marlon Moraes
Drake Riggs - March 8, 2019
The 135-pound bantamweight division is about as deep as it gets across the board in MMA. In the UFC specifically, new and exciting talents are seemingly emerging with every event. However, the weight class is, unfortunately, starting to find itself a bit clogged at the top. At UFC Brooklyn in January, the division’s champion, TJ Dillashaw, went down in weight to try and capture the flyweight title against the recently crowned Henry Cejudo. The defending champion would end up doing just that as he only needed 32 seconds to dispatch of the higher weight class’ titleholder.
Anthony Johnson hit with restraining order
Tom Taylor - March 8, 2019
According to a report from MMAjunkie, former UFC welterweight and light heavyweight contender Anthony Johnson has been hit with a restraining order. This restraining order was filed by a Florida woman who claims to have had a relationship with Johnson previously.
Jon Jones gives his take on new light heavyweight contender Johnny Walker
Tom Taylor - March 8, 2019
It doesn’t look like the title reign of Jon Jones is going to end anytime soon. At the same time, Brazilian light heavyweight contender Johnny Walker is hurtling toward title contention at breakneck speeds. As such, many fans are already discussing a potential Jon Jones vs. Johnny Walker title fight.
EXCLUSIVE | Josh Emmett criticizes UFC pay structure after recent 'financial struggles'
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2019
Josh Emmett is set to return to the Octagon on March 30, when he takes on Michael Johnson. When he does finally return, it will have been over a year since his last fight because of all the injuries he sustained in his last outing. That left Emmett with only one fight in 2018 and only one chance to get paid. During this time off, Emmett got thinking about the pay structure in the UFC, and he thinks it could use some work.
Ronda Rousey makes controversial comments about pro wrestling, Miesha Tate believes she knows why
Tom Taylor - March 8, 2019
Ronda Rousey is either taking an unconventional approach to promotion, or she is completely breaking kayfabe amid her feud with Becky Lynch. In a recent video posted on her personal YouTube channel, the former UFC bantamweight champ unleashed a heated rant, assuring that her future foes will feel the full breadth of her MMA arsenal, whether it’s been scripted or not. Why? ‘Cause pro wrestling isn’t real.
Austin Vanderford fires back at Instagram trolls following Paige VanZant's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot
Thomas Taylor - March 7, 2019
UFC flyweight contender Paige VanZant is the latest MMA star to model for Sports Illustrated. The popular fighter recently announced this exciting news on her official Instagram account, and even shared a few clips from her first day of shooting. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before the trolls and haters started to creep in and comment on VanZant’s Instagram posts.
BREAKING | UFC Sunrise headliner changes as Yoel Romero now set to rematch Jacare Souza
Drake Riggs - March 7, 2019
The UFC heads to Florida in late April for what looks to be a rather exciting card from top to bottom. At the very top, however, there has been a change in the card’s originally expected main event.
UFC champion Jon Jones offers to train star NHL enforcer Ryan Reaves
Chris Taylor - March 7, 2019
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones successfully defended his title at last weekend’s UFC 235 event, defeating Anthony Smith via unanimous decision. It was another brilliant performance from “Bones”, who seemingly had his way with “Lionheart” for the majority of their five-round championship contest.
Early UFC 235 PPV estimates suggest fifth-best since 2017
Drake Riggs - March 7, 2019
UFC 235 was the biggest event of 2019 to this point and the results showed why. There were many spectacular performances from top to bottom as we kicked things off with a fun back and forth strawweight battle between Hannah Cifers and Poliana Viana before getting devastating knockouts via Macy Chiasson and Edmen Shahbazyan. Those were just the early prelims though!
Robbie Lawler's manager releases statement on Ben Askren's post-fight comments
Cole Shelton - March 7, 2019
Ben Askren made his highly anticipated octagon debut at last weekend’s UFC 235 event in Las Vegas against Robbie Lawler. In the early moments of the fight, Lawler slammed Askren to the canvas and began raining down brutal ground and pound. Somehow, Askren survived and got back up to his feet where he eventually got ahold of Lawler’s back. There, he latched on to a bulldog choke which caused Herb Dean to jump in and stop the fight. It was a controversial stoppage which many fight fans and analysts believe was a bad stoppage.
Aspen Ladd and Sijara Eubanks set to run it back at UFC Rochester
Drake Riggs - March 7, 2019
UFC 235 took place this past Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada. As stacked of a card as it was it actually ended up staying completely intact as well… For the most part, anyway. When it comes to complete fight removals, during fight week the card lost out on a bantamweight clash between Marlon “Chito” Vera and Frankie Saenz after Vera pulled out with an illness. Saenz was a late replacement for Thomas Almeida.
Bas Rutten explains what Conor McGregor is like off-camera
Tom Taylor - March 7, 2019
Conor McGregor has recently been traveling across the United States. During his travels, he’s popped into a number of notable gyms — including the home base of former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten. Speaking on Submission Radio recently, Bas Rutten detailed what sounds like a pleasant visit with the international superstar Conor McGregor, and explained how the Irishman comports himself in the rare moments when the cameras aren’t rolling.
EXCLUSIVE | Dominick Reyes discusses potential strategies for UFC London showdown with Volkan Oezdemir
Tom Taylor - March 7, 2019
At UFC London, which goes down on March 16, surging light heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes will face arguably the toughest test of his career in former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir. In Oezdemir, Reyes will face a clever striker with shocking power in both hands. Given his foe’s strengths, Reyes is prepared to ground the fight if need be.