UFC News
Andre Fili reunites with father after 17 years
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2019
Days ahead of his UFC Sacramento fight with Sheymon Moraes, UFC featherweight contender Andre Fili reunited with his father, who had been in prison for 17 years. In fact, Fili’s father actually attended the fight, and watched his son’s impressive first-round TKO victory. Speaking to MMA Junkie after the fight, Andre Fili explained how fighting in front of his long absent father, his family and friends in Sacramento provided extra motivation to win.
Ryan Hall breaks down 'completely and utterly dominant' UFC Sacramento win
Cole Shelton - July 17, 2019
Last Saturday, Ryan Hall took to the Octagon in Sacramento and beat a local favorite, Darren Elkins, by decision. While Hall is known for his world class Brazilian jiu jitsu, it was his striking that was on display in this fight, as he was able to drop Elkins twice en route to his win. Although Hall didn’t get the finish, he says the fight went about as perfect as it could have.
Leon Edwards argues Jorge Masvidal doesn't deserve title shot
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2019
When Jorge Masvidal knocked former Bellator and ONE welterweight champion Ben Askren out in five seconds at UFC 239, he cemented himself as one of the top contenders in the UFC welterweight division — perhaps even the top contender outright. Yet rising British contender Leon Edwards, who fights Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC San Antonio this weekend, doesn’t believe Masvidal has earned a title shot just yet. “I never held Askren in high regard anyway,” Edwards told MMA Fighting, downplaying Masvidal’s victory. “He just shouted his mouth off the get to where he’s at. He’s an amateur on the feet, I’ve watched him hit pads and it’s weird; even his shots are slow. He came in, he talked his way up into the position he was in and then he dipped his head into a knee.
Dana White explains why Georges St-Pierre won't get lightweight title shot
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2019
Georges St-Pierre is retired. That being said, a large portion of the MMA community is still clinging to the hope that the former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion will eventually dust off his gloves and return to the Octagon — perhaps in pursuit of a third title against UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. UFC President Dana White says that won’t be happening, as St-Pierre didn’t hold up his end of the deal after battling Michael Bisping for the middleweight title in 2017. He doesn’t seem to trust the Canadian after this incident.
Anthony Smith fires back at Jon Jones: 'I'm the guy that made you almost likeable'
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2019
Back at UFC 235, Jon Jones defended his light heavyweight title against Anthony Smith. Although it was a dominant performance from “Bones” he nearly had another DQ loss on his record. During the fight, the champion threw a knee that connected with Smith’s head while he was down. It was an illegal knee and had “Lionheart” not been able to continue, he would have won the belt. But, he decided to stay in the fight and took Jones to the scorecards.
Abel Trujillo charged with felony sexual exploitation of a child and felony obscenity
Adam Martin - July 16, 2019
Serious criminal charges have been laid against former UFC lightweight contender Abel Trujillo. According to a report from TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, Trujillo has been charged with felony sexual exploitation of a child and felony obscenity. The report says that Trujillo is currently being held on a $10,000 bond in Castle Rock, Colorado.
UFC rankings update: Urijah Faber back on the bantamweight ladder
Fernando Quiles - July 16, 2019
The latest UFC rankings update for July 16, 2019 is in. In the wake of UFC Sacramento, Urijah Faber has returned to the bantamweight ladder. Faber hadn’t competed since Dec. 2016. Many expected “The California Kid” to ride off into the sunset and enjoy retirement as a UFC Hall of Famer. Instead, he returned and stopped Ricky Simon in 46 seconds. In the process, Faber has knocked Simon off the 135-pound rankings.
Who did it better: Jorge Masvidal or Kid Yamamoto
Natasha Hooper - July 16, 2019
Jorge Masvidal broke the UFC record for the fastest KO in history on July 6, snapping Ben Askren’s undefeated streak with a brutal flying knee. At UFC 239, “Gamebred” anticipated a takedown attempt from Askren and counteracted “Funky” with a flying knee. Askren was knocked out cold, and Masvidal was quick to bask in the glory of his swift victory. The fight ended officially at the five second mark of round 1. However, Masvidal believes if the referee had intervened sooner, the fight would have finished within 2 or 3 seconds.
Jon Jones responds to Corey Anderson following comments about crack and weed smoke
Christopher Taylor - July 16, 2019
UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones was not impressed by the recent comments made by perennial division contender Corey Anderson. ‘Beastin 25/8’ was a recent guest on the Slip n Dip Podcast where he seemingly attacked Jones’ past with the following statement.
Dana White details his plans for current ‘champ champ’ Henry Cejudo
Adam Martin - July 16, 2019
After Urijah Faber knocked out Ricky Simon at UFC Sacramento, he called for a fight against UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo and that potential matchup is the talk of the MMA world right now. However, Cejudo is not just the UFC bantamweight champion. He is also the UFC flyweight champion, and UFC president Dana White hopes he defends his 125lbs title next.
Jorge Masvidal will only accept two opponents for his next fight!
Chris Taylor - July 16, 2019
Jorge Masvidal scored arguably this biggest win of his career earlier this month, defeating former Bellator and ONE champion Ben Askren by way of knockout. ‘Gamebred’ set a record for the ‘fastest knockout in his history’ with the win, as he needed on 5-seconds to put an end to Askren’s undefeated streak.
Is Darren Till heading to the middleweight division?
Mike Heck - July 16, 2019
Ever since Darren Till missed weight for his fight with Stephen Thompson last May, the questions began on whether or not “The Gorilla” should make the move from welterweight to middleweight. Since then, Till has had two more appearances at 170-pounds — including an opportunity at the UFC welterweight title — in which he was finished in the second round of both fights. According to an Instagram post from Till late Monday night, it seems like a move to the 185-pounds has gone a bit beyond the discussion stage.