Tag: Featured

Jon Jones Says Talks Have Begun For His Move To Heavyweight

Jon JonesJon Jones has announced he and the UFC have re-opened negotiations about his eagerly anticipated move up to the heavyweight division. The former light-heavyweight champion told fans earlier in the day he was dropping his 205lb strap. Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz are expected to face off for the vacant title at UFC 253 on […]

Jon Jones

Jon Jones has announced he and the UFC have re-opened negotiations about his eagerly anticipated move up to the heavyweight division.

The former light-heavyweight champion told fans earlier in the day he was dropping his 205lb strap. Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz are expected to face off for the vacant title at UFC 253 on September 26.

A few hours later and his move to heavyweight seems to be at least one step closer as the fighter and UFC have opened up a dialogue and taken steps to mend their frosty relationship.

“Just had a really positive conversation with UFC. Sounds like there will be negotiations for my next fight at heavyweight. All good news, the weight gaining process begins,” Jones wrote on social media.

Jones is prepared to stay in the testing pool and begin to bulk up for heavyweight in the hope that he and the UFC will be able to get a deal done for his move up to heavyweight.

“In good faith I will be staying in the testing pool for probably the nest half year or so. I’ll continue to lift weights and train all the different martial arts,” Jones added.  

Jones was previously in talks to challenge heavyweight knockout artist Francis Ngannou but those negotiations quickly soured. UFC boss Dana White publicly claimed Jones was asking for “obscene” money to face the Cameroonian. ‘Bones’ denied those claims but White doubled down and revealed the 205lb king wanted the same money Deontay Wilder makes – about $30 million – for his heavyweight debut.

As a result of this bitter end to fight talks Jones announced he would be sitting out from the sport until he was paid fairly. He has been throwing himself into things which help his community. Jones was even seen on the frontline challenging rioters and vandals in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.

Do you think Jon Jones can become a champion at heavyweight?

Anthony Johnson Re-Enters USADA Testing Ahead Of 205lb Comeback

Anthony JohnsonFormer light-heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson is set to end his retirement by re-entering the USADA testing pool ahead of a return to UFC 205lb division. Brett Okamoto of ESPN broke the news to his social media followers late last night, he wrote. “Breaking: Anthony Johnson will re-enter the UFC’s mandatory drug testing program this […]

Anthony Johnson

Former light-heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson is set to end his retirement by re-entering the USADA testing pool ahead of a return to UFC 205lb division.

Brett Okamoto of ESPN broke the news to his social media followers late last night, he wrote.

“Breaking: Anthony Johnson will re-enter the UFC’s mandatory drug testing program this week in anticipation of a comeback, per his manager Ali Abdelaziz. Right now, the plan is to come back as a light heavyweight.”

Abdelaziz quickly confirmed the report to be true and expressed his view that the light-heavyweight division was more exciting with the addition of his client – Johnson, he wrote.

“I know it’s normal to be uncomfortable when this beast will comeback Lightheavyweight division just got very excited.”

Johnson walked away from the sport after suffering a submission loss against Daniel Cormier at UFC 210 back in April 2017.

The 36-year-old previously announced he was planning a comeback in March but things went quiet on Johnson’s side according to UFC president Dana White and the comeback seemed off the table.

Now it back on fans can look forward to Johnson showcasing his infamous punches power that previously saw him take out the likes of Jimi Manuwa, Ryan Bader,  Glover Teixeira and Alexander Gustafsson during his rise to the top.

This news came hot on the heels of Jon Jones officially relinquishing his light-heavyweight title. ‘Bones’ took to social media last night to break the news, he wrote.

“Just got off the phone with @Ufc, today I confirm that I’m vacating the light heavyweight championship. It’s officially up for grabs. It’s been an amazing journey, sincere thank you to all my competition, Ufc and most importantly you fans.”

Earlier in the day, an exciting 205lb fight between Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz was announced. It is now expected these two men will square off for the belt vacated by Jones on September 26.

Do you think Anthony Johnson can make another run at the UFC light-heavyweight title?

Jon Jones Says He’s Vacated UFC Light Heavyweight Title

It looks like Jon Jones is no longer the UFC light heavyweight champion. Jones had been ruling the roost of the light heavyweight division in his second title reign. Throughout the UFC 252 broadcast, “Bones” had fight fans buzzing with his …

It looks like Jon Jones is no longer the UFC light heavyweight champion. Jones had been ruling the roost of the light heavyweight division in his second title reign. Throughout the UFC 252 broadcast, “Bones” had fight fans buzzing with his social media posts expressing interest in a move to heavyweight. Jones took to his […]

The post Jon Jones Says He’s Vacated UFC Light Heavyweight Title appeared first on MMA News.

Report: Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz Slated For UFC 253

Reyes BlachowiczDominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz are seemingly set to battle for the vacant light heavyweight title. It was reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto earlier on Monday that a contest between the pair was in the works for UFC 253 which takes place September 26. At the time, it wasn’t clear whether it was a non-title, […]

Reyes Blachowicz

Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz are seemingly set to battle for the vacant light heavyweight title.

It was reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto earlier on Monday that a contest between the pair was in the works for UFC 253 which takes place September 26.

At the time, it wasn’t clear whether it was a non-title, interim or title bout as the UFC was still figuring out the situation with Jon Jones.

“Breaking: A 205-pound fight between Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) and Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) is in the works for Sept. 26. The fight is nearly agreed to, but the stakes are being worked out. UFC is working with current champ Jon Jones right now to figure out his next move.”

However, with Jones later officially vacating his 205-pound crown, it appears we may have our answer.

Reyes is coming off a controversial but close unanimous decision defeat to Jones in their title fight at UFC 247 back in February. It was his first career defeat as he has heavily campaigned for a rematch since.

Blachowicz, meanwhile, is on a three-fight winning streak following his recent knockout of Corey Anderson. In total, he has also won seven of his last eight outings.

UFC 253 will be headlined by a middleweight title bout between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa. That means we could be set for a double header with two title fights taking place on the night.

What do you make of this fight? Who comes out on top?

Daniel Cormier Releases Statement Confirming Retirement

Daniel CormierFormer dual weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier seems to have confirmed his retirement from MMA after suffering a second straight loss to heavyweight king Stipe Miocic at UFC 252. The 41-year-old told veteran commentator Joe Rogan post-fight that he didn’t see another title shot in his future and therefore didn’t want to carry on fighting, […]

Daniel Cormier

Former dual weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier seems to have confirmed his retirement from MMA after suffering a second straight loss to heavyweight king Stipe Miocic at UFC 252.

The 41-year-old told veteran commentator Joe Rogan post-fight that he didn’t see another title shot in his future and therefore didn’t want to carry on fighting, he said.

“You know Joe, I am not interested in fighting for anything but titles and I don’t imagine there will be a title (shot) in the future so that’ll be it for me. I’ve had a long run, it’s been great. I mean I just fought my last fight for a heavyweight championship and it was a pretty good fight.” (Transcribed by BJPENN.com)

After taking a couple of days to reflect it now appears Cormier is dead set on retirement – he posted the following message to social media which seemingly confirmed ‘DC’ was done fighting.

“Thank you all for the love and support. Not what I wanted or expected but it is what it is,” Cormier wrote. “Congrats to @stipemiocic on a fantastic fight, was an honor and pleasure to share the octagon with you for 50 minutes. Boy did we give ‘em a show everytime. To my team: I love you all to death, you’ve made so many sacrifices. I hope I made you guys proud. Salina and the kids: thank you for being my motivation. To all the fans: I love you so much. You guys push me to try and be great. To @danawhite and the @ufc: I have loved every minute. Thank you for giving me the opportunity. Been a helluva ride, huh?”

Do you think Daniel Cormier has made the right move in walking away from the sport?

Jon Jones Officially Vacates Light Heavyweight Title, Still Remaining On Sidelines

JonesThere will be a new era in the light heavyweight division without Jon Jones. The longtime 205-pound king announced Monday on social media that he had officially vacated his title following a call with the UFC. “Just got off the phone with @Ufc, today I confirm that I’m vacating the light heavyweight championship. It’s officially […]

Jones

There will be a new era in the light heavyweight division without Jon Jones.

The longtime 205-pound king announced Monday on social media that he had officially vacated his title following a call with the UFC.

“Just got off the phone with @Ufc, today I confirm that I’m vacating the light heavyweight championship. It’s officially up for grabs. It’s been an amazing journey, sincere thank you to all my competition, Ufc and most importantly you fans.”

Jones claimed he was vacating his title earlier this summer after failed negotiations with the UFC over a pay increase to move up to heavyweight.

But this latest development hasn’t changed anything with regards to a potential move up to heavyweight — “Bones” will still remain inactive until the UFC decides to renegotiate with him.

“The last I spoke with @UFC about my salary there was no negotiating. If that ever changes, i’d love to come back and compete again as a heavyweight. Until then, I’ll be enjoying Ufc has a fan and doing my best to take care of my family and community”

He will also be remaining in the drug testing pool for the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

“In good faith I will be staying in the testing pool for probably the next half year or so. I’ll continue to lift weights and train all the different martial arts”

In the meantime, Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz will seemingly battle for the vacant title in a fight that is in the works for UFC 253 on September 26.

What do you make of this news?