PFL champ Kayla Harrison targets Sarah Kaufman fight ahead of 2020 season
(https:) Kayla Harrison might now be a millionaire, but don’t think for a moment it’s changed her approach – or her desire to win – ahead of the next PFL season.
Reigning 2019 women’s lightweight tournament champion Harrison (7-0 MMA, 7-0 PFL) talked to MMA Junkie at this past Saturday’s Dominance MMA media day in Las Vegas and said nothing has changed since her $1 million-winning performance, and explained she’s chomping at the bit to get back into competitive action.
Harrison was expected to face Sarah Kaufman in the finale this past New Year’s Eve, but after the Canadian lost to Larissa Pacheco in the semifinals, it meant arguably the biggest female matchup in the PFL fell by the wayside. But it remains a matchup the two-time Olympic judo gold medalist would love to take on.
Valentina Shevchenko thinks Zhang Weili lost at UFC 248, expects title reign to end next fight
(https:)Valentina Shevchenko became educated on Zhang Weili after watching UFC 248, and she came away with mixed reviews.
Shevchenko (19-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC), the UFC women’s flyweight champion, previously stated she hadn’t seen enough of Weili (21-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in four prior bouts to know what the UFC’s first Chinese titleholder was truly all about. She got five rounds of thrilling action in the “Fight of the Night” on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but it ended in a tight result. The champion retained by split decision over Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who Shevchenko believes, along with at least one judge, should have won the fight.
Stipe Miocic: Eye injury ‘getting better,’ summer return a possibility
(https:)UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic doesn’t expect himself to be out of action for much longer.
Miocic told TMZ Sports that recovery from the eye injury he suffered in his rematch with Daniel Cormier at UFC 241 is progressing well. The injury was severe enough that Miocic had to undergo surgery following the August 2019 bout.
Frankie Edgar targeting UFC return in June, ready to fight any top-ranked bantamweight
(https:)Frankie Edgar still is intending on dropping down to 135 pounds.
Edgar (23-8-1 MMA, 17-8-1 UFC) delayed his bantamweight debut when he stepped in on short notice to face Chan Sung Jung in a featherweight bout this past December.
He was stopped in the first round for his third loss in his past four fights. Edgar was supposed to fight Cory Sandhagen in January, and due to the damage he sustained against Jung, he wasn’t able to make the quick turnaround.
The Sandhagen rebooking could be a possibility, but Edgar isn’t holding on to that fight specifically. He just wants to face a ranked opponent.
So here's why Brian Ortega has beef with Jay Park but not 'The Korean Zombie'
(https:)Brian Ortega’s beef is with rapper Jay Park. Brian Ortega does not, however, have a problem with “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung.
Ortega made that very clear by issuing a statement Monday night in which he admitted to slapping Park in the face and explained why. Ortega also included one of those non-apology apologies for the incident, which was caught on video.
Diego Ferreira, Drew Dober agree to fight at UFC Oklahoma City
(https:)A bout between two surging lightweights is in the works for the UFC’s return to Oklahoma.
Diego Ferreira(16-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) is expected to face Drew Dober (21-9 MMA, 7-5 UFC) at the May event. Two people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the booking Monday but asked to remain anonymous since the UFC has yet to make an announcement.
Alexander Volkanovski wants Max Holloway rematch at UFC 251, fires back at 'Korean Zombie'
(https:)Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is zeroing in on a rematch with Max Holloway on home soil at UFC 251.
Although Volkanovski is still dealing with a lingering hand injury from when he beat Holloway by unanimous decision to take the title at UFC 245 in December, he said he will advance his recovery timeline to ensure he competes at the event. When looking at the lay of the land at 145 pounds, he thinks a second encounter with “Blessed” is most logical.
Julianna Pena out of UFC on ESPN 8 fight against Aspen Ladd
(https:)Julianna Pena has been forced out of a potential No. 1 contender’s fight against Aspen Ladd at the upcoming UFC on ESPN 8 from Columbus, Ohio.
Sources close to the situation confirmed to MMA Fighting that Pena suffered an injury that will keep her from competing on March 28. The news was first reported by MMAJunkie.
Tai Tuivasa vs. Jarjis Danho added to UFC 251
(https:)Tai Tuivasa has himself another home date.
The UFC announced Friday that “Bam Bam” will meet Jarjis Danho in a heavyweight bout at UFC 251, which takes place at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on June 6 (June 7 local time).
Anderson or Spencer? Nunes lands UFC 250 title fight in Brazil
(https:)Amanda Nunes will attempt to defend her women’s featherweight title for the first time at UFC 250.
Nunes, who owns belts at 145 pounds and women’s bantamweight, will meet Felicia Spencer on her home soil in the co-main event of the May fight card.
MMA Junkie verified the title booking with a UFC official following an initial report from ESPN.com. The UFC’s broadcast partner was informed of the fight by UFC president Dana White.
UFC 250 takes place May 9 at Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.
