MMA News
Conor McGregor confirms "I accept" tweet was not meant for Khamzat Chimaev
Chris Taylor - August 1, 2020
When Conor McGregor took to Twitter with the message “I accept”, many fight fans thought he was responding to a challenge from Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev is quickly making a name for himself in the UFC, this after earning two wins in the past month at UFC Fight Island. After making his Octagon debut at UFC Fight Island 1 with a submission victory over John Phillips, Khamzat made UFC history when he picked up a second win in just 10 days by stopping Rhys McKee in the first-round at UFC Fight Island 3.
Sean O'Malley and Cody Garbrandt trade shots on Twitter
Chris Taylor - July 31, 2020
UFC bantamweight standouts Sean O’Malley and Cody Garbrandt engaged in a heated exchange on social media on Friday evening. The war of words started after O’Malley replied to a Garbrant video interview on Twitter and suggested that the former 135lbs champion was running from the division.
Breaking! Robert Whittaker returns at UFC 254 for number one contender bout with Jared Cannonier
Chris Taylor - July 31, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will be making a quick turnaround following his unanimous decision victory over Darren Till. Whittaker defeated the Liverpool native in the headliner of last weekend’s UFC Fight Island 3 event in Abu Dhabi and has already booked his next Octagon appearance.
Dana White believes "it makes a lot of sense" for Conor McGregor to return
Cole Shelton - July 31, 2020
Conor McGregor’s retirement may be soon be coming to an end. After UFC 250, the Irishman announced his retirement from MMA once again. For many, they didn’t think the retirement would last. But, UFC president, Dana White had been adamant that McGregor is retired and he would not be talking to him about fights.
Joanne Calderwood explains why she’s willing to risk a title shot against Valentina Shevchenko in order to fight Jennifer Maia
Natasha Hooper - July 31, 2020
Flyweight standout Joanne Calderwood has divulged why she is willing to a risk a title shot against Valentina Shevchenko for the opportunity to fight Jennifer Maia at UFC Vegas 5. Only a couple of months ago, the number three ranked flyweight was preparing to face off against the current champion, Valentina Shevchenko for the 125-pound crown. However, a knee injury and subsequent surgery forced Shevchenko out of their fight and put their matchup on the backburner.
Edson Barboza vs. Jeremy Stephens in the works for October UFC event
Adam Martin - July 31, 2020
A featherweight matchup between veteran strikers Edson Barboza and Jeremy Stephens is in the works for an October UFC event. According to a report from Combate, the UFC is currently negotiating a fight between Barboza and Stephens to take place on October 3. The venue and location of the event have not yet been confirmed. Although both fighters have competed at lightweight in the past, this potential pairing would have the two veterans meet in a featherweight bout.
Dana White says UFC 254: Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje will "probably" take place on Fight Island
Adam Martin - July 31, 2020
Dana White says that UFC 254 featuring Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje will “probably” take place on Fight Island. The UFC spent all of July holding events on Yas Island, promoting four cards on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi between July 11 and July 25. White praised officials in Abu Dhabi for doing an amazing job holding those events and he has promised that the promotion would be returning soon. The UFC is back at its home base in Las Vegas for five events in August, but events scheduled for September and August do not have locations announced just yet.
Dana White sends warning to Dan Hardy, says he will fire anyone who approaches an official
Adam Martin - July 31, 2020
UFC president Dana White says that he will fire anyone on his staff who approaches a judge or a referee in their dispute of the outcome of a fight. UFC color commentator Dan Hardy came under fire last week when he got into a verbal confrontation with referee Herb Dean following a controversial late stoppage in a catchweight bout between Francisco Trinaldo and Jai Herbert. Hardy yelled for Dean to stop the fight after Herbert took some extra shots, and was then caught on video getting into it with Dean. Both men have since released statements on the matter.
UFC on ESPN+ 31 weigh-in results: Headliners on point, one fighter misses weight, one fight scrapped
Adam D Martin - July 31, 2020
UFC on ESPN+ 31: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan takes place on Saturday at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and the weigh-ins took place on Friday. Headliners Edmen Shahbazyan and Derek Brunson both made weight for their three-round middleweight main event. Shahbazyan, the unbeaten prospect from Glendale Fighting Club, weighed in at 185.5. Brunson, the long-time veteran, weighed in at 186.
Video | Fighter disqualified after shoving referee Marc Goddard
Adam D Martin - July 31, 2020
Featherweight Ahmad Al Darmaki was disqualified after shoving veteran MMA referee Marc Goddard at a UAE Warriors event in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Al Darmaki (2-6) submitted his opponent Bogdan Kirilenko with a vicious rear-naked choke but Al Darmaki refused to let go of the chokehold when Goddard tried to wave off the fight. Goddard yanked Al Darmaki off of his defenseless opponent and Al Darmaki was then seen shoving the referee and grabbing onto his shirt. Instead of winning the fight via submission, Goddard instead rightfully disqualified Al Darmaki instead.
Photo | Anthony Pettis studies film for potential Anderson Silva fight at UFC 254
Adam D Martin - July 31, 2020
UFC welterweight Anthony Pettis posted a photo of him and coach Duke Roufus studying film for a potential Anderson Silva fight at UFC 254. Pettis called Silva out for a superfight between former UFC champions back in June, and Silva expressed interest in the bout as well, but so far nothing has come from it. UFC president Dana White was asked about a potential fight between the two stars and said that he has no interest in booking that fight.
Ali Abdelaziz: "I'm gonna do everything in my power" to make Henry Cejudo vs. Alexander Volkanovski happen
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2020
Henry Cejudo has been angling for a fight with UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, and his manager Ali Abdelaziz will be doing everything he can to make it happen. Cejudo, the former UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion, retired in May, after defending his bantamweight strap with a TKO win over Dominick Cruz. Since his retirement announcement, he’s stated repeatedly that he’d return to the cage for a fight with Volkanovski, which would give him the opportunity to become the first three-division champion in UFC history.
Khamzat Chimaev promises first-round stoppage over Conor McGregor
Adam D Martin - July 31, 2020
UFC welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev is promising a first-round stoppage win if he gets the chance to fight UFC superstar Conor McGregor. Chimaev has quickly made a name for himself as he became the star of the UFC Fight Island series. After making his UFC debut at UFC Fight Island 1 with a vicious second-round submission win over John Phillips, Chimaev made UFC history when he picked up a second win in just 10 days when he defeated Rhys McKee via first-round TKO at UFC Fight Island 3. Fans, media, and fellow fighters are now pegging him as a future champ.
Zabit Magomedsharipov confirms main event against Yair Rodriguez on August 29
Adam D Martin - July 31, 2020
UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov confirmed his main event fight against Yair Rodriguez will take place on August 29 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight between Magomedsharipov and Rodriguez has been rumored for months, with Igor Lazorin of Tass.ru confirming the matchup back in June. However, the fighters and the UFC haven’t said anything about the fight until now. On Thursday, Magomedsharipov took to his social media to confirm the fight against Rodriguez. The fight will take place on August 29 at a UFC Fight Night event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Dana White reacts after Conor McGregor accepts challenge from Khamzat Chimaev
Adam D Martin - July 31, 2020
UFC president Dana White reacted after superstar Conor McGregor seemingly agreed to a fight against up-and-coming prospect Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev has quickly become one of the brightest young stars in the UFC. After making his promotional debut earlier this month at UFC Fight Island 1 with a vicious submission win over John Phillips, Chimaev made UFC history when he finished Rhys McKee via TKO just 10 days later at UFC Fight Island 3. There is an incredible amount of hype behind Chimaev right now, with some looking at him as a potential future welterweight champ.
Randy Brown plans to test Vicente Luque's chin: "We will see if he can go three rounds"
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2020
Randy Brown is happy he still gets the chance to fight Vicente Luque. The two were supposed to fight in April but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After that, Luque ended up earning a TKO win over Niko Price. So, for Brown, he thought his chances of fighting the ranked welterweight were out the window.
Pro fighters make their picks for Derek Brunson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 5, Derek Brunson is looking to extend his winning streak when he takes Edmen Shahbazyan. Heading into the fight, Brunson is a +255 underdog while the undefeated prospect is a -335 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are split on this one with some thinking Brunson is a step up too soon while others believe the hype is real behind Shahbazyan.
Manager Ali Abdelaziz weighs in on Khabib Nurmagomedov's fighting future
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2020
Dominance MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz believes we could see plenty more of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov over the next few years, but is reluctant to comment on the Russian’s fighting future until his showdown with the division’s interim champion Justin Gaethje in the rear-view. Nurmagomedov and Gaethje, who are both managed by Abdelaziz, are set to collide for the UFC lightweight title on October 24. Abdelaziz views the fight as tremendously dangerous for both champion and challenger, but believes it’s possible Nurmagomedov, who is currently 28-0, could strive for a perfect 30-0 mark if he’s victorious.