MMA News
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why he personally does not like “great fighter” Tony Ferguson
Natasha Hooper - December 12, 2019
Tony Ferguson has become a source of great inspiration for fans and fighters, alike. Whether it’s his unorthodox fighting style or equally unusual interview quotes,”El Cucuy” uses his unconventional approach to overthrow his opponents. The result is a 12-fight win streak over worthy contenders such as Donald Cerrone, Rafael Dos Anjos and Anthony Pettis. However, the No 1 ranked lightweight contender is yet to feel the wrath of the undefeated lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov. For the fifth (and hopefully final) time, Ferguson is expected to face off against Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight belt in April 2020. Their previous bouts were cancelled due to health complications and subsequent withdrawal from both parties. Hopefully, the multiple training camps and long-awaited rivalry will only enhance the most anticipated matchup in UFC history.
Pros react after Colby Covington admits that his UFC personality is an act
Christopher Taylor - December 11, 2019
Earlier this week former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington shocked a lot fans by suggesting that his UFC persona is basically all an act. ‘Chaos‘, who is set to challenge Kamaru Usman for the promotions welterweight title this weekend at UFC 245, sat down with Candace Owen where he revealed that he was seemingly forced to put on an act in order to save his UFC career.
Max Holloway is focused on 'building a legacy', not money fights
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2019
Max Holloway wants to be remembered as one of the best fighters of all-time. In today’s MMA, Holloway knows everyone is chasing the big money fights and crossover fights with boxers. Yet, for the Hawaiian, he says he is about building a legacy as he knows the money fights will eventually come if he continues to win.
Cynthia Calvillo: "The best thing for me to do is to move up honestly"
Mike Pendleton - December 11, 2019
Strawweight contender Cynthia Calvillo recently missed weight for the second time in her last three fights this past weekend. She would then go on to score a draw at UFC D.C. against her opponent Marina Rodriguez. Following the draw result, Rodriguez said she doesn’t want to have a rematch with Calvillo because of the fact she missed weight, but Calvillo has a different mindset about it. On Monday, Calvillo was a guest on The Luke Thomas Show and she did not hide from the weight miss, and provided an update on potentially moving up in weight.
Colby Covington admits he doesn't 'feel comfortable' at American Top Team
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2019
Colby Covington, who will challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 245 on Saturday night, has called American Top Team home for the duration of his MMA career. Unfortunately, he has made enemies of several fighters at the Florida gym — most notably Dustin Poirier and Jorge Masvidal — which has caused things to become quite tense under its sun-soaked roof.
Jose Aldo says the weight cut to bantamweight has been "easy"
Adam Martin - December 11, 2019
Former UFC featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo says that his weight cut to bantamweight has been “easy” ahead of his UFC 245 showdown against Marlon Moraes. Aldo surprised many in the MMA community when he announced he would be dropping down to 135lbs for the first time in his career to take on the division’s No. 1 contender Moraes at UFC 245. Aldo has admitted in the past to having a tough cut to 145lbs, so for him to drop an extra 10lbs was surprising when he first announced his intentions to do so.
Paul Felder hoping Conor McGregor stays at welterweight: 'Get him out of our way'
Mike Pendleton - December 11, 2019
Early 2020 is going to be big for the UFC lightweight top-15, as champ Khabib Nurmagomedov defends against top contender Tony Ferguson, and Paul Felder and Dan Hooker collide in a high-stakes contender bout in New Zealand. While those two fights will have significant impact on the division, two other lightweights, Conor McGregor and Donald Cerrone are also scheduled to meet in January, but their fight will be in the welterweight division.
Justin Gaethje calls potential Conor McGregor title shot 'a crock of s**t'
Adam Martin - December 11, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje criticized UFC president Dana White for suggesting Conor McGregor could get a title shot rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov if he gets by Donald Cerrone at UFC 246, calling the news a “crock of s***.” White told BT Sport on Wednesday that if McGregor beats Cerrone at UFC 246 and Nurmagomedov defends his belt against Tony Ferguson at UFC 248 that the promotion could potentially book a rematch between “Notorious” and “The Eagle.”
Leon Edwards responds after Tyron Woodley says 'f*ck that' to fighting in London
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2019
Streaking UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards was hoping to fight Tyron Woodley, the former welterweight champ, when the UFC returns to London this March. Unfortunately for Edwards, Woodley is not interested in fighting overseas.
Frankie Edgar explains why he accepted 'Korean Zombie' fight, addresses frustrated Cory Sandhagen
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2019
Frankie Edgar was expected to make his bantamweight debut opposite Cory Sandhagen at UFC Raleigh in late January. When he was asked to replace the injured Brian Ortega against the injured “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung, however, he accepted. He’s now scheduled to meet the undead Korean in the main event of UFC Busan on December 21, while a frustrated Sandhagen has been left without the high-profile dance partner he was expecting.
Kamaru Usman makes violent prediction for Colby Covington fight
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2019
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has a violent prediction for his welterweight title fight with Colby Covington, which headlines UFC 245 this Saturday in Las Vegas. “I swear every time I think about this fight, the only way that I see it playing out is me standing over this guy while his face is full of blood,” Usman told FanSided ahead of the fight. “There’s a bunch of cuts on his face and his eyes are rolled to the back of his head and he’s trying to find out what’s going on. And there’s referees and doctors there standing over him, trying to wake him up.
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane believes UFC did Liz Carmouche 'dirty', willing to fight her for Bellator belt
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2019
Ilima-Lei MacFarlane is not happy about how the way the UFC released her friend and teammate Liz Carmouche. The two-time UFC title challenger Carmouche was released while she was in Washington D.C. doing promotional work for the company.
UFC 245 | Irene Aldana believes win over Ketlen Vieira earns her title shot; eyes being backup for Nunes-GDR
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2019
Irene Aldana believes she is part of a No. 1 contender fight with Ketlen Vieira at UFC 245. Vieira, who is ranked No. 2 in the division, has not fought since March of 2018, so Aldana was surprised she was offered this fight.
UFC 247 loses Ovince Saint Preux vs. Ryan Spann matchup
Harry Kettle - December 11, 2019
The scheduled light heavyweight bout between Ovince Saint Preux and Ryan Spann has been canceled by the UFC. The showdown was set to take place at UFC 247 on February 8, on a card that will also feature Jon Jones vs Dominick Reyes with the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship being on the line. As you can imagine, it would’ve served as a wonderful opportunity for either “OSP” or Spann to really make an impact and put themselves into the conversation for a title shot.
UFC 245 | Pro fighters make their picks for Max Holloway vs. Alexander Volkanovski title fight
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2019
In the co-main event of UFC 245, Max Holloway will look to defend his featherweight title against Alexander Volkanovski. Heading into the fight, the Hawaiian champion is a -175 favorite, while the challenger is a +145 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get the predictions for the scrap. This time around, the majority believe Max Holloway’s cardio will be too much for Volkanovski, and that the champ will defend his throne.
Amanda Nunes shares her take on why Cris Cyborg turned down a rematch in UFC
Natasha Hooper - December 11, 2019
Amanda Nunes recently theorized on why a rematch with Cris Cyborg never came to fruition in the UFC. “The Lioness” defeated Cyborg via a shocking first-round KO in their December, 2018 fight. UFC President Dana White claimed that Cyborg didn’t want a rematch. However, Cyborg has always maintained her stance that she always wanted a rematch.
PHOTOS | Hulking Senegalese wrestler Oumar Kane to make his MMA debut this weekend
Alfredo Zullino - December 11, 2019
A dangerous new force is about to make his mixed martial arts debut. Undefeated Senegalese wrestler Oumar Kane, also known as “Reug Reug,” is going to fight on December 14 in the first ever ARES Fighting Championship show in Dakar, Senegal. The card will air on UFC Fight Pass.
Dana White: UFC could be 'looking at' Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor rematch 'down the line'
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, two of the most heated rivals in UFC history, both have fights booked. Nurmagomedov will defend the lightweight title against Tony Ferguson in April of the new year, while McGregor is slated to return to the cage against Donald Cerrone on January 18 in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to UFC President Dana White, McGregor and Nurmagomedov will likely fight each other again thereafter if they win these upcoming challenges.