MMA News
Lito Adiwang is focusing on Senzo Ikeda and nothing else for his ONE Championship debut
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 7, 2019
Recent ONE Warrior Series contract winner Lito Adiwang of the Philippines will make his highly-anticipated ONE Championship main roster debut this October 13th when he faces Pancrase Flyweight World Champion Senzo Ikeda in a three-rounder bout in the first part of ONE: CENTURY. The event streams live from the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan, and features a slew of high-profile matchups.
Ben Askren on Israel Adesanya: 'Some of you are missing the boat'
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
Israel Adesanya put forth a star-making performance in the UFC 243 main event, first dazzling fans with an incredibly unique walkout (at least by UFC standards), then by delivering an impressive defeat of Robert Whittaker to capture the UFC middleweight belt. It’s truly difficult to imagine things going much better for Nigerian-born Kiwi, and all signs point to his achieving the kind of mainstream stardom we’ve only seem from a few fighters previously. UFC welterweight Ben Askren certainly seems to think that will be the case.
Geje Eustaquio: Danny Kingad is well prepared for ONE: Century
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 7, 2019
Danny “The King” Kingad will meet Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in the Finals of ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix in the biggest event in mixed martial arts history at ONE: Century on October 13 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. Teammate and former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio is confident that Kingad is well prepared for the upcoming bout.
Joe Rogan praises Robert Whittaker after UFC 243
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
Robert Whittaker is no longer the UFC middleweight champion, having come up short to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243 over the weekend. Even in defeat, however, the Australian still has the respect and admiration of long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan. Rogan was not on commentary duty for UFC 243, and instead watched the card from the United States. Shortly after the card wrapped up, Rogan praised Whittaker for the way he handled his defeat to Adesanya and the loss of the UFC middleweight strap.
Opening odds released for Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2019
The opening odds have been released for a potential middleweight title fight between champion Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa. Adesanya called for a fight with Costa after he beat Robert Whittaker on Saturday to win the middleweight title.
Playing matchmaker for UFC 243: Who's next for Israel Adesanya?
Adam Martin - October 6, 2019
Over 57,000 fans got to see a great night of fights at UFC 243, and now it’s time to look ahead at what’s next for the winners. Who’s next for new UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya? We answer that question and others as we play matchmaker for UFC 243. Israel Adesanya vs. Jon Jones
UFC executive won't answer fighter pay questions following UFC 243
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019
UFC executive Lawrence Epstein took the place of UFC president Dana White at the UFC 243 post-fight press conference. He got the usual questions of who’s next for who, who won the bonuses, what the attendance was, and so on. But he also got an interesting question about fighter pay. At the UFC post-fight presser, The Athletic’s Ben Fowlkes asked Epstein about fighter pay and if he believes it’s fair the UFC only pays 20 percent of its revenue to the fighters. In comparison, most of the other top professional sports leagues are closer to a 50/50 split.
Islam Makhachev calls out Dan Hooker: 'Let's wrestle'
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019
Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has called out Dan Hooker after Hooker’s victory over Al Iaquinta in the co-main event of UFC 243. Makhachev took to Twitter to respond to “The Hangman” calling out Dustin Poirier. Here’s what Makhachev said.
Robert Whittaker releases video statement on UFC 243 title fight loss
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has released a video statement following his loss to Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 243. “The Reaper” posted a video along with a written statement to his fans on his social media. Here’s what it said.
Israel Adesanya puts EA Sports on blast: 'They made me look like Chad Mendes' in the UFC video game
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019
New UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya says he doesn’t play the official UFC video game because he thinks he looks too much like Chad Mendes in it. Adesanya has often compared his fighting style to playing in a video game. Well, it seems like “The Last Stylebender” is not a fan of the UFC’s official game, and he criticized its developers following UFC 243.
Dan Hooker says Dustin Poirier is too busy 'chasing leprechauns'
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker wants to fight Dustin Poirier next, but he said Poirier is too ‘busy chasing leprechauns’ in reference to Conor McGregor. After defeating Al Iaquinta by lopsided decision in the co-main event of UFC 243, Hooker called him shot and told UFC commentator Jon Anik that he wants to fight Dustin Poirier next. Unfortunately for Hooker, Poirier took to his social media and turned Hooker down, saying that he wants to fight McGregor instead.
Paulo Costa tells Israel Adesanya he shouldn't have given him the middle finger: 'See you soon'
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa was not happy that new UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya flipped him the bird following his knockout win over Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 243. “The Last Stylebender” scaled the Octagon, looked right at Costa in the audience, and stuck his middle fingers up at him. Costa was not amused by Adesanya’s actions.
Joe Rogan praises Israel Adesanya for performance at UFC 243
Chris Taylor - October 6, 2019
UFC commentator Joe Rogan was absolutely blown away by Israel Adesanya’s performance at tonight’s UFC 243 event in Melbourne. Israel Adesanya (18-0 MMA) took on Robert Whittaker (21-5 MMA) for the promotions undisputed middleweight title in this evenings UFC 243 headliner.
Dana White reacts to UFC 243 main event between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker
Natasha Hooper - October 5, 2019
The interim champ, Israel Adesanya collided with the middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 243. The much-anticipated bout was expected to break the UFC’s all-time attendance record and saw the Kiwi athletes fight for undisputed middleweight gold. The rising UFC prospect, Adesanya entered the Octagon on an undefeated 17-0 record. His official UFC debut was only a year and a half ago, but ‘The Last Stylebender’ had already fought 6 bouts. His MMA accomplishments include 13 TKO finishes, a $150,000 UFC fight-night bonus award and the 2019’s MMA award for breakthrough fighter of the year. The kickboxer’s short but rapid growth in the UFC was a result of his winning tally against stars such as Brad Tavares, Derek Brunson, Anderson Silva and Kelvin Gastelum. His flamboyant yet streamlined striking style has captured the attention of fans. Along with his magnetic aura, Adesanya has been compared to the likes of Jon Jones and Anderson Silva. However, his UFC 243 title bout against Robert Whittaker presented a new level of competition.
Dustin Poirier responds to Dan Hooker, claims he is fighting Conor McGregor next!
Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019
Dustin Poirier has responded to Dan Hooker’s request for a fight, but says that will have to wait because he is fighting Conor McGregor next. Hooker had defeated Al Iaquinta by unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC 243 in what can only be described as a sensational performance from ‘The Hangman’.
Robert Whittaker issues statement following UFC 243 loss to Israel Adesanya
Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019
Robert Whittaker squared off with undefeated UFC interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the headiner of tonight’s UFC 243 event. The fight marked Whittaker’s first in fifteen months, as his most previous Octagon appearance had come at UFC 225 in June of 2018. That night in Chicago, Robert Whittaker (21-5 MMA) defeated Yoel Romero by split decision in a ‘fight of the year’ performance to retain his middleweight title.
UFC 243 Results: Israel Adesanya KO's Robert Whittaker (Video)
Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019
A middleweight title unification bout between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya headlines tonight’s UFC 243 pay-per-view event in Melbourne, Australia. Israel Adesanya (17-0 MMA) was last seen in action at April’s UFC 236 event where he scored a thrilling unanimous decision victory over Kelvin Gastelum to capture the promotions interim middleweight title.
Pros react to UFC 243 co-main event between Al Iaquinta and Dan Hooker
Natasha Hooper - October 5, 2019
Tonight at UFC 243 at the Marvel Stadium in Australia, Al Iaquinta faced Dan Hooker in the co-main event. Al ‘Raging’ Iaquinta entered the Octagon against Dan Hooker and looked to recover from his last fight: a unanimous decision loss to Donald Cerrone. The perennial division contenders faced off in the main event of UFC Ottowa. Iaquinta absorbed some early shots and couldn’t adapt his fighting enough to sway the decision victory. Nevertheless, his performance against Cerrone demonstrated his reliance which also made him a tough adversary for Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223. ‘Raging’ Al proved his stock in the lightweight division during his successful wins against Kevin Lee (twice), Ryan Couture and Diego Sanchez.