MMA News
Israel Adesanya on journey from MMA fan to UFC champion: 'It's crazy'
Adam Martin - August 14, 2019
Israel Adesanya has only been fighting in the UFC for a little over a year, but he’s quickly become a household name as well as the interim middleweight champion of the world. This quick rise up the rankings has even surprised Adesanya himself. In October, “Stylebender” meets UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in a title unification bout at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia. Adesanya spoke to UFC.com about the fight against Whittaker and how quickly he’s become a star in the sport of mixed martial arts.
Kenny Florian thinks Paulo Costa took Yoel Romero bout too soon
Fernando Quiles - August 14, 2019
Kenny Florian believes that Paulo Costa is not ready for a middleweight the caliber of Yoel Romero. Ready or not, Costa will indeed go one-on-one with “The Soldier of God” (see pros picks here) this Saturday night (Aug. 17). The bout will take place on the main card of UFC 241. The action will be held inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Dana White says Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier 3 would be at 205lbs
Adam Martin - August 14, 2019
UFC president Dana White wants a third fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier to take place at heavyweight, but he says both men want it at 205lbs. Speaking to reporters Tuesday night following the latest episode of the Contender Series, White revealed that a trilogy fight between the two bitter rivals would take place at light heavyweight.
Paige VanZant updates on recovery, shares timeframe for return
Tom Taylor - August 14, 2019
It’s been a long time since we last saw Paige VanZant in the cage. Yet the popular flyweight contender is hoping to return this year, pending an all-clear with respect to her arm injury. “My arm feels good but my mind is still uneasy,” VanZant told MMA Fighting on Monday. “Before I had my first surgery, I felt great, I went in and my arm was still broken. I had to have a second surgery. I’m at the point where I don’t trust myself. I feel really good but my mind still isn’t at peace until I go in and have my first CT scan. I go in on Wednesday, so Wednesday is the day I get to go in and get my CT scan, see if my arm is healing and hopefully get cleared to start training.
BREAKING | Cat Zingano released from the UFC
Tom Taylor - August 14, 2019
Former UFC bantamweight title challenger Cat Zingano is no longer a UFC fighter. This news was first reported by Nolan King of MMA Junkie.
Dana White says Conor McGregor is waiting on results of UFC 241 and 242
Mike Pendleton - August 14, 2019
UFC President Dana White told reporters on Tuesday night that Conor McGregor is waiting to see how Anthony Pettis vs. Nate Diaz plays out at UFC 241, and how Dustin Poirier vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov plays out at UFC 242 before mounting his return. Following Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series, White spoke to the media and was asked about a potential return for the Irish superstar and said right now, it’s a wait-and-see situation with Conor McGregor.
Urijah Faber questions if Henry Cejudo is backing down
Fernando Quiles - August 14, 2019
Urijah Faber wonders whether or not Henry Cejudo truly wants to fight him. Back in June, Cejudo became a UFC “champ-champ.” He entered his UFC 238 headliner against Marlon Moraes as the flyweight champion. Once the smoke cleared, “Triple C” added the bantamweight gold to his mantle. After the fight, Cejudo called out the likes of Faber, Dominick Cruz, and Cody Garbrandt.
Dana White claims his relationship with Nate Diaz has 'always' been good
Tom Taylor - August 14, 2019
UFC President Dana White claims that he and Nate Diaz have always had a good personal relationship, despite what Diaz’s previous comments might suggest to the contrary. The UFC boss updated on his relationship with the younger Diaz bro shortly after Contender Series on Tuesday night.
UFC 241 | Pro fighters make their picks for Anthony Pettis vs. Nate Diaz
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2019
UFC 241 will be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between champion Daniel Cormier and former champ Stipe Miocic. Yet the fight many fans are most looking forward to is the co-main event, which will see Anthony Pettis take on Nate Diaz, who is returning to the Octagon after more than three years away. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions. Currently, Pettis is a -140 favorite, while Diaz is a +110 underdog. For the pros, the majority believe the underdog gets it done, but all agree with it will be a close and entertaining fight.
Dana White reacts to Henry Cejudo calling out Valentina Shevchenko
Tom Taylor - August 14, 2019
Earlier this week, UFC men’s flyweight and bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo made a callout of UFC women’s flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko, challenging her to an ‘inter-gender’ showdown with all of their combined gold on the line. The following is a public service announcement for the supposed flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko. Signed, Triple C and soon to be The IGC. #bendtheknee @BulletValentina pic.twitter.com/kUQbCnmIWd
Coach: Anthony Pettis was 'the Conor before Conor was Conor'
Tom Taylor - August 14, 2019
Conor McGregor is far and away the biggest star in MMA history. Yet Duke Roufus, the coach behind former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, believes Pettis blazed a trail for McGregor. Roufus sees a number of similarities between the two former lightweight champs, and believes a fight between them could be in the cards if Pettis beats his rival Nate Diaz at UFC 241 this weekend.
Darren Till calls for scrap with Robbie Lawler
Tom Taylor - August 14, 2019
Darren Till knows who he wants to fight next and, contrary to his recent comments, it’s not a middleweight. Instead, he’s set his sights on former UFC welterweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler. Whoever he winds up fighting, he’s just hoping to return to the cage before Christmas.
Paulo Costa makes confident prediction for Yoel Romero fight
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2019
Paulo Costa has high expectations for himself heading into his UFC 241 fight against Yoel Romero. The Brazilian has been asking for this fight for a long time and now, after three previous attempts failed, the two will finally meet.
Tim Elliott says opponent Deiveson Figueiredo looked 'sloppy' in last fight
Natasha Hooper - August 14, 2019
Last week, it was confirmed by Combate that flyweight contenders Tim Elliott and Deiveson Figueiredo will be going head-to-head at UFC San Francisco on October 21. Figueiredo is riding high since picking up a unanimous decision win over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 240. It was a solid performance, but you can’t please everyone. His future opponent, Tim Elliott, was not overly impressed.
Valentina Shevchenko and Henry Cejudo continue to go back and forth on social media
Natasha Hooper - August 14, 2019
Two reigning UFC champions, Valentina Shevchenko and Henry Cejudo, continue to go back and forth on Twitter over a potential ‘inter-gender’ fight. “The Bullet” Shevchenko retained her flyweight belt last week against Liz Carmouche at UFC Uruguay. Her dominant performance was enough to capture the attention of many fighters, including “Triple C”.
Duke Roufus claims the Diaz brothers tied to jump Anthony Pettis at nightclub
Natasha Hooper - August 14, 2019
According to Anthony Pettis’ coach, the Diaz brothers attempted to jump “Showtime” in a nightclub. Duke Roufus made this bold claim during on the latest episode of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show. He explained the longstanding beef that culminated in a nightclub attack. (Transcript via LowKickMMA).
Ben Askren believes Anthony Pettis will make Nate Diaz look 'real bad' at UFC 241
Christopher Taylor - August 13, 2019
Ben Askren is not giving Nate Diaz much of a chance in his upcoming fight with Anthony Pettis at this weekend’s UFC 241 event. The former Bellator and ONE Champion, Askren (19-1 MMA), recently took to Twitter where he predicted that ‘Showtime’ will make Diaz look “real bad” this weekend in Anaheim.
Daniel Cormier explains what he would do differently in Jon Jones trilogy fight
Cole Shelton - August 13, 2019
Even though Daniel Cormier is set to fight Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 241, that hasn’t stopped fans from discussing a possible trilogy fight with Jon Jones. ‘DC’ and ‘Bones’ have arguably the biggest rivalry in MMA and have been linked to fighting each other again for quite some time. Yet, according to Cormier, he believes he no longer has to fight and beat Jones to cement his legacy.