MMA News
BJ Penn reacts to Nik Lentz booking, hopes to fight at Madison Square Garden
Chris Taylor - July 26, 2019
Former two division UFC champion BJ Penn has verbally agreed to fight Nik Lentz in a lightweight bout. Dana White announced the news earlier today during an interview with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter.
Dillon Danis questions Tyron Woodley's loyalty after posing for photo with Jorge Masvidal
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2019
Dillon Danis has taken a shot at Tyron Woodley for hanging out and taking a picture with Jorge Masvidal. The former welterweight champion is good friends and training partners with Ben Askren, who “Gamebred” knocked out at UFC 239. It was a vicious knee that resulted in “Funky” being out cold for quite a while. There was also an intense lead up to the fight where Masvidal said he wanted to end the Askren bloodline. Jorge also that he planned on breaking Ben’s face.
Artem Lobov isn't solely focused on fighting Amir Khan
Fernando Quiles - July 26, 2019
Artem Lobov is keeping his options open when it comes to fighting more boxers. Lobov did battle with the former IBF light welterweight champion and WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi in June. This was a bare-knuckle bout under the BKFC banner. Lobov was awarded a unanimous decision victory.
Yair Rodriguez, Jeremy Stephens to collide in Mexico City
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2019
Two of the UFC featherweight division’s most exciting fighters are reportedly set to collide when the UFC returns to Mexico City on September 21. According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Mexico’s own Yair Rodriguez will battle knockout puncher Jeremy Stephens on the card. Yair Rodriguez vs. Jeremy Stephens is set for the Sept. 21 card in Mexico City, according to multiple sources.
UFC 240 | Geoff Neal believes Niko Price bout will be 'Fight of the Night'
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2019
Geoff Neal did not expect to wait this long in between fights, but he is excited with the way things worked out. The Texan will now fight on the main card of UFC 240 against Niko Price in a fight that promises to deliver. “It is really cool. Everyone knows it will be a really fun fight,” Neal said to BJPENN.com. “This is the type of fight that I like to see, so I know fans will love to see. Just a great matchup.”
Martin Nguyen recalls the bout that got him started on his mixed martial arts journey
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 26, 2019
ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin Nguyen still fondly remembers the precise moment he was introduced to the sport that would eventually become a career-defining passion. Forced to abandon his ambitions of becoming a full-time rugby league player due to a string of ongoing injuries, Nguyen caught the combat bug after witnessing two of mixed martial arts’ all-time greats square off in a classic contest.
UFC 240 weigh-in results: Headliners hit their marks
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2019
On Saturday night, the UFC will take over Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with UFC 240. The card will be topped by a dynamite featherweight title fight between reigning UFC divisional champion Max Holloway and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. The two stars have been booked several times previously to no avail, but all signs point to their finally meeting this weekend in Canada.
Megan Anderson returns at UFC 243
Mike Heck - July 26, 2019
Megan Anderson will return to the Octagon and her home country in October. Anderson will welcome newcomer Zarah Fairn dos Santos to the organization when they square off at UFC 243, sources confirm to BJPenn.com. The event will take place Oct. 6 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
Alexandre Pantoja: Joseph Benavidez 'needs to fight me first' before Cejudo
Natasha Hooper - July 26, 2019
Alexandre Pantoja is already predicting an interim title fight for himself against Joseph Benavidez. This Saturday, Alexandre Pantoja will be going up against rival Deiveson Figueiredo in a flyweight bout at UFC 240. Figueiredo has vocalized his expectation of a future interim title fight against Joseph Benavidez. However, Pantoja believes he should get Benavidez next.
Cris Cyborg: 'Everything Dana says is a lie'
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2019
UFC President Dana White has recently had plenty to say about former UFC featherweight Cris Cyborg — most notably suggesting that the Brazilian is not interested in a rematch with two-division champion Amanda Nunes. Cyborg has vehemently denied White’s claims in the past, but at this point, almost seems to find them comical.
UFC 240 loses undercard fight due to failed drug test
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2019
If you tuned in for the UFC 240 weigh-ins, you may have noticed that Alberta’s own Tanner Boser was absent. That’s because his opponent Giacomo Lemos reportedly failed a last-minute drug test and was pulled from the card. Boser claims Lemos’ withdrawal was so down-to-the-wire that the UFC could not find him a replacement opponent for UFC 240. Considering he was set to make his long-awaited UFC debut in his hometown, it’s understandable that he’s not happy. To add insult to injury, Boser will apparently only get his show money and his Reebok sponsorship money — not his win bonus.
VIDEO | Combat jiu jitsu bout ends with blatantly illegal strike, massive referee slam
Tom Taylor - July 26, 2019
View this post on Instagram
Jon Jones willing to give Thiago Santos an immediate rematch upon recovery
Cole Shelton - July 25, 2019
At UFC 239, Jon Jones defended his light heavyweight title as he edged out a split-decision win over Thiago Santos. It was a very close fight that some even thought the Brazilian had won. What made it more impressive was the fact that Santos had torn every ligament in his knee and was practically fighting on one leg, but still pressed forward throughout the fight.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is starting to 'hate' combat sports after boxers death
Cole Shelton - July 25, 2019
Earlier this week, tragic news came out that boxer Maxim Dadashev passed away due to the injuries he sustained in his fight with Subriel Matias. Maxim’s trainer, Buddy McGirt called off the fight after the 11th round and said he wanted to stop it earlier.
Dan Hardy thinks Ben Askren vs. Demian Maia is 'fascinating fight'
Fernando Quiles - July 25, 2019
Dan Hardy believes a potential matchup between Ben Askren and Demian Maia is quite intriguing. Askren is coming off the first loss of his professional mixed martial arts career. He was knocked out in five seconds courtesy of Jorge Masvidal’s flying knee. This set a record for the fastest knockout in UFC history. Meanwhile, Maia is coming off a majority decision victory over Anthony Rocco Martin.
Felicia Spencer criticizes team Cyborg for 'disrespectful' social media posts
Tom Taylor - July 25, 2019
Earlier this month, rumors briefly swirled suggesting that Felicia Spencer was out of her UFC 240 fight with Cris Cyborg. Though these rumors were quickly proven to be inaccurate, several posts on Cris Cyborg’s social media channels seemed to fan the flames, so to speak. Spencer was not happy about this.
Dana White to launch Zuffa Boxing in October
Tom Taylor - July 25, 2019
UFC President Dana White has been teasing a move into the boxing industry for years. From the sounds of it, the time is finally upon us. According to a report from Mike Coppinger of The Athletic Boxing, White recently made an important executive hire for Zuffa Boxing — though it’s not clear who he hired.
Teammate believes Conor McGregor may return by end of 2019
Fernando Quiles - July 25, 2019
Don’t close the book on a 2019 return for Conor McGregor just yet. McGregor has teased retirements and returns several times. The former UFC “champ-champ” competed back in Oct. 2018 against Khabib Nurmagomedov. “The Eagle” successfully retained his UFC lightweight title by submitting McGregor in the fourth round at UFC 229. Chaos ensued in a post-fight brawl and both men were suspended and fined for their roles in the fracas. They are both free to return to the Octagon now and Nurmagomedov will be in action on Sept. 7 against Dustin Poirier.