MMA News
Kevin Lee recounts phone call with Georges St-Pierre: 'I tried to pick a fight with him'
Natasha Hooper - June 7, 2019
“The Motown Phenom” Kevin Lee joined Joe Rogan on his podcast this week to discuss all things MMA. A notable topic of discussion was a potential fight between Lee and UFC legend, George St-Pierre.
Henry Cejudo explains antics at UFC 238 media day
Tom Taylor - June 7, 2019
Henry Cejudo put on quite a show at UFC 238 media day on Thursday (see it here). The flyweight champion arrived at the festivities wearing a crown and a cape, and when it came time for his pre-fight face-off with his opponent Marlon Moraes, clambered onto the stage with an armful of props. There was a Mickey Mouse toy, which Cejudo kicked into the crowd. There was a rubber snake, which the champ whipped at the ground. There was a plush rabbit, drawn from a top hat, which met a similar fate to its rodent cousin Mickey.
Dana White updates on Conor McGregor: There's 'much more to this than people speculate'
Tom Taylor - June 7, 2019
Speaking to ESPN recently, UFC President Dana White updated on the fighting future of former two-division champ and MMA mega star Conor McGregor. The UFC boss explained that McGregor’s massive financial success is allowing him to sit back wait for the right moment to return. He also assured that the UFC’s new pay-per-view model — PPVS are now available exclusively through ESPN — has nothing to do with the delay on McGregor’s return.
VIDEO | Henry Cejudo shows up to UFC 238 media day in full costume
Thomas Taylor - June 6, 2019
Henry Cejudo continues to come out of his shell. The UFC flyweight champion, who will battle Marlon Moraes for the vacant bantamweight strap in the UFC 238 main event this Saturday, showed up to Thursday’s media day dressed in a crown and cape, with plenty of other props to boot.
Irene Aldana: Personifying the fighting pride of Mexican MMA
Drake Riggs - June 6, 2019
Being the first to do something is always a special and memorable feat no matter the endeavor. There is an uncountable number of things that someone or something could be first at or first to do. As that’s the case when literally racing someone, it can turn everything else into metaphorical versions of it too. After a goal or objective is completed for the very first time, history more often than not will end up repeating itself at some point down the line. It just depends on how much. Perhaps it could even do so multiple times before the other beginnings can unfold in their own right.
Kevin Lee says 'it might be a long night for Khabib' against Dustin Poirier
Cole Shelton - June 6, 2019
At UFC 242, Khabib Nurmagomedov will look to defend his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi. The champion is already a big betting favorite. Although the odds are against Poirier, UFC welterweight Kevin Lee believes it is a much tougher fight for Nurmagomedov than many think. The reason for that thinking is simple. He suspects Poirier’s footwork will be too good for Khabib.
Tony Ferguson scolds former management, Dana White for protecting Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - June 6, 2019
Until recently, top UFC lightweights Tony Ferguson and Conor McGregor were both managed by Paradigm Sports. In April, however, Ferguson parted ways with Paradigm and signed with Ballengee Group. Speaking to ESPN, Ferguson opened on his departure from Paradigm, claiming he left because the company did everything they could to keep him from a fight with fellow client McGregor.
Conor McGregor says he will fight in the UFC again
Tom Taylor - June 6, 2019
As always, the fighting future of former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor is shrouded in uncertainty. If one of his latest Tweets is to be taken at face value, however, he will indeed return to the Octagon. Speaking on his Twitter account, McGregor noted that he’s already fought eleven times in the UFC, and confirmed that he will fight fight in the Octagon for a twelfth time. Twelve, of course, is an important number for the Irishman behind the popular Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey.
Henry Cejudo nixes injury rumors as just a 'little bump' on his knee
Adam Martin - June 6, 2019
There were rumors floating around on social media in the days before UFC 238 that Henry Cejudo has been injured, which would put his vacant bantamweight title fight against Marlon Moraes on Saturday in jeopardy. Hearing info from a source who says he was in the #ufc workout room last night and #HenryCejudo may have been injured. Source says there was a loud scream like he tore something, followed by a pause, and then another loud yell. Hoping to verify here shortly. #ufc238
Tony Ferguson on Dana White: 'We need to check his head'
Tom Taylor - June 6, 2019
Tony Ferguson is scheduled to return to the cage opposite Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 238 this Saturday. Before this bout was announced, however, the former interim lightweight champion was dealing with some personal issues that cast uncertainty on his fighting future. Amid Ferguson’s struggles outside the cage, UFC President Dana White claimed that the fighter would need to be evaluated before returning to the cage.
Tony Ferguson rips Ali Abdelaziz, calls him a 'Twitter warrior'
Adam Martin - June 6, 2019
Tony Ferguson returns to action this Saturday against Donald Cerrone at UFC 238, but before the fight he went on the offensive against the manager of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, none other than Ali Abdelaziz. In a pre-fight scrum with the media, Ferguson ripped the manager and criticized his persona on social media.
UFC 238 | Pro fighters make their picks for Henry Cejudo vs. Marlon Moraes
Cole Shelton - June 6, 2019
In the main event of UFC 238, the vacant bantamweight title is on this line. Flyweight champion Henry Cejudo is moving up in weight to try and become a two-division champ, while top contender, Marlon Moraes will look to win his first UFC title. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight. Some believe Moraes’ explosivenesses will be too much, while others think Cejudo’s wrestling will make the difference.
Tony Ferguson gives emotional response to concerns about his personal life: 'f**k off'
Tom Taylor - June 6, 2019
Heading into his Saturday night UFC 238 fight with Donald Cerrone, former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson has had to deal with some personal issues outside the cage. These issues have caused some fans to question his focus and his mental health. Tony Ferguson has a message for those doubters.
UFC 238 | Donald Cerrone says Tony Ferguson has a 'questionable jaw', eyes finish
Cole Shelton - June 6, 2019
Donald Cerrone and Tony Ferguson are set to throw down this Saturday at UFC 238. It will be a battle between two fan favorites, and a fight that should earn the winner the next title shot. The stakes are high for this one, and “Cowboy” believes it will be an entertaining scrap where anything can happen.
Marlon Moraes believes sparring with Frankie Edgar is key to beating Henry Cejudo
Natasha Hooper - June 5, 2019
All fighters want to maximize their chances of winning and will strategically spar with fighters of a specific skillset to ensure things go their way in the cage. Marlon Moraes has turned to Frankie Edgar to increase his odds of beating Henry Cejudo at UFC 238. Commonly known for his knock out power and leg kicks, Moraes has been utilizing featherweight fighter, Frankie Edgar to improve his wrestling ability as impeccable wrestling will be essential against Henry Cejudo. Cejudo is an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, and Moraes is expecting that will be the focus of the fight.
Manager explains why team Khabib Nurmagomedov opted against McGregor rematch
Tom Taylor - June 5, 2019
From the moment Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Conor McGregor in the UFC 229 main event, there was talk of an immediate rematch between the two stars. The fight was particularly competitive, but it was big. So big that a rematch would almost certainly be a massive financial success. And of course, McGregor’s fight-altering power — and the ever present possibility of a knockout that it creates — will always make his fights interesting. In the end, of course, Nurmagomedov has gone another direction. The undefeated UFC lightweight champion will defend his title against interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi this September.
Anthony Smith to rivals Luke Rockhold and Corey Anderson: 'Earn it'
Tom Taylor - June 5, 2019
Last weekend, Anthony Smith established himself as one of the top contenders in the light heavyweight division by defeating Alexander Gustafsson — something only a few truly elite fighters have done before. “Who else has done it? If you take Phil Davis out of it because that was a long time ago, who else has done it? Jon [Jones], ‘Rumble’ [Anthony Johnson] and D.C. [Daniel Cormier],” Smith told MMA Fighting. “That’s a pretty good group of guys to be mentioned with,” Smith told MMAFighting when speaking about his win. “At this point, I don’t know what else I’d have to do to answer any questions of my legitimacy. Honestly I don’t care. I’m just really happy that I’ve inserted myself among the top two guys in the world or three guys in the world if you keep D.C. in there.”
Joe Rogan breaks down Andy Ruiz vs. Francis Ngannou fight
Tom Taylor - June 5, 2019
UFC commentator Joe Rogan loves to discuss potential fights between boxers and mixed martial artists. He did it mere weeks ago, when he drooled over a matchup between WBC heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder and UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou. And now, he’s done it again, this time riffing on a fight between Ngannou and new unified heavyweight champ Andy Ruiz Jr.