MMA News
Paulo Costa surprised by Israel Adesanya’s “kind” and “gentle” demeanor during recent Fight Island run-in
Harry Kettle - September 24, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa was surprised by Israel Adesanya’s kind and gentle approach to their run-in on Fight Island. The two men are set to battle it out for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 253 this weekend in one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year so far. Before they step into the Octagon and go to war, though, they also bumped into one another after they both arrived in Abu Dhabi for the event.
Photo | Conor McGregor is back in the gym and sporting a new look
Andrew Whitelaw - September 23, 2020
Most MMA fans would agree that a fully-focussed Conor McGregor is a force to be reckoned with. Officially, the Irishman is retired. That hasn’t stopped him hitting the gym and sporting a familiar new look.
Khamzat Chimaev fires back at Israel Adesanya over rat lip comment: "It will cost you your belt"
Cole Shelton - September 23, 2020
Khamzat Chimaev has fired back at Israel Adesanya. After Chimaev knocked out Gerald Meerschaert in 17 seconds he said he would finish both Kamaru Usman and Adesanya right now. The middleweight champion obviously did not take too kindly to those words and questioned Chimaev’s level of competiton.
Former UFC champion Sean Sherk sounds off on NBA Star LeBron James
Christopher Taylor - September 23, 2020
Former UFC champion Sean Sherk is backing up Colby Covington’s claim that NBA Star LeBron James would not last ten seconds in a potential fight. Following his impressive victory over Tyron Woodley this past Saturday, Covington slammed “woke athletes”, while naming James specifically, suggesting he was a “spineless coward”.
UFC sponsors respond after Colby Covington calls BLM movement "a complete sham"
Tom Taylor - September 23, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington made some very controversial comments about the Black Lives Matter movement after his latest Octagon triumph. Covington defeated former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, an African American and dedicated BLM supporter, in the main event of UFC Vegas 11 in Las Vegas. Post-fight, he called into question not only Woodley but the entire BLM movement.
Khamzat Chimaev ready to fly to Fight Island to serve as a backup for Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa
Cole Shelton - September 23, 2020
Khamzat Chimaev is ready to fight anyone at any time and that includes this Saturday’s main event between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa. Ever since Chimaev made his UFC debut back in July, he has quickly become a massive star. He is already 3-0 this year and coming off a one-punch KO win over Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 11 in just 17-seconds.
Kai Kara-France was forced to live in the gym, planning to make a "statement" against Brandon Royval at UFC 253
Cole Shelton - September 23, 2020
Kai Kara-France was forced to live at City Kickboxing in order to train for his UFC 253 fight against Brandon Royval. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing New Zealand to lockdown again, Eugene Bareman got Kara-France, Israel Adesanya, Shane Young, and Brad Riddell to bring their mattresses and live at the gym in order to train. After weeks of doing that, the CKB team left for Fight Island which adds confidence for Kai Kara-France.
Israel Adesanya and other Black UFC athletes respond to Colby Covington's "racist" comments
Christopher Taylor - September 23, 2020
Israel Adesanya and other notable Black UFC athletes have fired back at welterweight fighter Colby Covington for his recent controversial remarks. Prior to his grudge match with bitter rival Tyron Woodley this past weekend, ‘Chaos’ made headlines when he suggested that ‘T-Wood’ was a “domestic terrorist sympathizer” for his support of Black Lives Matter.
Colby Covington vs. Tyron Woodley Fight Night card pulls in over one million viewers on ESPN+
Adam Martin - September 23, 2020
UFC Vegas 11, featuring the main event between welterweights Colby Covington and Tyron Woodley, pulled in over one million viewers on ESPN+. The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger reported the ratings for UFC Vegas 11: Covington vs. Woodley, noting it as a big win for the UFC considering there were the NBA playoffs and the NHL Stanley Cup finals both on at the same time as the UFC Fight Night was.
Anthony Smith says he will "beat the sh*t" out of Johnny Walker
Adam Martin - September 23, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith says that he will “beat the sh*t” out of Johnny Walker if they end up fighting. Walker picked up a first-round TKO win over Ryan Spann at UFC Vegas 11 to jump back into the win column after suffering back-to-back losses to Corey Anderson and Nikita Krylov. When asked who he wants to fight next, the No. 10 ranked Walker told Combate that he is interested in a fight against Smith, the No. 8 ranked fighter.
Sijara Eubanks planning her own "David and Goliath story" against Ketlen Vieira at UFC 253
Cole Shelton - September 23, 2020
Sijara Eubanks is making history on Saturday night as she will tie Hannah Cfiers for the fastest turnaround for a female fighter in UFC history. She will also be the first fighter in this COVID-19 era to fight in Jacksonville, the UFC Apex and Fight Island, the three spots the UFC has held events. Eubanks, who is coming off a decision win over Sept. 12, got a call just days later to fly out to Fight Island to fight Kelten Vieira.
Colby Covington compares prior training sessions with Woodley, Masvidal
Tom Taylor - September 23, 2020
Last weekend, Colby Covington defeated a former training partner in Tyron Woodley. Now, he wants to fight another in Jorge Masvidal. Covington defeated Woodley by fifth-round TKO in the main event of UFC Vegas 11 last Saturday. With that grudge match out of the way, he’s hoping to fight Jorge Masvidal next, who like Woodley, is another one of his former training partners from his days at American Top Team.
UFC Vegas 11 medical suspensions: Tyron Woodley facing lengthy sit
Tom Taylor - September 23, 2020
Last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 11 card produced a number of lengthy medical suspensions for the fighters involved—including Tyron Woodley. Woodley, the former UFC welterweight champion, was stopped by Colby Covington in the fifth round of the UFC Vegas 11 main event after injuring his rib. He’ll need to be cleared by an orthopedic specialist or sit out until March 19, 2021. Several other fighters will also need to be cleared if they intend to fight before that date, including Niko Price, Randa Markos and Sarah Alpar.
UFC 253 | Pro fighters make their picks for Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa title fight
Cole Shelton - September 23, 2020
In the main event of UFC 253, Israel Adesanya is looking for his second title defense when he battles Paulo Costa. Heading into the fight, Adesanya is a -185 favorite while the Brazilian challenger is a +150 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe it will be Adesanya using his technical striking to piece up Costa and defending his belt.
Gilbert Burns slams the UFC rankings, says Colby Covington beat a guy “without a soul” in Tyron Woodley
Harry Kettle - September 23, 2020
Gilbert Burns has slammed the UFC rankings after Colby Covington’s win over Tyron Woodley took him above Burns in the standings. “Chaos” was able to put an end to his rivalry with Woodley last weekend by dominating the former welterweight king before stopping him in the fifth and final round. Courtesy of the win, many believe he could be in line for another shot at the Welterweight Championship sooner rather than later.
UFC rankings update: Colby Covington climbs, Tyron Woodley plummets
Tom Taylor - September 23, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last weekend’s UFC Vegas 11 card and, as expected, there have been some big changes—particularly at welterweight. Most notably, polarizing welterweight contender Colby Covington has usurped the No. 1 spot in the division, pushing Gilbert Burns down to No. 2, on the strength of his fifth-round TKO win over the division’s former champion, Tyron Woodley. Woodley now sits at No. 7, marking his first stop outside the top-15 in years.
Ben Askren takes a shot at UFC 253 co-main event between Jan Blachowicz and Dominick Reyes
Adam Martin - September 22, 2020
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren took a shot at Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz ahead of their title fight this weekend at UFC 253. Since retiring from mixed martial arts following back-to-back stoppage losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia, Askren has become an outspoken voice on social media. Askren is particularly popular on Twitter where he has a big following due to his hilarious comments and often contoversial hot takes on all sorts of different subjects.
Video | Paulo Costa looks in amazing shape following "best weight cut ever" for UFC 253
Adam Martin - September 22, 2020
UFC middleweight Paulo Costa looks to be in amazing shape heading into UFC 253, with his manager calling it his “best weight cut ever.” Costa takes on UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the main event of this Saturday’s UFC 253 pay-per-view card. The world’s leading MMA promotion returns to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi with this amazing contest as the headliner, a fight that UFC president Dana White has said is his personal pick for “Fight of the Year” in 2020.