MMA News

Tony Ferguson, UFC 249, Justin Gaethje
UFC

Tony Ferguson explains why he decided to make weight today: "It just made sense"

Cole Shelton - April 17, 2020

Tony Ferguson decided to make weight today even though UFC 249, which would’ve taken place on Saturday, was postponed. Ferguson was originally set to battle Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title. Yet, the Russian withdrew from the bout leaving “El Cucuy” to take on Justin Gaethje for an interim belt. But, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed.

Dana White, UFC, Tony Ferguson, Jon Jones, UFC on ESPN 12
UFC

UFC files trademark for "Fight Island"

Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020

The UFC has failed 22 new trademarks: 11 for “Fight Island” and 11 for “UFC Fight Island.” “The filings were made based on an ‘intent to use’ FIGHT ISLAND as the name of a mixed martial arts competition and for branded goods such as clothing and jewelry,” explained attorney Josh Gerben on Twitter (h/t MMA Mania).

Sean O'Malley, Dana White
Sean O'Malley

Sean O’Malley rips Brian Kelleher over recent callout: “He’s not going to do anything for my career”

Natasha Hooper - April 17, 2020

Sean O’Malley has attempted to put Brian Kelleher in his place after claiming he would “smoke” the bantamweight in a fight. O’Malley returned to action in March 2020 after two years on the sidelines. In his UFC 248 return, O’Malley finished Jose Quinonez with a first-round head kick and punches. He is now one of the most sought-after foes in the bantamweight division and only wants a worthwhile opponent. He shut down a callout from his fellow 135-pound fighter Kelleher.

Tony Ferguson, Conor McGregor
Tony Ferguson

Conor McGregor sends warning to Tony Ferguson

Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020

Conor McGregor has issued a warning to Tony Ferguson, who is expected to battle Justin Gaethje for the UFC interim lightweight title on May 9. McGregor addressed Ferguson on Instagram on Friday afternoon, shortly after Ferguson made a statement by making weight for the canceled UFC 249 card — the original setting of his fight with Gaethje.

Colby Covington, Jon Jones
UFC

Colby Covington accuses Jon Jones of cheating on his wife, wants "Bones" to go to jail for DWI

Adam Martin - April 17, 2020

Colby Covington believes that UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones should face jail time after his recent arrest and accused him of cheating on his wife. Jones was arrested last month for a DWI and gun charges in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It appeared as though Jones would be facing possible jail time as a repeat offender, but he struck a deal with state prosecutors to only serve house arrest and do some community service. There are many who were surprised Jones didn’t get any jail time for his infractions and Covington is one of them.

Tony Ferguson
UFC

Tony Ferguson makes weight for canceled UFC 249 fight

Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020

Tony Ferguson told us he would make weight for his canceled UFC 249 fight with Justin Gaethje, and he made good on that promise. On Friday morning — at the precise time he would have weighed in for his fight with Gaethje had UFC 249 gone ahead — Ferguson stepped onto a scale and hit 155 lbs. Lightweight championship weight.

Dillon Danis, Conor McGregor, Jorge Masvidal
Dillon Danis

VIDEO | Dillon Danis sends message to fans doubting his striking ability

Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020

Dillon Danis is known first and foremost for his world-class grappling skill, but as he continues to venture into mixed martial arts, he’s working hard on his striking too. Speaking on Instagram on Friday, Danis sent a message to fans doubting his striking ability, and included a short clip of himself landing a right hand on a sparring partner.

Mike-Goldberg
UFC

Mike Goldberg names the best UFC fights he ever called

Adam Martin - April 17, 2020

Former UFC play-by-play commentator Mike Goldberg was asked to name the best fights he ever called, and he released his list for fight fans to check out. Goldberg was the long-time commentator for the UFC before getting the axe a few years ago. He quickly signed with Bellator MMA and continues to provide the mic duties for the UFC’s biggest rival. Goldberg may not work for the UFC anymore, but he had a front-row seat for their shows for years and he got to call a few gems during his time there.

Conor McGregor, Eddie Alvarez
UFC

Conor McGregor says he'd "slap around" the version of himself that beat Eddie Alvarez

Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020

Back at UFC 205 in 2016, Conor McGregor produced one of the most impressive wins of his career, knocking out Eddie Alvarez to become the first concurrent two-division champ in UFC history. Speaking on Instagram on Thursday, McGregor reflected on that fight, which went down inside New York City’s hallowed Madison Square Garden. He added that the McGregor of the year 2020 would slap the 2016 version of McGregor around — a testament to the growth he’s achieved since this history-making win.

Michael Bisping, Conor McGregor, Jorge Masvidal, UFC London, Conor McGregor
Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping has a message for the “idiots” who think the coronavirus is a conspiracy

Harry Kettle - April 17, 2020

Michael Bisping has a clear message for people who think that the coronavirus pandemic is all part of a bigger conspiracy. In the midst of the chaos surrounding the ongoing outbreak around the world, one man who has been pretty vocal about the whole thing is the former UFC middleweight king.

Kamaru Usman, UFC 235
UFC

VIDEO | Kamaru Usman looks absolutely jacked amid talk of short-notice Masvidal fight

Tom Taylor - April 17, 2020

Kamaru Usman has stated that he’s ready to fight Jorge Masvidal at the UFC’s blockbuster May 9 event, and it doesn’t appear that he was exaggerating. Early on Friday morning, the UFC welterweight champ took to social media to share a clip of one of his home workouts, and he looks like he’s in unbelievable shape.

Jon Jones, Dominick Reyes
Jon Jones

Dominick Reyes says the UFC is on board for Jon Jones rematch, but champ is avoiding the “dog fight”

Harry Kettle - April 17, 2020

UFC light heavyweight Dominick Reyes doesn’t believe that Jon Jones is all too interested in fighting him in a rematch for the title. The two men went to war in an incredibly close fight back at UFC 247, and while Jones left Houston with the win and the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, many fans and pundits were of the belief that Reyes should’ve had his hand raised at the end of the night.

Michael Bisping, Conor McGregor, Jorge Masvidal, UFC London, Conor McGregor
UFC

Michael Bisping reveals he nearly went fully blind following Kelvin Gastelum fight

Cole Shelton - April 16, 2020

Michael Bisping regrets taking the Kelvin Gastelum fight just weeks after losing to Georges St-Pierre. The former UFC middleweight champion says he overtrained for the St-Pierre fight and after he got choked out he got a quick return. Anderson Silva was out of his scrap against Gastelum and Bisping would be stepping in on short notice.

Tony Ferguson, Justin Gaethje
UFC

UFC 250 full betting odds revealed

Adam Martin - April 16, 2020

The full betting odds have been released for the hypothetical UFC 250 card, which is tentatively scheduled to take place on May 9 at a location TBD. UFC president Dana White this week revealed the promotion is hoping to get back to its normal fight schedule in early May, and the complete 12-fight card for FC 250 was revealed to the fans. The planned UFC 250 card has three title fights on it, making it one of the deepest and most stacked cards in recent memory. That is as long if it still goes on as scheduled, which at this point is hard to say given the coronavirus pandemic.

Ronda Rousey
UFC

Ronda Rousey prefers WWE's pay compared to the UFC: "They’re treated like employees"

Cole Shelton - April 16, 2020

Former UFC champion, Ronda Rousey likes how WWE pays their athletes compared to the UFC. Rousey, who became a WWE star after her successful UFC career, says the WWE treats athletes like employees. The wrestlers are also on salary, which makes planning life a lot easier when compared to fight purses.

Nate Diaz
Dana White

Nate Diaz Top 5 fights

Natasha Hooper - April 16, 2020

Today marks the birthday of one of the UFC’s most celebrated fighters, Nate Diaz. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 35-year old is no doubt having a quiet celebration in lockdown. To honor the ‘Stockton slapper’, we have compiled his top five fights to celebrate his birthday in ultimate BJPenn.com style! Donald Cerrone The UFC veterans collided in the co-main event of UFC 141 in 2011. The fighters vented their frustration in an all-out war, but the bad blood started long before they entered the Octagon. Diaz previously slapped his opponent’s hand when Cerrone attempted to introduce himself. He also knocked the “Cowboy’s” hat off his head during a press conference.

Artem Lobov Paulie Malignaggi
BKFC

Paulie Malignaggi confirms he's been contacted about boxing rematch with Artem Lobov

Tom Taylor - April 16, 2020

In 2019, at BKFC 6, Paulie Malignaggi stepped through the ropes for a bare-knuckle boxing match with MMA product Artem Lobov. Despite possessing far more pure boxing experience, Malignaggi lost a tight decision to his rival. Given the competitive nature of the bout, there was some talk of a rematch between the two. Speaking to BJPENN.com recently, Lobov confirmed that he was actually approached about competing in a boxing rematch with Malignaggi.

Shaquille O'Neal, UFC, MMA
UFC

Shaquille O’Neal: "MMA is the reason I became a champion" in NBA

Tom Taylor - April 16, 2020

Shaquille O’Neal, the winner of four NBA Championships, and a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall-of-Famer, credits his success on the court to MMA. It’s no secret that Shaq is a big fight fan, but during a recent interview with ESPN, he divulged that training in MMA on the side helped him take his fitness to the next level.