MMA News
Jon Jones reacts after Stipe Miocic suggests he wants a "new challenge" instead of Francis Ngannou
Harry Kettle - August 28, 2020
Jon Jones has given his thoughts on UFC heavyweight king Stipe Miocic suggesting that he’d prefer a move to boxing as opposed to a rematch against Francis Ngannou. Jones has never been one to shy away from giving his opinion on something, whether it be in or outside of the mixed martial arts bubble. That’s especially true for his Twitter activity, and if anything, he’s continued to pick up the pace ever since he decided to vacate the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
UFC 253: ‘Costa vs Adesanya’ Fight Card and Rumors
Natasha Hooper - August 28, 2020
We’ve got you covered for the current fight card for UFC 253, as well as the bouts that are rumored for the card. UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 26 from the UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
Dana White's RNC speech gets scrutinized by fact-checkers
Tom Taylor - August 28, 2020
On Thursday night, UFC President Dana White endorsed Donald Trump at The Republican National Convention. His speech did not go over well with fact-checkers. During his appearance at the RNC, White spoke at length about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and praised Trump’s handling of the issue, which has now claimed upward of 181,000 lives in the United States.
Georges St-Pierre reflects on the most humiliating moment of his career
Natasha Hooper - August 28, 2020
Georges St-Pierre has opened up about the most humiliating experience of his career. The former welterweight champion formally retired from the sport in 2019, and accomplished a 26-2 record, with victories over the stars like Michael Bisping, Johny Hendricks, Nick Diaz, Carlos Condit, Jake Shields, Josh Koscheck, Dan Hardy, Thiago Alves, BJ Penn, Matt Serra, and Matt Hughes. However, of his two career losses, it was his upset defeat against Matt Serra that “GSP” acknowledges as the “most humiliating thing” that happened in his career.
Jon Jones explains why he vacated the UFC light heavyweight title
Adam Martin - August 27, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones explained why he decided to give up his 205lbs belt and announce the move up to heavyweight. Jones recently announced on social media that he vacated the UFC light heavyweight title, and the vacant title will be on the line at UFC 253 in September between Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz. Jones made the decision to drop his belt and make the move to heavyweight for a few reasons, which he expanded on in a social media post. Taking to his Twitter on Thursday night, Jones expanded on his decision to vacate the 205lbs belt.
Luke Rockhold calls for return fight against Darren Till in the O2 Arena, but would love to shut up Chris Weidman
Cole Shelton - August 27, 2020
Luke Rockhold is interested in fighting Darren Till in England at the O2 Arena. The former middleweight champ recently announced he would be making a comeback and sent a message to the division. Now, he is calling his shots as he wants to return against Till as he believes it is a fun fight and a winnable fight for him.
Zak Cummings expects to finish Alessio Di Chirico, get ranked opponent next time out
Cole Shelton - August 27, 2020
Zak Cummings was surprised when he found out he would be fighting Alessio Di Chirico. Cummings will be returning this Saturday at UFC Vegas 8 after dropping a decision to Omari Akhmedov last September at UFC 242. The hope for Cummings was to make a quick turnaround. Yet, he was turned down a couple of times and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit leaving Cummings not being able to fight in nearly a year.
Ray Borg announces retirement from MMA at age 27
Adam Martin - August 27, 2020
Former UFC flyweight title challenger Ray Borg has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts at the age of 27. Borg has been a member of the UFC roster since 2014, fighting in the flyweight and bantamweight divisions. On Thursday, he took to social media to announce that he is retiring from MMA, citing personal reasons. Check out what Borg wrote on Instagram.
Francis Ngannou responds to Stipe Miocic after the champ says he wants new challenges
Adam Martin - August 27, 2020
Francis Ngannou has responded after UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic said he was looking for new challenges, which could be Jon Jones. UFC president Dana White said that Ngannou was next for Miocic in the wake of his trilogy fight victory over Daniel Cormier at UFC 252, but since then things have changed. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones decided to vacate his belt and announce his move up to heavyweight, and he has already expressed interest in a fight against Miocic. White has since confirmed that Jones could be in line for an immediate title shot.
Georges St-Pierre: chances of Khabib Nurmagomedov fight are "incredibly low"
Tom Taylor - August 27, 2020
Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre says the chances of his returning to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov are “incredibly low.” St-Pierre and Nurmagomedov have both expressed interest in fighting one another in the past, but in 2020, when St-Pierre is almost 40 years old, and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create logistical challenges, it’s starting to look like a long shot.
Carlo Pedersoli Jr. slated to make his Bellator debut on September 24 against Grachik Bozinyan
Alfredo Zullino - August 27, 2020
A Bellator welterweight clash between Carlo Pedersoli Jr. (11-3 MMA, 0-0 Bellator) and Grachik Bozinyan (10-5 MMA, 0-1 Bellator) is set for September 24 in Milan, Italy, sources with knowledge of the situation told BJPENN.com. The sources asked for anonymity since the news hasn’t been officially confirmed yet. The Miami-born Italian fighter was supposed to make his promotional debut at Bellator 239 back in February against Mark Lemminger, in Thackerville, Oklahoma, but Pedersoli was eventually forced to pull out of the fight due to an infection.
Henry Cejudo rips Sean O’Malley for stealing his pose: “O’Malley should be sponsored by Viagra since all he does is go limp”
Tom Taylor - August 27, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion Henry Cejudo has taken another shot at rising prospect “Sugar” Sean O’Malley. Cejudo, who retired from competition back in May, has had plenty of trash talk for O’Malley over the last few weeks. Even when O’Malley suffered a TKO loss to Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 252 earlier this month, the former champion did not dial back his verbal warfare.
Neil Magny sees pros and cons to short-notice Robbie Lawler fight
Adam Martin - August 27, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Neil Magny admits there are pros and cons to his fight against Robbie Lawler on Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 33. Magny was set to fight Geoff Neal in a high-profile welterweight bout, but Neal was forced to withdraw due to a medical issue and Lawler stepper in on short notice. Lawler, the former UFC welterweight champion, has not fought since last summer and has lost four of his last five fights. That’s why the oddsmakers have installed Magny as the betting favorite for the contest. Then again, Lawler has proven he has the power to stop anybody at 170.
Dan Hooker responds to Patricio Freire’s claim that he would leave him in a hospital bed
Harry Kettle - August 27, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker has issued a response to Bellator double-champ Patricio “Pitbull” Freire who called him out on social media. Hooker, 30, is hoping to get back into the Octagon sooner rather than later after his unanimous decision loss to Dustin Poirier back in June. Alas, despite the defeat, “Hangman” saw his stock rise significantly after a fight that was dubbed by many as a Fight of the Year contender.
Nick Diaz responds to Diego Sanchez's accusations of hate e-mails
Tom Taylor - August 27, 2020
Nick Diaz has responded to a recent accusation from Diego Sanchez, who claimed the former Strikeforce welterweight champ used to send him angry emails. Earlier this week, during an appearance on Mike Swick’s Real Quick podcast, Sanchez accused Diaz of bombarding him with hateful emails, some of which even targeted his mother and father.
Robbie Lawler issues classic response when asked how he’s dealing with pandemic
Tom Taylor - August 27, 2020
Former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler issued a classic response when he was asked how he’s coping with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to his reputation as one of the most violent fighters in MMA, Lawler has always been fairly reclusive and soft-spoken. During a virtual scrum ahead of his short-notice UFC Vegas 8 scrap with Neil Magny, the former welterweight titleholder was asked how he’s been fairing during the pandemic.
Anthony Smith reacts to Jon Jones vacating the UFC light heavyweight title: “That’s a noble thing to do”
Harry Kettle - August 27, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has given his thoughts on Jon Jones vacating the Light Heavyweight Championship. Smith, 32, is hoping to get back to winning ways this Saturday when he squares off against rising star Aleksandar Rakic in a huge fight at 205 pounds. “Lionheart” was beaten by vetern Glover Teixeira in the fifth round of their main event in May, and ever since then he’s been itching to get back into the Octagon.
Anderson Silva still interested in a super fight with "the best one in the sport," Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - August 27, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is expected to retire from MMA after his October 31 fight with Uriah Hall, but the Brazilian legend is still interested in a clash with former UFC lightweight and featherweight champ Conor McGregor. Silva explained his interest in a fight with McGregor during an interview with ESPN this week.