MMA News
Joanna Jedrzejczyk shuts down retirement rumors, says she wants to be champion again
Adam Martin - August 21, 2020
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk shot down retirement rumors, saying that her goal is to be the champion again. Jedrzejczyk last competed in March at UFC 248 against Weili Zhang. In one of the greatest MMA fights of all time, the two warriors went the full 25 minutes with Zhang winning a split decision. They later shared a moment in the hospital. It was an incredible fight, one of the best ever, and despite losing on paper, Jedrzejczyk’s stock arguably rose despite the loss.
Charles Oliveira sends message to top-five lightweights: "Don't you want to fight? Get out of the way"
Adam Martin - August 21, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira sent a message to the top-five lightweights on the roster after landing Beneil Dariush next. Oliveira is currently the No. 6 ranked lightweight, and after winning his last seven straight fights by stoppage, he has been busy calling out elite fighters in the division such as Conor McGregor, Tony Ferguson, and Dustin Poirier, hoping to land a marquee matchup with one of them. However, none of those fighters will be next for Oliviera. Instead, he recently signed a bout agreement to fight Beneil Dariush, the No. 11 ranked lightweight.
Rafael dos Anjos to train with Jose Aldo ahead of lightweight drop
Tom Taylor - August 21, 2020
Rafael dos Anjos will be training with a fellow MMA legend in Jose Aldo as he prepares to return to the lightweight division, where he was once the champion. Dos Anjos has spent the last few years of his career competing in the welterweight division, picking up big wins over Tarec Saffiedine, Neil Magny, Robbie Lawler and Kevin Lee, but coming up short against top-flight foes in Colby Covington, Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards and Michael Chiesa.
Israel Adesanya criticizes "dumb" Paulo Costa, Brazilian fires back
Tom Taylor - August 21, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and his next opponent Paulo Costa had a heated back-and-forth on ESPN’s SportsCenter this week. Ahead of their fight, which will headline the UFC 253 card in September, both fighters are riding victories over the extremely dangerous Yoel Romero. Costa defeated Romero in a wild fire-fight last August, while Adesanya edged by the Cuban in a slow but tense affair in March.
Pro fighters make their picks for Pedro Munhoz vs. Frankie Edgar
Cole Shelton - August 21, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 7, a key bantamweight bout headlines the card as Pedro Munhoz welcomes Frankie Edgar to the division. Heading into the fight, Munhoz is a -265 favorite while the former UFC lightweight champion is a +205 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe bantamweight is where Frankie Edgar should’ve been his entire career as he will pull off the upset and beat Pedro Munhoz.
Michael Chandler believes potential UFC fight with Justin Gaethje would be “the most exciting MMA fight of all time”
Natasha Hooper - August 21, 2020
Michael Chandler what he views as his perfect matchup. The lightweight champion has teased the possibility of a move over to the UFC after completing his current contract with the Bellator. He criticized the organization’s CEO Scott Coker for not placing an extension on his contract, and wants to fight wherever he is valued.
Photo | Henry Cejudo continues to troll Alex Volkanovski in hopes of featherweight title opportunity
Harry Kettle - August 21, 2020
Former UFC two-weight world champion Henry Cejudo continues to troll Alexander Volkanovski and campaign for a shot at the Featherweight Championship. While Cejudo may have retired in the wake of his win over Dominick Cruz earlier this summer, it’s clear to see that “Triple C” is still very much interested in the prospect of becoming the first fighter in UFC history to win a title in three different weight classes.
After KO win over King Mo, Andrew Kapel looking to do the same against John Salter
Cole Shelton - August 20, 2020
Andrew Kapel is looking to go 2-0 in Bellator. On the main card of Bellator 244, Kapel is returning following his November knockout win over King Mo. It was King Mo’s retirement fight, and now Kapel is excited to get back in the cage and try and beat another big name in John Salter.
Report | UFC 252 draws fourth largest pay-per-view buy rate of any 2020 event
Adam Martin - August 20, 2020
The numbers are in and last weekend’s UFC 252 event drew the fourth-largest pay-per-view buy rate of any UFC event in 2020. According to Sports Business Journal reporter John Ourand (via TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter), UFC 252 ranked just behind UFC 251, UFC 249, and UFC 246 when it comes to the most-bought UFC pay-per-views in 2020. The report says that UFC 252 sold 500,000 pay-per-views worldwide and also had 400,000 viewers watch the event on ESPN+ in the United States. Overall, these are solid numbers for the UFC.
Sean O'Malley opens up on Marlon Vera fight: "He is not that good"
Cole Shelton - August 20, 2020
Sean O’Malley has broken his silence on his UFC 252 loss to Marlon Vera. In the co-main event of the card, O’Malley was looking to remain undefeated when he took on Vera. It was an intriguing matchup with “Sugar” telling BJPENN.com before the fight he expected to get another first-round knockout.
Scott Coker believes Bellator has superior light heavyweight division to UFC
Adam Martin - August 20, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker has gone on record saying he believes Bellator has a superior light heavyweight division to the UFC. Coker and Bellator recently signed top-five light heavyweight Corey Anderson to a big-money free-agent deal, strengthening the division. Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader fights this Friday at Bellator 244 against top contender Vadim Nemkov, in what is an excellent matchup for the belt. Other light heavyweights in the promotion include Lyoto Machida and Phil Davis, who face each other in a rematch in September.
Johnny Walker plans on following the lead of Jon Jones and move to heavyweight
Adam Martin - August 20, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Johnny Walker says he plans on following the lead of Jon Jones and move up to the heavyweight division. Walker is one of the biggest light heavyweights in the UFC, standing at 6’6″. At age 28 he is in the prime of his career right now, but as he approaches his 30s the cut to light heavyweight is going to get tougher and tougher. Following back-to-back defeats to Nikita Krylov and Corey Anderson, it makes sense that Walker is re-evaluating his career.
Trevin Giles booked for Octagon return after fainting at recent UFC Vegas event
Adam Martin - August 20, 2020
UFC middleweight Trevin Giles will return to the Octagon in November, his first fight back since recently fainting at a UFC Las Vegas event. Giles was set to fight Kevin Holland at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan earlier this month. However, while making the walk to the Octagon, Giles fainted and the fight was called off on the advice of doctors. It was a scary incident and Giles was sent to the hospital for further tests on his heart. He recently posted videos of himself training so it appears that Giles is now OK despite the recent health scare.
Patricky Freire says he'll have a "surprise" for Conor McGregor at Bellator Dublin
Tom Taylor - August 20, 2020
Patricky Freire says he has a surprise in store for former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor at the upcoming Bellator Dublin card. Freire is scheduled to take on McGregor’s teammate Peter Queally at the Bellator Dublin event, which is scheduled for October 3. The card will feature several other members of Freire’s team taking on fighters from SBG Ireland, where McGregor and Queally both train.
Patricio Freire expects former foe Michael Chandler to sign with ONE Championship
Tom Taylor - August 20, 2020
Patricio Freire, who holds the Bellator featherweight and lightweight titles, expects his former foe Michael Chandler to sign with ONE Championship. Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champ, recently concluded his current Bellator contract with a knockout win over former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.
Video | Rafael dos Anjos looks in great shape ahead of return to 155lbs against Islam Makhachev
Adam Martin - August 20, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos appears to be in tremendous shape ahead of a return to 155lbs against Islam Makhachev. As first reported by BJPenn.com’s Chris Taylor, RDA will move back down to lightweight and he will meet a rising top-15 contender in the form of Makhachev. The two will battle it out on the undercard of UFC 254: Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje, which is set to take place on October 24. The event will likely take place on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
Marvin Vettori believes Anderson Silva and Uriah Hall should be forced to give up their positions in the UFC rankings
Natasha Hooper - August 20, 2020
Marvin Vettori believes Anderson Silva and Uriah Hall should have to forfeit their positions in the UFC rankings after avoiding a possible matchup with him. Anderson Silva will return to the Octagon on October 31 for a middleweight clash against Uriah Hall in the main event.
Ryan Bader believes he could be "the best light heavyweight right now"
Tom Taylor - August 20, 2020
Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader, who is gearing up for a title defense against Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 244, believes he could be the best light heavyweight competing right now. Bader, who was previously a top-5 UFC light heavyweight, believes that with Daniel Cormier retired, and Jon Jones moving up to heavyweight, he has legitimate claim to that lofty label.