MMA News
Pro fighters make their picks for Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier 3 title fight
Cole Shelton - August 13, 2020
In the main event of UFC 252, Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier are set for their trilogy fight. They are currently 1-1 with Cormier winning the first by knockout and Miocic winning the rematch by TKO. Heading into the fight, Miocic is a -110 underdog while “DC” is a -120 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believe Bruce Buffer will say “And New” with Cormier using his wrestling to get his hand raised.
Aljamain Sterling urges Dana White to "do the right thing," grant title shot
Tom Taylor - August 13, 2020
Aljamain Sterling hopes UFC President Dana White will “do the right thing” and grant him a title shot against UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan. Sterling is riding a five-fight win-streak, having most recently picked up an impressive, first-round submission victory over fellow contender Cory Sandhagen. While this victory seemed like it would be enough to earn him a crack at the new bantamweight champion, Yan, White has been noncommittal on the issue.
Dana White reaffirms Floyd Mayweather talks: He "wants to fight"
Tom Taylor - August 13, 2020
UFC President Dana White has reaffirmed that he’s recently been in talks with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr., claiming the undefeated star “wants to fight.” White first revealed that he’s been in communications with Mayweather during a recent interview with TMZ Sports.
Sean O'Malley names Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya as inspirations during rise to stardom
Tom Taylor - August 13, 2020
Sean O’Malley is one of the fastest-rising stars in the UFC, and is already being compared to the likes of Conor McGregor and Israel Adesanya. He does not object to those comparisons.
Marlon Vera offers savage response to Sean O'Malley mind games: "My skin is thicker than his Mom"
Andrew Whitelaw - August 13, 2020
When Sean O’Malley turned up to fight week with his hair dyed the colour of his opponent’s native Ecuador, reporters asked Marlon Vera if it bothered him. “My skin is thicker than his mom, so I’m good with that,” he said. “It’s hard to get in my mind.”
Chris Weidman dismisses talk of a Luke Rockhold rematch: “He needs to put in work”
Natasha Hooper - August 13, 2020
Luke Rockhold is ready for a rematch against Chris Weidman, but the feeling isn’t mutual. Weidman, the former UFC middleweight champion, got back to winning ways at UFC Vegas 6 on August 8. He defeated Omari Akhmedov by unanimous decision, redeeming his two consecutive losses and recent record of 1-5.
Paige VanZant says she's "not even worried" about cuts and scars from fighting sans gloves after signing with BKFC
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
Paige VanZant isn’t worried about the damage she may sustain from fighting sans gloves in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. VanZant has spent the majority of her professional combat sports career in the UFC. Yet, on Wednesday it was revealed that she signed with BKFC. The news shocked many but for the 26-year-old she says the move makes sense. VanZant also wants to break the stigma that she is just a pretty face.
Promoter details Paige VanZant's four-fight deal with BKFC, hints at another "massive" signing
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
David Feldman is relieved Paige VanZant decided to sign with his promotion, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Entering UFC 251, VanZant was fighting Amanda Ribas and it was known it was the final fight of her contract. Many pundits believed she would end up in Bellator but on Wednesday that did not happen. Instead, it was announced she has signed with BKFC.
Matt Dixon fired up for Contender Series opportunity: "I feel like that contract is mine"
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Matt Dixon might not be a household name among fight fans yet, but that could soon change. Dixon, a 24-year-old welterweight with a flawless, 9-0 record, will battle Orion Cosce (6-0) on next Tuesday’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series. If he leaves the cage-side UFC President suitably dazzled, he’ll be offered a contract.
Bellator MMA launches exclusive channel with Pluto TV
Natasha Hooper - August 12, 2020
Bellator MMA has launched an exclusive channel with Pluto TV. The promotions organization have partnered up with the ViacomCBS TV service to provide free, ad-supported streaming for their content. The new channel will provide fans with over 500 fights from Bellator’s vast library over iconic fighting events. The content will be available during any time of week, 24 hour a day from the click of a button. The new Bellator MMA channel is available to stream on Smart TVs, or alternatively your phone or tablet.
Sean O'Malley slams "scared" Henry Cejudo for running from him and Petr Yan
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
Sean O’Malley believes Henry Cejudo only retired from MMA because “Triple C” knew he would lose to “Sugar” and Petr Yan. Following Cejudo’s UFC 249 win over Dominick Cruz to defend his belt he shockingly announced his retirement from the sport. Since then, he has kept trash-talking the flyweight and bantamweight divisions but O’Malley doesn’t care about any of that.
Marlon Vera plans to "baptize" Sean O'Malley and "make him quit" in UFC 252 co-main event
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
Marlon Vera is excited to finally share the Octagon with Sean O’Malley as he is confident he can hand “Sugar” his first loss. In the co-main event of UFC 252, Vera and O’Malley are set to fight in a scrap many fans are looking forward to. The common perception entering the bout is whether or not O’Malley’s hype is real or if Vera will prove to be too much too soon.
Ryan Bader on Corey Anderson moving to Bellator: "I can guarantee you he’s getting paid way more"
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Two-division Bellator champion Ryan Bader believes fellow UFC veteran Corey Anderson made the right decision moving to Bellator. Bader, who rules over the Bellator light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, weighed in on Anderson’s Bellator move in an interview with MMA Fighting.
Max Rohskopf cut by UFC after debut ended in controversy
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Max Rohskopf has been cut from the UFC after his promotional debut, a short-notice lightweight fight with Austin Hubbard, ended in controversy. Rohskopf took on Hubbard at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov on June 20. Between the second and third rounds of the fight, he asked his coaches to end the bout, and didn’t change his tune when his handlers attempted to encourage him to continue.
Luke Rockhold believes Paulo Costa "could easily" beat Israel Adesanya
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold believes Paulo Costa has a real shot at unseating the division’s reigning champion, Israel Adesanya. Costa is scheduled to challenge Adesanya for the UFC middleweight crown in the main event of UFC 253 on September 19.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik gunning for KO win over Junior dos Santos, eyes rematch with Francis Ngannou
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
Jairzinho Rozenstruik is looking to get back into the win column just three months after suffering a brutal knockout loss to Francis Ngannou. Back at UFC 249 in May, Rozenstruik was knocked out in 20 seconds. Following the loss, many expected the former kickboxer to take some time off to heal his brain.
Luke Rockhold names other potential opponents for comeback fight
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is plotting a comeback after a lengthy break, and sees many options in terms of his next opponent. Earlier this week, in an interview with ESPN, Rockhold revealed that he intends to fight again, and targeted his former foe Chris Weidman as a potential opponent.
Ben Askren reveals one thing he wishes he did differently in MMA career
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight titleholder Ben Askren doesn’t have a lot of regrets with respect to his MMA career, but there is one thing he’d do differently. Askren, who retired after going 1-2 in the UFC in 2019, was asked by a fan if there is anything he wishes he could change about his MMA journey. He issued a lengthy and thoughtful response on Twitter.