MMA News
What's next for Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige after UFC Fight Island 1?
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2020
In the main event of UFC Fight Island 1, rising featherweight contenders, in Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige were looking to continue their hot streaks. It was a very intriguing scrap, where the winner would likely enter a number one contender bout, or perhaps earn a title shot. Both fighters told BJPENN.com they were planning on breaking the other in there, but that is far from what happened. Both Kattar and Ige kept on coming forward and landing heavy shots. But, it was Kattar who got the job done by decision.
Rose Namajunas previews Weili Zhang matchup: "She’s a master; I’m a master"
Tom Taylor - July 16, 2020
Former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas believes she’s the next woman in line for the reigning champion Weili Zhang. Whenever the matchup happens, she expects it to be a beautiful display of martial arts. Namajunas discussed this compelling strawweight matchup in a recent interview with MMA Junkie. She says she believes that’s what’s next for her, but concedes that it’s far from official just yet.
Tyron Woodley responds to "hemorrhoid" Colby Covington's signed bout agreement
Tom Taylor - July 16, 2020
Tyron Woodley has issued a response after Colby Covington claimed the former champ ducked him, and provided a signed bout agreement as proof. Covington made this claim about Woodley on Instagram on Wednesday.
Miesha Tate on controversial Yan vs. Aldo stoppage: “I’d have that man ref my fight any day of the week”
Harry Kettle - July 16, 2020
Former MMA fighter Miesha Tate has given her thoughts on the controversial stoppage in the Bantamweight Championship fight between Petr Yan and Jose Aldo at UFC 251. While the majority of fans can admit that Aldo put up a valiant effort against Yan in their title showdown last weekend, everyone could see that the Russian was on the verge of victory in the final round. After Aldo took a plethora of unprotected shots to the head during some ground and pound, many wondered why the fight wasn’t stopped earlier by referee Leon Roberts.
Kamaru Usman still wants GSP fight: "He can still do it"
Tom Taylor - July 16, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman still wants to share the Octagon with Georges St-Pierre, widely regarded as the division’s greatest fighter ever. Usman is riding high after a lopsided decision win over MMA superstar Jorge Masvidal at UFC 251 last Saturday. With his win over Masvidal in the rear-view mirror, he’s now hoping for the chance to mix it up with the division’s former champion, St-Pierre.
Leon Edwards says he would "smoke" Jorge Masvidal in potential grudge match
Adam Martin - July 16, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards says his beef with Jorge Masvidal is real and that he would “smoke” his rival if they fight inside the Octagon. The rivalry between Edwards and Masvidal dates back to March 2019, the night Edwards defeated Gunnar Nelson and Masvidal knocked out Darren Till in London. Following the event, the two engaged in a back-stage brawl that saw Edwards wind up with a cut on his face. The two fighters have never seen eye-to-eye ever since, though they haven’t had a chance just yet to settle their beef with each other inside the cage.
Alexander Gustafsson and Fabricio Werdum have different recollections of past sparring session
Tom Taylor - July 16, 2020
Alexander Gustafsson and Fabricio Werdum, who will meet in a heavyweight fight on July 25, have differing recollections of their past sparring session. Gustafsson and Werdum only trained together briefly, many years ago at Mark Munoz’s gym.
Calvin Kattar sends message to Alexander Volkanovski
Tom Taylor - July 16, 2020
Streaking featherweight contender Calvin Kattar has a message for UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. Last night, in the main event of UFC on ESPN 13, Kattar picked up an impressive decision win over fellow contender Dan Ige. With the win, he built on the momentum of a thrilling knockout defeat of Jeremy Stephens, and further separated himself from a decision loss to red-hot contender Zabit Magomedsharipov.
Henry Cejudo continues to target UFC featherweight champ “Alex the Great Decision Makernovski”
Harry Kettle - July 16, 2020
Retired UFC star Henry Cejudo continues to tease the idea of going after Alexander Volkanovski and the UFC Featherweight Championship. Following his big win over Dominick Cruz earlier this year which saw him successfully retain the UFC Bantamweight Championship, “Triple C” decided to retire from mixed martial arts. Now, however, Cejudo now appears to have his sights set on doing what no man or woman has ever done before – winning a third UFC belt.
Mike Tyson will fight a great white shark during Shark Week
Tom Taylor - July 16, 2020
Yes, you read that headline correctly. On Wednesday, Discovery announced that its popular Shark Week programming will be headlined by a battle between boxing legend Mike Tyson and a great white shark. Who you got in @MikeTyson vs. Jaws?
Colby Covington shares signed bout agreement, claims Tyron Woodley pulled out again
Natasha Hooper - July 16, 2020
Colby Covington claims that Tyron Woodley has pulled out of a potential fight, and he has the paperwork to prove it. The eagerly anticipated matchup between the former teammates was expected to take place at a UFC event on August 22, but according to “Chaos” the bout will no longer happen.
Pros react to Calvin Kattar defeating Dan Ige at UFC Fight Island
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2020
Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige were making a quick turnaround in hopes of becoming a top-five featherweight in the main event of UFC Fight Island. Kattar (21-4) was riding high after a very impressive knockout win over Jeremy Stephens at UFC 249. He is currently 5-2 inside the Octagon with notable wins over Shane Burgos, Andre Fili, and Ricardo Lamas. His lone UFC losses came to Renato Moicano and Zabit Magomedsharipov, where many thought if the fight was five rounds, Kattar would’ve won.
UFC Fight Island 'Kattar vs. Ige' Live Results and Highlights
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2020
The Octagon is back on Yas Island for a rare Wednesday night show for UFC Fight Island 1, an 11-bout card headlined by Calvin Kattar vs. Dan Ige. Kattar (21-4) is looking to go 2-0 to start the year as he is coming off a very impressive knockout win over Jeremy Stephens at UFC 249. He is 5-2 inside the Octagon with notable wins over Shane Burgos, Andre Fili, and Ricardo Lamas.
It wasn’t pretty, but Kamaru Usman proved he’s the best welterweight since Georges St-Pierre
Jordy McElroy - July 15, 2020
Not even Fight Island can compare to the sort of isolated distance UFC champion Kamaru Usman is putting between himself and the rest of the welterweight division. He didn’t leave UFC 251 as the people’s champ, but through his lopsided win over Jorge Masvidal, the reigning welterweight king did manage to prove, unequivocally, that he’s the best the division has seen since Georges St-Pierre. There’s no denying the boo birds would have been in full force if the UFC allowed fans to attend its sundered tropical island event, which looked like a crossbreed of “Mortal Kombat” and David Fincher’s “Fight Club.” The Twitter birds have already been chirping unrelentingly with complaints.
Dana White has a backup plan if Nevada enters lockdown
Tom Taylor - July 15, 2020
The UFC has been able to promote multiple events in Las Vegas since the coronavirus pandemic took hold, but the organization’s president Dana White recognizes that future events in the state of Nevada can’t be guaranteed. As COVID-19 cases spike in many states, there’s widespread concern that a second wave of lockdowns might be necessary. If such a lockdown were to occur in Nevada, even audience-free events at the UFC Apex facility in Las Vegas could become impossible.
Henry Cejudo: Alexander Volkanovski is "scared to sign the damn contract"
Tom Taylor - July 15, 2020
Former UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion Henry Cejudo is retired, but he’s still interested in fighting Alexander Volkanovski for featherweight gold. Cejudo shocked the MMA community by announcing his retirement after he defeated Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 in May. Since then, he’s made it clear that he would end his retirement for the right opportunity, such as a boxing match with Ryan Garcia, or a featherweight title fight with Volkanovski.
Lyoto Machida vs. Phil Davis 2 added to Bellator event on September 11
Adam Martin - July 15, 2020
A rematch between light heavyweights Lyoto Machida and Phil Davis has been set for an upcoming Bellator event that takes place on September 11. Combate was the first to report the rematch between Machida and Davis and confirmed it will be the main event for the Bellator event. The fight will be set for three rounds as Bellator does not do non-title five-round fights as the UFC does. Bellator is returning to action next week after having missed the last five months due to the coronavirus pandemic and the promotion has been busy announcing fights for its return to television screens.
Dan Hooker: "Win or loss, I'm going on another trip to the hospital if I fight Tony Ferguson"
Adam Martin - July 15, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker wants to fight Tony Ferguson next even though he knows he’ll be taking a trip to the hospital afterward — win or lose. Hooker is coming off of a “Fight of the Year” candidate against Dustin Poirier at UFC on ESPN 12 in a an epic fight that proved he’s among the elite of the lightweight division. Although Hooker lost the decision, he proved he can hang five rounds with one of the best lightweights of all time in Poirier, and Hooker’s stock arguably went up despite the loss.