MMA News
Coach refutes rumors of Mike Tyson vs. Wanderlei Silva BKFC fight
Tom Taylor - May 26, 2020
Not long after boxing legend Mike Tyson announced his plans to return to the ring at 53 years of age, he received a lucrative offer from upstart bare-knuckle promotion BKFC—potentially for a fight with MMA legend Wanderlei Silva. “I think a Wanderlei Silva, someone of that nature,” BKFC boss David Feldman told MMA Fighting when discussing potential opponents for Tyson. “No matter how old Silva gets, he’s dangerous, and I think that would be an intriguing matchup. Something like that, but I don’t actually have anything in mind right now.”
Ben Askren explains why he didn't include Conor McGregor on his GOAT list
Tom Taylor - May 26, 2020
Former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight titleholder Ben Askren recently shared the names of the fighters he believes belong in the GOAT debate in MMA, but his list did not include former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor. 7 People in discussion for MMA GOAT. Some have much better cases than others, but all have cases. Fedor and BJ would have had cases had they retired earlier.
Vitor Belfort wants AEW tag team match with Mike Tyson
Tom Taylor - May 26, 2020
ONE Championship star Vitor Belfort wants to partake in an AEW tag team match with boxing legend Mike Tyson. Belfort has recently been training with Tyson, and also attended an AEW event in Jacksonville, Florida, of which Tyson was a part.
Bellator's Myles Jury says "UFC are control freaks"
Tom Taylor - May 26, 2020
In 2019, Myles Jury migrated from the UFC’s Octagon to the Bellator cage. From the sounds of it, he made the right choice for himself. Speaking to MMA Junkie recently, Jury weighed in on the differences between the UFC and Bellator. The main difference, he says, is the level of control the two promotions have over their fighters.
Israel Adesanya eager to punish "juiced-up monkey" Paulo Costa
Tom Taylor - May 26, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is eager for the opportunity to punish Paulo Costa for all of his trash talk. The two undefeated knockout artists are expected to fight next, but the bout is not yet official. Whenever it winds up happening, Adesanya is excited, particularly after his undeniably slow win over Yoel Romero back in March.
Michael Bisping discusses his legacy amidst heated MMA GOAT conversations
Harry Kettle - May 26, 2020
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping has given his own thoughts on where he ranks in the ongoing “GOAT” conversation. While the discussion over who the Greatest of All Time is in the world of mixed martial arts may be subjective, many hardcore fans will defend their choice with great passion – whether it be on social media or down their local bar.
Daniel Cormier discusses how much Jon Jones should be paid for heavyweight move
Harry Kettle - May 26, 2020
Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on how much he believes Jon Jones should be compensated for a move up to heavyweight. Cormier and Jones have had their fair share of spats over the years, but in the Octagon, Jones has been able to overcome “DC” with one decision win and one KO victory that was changed to a no contest due to a failed drug test.
Michael Bisping rips fan for suggesting he lost his fight with Anderson Silva
Natasha Hooper - May 26, 2020
Michael Bisping had some choice words for a fan who suggested he lost his 2016 fight with Anderson Silva. Silva has been a hot topic as of recent after Conor McGregor ranked him the No. 1 GOAT on Twitter.
Breaking | Cody Stamann to take on Brian Kelleher at UFC 250
Cole Shelton - May 25, 2020
Cody Stamann will fight on June 6 after all. Stamann will take on Brian Kelleher at UFC 250 on June 6 multiple sources told BJPENN.com that the fight is agreed to with contracts expected to be issued in the coming days. The event is expected to take place at the UFC Apex.
Joe Rogan opens up on lucrative Spotify deal: "It seems fake"
Cole Shelton - May 25, 2020
Joe Rogan can’t believe his Spotify deal is real. The UFC commentator and podcast host recently agreed to a deal to have his podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience” exclusively on Spotify. The deal will pay him more than $100 million which for Rogan doesn’t seem real.
Henry Cejudo confirms retirement: "Triple C is out"
Cole Shelton - May 25, 2020
Henry Cejudo confirms his retirement is legit. In the co-main event of UFC 249, Cejudo was looking to defend his bantamweight title for the first time when he battled Dominick Cruz. “Triple C” was having success early on and then landed a knee that dropped the former champ and he finished him off with ground and pound strikes.
Tim Elliott says he's "no longer chasing wins," focused on collecting bonuses
Cole Shelton - May 25, 2020
Tim Elliott has changed his approach to fighting. The former UFC flyweight title challenger and TUF winner will return to the Octagon on Saturday to battle newcomer Brandon Royval. He’s also looking to snap his two-fight losing streak, but for him, he says wins and losses no longer matter. Instead, he wants to win bonuses and be known as an exciting fighter.
Michael Bisping's responds to "one-eyed fighter" comment from Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - May 25, 2020
Conor McGregor recently laid out his picks for the Greatest of All Time in MMA, and his arguments featured what could be perceived as a dig at Michael Bisping. GSP is in at 3. Much less array of finishes but champion status in 2. He is far behind though. Reasons = Left 170 after much damage taken+questionable decision. Never re-engaged 170lb successors. Bottled Anderson fight. Only moved when one eyed fighter presented. Played safe.
Wanderlei Silva reportedly offered $10M for potential Mike Tyson matchup
Tom Taylor - May 25, 2020
Wanderlei Silva has reportedly been offered $10M for a potential bare-knuckle fight with Mike Tyson—an opportunity he says he accepted “right away.” Tyson, a 53-year-old boxing legend, is plotting a comeback, and is being aggressively courted by upstart bare-knuckle organization BKFC. The promotion is reported to have offered Tyson more than $20M to compete sans gloves, and has named Silva as his potential dance partner (should the boxer accept the offer).
Kamaru Usman on Conor McGregor fight: "I’d shag him in there if I wanted"
Tom Taylor - May 25, 2020
UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman is extremely confident he’d come out on top in a potential fight with Conor McGregor. There’s been plenty of buzz about a superfight between Usman and McGregor, who previously held the UFC lightweight and featherweight titles, over the last few days. The buzz reached a fever pitch when Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, suggested they would be willing to give McGregor a title shot—with some unique conditions.
BJPENN.COM Radio Ep. 127 // EKIC Founders
Jason Kindschy - May 25, 2020
EKIC or Extreme Kumite International Championships is an all-new and innovative promotion focused on bringing authentic martial arts competition to combat sports fans around the globe. Revolutionary in their approach, the founders of EKIC aim to give combat sports athletes every opportunity available to them all under one roof, while also prioritizing fair pay to those under contract. The EKIC brand will bring three different rulesets of combat to international viewers. Freestyle Kumite, which will be modeled after some aspects of MMA but eliminates the cage and gloves. Bareknuckle Boxing under The London Rules rather than Marquess of Queensberry Rules, and finally traditional boxing as it’s seen today. All three rulesets from one promotion. The founders of EKIC joined us to announce the official launch of the brand and discuss their goals for the company. President Ed Simpson, Vice President Mark Goldstein, and fellow VP Jeff Arcio gave BJPENN Radio exclusive insight on EKIC from it’s inception to where they see the company in five years. With an advisory board and brand ambassadors that include the likes of Hector Camacho Jr., Cung Le, and Stephan Bonnar, the EKIC team is ready to take the combat sports world by storm. Having already been bombarded by athletes interested in competing for the brand, it’s only a matter of time before EKIC grows from fledgling promotion to pugilistic powerhouse.
Muay Thai star Rodtang Jitmuangnon interested in future MMA bouts
Tom Taylor - May 25, 2020
ONE flyweight Muay Thai titleholder Rodtang Jitmuangnon, widely regarded as one of the most exciting fighters in combat sports, is interested in trying his hand at MMA in the future. The 22-year-old Thai, who has also captured the Max Muay Thai 126-pound title and the Omnoi Stadium 130-pound title, is drawing inspiration from his girlfriend, Stamp Fairtex.
Betting odds released for Conor McGregor vs. Kamaru Usman
Adam Martin - May 25, 2020
The sportsbooks have released the opening betting odds for a potential fight between superstar Conor McGregor and UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. There have been rumblings in the last few days about McGregor potentially getting the next title shot against Usman at 170lbs, particularly if Jorge Masvidal fights Nate Diaz in a rematch instead. Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has made it clear their camp is interested in a McGregor fight, so as crazy as it seems that McGregor could get a title shot at welterweight, there is a possibility that’s the case.