MMA News
Weili Zhang says her "preference" is to fight Rose Namajunas next
Adam Martin - May 28, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang says that her “preference” is to fight Rose Namajunas in her next title defense at 115lbs. Zhang is coming off of a split decision win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 in one of the best women’s MMA fights of all time. It was Zhang’s first title defense since winning the belt with a first-round TKO win over Jessica Andrade at UFC China last year. All told, Zhang is on a 21-fight win streak and is a perfect 5-0 while competing in the UFC.
Justin Gaethje and Cody Garbrandt share stories about the generosity of manager Ali Abdelaziz
Adam Martin - May 28, 2020
UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje and former bantamweight champ Cody Garbrandt each shared stories about the generosity of Ali Abdelaziz. Abdelaziz manages Gaethje and Garbrandt, not to mention star MMA fighters such as the UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, the welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, the legend Frankie Edgar, and the recently-retired Henry Cejudo. Although Abdelaziz has often been outspoken and somewhat controversial, his fighters always say the same thing, and that’s that he’s one of the top manages in the game.
Anderson Silva opens as betting favorite against Conor McGregor
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2020
Anderson Silva has opened as the betting favorite over Conor McGregor in a potential fight. On Wednesday night, Silva took to Instagram to challenge McGregor to superfight. Immediately, it caught the attention of the combat sports world, and the Irishman even accepted the challenge.
Dan Ige doesn't “see the argument” that he didn’t beat Edson Barboza, wants Jeremy Stephens next
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2020
Dan Ige doesn’t understand how people thought Edson Barboza beat him. Back at UFC on ESPN 8, Barboza made his featherweight debut against the 15th-ranked, Dan Ige. Early on in the fight, the Brazilian dropped Ige but the Hawaiian rallied in the second and third rounds to win a split decision.
UFC 250 full card lineup revealed with Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer as headliner
Adam Martin - May 28, 2020
The full card lineup for UFC 250 has been revealed with a main event headliner between UFC women’s featherweight champion Amanda Nunes and Felicia Spencer. The full lineup for UFC 250 was announced by UFC president Dana White on ESPN Sportscenter, with 11 fights scheduled to take place. The card is set for June 6 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, and airs live on pay-per-view. Check out the full card below.
Pro fighters make their picks for Tyron Woodley vs. Gilbert Burns
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2020
In the main event of UFC on ESPN 9, Tyron Woodley returns to the Octagon to battle the streaking Gilbert Burns. Heading into the fight, the former champion in Woodley is a -190 favorite while the Brazilian is a +155 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros believe it is a much closer fight than the odds suggest but the majority lean towards Burns pulling off the upset win to extend his winning streak.
Jorge Masvidal blames Kamaru Usman for failed negotiations: “He didn’t sign the bout agreement”
Harry Kettle - May 28, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal has claimed that Kamaru Usman didn’t sign their bout agreement for a title fight later this year. Masvidal is widely considered to be the number one contender for the UFC Welterweight Championship after an insane 3-0 run in 2019 with wins over Darren Till, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz.
Macy Chiasson rips Valerie Loureda for posting “strip tease” videos to gain fans
Natasha Hooper - May 28, 2020
UFC prospect Macy Chiasson has slammed fellow female fighter Valerie Loureda for posting a “striptease” videos to gain fans. Bellator standout Loureda made her professional debut within the organization last year and has tallied two back-to-back wins. The 21-year is also a model/actress and frequently shares selfies of herself on social media.
Conor McGregor accepts Anderson Silva's challenge to a superfight
Chris Taylor - May 28, 2020
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has responded to MMA legend Anderson Silva’s request for a superfight. Yesterday evening ‘The Spider’ took to Instagram where he challenged the Irishman to a superfight at 176.3 pounds. Silva’s callout came just hours after McGregor had revised his recently released MMA GOAT list to give himself top spot.
Kamaru Usman offers unique ruleset in hopes of luring Conor McGregor into a fight
Natasha Hooper - May 28, 2020
The welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman has sent a message to MMA superstar Conor McGregor in hopes of luring him into a fight. Usman has the longest active win streak in the welterweight division and has his sights set on a matchup against the Irishman. He is willing to give McGregor the unique opportunity which will make it worth his while.
Jon Jones reacts to Colby Covington being "banished" from American Top Team
Chris Taylor - May 28, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones shared his reaction to the news that his former friend and roommate Colby Covington was no longer with ATT. Covington was removed from the American Top Team website earlier this week, leading many to speculate the he had parted ways with the gym.
Amanda Nunes mocks Valerie Loureda over provocative social media videos
Christopher Taylor - May 27, 2020
UFC women’s “champ champ” Amanda Nunes had some fun with Valerie Loureda tonight, this after the Bellator fighter posted a provocative video on social media. Loureda (2-0 MMA) made her Bellator debut in 2019 when she defeated Colby Fletcher by way of first round TKO. Later that same year the 21-year-old would score a unanimous decision victory over Larkyn Dasch.
Dana White lists three possible opponents for Kamaru Usman
Adam Martin - May 27, 2020
UFC president Dana White listed three possible opponents for UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman’s next fight, and Conor McGregor wasn’t on the list. White was a guest on ESPN Sportscenter on Wednesday, where he answered a number of questions related to upcoming fights. One of the questions White was asked is what’s next for Usman, the UFC welterweight champion who has been connected to fights against McGregor and Jorge Masvidal as of late.
Conor McGregor changes tune and proclaims himself the GOAT: “Get over it baby, and get with it!”
Cole Shelton - May 27, 2020
Conor McGregor now believes he is the undisputed MMA GOAT. Earlier, McGregor took to social media to give his take on the MMA GOAT conversation where he had Anderson Silva as number one with him at second. Now, days later, he has changed his tune thanks to stats from his coach, John Kavanagh where he has now proclaimed himself the GOAT.
Jorge Masvidal happy "cancer" Colby Covington is no longer at ATT: "He was never part of this team"
Cole Shelton - May 27, 2020
Jorge Masvidal is glad Colby Covington is no longer a member of American Top Team. Covington has been a longtime staple of the gym and said he would be ATT for life. Yet, recently, Dan Lambert put in a no trash-talking policy for the fighters to stop the likes of Covington, Masvidal, and Dustin Poirier from going at one another.
Tyron Woodley on Gilbert Burns: "Don't ever compare his UFC record to mine"
Mike Pendleton - May 27, 2020
In the main event of this weekend’s UFC Fight Night, former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley will meet rising contender Gilbert Burns as both look to inject themselves into welterweight title contention. Although he is no longer the champion, Woodley has faced some of the biggest names in the sport and his opponent is just cracking the upper-tier of opponents although he’s doing so with incredible momentum behind him. After Burns ran through Demain Maia with a first-round win back in March, he put himself in position for a fight against Woodley but the former champion isn’t ready to compare their past.
Blagoy Ivanov confident he earns first UFC finish against Augusto Sakai: "I’m taking him into deep waters"
Cole Shelton - May 27, 2020
Blagoy Ivanov is confident he will earn his first UFC finish this Saturday night when he battles Augusto Sakai. Ivanov is coming off a split decision loss to Derrick Lewis at UFC 230 in a fight he thought he won. It was a disappointing outcome for the Bulgarian as a win over “The Black Beast” would’ve changed his career.
Jose Aldo receives vacant bantamweight title shot after losing out on Henry Cejudo fight
Cole Shelton - May 27, 2020
Jose Aldo is getting his bantamweight title shot after all. After Henry Cejudo TKO’d Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 to defend his bantamweight title, he shockingly announced his retirement from the sport. Immediately, people questioned if it was real while his coach told BJPENN.com it was permanent.