MMA News
Marvin Vettori's nutritionist clears the air on the infamous confrontation with Karl Roberson
Alfredo Zullino - May 15, 2020
Basically everyone has seen the infamous clip of Marvin Vettori going after his former opponent Karl Roberson, but there are still questions about what actually happens. Both fighters gave their sides of the story but of course, they differ from each other.
Anthony Smith releases statement after brutal TKO loss to Glover Teixeira
Adam Martin - May 15, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith released a statement following a brutal TKO loss to Glover Teixeira at UFC Jacksonville. Smith was beaten down in devastating fashion by Teixeira for nearly 25 minutes before the referee mercifully stopped the fight in the fifth round. The stoppage was extremely controversial, as many believed the referee or the corner of Smith should have stopped the fight after the fourth round, but Smith was left to go out there for the fifth round instead.
Jon Jones doubles down on Francis Ngannou callout: "I'm going to win this fight"
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
It appears that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is dead serious about moving up to heavyweight to fight Francis Ngannou. On Friday morning, Jones took to Instagram to double down on his call for a fight with the Cameroonian-French knockout artist, referring to it as a “modern day David and Goliath” matchup.
Urijah Faber could potentially fight at UFC on ESPN 8
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
Fans that tuned in for this morning’s UFC on ESPN 8 weigh-ins were greeted by an unexpected face: Urijah Faber’s. Despite not being scheduled to fight on the Jacksonville, Florida event, Faber stepped onto the scale and weighed in just below the lightweight limit. Normally, this would suggest Faber is on-tap to replace any lightweights scheduled to compete on the card in the event of a last-minute shakeup. However, the UFC on ESPN on 8 lineup doesn’t feature any lightweight bouts.
Weili Zhang finally emerges from quarantine, sets sights on Valentina Shevchenko
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang has finally emerged from a lengthy period of quarantine in her native China, and she’s already plotting her next challenge in the Octagon. After she defeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk in one of the greatest fights of all time back in March, Zhang got stranded in the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic. When she finally made it back to China, she was forced to endure a two-week period of isolation as a precaution.
Daniel Cormier believes “mistakes" were made in the corner of Anthony Smith at UFC Jacksonville
Natasha Hooper - May 15, 2020
Daniel Cormier called out the mistakes made by Anthony Smith’s corner during his fight against Glover Teixeira at UFC Jacksonville. Wednesday’s UFC Jacksonville card featured a number of compelling matchups including the main event clash between light heavyweight contenders Smith and Teixeira.
UFC on ESPN 8 weigh-in results: Main event official, Edson Barboza hits featherweight limit
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens for a third time in eight days with the surprisingly stacked UFC on ESPN 8 card. The card will be headlined by a heavyweight showdown between former DREAM, Strikeforce and K-1 heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, and Walt Harris, who returns to the cage after the tragic death of his daughter, Aniah Blanchard.
Marvin Vettori willing to fight at 205lbs this Saturday, Cub Swanson responds
Harry Kettle - May 15, 2020
Cub Swanson has teased the idea of a huge jump up in weight in order to fight Marvin Vettori this weekend. Vettori was set to square off with Karl Roberson on Wednesday night, but after Roberson dropped out due to reported issues with his weight cut, Vettori unleashed on him in the fighter hotel on the day of the event.
UFC on ESPN 8 receives short-notice shakeup after Mike Davis is forced to withdraw from event
Natasha Hooper - May 15, 2020
Giga Chikadze will face a new opponent after a short notice shakeup surrounding this Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 8 event in Jacksonville. Mike Davis has withdrawn from his UFC featherweight debut against Chikadze over medical issues not relating to COVID-19. This news was first reported by Giorgi Kokiashvili of Adjara Sport.
Conor McGregor makes shocking promise to Mike Tyson: "I will beat Floyd. I promise my life on it!"
Christopher Taylor - May 14, 2020
Conor McGregor took to Twitter earlier tonight to thank Mike Tyson, this after ‘Iron Mike’ praised ‘Notorious’ for his efforts against Floyd Mayweather. Although McGregor ultimately went on to lose his first career boxing match to Mayweather in their blockbuster fight in August of 2017, Tyson still had nothing but praise for the Irishman.
Justin Gaethje thinks it is ironic that Conor McGregor is now "on his knees" asking for a fight
Christopher Taylor - May 14, 2020
Newly crowned UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje thinks it is ironic that Conor McGregor is now clamoring for a fight. ‘The Highlight’ captured the promotions interim 155lbs title this past Saturday at UFC 249, this after scoring a fifth-round TKO victory over Tony Ferguson.
Francis Ngannou responds to Jon Jones, says he’s willing to fight for bags of money
Cole Shelton - May 14, 2020
Francis Ngannou seems interested in potentially fighting Jon Jones. For years now, many fans have clamored for Jones to move up to heavyweight. His coach, Mike Winkeljohn told BJPENN.com it was time for “Bones” to move up in weight. If he does move up, many assumed it would be for the belt. Yet, recently, many fans brought up Ngannou’s name and Jones seems interested.
Chael Sonnen scolds Anthony Smith’s corner for not throwing in the towel at UFC Jacksonville
Cole Shelton - May 14, 2020
Chael Sonnen is furious with Marc Montoya and Anthony Smith’s entire corner for not throwing in the towel at UFC Jacksonville. Smith was making his return after nearly a full year away from the Octagon due to injuries to take on Glover Teixeira. Early on, “Lionheart” was having a ton of success but after the first round, the tides shifted. The Brazilian dominated the rest of the fight, dropping Smith and landing vicious ground and pound shots to eventually earn a fifth-round TKO win.
Ali Abdelaziz says Justin Gaethje will not fight Conor McGregor next
Adam Martin - May 14, 2020
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz says that Justin Gaethje will not fight Conor McGregor next, and instead, he will take on Khabib Nurmagomedov as expected. Gaethje took home the UFC interim lightweight belt last weekend at UFC 249 when he defeated Tony Ferguson via fifth-round TKO. Taking home the interim belt also means that Gaethje is next in line to take on Nurmagomedov in a title unification bout. UFC president Dana White this week said the promotion is targeting Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje to take place in September.
UFC Jacksonville salaries: Andrei Arlovski and Ben Rothwell lead the way
Cole Shelton - May 14, 2020
The salaries have been released for UFC Jacksonville, which took place on Wednesday night, and heavyweights Andrei Arlovski and Ben Rothwell took home the top earnings. According to the salaries obtained by reporter Jed I. Goodman from the Florida State Boxing Commission, Andrei Arlovski made the most banking $325,000. The next closest was heavyweight contender Ben Rothwell pocketing $260,000.
Pro fighters make their picks for Walt Harris vs. Alistair Overeem
Cole Shelton - May 14, 2020
In the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card in Jacksonville, Florida, Walt Harris battles longtime heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem. Heading into the fight Harris is a -165 favorite, while the Dutchman is a +135 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros have a slight lean towards Harris to get it done by stoppage, as he’ll be motivated following the tragic murder of his stepdaughter.
Dana White says he doesn't "give a f*ck" about coronavirus protocol criticism
Adam Martin - May 14, 2020
UFC president Dana White said he doesn’t “give a f*ck” about the criticism of the UFC’s coronavirus protocol from the New York Times. The NYT obtained the coronavirus protocol that was supposed to be upheld by everyone connected to the UFC Jacksonville events, but not everything was. For example, White was supposed to wear a mask at all times and he didn’t. As well, post-fight interviews in the Octagon at UFC 249 were supposed to be conducted at a distance, but UFC commentator Joe Rogan was close to the fighters when he conducted them.
Glover Teixeira explains why he apologized to Anthony Smith mid-fight
Adam Martin - May 14, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Glover Teixeira explained why he apologized to Anthony Smith mid-fight at UFC Jacksonville—an exchange that caught the ears of viewers and quickly went viral on social media. The 40-year-old Brazilian Teixeira absolutely pulverized Smith for nearly five rounds in one of the most lopsided beatdowns in recent memory. The referee and corner of Smith refused to stop the fight until late in the fifth round despite Smith admitting after the fourth round that he had lost two of his teeth during the match. The refusal to stop the fight after Smith said he lost his teeth led to fans and media criticizing the ref for not calling a TKO sooner and Smith’s coach Marc Montoya for not throwing in the towel.