MMA News
Vitor Belfort: ONE debut was in the works before pandemic hit
Tom Taylor - April 20, 2020
Vitor Belfort says his ONE Championship debut was in the works before the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Belfort revealed that his debut was nearly finalized in an interview with MMA Junkie.
VIDEO | Sean O’Malley roasts Dominick Cruz vs. Henry Cejudo title fight
Harry Kettle - April 20, 2020
UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley has taken a shot at the booking of Henry Cejudo vs. Dominick Cruz for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. It’s no secret that O’Malley is one of the rising stars in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and he’s certainly one of the most exciting names in the bantamweight division. Alas, it’s probably going to be a while before we can even start to think about him challenging for the gold — especially after his recent two-year lay-off.
Tyron Woodley hopes to fight on May 9 in case subsequent cards fall through
Tom Taylor - April 20, 2020
Former UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley is hoping to compete on the UFC’s planned May 9 card, as he’s worried the powers that be could derail the UFC’s subsequent events. The May 9 event is intended to serve as the UFC’s big return after a brief coronavirus-related shut-down. UFC President Dana White has been adamant that, following this May 9 card, the promotion will produce events every weekend to make up for lost time.
Stephen Thompson turns heel, joins Ariel Helwani in online feud with Darren Till
Harry Kettle - April 20, 2020
In a twist similar to Randy “Macho Man” Savage turning on Hulk Hogan, Stephen Thompson has shocked the world and turned heel. It’s safe to say that the ongoing war of words between Ariel Helwani and Darren Till has sent shockwaves through the MMA universe, to the point where it seems obvious that they’re going to throw down in what will almost certainly be one of the most highly anticipated fights in the history of mixed martial arts.
Dominick Reyes says Jon Jones is bluffing about Jan Blachowicz bout, tells everyone to “slow down”
Natasha Hooper - April 20, 2020
Dominick Reyes has called out his last opponent Jon Jones for bluffing about an upcoming matchup against fellow light heavyweight Jan Blachowicz. In the main event of UFC 247, Reyes challenged the division’s champion, Jones, for the 205-pound crown. “Bones” defended his title and claimed the decision victory, but many spectators believed “The Devastator” should have won the five-round war. The 30-year old claimed he’s ready for the rematch but Jones will not sign the contract.
Videos | Top 5 Submissions: UFC 11 – UFC 20
Adam Martin - April 19, 2020
Check out videos of the top five submissions from UFC 11 to UFC 20, featuring the legendary UFC Hall of Famer Kazushi Sakuraba. In our latest series here at BJPenn.com “Top 5 Submissions” we take a look at the most lethal submissions from the second block of UFC events. These tapouts from 1997 to 1999, which feature numerous future UFC Hall of Famers, still hold up strong over 20 years later. Keep in mind there are many other submissions deserving of the list, but we had to choose just five. Take a look at our top-five list below.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk reflects on hospital visit after Weili Zhang fight: "I felt like my soul was bleeding"
Adam Martin - April 19, 2020
Joanna Jedrzejczyk reflected on her emotional hospital visit following her war with UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang at UFC 248. Her opponent Zhang recently shared a story of how she met Jedrzekczyk in the hospital following their classic at UFC 248. The champ said that Jedrzejczyk was “crying for hours” as the two shared a special emotional moment with each other after slugging it out for 25 minutes in the center of the Octagon. The bout won “Fight of the Night” and is already regarded by fans and media as one of the greatest MMA fights of all time.
Frankie Edgar interested in fighting Aljamain Sterling next
Adam Martin - April 19, 2020
Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar says he’s interested in fighting Aljamain Sterling in his bantamweight debut. Edgar was supposed to fight Cory Sandhagen back at UFC Raleigh in January in what was supposed to be his first fight at 135lbs. But Edgar was pulled from the card and instead fought Chan Sung Jung at UFC Busan at featherweight, where he suffered a nasty KO loss to The Korean Zombie. The fight with Sandhagen was subsequently wiped out as a result and Edgar has still yet to make his official bantamweight debut.
Paulo Costa speaks on issues of brain damage in MMA, willing to donate brain for research
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa spoke about the effects of blows to the head in MMA and says he’s willing to donate his brain for research. Costa is one of the top middleweights in MMA and is known for pulverizing his opponents’ heads and being the one who dishes out the damage. But in a recent interview with AG Fight, Costa admitted he thinks about the effects of blows to the head on his brain, and it’s the reason why he plans on retiring from the sport by the time he’s 36.
Conor McGregor explains why it's never too late to turn your life around
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020
UFC superstar Conor McGregor highlighted the changes he’s made in his life over the last two years, saying it’s never too late to turn your life around. It was two over years ago at UFC 223 when McGregor suffered through the lowest point of his MMA career when he threw a dolly through a bus window, which caused a chain reaction of negative effects. McGregor dealt with numerous legal issues outside the cage over the next year, not to mention a lopsided loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 and a subsequent suspension from a post-fight brawl against his rival’s team. There’s no question that McGregor’s 2018 and 2019 years are ones that he wants to forget.
Weili Zhang finally headed back to China over a month after UFC 248
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang is finally headed home to China after being stuck in the United States following UFC 248. Zhang fought rival Joanna Jedrzejczyk for five hard rounds in the co-main event of UFC 248 in an instant classic that is already regarded as one of the best fights in UFC history. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Zhang has been unable to travel back home to her native China and has stayed in Las Vegas for over a month since UFC 248 took place in nearly March.
Tim Kennedy explains why he refused anesthesia for sutures at UFC 178
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020
Former UFC middleweight Tim Kennedy explained why he refused anesthesia for sutures following his fight against Yoel Romero at UFC 178. Kennedy and Romero got into one of the wildest brawls of 2014, with Romero eventually earning the third-round stoppage via TKO in controversial fashion at UFC 178’s “Fight of the Night.” Kennedy suffered brutal facial damage during the knockout and was forced to get his face stitched up by the doctors after the fight. However, it looks like the pain didn’t end for Kenney with the knockout.
Henry Cejudo fires back after Alexander Volkanovski calls his choice of opponents “embarrassing”
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020
UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo fired back at featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski, who recently called his choice of opponents “embarrassing.” Volkanovski was critical recently of Volkanovksi calling out aging legends like Dominick Cruz and Frankie Edgar for his next fight after his UFC 250 matchup against another legend in Jose Aldo was wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic travel restrictions. Instead of calling out top contenders like Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan or Cory Sandhagen, Cejudo has instead focused on older fighters who are coming off of losses, and Volkanovski noticed.
Frank Mir announces Bellator release, open to fighting for KSW or returning to UFC as commentator
Adam D Martin - April 19, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir is now a free agent and is open to fighting for another promotion or getting behind the mic and doing commentary. This past October saw Mir snap a four-fight losing skid when he defeated Roy Nelson via decision at Bellator 231. It was his first win since July 2015 and it couldn’t have come at a better time as it helped him avoid a dreaded five-fight losing skid. Mir was still under contract with Bellator and had one fight left on his deal after going 1-2 with the promotion, but the heavyweight legend said he’s come to a deal with Bellator to release him.
Darren Till takes aim at ESPN's Ariel Helwani who promptly responds
Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020
UFC middleweight standout Darren Till had a interesting exchange with ESPN journalist Ariel Helwani this evening on social media. The former UFC welterweight title challenger, Till (18-2-1 MMA), took to Twitter with the following statement in which he issued some choice words for Helwani.
VIDEO | UFC Fighter Zabit Magomedsharipov spars with a Goat
Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020
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Dana White holds Coronavirus Pandemic call with UFC Fighters
Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020
UFC President Dana White held a conference call with Fighters on Friday afternoon addressing the Coronavirus Pandemic while fielding questions. According to a report from MMAJunkie‘s Nolan King, White took time to hear from his athletes in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic for approximately 25 minutes. After an initial statement, White opened up the floor for written questions.
VIDEOS | Top 5 Knockouts: UFC 11 - UFC 20
Chris Taylor - April 18, 2020
In our newest segment “Top 5 Knockouts” we take a look back at some of the most brutal finishes that have occurred during numbered UFC events. In this second edition of “Top 5 Knockouts”, we reflect back on UFC events 11 – 20, which occurred between the years of 1996 to 1999.