MMA News
Dillian Whyte open to UFC move, tells Dana White: "hit me up"
Natasha Hooper - March 31, 2020
Boxing star Dillian Whyte is ready to make a transition into the UFC and has already called out his first opponent. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has spelt disaster for all combat sports, including boxing. The British heavyweight Whyte was scheduled to fight Alexander Povetkin on May 2 in London. His upcoming fight against the Russian has been rescheduled for July 4.
Artem Lobov says he's been approached about boxing rematch with Paulie Malignaggi
Cole Shelton - March 31, 2020
Artem Lobov is interested in fighting Paulie Malignaggi again but this time doing it in boxing. Lobov and Malignaggi fought last summer at BKFC 6 where it was a highly-anticipated bout. But, it was “The Russian Hammer” who edged out a decision win. Following the fight, many thought a rematch would make sense but Dave Feldman told BJPENN.com, Malignaggi was unlikely to fight in BKFC again.
Bibiano Fernandes doubtful he can help Demetrious Johnson prep for ONE title fight
Tom Taylor - March 31, 2020
Demetrious Johnson is gearing up for a May 29 fight with ONE flyweight champ Adriano Moraes: a deadly Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist with power to boot. Needless to say, this would be an opportune time for Johnson call on his long-time friend and training partner, ONE bantamweight champ Bibiano Fernandes, who bears many stylistic similarities to Moraes. Unfortunately, Johnson and Fernandes will probably be unable to reach one another anytime soon. Living in Bellevue, Washington and Vancouver, B.C respectively, they’re only about 120 miles apart as the crow flies. Yet they’re also separated by the US-Canada border, which has become an almost insurmountable hurdle in the time of the coronavirus.
Chael Sonnen on criticism toward Dana White: He "can never win"
Tom Taylor - March 31, 2020
Chael Sonnen recognizes that the coronavirus pandemic is a serious issue, but he’s also having a hard time wrapping his head around the criticism directed at UFC President Dana White. While most other sports leagues — and many MMA promotions — have closed up shop to minimize the spread of of the virus, White has been defiantly attempting to promote events as normal in the early weeks of this crisis.
Felicia Spencer calls for UFC 250 to be moved to Florida
Adam Martin - March 31, 2020
Felicia Spencer is calling for her UFC women’s featherweight title fight scheduled against Amanda Nunes for UFC 250 to be moved from Brazil to Florida. Spencer is set to take on Nunes for the belt at UFC 250, which is scheduled to take place May 9 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The main event sees UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo take on Jose Aldo. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, many of the fighters on the card are calling for the event to be postponed due to a lack of training resources and the risk of catching the coronavirus.
Joanne Calderwood: Valentina Shevchenko fight 'pushed back'
Tom Taylor - March 31, 2020
Joanne Calderwood says her UFC 251 flyweight title fight with champion Valentina Shevchenko, scheduled for June 6 in Perth, Australia, has been postponed — but shockingly not because of the coronavirus pandemic. Calderwood divulged this new info on MMA Fighting’s Eurobash podcast.
Coach hints that Conor McGregor could be Tony Ferguson's next opponent
Tom Taylor - March 31, 2020
With UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov stuck in Russia due to new COVID-19 travel restrictions, his would-be opponent Tony Ferguson must make a decision: wait to fight Nurmagomedov when the pandemic subsides, or fight somebody else in the meantime. John Kavanagh, the coach behind Conor McGregor, seems to be hoping Ferguson goes the latter route. On Tuesday, ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani posted a poll on Twitter, asking fans if they’d prefer to see Ferguson wait to fight Nurmagomedov or fight replacement opponent Justin Gaethje on April 18.
Report | Florida still possible for UFC 249 location
Tom Taylor - March 31, 2020
The location of the upcoming UFC 249 card, scheduled for April 18, is still a mystery. UFC 249 was originally expected to go down in Brooklyn, New York, but this ultimately became impossible due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ever since then, the UFC has been frantically searching for a new location for the card.
PFL postpones 2020 season due to Coronavirus pandemic
Natasha Hooper - March 31, 2020
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has postponed its 2020 season due to COVID-19. The PFL uses a unique, seasonal format, much like the NBA or NHL. While their setup sets them apart from the competition, it can create logistical challenges — especially during a pandemic.
Jorge Masvidal claims he has said “yes” to a fight with “crotch-sniffing” champ
Harry Kettle - March 31, 2020
Jorge Masvidal has claimed that he agreed to fight Kamaru Usman — potentially at UFC 249 — but based on what he’s said, it doesn’t appear as if it’ll happen. The ongoing feud between Masvidal and Usman has taken on many different forms, with the initial plan seemingly being for the two to square off for the UFC Welterweight Championship on International Fight Week.
Henry Cejudo has a plan if he can’t fight Jose Aldo at UFC 250
Natasha Hooper - March 31, 2020
Henry Cejudo already has a backup plan if his Jose Aldo fight at UFC 250 falls through. His backup plan is a matchup against former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz. UFC 250 is scheduled to take place on May 9 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It could also suffer the same unfortunate fate as UFC 249, which has been the picture of uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tyron Woodley says he’s resumed “champ camp” ahead of UFC 249
Harry Kettle - March 31, 2020
Tyron Woodley has claimed that he has resumed “champ camp” — presumably for a short-notice fight at UFC 249. The highly anticipated UFC 249 event now hangs in the balance with Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson, for the fifth time, being called off.
Bellator postpones three events including card headlined by Ryan Bader
Adam Martin - March 30, 2020
Bellator announced on Monday that it is postponing three of its upcoming events including a card that was set to be headlined by double champ Ryan Bader. Most sports leagues around the world have postponed their upcoming cards due to the coronavirus outbreak, and Bellator will not buck the trend. While UFC president Dana White is doing everything in his power to go through with UFC 249 in three weeks’ time despite the risk, Bellator president Scott Coker instead is playing it safe and postponing three cards. The promotion released a press release Monday with the news.
Daniel Cormier believes Jon Jones shouldn't be cut after recent arrest: 'UFC needs to save him'
Cole Shelton - March 30, 2020
Daniel Cormier doesn’t believe the UFC should cut Jon Jones after his recent arrest. On Thursday, news came out that Jones was arrested for a DWI, negligent use of a firearm and possession of an open container. It is another bad look for the light heavyweight champion who has had problems with the law and with USADA in the past.
Anthony Smith credits Dan Hardy for kicking off his broadcasting career
Mike Pendleton - March 30, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has a busy schedule these days. On top of being a husband, father, and third-ranked light heavyweight contender in the UFC, Smith is also a radio host on MMA Tonight on Sirius XM’s Fight Nation channel, and a desk analyst for ESPN covering the UFC. In a sport where fighters mainly rely on staying active and consistent inside the Octagon, Smith, who has dealt with a hand injury over the last few months has been able to get more work in with his broadcasting duties. In addition to his work on the ESPN desk and Sirius XM hosting gigs, Smith is scheduled to face Glover Teixeira at UFC Lincoln on April 25, although the status of the event is currently up in the air due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pro featherweights name their 145-pound GOAT
Cole Shelton - March 30, 2020
One of the biggest questions in all of MMA is who is the GOAT? Is it someone who had the biggest impact on the sport or the person who won the most? It’s an interesting debate for fighters and fans alike to have at any time. So, with little to no MMA on for the foreseeable future, BJPENN.com reached out to several current and former featherweights to ask who their divisional GOAT is. The majority believe it is Jose Aldo but it is a three-person race between the Brazilian, Max Holloway and Conor McGregor.
Colby Covington says he turned down date with Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Adam Martin - March 30, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington says he turned down a date with former UFC strawweight champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Covington and Jedrzejczyk have been involved in a feud for a while now. Both fighters are teammates at American Top Team, but we all know Covington has had feuds with several fighters in the camp including Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier. Jedrzejczyk has made it clear she’s not a fan of Covington and his antics, but according to the welterweight, there’s more to it than just that.
Heather Hardy blasts Billy Joe Saunders for controversial video, Saunders issues apology
Natasha Hooper - March 30, 2020
Boxer turned Bellator MMA fighter Heather Hardy was initially very unimpressed with a controversial video posted by boxer Billy Joe Saunders, but later accepted his apology. In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, many fighters have been posting “how-to” videos on social media. That includes Boxing star Billy Joe Saunders who filmed himself striking a punching bag and telling viewers how to hit women.