MMA News
Bruce Buffer on UFC 249 situation: 'I have no idea about anything'
Tom Taylor - April 3, 2020
Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer is willing to work at UFC 249 on April 18 — provided the UFC can find a location for the card and ensure the safety of staff and fighters during the coronavirus pandemic. “I stand on the basis that, if there’s an event announced – based on the location, the safety factor of everybody involved, how we’re being tested, whatever, all the obvious – if there is such a word anymore, a completely safe thing to do, then let’s do it. Right?” Buffer told MMA Junkie. “Obviously there would not be an audience; we know that.”
Jon Anik on Jon Jones situation: "It makes me very sad"
Tom Taylor - April 3, 2020
UFC commentator Jon Anik says Jon Jones’ latest brush with the law makes him “very sad.” Last week, Jones was arrested for aggravated DWI and negligent use of a firearm. While Jones was able to avoid jail time, this marks the latest incident in a troubling trend for the UFC light heavyweight champ.
Ben Askren changes Twitter name in latest jab at Kamaru Usman
Harry Kettle - April 3, 2020
Ben Askren has taken yet another shot at UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman – doing so through his Twitter account. There are very few people that seem to be capable of getting under the skin of “The Nigerian Nightmare”, but it certainly appears as if “Funky” is one of them, even months after his retirement from mixed martial arts.
Jorge Masvidal trashes Kamaru Usman with “‘multiple personalities” video
Natasha Hooper - April 3, 2020
Jorge Masvidal has slammed Kamaru Usman by claiming he has multiple personalities in a scathing video. The sport of MMA features many outspoken personalities and trash-talking. Fighters such as Henry Cejudo and Colby Covington have been criticized for intentionally playing up to the camera and changing their personality to gain notoriety. The “BMF” winner and rising welterweight star, Masvidal has been very critical of fighters’ media behavior. He previously called out Covington for putting on a performance despite being the “most sensitive guy in the UFC.” He also accused his former opponent Ben Askren of playing up to the camera. Now, “Gamebred” is calling out Kamaru Usman for the same behavior.
CSAC cancels all combat sporting events for May, UFC loses event
Harry Kettle - April 3, 2020
The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has canceled all combat sports events for the month of May, creating yet another dilemma for UFC. While the majority of promotions have already canceled or postponed some of their events across the next few months, the Ultimate Fighting Championship continues to try and push on – despite the overwhelming evidence being that they shouldn’t.
Khabib Nurmagomedov fires back at Conor McGregor over recent comments
Mike Pendleton - April 2, 2020
On Thursday night UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov finally addressed his recent statement regarding his availability for UFC 249. In an interview with Brett Okamoto of ESPN, Nurmagomedov said he never officially pulled out of the title fight against Tony Ferguson, he said he needs a location before any decision can be made about the fight. Originally set to take place in Brooklyn, UFC 249 is still looking for a home as worldwide restrictions on large-event gathers due to the COVID-19 pandemic have made it difficult for the UFC to find a home for the PPV event.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts after Tony Ferguson calls for him to be stripped of his belt
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t believe he should be stripped of his belt after withdrawing from UFC 249. The undefeated lightweight champion did an Instagram Live where he said is stuck in Russia and UFC 249 would most likely go on without him. Following that, Ferguson called for Nurmagomedov to be stripped. For the lightweight champ, he says that proves “El Cucuy” is a stupid guy.
UFC launches new Record Book website with intensive statistics and record keeping
Adam Martin - April 2, 2020
The UFC has launched a new Record Book website and fans can now deep dive into statistics and records for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Many other sports have intensive record-keeping websites for statistics, such as Baseball-Reference for MLB and HockeyDB for hockey. Now, the UFC has its own such site in the form of the UFC Record Book. Many of the stats are taken from the old FightMetric website and they are now put together in a much more comprehensive website.
Stephen Thompson wants Colby Covington, Leon Edwards
Adam Martin - April 2, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson is gunning for matchups against Colby Covington and Leon Edwards when the MMA schedule resumes. Thompson is currently the No. 5 ranked welterweight on the UFC roster. In his last fight, he defeated Vicente Luque via unanimous decision to jump back into the winner’s circle after back-to-back losses to Darren Till and Anthony Pettis. Now that he’s back on track, Thompson is gunning for two fighters ranked above him in Covington and Edwards.
Dana White says “everyone knew” Khabib Nurmagomedov wasn’t fighting at UFC 249
Cole Shelton - April 2, 2020
UFC president Dana White says everyone knew Khabib Nurmagomedov wasn’t going to fight at UFC 249. Earlier this week, Nurmagomedov announced he was stuck in Russia due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He then took to social media again to say he would indeed be off the card which Tony Ferguson was not happy about. He called for the champ to be stripped of his belt and said the undefeated Dagestani champion was scared of him.
Conor McGregor attempts to hijack Khabib Nurmagomedov's Instagram Live session
Tom Taylor - April 2, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov has spent quite a bit of time broadcasting on Instagram Live over the last 24 hours, primarily explaining why he will not be fighting Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. One of his recent sessions was nearly commandeered by his arch rival Conor McGregor. See the moment that McGregor attempted to goad Nurmagomedov into bringing him into the broadcast below (h/t RT Sport):
Khabib Nurmagomedov suggests potential dates for rescheduled Tony Ferguson fight
Tom Taylor - April 2, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov will not be fighting Tony Ferguson on April 18 as originally planned. This marks the fifth time the bout has fallen through, but the hope is that the UFC will try for a sixth time to book the fight when the coronavirus pandemic subsides. Speaking during an Instagram Live session on Thursday, Nurmagomedov offered up two potential dates for a rescheduled fight with Ferguson, noting that he will first have celebrate Ramadan — a period during which he never fights.
Khabib Nurmagomedov responds to accusations that he pulled out of UFC 249
Tom Taylor - April 2, 2020
UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov will not be leaving his native Russia to fight Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18. Since Nurmagomedov announced this decision, many members of the MMA community — including Ferguson and Conor McGregor — have accused him of bailing on the fight.
Pro middleweights name their 185-pound GOAT
Cole Shelton - April 2, 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 middleweights to ask who their divisional GOAT is. To no surprise, the vast majority picked Anderson Silva.
Dan Ige believes Shane Burgos makes sense as next opponent
Mike Pendleton - April 2, 2020
Currently riding a five-fight win streak and ranked inside the top-15 in the UFC’s featherweight division, Dan Ige is only looking to the top as he moves forward. Yet Ige knows he’s got more to prove as he continues on his journey to become featherweight champion. In an exclusive interview with BJPenn.com, Ige discussed who he’d like to face next in the division, and he’s looking at the newly re-signed Shane Burgos. Ige says he believes a fight with Burgos is one that will definitely entertain fans.
Chael Sonnen explains the "code" he followed when trash talking
Tom Taylor - April 2, 2020
Chael Sonnen is one of the most notorious trash talkers in MMA history. The retired UFC and Bellator star was known as much for his venomous verbal warfare as he was for his ability in the cage. Speaking in a video posted to his YouTube channel, Sonnen gave his take on the trash talk that’s become prevalent in the modern era of MMA, which many fans feel sometimes crosses the line.
Derrick Lewis won't be fighting during pandemic: "I can't be selfish"
Tom Taylor - April 2, 2020
Derrick Lewis is not interested in fighting until the coronavirus pandemic is under control. With a family at home, the risks of undertaking a fight camp are simply too great. Lewis weighed in on the pandemic during a recent interview with MMA Junkie.
Dominick Reyes not surprised by Jon Jones latest arrest, says the champ needs “real help”
Natasha Hooper - April 2, 2020
Dominick Reyes believes UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones needs “real help” after his latest arrest. This week, the light heavyweight champ entered a plea following his DWI arrest last week in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He released a statement this week, acknowledging his disappointing behavior. Reyes has also weighed in on Jones’ multiple run-ins with police.