MMA News
PRIDE, K-1 veteran Branko Cikatic dead at 65
Adam Martin - March 26, 2020
PRIDE veteran and K-1 veteran Branko Cikatic passed away on Monday, March 23 in Croatia at the age of 65 due to Parkinson’s disease. Numerous combat sports websites reported the sad news early this week.
Din Thomas goes in-depth on his departure from American Top Team
Mike Pendleton - March 26, 2020
Din Thomas has been a coaching staple at American Top Team and has gotten most of his notoriety through his work with former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. Thomas and Woodley have worked together for years and climbed up to championship heights back in 2016. They’ve stuck with each other throughout their journey. Thomas has worked with other fighters during his time at American Top Team but last week it was reported that he was parting ways with the team.
Ashlee Evans-Smith responds to accusations of stealing medical supplies
Tom Taylor - March 26, 2020
On Wednesday evening, a woman on Facebook accused UFC flyweight contender Ashlee Evans-Smith of stealing a basket of medical supplies that were intended for donation (see the full story here). The woman stated that Evans-Smith and he boyfriend were collecting a piece of furniture (per an agreed upon arrangement), and took the medical supplies along with it. She added that the UFC fighter did not respond to any of her followup messages and blocked her shortly thereafter.
MMA community reacts to Jon Jones' Thursday arrest
Tom Taylor - March 26, 2020
Early on Thursday morning, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was arrested for aggravated DWI, negligent use of a firearm, and possession of an open container. As always, the MMA community was quick to react to this major news on social media.
Report | Jon Jones arrested for DWI, negligent use of a firearm
Tom Taylor - March 26, 2020
Reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was reportedly arrested early on Thursday morning. According to a report from KOAT, Jones was arrested on charges of driving under the influence, negligent use of a firearm and possession of an open container.
Ali Abdelaziz urges the UFC to take care of its fighters: "Fighters need to get paid to support their families"
Adam Martin - March 26, 2020
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz took to social media to urge MMA promotions including the UFC to take care of their fighters during the coronavirus pandemic. Abdelaziz manages several of the UFC’s biggest stars including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Henry Cejudo, Kamaru Usman, Frankie Edgar, and Justin Gaethje. He is arguably the most influential manager in MMA today and his message can reach a large audience. Though controversial due to his past, Abdelaziz remains a well-respected manager among his stable of fighters due to his ability to get them lucrative contracts and big fights.
Anthony Johnson reveals the UFC fight which inspired his Octagon return
Harry Kettle - March 26, 2020
Anthony Johnson has revealed the fight that inspired him to take a leap of faith and commit to making a UFC comeback. Ever since his last fight back at UFC 210, fans have been wondering whether or not Johnson would ever step foot inside the Octagon again. Now, it appears as if it’s just a matter of time before the knockout artist is back competing for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Pro flyweights name their 125-pound GOAT
Cole Shelton - March 26, 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 flyweights to ask who their divisional GOAT is. To no surprise, the majority gave the nod to Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson for his reign atop the UFC flyweight division for years.
VIDEO | Mike Perry KOs drunk in Orlando street fight
Tom Taylor - March 26, 2020
It’s no secret that UFC welterweight “Platinum” Mike Perry has dynamite in his hands. As it turns out, he’s previously put his explosive power to use outside the Octagon. In an early-morning Instagram post on Thursday, Perry shared a clip of himself bodying a fellow reveller outside a nightclub in Orlando. He explained that the video is a throwback—meaning it didn’t happen recently. See the clip and Perry’s explanation below:
Ashlee Evans-Smith accused of stealing donated medical supplies
Harry Kettle - March 26, 2020
UFC flyweight Ashlee Evans-Smith has been accused of stealing donated medical supplies in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Evans-Smith, who saw her fight at UFC London against Molly McCann get canceled, recently went to pick up a dresser from an individual who had being planning to donate some medical supplies to a local hospital. With her boyfriend, Evans-Smith allegedly took the medical supplies in question alongside the dresser and drove off.
Dana White blasts media over UFC 249 coverage: “I don’t give a f*ck what you think"
Adam Martin - March 25, 2020
UFC president Dana White blasted the media over its coverage of UFC 249, telling those covering the sport for a living “I don’t give a f*ck what you think.” The coronavirus pandemic has shut down nearly all professional sports leagues, but that hasn’t stopped White from wanting to continue hosting events. The UFC president said this week that he plans on going ahead with UFC 249 at a location to-be-determined, despite the possible risk factors for the fighters and those involved with the event’s production due to the coronavirus outbreak that has ravaged the world.
Darren Till issues statement regarding friendship with alleged Kinahan Cartel leader
Cole Shelton - March 25, 2020
Darren Till has spoken out about his friendship with alleged Kinahan Cartel leader, Daniel Kinahan. The middleweight contender made headlines early on Wednesday when a photo was released of Till posing with a boxer and Kinahan. There are reports Kinahan lives in Dubai now due to the fact he fears he will be assassinated if he moves back to Ireland.
"Sugar" Sean O'Malley discloses injuries he had prior to entering UFC 248 fight
Natasha Hooper - March 25, 2020
“Sugar” Sean O’Malley has revealed an ongoing injury with his foot that he battled through to earn his UFC 248 win against Jose Quinonez. After his ongoing debacle with USADA over a tainted supplement, the bantamweight talent returned to the Octagon for the first time in two years at UFC 248, earlier this month. He returned in style and dismantled Quinonez with a first-round TKO victory.
Disrespect shown to Tony Ferguson could be calamitous for Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor II
Jordy McElroy - March 25, 2020
Objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear, but it’s truly the offbeat, borderline eccentric madman riding shotgun that should be most concerning to UFC lightweight king Khabib Nurmagomedov. Top contender Tony Ferguson won’t make it rain green like Conor McGregor, but he could make it spew red by giving the champ a fight the likes of which the lightweight division has never seen. Money, hype, showmanship—any quantifiable description of a mere spectacle falls at the wayside when pitting the baddest 155-pounders on the planet against one another.
Oddsmakers reveal most likely location for UFC 249
Natasha Hooper - March 25, 2020
Oddsmakers have released the most likely location for UFC 249. On April 18th, the eagerly anticipated matchup between Tony Ferguson vs Khabib Nurmagomedov is expected to headline the UFC 249 event. However, due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and the cancellation of multiple MMA events, the likelihood of the April show has remained up in the air.
Din Thomas defends Dana White: "I'm all for Dana making all the fights happen"
Mike Pendleton - March 25, 2020
Although he was directly affected by the UFC having to postpone recent fight cards, MMA coach Din Thomas is praising UFC President Dana White for his efforts to push forward. Thomas was supposed to be in the corner for Tyron Woodley’s scheduled fight against Leon Edwards in London, but the UFC pulled the plug on that event even after they scrambled to move locations and possibly opponents for the main event. During an interview with On The Mic podcast, Thomas defended Dana White for his urgency and push to keep the UFC events continuing on.
Gilbert Burns slams 'freaking liar' Tyron Woodley, promises he'd finish him if they fought
Cole Shelton - March 25, 2020
Gilbert Burns says Tyron Woodley is a liar for saying he accepted the fight against him to save UFC London. Originally, Woodley was set to fight Leon Edwards, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was moved to the States which forced Edwards off the card. Immediately, Burns offered to take the fight, but he says “The Chosen One” turned him down, despite the former champion saying on social media he did accept the bout.
Dana White says the sport of boxing is a 'mess' and in 'big trouble'
Harry Kettle - March 25, 2020
UFC president Dana White believes the sport of boxing is in big trouble as the future of Zuffa Boxing remains unknown. It’s no secret that Dana White’s first love was boxing, but thankfully for mixed martial arts fans all around the world, he was able to land on his feet in the UFC, building a fantastic organization and product in the process alongside the Fertitta brothers, Lorenzo and Frank.