MMA News
Khabib Nurmagomedov's coach explains why Tony Ferguson is his toughest opponent
Natasha Hooper - March 18, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach Javier Mendez explains why Tony Ferguson is the UFC lightweight champion’s toughest challenge yet. The head coach and mastermind behind American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) has been training the UFC’s lightweight champion, Nurmagomedov for many years. Despite the looming threat of Coronavirus, today is no exception as they continue to prepare for his anticipated showdown against Tony Ferguson on Saturday 18th April.
Jimi Manuwa says light heavyweight 'has come alive' and expects Jan Blachowicz to get next title shot
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2020
Jimi Manuwa is happy that the UFC’s light heavyweight division has “come alive” in recent months. Manuwa has been in the UFC since 2012, where he saw Jon Jones become the promotions light heavyweight champion and defend his belt several times. Jimi believes the division was stagnant when “Bones” first dealt with his USADA and personal issues.
Dominick Reyes' training partner says immediate rematch with Jon Jones is unlikely
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2020
It appears Jon Jones vs. Dominick Reyes 2 will not happen next, according to UFC light heavyweight, Sam Alvey, a training partner of Reyes’. Jones and Reyes fought in the main event of UFC 247 where it was “Bones” who won a very close decision. Yet, for many fighters and fans, they thought Reyes did enough and should have been awarded the belt.
Chris Weidman explains decision to drop back down to middleweight, not closing door on light heavyweight
Mike Pendleton - March 18, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman most recently fought in the light heavyweight division, and things didn’t go according to plan. Weidman suffered a first-round knockout loss to recent light heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes, and now “The All-American” is headed back to 185 pounds. During a recent interview with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani on Instagram Live, Weidman explained his decision to drop back down to middleweight, citing that although he believes he can beat those in the light heavyweight division, he wants to make sure he goes and gets a win in his next fight.
Opening odds released for potential Conor McGregor vs. Justin Gaethje fight
Tom Taylor - March 18, 2020
It’s not yet clear when Conor McGregor will return to the UFC’s Octagon, or who he’ll fight in his return. That being said, the most likely option at present seems to be a fight between the Irish star and former World Series of Fighting champ Justin Gaethje. The opening odds for this potential McGregor vs. Gaethje fight were recently released by the sportsbook BetOnline. The oddsmakers have pegged McGregor as a slight betting favorite at -180, meaning a successful $180 bet on the Irishman would win $100. Gaethje, meanwhile, has been labelled as a +155 underdog, meaning a $100 bet on him would win $155.
Tyron Woodley dismisses Leon Edwards fight, demands Colby Covington as next opponent
Natasha Hooper - March 18, 2020
Tyron Woodley has diverted his attention from Leon Edwards to Colby Covington. The former welterweight champion was scheduled to fight Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC London this weekend. It would have been his first Octagon appearance since losing his 170-pound title in 2019 to Kamaru Usman. However, due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the UFC recently announced its decision to postpone its upcoming shows in London, Columbus and Portland.
UFC unveils Forrest Griffin Community Award for exceptional volunteer and charity work
Adam Martin - March 18, 2020
The UFC recently announced it has created the Forrest Griffin Community Award for exceptional volunteer and charity service by a UFC athlete. Named in honor of the UFC Hall of Famer and former UFC light heavyweight champion, the first recipient of the Forrest Griffin Community award will be revealed at International Fight Week in July in Las Vegas.
Former MMA fighter Cedric Marks charged for murder of Minnesota woman
Natasha Hooper - March 18, 2020
Former MMA fighter Cedric Marks has been convicted for the 2009 murder of a Minnesota mother. Authorities confirmed on Monday that the former fighter is accused of multiple Texas murders and is one of two people charged in the death of an abducted woman from a Minnesota domestic violence shelter 11 years ago.
UFC 249 will officially not be happening in New York
Tom Taylor - March 18, 2020
UFC 249 needs a new home. The card, which is scheduled for April 18, will not be going down in Brooklyn, New York as originally planned. Amid the growing threat of the coronavirus pandemic, the New York State Athletic Commission has officially announced it will not be hosting the card.
Jon Tuck charged with sexual assault, allegedly told victim 'no one can know due to my work'
Adam Martin - March 18, 2020
Former UFC and Bellator lightweight fighter Jon Tuck was charged this week with an alleged sexual assault in his native Guam. According to a report from the Pacific Daily News out of Guam, Tuck allegedly raped a 21-year-old woman outside of a restaurant in Tumon on March 4 in the wee hours of the morning. The woman told police she left the restaurant when Tuck grabbed her by the wrist and allegedly told her “don’t worry about it” when she asked where they were going.
Ali Abdelaziz calls Tony Ferguson a 'dumb motherf***er' for unique training methods
Adam Martin - March 18, 2020
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz trashed UFC lightweight star Tony Ferguson and called him a “dumb motherf**ker” for his unique training methods. Ferguson is known for his wild training sessions which include, among other things, him kicking steels pipes in an effort to condition his shins. He does a lot of his training on his own, and it’s led to a lot of fans who were worried that he could injure himself which could put his title fight at UFC 249 against UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in jeopardy. Not to mention Abdelaziz being worried about Nurmagomedov losing his fight because Ferguson injured himself training.
Conor McGregor: 'I did not train properly' for Khabib Nurmagomedov fight
Tom Taylor - March 18, 2020
Conor McGregor claims he didn’t train properly for his infamous 2018 fight with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, which he lost by fourth-round submission. In a recent interview with Jonathan Snowden of Bleacher Report, McGregor reflected on the errors he made during his preparations for Nurmagomedov.
Michael Bisping slams pandemic panic buyers: 'Get a f**king grip!"
Tom Taylor - March 18, 2020
Michael Bisping has a message for the people brawling over toilet paper in supermarket aisles. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep the planet, many people have attempted to stock up on the supplies they’ll need during potential periods of quarantine and isolation. Unfortunately, this spike in demand has created shortages of many items—most infamously toilet paper—and caused some desperate people to act like animals, even starting fights in stores.
USADA to continue random testing of UFC fighters despite coronavirus pandemic
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2020
The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has announced that they will continue random drug testing on UFC fighters despite the coronavirus pandemic. The sports world has been turned upside down in the last week or so as a direct result of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, with multiple leagues and organizations being forced to cancel or postpone events for the foreseeable future.
Johnny Walker reacts following loss to Nikita Krylov at UFC Brasilia
Natasha Hooper - March 18, 2020
Johnny Walker has reacted to his loss against Nikita Krylov at UFC Brasilia and admitted to having “holes in his game.” After an incredible start to his UFC career with three back-to-back knockout wins, the Brazilian’s career has taken a tough turn. In 2019, he suffered a devastating KO loss at the hands of Corey Anderson, and most recently a unanimous decision loss last weekend at UFC Brasilia.
Randa Markos self-quarantines following UFC Brasilia due to illness
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2020
UFC fighter Randa Markos has gone into self-isolation due to an illness after arriving back in Canada following UFC Brasilia. The strawweight fighter featured in one of the most intriguing bouts on the prelims this past weekend as she went head to head with Amanda Ribas. Markos was beaten by the rising star, with Ribas winning via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25).
Jon Jones reacts to Israel Adesanya defeating Yoel Romero at UFC 248
Chris Taylor - March 17, 2020
So it turns out Jon Jones was watching March’s middleweight title fight between Israel Adesanya and Yoel Romero at UFC 248. Ten days ago in Las Vegas, ‘The Soldier of God’ took to the Octagon in hopes of handing the promotions reigning middleweight champion his first career loss.
VIDEO | Top five workout ideas to do from home
Natasha Hooper - March 17, 2020
With Coronavirus around every corner, multiple MMA events cancelled and gyms closing their doors, fans are left questioning what to do next. Look no further. Here at BJPenn.com, we have curated some easy workout ideas to do from home. Most of them require 0 equipment, they will improve your game and also keep you Coronavirus free!