MMA News
Report | Physician with ties to UFC legends charged in money laundering scheme worth over $120 million
Harry Kettle - February 27, 2020
A physician with notable links to UFC legends and veterans has been charged in a money laundering scheme worth over $120 million. As confirmed by the United States Department of Justice in a statement yesterday and initially reported by MMA Fighting, 65-year-old Francisco Patino has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, in addition to one count of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
VIDEO | A 2018 interview with Joe Rogan appears to debunk Deontay Wilder’s costume excuse
Harry Kettle - February 27, 2020
A 2018 interview between Deontay Wilder and Joe Rogan appears to debunk Wilder’s theory that his heavy costume played a role in his loss last weekend. The combat sports world was stunned on Saturday night when Deontay Wilder was comprehensively beaten by his rival Tyson Fury, with “The Gypsy King” securing the finish in the seventh round after knocking the previously unbeaten “Bronze Bomber” down twice in the third and fifth rounds of the fight.
Diego Sanchez reacts following the 'most disrespectful' treatment of his career, vows to stay with Joshua Fabia
Natasha Hooper - February 27, 2020
Diego Sanchez has defended his controversial coach Joshua Fabia following criticism of his training approach. The Ultimate Fighter winner and his coach became a hot topic of discussion after his Michel Pereira bout in the co-main event of UFC Rio Rancho. Sanchez absorbed an illegal knee in the third round and decided not to continue the fight. Much to the dismay of some spectators, “The Nightmare” was awarded the disqualification victory.
Zabit Magomedsharipov on cardio concerns: 'I wouldn't say that I've got the best endurance'
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2020
Zabit Magomedsharipov knows he doesn’t have the best cardio out there. Magomedsharipov was hounded on his cardio after he appeared to fade in the middle of the second round against Jeremy Stephens and Calvin Kattar, which are his past two fights. Yet, the Russian knows he doesn’t have the best endurance but says he still can go five rounds.
Tito Ortiz's Combate Americas win over Alberto Del Rio overturned to a no-decision by Texas commission
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2020
Tito Ortiz’s win over Alberto Del Rio in his Combate Americas debut has been overturned to a no-decision by the Texas Commission. Ortiz and Del Rio fought back on Dec. 7 at Combate Americas 51 where Ortiz was making his promotional debut. In the fight, he was putting his UFC belt on the line while Del Rio put up his WWE heavyweight championship belt. In the end, Ortiz dominated the fight and earned a first-round submission win.
Janet Todd plots major upset in ONE title fight with Stamp Fairtex
Tom Taylor - February 26, 2020
In late February of 2019, Janet Todd battled Stamp Fairtex for the inaugural ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship. Todd lost that fight by decision, but in a few short days, she’ll get a second crack at Stamp under slightly different circumstances. This Friday, in the main event of ONE: King of the Jungle, Todd will challenge Stamp for the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship — the other belt in the Thai’s trophy case.
Joe Rogan explains how Tyson Fury adjusted his fighting style to beat Deontay Wilder
Tom Taylor - February 26, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan, like most members of the combat sports community, was very impressed by Tyson Fury’s dominant win over Deontay Wilder last Saturday. During a recent episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Rogan explained to his guest Owen Smith how Fury adjusted his typical fighting style to author such a dominant victory over his rival.
Duke Roufus: 'Paul Felder lost $82,000 because of the judges' at UFC Auckland
Mike Pendleton - February 26, 2020
Judging has been a very big topic of discussion in the MMA world as of late, and the main event of UFC Auckland, which pitted Paul Felder against Dan Hooker, brought more to that conversation. After Hooker and Felder engaged in a very close fight, the judges gave the victory to Hooker by way of split decision — but not everyone agreed with that verdict.
Anthony Smith: 'Deontay Wilder has no shot ever moving forward to beat Tyson Fury'
Mike Pendleton - February 26, 2020
The entire sports world has been buzzing over last Saturday’s Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury rematch, which saw Fury hand Wilder his first pro loss and claim the WBC heavyweight title via 7th-round stoppage. One of the latest members of the combat sports community to chime in on this fight is UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith. During MMA Tonight on Sirius XM, a show that Smith co-hosts, he did not hold back on Wilder’s performance against Fury. He also addressed Wilder’s reaction to his corner stopping the fight, and shared little optimism that Wilder could ever beat Tyson Fury.
John McCarthy gives his take on Dan Hooker vs. Paul Felder scorecards: 'It's not a robbery'
Adam Martin - February 26, 2020
Bellator commentator and veteran MMA official John McCarthy believes that Paul Felder edged out Dan Hooker at UFC Auckland, but admits it was not a robbery. Hooker won a narrow split decision over Felder in the main event of UFC Auckland, with the judges scoring it 48-47, 47-48 and 48-47 in favor of the New Zealander. Fans and media were split on who they thought won the fight, but there was a certain subset of MMA fans who were adamant the decision to award Hooker the fight was a ‘robbery.’
UFC partners with cryptocurrency company to produce ‘digital collectables’
Natasha Hooper - February 26, 2020
Dapper Labs, the company responsible for CryptoKitties, has announced a partnership with the UFC to provide a “new digital experience” for MMA fans around the world. Dapper Labs is a cryptocurrency company, best known for creating CryptoKitties: a blockchain game on Ethereum which allows players to purchase, breed, collect and sell virtual cats.
Henry Cejudo vs. Jose Aldo opening betting odds released
Adam Martin - February 26, 2020
The sportsbooks have released the opening betting odds for the upcoming main event of UFC 250 between UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo and Jose Aldo. The UFC officially announced this week that Cejudo vs. Aldo will headline UFC 250, which takes place on May 9 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The announcement has been met with plenty of criticism from fans, media and fighters as Aldo is getting a title shot despite being on a two-fight losing streak. But it’s the fight that both Cejudo and Aldo wanted.
VIDEO | Joseph Benavidez taps out Ryan Seacrest with a guillotine choke
Natasha Hooper - February 26, 2020
Joseph Benavidez has proven his guillotine chokes aren’t reserved for just fighters. The flyweight joined the Live with Kelly and Ryan show to promote his upcoming title fight and show off some moves against Ryan Seacrest.
Bryce Mitchell vs. Charles Rosa in the works for UFC Oklahoma City
Mike Heck - February 26, 2020
Bryce Mitchell and Charles Rosa have been asking for it, the fans have been in agreement, and it looks like everybody may just get their wish after all. Sources confirmed to BJPENN.com that a featherweight matchup between Mitchell and Rosa is in the works for UFC on ESPN+ 32. The event takes place May 2 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City and will be headlined by a middleweight bout between former middleweight champion Chris Weidman and Jack Hermansson.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says recent opponents are 'not tough like Tony Ferguson'
Tom Taylor - February 26, 2020
UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov is well aware of how tough his upcoming opponent Tony Ferguson is. In fact, he considers Ferguson a tougher test than his other recent opponents like Edson Barboza, Rafael dos Anjos, Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Al Iaquinta. Nurmagomedov rated Ferguson against his other recent opponents in a recent interview with TMZ.
Juan Adams considers UFC run a 'good learning experience,' believes he could return to promotion
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2020
Juan Adams didn’t have much time to develop as a fighter before he got the call to the UFC. Adams made his amateur debut in September of 2016 and quickly turned pro not even a full year later. As a pro, he started his career out 3-0 before getting a shot on the Contender Series and winning and earning a UFC contract.
Khabib Nurmagomedov slams Conor McGregor for 'ducking tough matchups'
Tom Taylor - February 26, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes his arch rival Conor McGregor is targeting easy matchups and avoiding legitimate challenges. Speaking to TMZ, Nurmagomedov disparaged McGregor’s recent win over the veteran Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, and accused the Irishman of avoiding more difficult opponents like Justin Gaethje.
Report | UFC planning to hold June Fight Night event in Kazakhstan
Harry Kettle - February 26, 2020
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is planning to make its debut in Kazakhstan this summer with a Fight Night event in June. As reported by MMA Fighting, the aim is for the promotion to put on a card on June 13 in the Central Asian nation. At this moment in time it’s not yet known as to where exactly the event will be held. The frontrunner is said to be Nur-Sultan, formerly called Astana, which is home to the 30,000-seater Astana Arena.