MMA News
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.
ONE Championship's Iuri Lapicus discusses upcoming title fight with Christian Lee
Alfredo Zullino - February 26, 2020
When Iuri Lapicus stepped foot in ONE Championship’s ring for the first time, back in May of 2019, nobody but the most hardcore fight fans knew who the undefeated Italian-Moldavian athlete was. During that debut fight, Iuri Lapicus (14-0 MMA, 2-0 ONE) was able to bring home the victory with a slick rear-naked choke on Thai veteran Shannon Wiratchai in the third round. But it was earlier this month that he made a huge statement and shocked the entire MMA community, finishing former ONE and M-1 Global featherweight belt-holder Marat Gafurov with Gafurov’s own signature move, the rear-naked choke.
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.’
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.
Chael Sonnen defends Henry Cejudo vs. Jose Aldo booking
Tom Taylor - February 26, 2020
The next crack at UFC bantamweight champ Henry Cejudo will go to former UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo. Unfortunately, this matchup is generating quite a bit of controversy, as Aldo lost his only fight in the bantamweight division, and is seen as less deserving of the shot than many of his rivals. Chael Sonnen doesn’t see the issue.
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.
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.
Leon Edwards wishes he could've fought Darren Till at UFC London last year to prove he's 'the best in the UK'
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2020
Leon Edwards thinks it’s crazy how different he and Darren Till’s careers went in 2019. Last March at UFC London, Till was the main event against Jorge Masvidal while Edwards was the co-main against Gunnar Nelson. Yet, during the press conference, it was the two Englishman going back-and-forth in trash-talking one another. Edwards admits that was the fight he would’ve rather had.
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.
Aljamain Sterling claims the UFC is milking Jose Aldo for "every last dollar"
Mike Pendleton - February 25, 2020
After the news was announced about a bantamweight title fight between champion Henry Cejudo and former featherweight champion Jose Aldo, who is coming off a loss in his last fight, many bantamweight contenders took exception. One of those bantamweights, Aljamain Sterling, continued to express his frustration with the matchup on Tuesday. During an interview with MMA Tonight on Sirius XM with RJ Clifford and UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith, Sterling discussed why he believes the UFC picked Aldo over him. When asked about the decision, Sterling said he believes the UFC is milking the former champion for his money before his career is over.
Justin Gaethje says he'd 'love' to fight in Dublin
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2020
Justin Gaethje is interested in fighting Dublin, Ireland. Gaethje has recently been calling out Conor McGregor and there were reports they are linked to a summertime scrap. Given there is an upcoming card in Dublin, Ireland on August 15, “The Highlight” says he’d love to be featured at the event.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk demands apology from Colby Covington: ‘Bow down to the Queen and say sorry’
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2020
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is still not a fan of her teammate, Colby Covington. Covington had a public falling out with Jorge Masvidal and Dustin Poirier at American Top Team. And, it didn’t stop there as Jedrzejczyk said she and Covington got into a massive argument before her last fight in October. It resulted in the former champion doing interviews saying she hopes Usman beats Covington’s ass.
Stephen A. Smith says Deontay Wilder blaming costume for loss might be the ‘most embarrassing excuse’ ever
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2020
Stephen A. Smith is not a fan of Deontay Wilder partially blaming his costume for his loss to Tyson Fury. Last Saturday, Deontay Wilder was taking on Tyson Fury in their highly-anticipated rematch. Many thought the “Bronze Bomber” would get the job done but the Englishman ended up getting his hand raised by seventh-round TKO.
Aljamain Sterling says UFC considering four-man bantamweight tournament for next title shot
Adam Martin - February 25, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling says the UFC is considering booking a four-man tournament to determine the next contender at 135lbs. It was officially announced on Monday that UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo will take on Jose Aldo in the main event of UFC 250 on May 9 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. By giving Aldo the title shot, it left the other top contenders at 135lbs without the opportunity to fight for the belt even though there are at least four other fighters more deserving based on merit.
Stephen A. Smith stands by Donald Cerrone criticisms: 'I know what the hell I saw'
Mike Pendleton - February 25, 2020
Following the UFC 246 main event which saw Conor McGregor defeat Donald Cerrone in a 40-second TKO, ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith said he felt Cerrone’s performance was “atrocious.” That comment brought criticism from the likes of Joe Rogan, Jon Jones, and even McGregor himself. After making it known that he wouldn’t be apologizing to anyone and being defended by others like Chael Sonnen and Nate Diaz, the ongoing feud between Smith and the MMA world seemed to quiet down — until now.