MMA News
UFC back heads to Austin, first bout is Jennifer Maia vs. Viviane Araujo
Adam Martin - February 27, 2020
The UFC is headed back to Austin, Texas, and the first bout on the card is a women’s flyweight match between Jennifer Maia and Viviane Araujo. Combate was the first to report the UFC will head back to Austin on June 27 for a Fight Night card and the first to report the Maia vs. Araujo matchup. At this time, no other bouts for the card have been revealed.
Weili Zhang details arduous three-week journey from China to US
Tom Taylor - February 27, 2020
UFC strawweight champ Weili Zhang has made it to the United States for her UFC 248 title defense against Joanna Jedrzejczyk, but the journey was not easy. Zhang’s homeland is still reeling from the headline-dominating novel coronavirus outbreak, which has claimed many lives and caused complicated travel restrictions worldwide. These restrictions made it extremely difficult for Zhang to make it to the US, and left her feeling like a “refugee.”
Duke Roufus says he asked Dana White for Paul Felder vs. Dan Hooker rematch in Dublin
Mike Pendleton - February 27, 2020
Following a split decision loss to Dan Hooker, Paul Felder had a brief moment where he considered retirement. Yet Felder’s head coach Duke Roufus believes we’ll see “The Irish Dragon” back in the Octagon. Furthermore, Roufus believes Felder and Hooker could run it back and had an interesting suggestion for that potential rematch. Speaking on The Luke Thomas Show on Sirius XM, Roufus discussed the fight and emotion behind the loss for Felder.
UFC Norfolk | Pro fighters make their picks for Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo title fight
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2020
In the main event of UFC Norfolk, the vacant flyweight title is on the line as Joseph Benavidez battles Deiveson Figueiredo. Heading into the fight, Benavidez is a slight -145 favorite while the Brazilian is a +115 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority are leaning towards Joseph Benavidez finally becoming a UFC champion but they realize how dangerous Deiveson Figueiredo is.
Conor McGregor discusses his preparations for life after fighting
Tom Taylor - February 27, 2020
Conor McGregor is still at the top of the fight game, but the former two-division UFC champ recognizes that his time as a fighter will eventually come to an end. When that happens, and he’s no longer collecting his massive fight purses, he’ll seemingly be well prepared. In a recent interview with The Mac Life, McGregor opened up on the importance of preparing for life after fighting. He says he’s studied the careers of other athletes — both inside and outside the combat sports industry — as he readies for the next chapter of his life. Based on his comments, it sounds like this research was a big part of his decision to launch ventures like his Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey and his August McGregor fashion line.
Deiveson Figueiredo plans to finish Joseph Benavidez inside two rounds and send him into retirement
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2020
Deiveson Figueiredo is confident he will become the UFC’s flyweight champion on Saturday. In the main event of UFC Norfolk, Figueiredo will battle Joseph Benavidez for the vacant flyweight title. When the Brazilian got the news that he would be fighting for the belt he knew it meant he could finally achieve his goal of being a UFC champion.
VIDEO | Watch UFC 248 headliner Yoel Romero destroy Chris Weidman with a flying knee
Natasha Hooper - February 27, 2020
https://youtu.be/oyZ6k6BJHok Yoel Romero will look to usurp the UFC middleweight throne when he takes on the division’s current champion, Israel Adesanya, in the main event of UFC 248 on March 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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.
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.
Chael Sonnen shares 5 potential phrases explaining why Ortiz vs Del Rio was changed to a no-decision
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2020
Chael Sonnen has five possible phrases why Tito Ortiz and Alberto Del Rio’s fight was ruled a no-decision. Before the fight took place, he said it would be fixed. So, of course, topping his list is the fact that the fight was fake and the Texas commission found out.
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.
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.
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.
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.