MMA News
BJPENN.COM Radio Ep. 123 // Colby Covington | Brian Kelleher | Curtis Blaydes
Jason Kindschy - February 5, 2020
Colby Covington has returned to the media spotlight following his closely contested loss to current welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. Colby kicks off this episode with his usual venomous verbiage and discusses a multitude of topics. We’ll get his thoughts on the fight against Usman and why he believes an immediate rematch should happen. Colby Covington also elaborates on his accusations of corrupt refereeing by Marc Goddard, and challenging 50 Cent to a charity boxing match. All that and much more with “Chaos.” Brian Kelleher joins us to recap his impressive submission win over Ode Osbourne at UFC 246 last month. Following a two-year layoff caused by an injury sustained during training, Kelleher is eager to make up for lost time. We’ll discuss his plans for climbing the bantamweight ranks in 2020, and hear his thoughts on the divisional landscape.
After "whooping" at UFC 246, Donald Cerrone says it's hard not to be friends with Conor McGregor
Natasha Hooper - February 5, 2020
Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone was served a plate full of shoulder strikes by Conor McGregor, finished off with a serving ground and pound. But that hasn’t stopped the UFC veteran from respecting his UFC 246 adversary. In the blockbuster main event on Saturday 18th January, ‘The Notorious’ made his much anticipated Octagon return to face Cerrone. The fight was seemingly over as soon as it began, as the Irishman finished ‘Cowboy’ by TKO in just 40 seconds of the first round.
Jon Jones eyes Corey Anderson, Johnny Walker after Dominick Reyes fight at UFC 247
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2020
Jon Jones knows there are still worthy opponents at light heavyweight if he emerges victorious this weekend. Jones is set to defend his light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 247 when he takes on Dominick Reyes. The undefeated challenger presents a ton of challenges. But, should “Bones” get his hand raised he said he wants to fight Stipe Miocic at heavyweight for the belt.
The Korean Zombie absolutely rips Alexander Volkanovski over his finishing abilities
Natasha Hooper - February 5, 2020
Chan Sung Jung has ripped into featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski for his MMA fighting abilities – or lack thereof. ‘The Korean Zombie’ poked fun at the Australian fighter for failing to knockout his opponents during his UFC fights. Volkanovski had a meteoric year in 2019. After a decision win over Jose Aldo, the 31-year old ended the year on a high by beating Max Holloway to claim the promotions 145-pound title. He recently appeared on The Ariel Helwani show to discuss his rise to stardom and future bouts.
Rafael Lovato Jr's story is a reminder that MMA is more than just wins, losses, and titles
Mike Pendleton - February 5, 2020
The recent headlines in the world of MMA have consisted of: two fighters at the top of their division getting into an argument on Radio Row at the Super Bowl, and an ESPN personality getting ripped for his lack of knowledge on the sport, however, there’s a far greater and more important story happening in the sport, not many are talking about. This week on Joe Rogan’s MMA Show, Bellator middleweight champion Rafael Lovato Jr. revealed that he’s dealing with a rare brain condition that will have him “retired indefinitely” as he awaits more meetings with doctors to determine his future.
Chael Sonnen wonders if Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya would be at catchweight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 5, 2020
Chael Sonnen isn’t predicting that Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya would take place at a catchweight but he wouldn’t be surprised if it does. Jones and Adesanya have gone back-and-forth to the point where fight fans are expecting the two to collide at some point. Jones is in his second reign as the UFC light heavyweight champion, while Adesanya holds the undisputed middleweight gold. Both men have title defenses coming up.
Conor McGregor helps UFC 246 sell over 1 million pay-per-view streams, breaking record
Adam D Martin - February 5, 2020
Superstar Conor McGregor helped UFC 246 sold over 1 million pay-per-view streams on ESPN+, the first streaming event in history to break that number. Disney chairman and CEO Rober Iger announced the official numbers for UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cowboy and ESPN+ on Tuesday. The Motley Fool has the full Walt Disney Company Q1 2020 Earnings Call Transcript for your reading pleasure. Dave Meltzer further helped to break down the numbers via MMAFighting.com.
Jon Jones takes aim at Corey Anderson while praising UFC 247 opponent Dominick Reyes
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2020
Jon Jones has taken aim at UFC light heavyweight contender Corey Anderson, praising his UFC 247 opponent Dominick Reyes in the process. This weekend will see the return of the man who many consider to be the greatest of all time: Jon Jones. However, while his focus may be on Reyes who has been on an absolute ear at light heavyweight in recent years, Jones can’t help but bring up a few adversaries that could pop up down the road.
Brandon Vera vs. Arjan Bhullar set for ONE Championship heavyweight title bout
Adam D Martin - February 5, 2020
ONE Championship heavyweight champion Brandon Vera is set to defend his belt when he takes on former UFC standout Arjan Bhullar later this spring. Vera will meet Bhullar at ONE Championship: Code of Honor which takes place on May 29 at The Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. Asian MMA was the first website to report the news of Vera vs. Bhullar. When they clash, it should be one of the best heavyweights fights in 2020 that doesn’t take place in the UFC or in Bellator.
Kayla Harrison gives self-defense advice for women who are being attacked
Adam D Martin - February 5, 2020
PFL women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison has given some important self-defense advice to women who are being attacked. In the wake of the recent video showing boxing prospect Gervonta Davis getting physical with his ex-girlfriend, TMZ Sports caught up with Harrison — one of the best women’s MMA fighters on the planet — and asked her what women should do if they are in a situation where they are being attacked.
Dana White blasts Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman for “Neanderthal” behavior in Miami
Natasha Hooper - February 5, 2020
Dana White has criticised Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman for their “neanderthal” behaviour during an altercation in Miami. A day before the super bowl at the Radio Row media event, the ‘BMF’ winner ran into the welterweight champion. The pair began a war of words and bystanders were forced to intervene to stop the conflict from escalating any further. Kamaru Usman goaded Masvidal to “do something,” but Gamebred accused him of being a “clout chaser.”
Jeremy Stephens vs. Calvin Kattar moved to UFC 249
Adam D Martin - February 5, 2020
An exciting featherweight bout between Jeremy Stephens and Calvin Kattar has been moved to the upcoming UFC 249 card in Brooklyn. Stephens vs. Kattar was originally slated for UFC 248 in March, the pay-per-view headlined by UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero, but it has now been moved to UFC 249, the April pay-per-view headlined by UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson. Along with the women’s strawweight rematch between former champs Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade, the UFC 249 card is starting to look really strong.
PHOTO | Francis Ngannou looks jacked ahead of Jairzinho Rozenstruik fight
Adam D Martin - February 5, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou shared a picture of himself looking jacked ahead of his fight against Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Columbus. Ngannou is always in phenomenal shape for his fights but it appears he’s gone one step further in preparation for his fight against the undefeated Rozenstruik next month in Columbus. The card takes place on March 28 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Valentina Shevchenko says Weili Zhang became champ due to 'lucky circumstances', not interested in potential superfight
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2020
Valentina Shevchenko believes Weili Zhang doesn’t deserve the chance to fight her for the women’s flyweight championship. After Zhang beat Jessica Andrade at UFC Shenzhen back in August, she spoke about wanting to move up and fight Shevchenko. Yet, the flyweight champion says Zhang only became a UFC champ because of lucky circumstances.
Michael Bisping reacts to Saudi Arabia's reported offer to host Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor 2
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 4, 2020
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping has weighed in on Saudi Arabia’s reported offer to play host to Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor II. There’s no denying that a rematch between Nurmagomedov and McGregor would be significantly lucrative for both parties and the UFC. Of course, “The Eagle” must get past Tony Ferguson and that is not likely to be an easy task. If he does, however, it opens the door for perhaps the biggest rematch in MMA history.
Joe Rogan believes Dominick Reyes is the 'most dangerous fighter Jon Jones has faced since Daniel Cormier'
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2020
Joe Rogan believes Jon Jones is facing a very dangerous fighter in Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. Reyes is undefeated and coming off a knockout win over former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman at UFC Boston. It was an impressive victory, but for Rogan, it showed just how dangerous Reyes is.
Dustin Poirier interested in fighting Nate Diaz on Masvidal vs. Usman fight card in July
Natasha Hooper - February 4, 2020
Dustin Poirier wants to sink his teeth into a Nate Diaz bout on the Jorge Masvidal vs Kamaru Usman fight card in July. The welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman is expected to defend his belt against ‘BMF champion’ Jorge Masvidal. ‘The Diamond’ is willing to join the blockbuster fight card if it is to fight Nate Diaz.
Jon Jones' former opponent Rashad Evans explains what Dominick Reyes needs to do to win
Natasha Hooper - February 4, 2020
Jon Jones is putting his light heavyweight title on the line against the rising contender, Dominick Reyes. His former opponent and teammate, Rashad Evans, reveals what it will take for the title challenger to overthrow the 205-pound champion. When Jon Jones began training at Jackson Wink MMA in Albuquerque New Mexico, Evans was the light heavyweight star. While “Suga” initially embraced fresh meat in the form of Jon Jones, the power shift fractured any budding friendship.