MMA News

Adam Martin - January 23, 2020

This is the second in a series of new articles here on BJPenn.com in 2020 analyzing the betting odds for all UFC events. The second event of the year is UFC Raleigh. Note: All odds based on current odds at BestFightOdds.com. This article is for entertainment purposes only. Never bet what you can’t afford.

Cole Shelton - January 23, 2020

Curtis Millender says he’s been offered a fight with Michael Page numerous times, yet “MVP” has never accepted the fight. Millender is set to return to action against Moses Murrietta at Bellator 238 in his first fight since being released from the UFC. Yet he is not fighting a big name like Michael Page, which he says is because MVP has been ducking him.

Mike Pendleton - January 23, 2020

At Bellator 238, on Saturday, January 25, Cris Cyborg will challenge Julia Budd for the Bellator featherweight title. When she steps into the Bellator cage for the first time, Cyborg will be adding another world-class MMA promotion to her resume, which already includes the UFC, Invicta FC, and Strikeforce. She will also be re-uniting with her old boss, Scott Coker. Much was made about the relationship between Cyborg and UFC President Dana White as the two were at odds for several years, and didn’t seem to see eye-to-eye when she was with the company. While the UFC was certainly the biggest stage for Cyborg’s global brand, she had already cemented herself as one of the greatest fighters of all-time, and working with a familiar face in Coker should also come with a breath of fresh air.

Alfredo Zullino - January 23, 2020

One of Italy’s top female mixed martial artists is set to compete for Ansgar Fighting League gold as Micol di Segni will lock horns with Elizabeth Rodrigues on March 14 in Spain. Di Segni (7-3 MMA 0-0 AFL), a Dana White Contender Series alum and a Brave Combat Federation and Cage Warriors veteran, will battle for the belt in the co-main event of AFL Valkyries, a women-only mixed martial arts event hosted by the Spain-based promotion.

Harry Kettle - January 23, 2020

Mike Perry’s manager Abe Kawa spoke out about his fighter’s use of the N-word during a recent interview with MMA Junkie. Perry has faced a great deal of criticism over the course of the last few weeks and months, for his seemingly regular use of the N-word. Some have decided to stick up for the controversial UFC star, whereas others have jumped to condemn him.

Cole Shelton - January 22, 2020

Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal are continuing to go back-and-forth at one another to potentially set up a fight. After Usman TKO’d Colby Covington at UFC 245 many wondered what would be next. Masvidal was up there but he was waiting for the outcome of the UFC 246 main event between Conor McGregor and Donald Cerrone. Yet, “Gamebred” recently switched stances and said he is focused on Usman because he wants to break his face.

Cole Shelton - January 22, 2020

Justin Gaethje believes he might be Conor McGregor’s next opponent as the Irishman finally has the confidence to fight him. Gaethje called out McGregor before “Notorious” returned at UFC 246. Following the win, “The Highlight” thinks the fight still makes sense. John Kavanagh also said they liked the idea of Gaethje at welterweight as their next fight.

Cole Shelton - January 22, 2020

Darren Till may still be able to fight Jared Cannonier at UFC 248 after all. After Robert Whittaker, Cannonier’s original opponent, pulled out due to personal reasons many assumed Till would be the logical replacement and it was announced he was. But, he injured his ankle and UFC president Dana White said that fight was off.

Adam Martin - January 22, 2020

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir visited the famous Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas and was challenged to eat a 20,000 calorie burger. The former UFC and Bellator standout is a Las Vegas native and the Heart Attack Grill on Freemont Street is a world-famous restaurant known for its gigantic meals. Before stepping into the restaurant, you can stand on a scale outside the door and if you weigh more than 350lbs you get to eat for free.

Tom Taylor - January 22, 2020

Urijah Faber began his 2019 comeback with a dominant, first-round victory over Ricky Simon. Unfortunately for the Team Alpha Male head, however, his comeback plans then hit a snag at the hands of Petr Yan. Faber and Yan collided on the main card of UFC 245 in December, and the fight ended up being a lopsided third-round TKO victory for the Russian.

Mike Pendleton - January 22, 2020

As streaming services continue to take over the combat sports industry, there are more and more events being broadcast on platforms like ESPN+, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN and YouTube. BJPENN.Com’s Streaming this Week series keeps fans up to date on the best combat sports action across the industry’s major streaming platforms.

Tom Taylor - January 22, 2020

Former UFC welterweight title challenger Thiago Alves is dropping his gloves and heading to the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) ring. News of Alves’ move to BKFC was first reported by MMA Fighting, who spoke to the promotion’s president David Feldman.

Mike Heck - January 22, 2020

Maycee Barber suffered her first loss last Saturday, on the undercard of UFC 246, giving up a decision to Roxanne Modafferi while also suffering a complete tear of her ACL in the process. While the injury was unfortunate, Barber’s father Bucky Barber believes that his daughter showed a lot of heart in the fight and, because of her grit and toughness — along with the injury early in the fight — questions whether or not Saturday night’s fight should be considered a loss.

Adam Martin - January 22, 2020

Tristar Gym head trainer Firas Zahabi says he would like to see Conor McGregor fight Nate Diaz in a trilogy for the first 165lbs title in UFC history. McGregor knocked out Donald Cerrone in the main event of UFC 246 to re-emerge as the biggest superstar in MMA. The race to become his next opponent is now on, with several fighters vying for the coveted spot of being McGregor’s next foe. Some of the possible opponents for McGregor include UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, superstar Jorge Masvidal and lightweight stud Justin Gaethje.

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 22, 2020

Aung La N Sang is not like other champions. Many titleholders allow themselves to be challenged for their respective world titles.  Despite holding both the ONE Light Heavyweight and Middleweight World Titles, Aung La is still hunting for the best challenges. That’s why it’s no surprise to see “The Burmese Python” calling for a title defense against undefeated middleweight prospect Reinier de Ridder.

Cole Shelton - January 22, 2020

In the main event of UFC Raleigh, Curtis Blaydes will look to extend his winning streak to three when he battles the former heavyweight champ Junior dos Santos. Heading into the fight, Blaydes is a -250 favorite while dos Santos is a +195 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believes Blaydes’ wrestling will be the difference-maker and that he will get his hand raised.

Tom Taylor - January 22, 2020

In September of 2019, former two-division World Series of Fighting champion David Branch was released by the UFC after receiving a two-year suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Since leaving the UFC, Branch has completely transformed. Today, he looks less like a middleweight mixed martial artist, and more like a member of the Justice League.

Tom Taylor - January 22, 2020

UFC 246 was, by all accounts, a pretty violent card. Just ask Donald Cerrone, who was mauled to a TKO loss by Conor McGregor in just 40 seconds in the main event. Given the nature of this card, it should come as no surprise that several fighters on the bill are facing lengthy medical suspensions.