MMA News
ONE Championship lays out plans for busy 2020
Tom Taylor - January 6, 2020
Singapore-based martial arts organization ONE Championship had a big year in 2019, and is plotting even bigger things in 2020. On Sunday night, ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong took to social media to lay out plans for a hectic 2020 calendar, featuring 50 shows across ONE properties including the main ONE Championship MMA brand, feeder shows ONE Warrior Series and ONE Hero Series, and its newly launched e-sports arm, ONE Esports.
Donald Cerrone: I am 'absolutely' a 'better mixed martial artist' than Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - January 6, 2020
Donald Cerrone is just weeks out from a blockbuster UFC 246 welterweight showdown against former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor, inarguably the biggest star in the sport’s history. Heading into this matchup, Cerrone is widely considered the underdog. So much so that UFC President Dana White has accused fans of failing to give “Cowboy” the respect he deserves.
Islam Makhachev continues to call out Kevin Lee
Natasha Hooper - January 6, 2020
Islam Makhachev has his sights set on his next opponent and won’t back down. The Dagestani fighter took to Twitter to try and force Dana White’s hand and organize a matchup against Kevin Lee. Makhachev has tallied 7 wins and only 1 professional loss since making his UFC debut in 2015. Alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov and Zabit Magomedsharipov, the accomplished fighter is regarded amongst the best fighters to come out of Russia.
VIDEO | Kamaru Usman trolls Jorge Masvidal with knockout video
Adam Martin - January 6, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman trolled superstar Jorge Masvidal with a video on his social media showing the champ knocking “Gamebred” out. Usman and Masvidal haven’t fought yet, of course. Instead, the video is from the EA Sports UFC 3 video game. Take a look at the troll job from Usman below which was originally posted on his Instagram (via r/u/JimmyShaker7).
Firas Zahabi discusses Georges St-Pierre's advantages over Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tom Taylor - January 6, 2020
Firas Zahabi, the head coach at Tristar MMA, believes Georges St-Pierre could make a comeback for the right fight — potentially a fight with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Coaches letting Conor McGregor lead UFC 246 camp: he knows more than 'the rest of us put together'
Tom Taylor - January 6, 2020
Coach John Kavanagh and the other staff at the famed SBG Ireland gym in Dublin, Ireland, have been letting Conor McGregor lead his own training camp for Donald Cerrone. Kavanagh explained the dynamic in the gym during a recent interview with The Mac Life.
Geoff Neal says Usman-Covington was 'entertaining' but technique wasn't good
Cole Shelton - January 6, 2020
Geoff Neal was surprised how the UFC 245 main event between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington played out. It was a battle between two high-level wrestlers, yet there was not one takedown attempt. Instead, they decided to stand and trade until Usman dropped Covington twice in the fifth and earned a TKO win to retain his belt.
Coach claims Conor McGregor is motivated by love ahead of UFC 246
Natasha Hooper - January 6, 2020
Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return to MMA is less than two weeks away. Not only does the Irishman’s coach believe he’s “the best he’s ever been,” but he also revealed McGregor’s primary motivation: love. During an interview with The Mac Life, McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh discussed the fighter’s training transformation.
Dana White isn't happy about the disrespect being shown to Donald Cerrone
Harry Kettle - January 6, 2020
UFC president Dana White isn’t happy about the lack of respect that is being shown to Donald Cerrone in the lead-up to his UFC 246 main event against Conor McGregor. We’re now less than two weeks away from McGregor’s return to the Octagon where he will face off against the aforementioned Cerrone in a welterweight bout. While many fans are questioning the Irishman’s decision to come back at 170 pounds, the overriding feeling is one of excitement as he prepares to put on his gloves and compete for the first time since his UFC 229 loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Lowen Tynanes takes it one day at a time in battle with Spondyloarthritis
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 6, 2020
Top ONE Championship lightweight contender Lowen Tynanes is a fearsome competitor in the cage. His stunning perfect professional record of 10-0 is no doubt impressive, but it is the way he garnered all those wins that have been more telling. Seven of Tynanes’ 10 wins have come by finish, including three knockouts and four submissions. In early January, Tynanes blasted through veteran Honorio Banario to reach the semifinals of the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix Championship.
Dustin Poirier says he would knock out Nate Diaz in potential fight
Adam Martin - January 5, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier told fans on his social media that he would knock out Nate Diaz if the two meet inside the Octagon. Poirier and Diaz were supposed to link up back at UFC 230, but the fight was cancelled due to injuries. Neither man ended up fighting on the card. However, it’s clear Poirier still wants the Diaz fight because he keeps bringing up his name on social media.
UFC 246 | The greatest quotes from Conor McGregor
Adam D Martin - January 5, 2020
In the lead-up to January 18’s blockbuster UFC 246 pay-per-view event in Las Vegas, we take a look back at some of Conor McGregor’s greatest quotes. UFC 205 press conference: “Who da fook is that guy?”
New USADA test helps fighters avoid marijuana fails
Adam D Martin - January 5, 2020
The UFC USADA program is introducing a new collection method via an oral fluid test that will help MMA fighters avoid failed drug tests for marijuana. UFC Senior VIP of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitzky took to Twitter to share the news of the new USADA testing method. Here’s what Novitzky said.
Mike Perry and the welterweight blood bath UFC fans need to see
Adam D Martin - January 5, 2020
UFC welterweight Mike Perry is one of the most popular and exciting fighters on the whole roster, and now he’s in the market for his next opponent. Perry suffered the first knockout loss of his MMA career when he was nailed with a head kick and finished with punches by Geoff Neal at UFC 245. Before that, Perry had his nose shattered during an epic brawl against Vicente Luque. Despite the losing skid, Perry remains just as popular as ever. He’s chomping at the bit to get back in the Octagon, and now he needs his next opponent.
Multiple UFC fights announced for the 2020 calendar year including return of Jeremy Stephens
Adam D Martin - January 5, 2020
Multiple new UFC fights have been announced for the 2020 calendar year including the return of fan-favorite featherweight brawler Jeremy Stephens. Check them out below.
VIDEO | See the Conor McGregor ad that aired during the NFL wild card game
Adam D Martin - January 5, 2020
The UFC and ESPN aired an advertisement featuring Conor McGregor’s return at UFC 246 during the NFL Wild Card game on Saturday. McGregor returns two weekends from now when he takes on Donald Cerrone in the main event of UFC 246, which takes place on January 18 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s set to be an absolutely massive event, with pricey tickets selling out immediately after going up for sale.
Petr Yan slams Henry Cejudo after ‘Triple C’ suggests Jose Aldo is next
Adam D Martin - January 5, 2020
Top contender Petr Yan called UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo a clown and suggested that he vacate his 135lbs title. Yan has been gunning for Cejudo and the UFC bantamweight title ever since he knocked out Urijah Faber in devastating fashion at UFC 245. It was a huge breakthrough win for Yan, who knocked out a legend on one of the biggest UFC cards of the year, improving his UFC record to 6-0 in the process.
Nate Diaz wants some credit for kicking the fight game back in gear
Chris Taylor - January 5, 2020
Fan favorite Nate Diaz made his highly anticipated return to the Octagon at November’s UFC 244 event for a welterweight bout with Jorge Masvidal. The pay-per-view event headliner was so big that the promotion even decided to introduce a new BMF belt for the contests winner. In addition, the new silver hardware would be present by Hollywood Celebrity Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.