MMA News
Dana White explains what makes Conor McGregor such a big star
Cole Shelton - January 2, 2020
Conor McGregor is the biggest star in MMA and one of the biggest stars in combat sports. The Irishman brought the sport into the mainstream by his trash-talking and his ability to finish opponents. But, according to UFC president, Dana White, he says what makes McGregor such a big star is his personality. He says the Irishman has the ‘it’ factor and when he fights it is such a big deal.
Paulo Costa hopes Israel Adesanya waits for him as he says champ will 'not survive' Yoel Romero
Cole Shelton - January 2, 2020
Paulo Costa was expected to be next in line for middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya. However, an injured bicep took him out of those conversations. But, the Brazilian hopes the champ waits for him to return instead of fighting Yoel Romero. Romero and Adesanya have been going back-and-forth on social media. And, UFC president, Dana White even said he was looking at making the fight. Yet, Costa believes if that happens, “The Last Stylebender” will not be able to survive the Cuban’s power.
Dana White explains why Amanda Nunes is the GOAT of women's MMA
Adam Martin - January 2, 2020
UFC president Dana White explained why UFC women’s double champion Amanda Nunes is the greatest female MMA fighter of all time. Taking it one step further, White says that Nunes belongs on the shortlist of MMA GOATs regardless of gender. Speaking to UFC.com in a recent interview, White offered up lavish praise to Nunes, the UFC women’s bantamweight and featherweight champion. Here’s what the UFC boss man said.
Dana White regrets not booking Brock Lesnar vs. Fedor Emelianenko
Adam Martin - January 2, 2020
UFC president Dana White says that his biggest matchmaking regret is never booking a heavyweight fight between Brock Lesnar and Fedor Emelianenko. Lesnar and Emelianenko were arguably the two biggest superstars in the sport at the beginning of the 2010s. At the time, Lesnar was the UFC heavyweight champion, while Emelianenko had dominated the competition in PRIDE and was a new member of the Strikeforce roster.
UFC Norfolk: 'Benavidez vs Figueiredo' Fight Card and Rumors
Natasha Hooper - January 2, 2020
Henry Cejudo claimed the nickname “Triple C” after becoming a two-division champion of the flyweight and bantamweight division, but last month, it was announced that the Olympic wrestler had released his flyweight belt, leaving top-ranked fighters Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo to battle for the 125-pound strap in 2020. Their fight for the vacant flyweight title will headline the UFC Norfolk event on February 29. It will be only the second event held by the UFC in Norfolk. The first was UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs Pettis in November 2017.
Manager lays out 2020 goals for Jorge Masvidal
Mike Heck - January 2, 2020
Whether he was your pick for 2019 Fighter of the Year, or at least in your top-3, no one had a bigger surge over that 12-month stretch than Jorge Masvidal. After losing back-to-back fights in 2017, and not competing at all in 2018, “Gamebred” took the UFC by storm with highlight reel knockouts over Darren Till and Ben Askren before headlining UFC 244 against Nate Diaz, and capturing the created “BMF” title. While 2019 was a banner year for Masvidal, the plan is to enhance the momentum even further throughout 2020.
Eddie Hearn wants DAZN to more than double monthly price
Tom Taylor - January 2, 2020
The sports streaming service DAZN is now home to Bellator MMA, Combate Americas, and boxing action featuring superstars like Canelo Alvarez and Anthony Joshua. Fans can access all of that combat sports content for $19.99 a month, or $99.99 for an annual membership. Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn would like to see that rate increase — by a lot. Hearn, who promotes Anthony Joshua, has witnessed DAZN’s recent growth, and believes the service is becoming a must-have for fight fans, particularly those that follow boxing.
Donald Cerrone coach downplays Conor McGregor's skills: 'He just has a left hand'
Tom Taylor - January 2, 2020
Jafari Vanier, the head coach behind Donald Cerrone, doesn’t view Conor McGregor as a particularly versatile fighter. The coach gave his take on McGregor, who Cerrone will fight in the main event of UFC 246 on January 18, in in Cerrone’s documentary ‘More than a Cowboy.’
Chael Sonnen 'very confident' Georges St-Pierre will fight in 2020
Tom Taylor - January 2, 2020
Chael Sonnen has a hunch that Georges St-Pierre will fight again in 2020. St-Pierre, a former two-division UFC champion, is currently retired, but Sonnen doubts that retirement will stick.
UFC 247: ‘Jones vs Reyes’ Fight Card and Rumors
Harry Kettle - January 2, 2020
The excitement of a brand new year in the world of mixed martial arts is being felt throughout the Ultimate Fighting Championship and beyond, with a series of high profile cards and title fights already being set in stone for the next few months, including the stacked UFC 247 card, scheduled for February 8 in Houston, Texas. in the UFC 247 main event, Jon Jones will attempt to defend his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against the undefeated Dominick Reyes. Jones is aiming to further cement his spot as the greatest light heavyweight of all time, whereas Reyes is looking to cause what would be regarded as one of the greatest upsets in UFC history.
Chael Sonnen argues Jorge Masvidal is '100%' legitimate champion
Tom Taylor - January 2, 2020
Back in November, Jorge Masvidal captured the UFC’s one-off BMF belt with a win over Nate Diaz. While this BMF belt win represented a nice feather in Masvidal’s cap, it was not considered by many fans as a legitimate championship accomplishment. Chael Sonnen begs to differ. Sonnen, an analyst for both the UFC and Bellator, believes Masvidal is an absolutely legitimate MMA champion — even if that fact bothers people. Sonnen points to Conor McGregor’s interest in a BMF title fight with Masvidal as proof of this reality.
Joe Rogan praises Conor McGregor for 'El Chapo' tribute
Tom Taylor - January 2, 2020
Conor McGregor has always been known for his bold fashion choices. Perhaps the best example of this was in 2016 when, ahead of a scheduled lightweight title fight with Rafael dos Anjos, the Irishman donned the attire of infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquín Guzmán, better know as “El Chapo.” Speaking on on a recent episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, UFC commentator Joe Rogan looked back on this fabled Conor McGregor moment. He could not contain his enjoyment of it.
Stamp Fairtex broke through bullying and gender stereotypes to become two-sport champ
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 2, 2020
Growing up, Stamp Fairtex was constantly pestered by bullies. Stamp described herself as a “tiny” child. Growing up in Rayong, Thailand. Her size made her an easy target for her classmates. This pushed the now two-sport champ to find solace in Muay Thai and ultimately paved her way to ONE Championship.
The callout that seemingly changed the career of Jorge Masvidal
Chris Taylor - January 1, 2020
UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal was voted 2019 Fighter of The Year by multiple outlets including Forbes and CBS Sports. The Miami native had an absolutely spectacular year in 2019, which saw him go 3-0 with all three wins coming by way of Knockout/TKO.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's father believes Tony Ferguson is more dangerous than Justin Gaethje
Chris Taylor - January 1, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will return to the Octagon at April’s UFC 249 event for a highly anticipated fight with Tony Ferguson. The lightweight title fight will headlined the April 18 pay-per-view event in Brooklyn, New York.
Coach John Kavanagh: Conor McGregor is 'the best i've seen him'
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
John Kavanagh, the head coach behind former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor, says the MMA star is better than ever ahead of his UFC 246 welterweight scrap with Donald Cerrone. Kavanagh sung McGregor’s praises on Twitter shortly after the Irish star’s last hard sparring session in Ireland. He admitted that he wasn’t sure how McGregor would look when this comeback plan was first mounted, but says fans are in for a “real treat.”
Rory MacDonald believes Douglas Lima trilogy is still possible
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
Rory MacDonald is no longer a Bellator fighter, having signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in 2020. While this promotion change has opened the door to some new and exciting matchups for MacDonald, it has seemingly closed the door on a trilogy fight between MacDonald and reigning Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima, who are currently tied 1-1 across two previous bouts. Yet MacDonald doesn’t see it that way.
PHOTO | Lance Palmer's father wore an interesting shirt at 2019 PFL Championship
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
Last night, Lance Palmer became a two-time Professional Fighters League (PFL) champion, defeating Alex Gilpin by unanimous decision to win the featherweight belt. As usual, Palmer’s father Wayne was in the building to support, and he made a pretty interesting wardrobe choice for his night out. The elder Palmer was visible several times on broadcast. Fans promptly noticed that he was wearing a slightly doctored UFC shirt. Instead of reading Ultimate Fighting Championship, it read Ultimate Farting Championship.