MMA News
The biggest MMA stories of 2019
Natasha Hooper - December 26, 2019
2019 was a rollercoaster ride for the world of MMA, featuring plenty of ups and downs. As the year draws to a close, BJPENN.com looks back on 10 of the biggest MMA stories of 2019, from the good to the bad to the downright ugly.
Multiple UFC fights announced on Christmas Day
Tom Taylor - December 26, 2019
Here’s your Christmas present from the UFC, fight fans: a whopping five fights were announced on Christmas Day, including appearances from stars like Rachel Ostovich, Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos and Kai Kara-France. Here’s a rundown of the new UFC fights announced on Christmas Day, via Marcel Dorff on Twitter.
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong meets with Barack Obama
Tom Taylor - December 26, 2019
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong recently had the opportunity to sit down for a brief meeting with President Barack Obama, the former President of the United States. Sityodtong discussed his meeting with Obama, which centered around business in Asia, in a recent post to his official Facebook page.
Tyron Woodley accepts challenge from Leon Edwards
Christopher Taylor - December 25, 2019
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley got in the Christmas spirit this evening by accepting a challenge from Leon Edwards. The Birmingham native, Edwards, had challenged Woodley to a showdown at March’s UFC event in London.
Patrick Cummins announces his retirement from MMA
Tom Taylor - December 24, 2019
Patrick Cummins, the UFC light heavyweight contender who famously left his job as a barista to fight Daniel Cormier on short notice, has announced his retirement from MMA. Cummins made his announcement on Instagram on Tuesday afternoon.
Dana White hails 2019 as the 'biggest year' in UFC history
Tom Taylor - December 24, 2019
UFC President Dana White says 2019 was the “biggest year in the company’s history.” A jubilant White made this claim in a Tuesday afternoon Instagram post. See it below:
Sean O'Malley announces return against Jose Alberto Quinonez
Tom Taylor - December 24, 2019
Undefeated UFC bantamweight prospect Sean O’Malley has announced that he’ll be taking on Jose Alberto Quinones at UFC 247 on February 8 in Houston, Texas. O’Malley made this exciting announcement in a Tuesday afternoon Instagram post.
VIDEO | Khabib Nurmagomedov gets Super Mario-inspired tribute
Tom Taylor - December 24, 2019
When you really think about it, watching Khabib Nurmagomedov effortlessly dominate all of his opposition in the cage is not all that different from watching Mario stomp Goombas Piranha Plants in a classic Nintendo game. Need more proof of the similarities between the Russian UFC champ and the princess-saving Italian plumber? Check out the video below: a Super Mario-inspired tribute to Nurmagomedov from the folks at RT.
VIDEO | Donald Cerrone, Rose Namajunas star in Billy Talent music video
Tom Taylor - December 24, 2019
Donald Cerrone is gearing up for a massive showdown with Conor McGregor, which headlines the UFC 246 card on January 18. It should surprise absolutely nobody that the hyperactive lightweight and welterweight contender is staying plenty busy outside of his preparations for this fight. In addition to his usual schedule of training, skydiving, bull riding, and anything else that gets his blood pumping, Cerrone recently starred in a new music video from alternative rock band Billy Talent. He was joined in this video by former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas.
Potential opponents for Sage Northcutt's ONE Championship return
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 24, 2019
A mature athlete and person understands and is realistic about their limitations. They also know that there are multiple definitions of greatness. Sage Northcutt is displaying such maturity and spirit of conscientiousness in his recent career decision. After falling short in his ONE Championship debut against experienced Brazilian striker Cosmo Alexandre at welterweight, Northcutt has decided to return to his original weight class at 155 pounds.
Weili Zhang says she will 'fight Joanna in Joanna’s way'
Tom Taylor - December 24, 2019
Weili Zhang is gearing up to defend her UFC strawweight title against the former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248 this March. While Zhang’s camp for Jedrzejczyk is just getting underway, she says this a fight she’s been preparing for for years. “I have known about Joanna for a very long time, even before I was in the UFC,” Zhang told Mathew Scott of the South China Morning Post. “I have been preparing for her, and for this fight, for a long time. I know how she moves and how she fights. I always knew that one day we would meet inside the Octagon. I am preparing everything. I am ready.”
Petr Yan says he lost 'all respect' for Henry Cejudo for wanting Jose Aldo title fight
Cole Shelton - December 24, 2019
Petr Yan is not a fan of Henry Cejudo, to say the least. After Yan beat Urijah Faber at UFC 245, many thought the Russian would be next in line for a title shot at Henry Cejudo. Yet “Triple C” instead called for a bout with Jose Aldo who is 0-1 at bantamweight, and on a two-fight losing streak.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk planning future move back up to UFC flyweight division
Adam Martin - December 23, 2019
UFC women’s strawweight contender Joanna Jedrzejczyk says she is still planning on moving back up to the flyweight division in the future. Jedrzejczyk is set to take on UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang at UFC 248 in March in Las Vegas. Jedrzejczyk will be looking to reclaim the title which she held between 2015 and 2017 before dropping it in shocking fashion to Rose Namajunas at UFC 217.
Deiveson Figueiredo says he will 'kill' Joseph Benavidez at UFC Norfolk
Cole Shelton - December 23, 2019
Deiveson Figueiredo has violent intentions for Joseph Benavidez when they meet for the vacant flyweight title at UFC Norfolk. Earlier this week, BJPENN.com reported the title bout was set, and for Figueiredo, he was very surprised to discover he would be fighting for the vacant title.
Frank Trigg praised by fighter for timely referee stoppage: 'You definitely saved my brain a lot of damage'
Adam Martin - December 23, 2019
UFC legend and MMA referee Frank Trigg was praised by Bellator flyweight Nate Yoshimura for a timely stoppage during his fight at Bellator Hawaii. Yoshimura took on Chas Dunhour in a flyweight bout that kicked off the Bellator Hawaii card this past Saturday in Honolulu. In the second round, Yoshimura was on the wrong end of a nasty knockout stemming from an elbow and punches.
Simon Biyong is chasing Rizin gold
Alfredo Zullino - December 23, 2019
African mixed martial arts is definitely on the rise. Nigerian-born Kamaru Usman just defended his UFC welterweight title against Colby Covington, and fellow countryman Israel Adesanya unified the middleweight title by defeating Robert Whittaker just two months ago. Now, Italian-Cameroonian Simon Biyong (6-1 MMA) will look to continue that trend of success in his Rizin Fighting Federation debut on New Year’s eve in Tokyo, Japan.
UFC welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio removed from rankings
Harry Kettle - December 23, 2019
UFC welterweight contender Santiago Ponzinibbio has been removed from the official divisional rankings as a direct result of his recent inactivity. The Argentine sensation has been with the company since back in 2013, racking up a 9-2 record in the process. He has won his last seven fights with the promotion, which has included triumphs over Gunnar Nelson, Mike Perry and Neil Magny, but he hasn’t been in the cage since November 2018 when he knocked Magny out in Buenos Aires.
Matt Serra: Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington stoppage was 'pretty bad'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 23, 2019
Matt Serra believes Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington could’ve played out longer than it did. Usman vs. Covington headlined UFC 245 earlier this month. Usman put the UFC welterweight gold on the line inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In a back-and-forth battle, “The Nigerian Nightmare” ended up scoring the fifth-round TKO victory. Covington was quick to protest the stoppage to referee Marc Goddard.