MMA News
Megan Anderson discusses mental health issues, previous suicide attempt
Harry Kettle - December 17, 2019
UFC featherweight contender Megan Anderson has opened up about her mental health issues during a recent interview with ESPN. Anderson, who is scheduled to fight Norma Dumont Viana at UFC Norfolk, is coming off the back of her second win in the Ultimate Fighting Championship where she was able to defeat Zarah Fairn Dos Santos via submission.
UFC 245 fighter salaries: Disclosed event payroll tops 4 million
Harry Kettle - December 17, 2019
In the wake of the blockbuster UFC 245 event this past weekend, the payroll for all fighters that featured on the card — both main and under — have been released. The UFC 245 show saw three title fights headline at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with arguably the two biggest stories of the evening being Kamaru Usman successfully retaining his Welterweight Championship and Alexander Volkanovski winning the Featherweight Championship.
Ben Askren takes aim at 'dork' Conor McGregor after NMF Title tweet
Harry Kettle - December 17, 2019
There’s a lot to be said for Conor McGregor’s persona, mainly because it’s gotten him to such a high point within the landscape of mixed martial arts. The popular Irishman has certainly hit a few speed bumps along the way in the last few years, but now that he has his return fight against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone officially booked, many fans are anticipating that this could be his return to winning ways – with 2020 being highlighted as a potentially defining year for his career.
Honorio Banario looks back at year of losses as year of learning
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 17, 2019
Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio Banario has a few realizations as the year comes to a close. The 30-year-old competed thrice this year but unfortunately, he came up short in all three bouts. Banario, a seasoned veteran, took these losses as lessons that would help him reclaim victory the next time he enters the ring.
Urijah Faber had 'so much fun' in Petr Yan scrap, not opposed to fighting again
Cole Shelton - December 16, 2019
Urijah Faber came up short against Petr Yan last weekend but he enjoyed every second of the fight. To open the UFC 245 pay-per-view main card, Faber was looking to be the first person to hand the Russian a loss inside the Octagon. Yet, that did not happen as Yan knocked Faber out with a head kick in the third round. The UFC Hall of Famer was also dropped numerous times in the fight.
Stephen Thompson presented NMF Belt, Conor McGregor issues instant challenge
Christopher Taylor - December 16, 2019
Former two-time UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson was presented the ‘NMF Belt’ earlier today, this while serving as guest on The Helwani Show. The ‘Nicest Mother F*cker’ belt (seen below), was gifted to ‘Wonderboy’ by Ariel Helwani and Paradigm Sports Management.
Owen Roddy says Conor McGregor wants Jorge Masvidal then Khabib after 'Cowboy' fight
Cole Shelton - December 16, 2019
Conor McGregor’s coach Owen Roddy says the Irishman has already formulated a gameplan for 2020, which includes a welterweight bout with Jorge Masvidal. ‘Mystic Mac’ is set to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 246 against Donald Cerrone. According to Roddy, the plan after is for Conor McGregor to fight Masvidal.
Leon Edwards 'not impressed' with Kamaru Usman's UFC 245 performance
Natasha Hooper - December 16, 2019
Number 4 ranked welterweight fighter, Leon Edwards was not impressed with Kamaru Usman’s performance at UFC 245. The welterweight champion, Usman, squared off with his bitter rival Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 245 on Saturday December 14th. The elite wrestler’s utilized a different part of their MMA skillset, battling it out in a striking war for the better part of five rounds. Both fighters delivered impressive performances, but Usman used his striking accuracy and power to overthrow his opponent. He finished Covington by TKO in the final minute of round five and successfully defended his welterweight title for the first time with the win.
Kamaru Usman views Leon Edwards as top welterweight contender
Tom Taylor - December 16, 2019
Kamaru Usman held onto the UFC welterweight title at UFC 245, knocking his challenger Colby Covington out in the fifth round. With this victory in the rear-view, the champion can now look ahead to his next challenge. He believes England’s Leon Edwards is the fighter most deserving of an opportunity.
Chael Sonnen feels Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington rematch is viable option
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 16, 2019
Chael Sonnen believes that one could make a case for booking a rematch between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington. Usman successfully defended his UFC welterweight gold against Covington this past Saturday night (Dec. 14) in the main event of UFC 245. “The Nigerian Nightmare” and “Chaos” had a back-and-forth battle. Usman scored the fifth-round TKO victory.
Cody Garbrandt wants Moscow scrap with Petr Yan after backstage altercation
Tom Taylor - December 16, 2019
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is currently gearing up for a high-stakes scrap with Raphael Assuncao. After a backstage altercation with Petr Yan at UFC 245, however, he’s already itching to settle his differences with the Russian in the cage thereafter. Responding to a fan on Twitter, Garbrandt welcomed a future fight with Yan — even on Yan’s home turf.
Max Holloway thought he did enough to get the win over Alex Volkanovski at UFC 245
Harry Kettle - December 16, 2019
Max Holloway has stated that he felt like he did enough to get the win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 245. The two men went head-to-head for the UFC Featherweight Championship in Las Vegas this past weekend, with the Australian challenger taking the title away from “Blessed” to bring his reign of dominance in the division to an abrupt end.
Tyson Fury drops head trainer, gets advice from Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - December 16, 2019
Tyson Fury has made a big change to his inner circle ahead of his anticipated February 22 rematch with “The Bronze Bomber” Deontay Wilder. According to a report from ESPN, Fury has parted ways with his head trainer Ben Davison. https://twitter.com/espnringside/status/1206300783249100801
Ben Askren believes Kamaru Usman made crucial error in UFC 245 post-fight interview
Tom Taylor - December 16, 2019
Kamaru Usman got the win he sought at UFC 245, weathering some early adversity to stop his ferocious challenger Colby Covington in the fifth round. According to the newly retired Ben Askren, however, Usman made one key blunder at UFC 245: He fibbed to the fans in his post-fight interview. Early on in his interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, Usman claimed that he was too mentally tough to be phased by Covington’s pre-fight trash talk. Shortly thereafter, he attributed his early blunders in the fight to being too emotional due to Covington’s pre-fight trash talk.
Sponsor terminated agreement with Colby Covington prior to UFC 245
Tom Taylor - December 16, 2019
Prior to UFC 245, which went down last Saturday in Las Vegas, welterweight title challenger Colby Covington had a falling out with his sponsor Cannafornia Inc., a California-based cultivator, manufacturer and supplier of cannabis for the medical and recreational market. According to a release from Cannafornia, Covington failed to hold up his end of the sponsorship agreement, and even began a business relationship with one of Cannafornia’s competitors. He then demanded more money from Cannafornia.
Joseph Benavidez rips Henry Cejudo after ‘Triple C’ calls out Jose Aldo
Natasha Hooper - December 16, 2019
Joseph Benavidez slammed Henry Cejudo for ducking a potential flyweight title fight and calling out new bantamweight contender Jose Aldo instead. Last weekend at UFC 245, Jose Aldo proved naysayers wrong by fighting on top form against Marlon Moraes— despite a significant weight cut to make the bantamweight limit.
Dustin Poirier reacts to Colby Covington’s loss at UFC 245
Natasha Hooper - December 16, 2019
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC 245, Colby Covington challenged the welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. “Chaos” and “The Nigerian Nightmare” battled it out for almost five whole rounds in a riveting affair. Both men landed plenty of meaningful offense, with Usman even breaking Covington’s jaw mid-way through the fight, but the both maintained their composure and fought on.
Jose Aldo reacts following controversial loss to Marlon Moraes at UFC 245
Harry Kettle - December 16, 2019
Jose Aldo has taken the time to react to his disappointing bantamweight defeat at the hands of Marlon Moraes. The two Brazilians went toe to toe at UFC 245 this past weekend in what was one of the most anticipated bouts of the night – mainly so fans could get an idea of what Aldo was going to look like at his new weight class. In the end, though, he wound up losing an incredibly close split decision to the dismay of the fans in attendance.




