MMA News
Amanda Nunes shares her take on why Cris Cyborg turned down a rematch in UFC
Natasha Hooper - December 11, 2019
Amanda Nunes recently theorized on why a rematch with Cris Cyborg never came to fruition in the UFC. “The Lioness” defeated Cyborg via a shocking first-round KO in their December, 2018 fight. UFC President Dana White claimed that Cyborg didn’t want a rematch. However, Cyborg has always maintained her stance that she always wanted a rematch.
Jon Fitch says he can beat anyone in the UFC welterweight top 15
Adam Martin - December 11, 2019
Bellator welterweight contender Jon Fitch says that even though he’s an “old fart” he can still beat anyone in the top-15 UFC welterweight rankings. Fitch fought for the UFC between 2005 and 2013 before being unceremoniously dumped by the promotion following a loss to Demian Maia at UFC 156. Fitch ended up signing with WSOF and was the welterweight champion in WSOF and later PFL before the promotion released him and he signed with Bellator.
PHOTOS | Hulking Senegalese wrestler Oumar Kane to make his MMA debut this weekend
Alfredo Zullino - December 11, 2019
A dangerous new force is about to make his mixed martial arts debut. Undefeated Senegalese wrestler Oumar Kane, also known as “Reug Reug,” is going to fight on December 14 in the first ever ARES Fighting Championship show in Dakar, Senegal. The card will air on UFC Fight Pass.
Dana White: UFC could be 'looking at' Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor rematch 'down the line'
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, two of the most heated rivals in UFC history, both have fights booked. Nurmagomedov will defend the lightweight title against Tony Ferguson in April of the new year, while McGregor is slated to return to the cage against Donald Cerrone on January 18 in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to UFC President Dana White, McGregor and Nurmagomedov will likely fight each other again thereafter if they win these upcoming challenges.
Arnold Schwarzenegger praises UFC commentator Joe Rogan: 'I’m proud of you'
Harry Kettle - December 11, 2019
Hollywood legend Arnold Schwarzenegger has praised UFC commentator Joe Rogan for changing his stance on “The Game Changers” documentary. The doc focused on the benefits of plant-based eating for athletes, but alongside Chris Kresser, M.S., L.Ac., Rogan changed his tune after discussing the matter with James Wilks on a recent podcast. The honesty of Rogan in letting the world know that he had jumped to conclusions was met with a lot of praise, including from Schwarzenegger.
Bryce Mitchell calls out Floyd Mayweather: 'I'll hit Floyd so damn hard he'll be able to read a book'
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2019
Bryce Mitchell is the latest MMA fighter to call out Floyd Mayweather. Yet, the Arkansas native says his issue with the boxer happened 10 years ago and he wants to fight him for it. Bryce Mitchell also says he’ll hit Mayweather so hard he’ll finally be able to read. Of course, Conor McGregor joked that the boxer couldn’t read in the lead up to their fight.
Paul Felder shares bold prediction for fight with Dan Hooker at UFC Auckland
Natasha Hooper - December 10, 2019
Paul Felder will be back in the Octagon to face rising contender, Dan Hooker in his opponent’s home turf of Auckland. The lightweight fighters will collide in the main event of the February 2020 showdown. Their intense staring contest last week was enough to get fans hyped for the upcoming event, and Paul Felder confirmed that the tension was completely real: Felder said (via MMA Junkie): “As far as intensity, that was real. I went down to New Zealand expecting a little bit of that from Dan because of how we interacted on social media. We kind of went back-to-forth a little bit. But that’s what it’s all about.
Urijah Faber says UFC 245 could be his final fight but nothing is certain
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2019
When Urijah Faber makes the walk to the Octagon in Las Vegas at UFC 245, the Hall of Famer says it could be the last time. Faber already retired once from the sport and made a massive return earlier this year with a knockout win over Ricky Simon. Now, at UFC 245, “The California Kid” will battle Petr Yan where Faber believes he will probably win by stoppage.
Urijah Faber doesn’t think bantamweight move is good for Jose Aldo
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2019
Urijah Faber has revealed that he doesn’t believe Jose Aldo’s move down to bantamweight is a good idea. Aldo is set to face off against Marlon Moraes at UFC 245 this weekend, although there have been more than a few concerns from fans and media members alike regarding whether or not the Brazilian would physically be able to get down to the necessary weight.
Ben Saunders coming to 'steal the show with Matt Brown' at UFC 245
Mike Heck - December 10, 2019
Saturday night’s UFC 245 fight card is absolutely stacked. With three title fights and two very intriguing bantamweight matchups making up the main card, along with a slew of fascinating preliminary fights, the organization’s year end pay-per-view is shaping up to be one of 2019’s best. In addition, a welterweight matchup between Ben Saunders and Matt Brown — veterans of over 40 combined Octagon appearances — has a chance to steal the show away from the fights on the marquee. Saunders and Brown will compete during the ESPN2 preliminary card at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “Killa B” is looking to snap a three fight skid against a performance bonus magnet in Brown, who hasn’t competed since knocking out Diego Sanchez over two years ago and briefly retired from the sport.
Michael Bisping questions Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Alistair Overeem stoppage
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2019
Michael Bisping believes Alistair Overeem should’ve been given more of a chance in the final moments of his bout with Jairzinho Rozenstruik. This past Saturday night (Dec. 7), Rozenstruik vs. Overeem headlined UFC Washington. The bout was widely viewed as eventful and Overeem appeared to be well on his way to a unanimous decision victory. With just four seconds left in the fight, Rozenstruik cracked Overeem with a right hand to send him crashing to the canvas. Overeem suffered a gnarly lip split and referee Dan Miragliotta stopped the fight.
Duke Roufus says Donald Cerrone will train with him ahead of Conor McGregor fight
Mike Pendleton - December 10, 2019
Duke Roufus has a team full of superstar fighters including top lightweight contenders Paul Felder and Anthony Pettis at Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and after the Christmas holiday, another top fighter will be visiting to get some work in: Donald Cerrone. Ahead of his welterweight fight against former UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor, “Cowboy” will be making a trip up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to train with Duke Roufus and his team. Roufus announced this news while making an appearance on The Luke Thomas Show this past Friday.
Possible opponents for Vitor Belfort's ONE Championship debut
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 10, 2019
Vitor Belfort is already a legend. Throughout his career, Belfort had broken barriers and reinvented himself. He’s gone from being a brawler who specialized in disposing of his opponents as quickly as possible to a more well-rounded athlete capable of submitting his foes as well as knocking them out.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's father discusses training strategy for Tony Ferguson fight
Natasha Hooper - December 10, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father and coach Abdulmanap recently opened up on the preparation for Khabib’s upcoming bout against Tony Ferguson. The undefeated lightweight champion Nurmagomedov is expected to face off against No. 1 ranked lightweight contender Ferguson at UFC 249 in April 2020. This will be the fifth time the athletes have attempted to fight. Both fighters withdrew from their previous bouts for various reasons including health complications. Nurmagomedov’s father Abdulmanap believes the prior cancellations only add to the importance of the fifth (and hopefully final) attempt at the matchup.
VIDEO | Jairzinho Rozenstruik gets hero's welcome in Suriname
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2019
Jairzinho Rozenstruik picked up the biggest win over his career over the weekend, scoring a last-minute knockout over former Strikeforce, Dream and K-1 heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem in the main event of the UFC’s latest stop in Washington, D.C. When he arrived home in his native Suriname, Rozenstruik received a welcome worthy of this feat, as he was swarmed by fans, journalists, and photographers. See it below (via Ariel Helwani on Twitter):
UFC 245 | Pro fighters make their picks for Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington title fight
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2019
In the main event of UFC 245, Kamaru Usman will look to defend his welterweight title for the first time when he battles his arch rival, Colby Covington. Heading into the fight, the champion is a -185 favorite while “Chaos” is a +150 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. This time around, the pros are split, as the majority believe it will be a close fight where it could go either way.
PHOTO | Israel Adesanya is looking jacked
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2019
Israel Adesanya seems to have packed on some size. The UFC middleweight champion flaunted his impressive physique in a recent Instagram post, attributing his apparent gains to all the “‘Murica food” he ate during his recent travels in the United States.
Max Holloway still wants Khabib Nurmagomedov fight
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2019
UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway and UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov were briefly scheduled to battle for the lightweight title in early 2018. Unfortunately, this super fight never materialized. That being said, Holloway still wants it, and is still optimistic it will happen.