MMA News
Ali Abdelaziz sends a warning to UFC fighters regarding USADA: 'It’s them or us!'
Natasha Hooper - December 4, 2019
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz wants fighters to careful in their dealings with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Abdelaziz is the CEO of Dominance MMA. The company is responsible for a roster of MMA talent including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Frankie Edgar, Kamaru Usman, and Henry Cejudo (to name a few).
Ryuto Sawada left wrestling to pursue a career as a mixed martial artist
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 4, 2019
Ever since Ryuto Sawada stepped into the ONE Championship ring last year, he has claimed nothing but victories. Sawada won all three of his matches since his promotional debut. Now, Sawada is aiming to continue his winning streak against South African Bokang Masunyane at ONE: Mark of Greatness. The two go head-to-head at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 6 December.
Dan Hooker promises fight "to the death" against Paul Felder
Adam Martin - December 3, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker promises that he will “fight tooth and nail to the death” when he meets rival Paul Felder at UFC Auckland next year. The UFC recently announced that Hooker and Felder will headline UFC Fight Night 169, which is set to take place on February 22 at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. The two have been talking plenty of trash to each other on social media the last few months and the UFC matchmakers decided they had to strike while the iron is hot and book the fight.
Anthony Smith provides update on return to action
Mike Pendleton - December 3, 2019
Former light heavyweight title challenger Anthony “Lionheart” Smith hasn’t been inside the Octagon since defeating Alexander Gustafsson in June of 2019, but there could be a return on the horizon for him. Hosting his weekly show MMA Tonight on Sirius XM’s Fight Nation, Smith discussed his looming return to the Octagon and how he could have good news within the coming weeks.
Alberto Del Rio says he's going to end Tito Ortiz's career on Saturday
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2019
Alberto Del Rio is returning to the cage when he takes on Tito Ortiz on Saturday in Combate Americas. And, it may be the last time Ortiz fights according to Del Rio. It is a very interesting fight and one Del Rio is a heavy underdog in. Chael Sonnen has even come out and said this fight will be fixed, which Del Rio denies.
Israel Adesanya hypes up his ground game: 'Khabib isn't the only one who can maul people'
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2019
Israel Adesanya says his ground game is one of the best in mixed martial arts although no one has really seen it. Adesanya, who is the current UFC middleweight champion, came from a kickboxing background and says he takes offense to boxers saying they are the best fighters out there. He says MMA fighters are the top because of the fact they have to work the ground game as well as other martial arts.
Paul Felder signs new contract with UFC ahead of Dan Hooker fight
Adam Martin - December 3, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder has signed a new contract with the UFC ahead of his fight against Dan Hooker in New Zealand. It was revealed this week that Felder will be taking on Hooker in the main event of UFC Fight Night 169. The event is set to take place on February 22 at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. According to a new report from MMAFighting.com’s Damon Martin, Felder has officially signed a new contract with the UFC as part of taking the fight with Hooker.
Cynthia Calvillo rips former teammate Paige VanZant for 'bullcrap' Instagram callout
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2019
Cynthia Calvillo was one of many strawweight and flyweight fighters to be called out in a recent Instagram post from Paige VanZant. She didn’t appreciate this move from her former Team Alpha Male teammate — especially when VanZant deleted her replies. “Normally when it comes to Paige, I feel like I just roll my eyes because it’s like whatever,” Calvillo explained when speaking to MMA Fighting. “I know her, I know who she is, I know what she’s all about. We actually lived together for a little bit. I know her very, very well. For me, I personally do not care. I don’t care what she does. We’re on two different paths when it comes to fighting but she did put me in that list of fighters.
Curtis Blaydes makes prediction for Miocic vs. Cormier trilogy fight
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2019
Curtis Blaydes is scheduled to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC Raleigh, where he’ll take on former UFC heavyweight champ Junior dos Santos. If Blaydes wins this fight, he’ll be well positioned for a title shot opposite the winner of a yet unscheduled heavyweight title fight between reigning champion Stipe Miocic and former champion Daniel Cormier. Given his position in the heavyweight rankings, Blaydes will be watching this Miocic vs. Cormier fight — which will mark the pair’s third meeting — very closely. And when the cage door closes, he expects the reigning champion Miocic to come out on top.
Mike Winkeljohn hopes atomweight division happens for Michelle Waterson; also want Namajunas rematch
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2019
Michelle Waterson had a chance to earn a strawweight title shot with a win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the main event of UFC Tampa. Yet she lost by decision which sent her back to the drawing board. Her coach Mike Winkeljohn knows Waterson can be a top-fighter at 115-pounds but hopes the UFC starts an atomweight division. If that happens, he is confident Waterson would become a UFC champion.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says he's more motivated to fight Tony Ferguson than any of his last four opponents
Adam Martin - December 3, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says that he’s more motivated to fight Tony Ferguson than any of his last four opponents. Nurmagomedov defeated highly-skilled and elite opponents in Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor, Al Iaquinta and Edson Barboza in his last four fights. All four of those opponents are extremely talented and dangerous in their own rights, but Nurmagomedov feels that Ferguson presents a far more threatening challenge.
UFC 245: 'Usman vs. Covington' fight card and start time
Natasha Hooper - December 3, 2019
UFC 245 promises to be a star-studded fight card. The event will take place in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on the December 14. In the UFC 245 main event, the current welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, will look to defend his title for the first time against Colby Covington. “The Nigerian Nightmare” claimed the belt from Tyron Woodley in their UFC 235 bout by unanimous decision. Likewise, Covington has been riding high on an impressive streak victories. Most recently, “Chaos” dominated former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler throughout five rounds to take the unanimous decision victory.
Zabit Magomedsharipov poses question to fans criticizing his cardio
Harry Kettle - December 3, 2019
Zabit Magomedsharipov has defended himself against critics who have questioned his cardio and whether or not it can compare with the top names in the featherweight division. Magomedsharipov has long since been viewed as one of the rising stars in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, with his current record within the company being 6-0. However, his last bout against Calvin Kattar raised some questions as to whether or not he is capable of sustaining his quality for five rounds after Kattar was able to work his way back into the contest in the third.
Tony Ferguson discusses 'unpleasant' negotiations for Khabib Nurmagomedov fight
Harry Kettle - December 3, 2019
UFC star Tony Ferguson has provided details on the negotiations that led to his Lightweight Championship fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov being booked. For years now fans have been truly desperate to see these two men square off in the Octagon – but on four separate occasions, fate stepped in the way. Alas, now, the hope is that the fifth time will be the charm as Ferguson and Nurmagomedov prepare to go head to head on April 18 in Brooklyn, New York.
Kamaru Usman says welterweight is the most exciting division in the UFC
Adam Martin - December 2, 2019
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says that the 170lbs weight class is the most exciting division right now in the UFC. Usman won the UFC welterweight championship earlier this year when he dominated Tyron Woodley en route to a lopsided decision at UFC 235. He is set to make his first title defense when he takes on arch-rival Colby Covington at UFC 245 next weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tony Ferguson sends a warning to "nervous" Khabib Nurmagomedov
Christopher Taylor - December 2, 2019
Tony Ferguson will challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov for the promotions undisputed lightweight title in the main event of UFC 249 on April 18 in Brooklyn, New York. The highly anticipated bout was made official on Friday evening, this after ‘El Cucuy’ signed his half of the title fight contract.
Justin Gaethje: "I'm the guy waiting for the title shot"
Mike Pendleton - December 2, 2019
With reports of a lightweight title fight between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov being booked for April 2020 and other lightweight fights being announced recently, top contender Justin Gaethje is without a scheduled fight, and he seems to be okay with that. Business has picked up in a major way in the UFC’s lightweight division with the recent bookings of Conor McGregor vs Donald Cerrone (scheduled to take place at welterweight) and Paul Felder vs Dan Hooker, both fights scheduled to take place in early 2020, but these fights also leave contenders like Gaethje waiting in the wings. While his former opponent Dustin Poirier believes Gaethje is the biggest threat to current champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Gaethje recently discussed his place within the division.
Corey Anderson vs. Jan Blachowicz headlines UFC New Mexico
Adam Martin - December 2, 2019
A light heavyweight bout between top contenders Corey Anderson and Jan Blachowicz is set to headline UFC Mexico City next February. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto broke the news of the Anderson vs. Blachowicz bout on his Twitter account. This UFC Fight Night card is set to take place on February 15, 2020, at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.