MMA News
Robert Whittaker vs. Jared Cannonier, Johnny Walker vs. Nikita Krylov targeted by the UFC
Adam Martin - December 4, 2019
The UFC has targeted an intriguing middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier as well as an exciting light heavyweight matchup between Johnny Walker and Nikita Krylov. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani revealed the news on his Twitter.
Yana Kunitskaya says Aspen Ladd's last fight proved she is beatable
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2019
Yana Kunitskaya is looking to put Aspen Ladd on losing streak for the first time in her career. On the main card of the UFC’s imminent return to Washington D.C., Ladd is returning after the quick 16-second knockout loss to Germaine de Randamie in July. Kunitskaya believes that fight proved Ladd is beatable and she is confident she will make it two losses in a row.
Jose Aldo explains why Volkanovski loss 'hurt a lot more' than McGregor KO
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has only experienced a handful of losses over the course of his legendary career. Not all of those losses stung the same. Speaking to MMA Fighting ahead of his UFC 245 battle with Marlon Moraes, which will mark his bantamweight debut, Aldo divulged that his early 2019 decision loss to Alexander Volkanovski, which occurred in his native Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, “hurt a lot more” than his infamous, 13-second knockout loss to Conor McGregor in 2015.
Michael Bisping believes Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson will do 'huge numbers'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 4, 2019
Michael Bisping sees Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson pulling in big pay-per-view numbers for the UFC. Nurmagomedov is scheduled to put his UFC lightweight title on the line against Ferguson on April 18 in Brooklyn, NY. Fight fans are crossing their fingers as this matchup has been booked several times in the past but to no avail. Injuries and illnesses on both sides have prevented the bout from happening.
Gray Maynard released by the UFC
Adam Martin - December 4, 2019
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Gray Maynard has been released by the UFC after spending over 12 years with the promotion. MMAjunkie.com first reported that Maynard and the UFC had parted ways.
Jose Aldo gives weight update ahead of bantamweight debut
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
At UFC 245, which will go down on December 14 in Las Vegas, former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will debut in the bantamweight division against a fellow Brazilian in Marlon Moraes. Given that Aldo was always a pretty big featherweight — and that he’s struggled to make the featherweight limit of 145 pounds previously — many fans are worried he’ll struggle to make the 136-pound limit for his bantamweight fight with Moraes. Some fans flatly believe he’ll fail to hit that mark.
Chael Sonnen lists potential welterweight opponents for Conor McGregor in 2020
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
Conor McGregor has stated that he intends to fight three times in the year 2020. Chael Sonnen believes the Irish MMA star will make good on this plan. “Conor McGregor’s come out and said he wants to fight three times in 2020,” Sonnen said on his podcast. “If Conor McGregor has proved that he’s anything — anything — he’s a man of his word.
Jorge Masvidal to make MMA commentary debut at Combate Hidalgo
Adam Martin - December 4, 2019
UFC welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal will make his mixed martial arts commentary debut this Saturday at Combate: Hidalgo. The main event of Combate: Hidalgo features former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz against rival Alberto Del Rio. Masvidal is set to commentate the fight alongside play-by-play commentator Max Bretos and UFC women’s bantamweight contender Julianna Pena. The event takes place this Saturday night at Payne Arena in Hidalgo, Texas. It’s by far the biggest event in the history of Combate Americas and airs live on pay-per-view.
Chael Sonnen: Conor McGregor that fought Alvarez was possibly 'greatest talent that I've ever seen'
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
Chael Sonnen has always held Conor McGregor in high regard. Yet Sonnen’s latest comments about McGregor show just how impressed he has been with the Irishman over the years. He says McGregor’s 2016 knockout victory over Eddie Alvarez was perhaps the greatest fighting talent he’s ever witnessed.
Justin Gaethje: Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone fight is a 'freak show'
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
Justin Gaethje was one of several fighters hoping to welcome former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor back to the Octagon. Unfortunately for him, that lucrative and high-profile opportunity went to Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone — a man Gaethje defeated in August. Unsurprisingly, Gaethje is not particularly pleased with the way things have shaken out. Currently without an opponent, but eager to stake his claim to a title shot, he sounded off on this McGregor vs. Cerrone matchup during an appearance on MMA on SiriusXM.
CB Dollaway leaves UFC, gets RIZIN title shot
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
After receiving a two-year suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), middleweight veteran CB Dollaway has parted ways with the UFC. Yet his fighting days are not over yet. On Tuesday, it was announced that Dollaway has signed with Japanese promotion RIZIN Fighting Federation. Dollaway will make his RIZIN debut on the promotion’s big New Years Eve show, where he’ll take on the reigning light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka.
Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier argue over Conor McGregor
Natasha Hooper - December 4, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Daniel Cormier recently had a light-hearted argument over former two-division champion Conor McGregor. Training out of American Kickboxing Academy, the two UFC stars have become good friends in recent years. But, that doesn’t stop Cormier from speaking highly of fighters outside of the AKA walls — even those Nurmagomedov doesn’t like.
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.