MMA News
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.
Aniah Blanchard, daughter of Walt Harris, was shot to death, prosecutors seeking death penalty
Adam Martin - December 2, 2019
Aniah Blanchard, the daughter of UFC heavyweight contender Walt Harris, was shot to death, according to the medical examiner. The man accused of the murder of Blanchard, 29-year-old Ibraheem Yazeed, is being charged with capital murder, and prosecutors in Alabama are seeking the death penalty.
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.
Tony Ferguson wants Conor McGregor vs. Donald Cerrone to end in a double knockout
Cole Shelton - December 2, 2019
Conor McGregor will make his highly-anticipated return to the Octagon on Jan. 18 when he battles Donald Cerrone at welterweight. It is a very interesting fight, that many people are torn on. Yet, for Tony Ferguson, he believes Cerrone may very well knock McGregor out. But, he hopes the fight ends in a double knockout.
Chael Sonnen believes Conor McGregor is 'coming after' Jorge Masvidal
Cole Shelton - December 2, 2019
Conor McGregor is fighting again at welterweight as he is set to take on Donald Cerrone in the main event of UFC 246. When the fight was announced, many were surprised the scrap if at 170-pounds. For Chael Sonnen, he believes the extra 15-pounds is actually a disadvantage for the Irishman. He thinks it will be tough for McGregor to knock out Cerrone at that weight.
Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk targeted for UFC 248
Adam Martin - December 2, 2019
The UFC women’s strawweight title will be on the line when champion Weili Zhang takes on challenger Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248. The card is set to take place on March 7, 2020, though no location or venue has officially been decided on yet. There have been rumors that this event may take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a main event of UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya taking on rival Yoel Romero.
Aljamain Sterling on Aldo, Edgar's bantamweight moves: 'It doesn’t make a ton of sense'
Tom Taylor - December 2, 2019
Former UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar and former UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo will both soon debut in the bantamweight division. Top bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling isn’t sure how these two decorated former champs will perform in this lighter weight class. “Two belts in two different weight classes would be historic, but they’re old in fight years, they’re older in age, and they’re fighting guys who are almost a decade younger than them – so it’s going to be very interesting to see how they do,” Sterling said on UFC Unfiltered recently (via MMA Junkie). “I’m not wishing them any type of ill will, but at the same time, I just wish they hug each other for 15 minutes and have boring fights.
Henry Cejudo takes another shot at Jose Aldo, declares himself 'The Real King of Rio'
Adam Martin - December 2, 2019
UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo took another shot at Jose Aldo on social media, declaring himself “The Real King of Rio.” Ever since Aldo announced that he is dropping down to 135lbs and fighting Marlon Moraes at UFC 245, there has been speculation that Aldo could be Cejudo’s next opponent. The two have spent the last few months taking shots at each other on social media, including Aldo posting a picture of Cejudo dressed as a gnome.
Tito Ortiz says he could beat Jon Jones right now
Cole Shelton - December 2, 2019
Tito Ortiz is preparing for his fight against Alberto Del Rio on Dec. 7, but he is dreaming of another bout. That is against UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones. Ortiz believes it would be a competitive fight and one that he could win.
Holly Holm vs. Raquel Pennington added to UFC 246
Tom Taylor - December 2, 2019
The upcoming UFC 246 card, which is scheduled for January 18 in Las Vegas, Nevada, keeps getting better. The latest addition to the stacked card is a women’s bantamweight bout between former champion Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington. News of this matchup was first reported by MMAJunkie.
Johnny Walker says he wants to break Chris Weidman's face to avenge Anderson Silva's losses
Adam Martin - December 2, 2019
UFC light heavyweight contender Johnny Walker says he wants to fight Chris Weidman and break his face to avenge Anderson Silva’s losses to him. Walker is coming off of an upset TKO loss to Corey Anderson at UFC 244 and admitted that he was battling depression heading into the fight. It was a loss that snapped a long win streak for Walker, and since then he’s taken to social media to call out Weidman, who himself is coming off of a TKO loss to Dominick Reyes at UFC Boston.
Combate Americas boss ranks Tito Ortiz as No. 1 P4P fighter over 40, ahead of Daniel Cormier
Adam Martin - December 2, 2019
Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren has released his list of the top-10 P4P fighters over the age of 40, and he has Tito Ortiz ranked in the No. 1 spot over Daniel Cormier. McLaren is one of the co-founders of the UFC and one of the most important men in the history of MMA. He later founded Combate Americas in 2011 and is presently the CEO of the company. Ortiz is the biggest free-agent signing in the history of the company.
Joe Rogan: Kevin Lee is 'not even in his prime'
Tom Taylor - December 2, 2019
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan believes the best is still to come for lightweight contender Kevin Lee. Rogan heaped praise on Lee during a conversation with Lee’s new coach Firas Zahabi.
Jihin Radzuan is determined to make a statement against Denice Zamboanga
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 2, 2019
In her first two years on the ONE Championship roster, Malaysia’s Jihin Radzuan has turned in thrilling performances in all of her bouts. She owns a professional record of five wins with only one loss, including two wins by submission and one by knockout. This Friday, 6 December, at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Radzuan returns to action at ONE: Mark of Greatness opposite the Philippines’ Denice “The Fairtex Menace” Zamboanga.
Alaverdi Ramazanov is laser-focused on capturing the ONE title
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 2, 2019
Like many other athletes, 25-year-old Alaverdi Ramazanov dreams of becoming a World Champion. In just a few days, that dream will be within his reach. The only man standing in his way is China’s Zhang Chenglong, whom he will face on December 6 for the inaugural ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship.
Colby Covington believes Dana White is 'a little afraid' of him
Tom Taylor - December 2, 2019
Colby Covington, who will challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title in the main event of UFC 245, has not seen UFC President Dana White since an early-November press conference. The pair exchanged some basic pleasantries at the presser, but not much else. That’s because Covington doesn’t really have anything nice to say to White, and believes White shares that sentiment.
Alistair Overeem discusses the keys to his longevity
Tom Taylor - December 2, 2019
Alistair Overeem has been around for a long, long time. Of the course of a 20-year combat sports career, the Dutchman has picked up titles in Strikeforce, Dream, and K-1 — and he’s still not done yet. Ahead of his upcoming showdown with Jairzinho Rozenstruik, which will top the UFC’s December 7 return to Washington, D.C., Overeem sat down with UFC.com and opened up on the mindset that has kept him competing at the highest level for so long.