MMA News
Joe Rogan believes feud with Jon Jones benefits Israel Adesanya
Natasha Hooper - December 6, 2019
The newfound feud against Jon Jones will only benefit Israel Adesanya, according to Joe Rogan. The new middleweight champion began challenging the light heavyweight champion as part of his hunt for the official GOAT status. The pair have been butting heads, only adding to notoriety of each fighter and anticipation of a possible super fight. The MMA commentator Rogan believes Adesanya has all the necessary building blocks to become the UFC’s next major superstar:
Frankie Edgar reacts after booking short-notice fight with The Korean Zombie
Natasha Hooper - December 6, 2019
Frankie Edgar released a statement after it was confirmed he will replace Brian Ortega and fight Chan Sung Jung on Saturday December 21 at UFC Fight Night 165. Ortega was scheduled to face “The Korean Zombie” in the main event of UFC Busan. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that the Californian was out of the fight due to an undisclosed injury.
Photos | Jose Aldo looks very different ahead of bantamweight debut
Christopher Taylor - December 5, 2019
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will make his bantamweight debut at this month’s UFC 245 event when he squares off with Marlon Moraes. Aldo’s decision to drop down a weight class caught many by surprise, as the Brazilian has always struggled making the featherweight mark of 145-pounds. In addition, Aldo had previously expressed interest in moving up a division to join the UFC’s stacked 155-pound ranks.
Dana White says Tyson Fury is interested in fighting in the UFC
Adam Martin - December 5, 2019
UFC president Dana White said Thursday in a radio interview that boxing heavyweight superstar Tyson Fury is interested in fighting in the Octagon. There have been videos of Fury training mixed martial arts alongside Darren Till in England that have surfaced lately. Many assumed that was just a publicity stunt for Fury, but it appears as though there is a genuine interest in “The Gypsy King” to try his hand at MMA.
Dana White says two things need to happen before he books McGregor vs. Khabib rematch
Cole Shelton - December 5, 2019
UFC president, Dana White has laid out the plan for Conor McGregor to get his rematch against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Ever since McGregor lost to Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in the fourth-round by submission he has been clamoring for a rematch against the Russian. Yet, he won’t get an immediate rematch, but the groundwork is there for it to happen.
Frankie Edgar vs. 'The Korean Zombie' set as UFC Busan main event
Cole Shelton - December 5, 2019
The UFC has found a replacement for Brian Ortega to battle Chan Sung Jung in the main event of UFC Busan. MMA Junkie was first to report that Frankie Edgar has agreed to battle ‘The Korean Zombie’ in the main event. BJPENN.com has since confirmed that news with sources close to the situation.
Dana White confirms he will be working with Floyd Mayweather and that a deal is in place
Natasha Hooper - December 5, 2019
Dana White has confirmed speculation that a deal is in the works with Floyd Mayweather. Last month, rumours surfaced that the retired boxer would be making a cross-over into MMA. The undefeated 42-year old experienced an MMA clash first hand when he faced the UFC former two-division champion, Conor McGregor in a boxing bout. Mayweather won the 2017 bout by TKO and hasn’t fought since. However, last month he revealed that he has two fights planned for 2020 including a UFC cross-over bout. Rumours were bolstered as photos showed Mayweather sitting at a Basketball game accompanied by Dana White.
Uriah Hall explains why so many middleweights have called out Darren Till
Natasha Hooper - December 5, 2019
Uriah Hall has a message for new UFC middleweight contender Darren Till. England’s Till has is making some waves in the middleweight division. He stepped up from the welterweight division after suffering back-to-back losses against Tyron Woodley and BMF title winner Jorge Masvidal.
Joe Rogan wants Jorge Masvidal to fight winner of Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 5, 2019
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan hopes to see Jorge Masvidal challenge for the welterweight gold after UFC 245. The 170-pound champion, Kamaru Usman, will put his title on the line against Colby Covington on Dec. 14. The two will collide inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. While Masvidal appears to be in prime position for a title shot afterward, “Gamebred” has expressed more interest in bouts with Nick Diaz and Conor McGregor.
Kelvin Gastelum calls out Robert Whittaker
Tom Taylor - December 5, 2019
Kelvin Gastelum has lost his last two fights, and is ready for the opportunity to get back on track. He’s hoping to do so with a fight that eluded him previously: a matchup with former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Gastelum and Whittaker were scheduled to fight for the middleweight title in Australia in early 2019, when Whittaker still held the belt. Unfortunately, after a gruelling training for both parties, the fight was derailed at the last minute when Whittaker withdrew from the fight with a severe abdominal hernia that required emergency surgery.
Alistair Overeem has 'no words' after death of Aniah Blanchard
Tom Taylor - December 5, 2019
Alistair Overeem was originally expected to fight Walt Harris in the main event of the UFC’s Saturday night stop in Washington D.C., but Harris withdrew from the matchup amid an unbelievable tragedy. His daughter went missing in October, and was found dead — the victim of murder — in November.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik doubles down on Francis Ngannou callout: 'He's the boogeyman of the division'
Adam Martin - December 5, 2019
UFC heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik doubled down on his callout of Francis Ngannou, calling him “the boogeyman of the (heavyweight) division.” Rozenstruik recently said on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show that he plans on calling out Ngannou should he get by Alistair Overeem in the main event of this weekend’s UFC Washington, D.C. card.
MMA's legalization in France pushed back from January 1
Alfredo Zullino - December 5, 2019
It seems that the legalization of MMA in France won’t happen as soon as we thought. As reported by Le Parisien, the legalization of MMA has been postponed to February or even later, not on January 1 as originally planned. The Minister of Youth and Sports of France, Roxana Maracineanu, decided to hear more from French National Olympic and Sports Committee in order to make a call about MMA’s legalization.
Joe Rogan shares theory on Conor McGregor's decision to fight at welterweight
Tom Taylor - December 5, 2019
Joe Rogan has an interesting theory as to why Conor McGregor agreed to fight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at welterweight, rather than lightweight. Rogan suspects McGregor is a little tired of cutting weight, and that the Irishman views Cerrone as a lightweight who can compete at welterweight, rather than a true welterweight. In other words, he gets to enjoy an easy weight cut without having to fight a giant.
Alistair Overeem open to rematch with Francis Ngannou
Adam Martin - December 5, 2019
UFC heavyweight title contender Alistair Overeem says he is open to a rematch with Francis Ngannou should he get by Jairzinho Rozenstruik this weekend in the main event of UFC Washington, D.C. Overeem and Ngannou first met back at UFC 218 in December 2017. At the time, both men were on the path to a title shot and this was an important fight for both. But Ngannou proved to be the better man that night as he brutally knocked Overeem out with a video game-like uppercut in arguably the KO of the Year for 2017. Ngannou went on to fight Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight championship the next month and lost a decision.
Pro fighters make their picks for Alistair Overeem vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Cole Shelton - December 5, 2019
This Saturday, the UFC is back after a two-week break with an exciting card in Washington D.C. The card will be topped by a heavyweight fight between Alistair Overeem and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Heading into the fight, Overeem is a -120 favorite while the short-notice replacement is a +110 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believe Alistair Overeem’s experience will be too much for Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Frankie Edgar named as frontrunner to replace Ortega against 'Korean Zombie'
Tom Taylor - December 5, 2019
Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar could be looking at a busy few weeks. Last night, we were hit with the unfortunate news that recent featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega has been forced out of his fan-friendly showdown with “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung, which was tapped to headline the UFC’s debut in Busan, South Korea on December 21.
Benson Henderson issues statement following removal from Bellator Japan
Harry Kettle - December 5, 2019
Bellator lightweight contender Benson Henderson has issued a statement after he was pulled from the upcoming card Bellator Japan card due to injury. Henderson was set to go head to head with Michael Chandler for a second time at Bellator Japan in a rematch from their Bellator 165 encounter in November 2016. Chandler won that fight via split decision, retaining his Bellator Lightweight Championship in the process.