MMA News
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.
Cory Sandhagen reacts to potentially losing Frankie Edgar matchup: 'Not cool'
Tom Taylor - December 5, 2019
Brian Ortega is out of the UFC Busan main event, and Frankie Edgar has been named as the man who could replace him against “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. That’s bad news for Cory Sandhagen, who was expected to welcome Edgar to bantamweight division at UFC Raleigh in January. While ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC is hoping Edgar can fight The Korean Zombie on December 21, and then fight Sandhagen at bantamweight as planned on January 25, that seems extremely unlikely.
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.
Molly McCann set to return against Ashlee Evans-Smith at UFC London
Harry Kettle - December 5, 2019
Molly McCann is set to return to the Octagon once again at UFC London in 2020, as she prepares to square off against Ashlee Evans-Smith at the O2 Arena on March 21. The news was broken by Jim Edwards last night. This will mark the continuation of a busy period for “Meatball” who will be taking part in her fourth fight in a little over twelve months, having gone 3-0 in 2019.
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.
Benson Henderson out, Michael Chandler receives new opponent for Bellator Japan
Natasha Hooper - December 5, 2019
The anticipated rematch between Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson will have to be put on hold as Henderson is out of their scheduled Bellator Japan bout. Henderson has suffered an injury, forcing him to withdraw from the Bellator Japan card.
Brian Ortega issues statement after being forced out of Korean Zombie fight
Christopher Taylor - December 4, 2019
Earlier this evening unfortunate news broke that Brian Ortega has been forced out this month’s UFC Busan main event against ‘The Korean Zombie’ Chan Sung Jung. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani was first to report the disappointing news citing an undisclosed injury had forced ‘T-City’ out of the highly anticipated featherweight matchup.
Jose Aldo has seven years of fighting left, still plans to box
Adam Martin - December 4, 2019
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo says he plans to fight for seven more years and suggested that he still plans on competing in boxing. Aldo will make his bantamweight debut next weekend at UFC 245 when he takes on Marlon Moraes. Should Aldo win that fight, he’s expected to be in the running to get a title shot against UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo. Perhaps the move down to bantamweight has revitalized Aldo, because he appears to have more drive now than he’s had in years.
VIDEO: "Salt Bae" says he wants fights with Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov
Natasha Hooper - December 4, 2019
The last few months have seen a multitude of media personalities take up MMA. Now “Salt Bae” is joining the likes of Logan Paul and Wiz Khalifa by trying his hand at combat sport. The 36-year old known as Nusret Gökçe, shot to fame after a video went viral of him sprinkling salt (with swag) over some meat. The clip amassed millions of views and propelled the Turkish chef to a new level of salt sprinkling stardom.
Israel Adesanya suggests a fight with Paulo Costa would be similar to McGregor-Aldo
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2019
Israel Adesanya says a potential bout with Paulo Costa would be similar to Conor McGregor’s fight against Jose Aldo. Of course, in that fight, the Irishman knocked out Aldo in just 13 seconds with the first punch he threw. He also trash-talked the Brazilian leading up to the fight and many believe McGregor was in Aldo’s head.
Diego Sanchez signs new deal with UFC, fights Michel Pereira in New Mexico
Adam Martin - December 4, 2019
Long-time UFC veteran Diego Sanchez has re-signed a new contract with the world’s leading MMA promotion after briefly testing free agency. The UFC announced Wednesday that Sanchez has signed a new deal with the company and he will take on showman Michel Pereira in a welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night 167. The event takes place on February 15 at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
Jose Aldo leaning toward Max Holloway win at UFC 245
Tom Taylor - December 4, 2019
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has fought current UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway and top featherweight contender Alexander Volkanovski. As such, he has unique insight into the pair’s upcoming featherweight title fight, which is scheduled for the co-main event of UFC 245 on December 14. Aldo believes that, when the cage door closes on Holloway and Volkanovski on December 14, the champion will probably retain his title due to his size, skill and durability. That said, he acknowledges Volkanovski could win the fight.
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.