MMA News
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.
Tito Ortiz stopped managing 'Cyborg' after butting heads with her boyfriend
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2019
Tito Ortiz was the long-time manager of Cris Cyborg, but ended his working relationship with the Brazilian MMA legend shortly after she lost to Amanda Nunes in late 2018. Speaking to James Lynch of the Score, Ortiz explained why he decided to cease managing Cyborg. According to the former UFC light heavyweight champion Cyborg’s boyfriend Ray Elbe — who also handles some of her management — was making “bad decisions” for her career.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tyron Woodley says losing UFC welterweight title to Kamaru Usman humbled him
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 2, 2019
Tyron Woodley is able to see the positives in his defeat to Kamaru Usman. Back in March, Woodley put the UFC welterweight championship on the line against Usman. While “The Chosen One” had looked unstoppable at 170 pounds, Usman had the style and pressure to dethrone Woodley after five rounds of one-sided action. “The Nigerian Nightmare” was the new welterweight king and Woodley suffered his first loss since June 2014.
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.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik eyes knockout over Alistair Overeem en route to a title shot in 2020
Cole Shelton - December 2, 2019
Jairzinho Rozenstruik may be the newcomer of the year in 2019 for the UFC. He didn’t have his first UFC fight until February of this year where he knocked out Junior Albini in the second round. It was an impressive debut, but Rozenstruik did even better in his next fights, with a nine-second knockout win over Allen Crowder, then a 29-second knockout win over Andrei Arlovski.
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.