MMA News
Glenn Robinson's daughters implore Colby Covington not to use father's death to promote UFC 245
Natasha Hooper - December 4, 2019
Colby Covington has shown little regard for those he offends with his trash-talking antics, and the family members of the deceased Blackzilians founder Glenn Robinson are no exception. Ahead of his upcoming UFC 245 title fight with Kamaru Usman, Covington took aim at the late Glenn Robinson who unfortunately died in 2018 of a suspected heart attack. Robinson was the man behind Blackzilians, the former training home of Usman.
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.
Israel Adesanya discusses the nickname he had before 'The Last Stylebender'
Harry Kettle - December 4, 2019
Before making his presence known as “The Last Stylebender”, Israel Adesanya actually went by a very different title. Adesanya has been all over the mixed martial arts world in the last few months following his monumental triumph over Robert Whittaker back at UFC 243. He made a statement in the main event of that card in Melbourne, finishing Whittaker within two rounds to become the UFC Middleweight Champion.
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.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik wants Francis Ngannou next: 'Two big scary guys'
Adam Martin - December 3, 2019
UFC heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik plans to call out Francis Ngannou if he beats Alistair Overeem this weekend in the main event of UFC Washington, D.C. Rozenstruik filled in on short notice for Walt Harris and is set to take on by far the biggest challenge of his MMA when he faces Overeem this weekend. Though Rozenstruik still needs to get by Overeem, he’s already thinking about who he wants to call out if he wins the fight, and that callout will be directed towards Ngannou.
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.
Paul Felder signs new contract with UFC ahead of Dan Hooker fight
Adam Martin - December 3, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder has signed a new contract with the UFC ahead of his fight against Dan Hooker in New Zealand. It was revealed this week that Felder will be taking on Hooker in the main event of UFC Fight Night 169. The event is set to take place on February 22 at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. According to a new report from MMAFighting.com’s Damon Martin, Felder has officially signed a new contract with the UFC as part of taking the fight with Hooker.
Tony Ferguson scolds fans who think Khabib Nurmagomedov fight is cursed: 'Go watch Bellator'
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2019
The UFC has attempted to book a fight between UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov and streaking contender Tony Ferguson four times. Shockingly — and to a degree that has caused some fight fans to label the matchup as cursed — the pair have never actually made it into the cage together. The UFC is now attempting to make this fight happen for a fifth time, having scheduled a title fight between the pair for UFC 249 in Brooklyn, New York this April.
Curtis Blaydes makes prediction for Miocic vs. Cormier trilogy fight
Tom Taylor - December 3, 2019
Curtis Blaydes is scheduled to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC Raleigh, where he’ll take on former UFC heavyweight champ Junior dos Santos. If Blaydes wins this fight, he’ll be well positioned for a title shot opposite the winner of a yet unscheduled heavyweight title fight between reigning champion Stipe Miocic and former champion Daniel Cormier. Given his position in the heavyweight rankings, Blaydes will be watching this Miocic vs. Cormier fight — which will mark the pair’s third meeting — very closely. And when the cage door closes, he expects the reigning champion Miocic to come out on top.
Mike Winkeljohn hopes atomweight division happens for Michelle Waterson; also want Namajunas rematch
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2019
Michelle Waterson had a chance to earn a strawweight title shot with a win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the main event of UFC Tampa. Yet she lost by decision which sent her back to the drawing board. Her coach Mike Winkeljohn knows Waterson can be a top-fighter at 115-pounds but hopes the UFC starts an atomweight division. If that happens, he is confident Waterson would become a UFC champion.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says he's more motivated to fight Tony Ferguson than any of his last four opponents
Adam Martin - December 3, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says that he’s more motivated to fight Tony Ferguson than any of his last four opponents. Nurmagomedov defeated highly-skilled and elite opponents in Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor, Al Iaquinta and Edson Barboza in his last four fights. All four of those opponents are extremely talented and dangerous in their own rights, but Nurmagomedov feels that Ferguson presents a far more threatening challenge.
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.