MMA News
Corey Anderson calls Jon Jones a 'casual' MMA fan
Adam Martin - November 21, 2019
UFC light heavyweight contender Corey Anderson labeled UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones as a “casual” fan for his use of MMA math to justify fighting Dominick Reyes next. Jones wrote on Twitter that he wants to fight Reyes next instead of Anderson, and used the fact that Ovince Saint Preux knocked out Anderson while Reyes dominated OSP as the reason for why Reyes is the more dangerous opponent.
Brendan Schaub weighs in on Ben Askren's retirement
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 21, 2019
Brendan Schaub is giving Ben Askren props for giving it a shot with the UFC. Askren wrapped up his MMA career after going 1-2 under the UFC banner. “Funky” cited needing to undergo hip replacement surgery as the reason for his decision. While Askren’s UFC run may not have been a total success, his reigns as the Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight ruler haven’t gone unnoticed.
Cris Cyborg vs. Julia Budd betting odds released
Adam Martin - November 21, 2019
The opening betting odds have been released for the main event of Bellator Los Angeles between Bellator women’s featherweight champion Julia Budd and challenger Cris Cyborg. The online sportsbooks William Hill released the odds for Cyborg vs. Budd. Check them out below, courtesy of BestFightOdds.com.
ONE: Edge of Greatness - What's at stake?
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 21, 2019
Whenever the Singapore-based ONE Championship heads back to its home country, the event is a huge deal. The upcoming ONE: Edge of Greatness card will continue the long tradition of high-profile ONE events in Singapore. It takes place on 22 November at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The headline bout is a battle between ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao taking on his countryman Saemapetch Fairtex.
Jon Jones defends decision to fight Dominick Reyes over Corey Anderson
Harry Kettle - November 21, 2019
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has defended his decision to fight Dominick Reyes in his next bout as opposed to Corey Anderson. Jones hasn’t fought since International Fight Week when he narrowly edged out Thiago Santos via split decision, and ever since then, the light heavyweight division has certainly been busy. The two primary contenders that have been able to rise up and make a case for a title shot are Dominick Reyes and Corey Anderson, and after a great deal of speculation, it appears as if Jones has selected Reyes as his next opponent.
Nong-O Gaiyanghadao brings unique style to the ONE Championship ring
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 21, 2019
Once an athlete reaches the pinnacle of their sport, they can become content with remaining the same. That is not the case for reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao.
Allen Crowder announces retirement from MMA: 'I’ve had some memory problems'
Cole Shelton - November 21, 2019
Allen Crowder has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts. The former UFC heavyweight went 1-2 inside the Octagon.
Valentina Shevchenko booked for title defense opposite Katlyn Chookagian
Tom Taylor - November 21, 2019
UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is set to defend her title against top contender Katlyn Chookagian, according to a new report from Nolan King of MMA Junkie. The fight will reportedly occur at a February 8 pay-per-view card — most likely UFC 247 —in Houston, Texas.
Multiple fights booked for January’s UFC Raleigh card
Harry Kettle - November 21, 2019
More fights have been announced for the upcoming UFC Raleigh card on January 25. The show will take place at RNC Arena with a number of bouts already being set in stone by the UFC, including Curtis Blaydes vs Junior dos Santos and Frankie Edgar vs Cory Sandhagen, with the former being touted as the main event.
Leon Edwards waiting on Tyron Woodley to sign contract
Adam Martin - November 20, 2019
The manager for UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards says the UFC has offered his client a fight against Tyron Woodley and he is just waiting on ‘T-Wood’ to sign the contract. The manager for Edwards spoke to veteran MMA journalist Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com and told him that they have been speaking to the UFC for three months about a potential date with Woodley. At this point, Edwards has accepted the matchup, and he is just waiting for Woodley to accept it.
Luke Rockhold not interested in fighting Chris Weidman again
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2019
Luke Rockhold doesn’t know if he will ever step foot inside the Octagon again. But, if he does, it definitely won’t be for a second fight with Chris Weidman. The two fought at UFC 194 where Rockhold TKO’d Weidman in the fourth round to become the middleweight champion. It was a phenomenal fight, and many wanted to see them run it back. The pair were slated to rematch at UFC 199, but Weidman got hurt and Michael Bisping filled in and ended up knocking Rockhold out cold. With that, a rematch between Rockhold and Weidman no longer made sense.
Khabib Nurmagomedov rejects Conor McGregor's rematch request: 'We don't pay attention to idiots'
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2019
Ever since Conor McGregor lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 he has been clamoring for a rematch. Yet, if it is up to the Dagestani champion, the Irishman won’t be getting one, ever. Nurmagomedov has come out and said McGregor needs 10 wins before he gets a rematch. But, when asked about a fight in Moscow, the champion shut it down and believes the Irishman doesn’t even want the fight.
Tito Ortiz teases potential Combate America fight with Cain Velasquez
Tom Taylor - November 20, 2019
On December 7, former UFC lightweight heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz will collide with former WWE superstar Alberto El Patron. The pair’s fight will headline the biggest Combate Americas card to date. Speaking to Shakiel Mahjouri of Bloody Elbow ahead of this fight, Ortiz divulged that he has signed a three-fight deal with Combate Americas, and that their are likely more big fights coming for him.
Isaac Vallie-Flagg skeptical 'Iranian Hulk' will do well in BKFC
Tom Taylor - November 20, 2019
During the broadcast of last weekend’s BKFC 9 card, it was announced that the “Iranian Hulk” Sajad Gharibi has joined the bare knuckle promotion’s roster. Gharibi, who allegedly weighs almost 400lbs, is expected to make his debut in 2020.
Ben Askren wants to give television commentary a try
Adam Martin - November 20, 2019
Recently retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren says that he wants to give television commentary for MMA events a try now that his fighting career is over. Askren announced his retirement Monday on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, citing a need for hip replacement surgery as the main factor behind his decision. Askren was undefeated heading into the UFC with a 18-0, 1 NC record and was the former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion. But he struggled in the Octagon with just a 1-2 record, including back-to-back stoppage losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia.
Jan Blachowicz responds to Jon Jones snub
Tom Taylor - November 20, 2019
Jan Blachowicz, fresh off a split decision win over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in the UFC Sao Paulo main event, wants a crack at UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. The Polish light heavyweight contender has been calling for this opportunity ever since his win over Jacare was announced.
Dillon Danis targeted for next fight at Bellator Los Angeles
Adam Martin - November 20, 2019
According to a new report, Bellator star Dillon Danis is likely to take on Ian Butler at the Bellator Los Angeles event in January. Amy Kaplan of FanSided reported Tuesday that Danis is being targeted for the fight against Butler at Bellator LA, which takes place January 25, 2020, at The Forum in Inglewood, California. The main event of the card will see Bellator women’s featherweight champion Julia Budd put her title on the line when she takes on former UFC and Strikeforce champion Cris Cyborg.
Luke Rockhold is 'happy not fighting'
Tom Taylor - November 20, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold isn’t officially retiring, but after a string of tough losses, including a knockout at the hands of Jan Blachowicz in his last fight, he says he’s happy to be focusing on other things. “My head is content where I’m at right now,” Rockhold told MMA Fighting. “I’ve done a lot of things in the sport. I’m not trying to be a headline maker. I’m not trying to say I’m going to retire and then want to come back. I don’t like to close doors on things in life.