MMA News
Francis Ngannou has meeting with Dana White, teases big fight announcement
Adam Martin - November 18, 2019
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou said he had a productive meeting with UFC president Dana White and teased a big fight announcement. Ngannou has taken to social media in recent weeks to share his intense frustration for not having had a fight booked since his TKO win over Junior dos Santos back in June. He criticized the promotion for not giving him the Alexander Volkov matchup at UFC Moscow, an opportunity that Greg Hardy got instead. Ngannou then accused the UFC of using him as a gatekeeper and not viewing him as a true title challenger despite his three-fight win streak over JDS, Cain Velasquez and Curtis Blaydes.
Jason Knight calls for boxing match against Paulie Malignaggi, 'The Magic Man' responds
Cole Shelton - November 18, 2019
Jason Knight picked up his first win in bare-knuckle boxing and now he is looking to strap on the gloves and fight Paulie Malignaggi. Knight is coming off of a fifth-round TKO win over Artem Lobov at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 9 on Saturday. Malignaggi, meanwhile, also had a fight in BKFC where he lost by decision to Lobov. He then made it clear he was done with the sport. Yet, “Hick Diaz” is hoping the two can enter the boxing ring for a bout.
Ben Askren outlines the 'storybook ending' he would have preferred
Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019
Ben Askren is done fighting. The former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight king announced the end of his fighting career on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, adding that he now plans to undergo a hip replacement. Askren ends his fighting career on a two-fight skid, having come up short against Demian Maia and Jorge Masvidal, by knockout and submission, in his last two fights. While these losses expedited his decision to retire, he explained that he likely would have retired soon even if he’d been winning.
Ken Shamrock says doctor shouldn't have stopped Nate Diaz fight at UFC 244
Adam Martin - November 18, 2019
UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock believes the doctor should have let Nate Diaz continue to fight Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244. Shamrock is one of the pioneer’s of mixed martial arts and has seen everything there is to see in the sport. During a recent interview with Steven Marrocco of MMAFighting.com, Shamrock was asked what he thought about the controversial doctor stoppage in the Diaz vs. Masvidal fight at UFC 244. “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” said that the doctor should have given Diaz the opportunity to continue to fight.
Michael Bisping thinks Tyson Fury could be formidable in UFC
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 18, 2019
Zabit Magomedsharipov wants featherweight title shot next, but open to Yair Rodriguez fight
Adam Martin - November 18, 2019
UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov wants a featherweight title shot next, but he’s also open to a fight with Yair Rodriguez. Magomedsharipov recently defeated Calvin Kattar in the main event of UFC Moscow to improve his UFC record to a perfect 6-0. The victory improved his UFC record to 18-1 and he is currently riding a 14-fight win streak since his lone career defeat in 2013.
Ilir Latifi targeted for heavyweight debut opposite Derrick Lewis
Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019
Long-time UFC light heavyweight contender Ilir Latifi is reportedly headed up to the heavyweight division. According to ESPN, the Swede will hike up to heavyweight to battle fearsome knockout artist Derrick Lewis on February 8 — though contracts are not yet signed.
Khabib Nurmagomedov wants Tony Ferguson next, then GSP
Adam Martin - November 18, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager Rizvan Magomedov says that his client’s next fight will be against Tony Ferguson, then he wants Georges St. Pierre after that. Nurmagomedov recently defeated Dustin Poirier by stoppage at UFC 242 to improve his MMA record to a perfect 28-0, including a pristine 12-0 mark in the Octagon. With Ferguson also riding a 12-fight win streak, the fight between the two top-ranked lightweights in the sport seems destined to happen next, though it has not been officially booked yet.
The MMA community reacts to Ben Askren's retirement
Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019
Ben Askren has decided to hang up the gloves. The former ONE and Bellator welterweight title holder announced his retirement from mixed martial arts on Monday’s edition of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.
Weili Zhang responds to Joanna Jedrzejczyk: 'I am ready now'
Adam Martin - November 18, 2019
UFC women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang says she is ready to defend her title against Joanna Jedrzejczyk and wants the UFC to book the fight immediately. Jedrzejczyk recently spoke to the South China Morning Post and said she is willing to fight Zhang anywhere — even in China.
Anthony Johnson drops timeframe for UFC return, aims to 'just hurt people'
Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson has been teasing a return to the Octagon for some time. If he has his way, that return to action will occur in the summer of 2020. Speaking with The Mac Life ahead of Saturday’s BKFC 9 card, Johnson shared the ideal timeframe for his return, explaining that a summer fight will give him time to slim down and get back into fighting shape.
Artem Lobov issues statement after BKFC 9 loss to Jason Knight
Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019
On Saturday night, in the main event of BKFC 9, Artem Lobov and Jason Knight stepped into the ring for a second, gloveless scrap. While Lobov won a hard-fought decision in the pair’s first fight, Knight came out on top in the rematch, blasting his opponent with a fight-ending punch in round five. 5th Round KO for you WINNER Jason Knight!#BKFC9 pic.twitter.com/SQqFlXiY8d
UFC announces 2020 return to Auckland, New Zealand
Natasha Hooper - November 18, 2019
The UFC is set to return to Auckland, New Zealand in the New Year. This UFC Auckland card was announced by the promotion on Twitter. https://twitter.com/UFC_AUSNZ/status/1196208685070135296
What's next for Jan Blachowicz and Ronaldo Souza after UFC Sao Paulo?
Cole Shelton - November 18, 2019
Jan Blachowicz was looking to cement himself as a top contender at light heavyweight in the main event of UFC Sao Paulo. He was taking on Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza who was making his debut in the division after having mixed results at middleweight as of late. In the end, just like Luke Rockhold and Chris Weidman before him, Souza came up short as he lost by split-decision in a very lackluster fight. There was not a whole lot of action but the Pole did enough to earn the win.
Jared Gordon issues statement following KO loss to Charles Oliveira
Harry Kettle - November 18, 2019
UFC lightweight Jared Gordon has issued a statement in the wake of his defeat to Charles Oliveira at UFC Sao Paulo this past weekend. The main card clash between these two men was poised as being a potential show-stealer, and it certainly lived up to the hype, but unfortunately, Gordon didn’t have all too much to do with that.
Chuck Liddell defends comments on being able to defeat Mike Tyson
Harry Kettle - November 18, 2019
Chuck Liddell has clarified his previous comments regarding a potential fight between himself and heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson. Liddell was once known for being one of the scariest men on the planet during his prime with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was beating top contenders left, right and center, until all of a sudden, his career started to go downhill. His last outing came in 2018 when he was beaten by Tito Ortiz via first round knockout in their long-awaited trilogy fight.
Potential breakout stars at ONE: Edge of Greatness
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 18, 2019
Several martial artists have used Singapore Indoor Stadium as a launchpad for their careers. On 22 November, another group of warriors will have an opportunity to take a massive step in the journey to becoming champions. ONE: Edge of Greatness could be just that for at least four athletes. Colbey Northcutt
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua agrees to rematch Paul Craig after split draw at UFC Sao Paulo
Adam D Martin - November 17, 2019
UFC legend Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has agreed to a rematch against Paul Craig following their controversial split draw at UFC Sao Paulo. Rua and Craig battled toe-to-toe for three hard rounds. At the end of 15 minutes, the judges couldn’t decide on a winner as one scored it 29-28 Rua, one scored it 29-28 Craig, and the third and final judge scored it 28-28 for a rare split draw.
Charles Oliveira welcomes fights against Conor McGegor, Paul Felder and Khabib Nurmagomedov
Adam D Martin - November 17, 2019
Following his knockout victory over Jared Gordon at UFC Sao Paulo, UFC lightweight Charles Oliveira called out some of the biggest names in the division. “Do Bronx” said during the event’s post-fight press conference that he is open to fights against superstar Conor McGregor, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, and a rematch against rival Paul Felder. He would like to fight at UFC 245, if possible.