MMA News

Harry Kettle - November 19, 2019

Nick Diaz’s former coach Cesar Gracie believes that the former Strikeforce star would “crush” guys like Jorge Masvidal when he’s at his best. Diaz hasn’t fought inside the Octagon since back in January 2015, almost five years ago, in his main event showdown with Anderson Silva which was overturned to a no contest. Ever since then he’s largely stayed away from the MMA bubble, with his younger brother Nate taking advantage of that by becoming one of the biggest stars in the sport.

BJPENN.COM Staff - November 19, 2019

For Amir Khan, staying active and constantly preparing for ONE Championship action seemed like the right idea at the time. However, the 25-year-old Khan quickly realized that he was putting himself into the wrong situations, and the end result was three consecutive defeats.

Cole Shelton - November 19, 2019

Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington will finally share the Octagon in the main event of UFC 245. The two have been rumored to fight each other ever since Usman won the title at UFC 235. Yet, until now, the two sides could never agree to a contract.

Harry Kettle - November 19, 2019

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has spoken out about who he believes to be the biggest threat within his division. Adesanya finally completed his ascent to the top at middleweight back at UFC 243, as he defeated Robert Whittaker to claim the title. Ever since then we’ve heard a million and one different stories regarding what could be next for “The Last Stylebender”, with Yoel Romero emerging as the primary contender after Paulo Costa was put on the shelf through injury.

Cole Shelton - November 18, 2019

Darren Till entered the elite of the middleweight rankings when he edged out a win over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 244. Shortly after the bout, The Liverpool native made it known he didn’t want to fight Yoel Romero next. Yet, to much surprise, Till later called out Romero on social media. He would later walk back on that challenge, claiming he called the Cuban out for fun and did so while he was very drunk.

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.

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.

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.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 18, 2019

UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping can see Tyson Fury making a smooth transition to MMA. Fury has expressed interest in sharing the Octagon with top UFC heavyweights in the future. The lineal boxing heavyweight champion is set to meet Deontay Wilder a second time in early 2020. First, Wilder must take care of business in a rematch with Luis Ortiz this Saturday night (Nov. 23).

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.

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.

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.

Tom Taylor - November 18, 2019

Ben Askren has announced his retirement from MMA. Askren made this announcement on Monday’s edition of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, adding that he requires a hip replacement, and will undergo this complicated procedure now that his fighting days are done.

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.

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.

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

Natasha Hooper - November 18, 2019

The Schmo has won over fans with his quirky and funny interviews, now he intends to win over more fans with a charity grappling match against ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani. Self-proclaimed as “a much needed breath of fresh air in sports journalism”, The Schmo is known for his trademark yellow shades and distinct interviewing style that intrigues fighters as much as it amuses them. His “Schmo and the Pro” series featured on his Youtube channel include chats with MMA stars such as Dana White and Georges St-Pierre, as well as stars of the boxing world.

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.