MMA News

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.

Harry Kettle - November 19, 2019

Amateur mixed martial arts fighter Saeideh Aletaha has died after suffering a brain injury during a bout this past weekend. Aletaha, 26, was injured during the Fast and Furious Fight Series event which occurred at Central Hall in the south coast city on Saturday night. She was transferred to Southampton General Hospital around 9 p.m. local time, but was pronounced dead later that evening.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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 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

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.

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.

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