MMA News
Kamaru Usman plans to show Colby Covington 'I am more American than he is'
Tom Taylor - November 6, 2019
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman feels that he is more American than his UFC 245 challenger Colby Covington, who is an outspoken patriot and supporter of Donald Trump. Usman, who was born in Nigeria and immigrated to America, shared his thoughts in an interview with Kristine Leahy on FAIR GAME, asserting that he is the one living the American Dream — not his MAGA hat wearing rival.
Edmen Shahbazyan credits manager Ronda Rousey for quick UFC rise
Adam Martin - November 6, 2019
UFC middleweight Edmen Shahbazyan has quickly risen up the 185lbs rankings, and he partly credits his quick rise to his manager Ronda Rousey. The 21-year-old Shahbazyan is managed by the UFC Hall of Famer Rousey, the long-time women’s bantamweight champion. The California natie admits that her influence on his career is a big part of why he’s so quickly morphed into a top-10 UFC middleweight.
Josh Barnett to make Bellator debut against fellow UFC veteran Ronny Markes
Tom Taylor - November 6, 2019
Josh Barnett finally has a dance partner for his Bellator debut. The former UFC heavyweight champion will make his debut with the Viacom-owned promotion on Friday, December 20 in Hawaii, in the main event of Bellator’s second annual Salute the Troops event. This card will be part of a weekend double-header featuring two Bellator events.
Coach: 'We'd see the same thing' in Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz rematch
Mike Heck - November 6, 2019
Jorge Masvidal was masterful in the main event of UFC 244 against Nate Diaz and the BMF champion’s head coach Mike Brown believes that a rematch wouldn’t go much differently. “Gamebred” defeated the gritty and tough Diaz via third-round TKO due to the cage side doctor stopping the fight after a huge cut was opened above the right eye of Diaz. Many were disappointed in the ending of the highly anticipated welterweight showdown at MSG, but Masvidal was clearly ahead on the judges’ scorecards and certainly didn’t seem to be slowing down.
Rene Catalan believes it’s his time to rule strawweight division
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 6, 2019
Rene Catalan has waited long enough to meet Joshua “The Passion” Pacio for his ONE Strawweight World Title. On November 8 at the Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines, all eyes will be on both Filipinos as they headline ONE: Masters of Fate. Pacio is a two-time champion, but Catalan believes winning the golden strap is within his grasp. With Catalan’s knowledge, tenure, and continuous skill development, he believes he has what it takes to win.
Tito Ortiz reacts to Donald Trump attending UFC 244
Mike Heck - November 6, 2019
President Donald Trump attended a UFC event this past weekend — UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden — which seemingly gives the sport of mixed martial arts some added street cred in the world of sports, regardless of your political leanings. Many around the MMA community have reacted to the President’s appearance at MSG. Tito Ortiz, who headlined the first UFC event under the Zuffa banner at UFC 30 at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ, knocking out the late Evan Tanner in the main event back in 2001, was one of the latest to chime in.
Robert Whittaker believes a fight with Darren Till is inevitable following UFC 244
Natasha Hooper - November 6, 2019
Robert Whittaker believes his next challenge could be new middleweight contender, Darren Till. The former middleweight champion was very impressed by Till’s UFC 244 fight against Kelvin Gastelum. The British fighter rallied through a back and forth slugfest, but ultimately edged his opponent as the split-decision winner.
Corey Anderson clarifies release comments, willing to wait for Jones vs. Reyes winner
Harry Kettle - November 6, 2019
UFC light heavyweight contender Corey Anderson has clarified his recent remarks about wanting to be released from the UFC, and has also confirmed his plans for the immediate future. Anderson was able to derail the Johnny Walker hype train at UFC 244 in phenomenal fashion, finishing the eccentric Brazilian via TKO in the first round. The Ultimate Fighter winner’s antics after the fight received quite a lot of attention, as did some of his comments regarding his desire to receive a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship title shot.
Johnny Walker reveals the mistake that cost him at UFC 244
Harry Kettle - November 6, 2019
UFC light heavyweight contender Johnny Walker has spoken about the mistake which cost him the fight against Corey Anderson this past weekend. Walker headlined the prelims at UFC 244 in a fight that many were tipping to be his big moment in the spotlight. In the end, though, it turned out to be anything but as Anderson was able to run through him with ease in a first round TKO victory.
Predictions for ONE: Masters of Fate's biggest bouts
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 6, 2019
The ONE: Masters of Fate card is set for November 8 in Manila, Philippines. The event will be punctuated by a ONE Strawweight World Championship bout. Filipino Joshua Pacio will put his title on the line against his countryman Rene Catalan. The event will also see the return of former two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang as he tries to bounce back from consecutive losses. Folayang will face Mongolia’s next serious mixed martial arts contender in Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu. This is a must-win situation for Folayang. A three-bout losing streak would be disastrous for anyone, but it will be especially damaging to Folayang.
Darren Till explains how Donald Trump saved then nearly ruined his UFC 244 fight
Harry Kettle - November 6, 2019
UFC middleweight contender Darren Till has revealed how President Donald Trump had a big influence on his fight this past weekend. Till was able to defeat Kelvin Gastelum in the co-main event of UFC 244 on Saturday night, solidifying his position as one of the top dogs in the 185-pound division. It marked his first win since defeating Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC Liverpool last year, which gives you a pretty good idea of just how important this triumph was for “The Gorilla”.
Yoel Romero claims Israel Adesanya backed out of fight
Adam Martin - November 5, 2019
Former title challenger Yoel Romero is claiming that current UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has backed out of a fight against him. Romero and Adesanya have been rumored to fight for the last week since news broke that No. 1 contender Paulo Costa had to have surgery on his biceps and will be out until the middle of next year. UFC president Dana White suggested that Romero could instead get the title shot against Adesanya, and fans seem to be intrigued by the fight.
Derrick Lewis believes he lost UFC 244 fight against Blagoy Ivanov: 'I could have done a lot more'
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2019
Derrick Lewis was looking to snap his two-fight losing streak at UFC 244 on Saturday. There, he was taking on Blagoy Ivanov in a very critical heavyweight fight. In the end, it was Lewis who got the split-decision win. Yet, if he was a judge, he would have awarded the win to Ivanov.
Mike Perry says 'it's on sight' if he sees Colby Covington at UFC 245
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2019
Mike Perry is looking to make fight week a difficult one for Colby Covington at UFC 245. The two will both fight on the card, and Perry has made it clear that he hopes Kamaru Usman beats Colby Covington in the evenings main event. He has also issued a threat to ‘Chaos’ saying if he sees him, it’s on sight.
UFC President explains why 2020 will be an "exciting year" for Francis Ngannou
Harry Kettle - November 5, 2019
UFC president Dana White has predicted that a big year lies ahead for heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou in 2020. “The Predator” is coming off the back of a strong twelve-month period in which he was able to finish Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos, all within less than 80 seconds of the first round getting underway. Many fans have been calling for him to get another title shot, with his last attempt at winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship ending in defeat when he lost to Stipe Miocic at UFC 220 in January 2018.
How to watch UFC Moscow: Magomedsharipov vs. Kattar start time, fight card and betting odds.
Natasha Hooper - November 5, 2019
This weekend’s upcoming UFC Moscow event takes place across the pond and showcases elite international talent. The UFC Fight Night 163 main event is headlined by Calvin Kattar vs Russian native, Zabit Magomedsharipov. The Dagestani fighter is yet to lose a UFC fight and last fought Jeremy Stephens, beating him via a unanimous decision victory. With a plethora of combat experience, the former ACB featherweight champion, Madomedsharipov is one of the most respected fighters in the featherweight division.
UFC 244 medical suspensions: Nate Diaz, Gregor Gillespie facing lengthy absences
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2019
UFC 244 was an exciting card by all accounts, highlighted by a number thrilling finishes and several back-and-forth brawls. An unfortunate side effect of cards of this kind, of course, is that they tend to take a physical toll on the fighters involved, resulting in lengthy medical suspensions. A number of fighters on the UFC 244 bill have been handed 90-day medical suspensions by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC).
Stephen Thompson: Jorge Masvidal is 'different fighter from when I fought him'
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2019
Jorge Masvidal has spoken a great deal about his new focus on being more aggressive and finishing his fights. His former opponent Stephen Thompson has witnessed that transformation. Thompson defeated Masvidal by decision in late 2017, and after watching Masvidal bludgeon Nate Diaz to stoppage win in the UFC 244 main event, is convinced the Cuban has completely changed since their fight.