MMA News

Thomas Taylor - October 30, 2019

Paige VanZant wants a fight. Over the last few days, the fan favorite flyweight has made it clear that she’s willing to compete against pretty much anyone, be it in the flyweight division or at strawweight.

Tom Taylor - October 30, 2019

Nate Diaz and Khabib Nurmagomedov have had a number of run-ins over the years, but the most notable occurred at a World Series of Fighting show in 2015. Diaz recounted that infamous altecation on the latest episode of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.

Tom Taylor - October 30, 2019

It’s cold in Norway this time of year, and the sun seems to set earlier every day. As the temperature drops and the days darken, Norwegian welterweight Emil Meek is feeling the urge to leave. Not forever, just for long enough to send a worthy adversary to Valhalla — and maybe get a bit of sun. “I need to travel somewhere,” Meek told BJPENN.com on Tuesday. “I can’t handle all this darkness.”

Natasha Hooper - October 30, 2019

Conor McGregor is known for his trash-talking skills that he directs at opponents. While he rarely praises his opponents, however, he isn’t afraid to praise the sport as a whole. In his latest meditation on the sport of MMA, McGregor discussed the importance of effective defence.

Tom Taylor - October 30, 2019

Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor recently announced that he intends to return to the UFC’s Octagon on January 18. “I would like to announce to the public the return of Conor McGregor will take place on January 18th in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada,” McGregor said at a press conference in Moscow, Russia. “So that is my comeback fight. It is 12 weeks this Saturday. I’m in prime physical condition. I’ve agreed the date with the company. As far as the opponent, I have the opponent’s name but for me, the game I am in and from experience if I was to give you people the name, which I would love to do, I know the UFC would flip it because they are a crafty company. So for me here’s this one, ask the UFC who the opponent is because I do not give a f*ck who the opponent is.”

Adam Martin - October 30, 2019

Top contender Yoel Romero took things to another level with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, telling the champ “give me the f*cking date.” News broke on Tuesday that No. 1 contender Paulo Costa injured his biceps and recently had surgery, keeping him out until mid-2020. Romero immediately stepped up to the plate, and Adesanya posted an exchange on his social media between him and his coach Eugene Bareman talking about a potential fight between the two.

Mike Pendleton - October 30, 2019

As the clock continues to tick towards UFC 244, fans, fighters and media alike are excited for the main event between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz, who will collide for “BMF” title inside Madison Square Garden. There are many places this excitement can be focused on: Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal fighting each other, the creation of the BMF title, or maybe, two of the biggest throwback fighters in the UFC today grabbing the spotlight in the Mecca of the fighting world.

Cole Shelton - October 30, 2019

In the co-main event of UFC 244, former welterweight title challenger Darren Till is moving up in weight to take on Kelvin Gastelum. Ahead of the scrap, “The Gorilla” is a +160 underdog while Gastelum is a -200 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority are leaning towards Gastelum but some feel it is a much closer fight than the odds suggest.

Harry Kettle - October 30, 2019

UFC Bantamweight and Flyweight Champion Henry Cejudo has cast a shadow of doubt over a potential title fight between himself and Joseph Benavidez. Cejudo was last in action against Marlon Moraes back in June at UFC 238, where he was able to capture the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship to become a two-weight world champion. The man known as “Triple C” has been active in the media ever since then, leading many to question what his next move was going to be.

Tom Taylor - October 30, 2019

Shortly after it came to light that an injury had forced Paulo Costa out of his planned title fight with UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya, Yoel Romero inserted himself into the conversation and called out the champ for a fight. He and Adesanya have since gone back and forth on social media, seemingly agreeing to a fight.

Tom Taylor - October 30, 2019

The days of Dana White and Ben Askren publicly bashing each other seem to be over. In fact, White has leapt to Askren’s defense after Askren was submitted by Demian Maia in the UFC Singapore main event over the weekend.

Cole Shelton - October 30, 2019

Blagoy Ivanov wanted to fight Derrick Lewis, and he’s getting his wish at UFC 244. Ivanov is on a two-fight winning streak after beating Ben Rothwell and most recently Tai Tuivasa at UFC 238. Now, he is set to fight Lewis who is ranked fifth and the exact opponent he wanted.

Harry Kettle - October 30, 2019

UFC light heavyweight Paul Craig will step in to face Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in the co-main event of UFC São Paulo, UFC has announced. The card is scheduled to take place on November 16 at Ginásio do Ibirapuera, with the headliner pitting Jan Błachowicz against Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. The co-main event was also set to be a light heavyweight showcase with Sam Alvey facing Rua, but now, it’ll be “Bearjew” Craig that steps in for the biggest fight of his life.

BJPENN.COM Staff - October 30, 2019

ONE Atomweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion Stamp Fairtex will face another imposing opponent in Killer Bee” Bi Nguyen who is out to redeem herself from her split-decision loss in her previous outing. Stamp is on a mission for a third world title in as many sports. After defeating Asha Roka in just her second mixed martial arts bout last August, Stamp continues her quest in Manila at ONE: Masters of Fate this November 8. 

Natasha Hooper - October 30, 2019

Conor McGregor struggles to stay out of trouble, even when travelling abroad. This week, the former champion’s trip to Russia was interrupted as thugs reportedly surrounded his hotel, forcing the building into lockdown and police to intervene (according to Sputnik News).

Adam Martin - October 29, 2019

A few months after being released by the UFC, former UFC women’s bantamweight title challenger Cat Zingano has signed a multifight deal with Bellator. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani revealed the signing on Tuesday, noting that Zingano is expected to compete in Bellator’s featherweight division. Her debut date and opponent are not yet finalized. Her signing with Bellator was heavily rumored ever since her UFC release.

Mike Pendleton - October 29, 2019

The confident quotes and one-liners used to be endless from Darren Till, but a recent skid had him silenced as he figured out his best moved. During his run to a welterweight title fight against Tyron Woodley at UFC 228 in September of 2018, Till electrified the welterweight division with his most notable wins coming over Cowboy Cerrone and Stephen Thompson. What followed after his run to the top would hold many fighters down, Till would come up short in his fight against Woodley and then he returned to face Jorge Masvidal earlier this year, but suffered a second-round knockout loss. After taking time off to decide on his next move, Till jumped, better yet, leaped into the deep-end of the promotions middleweight division.

Natasha Hooper - October 29, 2019

UFC 244 is one of the most highly anticipated events on the 2019 MMA calendar and it takes place this weekend at Madison Square Gardens in New York. Jorge Masvidal will square off against Nate Diaz in the welterweight main event. They will battle it out for the unprecedented ‘BMF’ title, awarded by none other than Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.