MMA News

Tom Taylor - October 23, 2019

Dominick Reyes feels that he’s earned a crack at the UFC light heavyweight title. Unfortunately for him, the division’s reigning champion Jon Jones seems less than enthused about that possibility, and more interested in taking a “super fight” —potentially at heavyweight. I should just wait for the winner of DC and Stipe? Let these light heavies figure out who’s going to present the best challenge https://t.co/PfTK5LxrJN

Adam Martin - October 23, 2019

The UFC matchmakers surprised everyone on Tuesday when the promotion announced that controversial heavyweight Greg Hardy has decided to step up on short notice to replace Junior dos Santos and fight Alexander Volkov in the co-main event of UFC Moscow. It’s a massive step up in competition for Greg Hardy, who just fought to a No Contest against Ben Sosoli at UFC Boston. But Hardy says he jumped at the opportunity, and he believes that he can even knock Volkov out.

Natasha Hooper - October 23, 2019

Jon Jones has plenty of interesting matchups on the menu, and a fight with Francis Ngannou is one of the most compelling of the bunch. Jones faced some adversity in the form of Thiago Santos during his last fight. He defeated ‘Marreta’ by split decision in July at UFC 239. Since then, he has not set foot in the cage, but has remained in the headlines.

Adam Martin - October 23, 2019

Former UFC heavyweight Antonio Silva has issued a statement following a KO loss to Gabriel Gonzaga at BKFC 8, criticizing keyboard warriors for their negative comments in the wake of yet another knockout loss. The man they call “Bigfoot” issued a video statement on his Instagram page in Portuguese. BJPenn.com has translated the interview and given an account of what Silva said in English.

Cole Shelton - October 23, 2019

David Feldman has recently signed several former UFC and Bellator champions or title contenders to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. He also recently signed former boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi, who stepped into the BKFC ring for a fight against Artem Lobov. Feldman believes it’s crucial to BKFC’s continued success to sign these kinds of big-name fighters — fighters like Wanderlei Silva and Hector Lombard, who recently signed on the dotted line. Luckily, Feldman says fighters are now coming to him and wanting to sign with BKFC, which makes his job much easier.

Harry Kettle - October 23, 2019

The opening betting odds for the new UFC Moscow co-main event between Greg Hardy and Alexander Volkov have now been released. The mixed martial arts world was stunned yesterday when it was revealed that Hardy will be replacing the injured Junior dos Santos in the co-main event of UFC Moscow on November 9. The former NFL star will be going head to head with former Bellator heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov, which serves as a huge step up in competition.

Harry Kettle - October 23, 2019

UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones has teased the idea of sitting out and not competing inside the Octagon until he is given a “super fight”. Jones last fought on July 6 at UFC 239 where he won a tight split decision over Thiago Santos, in a fight that some fans believe he lost. Ever since then there has been great speculation as to what his next move would be, and now that we’re more than three months removed from that night, you’d think there would be some more clarity.

Natasha Hooper - October 23, 2019

Dustin Poirier was aiming to return to the Octagon in January 2020, but his plans may have to be put on hold. ‘The Diamond’ revealed on Twitter that an upcoming hip surgery will impact his anticipated return. Poirier will be going under the knife to rectify multiple tears in the labrum of his hip. The 30-year old will also have his femur bone reshaped to stop the tears from occurring in future.

Cole Shelton - October 23, 2019

In the main event of Bellator 232, the welterweight title is on the line, as well as the welterweight grand prix title. The champion, Rory MacDonald rematches Douglas Lima in a very interesting bout. Heading into the scrap, the champion is a +130 underdog while the challenger is a -160 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority are leaning to hearing ‘And New’ but they all agree it is a very close fight.

Christopher Taylor - October 22, 2019

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has responded to Tony Ferguson’s callout in controversial fashion. Earlier today, the streaking lightweight contender took to Twitter where he seemingly challenged the promotions reigning 205-pound kingpin.

Christopher Taylor - October 22, 2019

Former two division UFC champion Conor McGregor claims that he has “signed off on the design” of the promotions new BMF belt. That title will be awarded to the winner of next month’s UFC 244 headliner which features welterweights Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal.

Cole Shelton - October 22, 2019

Claudia Gadelha has been forced to withdraw from her UFC Washington D.C. fight against Cynthia Calvillo. The Brazilian posted on Instagram that ongoing injuries have forced her to pull out of the bout.

Thomas Taylor - October 22, 2019

When Junior dos Santos withdrew from his UFC Moscow headlining fight with Alexander Volkov, Francis Ngannou suggested that he’d be willing to step in and replace him. In the end, however, the opportunity to fight Volkov on short notice was instead offered to the amply less experienced Greg Hardy. Hardy and Volkov will now collide in the UFC Moscow co-main event.

Thomas Taylor - October 22, 2019

The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last Friday’s UFC Boston card, but surprisingly, Dominick Reyes has not moved up the light heavyweight ladder on the strength of his defeat of Chris Weidman. Yair Rodriguez, however, who defeated Jeremy Stephens in the card’s co-main event, did make a small climb at featherweight.

Alfredo Zullino - October 22, 2019

MMA will finally be legal in France on January 1 of the New Year. It’s going to be a huge step for France and for larger Europe, as a lot of young, talented fighters can finally pursue a professional career as an MMA fighter in their own backyards.

Tom Taylor - October 22, 2019

Junior dos Santos was recently forced out of his UFC Moscow headlining fight with Alexander Volkov. He’ll be replaced a very unlikely fighter: former football player Greg Hardy. UPDATE: This Hardy vs. Volkov fight will serve as the UFC Moscow co-headliner. A featherweight bout between Calvin Kattar and Zabit Magomedsharipov will now headline the card. 

Tom Taylor - October 22, 2019

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos was expected to battle Russia’s Alexander Volkov in the main event of the upcoming UFC Moscow card, scheduled for Nov 9. According to ESPN, however, a bout of cellulitis has forced dos Santos out of this contest, leaving the UFC to search frantically for a replacement opponent for Volkov. The good news is that the UFC already has one option in terms of a new opponent for the Russian: Francis Ngannou. Ngannou threw his name in the hat on Twitter shortly after news of dos Santos’ withdrawal from the card surfaced.

BJPENN.COM Staff - October 22, 2019

Only three men in history have held the ONE Welterweight World Title, and it is an esteemed group of martial artists. Because the weight class contains athletes with elite strength, speed, and skill, some of the most dangerous and exciting competitors cross paths in this division.  That makes extended reigns with the ONE Welterweight World Title all the more impressive. The current champion is Zebaztian Kadestam, and he’s one of the roughest and well-balanced martial artists in the world.