MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - October 23, 2019

Zebaztian Kadestam’s last title defense was no cakewalk. He was pushed extensively by Georgy Kichigin back in March at ONE: Reign of Valor. His next defense takes place on October 25 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the battle could be just as fierce for “The Bandit.” The promising and well-rounded Kiamrian Abbasov awaits, and he’s in the midst of a three-fight win streak. Most recently, Abbasov made short work of Japanese legend Yushin Okami. The 26-year-old from Kyrgyzstan scored a second-round TKO victory over Okami at ONE: For Honor in May. 

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

An American Hockey League fight ended with a brutal one-punch knockout. Edmonton Oilers prospect and current Bakersfield Condor, Colby Cave fought Calgary Flames prospect and current Stockton Heat player, Martin Pospisil. There, Cave connected on a hard punch that dropped Pospisil and knocked him out cold.

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

Emil Meek and Diego Sanchez, two of the most entertaining fighters in the UFC welterweight division — both in terms of fighting style and personality — are seemingly down to fight each other. The pair discussed this possibility, and ultimately agreed to it, on Instagram. Meek shared their exchange in a post to Twitter.

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.

Mike Heck - October 22, 2019

It’s quite clear that Tony Ferguson wants a fight and wants one sooner rather than later. While Ferguson has been linked to a fight with current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, the top lightweight contender has decided to — whether jokingly or not — out kick his coverage and turn his attention to Jon Jones. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Ferguson took to Twitter to call out the reigning light heavyweight champion. According to the Tweet, there seems to be some history between the two polarizing figures.

BJPENN.COM Staff - October 22, 2019

Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol will make her 11th appearance on the ONE Championship stage in Jakarta on October 25 when she faces Bozhena “Toto” Antoniyar at ONE: Dawn of Valor. Knowing full well that her opponent is a tremendous striker, Lumban Gaol has been working on a strategy that will put her in a position of victory in front of her hometown fans.

Adam Martin - October 22, 2019

UFC light heavyweight Chris Weidman has issued a statement following his KO loss to Dominick Reyes in the main event of UFC Boston. Chris Weidman’s statement is a lengthy one, to say the least. Check out what the former UFC middleweight champion wrote on Instagram below.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 22, 2019

Chael Sonnen believes Jon Jones was in the wrong for going after Chris Weidman following UFC Boston. Weidman moved up in weight to take on Dominick Reyes this past Friday night. The former UFC middleweight champion had expressed confidence in his ability to skip the line with a win and take on Jones. The “All-American” even said Jones has looked “beatable” as of late. In the end, Reyes stopped Weidman in the opening frame.

Natasha Hooper - October 22, 2019

Russia is the home of many high caliber fighters including Khabib Nurmagomedov and Zabit Magomedsharipov. A Russian bodybuilder with 24-inch biceps known as ‘Popeye’, entered an MMA bout this week, but he failed to emulate his fellow Russian MMA superstars. He was finished in just three minutes of the first round by a fighter 20 years older than he was.

Harry Kettle - October 22, 2019

UFC president Dana White has praised Cain Velasquez’s decision to retire from mixed martial arts and join WWE. Former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Velasquez last fought back in February at UFC on ESPN 1 when he was defeated by Francis Ngannou via KO. Ever since then he’s been making a slow yet steady transition into the world of professional wrestling, which led to him announcing his official retirement from MMA recently.

Mike Heck - October 22, 2019

For those wondering what will be next for Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone following their recent losses, it appears as if the two fan favorite fighters are on a collision course once again. According to Pettis’ head coach Duke Roufus via Facebook, both “Showtime” and “Cowboy” have verbally agreed to meet each other on a future card, inside the UFC Octagon. Pettis and Cerrone competed at January 2013’s UFC on FOX 6 card in a fight Pettis won via first round TKO.