MMA News
Max Holloway 'not interested' in Conor McGregor rematch right now
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2019
Conor McGregor has called out a bevy of fighters including featherweight champion, Max Holloway. The two fought back in 2013 in what was McGregor’s second UFC fight and the Irishman won by decision. Since then, both became UFC champions and lately, Max Holloway has been taking subtle jabs at McGregor. For example, he went on a Jameson whiskey tour and saying it’s the best Irish whiskey.
Anthony Johnson shares timeframe from UFC return
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2019
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson recently announced his intention to end his retirement and return to the Octagon — as a heavyweight. Speaking at media day hosted by management outfit Dominance MMA on Tuesday, Johnson shared a rough timeframe for his return to the cage. He says he’s hoping to fight around April of the coming year.
Jon Jones roasts 'f**king nerd' Israel Adesanya
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2019
The beef between UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya continues to sizzle. On Monday afternoon, Adesanya appeared on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, where he sounded off on Jones.
Hector Lombard signs with BKFC
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2019
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, the upstart organization bringing bare knuckle scraps to the masses, has signed another high-profile MMA veteran: Hector Lombard. Lombard will compete in BKFC’s 185-pound middleweight division. His debut is not yet scheduled.
Justin Gaethje tells Conor Mcgregor 'go away or fight'
Adam Martin - October 8, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje has sent a message to former champ Conor McGregor: “go away or fight.” “The Highlight” was joined by his manager Ali Abdelaziz, UFC double champ Henry Cejudo and UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at the TMZ Studios in Los Angeles recently. Gaethje was asked by TMZ’s reporters if a McGregor fight will happen.
Dan Hooker tells Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier 'one of you have to fight me'
Adam Martin - October 8, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker put Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje on blast, telling both fighters that one of them will have to fight him next. “The Hangman” shared the message on his Twitter. Here’s what he said.
Former Bellator fighter William Joplin dies from cancer
Adam Martin - October 8, 2019
Former Bellator fighter William Joplin has passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to his family. He was 41. Joplin’s sister Shelley shared an update on his GoFundMe page which indicated he passed away on Tuesday morning.
UFC Tampa | Eryk Anders plans on beating Gerald Meerschaert in 'devastating fashion'
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2019
Eryk Anders is back to middleweight following a brief stint at light heavyweight. When he makes his return to 185 pounds at UFC Tampa this Saturday, Gerald Meerschaert will be standing across from him. Although Anders is coming off of a knockout win at light heavyweight last time out, he has a simple reason for moving back to middleweight.
UFC 243 medical suspensions: Al Iaquinta facing long absence
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2019
Over the weekend, the UFC returned to our screens with the action-packed UFC 243 card in Melbourne, Australia. The card was topped by a middleweight title fight between undisputed champion Robert Whittaker and interim champion Israel Adesanya. In the end, Adesanya became the UFC’s one true middleweight king with a second-round stoppage of Whittaker.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyrone Spong on the verge of collapse due to failed drug test
Harry Kettle - October 8, 2019
Matchroom Boxing managing director Eddie Hearn has confirmed that the scheduled Tyrone Spong vs. Oleksandr Usyk showdown is in jeopardy following an adverse finding in one of Spong’s recent drug tests. Spong (14-0) and Usyk (16-0) were set to go head to head at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois this weekend in what would’ve marked Oleksandr’s official move up to the heavyweight division. The transition has been highly anticipated for a few years now, with Usyk’s swan song as a cruiserweight coming last November when he knocked out Tony Bellew in Manchester.
Weili Zhang denied US visa, presidential candidate offers to help
Harry Kettle - October 8, 2019
UFC strawweight champion Weili Zhang has confirmed that her request for a visa to enter the United States has been rejected. Zhang (20-1) became the queen of the strawweights on August 31 when she defeated Jessica Andrade in just 42 seconds to become the first ever Chinese-born champion in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It was a monumental moment for the development of mixed martial arts in Asia, and it was seen by many as a turning point for Weili’s star power within the sport.
Israel Adesanya fires back at "jealous" Jon Jones
Christopher Taylor - October 7, 2019
Israel Adesanya has responded to fellow UFC champion Jon Jones, this after ‘Bones’ claimed ‘Stylebender’ was lacking the confidence to fight him. Adesanya (18-0 MMA) defeated Robert Whittaker via second round TKO in the headliner of last Saturday’s UFC 243 event in Australia to become the promotions undisputed middleweight world champion.
Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa targeted for March PPV in Las Vegas
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2019
Israel Adesanya will have his first title defense against Paulo Costa this March in Las Vegas. Sources told BJPENN.com the two camps are in preliminary talks and a date has been agreed upon. The UFC flew Paulo Costa out to Australia to watch the fight between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker, where following the fight they started negotiations.
Conor McGregor takes a shot at Khabib Nurmagomedov one year after UFC 229
Harry Kettle - October 7, 2019
Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor has taken a shot at his UFC 229 opponent Khabib Nurmagomedov, one year after their iconic Lightweight Championship clash in Las Vegas. McGregor, who hasn’t fought since that infamous night at T-Mobile Arena, has been heavily linked with a return to the Octagon ever since he was defeated by The Eagle via fourth round submission.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says Conor McGregor lacks morality and manners, hasn't earned title shot
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov said that Conor McGregor hitting an elderly man shows that he lacks morality and manners and he doesn’t believe he has earned a title shot. “The Eagle” was interviewed by reporters in Russia and was asked his honest thoughts on McGregor. Here’s what the champ said via RT.
Chael Sonnen reacts to Michael Bisping's prosthetic eye
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 7, 2019
Chael Sonnen has praised Michael Bisping’s toughness and ability to overcome adversity. Bisping surprised fight fans when he popped out his prosthetic eye during an edition of his Believe You Me podcast. For many, it was their first time knowing that Bisping had a fake eye. Back in Dec. 2018, “The Count” told Joe Rogan that he had a prosthetic eye after dealing with several issues stemming from a detached retina suffered in his 2013 bout with Vitor Belfort.
Edson Barboza's manager says Paul Felder has agreed to trilogy
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
Edson Barboza’s manager Alex Davis says that rival Paul Felder has agreed to a trilogy fight after their controversial split decision outcome at UFC 242. Felder won a split decision with scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 27-30 in his favor. The fact that opposing judges had the fights 30-27 in favor of each fighter was very concerning.
Tito Ortiz vs. Alberto Del Rio set for December 7
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
Earlier this year, Combate Americas laid out plans to promote a fight between former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz and pro wrestler turned Combate Americas exec Alberto Del Rio. That fight now has an official date.