MMA News
Israel Adesanya laughs off Jon Jones' 'nerd' comment as feud continues
Harry Kettle - October 9, 2019
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has laughed off the retort of Jon Jones as he focuses his attention on defending the undisputed title against Paulo Costa. Adesanya is still basking in the glory of his triumph over Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 this past weekend as he was able to unify the championship in front of more than 57,000+ fans in Melbourne, Australia. It marked the crowning moment for the Nigerian-New Zealander who first stepped foot into a UFC cage back in February 2018.
Fedor Emelianenko, 'Rampage' set to collide in Japan
Tom Taylor - October 9, 2019
On December 29, Bellator MMA will make its debut in Japan. One of the highlights of this event will be a showdown between MMA legends Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Fedor Emelianenko. This news was announced at a joint press conference between Bellator and RIZIN Fighting Federation early on Wednesday morning (Wednesday night in Japan).
Dana White trashes 'complete moron' Oscar De La Hoya
Tom Taylor - October 9, 2019
The beef between UFC President Dana White and Golden Boy Promotions boss Oscar De La Hoya is alive and well. Days after De La Hoya claimed that he’d knock White out in a boxing match, White has responded in venomous fashion. He did so in an interview with Sirius XM (via World Boxing News):
Mauro Cerilli determined to spoil Arjan Bhullar's ONE debut
Alfredo Zullino - October 9, 2019
2019 hasn’t been a great year for MMA in Italy, as most of the Italian fighters signed to the biggest international promotions haven’t been able to bring victories home. Of a total of 22 fights, Italian athletes have only won 6 of them. One of those winners was Mauro Cerilli (13-3; 1-1 ONE 1-1), former Cage Warriors heavyweight title-holder and current ONE Championship heavyweight contender.
Ben Askren believes a win over Demian Maia gets him top-ranked opponent
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2019
Ben Askren is looking to return to the win column in the main event of UFC Singapore when he takes on Demian Maia. Askren, of course, is coming off of a five-second flying knee knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239. The loss was his first as a pro and sent him down the welterweight rankings and out of the title conversation. Yet, ‘Funky’ believes a win over Maia should earn him a top-ranked opponent.
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.
UFC rankings update: Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker make huge climbs
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last weekend’s UFC 243 card, and as expected, main event winner Israel Adesanya has greatly improved his station. In addition to claiming the UFC middleweight throne by defeating Robert Whittaker on the card, Adesanya has zoomed up the pound-for-round rankings. He now holds to No. 8 spot on this prestigious list.
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.
What Giorgio Petrosyan Must Do To Defeat The Upset-Minded Samy Sana
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 8, 2019
Giorgio Petrosyan has had an unusual path to the finals of the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix, but he made it. Waiting for him in the last step before ONE awards the winner USD $1 million and the first-ever ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship is Samy Sana. The Petrosyan-Sana matchup is just one bout set for ONE: CENTURY PART II on 13 October from Tokyo.
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.
Francis Ngannou urges UFC to book him a fight, Gilbert Burns responds
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou is urging the promotion to book him for a fight, and a surprise opponent has thrown his name in the hat. “The Predator” took to Twitter to express his displeasure to the UFC for not booking him in a fight since his knockout win over Junior dos Santos in June. It appears that Ngannou is getting restless and wants to fight again as soon as possible.
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.