MMA News
Opinion: The UFC should let fighters get creative with their walkouts more often
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
Israel Adesanya did something not many UFC fighters have done at UFC 243 — and I’m not talking about beating Robert Whittaker, as impressive as that was. Instead, I’m referring to his walk to the cage which, in an absurdly rare twist, actually featured a degree of flavor and originality. For whatever reason, the fun-killers in UFC boardroom have historically shown a complete reluctance to let fighters make their walkouts even remotely interesting. Sure, there was the time Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes walked out to live performances from Sinead O’Connor and Aaron Lewis respectively. Former UFC fighters James Te Huna and Tom Lawlor have also had a few fun walkouts. But as a general rule, a UFC fighter’s walkout is little more than a trip from Point A to Point B set to some music that, in some cases, wasn’t even that fighter’s choice.
Chris Weidman believes he can 'skip the rankings' and fight Jon Jones next
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman makes his light heavyweight debut next weekend in the main event of UFC Boston against top-ranked contender Dominick Reyes. It’s a huge opportunity for Weidman, and he knows it. According to Weidman, a win over Reyes would immediately catapult him into the top-five and get him closer to a matchup against UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones Weidman spoke to UFC Unfiltered recently and said he believes a win over Reyes would allow him to skip the line and get a matchup against Jones sooner than expected.
What's next for Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker after UFC 243?
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2019
UFC 243 has come and gone and with it, a new middleweight champion has been crowned. In the main event, the middleweight title was on the line as champion, Robert Whittaker was taking on the interim champion in Israel Adesanya. In the end, Israel Adesanya TKO’d Robert Whittaker in the second round to become the undisputed champion.
Israel Adesanya impressed by Jared Cannonier: 'I like his style'
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
New UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya heaped praise upon surging contender Jared Cannonier, saying he has been impressed by Cannonier’s quick rise up the middleweight rankings. “The Last Stylebender” was asked by reporters at the UFC 243 post-fight press conference what other middleweight contenders impress him, and Adesanya immediately singled out Cannonier as someone who expects to defend his belt against in the near future.
Jimi Manuwa makes prediction for Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier trilogy
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
For a time, Jimi Manuwa and Daniel Cormier were heated rivals in the UFC light heavyweight division. Regrettably, the pair never got the chance to share the cage and likely never will, as Manuwa has since retired, and Cormier has hiked up to the heavyweight division. Much of Cormier’s time in the heavyweight division has been consumed by a rivalry with Stipe Miocic. The pair are tied 1-1 across two previous title fights, with Cormier winning the first encounter by first-round knockout, and Miocic winning the rematch, which occurred at UFC 241 in August, by fourth-round TKO.
Jared Cannonier: Fight with Yoel Romero 'puts me right up there' in middleweight title picture
Mike Heck - October 7, 2019
Jared Cannonier went from rising middleweight fighter on the UFC roster to world title contender in just under six minutes last month at UFC Copenhagen. After defeating Jack Hermansson, Cannonier sees himself mixing things up with the likes of Yoel Romero, Kelvin Gastelum, Darren Till, or anyone blocking his path to a title shot. “Killa Gorilla” finished Hermansson via second-round TKO in the main event of the UFC’s trip to Denmark. While it was one of the biggest wins of his career — snapping the four-fight winning streak of Hermansson — Cannonier is already back to normal life as Dad.
Israel Adesanya expects Robert Whittaker rematch: 'I'll see you again'
Adam Martin - October 7, 2019
New UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes he will eventually see former champ Robert Whitaker in the Octagon again one day. Despite knocking Whittaker out in devastating fashion in the second round of their UFC 243 main event fight, Adesanya doesn’t believe it will be the last time he meets Whittaker in the cage. “The Last Stylebender” spoke to reporters at the UFC 243 post-fight press conference and said that he expects to eventually have a rematch with “The Reaper.”
UFC Tampa | Michelle Waterson believes win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk earns her next title shot
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2019
Michelle Waterson is calling it the biggest fight of her career. In the main event of UFC Tampa, she is taking on former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and the winner could very well be getting the next title shot.
Lito Adiwang is focusing on Senzo Ikeda and nothing else for his ONE Championship debut
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 7, 2019
Recent ONE Warrior Series contract winner Lito Adiwang of the Philippines will make his highly-anticipated ONE Championship main roster debut this October 13th when he faces Pancrase Flyweight World Champion Senzo Ikeda in a three-rounder bout in the first part of ONE: CENTURY. The event streams live from the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan, and features a slew of high-profile matchups.
Ben Askren on Israel Adesanya: 'Some of you are missing the boat'
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
Israel Adesanya put forth a star-making performance in the UFC 243 main event, first dazzling fans with an incredibly unique walkout (at least by UFC standards), then by delivering an impressive defeat of Robert Whittaker to capture the UFC middleweight belt. It’s truly difficult to imagine things going much better for Nigerian-born Kiwi, and all signs point to his achieving the kind of mainstream stardom we’ve only seem from a few fighters previously. UFC welterweight Ben Askren certainly seems to think that will be the case.
Geje Eustaquio: Danny Kingad is well prepared for ONE: Century
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 7, 2019
Danny “The King” Kingad will meet Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in the Finals of ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix in the biggest event in mixed martial arts history at ONE: Century on October 13 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. Teammate and former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio is confident that Kingad is well prepared for the upcoming bout.
Joe Rogan praises Robert Whittaker after UFC 243
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019
Robert Whittaker is no longer the UFC middleweight champion, having come up short to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243 over the weekend. Even in defeat, however, the Australian still has the respect and admiration of long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan. Rogan was not on commentary duty for UFC 243, and instead watched the card from the United States. Shortly after the card wrapped up, Rogan praised Whittaker for the way he handled his defeat to Adesanya and the loss of the UFC middleweight strap.
Opening odds released for Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2019
The opening odds have been released for a potential middleweight title fight between champion Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa. Adesanya called for a fight with Costa after he beat Robert Whittaker on Saturday to win the middleweight title.
Playing matchmaker for UFC 243: Who's next for Israel Adesanya?
Adam Martin - October 6, 2019
Over 57,000 fans got to see a great night of fights at UFC 243, and now it’s time to look ahead at what’s next for the winners. Who’s next for new UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya? We answer that question and others as we play matchmaker for UFC 243. Israel Adesanya vs. Jon Jones
UFC executive won't answer fighter pay questions following UFC 243
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019
UFC executive Lawrence Epstein took the place of UFC president Dana White at the UFC 243 post-fight press conference. He got the usual questions of who’s next for who, who won the bonuses, what the attendance was, and so on. But he also got an interesting question about fighter pay. At the UFC post-fight presser, The Athletic’s Ben Fowlkes asked Epstein about fighter pay and if he believes it’s fair the UFC only pays 20 percent of its revenue to the fighters. In comparison, most of the other top professional sports leagues are closer to a 50/50 split.
Islam Makhachev calls out Dan Hooker: 'Let's wrestle'
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019
Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has called out Dan Hooker after Hooker’s victory over Al Iaquinta in the co-main event of UFC 243. Makhachev took to Twitter to respond to “The Hangman” calling out Dustin Poirier. Here’s what Makhachev said.
Robert Whittaker releases video statement on UFC 243 title fight loss
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has released a video statement following his loss to Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 243. “The Reaper” posted a video along with a written statement to his fans on his social media. Here’s what it said.
Israel Adesanya puts EA Sports on blast: 'They made me look like Chad Mendes' in the UFC video game
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019
New UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya says he doesn’t play the official UFC video game because he thinks he looks too much like Chad Mendes in it. Adesanya has often compared his fighting style to playing in a video game. Well, it seems like “The Last Stylebender” is not a fan of the UFC’s official game, and he criticized its developers following UFC 243.