MMA News
VIDEO | Brawl breaks out at Brave CF 27 weigh-ins
Tom Taylor - October 4, 2019
Brave CF 27, scheduled for Friday in Abu Dhabi, will feature a welterweight title rematch between champion Abdoul Abdouraguimov and challenger Jarrah Al-Selawe. When the pair squared off at the card’s weigh-ins, all hell broke loose. What started with a bit of shoving — something we often see at weigh-in ceremonies — quickly devolved into an all-out brawl. See it below:
Miesha Tate says Holly Holm will 'definitely' be in the Boxing Hall Of Fame
Mike Pendleton - October 4, 2019
Miesha Tate achieved a career dream when she defeated Holly Holm at UFC 196 to become UFC women’s bantamweight champion for the first time in her career. Now, she’s giving major props to her former foe. During an episode of MMA Tonight with host Ryan McKinnell on Sirius XM, Tate was asked about Holly Holm being on the ballot for the 2020 Boxing Hall Of Fame class, and while Laila Ali headlines the strong class which includes 12 female boxers, Tate believes Holm should definitely be inducted.
Conor McGregor facing assault charge for pub incident, court date set
Mike Pendleton - October 4, 2019
Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor Mcgregor has been served with a summons to appear before Dublin District Court on October 11 over an incident that occurred in an Irish pub earlier this year. The Independent.ie was first to report this news.
RIZIN boss Nobuyuki Sakakibara interested in signing free agent Sergio Pettis
Tom Taylor - October 4, 2019
Sergio Pettis was scheduled to battle Kai Kara-France at UFC 245, but was pulled from the matchup when it came to light that his current UFC contract has concluded. Pettis is now exploring free agency, and from the sounds of it, he can expect some interest from Japan’s RIZIN Fighting Federation. Speaking to BJPENN.com’s Tom Taylor, RIZIN CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara commented on Pettis’ free agency. He believes the long-time UFC flyweight contender could be a great addition to the RIZIN bantamweight division.
Eddie Hearn on Conor McGregor partnership: 'We can do it better'
Natasha Hooper - October 4, 2019
During a media event regarding the upcoming Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Anthony Joshua 2 card, Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn spoke highly of Conor McGregor and pitched a future partnership with “The Notorious.” In an interview with Seconds Out, Jamal Niaz, mentioned Conor McGregor. Hearn spoke highly of the former two-division champion.
Israel Adesanya discusses why he's more fit for main event pressure than Robert Whittaker
Mike Pendleton - October 3, 2019
With UFC 243 right around the corner, current UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will return to action, after being away for 16 months in a title unification fight against interim champion Israel Adesanya. In what many are calling the biggest fight in Australia and New Zealand history, the two fighters have been given star treatment by the UFC and their host venue of Marvel Stadium in the build-up to the fight. With plenty of media, appearances, and attention being given to both fighters, “The Last Stylebender”, Adesanya, believes he’s built for the pressure of a main event this meaningful.
Conor McGregor: The Irish King Who Lost His Crown
Natasha Hooper - October 3, 2019
Conor McGregor is the king of charisma whose greatness transcends the UFC. His legendary wins bestowed him two-division gold belts and a sporting legacy that is unparalleled. But as the tales of great mythology go, has the man’s obsession with power and fortune derailed his kingdom reign? ‘The Notorious’ entered the Octagon as a working-class Irish man from Dublin who was cashing in welfare cheques before making his official debut. The self-assured and captivating fighter had garnered a cult following during his early days at Cage Warriors. Fans were enamoured with his disruptive presence and irrefutable talent that eventually commercialised the sport throughout Ireland. He became a hero for the blue-collar man and took great pride in fulfilling the role.
Bellator announces return to Hawaii featuring Ilima-Lei Macfarlane and A.J. McKee
Mike Pendleton - October 3, 2019
Bellator MMA is headed back to Hawaii, and they’re bringing two of their bright young stars with them. KHON2 in Hawaii was first to report that Bellator will be returning to Hawaii on December 21st at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Oahu, Hawaii. The card will feature Bellator’s flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane who will attempt to defend her flyweight title against Kate Jackson who has a 11-3-1 record in her professional career, and is also a former competitor of The Ultimate Fighter Season 23. Jackson is riding a two fight winning streak and is 3-1 since joining Bellator.
Gunnar Nelson issues statement following loss to Gilbert Burns
Natasha Hooper - October 3, 2019
Fan favorite Gunnar Nelson collided with Gilbert Burns in a welterweight bout at last weekend’s UFC Fight Night Copenhagen event. It marked the second time in a year that the Icelandic warrior had fought in Europe. Gunnar Nelson faced Leon Edwards at UFC London in March and left the Octagon with another loss and a broken orbital bone after receiving a nasty elbow. After healing from his injury and getting back to training, ‘Gunni’ was inked to fight Thiago Alves. However, Alves withdrew due to injury, leaving Gilbert Burns to fill in for the fight.
Arjan Bhullar hopes to earn ONE Championship title shot with win over Mauro Cerilli
Tom Taylor - October 3, 2019
Arjan Bhullar was expected to make his ONE Championship debut against Mauro Cerilli back in August. Unfortunately, this plan was nixed at the very last minute when Cerilli was forced out of the contest with a medical issue. Luckily, this cloud turned out to have a silver lining.
Frank Lester: Jon Jones only practices stoned
Tom Taylor - October 3, 2019
According to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the organization that undertakes drug testing for the UFC, “the WADA Prohibited List establishes marijuana and cannabinoids as substances that are prohibited in-competition. The use of prohibited substances in sport, without an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), may lead to an anti-doping rule violation and sanction.” All the same, many fighters still use the drug recreationally and medicinally. UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones is allegedly one of those fighters. At least, that’s what his former coach Frank Lester says.
VIDEO | Darrion Caldwell caldwell confronts Patricio Freire backstage at Bellator 228
Cole Shelton - October 3, 2019
Darrion Caldwell was not happy that Patricio Freire did not pick him to fight in the Selection Show following Bellator 228. Instead, the featherweight champion decided to fight Pedro Carvalho, leaving Caldwell matched up with Adam Borics on the other side of the bracket. Following the event, Darrion Caldwell went to Patricio Freire’s locker room and confronted the champ about not picking him. The entire encounter was caught by Bellator.
Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya get the Marvel Comics treatment ahead of UFC 243
Mike Pendleton - October 3, 2019
As UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya prepare to unify their titles in the main event of UFC 243, the anticipation is high. There have been many who believe this fight will break UFC records for highest attendance, and it is widely considered the biggest fight in Oceanic history given the pair’s ties to Australia and New Zealand. While both Whittaker and Adesanya are confident heading into this matchup, the UFC has set this fight up to be a spectacle for those in Australia as they have Marvel Stadium playing host to UFC 243.
Firas Zahabi: Tyron Woodley has added 'a new dimension to his game'
Tom Taylor - October 3, 2019
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has been putting work at Tristar in Montreal, Quebec. According to the gym’s head coach, Firas Zahabi, Woodley has been making strides. Speaking to MMA Junkie., Zahabi discussed his recent work with Woodley. Apparently, the former champ has been kicking convention and added some new weapons to his arsenal.
UFC 243 | Pro fighters make their picks for Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya title fight
Cole Shelton - October 3, 2019
In the main event of UFC 243, Robert Whittaker is looking to defend his middleweight title against the interim champion, Israel Adesanya. Heading into this fight, the champion is a -110 underdog while “The Last Stylebender” is a -120 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. As the odds suggest, the pros truly believe it is a pick’em fight, but the majority believe Robert Whittaker gets it done.
Sergio Pettis to test free agency, UFC 245 fight put on hold
Mike Pendleton - October 3, 2019
Sergio Pettis was supposed to be fighting at UFC 245 in December, but those plans have reportedly been put on hold. According to Ariel Helwani of ESPN, Pettis, who was scheduled to fight Kai Kara-France on December 14 in Las Vegas, will reportedly test free agency as his current deal with the UFC has expired.
Dana White interested in booking Israel Adesanya vs. Jon Jones
Adam Martin - October 3, 2019
UFC president Dana White says he is open to booking a superfight between UFC interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. White was interviewed by Sky Sport News ahead of UFC 243 and was asked about a potential bout between “The Last Stylebender” and “Bones,” who have been jawing back and forth at each other on social media the last couple of days.
VIDEO | Michael Bisping pops out prosthetic eye during podcast
Tom Taylor - October 3, 2019
Michael Bisping had an incredible MMA career, culminating with a UFC middleweight title win, but he paid a hefty price for his success. At the height of his career, he sustained a nasty eye injury, and now wears a prosthetic eye as a result. Bisping flaunted his false eye during a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast, and it’s not for the faint of heart.