MMA News
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.
Israel Adesanya reacts to Jon Jones' Twitter attack
Natasha Hooper - October 4, 2019
During an interview with Brett Okamoto, Israel Adesanya reacted to the barrage of insults he received from Jon Jones on Twitter this week. Recently, Israel Adesanya made several comments about a potential octagon showdown against the light heavyweight champion. Jon Jones’ was not impressed with the call out and attacked the 30-year-old in a heated rant.
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.
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.
Israel Adesanya takes a shot at Yoel Romero in latest warning to Robert Whittaker
Christopher Taylor - October 3, 2019
Current UFC interim middleweight champ Israel Adesanya has taken a shot at Yoel Romero in his latest warning to reigning division kingpin Robert Whittaker. Israel Adesanya (17-0 MMA) will square off with Robert Whittaker (20-4 MMA) in the headliner of this weekend’s highly anticipated UFC 243 pay-per-view event from Australia.
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.
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.
Al Iaquinta wants to prove he's a better fighter and better real estate agent than Dan Hooker
Adam Martin - October 3, 2019
UFC lightweight contender Al Iaquinta says part of the motivation for fighting Dan Hooker in the co-main event of UFC 243 is to prove who the better real estate agent is. Iaquinta — who does real estate on the side in Long Island — was interviewed by MMAjunkie before this Saturday’s UFC 243 card and said he recently heard that Hooker also does real estate in Oceania. “Raging Al” said that he wants to beat Hooker to prove who the better real estate agent is, not to mention the better fighter.
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.
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.
Khabib Nurmagomedov willing to rematch Conor McGregor in Moscow
Tom Taylor - October 3, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov has previously been opposed to the idea of a rematch with Conor McGregor, who he defeated by submission in late 2018. Apparently, however, the lightweight champion has changed his tune. That’s according to his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. According to the elder Nurmagomedov, Khabib is willing to rematch McGregor — if McGregor is willing to undertake the challenge on Russian soil, in Moscow.
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.
How to watch UFC 243
Natasha Hooper - October 3, 2019
This weekend Israel Adesanya goes head to head against Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 243. Want to know how to watch this UFC event? Find out below The event takes place at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. It starts on Saturday 5th October for the United States and Sunday the 6th of October for Australia. Find the official start times for the US, Australia and the UK below:
Dana White open to Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. GSP, but only after Tony Ferguson fight
Natasha Hooper - October 3, 2019
After defeating Dustin Poirier at UFC 242, Khabib Nurmagomedov has once again been calling for a matchup with a fighter widely regarded as the Greatest of All Time: Georges St-Pierre. Both fighters have acknowledged an interest in this potential match up. St-Pierre confirmed he was willing to come out of retirement to face Nurmagomedov under the right circumstances, and ‘The Eagle’ agreed he would fight St-Pierre — perhaps even in his home country of Canada. But due to a lack of developments, it seemed that the matchup was going to be nothing more than a fantasy for MMA fans. However UFC President Dana White may be making the dream a reality. During a live stream on Instagram, Dana White discussed the potential bout. He says he’s open to it, but Tony Ferguson will get a crack at Nurmagomedov first.