MMA News
Dana White responds to 'ridiculous' claim for Octagon girl ban
Cole Shelton - September 26, 2019
Dana White isn’t listening to Melbourne’s mayor. When the Octagon touches down in Melbourne, Australia for UFC 243 next Saturday, the mayor was hoping Octagon girls wouldn’t be there. Sally Capp called for the UFC to move past the outdated practice of Octagon girls.
Christian Lee details decision to replace Eddie Alvarez against "Dagi"
Tom Taylor - September 26, 2019
When Eddie Alvarez was forced out of his ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix final showdown with Saygid Guseyn “Dagi” Arslanaliev, ONE Championship began a frantic search for a replacement opponent. In the end, it was ONE Lightweight World Champion Christian Lee who stepped up. Lee will now fight Dagi on the main card of ONE: Century – Part 1. Stateside, the card will air on Saturday, October 12 at 11:00pm ET on TNT.
Kenny Florian scolds Yair Rodriguez for post-fight actions
Tom Taylor - September 26, 2019
Yair Rodriguez has found himself in a bit of hot water after his UFC Mexico fight with Jeremy Stephens ended with an inadvertent eye-poke. The latest member of the MMA community to speak out against Rodriguez’s controversial post-fight actions is UFC analyst Kenny Florian. “I didn’t like the fact that Yair Rodriguez was kind of insinuating to the crowd in a lot of ways that maybe Jeremy didn’t wanna continue fighting and all that stuff,” Florian said on the latest episode of the Anik & Florian podcast (via MMA News). “Which kind of incited the crowd, right? I mean these guys wanted to see a fight. I thought that was in poor taste. I don’t know if he was thinking things through all the way. I think he was frustrated by the situation. And I certainly don’t think he did this intentionally either. I don’t think he tried to scratch his eye intentionally either, obviously.”
The Fighters Voice // VIDEO: Phoe Thaw, Team PT train outside in Yangon
Tom Taylor - September 26, 2019
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Brendan Schaub: I hope Jeremy Stephens beats the f**k out of Yair Rodriguez
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 26, 2019
Brendan Schaub is rooting for Jeremy Stephens in the rematch with Yair Rodriguez. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Brett Okamoto got word from UFC president Dana White that Stephens and Rodriguez will do battle in the co-main event of UFC Boston. The two will share the Octagon again on Oct. 18.
Demetrious Johnson welcomes ONE Championship bouts on US soil
Tom Taylor - September 26, 2019
ONE Championship is plotting an expansion into the United States, and Demetrious Johnson is more than willing to be a part of those plans. Johnson, who will have fought twice in Tokyo and once in Manila by year’s end, discussed a potential return to US soil in a recent interview with BJPENN.com. He says he’s particularly interested in fighting in Hawaii, home to ONE Championship stars Christian and Angela Lee, and the perceived frontrunner for ONE’s US debut.
Chris Weidman says he has the blueprint to beat Jon Jones
Adam Martin - September 26, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman believes he has the blueprint necessary to take out UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Weidman recently spoke to Submission Radio, and was asked about potentially facing Jones. Weidman makes his light heavyweight debut against top contender Dominick Reyes in October at UFC Boston. If Weidman wins that fight, it’s possible the UFC could fast-track him to a title shot with Jones, and that’s the fight “The All-American” wants.
Brandon Vera: Sit-down with The Rock was 'one of the best things I've done in my life'
Tom Taylor - September 26, 2019
Dwayne Johnson, better known as “The Rock,” is a big MMA fan. The pro wrestling legend and Hollywood actor often rubs shoulders with the stars of the fight game, such as current ONE Championship heavyweight kingpin Brandon Vera. The Rock and Vera recently sat down to discuss a number of topics, including The Rock’s latest film project Hobbs & Shaw, and Vera’s upcoming title fight with ONE Light Heavyweight Champion Aung La N Sang.
Xiong Jing Nan ready to make history at ONE: Century
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 26, 2019
Earlier this year, Xiong Jing Nan became the first person to defeat Angela Lee, scoring a fifth-round victory over the Singaporean champion to defend the ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship. Now, “The Panda” gets her crack at making history by becoming the first-ever female two-division champion in ONE when she challenges Lee for her ONE Women’s Atomweight World Title at ONE: Century Part I on Sunday, October 13 from Tokyo, Japan (11pm ET Saturday on TNT in the United States).
Report | Khabib Nurmagomedov to fight again in February or March
Adam Martin - September 26, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s next title defense is being planned for February or March of 2020, according to his manager. Rizvan Magomedov told Tass Agency that Nurmagomedov will likely fight early next year. According to a report by ChannelOne Russia, the champ is interested in fighting at Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg, Russia. That Arena has a capacity of 75,000, which could potentially make it the UFC’s most attended fight if that indeed happens.
UFC Copenhagen | Pro fighters make their picks for Jack Hermansson vs. Jared Cannonier
Cole Shelton - September 26, 2019
This Saturday, the Octagon touches down in Denmark for UFC Copenhagen. The main event will be a pivotal middleweight bout as Jack Hermansson takes on Jared Cannonier. Heading into the fight, the European Hermansson is a -250 favorite while the American is a +190 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their predictions for the scrap. And, as the odds suggest, the majority are leaning towards Jack Hermansson to get it done.
Israel Adesanya on Robert Whittaker: 'I’ll pick him apart quite easily'
Natasha Hooper - September 26, 2019
Israel Adesanya has already established himself as one of the best middleweights in the world. With a record of 17-0, he is confident that his winning strategy will allow him to “pick apart” Robert Whittaker at UFC 243. It’s been a big year for Adesanya. “The Last Stylebender” got tongues wagging in a riveting three-round performance against former UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva in February at UFC 234. His creative arsenal of striking attacks was enough to earn a unanimous decision victory. Most recently, Adesanya took on Kelvin Gastelum in a fight that exceeded expectation. Despite being a close match, the tides turned in Adesanya’s favour and he took home a decision win after five fun rounds.
Eddie Alvarez withdraws from ONE Lightweight Grand Prix, replaced by lightweight champ
Tom Taylor - September 26, 2019
The ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix will wrap up at ONE: Century – Part 1 on Sunday, October 13 in Tokyo (11pm ET Saturday on TNT in the United States), as finalists Saygid Guseyn “Dagi” Arslanaliev and Eddie Alvarez were slated to collide on the card. Regrettably, Alvarez has been forced out of this massive showdown with an injury.
Conor McGregor's company suffers six-figure loss
Natasha Hooper - September 26, 2019
Conor McGregor’s Irish firm has taken a financial blow. McGregor Sports and Entertainment Ltd recorded losses of €309,462 in 12 months. The firm’s accumulated losses increased from €354,708 to €664,170 in 2018. It also announced a loss of €470,923 in 2017.
Marlon Moraes eyes year end bantamweight bout with 'legend' Jose Aldo
Cole Shelton - September 25, 2019
Marlon Moraes is looking to welcome former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo to the promotions bantamweight division. Aldo announced his plans to move down in weight earlier this year and Marlon Moraes believes fighting him makes the most sense.
Benson Henderson slams UFC over BMF belt
Christopher Taylor - September 25, 2019
Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson is not happy that his former promotion has introduced a “made up” BMF belt. Dana White recently announced that ‘The Rock’ will award the winner of November’s UFC 244 main event between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal with the promotions new BMF belt.
Jeremy Stephens vs Yair Rodriguez re-booked for UFC Boston co-main event
Mike Pendleton - September 25, 2019
Jeremy Stephens and Yair Rodriguez will run it back after their disappointing no-contest in their first fight. According to Brett Okamoto of ESPN citing UFC President Dana White, Stephens and Rodriguez will rematch at UFC Boston on October 18 in the co-main event. Breaking: Yair Rodriguez (@panteraufc) vs. Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) is being re-booked as the co-main event for UFC Fight Night on Oct. 18 in Boston, per UFC president Dana White. pic.twitter.com/2wlpvBOGFI
Jorge Masvidal releases 'Diary of a Street Fighter' documentary
Natasha Hooper - September 25, 2019
The potential baddest motherf***er in the UFC is showing another side to this personality. Jorge Masvidal released episode one of the documentary series, The Diary of A Street Fighter Part 1: Road To The BMF Title.