MMA News

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). 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Cole Shelton - September 25, 2019

Gilbert Burns is once again taking a welterweight short notice fight. Back in August, the Brazilian stepped up and took on Alexey Kunchenko and handed him his first loss. Now, on Saturday, at UFC Copenhagen, Burns will take on Gunnar Nelson having had just a week and a half to prepare.

Tom Taylor - September 25, 2019

From the sounds of it, new UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will be rematching Daniel Cormier in his next fight. That being said, it likely won’t happen this year. While Cormier has stated the December 14 UFC 245 card would be a good date for him, Miocic has divulged that he likely won’t be ready in time for that card. He says he’s currently dealing with some lingering eye issues.

Adam Martin - September 25, 2019

Women’s MMA veteran Katy Collins has passed away after suffering a brain aneurysm and related complications. She was 32. The coach of Collins, JT Tilley, shared the unfortunate news on his Facebook.

Tom Taylor - September 25, 2019

Artem Lobov still has a bone to pick with Khabib Nurmagomedov stablemate Zubaira Tukhugov, and he’s willing to fight for free to settle it. Lobov, who is currently making waves in the bare knuckle boxing world, discussed a fight with the UFC featherweight Tukhugov in a recent interview with The Mac Life.

Natasha Hooper - September 25, 2019

Cris Cyborg is no stranger to making new career moves. Recently, she left the UFC to join Bellator, and now it seems the former champion has her sights set on WWE. Cyborg had a tumultuous relationship with the UFC, specifically the organization’s kingpin, Dana White. The last fight of her final UFC contract was a victory against Felicia Spencer at UFC 240. While the fight was a testament to Cyborg’s skill, it was not enough to repair the damaged relationship and she was not offered a new UFC contract.

Tom Taylor - September 25, 2019

The UFC has had some difficulty pinning down a welterweight title fight between champion Kamaru Usman and top contender Colby Covington. If the bout continues to give the promotion difficulty, it sounds like Usman could instead be matched up with streaking contender Leon Edwards. At least, that’s what Edwards claims.

Tom Taylor - September 25, 2019

Yesterday afternoon, MMA manager Daniel Rubenstein claimed that UFC bantamweight star Urijah Faber had re-retired. Petr’s already accepted a fight vs Faber, but Faber is apparently reretired. If Frankie wants to fight in Vegas Dec 14, would be Petr’s honor to fight a legend like him. Wish @funkmasterMMA a speedy recovery.

Natasha Hooper - September 25, 2019

Irish Bellator prospect James Gallagher has a promising future ahead of him. As he prepares for his next fight against Roman Salazar in Dublin on Friday, he plans to follow in the footsteps of Conor McGregor and take his budding career stateside. The 22-year-old has the winning formula for a rising MMA star, but that hasn’t stopped him suffering from anxiety. He revealed his mental health struggles in an interview with the BBC. “We’re the tough guys,” said Gallagher. “We’re the ones everyone is scared of.”