MMA News

Tom Taylor - September 23, 2019

Kevin Belingon and Bibiano Fernandes have a long and complicated history together. The two stars will look to write a decisive final chapter to their shared story when they collide for the ONE Championship bantamweight title at ONE: Century – Part 2 on October 13 in Tokyo, Japan. This Tokyo showdown will mark the fourth time they share the cage together.

Adam Martin - September 23, 2019

The UFC announced over the weekend that UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway will defend his title against Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 245. Now, the challenger has given his thoughts on the fight in the first interview since the bout was announced. Speaking to EMG Access, Volkanovski sounded extremely confident that he will get his hand raised against Holloway. Not only does Volkanovski believe he will win in impressive fashion, he’s already talking about giving Holloway his rematch once he wins.

Tom Taylor - September 23, 2019

UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker has won his last few fights with his striking, but striking certainly isn’t his only skill. In fact, Whittaker is so well-rounded that his coach Alex Prates considers him a “better version of” Georges St-Pierre. “Maybe you’ll see Robert Whittaker using a style that I think is the one that suits him better but he never really needed it because it was always comfortable for him on the feet for most of his fights,” Prates told Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting. “With Yoel Romero, for example, it would have been stupid to try to take him down. But Robert has great wrestling and great timing. I honestly think Robert is a better version of GSP. And we might see this now.”

Tom Taylor - September 23, 2019

Ben Askren has always taken pride in being a clean fighter. Unfortunately, not every fighter on the UFC roster can say the same. Speaking on the new Hot Takes segment on of his podcast, Askren discussed the performance-enhancing drug problem that has been causing problems in the UFC, and pointed out that a significant percentage of the UFC roster has popped for banned substances in the last six months alone.

Natasha Hooper - September 23, 2019

Boxing champ Claressa Shields is ready to make her MMA debut, and is willing to do so against the best female mixed martial in the game today, two-division champ Amanda Nunes. The undisputed middleweight champion Shields has two gold medals and a multitude of world titles in two different weight classes. At just 24 years of age, Shields has a long list of athletic accomplishments. She has a scheduled boxing match against Ivana Habazin on October 5th in Michigan. If she wins, she could become a three-division champ in record time.

Tom Taylor - September 23, 2019

UFC Mexico was a solid card, but unfortunately, it ended on an ugly note. Seconds into the card’s main event, Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez inadvertently raked his opponent Jeremy Stephen’s eye. After taking the full, allotted five minutes to recover, Stephens was unable to continue and the fight was waved off.

Tom Taylor - September 23, 2019

It’s been a hectic year for Demetrious Johnson. After signing with ONE Championship in late 2018, the former UFC Flyweight Champion has spent the duration of 2019 thus far bushwhacking his way through the perilous ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix.

Natasha Hooper - September 23, 2019

Dustin Poirier is ready and willing to fight Tony Ferguson at UFC 245 if UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov “can’t make it” to the card. “The Diamond” Poirier fought the undefeated lightweight champion Nurmagomedov earlier this month at UFC 242. Poirier did everything he could to challenge Nurmagomedov, but his efforts failed as “The Eagle” delivered yet another dominant performance and defended his championship.

BJPENN.COM Staff - September 23, 2019

With only nine professional bouts on his resume, Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev isn’t a household name in the world of mixed martial arts. However, after 13 October in Tokyo, the man known as “Dagi” to some could see his popularity jump exponentially.  Arslanaliev will be a part of one of the most significant martial arts events in history. In the most high-profile match of his career, the 24-year-old from Dagestan has a chance to win the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix. 

Christopher Taylor - September 22, 2019

Yair Rodriguez was visibly upset after his bout with Jeremy Stephens was ruled a no-contest, and things only got worse when Michael Bisping attempted to calm him down. ‘El Pantera’ was taking on ‘Lil Heathen’ in the highly anticipated headliner of last night’s UFC Mexico event.

Adam Martin - September 22, 2019

UFC president Dana White says he planned on boxing Tito Ortiz and claims he would have “f*cked up” the former UFC light heavyweight champion if they fought. White was interviewed recently by Barstool Sports and was asked about the long-rumored boxing match between White and Ortiz. The UFC president gave his side of the story.

Thomas Taylor - September 22, 2019

Former UFC heavyweight champ Junior dos Santos thinks reigning UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones is the best fighter in the world today. In fact, dos Santos believes Jones would do very well if he made the move up to the heavyweight division. “Jon Jones is the No. 1 baddest guy on the planet… actually, he’s the No. 1 pound-for-pound in the world, so I think he could do very well in the heavyweight division,” dos Santos told MMA Fighting.

Adam D Martin - September 22, 2019

Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson wants to fight UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 245. The UFC’s year-end card takes place December 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. That’s the date “El Cucuy” is requesting to fight “The Eagle” in one of the most highly-anticipated battles in MMA history. Here’s what Ferguson said on Twitter.

Adam D Martin - September 22, 2019

UFC women’s strawweight Carla Esparza says that fans showered her with beer following her majority decision win over Alexa Grasso at UFC Mexico City. MMAjunkie.com’s John Morgan tweeted out the unfortunate news after the event. Here’s what he said.

Adam D Martin - September 22, 2019

Valor BK held its first event last night in New Town, North Dakota, and a number of notable MMA veterans fought bare knuckle on the Ken Shamrock-produced card. The card delivered a number of highlight-reel finishes, including a brutal knockout by former UFC heavyweight Mark Godbeer that went viral. He knocked out Jack May in devastating fashion en route to becoming the promotion’s first-ever heavyweight champion. Watch the video below.

Adam D Martin - September 22, 2019

UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa put featherweight Jeremy Stephens on blast for not continuing to fight after getting accidentally poked in the eye by Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC Mexico City. Costa took to Twitter to criticize Stephens for not continuing to fight, insinuating that he doesn’t belong in the UFC. Here’s what “Borrachinha” said.

Adam D Martin - September 22, 2019

UFC featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez says he gives Jeremy Stephens “the benefit of a doubt” after an eye poked ended the UFC Mexico city main event. Rodriguez spoke to reporters following the event and was asked if he thought Stephens was legitimately injured or if he was faking it. Rodriguez said he would give his opponent the benefit of the doubt about the fight-ending injury.

Adam D Martin - September 22, 2019

A video has circulated of UFC commentator Brendan Fitzgerald hiding under the announcers’ desk following the main event of UFC Mexico City. The main event was declared a No Contest after just 15 seconds when Jeremy Stephens was unable to see following an accidental eye poke by Yair Rodriguez. The unfortunate ending to the card left fans in the arena extremely upset, with many of them chucking beer and popcorn into the center of the Octagon and at the fighters.