MMA News

Tom Taylor - September 26, 2019

Dillon Danis was expected to return to the mats at ADCC 2019, but according to a report from FloGrappling, the Conor McGregor stablemate has withdrawn from his position in the -99kg division. You better believe Ben Askren has something to say about that. The UFC welterweight contender Askren reacted to this news on Twitter, making a rather crude suggestion about the cause of Danis’ withdrawal.

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.

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - September 26, 2019

Bellator is back in Inglewood, California this Saturday night for a stacked Bellator 228 card. It features four Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix fights, and in the co-main event, a pivotal middleweight bout as Gegard Mousasi takes on Lyoto Machida in a rematch of their 2014 fight in the UFC. Heading into the tilt, Mousasi is a -300 favorite while the former UFC champ is a +230 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. Surprisingly, the pros are unanimous on this one.

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

Dillon Danis won’t let go of his feud against Youtube star Jake Paul. He’s now taking shots at Paul’s wife. A few days ago, the stars got in a Twitter beef after Dillon Danis posted “F**k the Pauls.”

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.

Cole Shelton - September 25, 2019

UFC 245 is close to getting its main event as welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman is set to take on Colby Covington. Sources tell BJPENN.com that the two are close to finalizing the contract and the bout would serve as the main event. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani was first to report the news on his MMA Reporters podcast.

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.

Adam Martin - September 25, 2019

Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens fought to a No Contest in the main event of this past weekend’s UFC Mexico City event. Rodriguez accidentally poked Stephens in the eye and after Stephens couldn’t open it, the doctor had to step in and stop the fight just 15 seconds in. Fans responded by throwing garbage into the center of the Octagon. Although Rodriguez told the media after the fight that he believed Stephens should be given the benefit of the doubt for not continuing, it seems as though Rodriguez has changed his tune.

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.