MMA News
Ben Askren believes 'idiots' Usman, Covington made the same error in negotiations
Thomas Taylor - September 16, 2019
UFC 244 was originally expected to be headlined by a welterweight title fight between reigning champion Kamaru Usman and top contender Colby Covington. Unfortunately, negotiations for this fight ultimately hit a snag, and the fight was never made official. Welterweight contender Ben Askren believes that’s because both Usman and Covington made the same mistake: the both assumed they have more popularity — and therefor more bargaining power — than they actually do. Askren shared this opinion, which will surely generate some backlash from Usman and Covington, on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday.
Ben Askren sends scathing message to Conor McGregor
Thomas Taylor - September 16, 2019
Ben Askren and Conor McGregor recently had a brief skirmish on social media. Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, Askren continued with this war of words by sending a scathing message to the former two-division UFC champion. By Askren’s estimation, McGregor needs to take a fight — perhaps with Dustin Poirier, who recently called him out. If McGregor is unwilling to do that, Askren believes he needs to keep quiet.
Cheick Kongo opens up on controversial Ryan Bader fight
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2019
Cheick Kongo was fighting for the heavyweight title against Ryan Bader in the main event of Bellator 226. It was a chance for the 44-year-old Frenchman to win a major MMA title, something that has eluded him thus far in his career. Unfortunately for Kongo and his team, things didn’t go as planned. Instead, the fight was ruled a no-contest after an accidental eye poke from Bader. The champion has since gone on social media posting videos saying there was no eye poke. Kongo, however, says he was poked in the eye, and the nose.
Tyron Woodley discusses plans at welterweight, middleweight
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2019
Former UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley is planning to move up to middleweight, but no quite yet. Speaking at fan Q&A ahead of last weekend’s UFC Vancouver card, Woodley divulged that he first plans on fighting his welterweight nemesis Colby Covington, as well as the man who ended his reign as welterweight champ, Kamaru Usman — twice. From there, he plans to head north to the 185-pound middleweight division.
Dan Hardy wants Nate Diaz for his comeback fight
Adam Martin - September 16, 2019
Former UFC welterweight contender Dan Hardy hopes to fight again in the Octagon, and he wants a piece of Nate Diaz in his return fight. The UFC color commentator recently spoke to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto about a possible comeback opponent, and “The Outlaw” said he wants Diaz.
Michael Bisping expects Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal buildup to be uneventful
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 16, 2019
Michael Bisping believes those hoping for a heated buildup to Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal will be disappointed. On Nov. 2, Diaz and Masvidal will do battle for the one-time only BMF championship. The welterweight clash is set to headline UFC 244 inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. The seeds for this bout were planted when Diaz called Masvidal out following his successful return at UFC 241.
Michel Pereira reveals he cut 38.5 pounds for UFC Vancouver
Mike Heck - September 16, 2019
Michel Pereira suffered his first UFC loss on Saturday to newcomer Tristan Connelly at UFC Vancouver, but he suffered a lot prior to the fight as well, according to a recent statement. “Demolidor” brings a charismatic and exciting style to the cage that has been rarely, if ever, seen in the UFC Octagon. Pereira also missed the welterweight limit by a pound prior to Saturday’s disappointing defeat.
Agilan Thani ready to topple another veteran in Yushin Okami
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2019
Agilan Thani entered the year 2019 on shaky ground. The Malaysian welterweight had been stopped in his last two fights of 2018, first succumbing to Zebaztian Kadestam’s strikes, then, then tapping to a Kiamrian Abbasov rear-naked choke. Despite this rough patch, Thani’s first contest of the year was a big one. In June, he was tasked with welcoming Japanese MMA legend Yoshihiro Akiyama to the ONE Championship cage.
Al Iaquinta says Cowboy loss provided 'wake-up call'
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2019
Back in May, in the main event of UFC Ottawa, New York’s Al Iaquinta stepped into the cage with the dangerous Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. Iaquinta’s objective was to gun down Cowboy and take a big step toward a shot at lightweight gold. Unfortunately for Al Iaquinta and his team, this fight didn’t go as planned, as he was defeated by unanimous decision.
Georges St-Pierre cedes next title lightweight shot to Tony Ferguson
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has been campaigning for a fight with former UFC welterweight and middleweight champ Georges St-Pierre for quite awhile. Nurmagomedov’s manager has even claimed St-Pierre is the next opponent in line for Nurmagomedov. Given that streaking UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson has irrefutably earned a lightweight title shot, talk of a potential Nurmagomedov vs. St-Pierre fight has been met with quite a bit of backlash. The good news for fans who want to see Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson next, however, is that St-Pierre himself believes this is the way it should happen.
Danny Kingad has a chance to put Philippine mixed martial arts on the map at ONE: CENTURY
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 16, 2019
Danny Kingad will be dealing with a lot of pressure when he goes head-to-head with Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Final at ONE: CENTURY PART I this coming 13 October in Tokyo, Japan. The 23-year old Filipino flyweight prodigy out of the famed Team Lakay Gym in La Trinidad, Benguet Province, Philippines will have the hopes of an entire nation pinned on him as he looks to take down a pound-for-pound great in the United States’ Johnson with a shot at glory on the line.
Paulo Costa trashes 'skinny clown' Israel Adesanya, says Dana White has promised him next title shot
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2019
Paulo Costa will be in attendance at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia. But, he will not be there as a backup fighter to weigh-in. Instead, he will be there to watch the main event and see who he is fighting next. Of course, the main event of the card is the middleweight title fight between Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya. According to Paulo Costa, UFC President Dana White has promised him the next title shot.
How Samy Sana could upset Giorgio Petrosyan
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 16, 2019
Samy Sana has already pulled off one improbable victory during the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix. On 13 October in Tokyo, Sana will be faced with his toughest challenge since signing with ONE Championship. He’ll face kickboxing legend Giorgio Petrosyan in the final with the USD $1 million prize on the line and the right to call himself the first-ever ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion. The Sana-Petrosyan match is just one bout on a stacked, two-card event emanating from the iconic Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Dillon Danis rips into Tyron Woodley concert
Natasha Hooper - September 16, 2019
Dillon Danis didn’t hold back on social media yesterday. The New Jersey native trashed Tyron Woodley and his budding singing career in a Twitter post. He added the caption, “You know you hit rock bottom when you go to a Tyron Woodley concert.” Danis shared footage of Woodley performing in (what appears to be) a club. He is rapping to fans who are filming the event. Everyone in attendance was impressed, but Dillon Danis certainly was not.
Conor McGregor sends location
Natasha Hooper - September 16, 2019
Fan’s have been long awaiting for Conor McGregor to ‘send me location’, and it seems the Irish fighter has finally set a date for his UFC return. ‘Notorious’ hasn’t fought since October 2018 when he entered the octagon to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. Despite his endless confidence and trash-talking, McGregor was submitted by ‘The Eagle’ via neck crank in the fourth round.
The Korean Zombie responds to Brian Ortega's challenge
Natasha Hooper - September 15, 2019
‘The Korean Zombie’ responds to Brian Ortega’s call out for a featherweight fight this year. The pair are targeted for a throw down at UFC 244 or UFC 245. Brian Ortega is ready to return to the Octagon and vindicate his last loss. He fought featherweight champion Max Holloway at UFC 231 in 2018 but lost during the fourth round.
Georges St-Pierre names his top pound-for-pound fighters in MMA
Adam D Martin - September 15, 2019
Former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre was in Las Vegas this weekend for a special promotion, and he was asked the question of who he believes are the top pound-for-pound fighters currently in MMA. Helen Yee interviewed GSP and asked him to name his list of the top P4P fighters in the sport. Here’s what GSP said when asked.
UFC exec says referee stopped Justin Gaethje vs. Donald Cerrone fight too late
Adam D Martin - September 15, 2019
UFC president Dana White was not in attendance for Saturday night’s UFC Vancouver event. However, top executive David Shaw was, and he believes the main event between Justin Gaethje and Donald Cerrone was stopped too late by referee Jerin Valel. Shaw was asked by the media post-event what he thought about the stoppage. Both Gaethje and Cerrone complained about when the referee stopped the fight. For Gaethje, he believes the referee waited too long, and for Cerrone he believes it was stopped too early. If you ask Shaw his opinion on the matter, he believes the referee stopped the fight too late.