MMA News

Adam Martin - September 11, 2019

A Reddit user has dug deep into the UFC rankings, and has exposed a flawed system that features a number of panelists who do not actually even cover MMA. Reddit user u/kneeco28 posted an in-depth rundown of all 14 panelists on the UFC rankings panel. What he found was that a third of the panelists are not even active MMA media members. Remember, these are the same people who contribute to the rankings, which have an inexorable impact on fighter promotion, matchmaking, salaries and Reebok pay.

Tom Taylor - September 11, 2019

Last weekend, in the main event of UFC 242, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov authored another dominant title defense, this time at the expense of the dangerous Dustin Poirier. This victory impressed the vast majority of the MMA community — but not UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington. Covington gave his assessment of Nurmagomedov’s UFC 242 victory on a recent episode of Chael Sonnen’s podcast.

Mike Heck - September 11, 2019

Leon Edwards, for a moment, had a world title opportunity presented to him during the craziness of booking the main event for UFC 244. First, it was Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington that was discussed, then Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal, and ultimately onto Masvidal vs. Edwards for the vacant title before landing on the signed headliner, Masvidal taking on Nate Diaz. “Rocky” has won eight fights in a row including his most recent victory over former world champion Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC San Antonio. With Edwards’ recent surge, and Covington’s internal battle with the UFC going on, the 28-year-old is staking his claim at the title shot over the brash Covington.

BJPENN.COM Staff - September 11, 2019

The number of eye-popping matchups scheduled for the two ONE: CENTURY cards in Tokyo on October 13 is staggering. There are multiple world championship matches, and Grand Prix finals spread across a morning and evening events.  The lineup of bouts, in three different sports, and the dual cards as part of ONE’s celebration of 100 events, offers a unique presentation of action for fans. It’s a concept that is fairly unprecedented in combat sports. 

Natasha Hooper - September 11, 2019

Donald Cerrone has some history with his UFC Vancouver foe Justin Gaethje. Cerrone will be facing Gaethje in the main event of UFC Vancouver on Saturday, September 14. Neither fighter will hold back when the cage door closes, yet Cerrone spoke fondly of his opponent in an interview with James Lynch.

Natasha Hooper - September 11, 2019

Jorge Masvidal is scheduled to get a serious payday for his upcoming fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 244. The welterweight stars will collide on Saturday, November 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The highly anticipated matchup has been in the works since Nate Diaz called out ‘Gamebred’ following his unanimous win against Anthony Pettis at UFC 241. They will be fighting for the self-devised ‘Baddest Motherf**ker Title,’ which will get chins wagging and paychecks flying.

Natasha Hooper - September 11, 2019

According to Ariel Helwani, Jon Jones will not be fighting this year. The light heavyweight champion teased a big fight announcement for this year, but Ariel Helwani squashed any speculation on Twitter.

Adam Martin - September 10, 2019

The UFC’s year-end pay-per-view card this December in Las Vegas, UFC 245, could potentially feature three title fights on it for a true blockbuster end to 2019. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani speculated that the UFC could consider stacking UFC 245 with three title fights. Here’s what the scribe tweeted.

Christopher Taylor - September 10, 2019

Former two division UFC champion Conor McGregor has responded to Dustin Poirier’s request for a rematch. After falling short in his quest to dethrone undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242, Dustin Poirier appeared to be contemplating retirement.

Cole Shelton - September 10, 2019

Jan Blachowicz will not receive the light heavyweight title shot against Jon Jones he so desires. The Polish standout has been campaigning for a shot at ‘Bones’ ever since he knocked out Luke Rockhold back at UFC 239. According to ESPN, Jan Blachowicz will welcome Jacare Souza to the light heavyweight division. The fight will headline a UFC Fight Night on Nov. 16 in São Paulo, Brazil, according to Brett Okamoto, per UFC president Dana White.

Cole Shelton - September 10, 2019

Dustin Poirier called for a rematch with Conor McGregor earlier today and now claims he is open for the fight to take place in Zuffa boxing. Poirier had a chance to become the UFC’s undisputed lightweight champion at last weekend’s UFC 243 event but came up short. There, he was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov in the third round.

Thomas Taylor - September 10, 2019

After his UFC 242 submission defeat of Dustin Poirier, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov wanted the No. 1 spot in the UFC’s pound for pound rankings. Unfortunately, the champ has not gotten his wish. On Wednesday, the official UFC rankings were updated, and while they do feature some interesting changes, Nurmagomedov has not moved from the No. 2 spot on the pound-for-pound list. That spot is still held by UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

Tom Taylor - September 10, 2019

On Saturday night, Bellator MMA returned to our screens with Bellator 226. This stacked card was topped by a heavyweight title fight between reigning champ Ryan Bader and Bellator staple Cheick Kongo. Elsewhere on the card, we witnessed four of the quarterfinal bout for Bellator’s 16-man Featherweight World Grand Prix, in addition to a number of other exciting matchups.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 10, 2019

Georges St-Pierre feels Nick Diaz had the potential to be a UFC champion. Those who witnessed Diaz’s reign as the Strikeforce welterweight title holder certainly haven’t forgotten just how talented the Stockton native was. Diaz had three successful title defenses under the Strikeforce banner, including an epic battle with Paul Daley that ended with just three seconds left in the opening round.

Tom Taylor - September 10, 2019

After losing to UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 last weekend, Dustin Poirier briefly hinted at a potential retirement from MMA. Now that the dust has settled, however, it seems that Poirier not only plans to continue fighting, but that he wants to fight against the best and brightest competition available. He’s now calling for a rematch with Conor McGregor. Poirier made his callout of Mcgregor on Twitter.

Tom Taylor - September 10, 2019

Cris Cyborg is happy to have parted ways with the UFC and inked a new deal with Bellator MMA. In fact, she says her new deal with Bellator includes a number of important benefits that she was not able to enjoy while fighting for the UFC. Most notably, Cyborg is no longer obligated to wear Reebok as part of the UFC’s athlete outfitting deal. She’s free to pursue her own sponsorship opportunities.

Tom Taylor - September 10, 2019

When the UFC returns to Melbourne, Australia for UFC 243, it will bring top fighters like Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya, Holly Holm, Raquel Pennington, Dan Hooker and Al Iaquinta along with it. Yet if a one Melbourne-based politicians has their way, the promotion will not bring its beloved Octagon girls to The Land Down Under. Melbourne Mayor Sally Capp shared her grievances surrounding the UFC’s Octagon girls with The Herald Sun, reminding that other sports have done away with similar roles — such as Formula One and Professional Darts.

Tom Taylor - September 10, 2019

Colby Covington was in attendance for July’s UFC 241 card, and reportedly had a few near-scuffles with several other fighters sitting cage-side at the event— even his former friend and training partner Jorge Masvidal. At least, that’s allegedly what he told UFC President Dana White. Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, Masvidal claimed that Covington told the UFC boss that he was trying to get violent with him in the crowd.