MMA News

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. 

Tom Taylor - September 11, 2019

Colby Covington is a proud member of American Top Team. Unfortunately, Covington has become increasingly at odds with many of his American Top Team stablemates — particularly his long-time friend and fellow welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal, and recent lightweight title challenger Dustin Poirier. Over the last few weeks, Covington has taken very public shots at both Masvidal and Poirier, and the pair have not hesitated to fire back. In fact, both Masvidal and Poirier have hinted things could get tense if they encounter Covington at American Top Team.

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

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.

Cole Shelton - September 10, 2019

Ben Askren doesn’t believe that Conor McGregor will ever be a UFC champion again. McGregor, who is the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion was also the first-ever simultaneous two-division champion in the UFC. Yet, according to Ben Askren, he believes the Irishman made too much money to have the desire to train at a world champ level.

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

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.

Chris Taylor - September 10, 2019

Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson will return to the Octagon at November’s highly anticipated UFC 244 event in New York. “Wonderboy” will square off with Vicente Luque under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden on November 2.

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - September 10, 2019

Marvin Vettori is confident his UFC Vancouver opponent Andrew Sanchez is not on his level. Vettori, who took this fight on short notice, believes Sanchez does not have the cardio to keep up with him. Based on that, the Italian talent is confident he will be able to finish his American foe.

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

UFC welterweight contenders Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal were friends for a long time, but that no longer seems to be the case. As both fighters close in on welterweight title shots, they’ve become increasingly hostile with one another, even taking public shots at each other on social media.

Adam Martin - September 10, 2019

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has teased an upcoming title defense, and his potential opponent is hinting at getting the fight. Jones took to Twitter Monday to tease a “big fight announcement.”