MMA News
Geje Eustaquio ready to redeem himself in Manila
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 1, 2019
Former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje Eustaquio will seek redemption on 2 August when he faces Japan’s Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu at ONE: Dawn of Heroes at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. Eustaquio attempted to defend the title against Adriano Moraes at ONE: Hero’s Ascent but surrendered the belt when all the judges scored the bout in favor of the Brazilian. Although the Filipino athlete was able to land a plethora of decent strikes throughout the contest, it was a prolonged knee-bar from “Mikinho” which became the deciding factor of the match.
VIDEO | Conor McGregor announces Proper No. Twelve has arrived in Canada
Tom Taylor - August 1, 2019
Proper No. Twelve, the Irish whiskey created by former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor, has already taken Ireland and the United States by storm. Now, it’s poised to do the same in Canada. On Wednesday, it was announced that Proper No. Twelve has hit shelves in the Great White North, and on Thursday, McGregor made it official himself, toasting Toronto, The Raptors, Drake, and the entire country in a video posted to Twitter.
Colby Covington dismisses Jorge Masvidal's claim to a title shot
Tom Taylor - August 1, 2019
Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal are the two top contenders in the UFC welterweight division. Both are seemingly right on the cusp of a shot at reigning champ Kamaru Usman, and could conceivably be fighting each other for the title in the near future. The problem is, they’re good friends and training partners; a dynamic duo like Batman and Robin, according to Covington.
Chael Sonnen explains what 'stupid' Jon Jones can learn from Max Holloway
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 1, 2019
Chael Sonnen is critical of how Jon Jones handles questions on his game. Jones is hailed as the pound-for-pound best mixed martial arts fighter in the world, but Sonnen has been on “Bones'” case for his drawing ability. While Sonnen has ripped into Jones as he believes the UFC light heavyweight champion fails to capitalize on opportunities, Sonnen feels the complete opposite about Max Holloway.
UFC Newark | Pro fighters make their picks for Colby Covington vs. Robbie Lawler
Cole Shelton - August 1, 2019
In the main event of UFC Newark, former interim welterweight champion,Colby Covington returns after over a year off to take on former undisputed champ Robbie Lawler. Heading into the fight, “Chaos” is a -235 favorite, while the former champ Lawler is a +185 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are split on this one, despite Covington being a big favorite.
Arjan Bhullar explains why he chose ONE Championship over the UFC
Tom Taylor - August 1, 2019
In May, at UFC Ottawa, former Olympic wrestler Arjan Bhullar picked up a decision victory over Juan Adams, extending his win-streak to two-straight and his overall UFC record to 3-1. Several weeks later, the Indian-Canadian heavyweight parted ways with the UFC and signed with Singapore-based promotion ONE Championship. Bhullar, who trains alongside Cain Velasquez and Daniel Cormier at American Kickboxing Academy, is now set to make his ONE Championship debut against former Cage Warriors champion Mauro Cerilli at ONE: Dawn of Heroes on Friday, August 2.
Chael Sonnen hails Georges St-Pierre as the GOAT
Tom Taylor - August 1, 2019
Chael Sonnen has fought three of the greatest fighters of all time in Anderson Silva (twice), Jon Jones, and Fedor Emelianenko. He’s also trained with Georges St-Pierre. Given his history, he has a unique perspective in MMA’s Greatest of All Time (GOAT) debate. In his eyes, the sport’s true GOAT is St-Pierre.
Donald Trump Jr explains why he will be cageside to support Colby Covington against Robbie Lawler
Christopher Taylor - July 31, 2019
Donald Trump Jr will in fact be cageside to support Colby Covington at this weekend’s UFC event in Newark. ‘Chaos’ will be squaring off with former welterweight title holder Robbie Lawler in Saturday night’s main event.
Israel Adesanya is insulted by comparisons to Jon Jones' striking
Cole Shelton - July 31, 2019
Israel Adesanya is set to fight Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 243 this October in Australia. Yet, in the lead up to the fight, a lot of the talk has been about the budding rivalry between Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya. It even got the point where “Bones” and Whittaker were talking about training with one another for this title fight.
Breaking | Derrick Lewis slated to return at UFC 244 against former WSOF champion Blagoy Ivanov
Natasha Hooper - July 31, 2019
The UFC is preparing a heavyweight bout between Derrick Lewis and Blagoy Ivanov, according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. The ESPN journalist reported on Twitter that the UFC is lining up a fight between the perennial heavyweight contenders at UFC 244 this November at the Madison Square Garden in New York City.
VIDEO | Cris Cyborg tells Dana White to 'stop lying' to his face
Thomas Taylor - July 31, 2019
UFC President Dana White has had plenty to say about Cris Cyborg of late, primarily with respect to a potential rematch between Cyborg and Amanda Nunes. Despite the fact that Cyborg has been vocal about her desire for this rematch, White claims she doesn’t actually want the fight. In response, Cyborg has repeatedly called White a liar in the media.
Whether Cris Cyborg stays in the UFC or signs elsewhere, she clearly deserves better
Jordy McElroy - July 31, 2019
Cris Cyborg emerged from her UFC 240 co-main event bout with Felicia Spencer on Saturday night bloodied but unbroken. A single gash in the middle of her forehead from an elbow strike will leave a scar to tell the story of the night she shoved countless fists in Spencer’s face, and none of it mattered. The rematch with Amanda Nunes isn’t any closer to happening, and her fractured relationship with UFC President Dana White isn’t any closer to mending. Even diehard skeptics can admit it was demoralizing watching one of the greatest fighters in MMA history reduced to campaigning for a rematch she already deserved before the fight with Spencer. A fighter that spent most of her career with the byline as the baddest woman on the planet wore a custom-made t-shirt advocating for a fight with Nunes, hell-bent on proving she wasn’t ducking a rematch with the reigning two-division champion.
Tyron Woodley believes Jon Jones and Conor McGregor are held to unequal standard
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2019
Jon Jones has found himself in quite a bit of trouble outside the cage over the years — most recently for an incident involving a waitress at a strip club. According to former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley however, Jones does not behave any worse than Conor McGregor, who Woodley believes is treated with much more understanding when he errs. In fact, Woodley believes McGregor is even glorified for his troubles outside the cage.
VIDEO | Will Brooks vs. Gleison Tibau fight ends with ridiculous stoppage
Adam Martin - July 31, 2019
A battle between former UFC lightweights Will Brooks and Gleison Tibau ended in controversial fashion in the main event of Battlefield FC 2 this past weekend in Macau. Tibau had Brooks caught in a guillotine choke along the cage but Brooks looked to be fighting the choke. Brooks relaxed his arms and the referee immediately stepped in to stop the fight, handing Tibau the victory. Brooks was fully conscious and was in compete shock the referee stopped the bout.
Khabib Nurmagomedov talks facing distractions ahead of UFC 242
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 31, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov dealt with distractions ahead of his massive bout with Conor McGregor, but things are different preparing for Dustin Poirier. On Sept. 7, Nurmagomedov and Poirier will collide in a lightweight title unification bout. “The Eagle” holds UFC lightweight gold, while “The Diamond” is the interim title holder. Nurmagomedov vs. Poirier is set to headline UFC 242 (see info on how to watch here) in Abu Dhabi.
Greg Hardy: Francis Ngannou is 'not an athlete'
Natasha Hooper - July 31, 2019
Despite a shaky start to his Octagon career, former NFL player Greg Hardy has been making moves in the heavyweight division. He has bounced back from a disqualification loss in his UFC debut in his two subsequent bouts, securing two first-round TKOs. Needless to say, he’s powerful.
ATT owner reveals Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal are no longer training together
Cole Shelton - July 31, 2019
Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal are best friends and have been for years. The two welterweight contenders always train with each other to help one another for their upcoming fights. But that is no longer the case. At least, not currently. Covington and Masvidal are two of the UFC’s top welterweights, and according to American Top Team owner Dan Lambert, they are no longer training together as they believe they’ll inevitably have to fight each other.
Kamaru Usman: There could be psychological aspect in Lawler vs. Covington matchup
Tom Taylor - July 31, 2019
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC Newark, former interim welterweight champ Colby Covington will step into the cage with former undisputed welterweight champ Robbie Lawler in a bout that could produce the next welterweight title challenger. As such, reigning champ Kamaru Usman will be watching the action closely. Lawler used to train at American Top Team, the gym Covington still calls home, and the pair actually got quite a bit of training in together over the years. Usman believes their previous training sessions could definitely play a psychological role in their fight — though he’s not sure who will benefit.