MMA News
Contender Series Antonio Trocoli flagged by USADA, released by the UFC
Matheus Costa - July 30, 2019
Antonio Trocoli impressed the UFC brass on the 2019 season of Dana White’s Contender Series by submitting Kenneth Berg in the first round with a broken foot. However, he won’t be able to display his talent inside the octagon anytime soon. The Brazilian fighter got flagged by USADA for using the prohibited substance Nandrolone and was immediately released from his contract with the UFC. The news was first reported by Combate and confirmed by BJPenn.com.
Colby Covington believes Ben Askren gets 'his walking papers' if he loses to Demian Maia
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2019
Colby Covington and Ben Askren do not like each other to say the least. They trade shots at one another in interviews and “Chaos” believes “Funky” will be released if he loses his next fight. Ben Askren is coming off of a knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239 in five seconds. He is now rumored to fight Demain Maia after his medical suspension is up, which Covington believes is a fight “Funky” losses.
Report | Johnny Walker set to return at UFC 244 in New York against Corey Anderson
Matheus Costa - July 30, 2019
It appears that a pivotal light heavyweight fight featuring Johnny Walker taking on Corey Anderson will take place at November’s UFC 244 event. The news was first reported by “Combate” and confirmed by BJPenn.com.
Controversial fighter Alexander Emelianenko expected to sign with BKFC
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2019
Controversial fighter, Alexander Emelianenko is set to fight again. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship has issued a contract to the Russian which he plans on signing in the coming days. His management, Gagarin Management Group confirmed the news to RT Sport.
Intense staredowns aplenty at ONE: Dawn of Heroes Kick-Off Press Conference
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 30, 2019
The biggest event in Philippine martial arts history took off with a face-off from ONE Championship’s biggest stars at the official ONE: Dawn of Heroes kick-off press conference held at the City of Dreams Manila in Pasay City, Philippines last Tuesday afternoon. https://youtu.be/iGcVrIX9K9s
Dan Hooker says Al Iaquinta ducked him, moves on
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2019
After knocking out James Vick at UFC San Antonio, New Zealand’s Dan Hooker began campaigning for a fight with Al Iaquinta at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia. Before long, however, Hooker was claiming that Iaquinta had turned down the fight. UFC told me you turned down the fight. Quit acting like you want to fight me, you don't. #ragingbuildups https://t.co/1h9COKF0vh
Jonathan Haggerty holds no fear of Rodtang Jitmuangnon's power
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 30, 2019
You might have expected Jonathan Haggerty to have taken a moment to soak up the atmosphere before requesting a new opponent. The 22-year-old Englishman had just captured the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event at ONE: FOR HONOR. Haggerty defeated Thailand’s legendary Sam-A Gaiyanghadao via unanimous decision in a thrilling encounter. As golden confetti fell from the ceiling and Haggerty’s team celebrated his victory, it seemed only right for the London native to simply enjoy the occasion. However, there is a reason why Haggerty is as successful as he is, and that is because of his relentless drive to test his skills against the best in the world.
Coach makes case for Frankie Edgar to drop to 135
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2019
After Frankie Edgar failed to capture the UFC featherweight title from Max Holloway at UFC 240 over the weekend, there are renewed calls for him to drop down to the 135-pound bantamweight division where he would be at less of a size disadvantage. From the sounds of it, even his coach Ricardo Almeida is interested in seeing this happen. “We’ve been talking about this for a while, telling him to move down to 135 pounds, but he never really wanted it, he was never really interested,” Almeida told MMA Fighting. “What Frankie wants is to be the best in the world. Frankie wants to win this second belt. And if he sees a path to get to that belt in that weight class, I’m sure he would really consider it. And I think he’d probably have that path.
Dan Lambert believes Amanda Nunes belongs in the GOAT conversation
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2019
Amanda Nunes is the reigning bantamweight and featherweight champion and is fresh off of a knockout win over Holly Holm at UFC 239. Now, Amanda Nunes is hoping to defend her featherweight title, but it’s hard to say who she’ll fight. Cris Cyborg could soon be a free agent, and other than that, there are no real contenders on win-streaks available for Nunes.
Johnny Walker responds to callout from Corey Anderson
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2019
UFC light heavyweight contender Corey Anderson recently set his sights on a showdown with streaking light heavyweight prospect Johnny Walker. Anderson expressed his interest in this fight, which he hopes will go down at UFC 244 in New York City in November, on Twitter. Wanted to dethrone the "King", they want me to derail a train, #JohnnyWalker thinks he's ready for the big leagues, time to roll out the red carpet. You want the sauce?! Meet me in the land of opportunity, NYC, MSG, Nov 2nd. #ufc #msg @AliAbdelaziz00 @danawhite @Mickmaynard2
Brendan Schaub: Cris Cyborg has never been treated right her entire career
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 30, 2019
Brendan Schaub feels Cris Cyborg hasn’t been given the respect she deserves. Cyborg recently competed in the last fight of her UFC deal. She took on Felicia Spencer in the co-main event of UFC 240 this past Saturday night (July 27). Spencer was able to hang on until the final horn, but Cyborg earned the unanimous decision victory.
Felicia Spencer believes she could have done better against Cyborg at UFC 240
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2019
Felicia Spencer is not dwelling on her loss to Cris Cyborg at UFC 240. Although the Canadian lost the fight by unanimous decision she knows she had plenty of success. She cut Cyborg’s forehead, and took the Brazilian’s hardest shots and kept moving forward. All in all, she is happy with some parts of her performance but knows she could have done better.
Frankie Edgar issues emotional statement after UFC 240 loss
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2019
Last Saturday, in the main event of UFC 240, Frankie Edgar attempted to swipe the UFC featherweight title from the waist of champ Max Holloway. Despite a valiant effort in the fight, Edgar came up short on points. Speaking on his official Instagram account on Monday, Edgar issued a poignant statement on this setback. In his statement, the former lightweight champ reflected on the loss, and assured that he’s not done fighting yet.
Ultimate Fighter veteran shot with real bullets at TV audition
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2019
Old school MMA fans will remember Alex Schoenauer from season one of The Ultimate Fighter. He lost to eventual winner Forrest Griffin on the show, and then Mike Swick at the finals, and has since become a successful stuntman in Hollywood. Unfortunately, a recent audition nearly took his life.
Kelvin Gastelum makes pick for Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya fight
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2019
The next UFC middleweight title fight on the calendar will go down at UFC 243 on October 6, when undisputed champion Robert Whittaker will attempt to defend his title against interim champion Israel Adesanya. Kelvin Gastelum, one of the top contenders in the division, will be watching this fight very closely. Speaking to South China Morning Post recently, Gastelum weighed in on this middleweight title fight. He has fought Adesanya previously, losing a decision to “Stylebender” in April, and has also been scheduled to fight Whittaker, though the bout unfortunately never happened. Needless to say, he’s got some unique insight into the matchup.
Jared Cannonier shares early thoughts on Jack Hermansson main event fight
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2019
Jared Cannonier is set for his first UFC main event as he takes on Jack Hermansson at UFC Copenhagen. Cannonier is 2-0 since dropping down to middleweight win TKO wins over David Branch at UFC 230 and Anderson Silva at UFC 237. Although he has been on a roll, so too, has Hermansson. He submitted Branch in under a minute, then beat Jacare Souza by decision laying the foundation for this fight with Cannonier. Cannonier did not hesitate to accept this fight even with how good Hermansson has looked as of late.
UFC Uruguay loses three planned matchups in one day
Thomas Taylor - July 29, 2019
UFC Uruguay is less than two weeks away, and it just lost a whopping three scheduled fights in the span of a day. All of this according to MMA Fighting and Combate. The most notable fighter to withdraw from the card is Hawaiian flyweight Rachael Ostovich, who has been forced out of her fight with Veronica Macedo.
Tyron Woodley doubles down on reason for Jorge Masvidal pics
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 29, 2019
Tyron Woodley has been criticized by fans and fighters over taking pictures with Jorge Masvidal and “The Chosen One” has responded. Images surfaced of Woodley and Masvidal seemingly hanging out. Colby Covington and Dillon Danis ripped Woodley as he’s a close friend of Ben Askren, who was knocked out by Masvidal in five seconds. Woodley returned fire and said he and Masvidal were on the set for a cbdMD commercial. The former UFC welterweight champion also said he reached out to Askren on the matter.