MMA News
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.
Chael Sonnen would be 'beyond stunned' if Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic 2 ends in first round
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 30, 2019
Chael Sonnen isn’t expecting the upcoming rematch between Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic to end in the opening frame once again. Back in July 2018, Cormier challenged Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title. At the time, Cormier was the light heavyweight champion. Cormier knocked Miocic out in the first round to become a two-division champion. On Aug. 17, the two will collide a second time in the main event of UFC 241.
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.
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.
Cage Warriors champ Nicolas Dalby announces UFC return in heartfelt statement
Adam Martin - July 30, 2019
Cage Warriors interim welterweight champion Nicolas Dalby has re-signed with the UFC. The Denmark native announced via his Instagram that he is returning to the Octagon at UFC Fight Night 160, which takes place September 28 at Royal Arena in his hometown of Copenhagen.
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.
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.
Cris Cyborg demands public apology from Joe Rogan, Dana White
Thomas Taylor - July 29, 2019
Former UFC, Strikeforce and Invicta featherweight champion Cris Cyborg is not happy with the recent comments UFC President Dana White has made about her. She’s also not particularly pleased with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, who generated some controversy for his skewed commentary of her UFC 240 victory over Felicia Spencer. Of course, these are not the first issues Cyborg has had with White and Rogan. Both men have previously made some pretty reprehensible comments about the talented fighter. And now, she wants an apology. Publicly.
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.
Corey Anderson challenges Johnny Walker to fight at MSG
Adam Martin - July 29, 2019
After UFC president Dana White nixed a potential Corey Anderson vs. Jon Jones title bout, Anderson now has his sights set on a fight with Johnny Walker. Anderson called out Walker publicly on Twitter, and said he wants to fight him at UFC 244, taking place November 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Here’s what Anderson had to say:
Robert Whittaker explains why he hasn't trained with Jon Jones yet
Cole Shelton - July 29, 2019
During Israel Adesanya’s and Jon Jones’ intense trash talk, “Bones” said he would help train Robert Whittaker for his fight against “The Last Stylebender”. Yet, with the fight in October at UFC 243, Whittaker and Jones have yet to train together. According to the middleweight champion, there is a simple reason why.
The King of Lethwei: Dave Leduc is conquering the world's most brutal sport
Tom Taylor - July 29, 2019
Dave Leduc walks into Arts Martiaux Patenaude in Gatineau, Quebec like any other student might: quietly, with a bag slung over his shoulder, and a few minutes late. In fact, were it not for his size and his interesting tattoos, he might not warrant a second glance. Yet contrary to appearances, this Quebecer is a member of the martial arts pantheon; a fighting titan; a hero in a sport from half a world away. He is the King of Lethwei.
Max Holloway responds to Dana White closing the door on lightweight run
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 29, 2019
UFC president Dana White isn’t interested in seeing Max Holloway compete at lightweight again, but “Blessed” is up for the challenge. Holloway was seen in action this past Saturday night (July 27). He put the featherweight gold on the line against Frankie Edgar in the main event of UFC 240. The bout went the distance and Holloway was able to find his range and thwart takedown attempts to snag a unanimous decision victory. It’s Holloway’s third successful title defense.
Stephen Thompson calls for fight with Rafael dos Anjos
Tom Taylor - July 29, 2019
Two-time UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson is eager to get back on track after an upset, knockout loss to Anthony Pettis, and he knows just when he’d like to do so. In fact, he even has a potential opponent in mind. Speaking to the media backstage at UFC 240 last weekend in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the fighter they call “Wonderboy” called for a scrap with former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos. He said he he’d like the bout to occur at UFC 244 inside Madison Square Garden in New York City this November.
Alex Volkanovski confident he can beat Max Holloway after UFC 240
Tom Taylor - July 29, 2019
Max Holloway successfully defended the UFC featherweight title with a unanimous decision win at UFC 240, but his opponent Frankie Edgar didn’t make it particularly easy for him. Alex Volkanovski, the man widely expected to get the next crack at Holloway, was cage-side for the fight, and says he scored it more closely than the judges did. “I actually thought that was a really close,” Volkanovski told MMA Fighting. “Sitting on the sidelines there, I thought it was a bit closer than what the judges scored, 50-45. I thought Frankie might have won some rounds. Definitely competitive I thought.”