MMA News
Alexander Hernandez explains how he 'underestimated' Donald Cerrone
Tom Taylor - July 18, 2019
This weekend, on the main card of UFC San Antonio, Alexander Hernandez will look to rebound from a tough loss to Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone against long-time Brazilian contender Francisco Trinaldo. Looking back on his fight with Cerrone, Hernandez still believes he is the overall better fighter, but acknowledges that he didn’t give his foe’s experience and composure enough respect.
Scott Coker discusses leaving Aaron Pico off Bellator featherweight grand prix
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 18, 2019
Bellator president Scott Coker appears to be taking things slow with Aaron Pico. While Pico has been hailed as one of the greatest prospects in MMA, he was thrown to the wolves rather quickly. At the age of 22, Pico has a record of 4-3 and he’s been stopped in all of his losses. In his last two outings, Pico was brutally knocked out by Henry Corrales and Adam Borics.
Paul Felder ready to make 155 pounds so he can step in against Nurmagomedov or Poirier
Natasha Hooper - July 18, 2019
Things may be about to come full circle for Paul Felder, as he prepares to make 155 pounds as a potential replacement for Nurmagomedov or Poirier in their upcoming bout. UFC 242 on September 7th in Abu Dhabi promises to put the best UFC fighters to the test. Especially in the main event where lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov faces off against Dustin Poirier.
Manager: Khabib Nurmagomedov could fight GSP 'before Tony'
Tom Taylor - July 18, 2019
After Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in October, there was some discussion about him potentially crossing over to boxing to battle Floyd Mayweather in the boxing ring— just as McGregor did in 2017. Since then, however, talk of a Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Floyd Mayweather boxing match has almost completely fizzled out. Yet Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz claims that Mayweather is still begging for the matchup.
Germaine de Randamie defends Aspen Ladd stoppage
Cole Shelton - July 18, 2019
Germaine de Randamie headlined her second UFC card on Saturday, taking on the undefeated Aspen Ladd in the main event of UFC Sacramento. But, fans were not happy with the ending of the fight as the former featherweight champion knocked out the 24-year-old in just 16 seconds with one punch. As soon as the fight was over, boos came down from the crowd, who evidently thought the referee intervened early. De Randamie had no idea if it was an early stoppage during the fight. But, now looking back on it, the Dutch fighter believes it was a good stoppage and wonders why fans want to see fighters take more damage than necessary.
Kevin Lee: Ben Askren is 'easiest fight out of anybody'
Mike Heck - July 18, 2019
Kevin Lee certainly doesn’t see a scenario where a matchup with Ben Askren would be all that competitive. Now that “The Motown Phenom” has had a taste of the welterweight division — and with plans to stay at 170-pounds — a fight between him and Askren is something that could be on the table. With both fighters coming off of a loss, the matchup certainly makes sense. Sprinkle in some back-and-forth at the UFC 236 seasonal press conference and you have a storyline to build off of.
Tatiana Suarez reacts to Khabib Nurmagomedov comparisons
Natasha Hooper - July 18, 2019
Being able to maintain an undefeated record is no easy feat, especially when there are so many rising stars on the UFC roster. Yet strawweight contender Tatiana Suarez has just done that. Currently holding a 9-0 record, it may be no surprise that some are comparing her to the undefeated UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov. Suarez made her UFC debut in The Ultimate Fighter in 2016. She beat Amanda Cooper via d’arce choke in the first round and took home the victory. Since then she has continued competing in the Octagon and beaten worthy contenders including Nina Ansaroff last month at UFC 238. Similarly to Nurmagomedov, Suarez utilizes wrestling to defeat her opponents.
Athletes with the most to lose at ONE: Dawn of Heroes
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 18, 2019
For years now, the Philippines and ONE Championship, the top martial arts organization in Asia, have put on some fantastic events. The next event to be staged in Manila is ONE: Dawn of Heroes on 2 August. The stakes are high as the card is packed with title bouts and essential matches in several weight classes. Here are five athletes with the most to lose at ONE: Dawn of Heroes.
Donald Cerrone vs Justin Gaethje confirmed for UFC Vancouver
Natasha Hooper - July 18, 2019
Yesterday, Donald Cerrone announced on Instagram he would be taking a short-notice fight at UFC Vancouver. It has now been revealed his opponent is none other than Justin Gaethje. Dana White confirmed the match-up for UFC Vancouver on September 14. The fearless fighters will go head to head at the Rogers Arena and it will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+.
Dustin Poirier compares Khabib Nurmagomedov title fight to a Rocky movie
Cole Shelton - July 17, 2019
Dustin Poirier believes his upcoming fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov is very similar to Rocky IV. There, Rocky Balboa went to Russia to take on Ivan Drago, the heavyweight Russian. In Poirier’s case, he is going to Abu Dhabi to take on undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov where the Russian will have the Muslim crowd behind him. “This is real, I’m a world champion,” Poirier said to ESPN. “As is he. This is a super fight to me. That’s how I feel, that’s what this feels like to me. We’re going to a sold-out arena they’re building as we speak in Abu Dhabi, the middle of the desert, and princes and sheiks will be there. It’s crazy. It’s a Rocky movie.”
Ali Abdelaziz explains how Urijah Faber can get title shot against Henry Cejudo
Cole Shelton - July 17, 2019
After Henry Cejudo beat Marlon Moraes at UFC 238 to become the bantamweight champion he called out a bevy of names including Urijah Faber. Then, at UFC Sacramento, “The California Kid” knocked out Ricky Simon in 46 seconds and returned the favor by calling out Cejudo. Since the callouts, many are interested in seeing that fight and even the UFC Hall of Famer said the chances of the fight happening next are very good. According to Cejudo’s manager in Ali Abdelaziz, however, he doesn’t believe Urijah Faber deserves it and instead should fight Marlon Moraes for the chance to fight the champ-champ.
Michael Bisping says Urijah Faber vs. Henry Cejudo 'would be awesome'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 17, 2019
Michael Bisping wouldn’t be opposed to seeing Urijah Faber jump the line in the UFC bantamweight division. Back in Dec. 2016, Faber ended his professional mixed martial arts career. He walked off on his terms, defeating Brad Pickett via unanimous decision in Sacramento. Faber was later inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. For Faber, however, the itch to compete didn’t go away.
Joe Rogan praises 'absolutely legitimate Aikido master' Steven Seagal
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2019
After taking credit for a few of the signature techniques of UFC stars like Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva, Hollywood action star Steven Seagal has become a bit of a punchline inside the MMA community. Yet according to UFC commentator Joe Rogan, there is a “legit” martial arts background behind all the silliness.
Tito Ortiz thinks Ben Askren is most overrated UFC fighter
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 17, 2019
Tito Ortiz doesn’t appear to think too highly of Ben Askren. Askren entered the UFC with a ton of hype. Having won Bellator and ONE Championship gold and being a former Olympic wrestler, many thought “Funky” had a good shot at success on the biggest mixed martial arts stage. There’s still time for Askren to make his mark, but a devastating flying knee KO defeat to Jorge Masvidal has at least served as a bump in the road.
Dana White emphatically shuts down Conor McGregor vs. Jorge Masvidal matchup
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2019
Surging UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal has recently been campaigning for a showdown with former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor. In fact, Masvidal’s manager recently stated that McGregor is the only opponent they’ll accept outside of a title fight with welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Unfortunately for team Masvidal, UFC President Dana White says it’s not happening.
What Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez must do to find success in Manila
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 17, 2019
Yielding different results in their respective debuts on 31 March in Tokyo Japan at ONE: A NEW ERA, Demetrious Johnson, and Eddie Alvarez have a few things to tweak as they get acclimated to a new promotion. Once again, Johnson and Alvarez will compete on the same card when they battle Tatsumitsu Wada and Eduard Folayang, respectively, at ONE: DAWN OF HEROES on 2 August at the Mall of Asia in Manila, Philippines.
Ryan Hall breaks down 'completely and utterly dominant' UFC Sacramento win
Cole Shelton - July 17, 2019
Last Saturday, Ryan Hall took to the Octagon in Sacramento and beat a local favorite, Darren Elkins, by decision. While Hall is known for his world class Brazilian jiu jitsu, it was his striking that was on display in this fight, as he was able to drop Elkins twice en route to his win. Although Hall didn’t get the finish, he says the fight went about as perfect as it could have.
Leon Edwards argues Jorge Masvidal doesn't deserve title shot
Tom Taylor - July 17, 2019
When Jorge Masvidal knocked former Bellator and ONE welterweight champion Ben Askren out in five seconds at UFC 239, he cemented himself as one of the top contenders in the UFC welterweight division — perhaps even the top contender outright. Yet rising British contender Leon Edwards, who fights Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC San Antonio this weekend, doesn’t believe Masvidal has earned a title shot just yet. “I never held Askren in high regard anyway,” Edwards told MMA Fighting, downplaying Masvidal’s victory. “He just shouted his mouth off the get to where he’s at. He’s an amateur on the feet, I’ve watched him hit pads and it’s weird; even his shots are slow. He came in, he talked his way up into the position he was in and then he dipped his head into a knee.