MMA News
After KO loss, Duke Roufus expects Ben Askren to come back better than ever
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2019
Ben Askren suffered the first professional loss of his career at UFC 239. There, Jorge Masvidal knocked out “Funky” with a flying knee just five seconds into the fight. The nasty strike kept the Olympic wrestler unconscious for quite a while. In Askren’s corner was his coach, Duke Roufus who admits it was scary to see that happen. Although he knows the loss sucks, the coach has to give credit where credit is due. He knows the flying knee was a risky move by Masvidal and knows had he been one second earlier or later, the fight could have gone totally different.
Francis Ngannou and the heavyweight Rumble that needs to happen
Natasha Hooper - July 9, 2019
Francis Ngannou (14-3-0) is on a roll and shows no signs of slowing down. “The Predator” scored yet another first-round knockout victory last month at UFC Minneapolis, defeating former champion Junior dos Santos (21-6-0). Francis Ngannou has won three fights back to back. Disposing of Cain Valesquez earlier this year and Curtis Blaydes in 2018, Ngannou is sitting on a trilogy of first-round knockouts.
Tito Ortiz to fight former pro wrestler Alberto Del Rio in Combate Americas debut
Thomas Taylor - July 9, 2019
Tito Ortiz isn’t done yet. Not long ago, the former UFC light heavyweight champion and Bellator title challenger inked a deal with Combate Americas. And now, we know he’ll fight in his promotional debut: none other than former pro wrestler Alberto Del Rio.
Chatri Sityodtong reacts to Ben Askren's first pro loss
Thomas Taylor - July 9, 2019
Over the weekend, former ONE Championship welterweight king Ben Askren experienced his first professional loss, succumbing to a flying knee just five seconds into a UFC 239 bout with Jorge Masvidal. Speaking on Facebook on Tuesday, ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong shared his take on the former ONE Champ’s first taste of defeat.
Bibiano Fernandes discusses potential bout with John Lineker
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2019
Shortly after John Lineker announced that he has signed with ONE Championship, he set his sights on two of the Singapore-based promotion’s brightest shining stars: flyweight contender Demetrious Johnson and bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes. “He’s an excellent athlete, a great fighter, but I’m coming,” Lineker told MMA Fighting of the bantamweight champ Fernandes. “I want to do my best in there and put on a show for the fans. Bibiano is a great athlete, has a good ground game and heavy hands, but I’m going there to give them a show.”
Joe Rogan discusses Jorge Masvidal's 'brilliant' flying knee KO
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 9, 2019
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan has weighed in on Jorge Masvidal’s historic knockout win against Ben Askren. Masvidal has been at the center of attention for cementing his place in the history books. At UFC 239, Masvidal took on Askren. “Gamebred” needed just five seconds to ice Askren with a flying knee. It’s the fastest knockout in UFC history, topping Duane Ludwig‘s six-second finish over Jonathan Goulet back in Jan. 2006.
Jorge Masvidal: Kamaru Usman is 'not going to hold me down'
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2019
Jorge Masvidal didn’t need to show off his impeccable defensive grappling in his UFC 239 fight with Olympic wrestler Ben Askren — you know, because he knocked him out in five seconds. That being said, Masvidal will likely have to exercise his defensive wrestling if he finds himself in the cage with reigning UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Usman, like Askren, is a tremendous takedown artist, and will probably look to punish Masvidal on the canvas.
VIDEO | Joe Rogan reacts to Amanda Nunes stopping Holly Holm
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2019
Amanda Nunes is making a habit of leaving UFC commentator Joe Rogan absolutely stunned at his cage-side perch. Just months removed from her jaw-dropping, first-round knockout of the seemingly unbeatable Cris Cyborg, Nunes delivered yet another violent first-round stoppage at UFC 239 on Saturday, hacking down the former champion Holly Holm with a head kick.
John Lineker calls out Demetrious Johnson for ONE Championship superfight
Adam Martin - July 9, 2019
Chael Sonnen reacts to Jorge Masvidal's 'scary' KO over Ben Askren
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 9, 2019
Chael Sonnen was concerned for Ben Askren after Jorge Masvidal finished him in just five seconds. Askren vs. Masvidal took place at UFC 239 in Las Vegas. It had been dubbed as the “people’s main event,” and it certainly delivered in terms of the highlight reel and record books. Masvidal sprinted at Askren immediately and landed a flying knee that put “Funky” to sleep. The five-second finish broke the UFC record for fastest knockout.
UFC 239 medical suspensions revealed, Ben Askren gets lengthy sit after KO loss
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2019
Last weekend, the Octagon returned to Las Vegas, Nevada for International Fight Week and a stacked UFC 239 card. In the main event, light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones defended his title as he edged out a split-decision over Thiago Santos. During the fight, the Brazilian’s knee buckled numerous times, while “Bones” had to be carried out of the Octagon due to his own leg injury. Meanwhile, the co-main event saw Amanda Nunes knock out Holly Holm in the first frame to defend her bantamweight title.
Jorge Masvidal open to future grappling match with Ben Askren
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2019
Jorge Masvidal made very short work of his nemesis Ben Askren, flattening the former ONE and Bellator champ with a flying knee just five seconds into their UFC 239 fight. While this decisive outcome initially looked like it would put an end to the beef between Masvidal and Askren, it’s become clear that there’s still some bad blood between them.
Drakkar Klose removed from UFC Sacramento after Dariush injury
Natasha Hooper - July 9, 2019
Lightweight fighter Drakkar Klose revealed on Instagram he will no longer be fighting at UFC Sacramento. UFC Sacramento will take place this Saturday, July 13, at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. One the fight card, Drakkar Klose was scheduled to fight Beneil Dariush.
Jan Blachowicz explains how Michael Bisping helped him KO Luke Rockhold at UFC 239
Mike Heck - July 9, 2019
When it comes to Luke Rockhold’s recent rollercoaster ride with his fighting career, many point to his middleweight title loss to Michael Bisping at UFC 199 as the beginning of the downward trajectory. In fact, Jan Blachowicz was able to use a piece of Bisping’s in-fight strategy at UFC 239 to put him in a position to be in his own world title conversation. Blachowicz picked up a big win on Saturday night when he knocked Rockhold out in the second-round. It was a left hook — the same punch Bisping landed on that magical night in June 2016 — that set up the finish.
Ricky Simon: It's a 'bad idea' for Urijah Faber to return against me
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2019
Ricky Simon did not expect to get the offer to fight UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber. Simon believed the UFC would give Urijah Faber a winnable fight in his return to action, and assures that he is not that. The 26-year-old is 15-1 as a pro and undefeated in the UFC. He is coming off of a decision win over Rani Yahya at UFC 234, which cemented him as a top-15 bantamweight. While he was waiting for his next fight contract, he was in the midst of planning a wedding and honeymoon, which he had to cancel the latter when the call to fight Faber came.
Even in defeat to Jon Jones, Thiago Santos gave hope to an ebbing light heavyweight division
Jordy McElroy - July 9, 2019
Paradise, Nevada was on the verge of descending into hell for light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who came within a scorecard of losing a split decision to gutsy contender Thiago Santos at UFC 239 on Saturday night. One opinion is literally all that stood between continuity and a seismic shift in the division ushering in a new era in MMA. A visibly stunned audience at the T-Mobile Arena watched in complete disbelief as a weary and injured Santos was helped back to the locker room. Not far behind him was Jones, arguably the greatest fighter in MMA history, leaning on a couple human crutches himself after five rounds of attrition; or rather, five rounds of newfound hope for a light heavyweight division growing stagnant from a lack of star power, aside from its incandescent king.
Colby Covington says win over Robbie Lawler makes him 'the best welterweight of all time'
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2019
Colby Covington will return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC Newark. On this card former interim champion will not be fighting for the welterweight title, as many expected. Instead, he is set to take on the former welterweight champion, Robbie Lawler. It will no doubt be an exciting fight, which “Chaos” admits, but he also wanted this fight for another reason. He believes a win over “Ruthless” will improve his legacy even more, and make him the greatest welterweight of all time.
VIDEO | Dillon Danis punched in 'vicious' attack at NYC club
Natasha Hooper - July 9, 2019
Bellator fighter Dillon Danis was attacked whilst partying at a Burlesque club in New York City. The Daily Mail obtained a video of the attack.
Petchmorakot is ready for whatever "The Doctor" prescribes at ONE: Masters of Destiny
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 9, 2019
It would be fair to say there is a lot on the line in the highly-anticipated upcoming rematch between Thailand’s Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy and Italy’s Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan. The pair are set to face off against each other once more on the main event of ONE: Masters of Destiny inside the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, 12 July.