MMA News

Natasha Hooper - July 10, 2019

Alexander Gustafsson is reconsidering his retirement. The Swedish fighter announced his retirement in Stockholm last month, after receiving a submission loss from Anthony Smith.

Tom Taylor - July 10, 2019

Ahead of his light heavyweight debut opposite Jan Blachowicz, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold had a lot to say about a handful of the division’s top stars — namely the champion Jon Jones and top-ranked contender Anthony Smith. In the end, of course, Rockhold’s debut in the division did not go the way he envisioned, as he was knocked out by Blachowicz in the second round.

Tom Taylor - July 10, 2019

UFC bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes is the latest fighter to strip down for ESPN’s Body Issue. The two-division champion joins other MMA stars like Ronda Rousey, Jon Jones, and Conor McGregor who have also posed for this longstanding series. Nunes’ Body Issue spread is expected to drop in September. In the meantime, you can go behind the scenes of her photo shoot in the video below, courtesy of ESPN MMA.

Tom Taylor - July 10, 2019

UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith is the only man to have fought both Jon Jones and Thiago Santos. As such, he has some unique insight into the pair’s UFC 239 fight, which Jones won via narrow split decision — easily one of his least impressive performances of late. Smith gave his thoughts on Jones’ UFC 239 performance during an appearance on MMA on Sirius XM.

Natasha Hooper - July 10, 2019

A rematch between UFC titans, Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes could be on the cards for UFC 240. Cyborg hinted at the possibility on Twitter. Cyborg’s last fight was against the current “Champ Champ”, Amanda Nunes in December 2018. Nunes administered Cyborg’s first loss of her UFC career. Viewers were left shocked by Nunes’ ferocious KO power that dismantled Cyborg in under a minute of the first round.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 10, 2019

ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee makes her return to competition on 12 July in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in the co-main event of ONE: MAsters of Destiny. The card is shaping up to be an impressive one with Lee’s bout playing second fiddle only to the rematch between Giorgio Petrosyan and Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 10, 2019

Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy hopes to continue reaping international success at ONE: Masters of Destiny on July 12 against WMC Muay Thai World Champion George Mann. The Thai-native, who returns to action at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, revealed he is excited to be competing in Muay Thai again in ONE Championship.

Christopher Taylor - July 9, 2019

Newly retired UFC standouts Alexander Gustafsson and Chad Mendes never came close to competing in the same weight class, but their respective careers are remarkably similar. Former UFC featherweight title challenger Chad Mendes (18-5 MMA) confirmed his previously announced retirement plans earlier this evening. Meanwhile, former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson (18-6 MMA) decided to hang up his gloves last month, this following a submission loss to Anthony Smith.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.