MMA News
Khabib Nurmagomedov's father takes shot at Nate Diaz after UFC 239 skirmish
Tom Taylor - July 11, 2019
Nate Diaz and Khabib Nurmagomedov crossed paths at UFC 239, and in a twist that should surprise absolutely nobody, the two long-time rivals promptly had to be separated. UFC President Dana White revealed at the card’s post-fight press conference that the pair had been “talking s**t to each other,” at which point security intervened.
Tyron Woodley believes Ben Askren will come back 'better man, better fighter'
Mike Heck - July 11, 2019
Tyron Woodley had a lot to think about on Saturday night following Jorge Masvidal’s vicious knockout of Ben Askren at UFC 239. For starters, Askren is a teammate and close friend of the former UFC welterweight champion. In addition, Masvidal is a surging contender looking to cut ahead of Woodley in the 170-pound title conversation.
Top knockout artists on the ONE: Masters of Destiny card
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 11, 2019
There will be three different combat sports on display at ONE: Masters of Destiny on 12 July at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but each bout could potentially end in a knockout. Here is a look at the most prolific knockout artists competing on the ONE Championship card.
Michael Chiesa: Diego Sanchez 'touched my butthole' in UFC 239 fight
Tom Taylor - July 11, 2019
Michael Chiesa picked up a big win at UFC 239, defeating The Ultimate Fighter season one winner Diego Sanchez by unanimous decision. Yet he didn’t escape the Octagon unscathed. Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, Chiesa divulged that Sanchez gave him what fight fans often refer to as an “oil check.”
How Jihin Radzuan got her moniker 'Shadowcat'
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 11, 2019
Malaysian women’s atomweight contender Jihin Radzuan — known by the nickname “Shadowcat” — will be defending her home country’s pride against the Philippines’ Jomary Torres at ONE: Masters of Destiny this coming Friday, July 12 at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Apart from an impressive 4-1 professional record, the up-and-coming Malaysian prospect is also the owner of one of the more unique monikers in mixed martial arts, and it is something that has made fellow athletes and fans quite curious.
Inaugaral Valor Bare Knuckle event will apparently be headlined by UFC Hall of Famers Ken Shamrock and Mark Coleman
Christopher Taylor - July 10, 2019
UFC Hall of Famers Ken Shamrock and Mark Coleman will reportedly throw down at the inaugural Valor Bare Knuckle event this September. Earlier this evening Ken Shamrock (28-17-2 MMA) announced that he was launching his own Bare Knuckle Fighting promotion.
Thiago Santos 'dreams' of rematch against Jon Jones
Adam Martin - July 10, 2019
Thiago Santos had the biggest fight of his MMA carer this past Saturday against Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 239. Thought he officially lost a split decision, he gained the respect of the entire MMA community for not only giving Jones a tough fight, but for fighting 25 minutes with two severely-damaged knees. Although Santos will be out until mid-2020 after having knee surgery, he told Combate that he isn’t giving up hope of eventually fighting Jones for a second time.
Daniel Cormier named 2019 ESPYS MMA Fighter of the Year
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 10, 2019
Daniel Cormier is riding high going into UFC 241 and he now has one more thing to celebrate. Cormier is set to put his heavyweight gold on the line against Stipe Miocic in a rematch. In their first encounter back in July 2018, Cormier knocked out Miocic in the first round to capture the UFC heavyweight title. They’ll run it back inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on Aug. 17.
Israel Adesanya compares Robert Whittaker to a 'meth head'
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2019
Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker don’t even know where their UFC 243 middleweight title fight will occur yet, but Adesanya is already letting the trash talk fly. Speaking at the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony over the weekend, the interim champion Adesanya shared his thoughts on his first staredown with the undisputed champ Whittaker.
Gilbert Melendez hints at retirement after UFC 239 loss
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2019
Gilbert Melendez seems to be nearing the end of his career as a professional fighter. Over the weekend, on the undercard of UFC 239, the former Strikeforce lightweight champion and UFC lightweight title challenger gave up a decision to British featherweight Arnold Allen. While Melendez did not retire outright after this loss, he does seem to be preparing to move on to the next phase of his career.
Jorge Masvidal calls new KO record 'a real f**king achievement'
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2019
Jorge Masvidal is now a UFC record holder. At UFC 239, “Gamebred” took on Ben Askren. To start the fight, he ran across the cage and landed a perfectly placed flying knee that knocked his foe out cold. The official time of the knockout was five seconds, which is still the record. But, as Joe Rogan pointed on the broadcast, had the ref gotten in position faster, it could have very well been two or three seconds.
Chad Mendes officially announces retirement from MMA: 'This is a dangerous sport'
Adam Martin - July 10, 2019
Former UFC featherweight title contender Chad Mendes has officially announced his retirement from mixed martial arts at age 34. Although previously reported to be retired, Mendes did not confirm that he was officially done with the sport until Tuesday. Mendes told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto he has notified the UFC of his retirement, and he has been removed from the USADA testing pool.
Holly Holm speaks on UFC 239 loss to Amanda Nunes
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2019
At UFC 239, Holly Holm sought to usurp the UFC bantamweight throne by unseating reigning champion Amanda Nunes. Regrettably for Holm and her dedicated fanbase, this mission did not go as planned, as she was stopped by a first-round head kick and volley of followup punches. Speaking in a video on her Instagram story on Tuesday, Holm addressed this tough setback, assuring her fans that she will keep moving forward, as the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive played in the background.
Khabib Nurmagomedov acknowledges Georges St-Pierre might be too old for comeback
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2019
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has been campaigning for a fight with former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre for some time. That being said, the lightweight champion seems to think that the time for this matchup is drawing to a close, as St-Pierre is already 38 years old.
Alexander Gustafsson: 'I’m far from a retired fighter in my way of thinking'
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.
Anthony Smith reacts to rival Luke Rockhold's KO loss
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.
Anthony Smith shares interesting takeaway from Jon Jones' UFC 239 performance
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.
Jomary Torres wishes to empower women through her life’s story
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 10, 2019
Filipina mixed martial artist Jomary Torres returns to action on July 12 at ONE: Masters of Destiny as she faces MIMMA Women’s Champion and Malaysia’s own Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur. There’s a lot at stake for Torres who has lost her last three bouts after a stellar start with ONE Championship, and now as she prepares for one of the most important matches of her career, she reflects back to her humble beginnings and the reason why she took up the sport.