MMA News

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.

Chris Taylor - July 8, 2019

Jon Jones had to put his light heavyweight title on the line just moments after witnessing his friend and training partner Holly Holm suffer a brutal knockout loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 239. The former women’s bantamweight queen, Holm, fell short in her bid to dethrone the current ‘champ champ’, this after eating a nasty head kick in the contests opening round.

Jason Kindschy - July 8, 2019

Jorge Masvidal returns to the show following what many are calling the greatest knockout in UFC history. With all the animosity built up between Masvidal and Ben Askren leading into fight week at UFC 239, there was no question that “Gamebred” had bad intentions for his opponent. However, the spectacular result of a record-breaking flying-knee KO was above and beyond expectation. Smashing his way into the history books and exemplifying the warrior spirit throughout his combat sports tenure, Masvidal is finally becoming the superstar our sport deserves. In this impromptu chat with Jorge, we’ll recap the knee heard round the world, get his reaction to becoming a record holder, find out where things stand with Ben Askren, and what’s next for the American Top Team staple. From back yards to bright lights, the meteoric rise of “Gamebred” is only getting started.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 8, 2019

Jon Jones wasn’t going to stay quiet regarding Israel Adesanya’s latest verbal jabs for long. Jones vs. Adesanya is a dream matchup for many, but “Bones” has dismissed the idea in the past. The UFC light heavyweight champion has referred to Adesanya as being “frail” and has urged him to eat more jerk chicken. Adesanya has fired back by poking fun at Jones’ past troubles outside of the Octagon.

Thomas Taylor - July 8, 2019

John Lineker has found a new home. After being released from the UFC roster earlier this month, the fan favorite has signed with ONE Championship.

Adam Martin - July 8, 2019

UFC light heavyweight contender Thiago Santos suffered severe knee injuries in his fight against Jon Jones at UFC 239, and his team says he will be out until mid-2020 at the earliest. According to a report from Combate, an MRI scan taken Monday showed that Santos suffered ruptures in the ligaments of his left knee and meniscus. It’s feared that Santos has also suffered a meniscal injury and partial rupture to the ligaments in his right knee, though Santos will first have to undergo further testing to confirm that.

Mike Pendleton - July 8, 2019

The feud between interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and reigning light heavyweight champion Jon Jones just got turned up a notch. Following Jones’ UFC 239 title defense over Thiago Santos, Adesanya gave his assessment on the champion’s performance, and it wasn’t quite complimentary. Speaking to Ariel Helwani of ESPN, Adesanya rated Jones’ title defense over Santos as “meh” and then continued with his criticism of how Jones looked at UFC 239.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 8, 2019

Former UFC fighter Kenny Florian praises Jorge Masvidal for taking a big risk and having it pay off. It’s not often that fighters at the highest of levels in mixed martial arts start a fight by charging at their opponent. Not since the late Kid Yamamoto did it back in 2006 have we seen an elite MMA fighter pull it off to almost instant success. That’s exactly what Masvidal did when he iced Ben Askren with a flying knee in just five seconds at UFC 239.

Tom Taylor - July 8, 2019

Over the weekend, Ben Askren found himself on the wrong end of the new record for the fastest KO in UFC history, succumbing to a Jorge Masvidal flying knee just five seconds into their UFC 239 scrap. Less than 48 hours removed from this violent knockout loss, the former ONE and Bellator welterweight champ appeared on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show to give his take on the way things went down.

Adam Martin - July 8, 2019

UFC president Dana White says he will speak to Holly Holm following her brutal head kick knockout loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 239. “She’s an incredible athlete, an incredible human being. I don’t know. I think she needs to take a look at what’s next for her,” White said at the UFC 239 press conference (h/t MMAFighting.com).

Tom Taylor - July 8, 2019

The record for the fastest KO in UFC history has long belonged to Duane Ludwig, but over the weekend, on the main card of UFC 239, that record was broken. In just five seconds, Jorge Masvidal earned his place in the UFC history books, levelling former ONE and Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren with a flying knee to the face. Masvidal’s incredible knockout victory left just about everybody watching the card completely stunned — including cage-side UFC commentators Joe Rogan, Paul Felder and Jon Anik. On Monday afternoon, the UFC released footage of the live reaction from this commentary trio, and it pretty well captures the reaction we all had.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 8, 2019

History was made at UFC 239 and Duane Ludwig couldn’t be happier for Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal took on Ben Askren on the main card of UFC 239 this past Saturday night (July 6). While many said that if a finish were to occur it would be Masvidal’s doing, few could’ve expected what transpired. “Gamebred” charged at “Funky” and connected with a flying knee that sent Askren onto dream street in just five seconds.

Natasha Hooper - July 8, 2019

Fans took to social media to mock Ben Askren after his abrupt loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239. However, some fans took it a step further by taking aim at “Funky’s” wife and family. Askren ate a flying knee from his opponent, “Gamebred” Masvidal within five seconds of the first-round. Masvidal made sure to deliver two extra blows to Askren as he fell to the ground, securing his explosive victory. Both fans and fighters were in awe of such a decisive win.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 8, 2019

Michael Bisping thinks Israel Adesanya is due for his comeuppance. UFC 243 will play host to a middleweight title unification bout. Champion Robert Whittaker will collide with interim title holder Adesanya on Oct. 5. A location for UFC 243 has not been announced.

Natasha Hooper - July 8, 2019

Jorge Masvidal is ready for a title shot following his historic UFC 239 win over Ben Askren. Masvidal (34-13-0) put Askren’s (19-1-0) trash talking to rest the best way he knew how: a record-breaking KO by flying knee.

Tom Taylor - July 8, 2019

Former UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Johnson returned to action over the weekend, battling BJJ ace Craig Jones in a heavyweight grappling super fight in the main event of Chael Sonnen’s SUG 9. Unfortunately for “Rumble” fans, this bout ended rather quickly, as Jones forced the tap with a heel hook in less than a minute. See it below:

Tom Taylor - July 8, 2019

On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC 239, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones defended his title once again with a split decision defeat of Brazilian knockout artist Thiago Santos. Jones’ continued dominance is always impressive, but this victory easily ranks amongst the least impressive of his career. Speaking post fight, Jones opened up on this lackluster performance, admitting that he might have been a bit too relaxed in the cage.

Tom Taylor - July 8, 2019

When Jorge Masvidal knocked Ben Askren unconcious with a flying knee in just five seconds at UFC 239, he left thousands of onlookers in shock. That includes UFC interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who was in the middle of an interview with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter at the time. See how Adesanya reacted to this highlight reel knockout below: