MMA News
Jon Jones details how Holly Holm's knockout loss affected his UFC 239 performance
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.
BJPENN.COM Radio Ep. 119 // Jorge Masvidal
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.
Jon Jones responds to Israel Adesanya's criticism of UFC 239 Performance
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.
Tony Ferguson 'getting bored' at lightweight, ready to step in at UFC 242
Mike Pendleton - July 8, 2019
During an interview with MMA Junkie at the UFC’s Hall Of Fame ceremony, Tony Ferguson said that he’s getting bored with the lightweight division while he’s awaiting a shot at the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier’s UFC 242 lightweight title fight. Ferguson has won 12 consecutive fights dating back to 2013 with his most recent victory coming at UFC 238 against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, and is awaiting the main event at UFC 242 to see who could possibly be his next opponent. With Khabib Nurmagomedov preparing to defend the lightweight title against interim champion Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson told MMA Junkie that he’s ready to fill-in as an injury replacement if either fighter can’t make it to the main event.
Thiago Santos suffers severe knee injuries, out until mid-2020
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.
Israel Adesanya goes off on Jon Jones, rates UFC 239 performance as "meh"
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.
Kenny Florian calls Jorge Masvidal a 'hero' after Ben Askren KO
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.
Ben Askren gives update on fighting future after first loss
Mike Pendleton - July 8, 2019
Following his record-setting knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239, Ben Askren doesn’t sound ready to stop fighting. Askren suffered his first professional MMA loss to Masvidal this past weekend, and on Monday he provided an update on his fighting future. During an interview with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Ben Askren was asked if he has plans to keep fighting following his loss, and he responded with a quick “yes”.
Dana White to discuss fighting future with Holly Holm
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).
VIDEO | See how Joe Rogan and co. reacted to Jorge Masvidal KO
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.
Duane Ludwig praises Jorge Masvidal for breaking his UFC KO record
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.
Dana White wants Amanda Nunes vs. Cyborg rematch but is insure it will happen
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2019
The list of viable opponents for UFC featherweight and bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes is getting shorter and shorter. At UFC 239, which went down in Las Vegas, Nevada, Nunes defended her bantamweight strap with a first-round TKO victory over former champion Holly Holm — one of the few established bantamweight contenders remaining that she had not yet fought.
Michael Bisping says Robert Whittaker will make Israel Adesanya 'eat his words'
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.
Jorge Masvidal sends warning to welterweight champ Kamaru Usman following UFC 239
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.
VIDEO | Anthony Johnson gets tapped by Craig Jones at SUG 9
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:
Drakkar Klose trashes Beneil Dariush for pulling out of fight at UFC Sacramento
Natasha Hooper - July 8, 2019
Drakkar Klose is calling out Beneil Dariush for pulling out of their upcoming UFC Sacramento fight. Klose was scheduled to fight Dariush inside t the Golden 1 Center this Saturday. Despite being under a week away, Beneil Dariush has pulled out last minute due to injury, MMAJunkie revealed.
VIDEO | Jorge Masvidal watches Israel Adesanya's live reaction to Askren KO, loves it
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:
Dana White comments on future of Ben Askren
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2019
Former ONE and Bellator welterweight champ Ben Askren experienced the first loss of his professional MMA career at UFC 239, and in highlight reel fashion. The wrestler was switched off by a devastating Jorge Masvidal flying knee just five seconds into their main card encounter. It was the fastest knockout in UFC history.