MMA News
PETA begs Conor McGregor to stop wearing animal fur
Tom Taylor - July 5, 2019
Conor McGregor love his fur coats. For proof of that fact, check out this recent Instagram post, in which he gushes over a pair of mink fur coats he wore ahead of two of his biggest fights.
VIDEO | Ben Askren shares clip of backstage run-in with Jorge Masvidal
Tom Taylor - July 5, 2019
Jorge Masvidal and Ben Askren, who are set to meet on the UFC 239 main card this Saturday, are not particularly big fans of one another. The pair have exchanged plenty of pre-fight trash talk in interviews and on social media, and that intensity has continued now that they’ve both landed in Las Vegas. In fact, the pair had a tense backstage encounter this week.
Michael Chiesa glad he no longer has to worry about 'the Conor effect'
Cole Shelton - July 5, 2019
Michael Chiesa is set for his second welterweight fight this Saturday at UFC 239, where he will take on Diego Sanchez. Moving up to welterweight was something was considering for a long time given how big he is. He says he would wake up a “couple of pounds” over 180 pounds with two-weeks until fight night — quite a distance from the lightweight division’s 156-pound limit. Not having to cut as much weight as a welterweight is a huge bonus and a big stress reliever for Chiesa.
Jon Jones says he is 'a bad guy that's trying to be good'
Natasha Hooper - July 5, 2019
During the Thursday media day for UFC 239, things got deep for Jon Jones. Jones (24-1) has experienced many trials and tribulations in his personal life and career. Media day surprisingly provided the perfect opportunity for him to shed light on the ramifications his behaviour has had.
VIDEO | Jorge Masvidal and Ben Askren exchange words during first face-off for UFC 239
Natasha Hooper - July 5, 2019
Jorge Masvidal and Ben Askren exchanged some choice words when they came face to face at the UFC 239 media day on Thursday. Askren chose to taunt his upcoming opponent to try and get a reaction. The UFC posted a clip of the exchange on their Twitter.
Michael Bisping believes Francis Ngannou would sleep Jon Jones
Cole Shelton - July 4, 2019
For a long time, many people have been clamoring to see light heavyweight king Jon Jones move up to heavyweight. He has almost cleaned out the entire 205lbs division, and there are plenty of challenges awaiting “Bones” at heavyweight. Most recently, a fight against surging heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou has sparked the interest of fights fans. ‘The Predator’ has been adding to his knockout reel lately, his latest victim being former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos.
Jorge Masvidal says Ben Askren "fu**ing froze" during a recent encounter
Mike Pendleton - July 4, 2019
Jorge Masvidal has not been shy about his dislike for his upcoming UFC 239 opponent, Ben Askren and now he’s added fuel to that fire. During his media day interviews, Masvidal told reporters on multiple occasions that Askren froze up during a recent encounter between the two. Since entering the UFC, Askren has gotten under the skin of many welterweight fighters with comments he’s made about them and his lack of concern in their response. There have been many circumstances that has led to the rivalry between both Askren and Jorge Masvidal, but “Gamebred” told reporters on Thursday that once he confronted Askren, there was no fight about to break out.
Anthony Smith is confident that no one will beat Jon Jones their first time around
Cole Shelton - July 4, 2019
Jon Jones is considered one of, if not the greatest fighter of all-time. He is 24-1 with one no contest and his only loss came by disqualification. Time and time again “Bones” has broken down his opponents by using his length and reach, accompanied by his strong striking and wrestling skills.
Paul Felder vs Edson Barboza 2 targeted for UFC 242
Mike Pendleton - July 4, 2019
A fight featuring a pair of top lightweight contenders is reportedly headed to Abu Dhabi on the same night the title is on the line. MMA Junkie was first to report that a rematch between Paul Felder and Edson Barboza is being targeted for UFC 242. This will be a rematch between Felder and Barboza from their 2015 fight which saw Barboza come out victorious by unanimous decision. Currently, Felder is ranked 10th in the division while Barboza is ranked 7th, meaning this fight likely doesn’t have title implications, but will be an important one for both fighters looking to get into the lightweight title picture.
Luke Rockhold says 'fake' Jon Jones comes across as acting
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 4, 2019
Luke Rockhold doesn’t believe Jon Jones is genuine when it comes to addressing the media and fans. Rockhold and Jones will be featured on the UFC 239 card this Saturday night (July 6). Rockhold will collide with Jan Blachowicz in his light heavyweight debut. Jones headlines the event, putting his 205-pound gold on the line against Thiago Santos. It’ll be the second defense in his current reign.
Ben Askren breaks down Covington vs. Lawler fight
Tom Taylor - July 4, 2019
At UFC Newark, on August 3, top welterweight Colby Covington will look to reestablish himself as the next man in line for the champion Kamaru Usman with a big win over Robbie Lawler. Ben Askren, one of Covington’s most vocal haters, believes this is a fight that could go either way. Check out what he had to say about the matchup below (via Heidi Fang)
ONE Championship's Gianni Subba hoping to compete again soon
Tom Taylor - July 4, 2019
Gianni Subba was less than a day out from a fight when he received the news. The talented ONE Championship flyweight contender was informed by the promotion’s medical team that he had an arachnoid cyst — a congenital cyst, present at birth — and was pulled from his scheduled bout as a precaution. It was the day before his birthday.
Bec Rawlings to make interesting donation to Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame
Tom Taylor - July 4, 2019
Former UFC strawweight and flyweight contender Bec Rawlings was one of the first fighters to make the jump to the surging sport of bare knuckle boxing. During her time as a bare knuckle fighter, which occurred under the BKFC banner, she picked up 3 impressive wins, and was hailed as the Queen of Bare Knuckle. While Rawlings has since returned to MMA roots, having recently signed with Bellator, she will soon be honored for her contributions to the sport of bare knuckle with an induction into the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Hall of Fame.
Jorge Masvidal offers Ben Askren 'the family pack with a two-liter soda'
Tom Taylor - July 4, 2019
Shortly after Jorge Masvidal knocked out his UFC London opponent Darren Till, he unleashed a bit of backstage violence on welterweight rival Leon Edwards. He referred to his attack on Edwards as “a three-piece and a soda.” From the sounds of it, Masvidal’s UFC 239 opponent Ben Askren could be in for a far crueler dish.
Michael Bisping understands why Dana White wants Jon Jones' DQ loss overturned
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 4, 2019
From a promoter’s perspective, Michael Bisping can appreciate Dana White’s desire to have Jon Jones’ lone defeat overturned. Back in Dec. 2009, a young Jones took on Matt Hamill in the co-main event of TUF 10 Finale. This was Jones’ fourth fight under the UFC banner. “Bones” was teeing off on Hamill with some vicious ground-and-pound. When referee Steve Mazzagatti called a halt to the bout, most assumed that Jones scored a TKO victory. Instead, he was disqualified for illegal 12-6 elbow strikes.
Khabib Nurmagomedov: Tony Ferguson needs to 'step forward'
Tom Taylor - July 4, 2019
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson. It’s a dream fight for most fight fans, and one the UFC has tried multiple times to book. Yet thus far, fate has had other plans. Today, when the lightweight champion Nurmagomedov is gearing up for a UFC 242 title defense opposite Dustin Poirier, and Ferguson is riding a ridiculous 12-fight win-streak, it’s easy to imagine the fight happening quite soon.
UFC 239 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jon Jones vs. Thiago Santos title fight
Cole Shelton - July 4, 2019
In the main event of UFC 239, Jon Jones will be looking to defend his light heavyweight title when he takes on Thiago Santos. Heading into the fight, “Bones” is a -700 favorite, while the challenger is a hefty +450 underdog. Ahead of the title fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. To no surprise most are picking the champ. But, one fighter believes it will be Santos’ day and he will be able to shock the world.
UFC 239 | Jorge Masvidal clarifies comments he made about the Ben Askren bloodline
Natasha Hooper - July 4, 2019
The drama continues to unfold between Jorge Masvidal and Ben Askren. Masvidal recently sat down with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto to clarify some recent comments he made. Last week, Askren called out Masvidal for saying he wanted to end his bloodline. During a State of Combat podcast, Askren’ called the alleged comments “sick” and “disturbing.”




