MMA News
Jack Hermansson vs. Jared Cannonier Set For UFC Copenhagen Main Event
Adam Martin - July 3, 2019
It looks like UFC Copenhagen has a main event, though perhaps one that’s a bit surprising. It was rumored for a while now that Jack Hermansson would fight Kelvin Gastelum in the main event of the UFC’s debut in Denmark on September 28. But according to MMA super agent Malki Kawa, Jared Cannonier has verbally agreed to fight Hermansson instead. Cannonier verbally agrees to fight hermansson in Copenhagen. Excited for this. Good work @LouDiBono
Ben Askren thinks he will leapfrog Colby Covington for next welterweight title shot
Adam Martin - July 3, 2019
Although most consider Colby Covington to be the No. 1 contender in the UFC welterweight division, it’s possible he gets passed over for the next title shot. Everyone thought Covington would be next in line to fight UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but Covington was recently booked to fight Robbie Lawler in the main event of UFC Newark. Covington hasn’t fought since last June and with Usman out until November, Covington needed to take a fight to stay busy and make some money.
David Feldman provides estimate on BKFC 6 PPV buys
Tom Taylor - July 3, 2019
Even from the early vantage point, BKFC 6 stood out as the biggest card yet from the upstart Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. The card, which was topped by a sizzling grudge match between UFC veteran Artem Lobov and former boxing champ Paulie Malignaggi, and featured a slew of UFC veterans and MMA notables, generated quite a bit of buzz throughout the combat sports world, and showed all the early signs of a major success for the promotion.
Joanne Calderwood vs. Andrea Lee on tap for UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi
Mike Heck - July 3, 2019
A pivotal women’s flyweight bout is heading to Abu Dhabi. Sources have confirmed to BJPenn.com that Joanne Calderwood will take on Andrea Lee at UFC 242. The event will take place on Sept. 7 at The Arena in Yas Island. The bout was first reported by MMA Junkie. Joanne Calderwood was knocking on the door of a women’s flyweight title shot against Valentina Shevchenko before she suffered a unanimous decision loss to Katlyn Chookagian last month at UFC 238. Prior to the setback, “JoJo” had picked up a first-round submission win over Kalindra Faria at UFC Fight Night 135 and a unanimous decision victory against Ariane Lipski at UFC on ESPN+ 1. Calderwood has been able to get on track after back-to-back losses to Jessica Andrade in September 2016 and Cynthia Calvillo 10 months later.
UFC 239 | Pro fighters make their picks for Amanda Nunes vs. Holly Holm title fight
Cole Shelton - July 3, 2019
In the co-main event of UFC 239, Amanda Nunes is looking to defend her bantamweight title against the former champ Holly Holm. Heading into the fight, the champion is a -380 favorite while the challenger is a +290 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight. Most are leaning towards Amanda Nunes defending her title. Some, like coach Mike Winkeljohn, believe Holly Holm will shock the world again.
Joe Rogan explains why Tony Ferguson is 'scariest guy' at lightweight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 3, 2019
For Joe Rogan’s money, Tony Ferguson has proven to be the UFC lightweight division’s worst nightmare. Ferguson has not suffered a defeat since May 2012. Barack Obama was in office serving his first term, the Chicago Cubs still hadn’t won a World Series since 1908, and Benson Henderson was the UFC lightweight champion. Since that loss to Michael Johnson, Ferguson has been on a 12-fight tear. He’s stopped nine of his 12 fallen foes in that span.
Luke Rockhold believes UFC 239 win could earn title shot
Tom Taylor - July 3, 2019
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC 239, light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and challenger Thiago Santos will step into the cage together with gold on the line. Earlier on the same card, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold will make his light heavyweight debut against Jan Blachowicz. If he’s successful, he believes he could be rewarded with a shot at the Jones vs. Santos winner. From the sounds of it, Luke Rockhold considers a Jon Jones win a near certainty. And because Jones’ arch rival Daniel Cormier is tied up at heavyweight, the former middleweight champ believes the path to a fight with Jones is wide open.
BREAKING | Joanna Jedrzejczyk targeted to return opposite Michelle Waterson
Tom Taylor - July 3, 2019
Former UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk is set to return to the division she once ruled opposite long-time contender Michelle Waterson, per ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. The bout will reportedly headline a UFC Fight Night card scheduled for October 12. Breaking: Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Michelle Waterson verbally agreed to headline UFC Fight Night on Oct. 12, per sources. pic.twitter.com/kGuCi9wejL
Khabib Nurmagomedov warns Conor McGregor regarding UFC 242 attendance
Tom Taylor - July 3, 2019
UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t seem bothered by the idea of his arch nemesis Conor McGregor attending UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi, where he’ll defend his title against Dustin Poirier. That being said, the champ does have a piece of advice for the Irishman.
UFC rankings update: Francis Ngannou holds spot at heavyweight
Tom Taylor - July 3, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last Saturday’s UFC Minneapolis card, and as expected there have been a few changes. Interestingly, headliner Francis Ngannou didn’t move on the strength of his 71-second knockout of Junior dos Santos. Instead, he held steady at number two in the heavyweight division.
Chris Weidman: rematch with Luke Rockhold is 'on the agenda'
Tom Taylor - July 3, 2019
In December of 2015, Luke Rockhold handed Chris Weidman his first professional loss, and stole the middleweight belt from him in the process. Given the competitive nature of this title fight, and Weidman’s previous dominance, the pair were then scheduled for an immediate rematch. Thanks to a Weidman injury, however, this rematch never materialized.
Yves Edwards: Jorge Masvidal 'might be the best' fighter I've trained with
Natasha Hooper - July 3, 2019
According to retired UFC veteran Yves Edwards, Jorge Masvidal may be the greatest MMA fighters he’s ever trained with. Edwards sat down with Joe Rogan on his podcast to discuss a range of topics, including the upcoming fight between Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal.
Breaking! Mike Perry set to return at UFC Uruguay against surging contender Vicente Luque
Christopher Taylor - July 2, 2019
Fan favorite Mike Perry will return to the octagon at August’s UFC Uruguay event against surging welterweight contender Vicente Luque. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani confirmed the news following an initial report from MMA Uncensored.
Daniel Cormier gives Thiago Santos advice on how to beat Jon Jones ahead of UFC 239 title fight
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2019
Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones have one of the biggest rivalries in all of MMA. They have fought two times, with “Bones” winning one, while the other being a no-contest, after originally being a win for Jones. After spending over 37 minutes in the Octagon with Jones, Cormier knows his tendencies. And, ahead of Thiago Santos’ title fight against “Bones” at UFC 239, the heavyweight champ shared some advice on what the Brazilian needs to do to beat the light heavyweight king.
Opinion | Unspoken roadblock impeding Francis Ngannou’s heavyweight title shot is Jon Jones
Jordy McElroy - July 2, 2019
UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones hasn’t officially committed to a move to heavyweight, but he has hinted strongly that he’d be willing to do so for the right price and the right opponent. Even a mere mention of that potential bombshell move is a roadblock for heavyweight phenom Francis Ngannou, who has rightfully staked his claim as the top contender after delivering consecutive first-round knockouts over Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez. The latter is undoubtedly the most jaw-dropping takeaway from the weekend’s UFC on ESPN 3 festivities, along with UFC President Dana White’s lukewarm response after witnessing Ngannou’s ham-sized fists dribble off dos Santos’ skull.
Thiago Santos plans on capturing middleweight gold after defeating Jon Jones at UFC 239
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2019
Thiago Santos will be fighting for UFC gold for the first time in his career on Saturday in the main event of UFC 239. There, the Brazilian is set to take on light heavyweight king, Jon Jones. Santos knows beating “Bones” will not be easy, but believes he can get it done.
Brendan Schaub: JDS was 'scared' to get hit by Francis Ngannou
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 2, 2019
Brendan Schaub believes that Junior dos Santos showed hesitation in his bout with Francis Ngannou. In the main event of UFC Minneapolis this past Saturday night (June 29), dos Santos collided with Ngannou. “Cigano” was going for his fourth win in a row. It didn’t pan out for him as Ngannou scored a first-round TKO victory.
Cain Velasquez to make pro wrestling debut at Triplemania XXVII
Adam Martin - July 2, 2019
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has long been rumored to join the pro wrestling circuit, and it looks like that day is finally coming. The Lucha Libre AAA wrestling promotion announced Tuesday on Twitter that Velasquez will make debut for them at Triplemania XXVII, which takes place August 3 at Mexico City Arena. Velasquez will be teaming up with Cody and Psycho Clown to take on Texano Jr., Taurus and a mystery opponent.