MMA News

Colby Covington
Dan Lambert

BJPENN.COM Radio Ep. 118 // Colby Covington | Dan Lambert | Juan Archuleta

Jason Kindschy - June 26, 2019

Colby Covington returns following the announcement that he will face former teammate Robbie Lawler in the main event of UFC FN 156 in Newark, New Jersey on August 3rd. “Chaos” explains why he agreed to take this bout after several failed campaigns to fight Tyron Woodley and Kamaru Usman for the welterweight title. Widely considered the right No. 1 contender, this scrap came as a surprise to many, but Covington is very happy with the caliber of opponent. We’ll hear Colby’s thoughts on the stylistically matchup against Lawler, why he believes a win over Robbie is essential to further cementing his legacy, and how he plans to defeat his former ATT stablemate.

Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor
Jared Cannonier

No trilogy, homie? Why Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz would be better off going their separate ways

Jordy McElroy - June 26, 2019

The spontaneity of the explosive rivalry between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz sprung to life over three years ago and created pay-per-view gold. There’s still a trilogy left to be mined out of the bowels of the UFC’s matchmaking grotto, but the attempt to do so now could result in a watered-down version of the original blockbuster—a quick cash-grab pairing of two marquee names. If there is no organic route to a rubber match, then perhaps it’s time McGregor and Diaz go their separate ways.

Ben Askren, Bjorn Rebney, Conor McGregor
Ben Askren

Ben Askren reacts to Artem Lobov's win over Paulie Malignaggi

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 26, 2019

Ben Askren has given his take on Artem Lobov’s victory over Paulie Malignaggi. Lobov vs. Malignaggi served as the main event of BKFC 6 inside the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa on June 22. Malignaggi was the slight favorite going into the bout, but he dropped a unanimous decision after five rounds of bare-knuckle boxing action. Many were surprised that Lobov scored the win given Malignaggi’s boxing experience.

Gunnar Nelson, UFC Copenhagen
UFC

UFC Copenhagen gets its first official fight as Gunnar Nelson battles 'The Pitbull'

Tom Taylor - June 26, 2019

UFC Copenhagen, which is scheduled September 28, finally has its first fight — days after tickets went on sale. This fight, which was recently announced by the promotion on Twitter, will occur in the welterweight division, where long-time Icelandic contender Gunnar Nelson will battle a former title challenger in Brazil’s Thiago Alves.

Alex Volkanovski
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Alex Volkanovski says he will be at UFC 240 'on weight ready to fill in'

Cole Shelton - June 26, 2019

After Alex Volkanovski beat Jose Aldo at UFC 237, he along with many others expected he would the next title shot. Yet, that was not the case. Instead, the Aussie was passed over as Frankie Edgar will next face Max Holloway at UFC 240 for the featherweight title. Obviously, this was disappointing news for the 30-year-old, but he says he will make the trip to Edmonton, Alberta to be on hand for the fight.

Jon Jones, Jan Blachowicz, Chael Sonnen, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor
Jon Jones

Dan Hardy: The person that beats Jon Jones technically isn't in the UFC

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 26, 2019

UFC color commentator and analyst Dan Hardy doesn’t believe anyone in the UFC can beat Jon Jones by being technical. Throughout his career, Jones has outclassed high-level mixed martial artists. From former champions to legends in the sport, “Bones” has made many renowned fighters look average. He’ll look to continue that trend when he puts his light heavyweight gold on the line against Thiago Santos at UFC 239 on July 6.

Max Holloway, UFC 240
Max Holloway

PHOTO | UFC drops official poster for UFC 240: Holloway vs. Edgar

Tom Taylor - June 26, 2019

At UFC 240, scheduled for July 27 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway will attempt to defend his title against former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. The card will also feature an interesting featherweight fight between former champion Cris Cyborg and rising Canadian contender Felicia Spencer. On Tuesday afternoon, the promotion dropped the official poster for the UFC 240 card, featuring the scarred mugs of all four aforementioned fighters, shrouded in some kind of green mist.

Jon Jones
UFC

Jon Jones shows support for Sean O'Malley

Mike Heck - June 26, 2019

If there’s anyone who knows what Sean O’Malley has been going through as of late, it’s the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Jones was one of the big stories throughout 2018 for his active schedule, but also for the traces of the long-term oral Turinabol metabolite remaining in his system. “Bones” was not suspended for the positive test that occurred at the end of 2018, but it is a question that will continue to be asked in regards to Jones for the foreseeable future.

Jon Jones, Alexander Gustafsson, UFC 232
Jon Jones

Jon Jones believes Alexander Gustafsson fight could earn Hall of Fame spot

Tom Taylor - June 26, 2019

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, widely regarded as the best fighter of all time, is seemingly a shoe-in for the Modern Era of the UFC Hall of Fame. That being said, Jones also believes he could earn a spot in the Fight Wing of the Hall of Fame, thanks to his 2013 epic with Sweden’s Alexander Gustafsson Jones believes this back-and-forth war, which culminated with a hotly debated decision, was absolutely Hall of Fame worthy — even if it’s precisely the kind of fight he strives to avoid.

Alonzo Menifield
Exclusive MMA Interviews

UFC Minneapolis | Alonzo Menifield hopes to kickstart busy run with KO of Paul Craig

Cole Shelton - June 26, 2019

Alonzo Menifield did not want to be on the UFC Minneapolis card on Saturday. He was hoping to fight sooner. The light heavyweight last fought back in January, when he knocked out Vinicius Moreira at UFC Brooklyn. Since then, he has been wanting to fight, but this was the first offer that came. Now, the 31-year-old is looking to go 2-0 in the UFC and he believes he knows exactly how it will happen.

Junior dos Santos, Francis Ngannou
Junior dos Santos

Junior dos Santos responds to Ngannou's black belt comments

Mike Heck - June 26, 2019

When you look at the UFC Minneapolis headliner between Francis Ngannou and Junior dos Santos on paper, most would agree that the meat and potatoes of the bout will take place on the feet. However, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu credentials of dos Santos have been called into question by his opponent this weekend. While speaking to the media in a scrum earlier this month, Ngannou had some things to say about the validity of dos Santos’ black belt in BJJ.

Jon Jones, Dillon Danis
Jon Jones

Jon Jones responds to repeated Dillon Danis callouts

Tom Taylor - June 26, 2019

Bellator MMA star Dillon Danis has made repeated calls for a fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Be it on the grappling mats or in the cage, the BJJ specialist is adamant that he has what it takes to submit the MMA legend. “I offered to do a grappling match with him,” Danis said of Jones on a recent episode of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show. “If we fought in MMA, I feel like, from his stance and how tall he is, if I did an Imanari roll I would take his leg home with me.

Glover Teixeira, UFC Vancouver
UFC

Multiple bouts confirmed for UFC Vancouver

Tom Taylor - June 26, 2019

The upcoming UFC Vancouver card, scheduled for September 14 in the British Columbia city, has gotten a handful of new bouts (h/t MMA Fighting). The biggest of these bouts will occur in the light heavyweight division, where former title challenger Glover Teixeira will take on dangerous Ukrainian finisher Nikita Krylov. Teixeira will look to extend his win-streak to three-straight after back-to-back submissions of Karl Roberson and Ion Cutelaba, while Krylov will look to build on the momentum of a recent submission defeat of Ovince Saint Preux.

Joe Rogan, UFC 249, Joe Rogan Experience
Sean O'Malley

Joe Rogan discusses Sean O'Malley's drug testing issues

Tom Taylor - June 26, 2019

After a six-month suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), UFC bantamweight prospect Sean O’Malley was scheduled to return to the cage opposite Marlon Vera at UFC 239. Regrettably, O’Malley once again tested positive for the banned substance ostarine, the same banned substance he was previously sanctioned for, nixing his planned return. UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes these issues likely have a pretty straightforward cause. Rogan discussed the issue on a recent edition of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

Ben-Askren-Jorge-Masvidal
Jorge Masvidal

Ben Askren responds to ‘sick and disturbing’ comments from Jorge Masvidal

Natasha Hooper - June 26, 2019

Ben Askren discusses why he believes Jorge Masvidal was not at two UFC 239 press events and addresses some ‘sick and disturbing’ comments ‘Gamebred’ made about his family bloodline. Askren had no problem firing back at Masvidal, who he will be fighting at UFC 239, especially for the recent comments he made regarding his family.

Jon Jones
UFC

Jon Jones looks to be in phenomenal shape ahead of UFC 239 fight with Thiago Santos

Christopher Taylor - June 25, 2019

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will return to the octagon at next month’s UFC 239 event where he will attempt to defend his title against dangerous knockout artist Thiago Santos. Despite constant talk of a trilogy bout with bitter rival Daniel Cormier, it appears that ‘Bones’ is not distracted at the dangerous task that lies ahead of him on July 6.

Holly Holm, UFC
Holly Holm

UFC 239 | Holly Holm admits Amanda Nunes is great, but there is still a name missing from her record

Cole Shelton - June 25, 2019

Holly Holm is fighting for the bantamweight title once again at UFC 239 against reigning division queen Amanda Nunes. Holm will be looking to reclaim the gold she had previously earned at UFC 193 by knocking out Ronda Rousey.

Ben Askren, UFC Singapore
UFC

Ben Askren calls Justin Bieber a wimp

Adam Martin - June 25, 2019

Count Ben Askren among the parties interested in a potential celebrity showdown between Justin Bieber and Tom Cruise. Speaking to TMZ, Askren agreed Bieber vs. Cruise would be a big fight for the UFC. And if the fight does come to fruition, Askren has already made his pick.