MMA News

Tom Taylor - June 24, 2019

In 2017, grappling specialists Michael Chiesa and Kevin Lee met in a lightweight grudge match. Unfortunately, this match ended in controversy, as Lee locked up a rear-naked choke, and referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the action before Chiesa had actually tapped. Today, when Michael Chiesa and Kevin Lee are both competing in the welterweight division, Chiesa is still holding out hope for a rematch.

BJPENN.COM Staff - June 23, 2019

It seems ONE Championship is always adding to its roster with high-level martial artists. As ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong mentioned in an interview with ‘The Fight Guys’ and Forbes’ Brian Mazique, there are more significant signings on the way this year.  We don’t know which athletes will be the next to join the organization, but here is a list of 10 athletes ONE should have on their radar.

Thomas Taylor - June 23, 2019

On Saturday night, in the co-main event of BKFC 6 in Tampa, Florida, UFC veteran Chris Leben stepped into the ring for his third bare knuckle bout. His opponent this time around was Ultimate Fighter veteran Dakota Cochrane, who was riding high on a knockout win over former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks. While Leben put forth a valiant effort in this fight, he ultimately lost a decision to Cochrane. As it turns out, he also sustained some of the hardest punches he’s ever felt in his long and illustrious career — perhaps even the hardest outright.

Tom Taylor - June 23, 2019

Like many fight fans, UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo tuned in for BKFC 6 on Saturday night. And like many onlookers, he was very impressed to see UFC veteran Artem Lobov pick up an upset, decision victory over multiple-time boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi in the card’s main event. In fact, Cejudo was so impressed with Lobov’s performance against the boxer that it got him thinking about a boxing showdown of his own.

Tom Taylor - June 23, 2019

Artem Lobov and Paulie Malignaggi entered the BKFC 6 ring as two of the most heated rivals in combat sports. As is so often the case, however, the pair seem to have much more favorable views of each other after strafing one another for five rounds. Speaking at the BKFC 6 post-fight press conference, Lobov stated that he respects the former boxer Malignaggi for showing up to his infamous sparring session with Conor McGregor, and to this bare knuckle scrap.

Tom Taylor - June 23, 2019

Rafael Lovato Jr. entered his Bellator 223 middleweight title fight with Gegard Mousasi as a significant betting underdog. Despite being counted out by the oddsmakers, however, the Brazilian jiu jitsu specialist was able to wrest the belt from the waist of his experienced foe, earning a hard-fought majority decision win after five rounds. Speaking on his official Instagram account post-fight, the new champ. issued a statement on this emotional, underdog victory.

Tom Taylor - June 23, 2019

Artem Lobov and Paulie Malignaggi, who met in the main event of BKFC 6 on Saturday night, seem to have found something they agree on: the officiating for the Tampa, Florida card left a lot to be desired. Speaking at the BKFC 6 post-fight press conference, Malignaggi sounded off on the ring-side judges, lambasting them for scoring the fight in Lobov’s favor.

Cole Shelton - June 23, 2019

The Octagon made its debut in South Carolina last night with UFC Greenville. In the main event, Chan Sung Jung, AKA “The Korean Zombie” was back after the last second knockout loss he suffered to Yair Rodriguez in November. He was taking on Brazil’s Renato Moicano, who was coming off of a TKO loss to Jose Aldo. The fight did not last long as The Korean Zombie finished Moicano with a massive right hand and some followup ground strikes in just 58 seconds. 

Tom Taylor - June 23, 2019

On Saturday night, in the main event of BKFC 6, Artem Lobov stepped into the squared circle for a bare knuckle scrap with former boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi. Despite being grossly less experienced in boxing than his foe, Lobov’s aggression and success in the clinch ultimately earned him an impressive, if slightly controversial decision victory. Speaking on his social media accounts after the fight, the victorious “Russian Hammer” issued a quick statement on this victory, thanks his fans for their continued support.

Tom Taylor - June 23, 2019

On Saturday night, in the main event of BKFC 6, Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov finally stepped into the ring together to settle one of the most high-profile beefs in combat sports. At the end of five closely contested rounds, Lobov was named the winner of this fight by decision, leaving Malignaggi questioning the judges’ competency. While Malignaggi does not believe he lost this fight, he did admit that, after scrapping sans gloves for 10 minutes, he does have a degree of respect for Lobov — respect that seemed unthinkable before the fight.

Christopher Taylor - June 22, 2019

Former boxing champion Paulie Malginaggi made his Bare Knuckle Fighting debut against bitter rival Artem Lobov at tonight’s BKFC 6 event. Unfortunately for ‘The Magic Man’, things did not go as planned in his bout with ‘The Russian Hammer’.

Christopher Taylor - June 22, 2019

John Kavanagh was not in attendance to witness his pupil Artem Lobov defeat Paulie Malignaggi at BKFC 6, but he was watching. The SBG Ireland Head Coach took to Twitter shortly following Lobov’s massive upset over Malignaggi where he shared the following post.

Chris Taylor - June 22, 2019

A fight between bitter rivals Paulie Malignaggi and Artem Lobov headlined tonight’s BKFC 6 event in Tampa Bay, Florida. The former boxing champion, Malignaggi (36-8 boxing), returns to action for the first time since March of 2017, where he suffered a TKO loss to Sam Eggington in his bid to capture the WBC International Welterweight Title.

Christopher Taylor - June 22, 2019

A fight between Chris Leben and Dakota Cochrane served as the co-headliner of tonight’s BKFC 6 event in Tampa Bay. Chris Leben (22-11 MMA, 2-0 BKF) was most recently seen in action at April’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 5 event, where he scored a first round knockout victory over Justin Baesman.

Adam Martin - June 22, 2019

It didn’t take long for “The Korean Zombie” to get called out. Just minutes after brutally knocking out Renato Moicano in the main event of Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night 154 in Greenville, Chan Sung Jung was called out by fellow featherweight knockout artist Jeremy Stephens. Here’s what Stephens had to say on Twitter:

Chris Taylor - June 22, 2019

A key featherweight contest between perennial division contenders the Korean Zombie and Renato Moicano headlined tonight’s UFC Greenville event. Chan Sung Jung (14-5 MMA), aka The Korean Zombie, returned to action for the first time since suffering a brutal last-second knockout loss to Yair Rodriguez at November’s UFC Anniversary event Denver. Prior to his shocking setback to ‘El Pantera’, Jung was coming off a sensational first round knockout victory over Dennis Bermudez.

Chris Taylor - June 22, 2019

A new middleweight champion was crowned at today’s Bellator London event, as Rafael Lovato Jr defeated Gegard Mousasi via majority decision. Lovato Jr entered tonight’s Bellator London main event sporting a perfect professional record of 9-0, which included five wins under the promotional banner.

Chris Taylor - June 22, 2019

The middleweight title is on the line in the main event of Bellator London as Gegard Mousasi takes on undefeated challenger Rafael Lovato Jr. Mousasi (45-6-2) returns to action for the first time since defeating Rory MacDonald via TKO at Bellator 206 this past September.