MMA News
UFC Apex to host boxing event featuring Dana White's son
Adam Martin - June 19, 2019
UFC president Dana White has long promised he would get into the boxing business, and it appears that dream is nearing reality. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday before the new season of the Contender Series at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, White said the newly-built facility will host a boxing event in the coming months, and one of the boxers on the card will be none other than White’s own son.
Dana White: "Brock Lesnar made right decision" not returning to UFC
Mike Pendleton - June 18, 2019
After a year of speculation that his return was happening, former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar decided not to return to the UFC and opted to re-sign with WWE instead. Following Lesnar’s decision, the UFC booked a heavyweight title rematch between champion Daniel Cormier and former champion Stipe Miocic, who waited out the rumors of Lesnar’s return, and got the rematch he had been calling for. While there were reports that Lesnar and the UFC could not come to an agreement because of their new ESPN deal, UFC President Dana White shut those rumors down immediately. Now that the dust has settled with the heavyweight title fight, White gave his thoughts on the former champion sticking with WWE. Speaking on ESPN MMA’s Instagram ahead of the 2019 Contender Series season premiere, White was asked about Brock Lesnar’s decision and he said he believes Lesnar made the right decision.
Paulo Costa says ex-trainer was a 'snitch' and tried to blackmail him with IV video
Cole Shelton - June 18, 2019
Paulo Costa is set to return to the Octagon at UFC 241 against Yoel Romero. It will be the Brazilian’s first fight since being sidelined for six months due to a USADA suspension. His suspension came in part due to a leaked video of Costa using IV’s after weigh-ins. There, the Brazilian says he found out the leak came from an ex-trainer.
Valentina Shevchenko to defend title vs Liz Carmouche at UFC Uruguay
Mike Pendleton - June 18, 2019
UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is getting right back into the Octagon after her first successful title defense. Shevchenko defeated Jessica Eye at UFC 238 in Chicago with a highlight reel head kick earlier this month, and she’s getting a quick turnaround for her second title defense. According to Brett Okamoto of ESPN citing multiple sources, Shevchenko will defend her flyweight title against Liz Carmouche on August 10, in the main event of UFC Uruguay.
Elias Theodorou discusses release from UFC
Tom Taylor - June 18, 2019
Despite an 8-3 promotional record against solid competition, Canadian middleweight Elias Theodorou was recently released by the UFC. The move, though widely derided by fans, has not left Theodorou with any ill will toward the UFC. “I have no ill will toward the UFC,” Theodorou told MMA Junkie. “I don’t think being upset about it does anyone good. Especially myself. I don’t want to burn any bridges, but I also want to look at it in the positive aspects where I’m happy and healthy, and I’ve been successful in 20 of my professional times.”
Undaunted by debut loss, Eddie Alvarez targets finish of Folayang and ONE Championship gold
Tom Taylor - June 18, 2019
Eddie Alvarez was widely expected to blow through Russia’s Timofey Nastyukhin in his ONE Championship debut, which occurred on the stacked ONE: A New Era card in late March. In the end, however, the former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion was stopped by his unheralded opponent in the waning moments of the first round. Despite this setback, Alvarez remains focused on his ultimate goal: the ONE Lightweight World Title. He came to the Singapore-based promotion eager to add a new belt to his crowded trophy case, and he’s still confident he’ll achieve this goal.
Chael Sonnen proclaims himself 'best drug cheat' of his era
Tom Taylor - June 18, 2019
Last weekend, after a stoppage loss to former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, MMA star Chael Sonnen announced his retirement from the sport. Sonnen retires with an impressive resume. He reached tremendous heights in WEC, the UFC, and Bellator. He defeated top-flight foes like Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Michael Bisping, Nate Marquardt, Brian Stann, Yushin Okami, Renato “Babalu” Sobral, and Jason “Mayhem” Miller. He also holds the distinction of being the only man to battle MMA legends Anderson Silva, Jon Jones and Fedor Emelianenko.
Paige VanZant doubts anybody will dethrone 'terrifying' Valentina Shevchenko
Tom Taylor - June 18, 2019
Despite her lengthy absence from the cage, due to an unfortunate series of injures, Paige VanZant remains one of the most visible stars in the UFC flyweight division. Yet while she is likely only a few wins away from a title shot, she doesn’t envision anybody beating the division’s reigning champion, Valentina Shevchenko. Luckily, VanZant doesn’t expect to ever be tasked with solving the Shevchenko puzzle.
Ben Askren believes he could steal Colby Covington's title shot at UFC 239
Tom Taylor - June 18, 2019
Former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight titleholder Ben Askren is scheduled for his second UFC appearance at UFC 239 on July 6, where he’ll battle fellow contender Jorge Masvidal. It’s conceivable that the winner of this clash will get the next crack at UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman — though that would mean Colby Covington would have to be skipped over once again. Speaking to MMA Fighting recently, Ben Askren explained that he believes a win over Jorge Masvidal could very easily put him ahead of Covington in the welterweight contendership race.
UFC Greenville | Montana De La Rosa believes win over Andrea Lee puts her in title conversation
Cole Shelton - June 18, 2019
Montana De La Rosa is set to return to the Octagon this Saturday at UFC Greenville. There, she is taking on Andrea Lee in a battle between two ranked flyweights. De La Rosa is 3-0 in the division so far, and she understands just how important this fight is for her career. Lee is on a six-fight winning streak and has shown she is one of the best fighters in the division.
Combate Americas announces six new bouts for World Championship event
Tom Taylor - June 18, 2019
NEW YORK – June 4, 2019 –Combate Americas today announced six new bouts for its first-ever featherweight (145 pounds) world championship event that will headline the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise’s debut in the state of New Mexico, live on television in Spanish in the U.S. on both Univision (12 a.m. ET/PT) and UDN (12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT), and in English in the U.S. and Canada on DAZN (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT) from Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho on Friday, June 28. Priced from $19.75, tickets for the Combate Americas world championship event are on sale at CombateAmericas.com/NewMexico.
Valentina Shevchenko wants title fight with Liz Carmouche
Tom Taylor - June 18, 2019
The UFC had a difficult time locking down a main event for UFC San Antonio, which goes down on July 20. Eventually, the promotion landed on a welterweight contender bout between Rafael dos Anjos and Leon Edwards, but before that matchup was booked, several others were in consideration. One was a flyweight title fight between champion Valentina Shevchenko and challenger Liz Carmouche. While this matchup failed to come to fruition for the July 20 card in San Antonio, Shevchenko remains hopeful it will be booked soon. She has history with Carmouche, having experienced the first setback of her career against the American, and is eager for the opportunity to even the score. Particularly given the way their first fight ended.
T.J. Dillashaw says Urijah Faber "probably should've stayed retired"
Mike Pendleton - June 17, 2019
Former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw is currently serving a two-year suspension from USADA for his use of EPO, and recently spoke on his decision to take the banned-substance, but he also discussed more than that in his interview with Chael Sonnen. During his interview on the “You’re Welcome” podcast hosted by Chael Sonnen, Dillashaw discussed the return of his former coach and teammate Urijah Faber who is ending his retirement to take on Ricky Simon at UFC Sacramento on July 13, and didn’t hold back in his thoughts on Faber’s return. Faber recently spoke on the possibility of fighting Dillashaw, and it’s a fight that interests him when his former teammate returns from suspension.
John Kavanagh prefers Nate Diaz trilogy next for Conor McGregor
Mike Pendleton - June 17, 2019
As the UFC’s lightweight championship picture continues to take shape, the road back to the Octagon for former featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor also seems to be taking shape. Back in March while doing a Q&A with fans McGregor said he feels he owes it to Nate Diaz to have a trilogy fight, but that idea was recently shut down by Diaz himself. When Conor McGregor does decide to return his head coach John Kavanagh has a preference as to what opponent he wants his fighter to face first, and it’s the trilogy fight with Nate Diaz. Speaking to Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, Kavanagh spoke about his preference wanting Diaz as McGregor’s next opponent, saying it’s something he’s wanted for a while.
Dillon Danis makes bold prediction for potential MMA fight with Jon Jones
Tom Taylor - June 17, 2019
Last weekend, on the main card of Bellator 222, Dillon Danis improved to 2-0 in MMA with a submission victory over Max Humphrey. Shortly after this sophomore win, the Brazilian jiu jitsu specialist and Conor McGregor stablemate made yet another callout of reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Speaking on Monday’s edition of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, Danis made a bold prediction for a potential fight with the light heavyweight legend. Despite the fact that he would be surrendering roughly 30 pounds of weight to Jones, and quite a bit of height and length, Danis is confident confident he could earn the tap if he attacked the UFC champ’s legs.
VIDEO | Every finish from ONE: Legendary Quest
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 17, 2019
ONE Championship made a successful return to China, with ONE: Legendary Quest selling out the Baoshan Arena in beautiful Shanghai. The biggest winner of the night was no doubt reigning ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex of Thailand, who successfully defended her Muay Thai crown against a very game challenger in Alma Juniku of Australia.
What a ONE Championship Welterweight World Grand Prix field might look like
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 17, 2019
Tournaments and Grand Prix are excellent for martial arts promotions. It hearkens back to the golden days of competition in a variety of combat sports. ONE Championship is capturing that magic with its various ladder-style tournaments. Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev has already secured himself a spot in the lightweight final on the strength of two KO victories over Ev Ting and Amir Khan. Arslanaliev will face the winner of the Timofey Nastyuhkin vs. Honorio Banario semifinal, which takes place in Manila this August.
Kevin Lee plans to stay at welterweight
Tom Taylor - June 17, 2019
Last month, in the main event of UFC Rochester, long-time UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee made his debut in the welterweight division opposite a fellow former lightweight in Rafael dos Anjos. Unfortunately for Lee, this first welterweight bout didn’t go as planned, as he was submitted by his foe in the fourth round. While Lee didn’t get the result he wanted in this fight, however, he says his preparations went very well.