MMA News
Jorge Masvidal 'would love to' scrap Nate Diaz
Cole Shelton - June 20, 2019
Ahead of UFC 235, it was reported Nick Diaz would return to the Octagon to take on Jorge Masvidal. But, the Stockton native said he never signed a contract and the fight never happened.”Gamebred” then fought Darren Till, who he knocked out back in March. Now, at UFC 239, Masvidal is taking on Ben Askren in a fight that could earn the winner a title shot. Although the stakes are high for this one, “Gamebred” is already eyeing a future opponent in Nate Diaz, Nick’s little brother.
Israel Adesanya questions Robert Whittaker's status as champion
Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019
Robert Whittaker captured the UFC interim middleweight title with a July, 2017 defeat of Yoel Romero. He was then promoted to undisputed champion when Georges St-Pierre vacated the undisputed title in late 2017. Current interim champ Israel Adesanya, who fights Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 in October, believes Whittaker’s unconventional road to middleweight gold casts doubt on his status as a legitimate champion.
Bellator plans to rapidly expand in Europe
Natasha Hooper - June 20, 2019
The Bellator 223 press conference held today at Leicester Square in London answered many questions about the future of the promotion, particularly in the European market. Scott Coker, the CEO of Bellator and a veteran fight promoter, made his thoughts very clear. During the conference, he discussed the expansion of the promotion on the continent next year:
Conor McGregor could attend Lobov-Malignaggi fight, says BKFC President
Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019
BKFC President Dave Feldman has apparently invited former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor to BKFC 6 in Tampa to watch his good friend Artem Lobov battle his nemesis Paulie Malignaggi. While Feldman has not yet gotten confirmation from McGregor’s camp, he’s confident the Irishman could be in attendance. “They won’t give confirmation yet but if I’m a betting man, I’m betting he’s coming,” Feldman told MMA Fighting. “They’re not going to give confirmation and if they are, they’re not going to tell us so we put it out there ‘hey Conor McGregor’s coming to the fight’ and then he’s mobbed. So it’s not going to happen like that but from the conversations I’m having, if I was going to bet on it, he’ll be there but who knows.”
Chael Sonnen praises skills of Lyoto Machida
Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019
Last weekend, in the co-main event of Bellator 222, Chael Sonnen was stopped by former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida. Shortly thereafter, the fan favorite announced his retirement from MMA. Speaking on his official YouTube channel days later, Sonnen shared his take on this final loss of his impressive career.
BKFC 6 | Pro fighters make their picks for Artem Lobov vs. Paulie Malignaggi
Cole Shelton - June 20, 2019
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returns this Saturday for their biggest card to date. In the card’s main event, Artem Lobov welcomes Paulie Malignaggi into BKFC. Ahead of this fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. And, the majority believe the boxer will get it done, but some think Lobov will be too much for Malignaggi.
Gegard Mousasi interested in Bellator welterweight title — under the right conditions
Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019
This weekend, in the main event of Bellator 223, Gegard Mousasi will attempt to defend the Bellator middleweight strap opposite Rafael Lovato Jr. If he’s successful on this mission, he may then seek a second title in another Bellator division. Previously, Mousasi has expressed interest in moving up to the light heavyweight division to battle reigning champion Ryan Bader for his belt. That being said, he’s now hinting at a potential move down to welterweight, but only if Douglas Lima captures the title from Rory MacDonald, as Mousasi has already decisively beaten MacDonald.
Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya headlines UFC 243 in Melbourne
Adam Martin - June 20, 2019
The two best middleweights in MMA are set to fight in a title unification bout this fall. According to a report from Raphael Marinho of Combate, UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will take on interim UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 243, which takes place October 6 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. It is the biggest fight in MMA history between fighters from Australia and New Zealand.
Artem Lobov says Paulie Malignaggi doesn't have 'a clue what he is in for'
Cole Shelton - June 19, 2019
In the main event of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 6 this Saturday, Artem Lobov is taking on Paulie Malignaggi. The two have gone back-and-forth with trash talk, and it even got to the point where the former boxing champion spit on “The Russian Hammer” at a press conference. Now, they will finally settle their differences inside the cage. There it will be Lobov’s second fight in BKFC, while it will be Malignaggi’s debut. With the experience in hand, Artem Lobov believes it won’t be a challenge for him to defeat Paulie Malignaggi.
James Gallagher says Conor McGregor 'shouldn't come back unless he gets what he deserves'
Cole Shelton - June 19, 2019
Back in March, Conor McGregor announced his retirement from MMA. Many people believed it was only to keep him in the headlines and he would soon return to action. But, as of right now, there is still no word on if or when the Irishman will return to the Octagon. According to his teammate in James Gallagher, he believes the former champ-champ won’t return unless he gets what he deserves. What Conor McGregor deserves, says Gallagher is a share in the UFC.
Dana White fires back at UFC fans 'terrorizing' him over Tony Ferguson title shot
Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019
Tony Ferguson wants a shot at the UFC lightweight title currently owned by Khabib Nurmagomedov. Riding high on 12-straight wins over some of the division’s best fighters, he’s more than earned the opportunity, and he’s getting tired of waiting. As it turns out, his fans are tired of waiting too.
Julianna Pena makes short-notice return at UFC Sacramento, takes on Nicco Montano
Adam Martin - June 19, 2019
Former Ultimate Fighter winner Julianna Pena has not fought since January 2017, but she’ll be making her return to the Octagon next month at UFC Sacramento. According to Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com, Pena is stepping up on short notice to replace the injured Sara McMann and take on Nicco Montano in a women’s bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night 155, which takes place July 13 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
Ben Askren responds to warning from Jorge Masvidal
Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019
Speaking on the latest episode of BJPenn.com Radio, Jorge Masvidal warned that if his UFC 239 opponent Ben Askren gets too close ahead of their July 6 fight, he could wind up getting the same treatment as Leon Edwards — a three-piece and a soda. In layman’s terms, a few punches outside the cage.
Valentina Shevchenko discusses call with President of Kyrgyzstan, lobbies for UFC event in country
Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019
Earlier this month, in the co-main event of UFC 238 in Chicago, Kyrgyzstan’s Valentina Shevchenko defended the UFC flyweight title with a beautiful head kick knockout of challenger Jessica Eye. Shortly after this dazzling victory, she received a congratulatory phone call from Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. This isn’t the first this has happened, but it was still a pretty special moment for the flyweight champ.
Dana White explains how he would 'rebuild' boxing business
Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019
UFC President Dana White has long teased a move into the boxing business, and with the unveiling of the new UFC Apex facility, and rumors that UFC parent company Endeavor could potentially purchase Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), that move is looking more imminent than ever. If White does jump into the boxing industry, he is confident he can breathe new life into the sport, which he believes is hindered by a broken business model.
Alex Volkanovski makes prediction for Holloway vs. Edgar
Cole Shelton - June 19, 2019
Max Holloway will look to defend his featherweight title against Frankie Edgar in the main event of UFC 240 in Edmonton this July. That being said, many thought Alex Volkanovski would get the title shot against Holloway after he beat Jose Aldo. In the end, the UFC decided on Edgar which leaves the Aussie on the sidelines awaiting the winner of the fight. But given the stakes of this featherweight title bout, Alex Volkanovski says he plans on being in Edmonton in case anything happens.
Conor McGregor hints at upcoming meeting with Dana White
Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019
Yesterday, the UFC unveiled its new Apex facility — which includes a swanky new office for UFC President Dana White. Pictures of White’s new digs quickly began making the rounds on social media, and before long, former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor was chiming in, expressing interesting in a meeting with the UFC boss. The new office is looking great Dana, congrats on the re-up! I’ll catch ye soon and we’ll lock stock.For two smoking barrels. pic.twitter.com/xR8cc4Mfjd
UFC Greenville | Pro fighters make their picks for Renato Moicano vs. Korean Zombie
Cole Shelton - June 19, 2019
The Octagon heads to South Carolina for UFC Greenville this Saturday. In the main event, Renato Moicano is taking on Chan Sung Jung aka “The Korean Zombie”. There, both fighters are looking to get back into the win column after recent losses. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight. In this case, it was almost unanimous, as most believe Korean Zombie will be too much for Moicano.