MMA News
Henry Cejudo explains antics at UFC 238 media day
Tom Taylor - June 7, 2019
Henry Cejudo put on quite a show at UFC 238 media day on Thursday (see it here). The flyweight champion arrived at the festivities wearing a crown and a cape, and when it came time for his pre-fight face-off with his opponent Marlon Moraes, clambered onto the stage with an armful of props. There was a Mickey Mouse toy, which Cejudo kicked into the crowd. There was a rubber snake, which the champ whipped at the ground. There was a plush rabbit, drawn from a top hat, which met a similar fate to its rodent cousin Mickey.
Dana White updates on Conor McGregor: There's 'much more to this than people speculate'
Tom Taylor - June 7, 2019
Speaking to ESPN recently, UFC President Dana White updated on the fighting future of former two-division champ and MMA mega star Conor McGregor. The UFC boss explained that McGregor’s massive financial success is allowing him to sit back wait for the right moment to return. He also assured that the UFC’s new pay-per-view model — PPVS are now available exclusively through ESPN — has nothing to do with the delay on McGregor’s return.
VIDEO | Henry Cejudo shows up to UFC 238 media day in full costume
Thomas Taylor - June 6, 2019
Henry Cejudo continues to come out of his shell. The UFC flyweight champion, who will battle Marlon Moraes for the vacant bantamweight strap in the UFC 238 main event this Saturday, showed up to Thursday’s media day dressed in a crown and cape, with plenty of other props to boot.
Joe Rogan claims Anthony Joshua was dropped in sparring the week of Ruiz loss
Thomas Taylor - June 6, 2019
Joe Rogan is very well connected in the combat sports world. The UFC commentator is well acquainted with many movers and shakers of the MMA and boxing worlds, and apparently, somebody he considers “a good source” told him that Anthony Joshua was knocked out in sparring the week of his shocking upset loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. Rogan made this startling claim, which has also been rumored in boxing circles, on the latest episode of the Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show.
Kevin Lee says 'it might be a long night for Khabib' against Dustin Poirier
Cole Shelton - June 6, 2019
At UFC 242, Khabib Nurmagomedov will look to defend his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi. The champion is already a big betting favorite. Although the odds are against Poirier, UFC welterweight Kevin Lee believes it is a much tougher fight for Nurmagomedov than many think. The reason for that thinking is simple. He suspects Poirier’s footwork will be too good for Khabib.
Tony Ferguson scolds former management, Dana White for protecting Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - June 6, 2019
Until recently, top UFC lightweights Tony Ferguson and Conor McGregor were both managed by Paradigm Sports. In April, however, Ferguson parted ways with Paradigm and signed with Ballengee Group. Speaking to ESPN, Ferguson opened on his departure from Paradigm, claiming he left because the company did everything they could to keep him from a fight with fellow client McGregor.
Conor McGregor says he will fight in the UFC again
Tom Taylor - June 6, 2019
As always, the fighting future of former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor is shrouded in uncertainty. If one of his latest Tweets is to be taken at face value, however, he will indeed return to the Octagon. Speaking on his Twitter account, McGregor noted that he’s already fought eleven times in the UFC, and confirmed that he will fight fight in the Octagon for a twelfth time. Twelve, of course, is an important number for the Irishman behind the popular Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey.
Donald Cerrone suspects he'll fight for lightweight title at UFC 242
Tom Taylor - June 6, 2019
The UFC lightweight title will next be on the line at UFC 242 on September 7 in Abu Dhabi, as undisputed champ Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to defend his title opposite interim champion Dustin Poirier. At least, that’s the current plan. Top lightweight contender Donald Cerrone believes things might unfold differently. Speaking to ESPN this week, Cerrone, who fights Tony Ferguson at UFC 238 this weekend, divulged that he believes he’ll wind up fighting either Poirier or Nurmagomedov for the title at UFC 242.
Tony Ferguson on Dana White: 'We need to check his head'
Tom Taylor - June 6, 2019
Tony Ferguson is scheduled to return to the cage opposite Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 238 this Saturday. Before this bout was announced, however, the former interim lightweight champion was dealing with some personal issues that cast uncertainty on his fighting future. Amid Ferguson’s struggles outside the cage, UFC President Dana White claimed that the fighter would need to be evaluated before returning to the cage.
Tony Ferguson rips Ali Abdelaziz, calls him a 'Twitter warrior'
Adam Martin - June 6, 2019
Tony Ferguson returns to action this Saturday against Donald Cerrone at UFC 238, but before the fight he went on the offensive against the manager of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, none other than Ali Abdelaziz. In a pre-fight scrum with the media, Ferguson ripped the manager and criticized his persona on social media.
UFC 238 | Pro fighters make their picks for Henry Cejudo vs. Marlon Moraes
Cole Shelton - June 6, 2019
In the main event of UFC 238, the vacant bantamweight title is on this line. Flyweight champion Henry Cejudo is moving up in weight to try and become a two-division champ, while top contender, Marlon Moraes will look to win his first UFC title. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight. Some believe Moraes’ explosivenesses will be too much, while others think Cejudo’s wrestling will make the difference.
Title shot or Conor McGregor fight? Donald Cerrone states his preference
Tom Taylor - June 6, 2019
Donald Cerrone will return to the Octagon this Saturday, on the main card of UFC 238, where he’ll battle streaking lightweight contender Tony Ferguson in a fight that could produce the next lightweight title challenger. Earlier this year, however, Cerrone was linked to a potential showdown with former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor — a bout that many fans are still dying to see. Speaking during a recent media scrum in Chicago, Cerrone made his preference very clear. He’s gunning for a title shot, and says Conor McGregor missed his chance.
UFC 238 | Donald Cerrone says Tony Ferguson has a 'questionable jaw', eyes finish
Cole Shelton - June 6, 2019
Donald Cerrone and Tony Ferguson are set to throw down this Saturday at UFC 238. It will be a battle between two fan favorites, and a fight that should earn the winner the next title shot. The stakes are high for this one, and “Cowboy” believes it will be an entertaining scrap where anything can happen.
Marlon Moraes believes sparring with Frankie Edgar is key to beating Henry Cejudo
Natasha Hooper - June 5, 2019
All fighters want to maximize their chances of winning and will strategically spar with fighters of a specific skillset to ensure things go their way in the cage. Marlon Moraes has turned to Frankie Edgar to increase his odds of beating Henry Cejudo at UFC 238. Commonly known for his knock out power and leg kicks, Moraes has been utilizing featherweight fighter, Frankie Edgar to improve his wrestling ability as impeccable wrestling will be essential against Henry Cejudo. Cejudo is an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, and Moraes is expecting that will be the focus of the fight.
Manager explains why team Khabib Nurmagomedov opted against McGregor rematch
Tom Taylor - June 5, 2019
From the moment Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Conor McGregor in the UFC 229 main event, there was talk of an immediate rematch between the two stars. The fight was particularly competitive, but it was big. So big that a rematch would almost certainly be a massive financial success. And of course, McGregor’s fight-altering power — and the ever present possibility of a knockout that it creates — will always make his fights interesting. In the end, of course, Nurmagomedov has gone another direction. The undefeated UFC lightweight champion will defend his title against interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi this September.
UFC rankings update: Big changes at light heavyweight, flyweight looks rough
Tom Taylor - June 5, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of Saturday’s action-packed UFC Stockholm card, and as expected, there have been some big changes, particularly in the light heavyweight division. Anthony Smith, who defeated Alexander Gustafsson in the card’s main event, has cruised up to the division’s No. 3 spot, behind only Thiago Santos and Daniel Cormier. Aleksandar Rakic, meanwhile, has rocketed into the rankings, settling at No. 11 on the strength of his decapitation of Jimi Manuwa.
Joe Rogan breaks down Andy Ruiz vs. Francis Ngannou fight
Tom Taylor - June 5, 2019
UFC commentator Joe Rogan loves to discuss potential fights between boxers and mixed martial artists. He did it mere weeks ago, when he drooled over a matchup between WBC heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder and UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou. And now, he’s done it again, this time riffing on a fight between Ngannou and new unified heavyweight champ Andy Ruiz Jr.
UFC 238 | Pro fighters make their picks for Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jessica Eye
Cole Shelton - June 5, 2019
In the co-main event of UFC 238, this Saturday, Valentina Shevchenko will look to defend her flyweight title against Jessica Eye. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their picks for the title fight. In this case, the majority believe Shevchenko wins. But, some believe we will hear ‘And New’ from Bruce Buffer.