MMA News
Michael Chandler releases deep and poetic statement following title loss
Drake Riggs - May 16, 2019
Historically, there are few if any fighters in Bellator that have achieved more in the promotion than the three-time lightweight champion, Michael Chandler. Perhaps the obvious one who we could say has achieved more and is now the greatest fighter in Bellator history is none other than the man to defeat Chandler this past weekend, the current featherweight champion and now lightweight champion, Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire.
Jacare Souza targets rematch with Kelvin Gastelum for next fight
Drake Riggs - May 16, 2019
Surprisingly, legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master and former Strikeforce middleweight champion, Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza has alternated between wins and losses in his last five outings. Jacare, 39, had his last fight come in the main event of UFC Fort Lauderdale in late April opposite the rising Swedish ‘Joker,’ Jack Hermansson. Unfortunately for the 185-pound staple in Jacare, his replacement opponent would get the better of him with a unanimous decision victory.
After latest loss, Anderson Silva asks: 'stop or continue?'
Tom Taylor - May 16, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion and irrefutable MMA legend Anderson Silva came up short again over the weekend, losing by first-round TKO to Jared Cannonier in the co-main event of UFC 237. Immediately after the fight, Silva was adamant that he plans to continue to compete despite this setback. Speaking on his Instagram account on Thursday, however, he changed his tune slightly, asking his fans if she should stop or continue fighting.
Henry Cejudo planning to adopt new nickname if he beats Moraes
Tom Taylor - May 16, 2019
At UFC 238 on June 8, Henry Cejudo will attempt to capture the vacant UFC bantamweight title in a fight with former World Series of Fighting champ Marlon Moraes. If he wins, he can call himself the UFC bantamweight champion, the UFC flyweight champion, and an Olympic wrestling champion — a “triple champ”, if you will. Should Henry Cejudo find success at UFC 238, he’s planning on adopting a brand new nickname to reflect his status as such an accomplished champion: “Triple C.”
Rafael dos Anjos responds to Kevin Lee's suggestion to meet at 165 lbs
Tom Taylor - May 16, 2019
UFC Rochester headliners Rafael dos Anjos and Kevin Lee are two of the most vocal advocates for a 165-pound division in the UFC. Ahead of their welterweight fight at UFC Rochester this weekend, Lee even suggested they both weigh-in at 165 pounds to make a statement to the UFC. “If he’s down with it, I’d be down – and I’d cut an extra little five pounds for that, make a statement, make some noise.” Lee told reporters backstage at UFC 236. “It’s in our contract, we ain’t got to, but I like to push some buttons. It might be a little backroom deal that we got on there. RDA’ is kind of, he don’t really give you too much to go off of, and he don’t really give you too much back and forth, so, you know – I’ll ask him, see what he thinks about it.”
Patricio Freire welcomes super fights with UFC champions
Adam Martin - May 16, 2019
Patricio Freire joined the shortlist of double champions in a major MMA organization last weekend when he knocked out Michael Chandler in the first round of the main event of Bellator 221 to win the promotion’s lightweight title. “Pitbull” was already the Bellator featherweight champion, making him the promotion’s second current dual champion alongside Ryan Bader, who is the Bellator heavyweight and light heavyweight champion. But Pitbull doesn’t just have his sights set on the titles Bellator has to offer. Now, he wants to go after the UFC’s champions as well.
Thiago Santos admits 'we haven’t really been able to see a weakness' in Jon Jones
Tom Taylor - May 16, 2019
On July 6, in the main event of UFC 239, Brazilian knockout artist Thiago Santos will look to succeed where so many before him have failed and defeat legendary UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Heading into this fight, he knows he’s going to have his hands full. His main priority is simply doing his best to make Jones suffer.
Kevin Lee lists five opponents he wants to fight before career is over
Cole Shelton - May 16, 2019
Kevin Lee is moving up to welterweight to take on the former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC Rochester this Saturday. Although “The Motown Phenom” is moving up in weight he is not done for good in the lightweight division. Instead, he has hopes of fighting a few lightweights in particular before his career is over.
VIDEO | UFC vet Ross Pearson scores TKO in boxing debut
Natasha Hooper - May 16, 2019
Winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 and established UFC lightweight, Ross Pearson won his boxing debut in Australia this week. “The Real Deal” won a second-round TKO over opponent Salar King (5-11) in a middleweight bout. See it below:
UFC Rochester | Pro fighters make their picks for Kevin Lee vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Cole Shelton - May 16, 2019
In the main event of UFC Rochester, Kevin Lee is moving up in weight to make his welterweight debut against former lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight.
Rafael dos Anjos lists other opponents discussed before Kevin Lee — including Nick Diaz
Tom Taylor - May 16, 2019
This weekend, former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos will look to correct his recent losing streak against a fellow former lightweight in Kevin Lee. The pair will collide in the welterweight main event of UFC Rochester. Before Rafael dos Anjos was offered this fight with Kevin Lee, there were several other opinions on the menu for him, including Santiago Ponzinibbio, Jorge Masvidal, and most surprisingly, the long absent Nate Diaz.
Champions carry a heavy burden and Rose Namajunas was no different
Jordy McElroy - May 15, 2019
We’ve seen fighters cry, run out of the cage unexpectedly and even demand an immediate rematch after losing the UFC title. Not Rose Namajunas.
UFC 241 | Daniel Cormier discusses Stipe Miocic rematch, says result will be the same
Cole Shelton - May 15, 2019
Daniel Cormier was waiting for a fight against WWE star and former UFC champion Brock Lesnar, but that never came to fruition. Now, the current heavyweight champion will rematch Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 241 in August instead. Although “DC” beat Miocic by first-round knockout, the 40-year-old wants to prove he is the superior fighter in the rematch.
Anthony Johnson pleads not guilty in domestic violence case
Drake Riggs - May 15, 2019
Last week it was reported that two-time UFC light heavyweight title challenger, the man known as ‘Rumble,’ Anthony Johnson had been arrested for domestic violence. MMA Junkie has now confirmed that on Monday, Johnson pleaded not guilty in Florida for his single count of misdemeanor domestic battery where his ex-girlfriend informed authorities that a ‘football hold’ was used by Johnson to pick her up and lead to her being relocated into another room during an argument that they had. The 35-year old retired MMA star did admit to doing this but denied that he was trying to inflict any harm. Police couldn’t find any visible injuries on the woman.
Michael Bisping on Jessica Andrade slam KO: 'It was kind of a fluke'
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping means no disrespect to new UFC strawweight champ Jessica Andrade, but feels the Brazilian’s slam knockout of Rose Namajunas was a bit of a fluke. Michael Bisping dished on the topic on a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast, pointing to the fact that Andrade has landed this maneuver many times with less definitive results, and sharing his confidence in Namajunas should the pair rematch.
John Kavanagh ready to 'get the old gang back together' for Conor McGregor fight
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2019
Conor McGregor doesn’t currently have a fight booked, but if the former two-division UFC champ decides to return to the Octagon, his long-time coach John Kavanagh will coach and corner him. The other long-term members of McGregor’s inner circle will also apparently be there to pitch in. “I don’t think [me cornering Conor] is in doubt,” Kavanagh told the Irish Mirror of a McGregor comeback. “I’m sure I’ll be there, we talk almost daily.
Urijah Faber drops ideal date for UFC return
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2019
Former WEC featherweight champion and long-time UFC bantamweight contender Urijah Faber is currently retired, but it doesn’t sound like his retirement will last much longer. Speaking on his official Instagram page, the former champ and new father divulged that he’d like to fight at the upcoming UFC Sacramento card, which is scheduled for July 13 in the California city. He added that he’d be willing to fight at featherweight or bantamweight.
UFC generates over $600 million of revenue in 2018
Natasha Hooper - May 15, 2019
The UFC (UFC Holdings, LLC) has fulfilled a previous financial prophecy by generating over $600 million in revenue last year. Lorenzo Fertitta predicted in 2015 that the company would be making a record high $600 million. This revenue was verified by credit ratings issued last month (including prior Zuffa 2016 acquisition by Endeavor, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co and Silver Lake Partners.) As reported by Bloody Elbow, the Moody’s Investor Services and Global Rating Report anticipate the UFC will increase their 1st lien term loan by $435 million, increasing it from $1.442 billion to $1.877 billion. This is to repay an existing 2nd lien term loan and any extra transactional expenses.