MMA News
Untameable: The Brianna Van Buren story
Drake Riggs - May 9, 2019
Travel four hours and 57 minutes north of Los Angeles and 36 minutes northeast of the ever-flowing Monterey Bay, and there lies the city of Gilroy. Every small town or city will usually have its handful of notable citizens that go on to do great things in a certain aspect of life. Gilroy is no different. And it’s not a ‘small’ area per se, but in comparison to your typical ‘name-city’ in California, it’s definitely not the biggest.
Donald Cerrone's manager takes shot at Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - May 9, 2019
Ever since Donald Cerrone defeated Al Iaquinta in the UFC Ottawa main event last weekend, there’s been renewed interest in a lightweight firefight between the fan favorite gunslinger and former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor. While this Cerrone vs. McGregor fight is still purely hypothetical, the Cerrone side of things is working hard to change that.
UFC 237 | Rose Namajunas speculates why she is the underdog against Jessica Andrade
Tom Taylor - May 9, 2019
UFC 237 (see how to watch here) will be topped by a dynamite strawweight title fight, as the champion Rose Namajunas defends her title against fearsome challenger Jessica Andrade. Despite the fact that Namajunas is the reigning, defending champion, she’s been identified as a slight underdog against Andrade. Speaking to MMA Junkie ahead of UFC 237, Namajunas took a guess as to why she’s currently the betting underdog against her tough Brazilian opponent.
Daniel Cormier questions actions of 'entitled' Stipe Miocic
Tom Taylor - May 9, 2019
With Brock Lesnar’s UFC return reportedly off the table, UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is now booked to defend his title against the very man he won it from, Stipe Miocic. The pair will collide at UFC 241 this August. The first time the two fighters met, Cormier won by first-round knockout, ending Miocic’s reign as the most dominant champion in UFC history. Since then, Cormier has fought once, defeating Derrick Lewis by submission. Miocic has not competed since, adamant instead that he deserved an immediate rematch with Cormier on the basis of his accomplishments as the former champ.
PHOTOS | Paige VanZant releases photos from Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot
Tom Taylor - May 9, 2019
Paige VanZant is the latest UFC star to be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, and several of the photos from her spread in the magazine have now been released on the World Wide Web. Paige VanZant shared a few of the highlights on her official Instagram page. The full collection, meanwhile, can be viewed on the official Sports Illustrated Swimsuit site.
UFC rankings update: 'Cowboy' climbs into lightweight top-5
Tom Taylor - May 9, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last weekend’s UFC Ottawa card, and as expected, Donald Cerrone has made a big climb on the strength of his rousing decision defeat of Al Iaquinta. The fan favorite, known affectionately as “Cowboy,” now holds the number four spot in the lightweight division. These latest UFC rankings also include some big changes in the women’s bantamweight division, as Macy Chiasson has surged up on the list after a stoppage win over Sarah Moras.
Diego Ferreira expecting a war with Francisco Trinaldo in UFC 237 PPV opener
Cole Shelton - May 9, 2019
Diego Ferreira is ready for arguably the biggest fight of his career when he takes on Francisco Trinaldo in the pay-per-view opener of UFC 237. When the Brazilian first heard about the fight he was ecstatic as he knows a win over Trinaldo will most likely put him into the UFC lightweight rankings.
Gilbert Melendez returns to the Octagon at UFC 239
Natasha Hooper - May 9, 2019
Former UFC title challenger and Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez (22-7) returns to fight Arnold Allen (14-1) at UFC 239 on July 6. They meet in Vegas! @GilbertMelendez vs @Arnoldbfa is official for #UFC239 pic.twitter.com/uHs8anH1SR
Two exciting matchups added to UFC Minneapolis card
Natasha Hooper - May 9, 2019
UFC reps announced on Wednesday that Sergio Pettis and Ricardo Ramos will be competing in a bantamweight contest at UFC Minneapolis on June 29. The card will also include a newly-announced lightweight bout between Jared Gordon and Dan Moret. Sergio Pettis is looking to bounce back from two recent losses against Rob Font and BJJ expert Jussier Formiga. Prior to these back-to-back defeats, Pettis demonstrated strong takedown defence and powerful striking in the biggest win of his career, a split decision triumph against former flyweight title challenger Joseph Benavidez.
UFC 237 | Pro fighters make their picks for Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade
Cole Shelton - May 9, 2019
In the main event of UFC 237 on Saturday, strawweight champion Rose Namajunas will look to defend her title in Brazil against the country’s own Jessica Andrade. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions. Although Andrade is the slight betting favorite, Namajunas is the favorite to win according to the pros.
Joe Rogan on Conor McGregor: 'He’s always going to have a problem with Khabib'
Natasha Hooper - May 9, 2019
Conor McGregor will always have a problem with Khabib Nurmagomedov, according to Joe Rogan. The UFC commentator and comedian invited Lex Fridman, an AI research scientist, onto his Joe Rogan Experience podcast on Monday to discuss an array of topics including autonomous cars and MMA.
UFC 239 | Ben Askren believes Jorge Masvidal dislikes him because of fight purse disparity
Cole Shelton - May 9, 2019
Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal will finally settle their feud at UFC 239, during International Fight Week. The two have gone back-and-forth on social media, trash-talking each other . It first started when Askren went to London to pick a fight against the winner of Darren Till vs. Jorge Masvidal. Now that the two are set to fight, the rivalry has only gotten more heated. Masvidal went on the Joe Rogan Experience and explained what he plans to do to Askren.
UFC Ottawa medical suspensions: Al Iaquinta facing long layoff
Natasha Hooper - May 8, 2019
After losing a 5-round battle against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Al Iaquinta has incurred a 6 month medical suspension. MMAJunkie received a list of medical suspensions from the Ontario Office of the Athletics Commissioner, the organization responsible for regulating the UFC Fight Night 151 bout. Usually, medical suspensions can be shortened once the fighter receives medical clearance from a doctor. However, a representative from the Athletic Commission stated the suspension for Iaquinta was set at 180 days.
UFC 237 | Jared Cannonier confident he can knock Anderson Silva out
Cole Shelton - May 8, 2019
Jared Cannonier is set for arguably the biggest fight of his career this Saturday, in the co-main event of UFC 237. The 10th ranked middleweight will be taking on one of the greatest fighters of all time in Anderson Silva. Learn how to watch UFC 237 here. Although Silva is ranked below him, Cannonier still understands how big of a fight this is. And, with fight week now upon us, the work is done and the 35-year-old middleweight is just ready for Saturday.
TJ Dillashaw loses Monster Energy sponsorship
Natasha Hooper - May 8, 2019
Things are continuing to go downhill for TJ Dillashaw, as Monster Energy have terminated their sponsorship deal with the former UFC bantamweight champion. Ariel Helwani revealed on Twitter that the promotional deal signed in Dec 2018 has ended. Monster Energy has parted ways with TJ Dillashaw, according to Monster's Hans Molenkamp. The company signed him to a promotional deal in Dec. 2018. Dillashaw, the former UFC bantamweight champion, is currently serving a two-year suspension after he tested positive for EPO in Jan.
Anderson Silva urges Dana White to book Conor McGregor super fight
Tom Taylor - May 8, 2019
Over the last few months, former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has made several mentions of a potential super fight with former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor. McGregor, never one to turn down a challenge, has shown reciprocal interest in this matchup. Despite the mutual interest Anderson Silva and Conor McGregor have in fighting one another, however, the matchup still looks pretty unlikely. Speaking to TMZ Sports this week, Silva did what he could to change that, pushing UFC President Dana White to book the fight.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk announces release of new cookbook
Tom Taylor - May 8, 2019
Joanna Jedrzejczyk always seems to have a lot going on in her life outside the cage. Her latest project? A cookbook. The former UFC strawweight champion announced this new release, titled Eat, Laugh and Fight, in an emoji-spattered Instagram post on Tuesday.
Christian Lee recounts past training sessions with opponent Shinya Aoki
Tom Taylor - May 8, 2019
Christian Lee, the younger brother of ONE Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee, has spent the recent years of his career establishing himself as one of the top fighters in the ONE featherweight division. So, when he found himself on the receiving end of a respectful callout from ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya Aoki, he was a little surprised. “Initially, it came as a shock,” Lee told BJPenn.com. “I wasn’t expecting it — I’m sure no one was expecting it.