MMA News
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.
Ben Askren received some advice from Bjorn Rebney after UFC debut
Tom Taylor - May 8, 2019
It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from former Bellator boss Bjorn Rebney. He’s been quiet ever since it was announced he’d be working with the seemingly defunct Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association (MMAAA) in 2016. Apparently, however, the former Bellator chief has been in contact with former Bellator welterweight champ Ben Askren, who is now making waves in the UFC welterweight division. Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, Askren divulged that he received a message from Rebney shortly after he submitted Robbie Lawler in his first UFC bout.
UFC 237 | Returning Bethe Correia: 'The division needs me'
Drake Riggs - May 8, 2019
It has been six years since former UFC title challenger, Bethe ‘Pitbull’ Correia picked up a victory in her native country of Brazil. However, she looks to change that come this Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro. At UFC 237, Correia will make her return to action when she takes on Mexico’s Irene Aldana. For the 14-fight veteran in Correia, this will be her first fight since she headlined UFC Singapore opposite Holly Holm in June 2017. Unfortunately for the Brazilian, she suffered defeat that night via third-round knockout.
Report | UFC 236 pay-per-view numbers among lowest in last 15 years
Drake Riggs - May 7, 2019
UFC 236 was a pretty fantastic event that had two unforgettable bouts to close the show. Unfortunately, not as many tuned in as the UFC had hoped for. In the co-main event, we saw the first of two interim champions be crowned. This one in the middleweight division featured Kelvin Gastelum taking on Israel Adesanya in a war for the ages. In the end, Adesanya would take home the title via unanimous decision after coming on strong late.
Dana White to meet with Conor McGregor soon, expects a summer return
Mike Pendleton - May 7, 2019
During a recent appearance on the Jim Rome Show, UFC President Dana White said that he has plans to meet with Conor McGregor within a week. “He and I are getting together very soon, within the next week, and we’re going to figure out what’s next for him” White said. “I see him fighting this summer”.
Dana White on Jordan Burroughs in the UFC: 'I'd be very interested'
Drake Riggs - May 7, 2019
Last night in Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater, wrestling fans were treated to a dream match at Beat the Streets NYC 2019 between two of the best to ever do it. One of which has been argued as the best. The pairing saw 16-time gold medalist world champion, Jordan Burroughs matched against undefeated top UFC welterweight contender and former Bellator and ONE Championship king, ‘Funky’ Ben Askren.
Fourth time's the charm, Yoel Romero vs Paulo Costa targeted for UFC 241
Drake Riggs - May 7, 2019
The UFC middleweight division homes several super talented competitors and at the very top, each is continually producing great fights. Two of the division’s most devastating finishers are undeniably the pairing of Cuba’s ‘Soldier of God,’ the Olympic silver medalist in wrestling, Yoel Romero (13-3) and Brazil’s knockout extraordinaire, Paulo Costa (12-0).
Report | Conor McGregor training hard, 'ready to fight now'
Tom Taylor - May 7, 2019
According to a report from TMZ, former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor is ready to return to the Octagon. TMZ claims to have spoken to a spoken to a source “extremely close” to the Irish MMA star, who divulged the following:
UFC parts ways with another flyweight fighter, releases former WSOF titleholder Magomed Bibulatov
Tom Taylor - May 7, 2019
The UFC’s flyweight purge is not showing any signs of slowing down. Following a stretch that saw the Las Vegas based promotion cut ties with fighters like Jose Torres, Ulka Sasaki, Ben Nguyen, Roberto Sanchez and Jared Brooks, they’ve now released Russia’s Magomed Bibulatov. This news comes from Marcel Dorff of MMA DNA, who added the Bibulatov has already found a new home in Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA). Magomed Bibulatov joined the UFC roster with a flawless 14-0 record, and accolades as a former World Series of Fighting flyweight champion and WCFA Flyweight Grand Prix winner.