MMA News
Anderson Silva defends Jon Jones legacy
Chris Taylor - April 21, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva believes that reigning light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones has done more good than bad for the sport of MMA. Like Jones, Silva has had issues with drug testing in the past, which has caused some fans and analysts to question each fighters legacy.
What's next for UFC St. Petersburg main event fighters?
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2019
The Octagon headed to St. Petersburg, Russia for UFC Fight Night 149 on Saturday. In the main event, Alistair Overeem took on Alexey Oleynik. Alexey found some success early in the fight, but Overeem was able to turn the tide thanks to a barrage of knees and finished the fight via ground and pound.
Israel Adesanya responds to Paulo Costa
Chris Taylor - April 21, 2019
It is becoming very clear that current interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and surging contender Paulo Costa do not like each other. Following his thrilling five round decision victory over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236, Adesanya was targeted by Costa in a social media post.
UFC welterweight Darren Till reportedly arrested in Tenerife
Chris Taylor - April 21, 2019
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till has reportedly been arrested in Tenerife for allegedly trashing a hotel and stealing a taxi. Till, who is coming off a brutal knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal, is said to have been stopped by police after jumping into a cab and speeding off as the driver was handling luggage.
RIZIN 15 Live Results
Drake Riggs - April 20, 2019
RIZIN 15 is the first RIZIN event of 2019 and as per usual it looks to be a great one. Stars return and a new champion will be crowned. In the main event, we will see the first ever RIZIN light heavyweight champion be decided when Bellator’s “King Mo” Muhammad Lawal returns to the ring to try and once again pick up a win over the red-hot Czech, Jiri Prochazka.
Ben Askren suggests that Jorge Masvidal is not secure with his own masculinity
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2019
UFC welterweight standouts Ben Askren and Jorge Masvidal will collide at July’s UFC 239 pay-per-view event in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight was put together shortly after “Gamebred” starched former title challenger Darren Till in London.
Alistair Overeem shuts down talk of title shot
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2019
Former Strikeforce and Dream heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem picked up another first round finish at today’s UFC event in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Overeem took on submission specialist Aleksei Oleinik in the headliner of today’s UFC event. After a shaky start, “The Reem” would turn the tide with the utilization of some nasty knees which eventually caused Oleinik to hit the canvas. From there, Overeem would deliver some solid ground and pound which forced the referee to step in and call a stop to the contest.
VIDEO | Conor McGregor competes in boxing match in Dublin
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2019
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor competed in a boxing match this weekend in Dublin, Ireland. The bout marked the first time that fans have had a chance to see McGregor compete since his submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 this past October.
Kevin Lee Wants Adesanya vs. Gastelum Type War on May 18
James Lynch - April 20, 2019
Kevin Lee wants his next fight to be legendary! Looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time in his career, Lee moves up to the welterweight division against former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC on ESPN+ 10 on May 18. The 26-year-old plans to be a lot more focused in this fight, as opposed to his last outing against Al Iaquinta, a unanimous decision loss at UFC on FOX 31, where he felt distracted.
Pros react to Alistair Overeem stopping Aleksei Oleinik
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2019
A key heavyweight tilt between perennial division contenders Alistair Overeem and Aleksei Oleinik headlined today’s UFC event in Russia. Overeem entered tonight’s main event looking to build on the momentum of a first-round TKO victory he scored this past November in Beijing.
UFC on ESPN+ 7 Results: Alistair Overeem TKO’s Aleksei Oleinik (VIDEO)
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2019
A heavyweight bout featuring perennial division contenders Alistair Overeem and Aleksei Oleinik headlined today’s UFC event in St. Petersburg. Alistair Overeem was last seen in action at November’s UFC event in Beijing, where he scored a first round TKO victory over Sergey Pavlovich.
BJPENN.COM Radio Ep. 115 // Rich Franklin | Ray Cooper III & Zane Kamaka | John Howard
Jason Kindschy - April 20, 2019
Rich Franklin returns following the announcement that the former UFC middleweight champion will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for 2019. ‘Ace’ joins legendary athletes such as Royce Gracie, Randy Couture, and Bas Rutten in the HOF’s pioneer wing. Rightfully so as Franklin was ahead of the curve with his approach to training and a well-rounded arsenal displayed during his UFC tenure. However, Franklin’s contribution to MMA did not end with his retirement from competition in 2015. The Ohio native has been an integral part in the success of ONE Championship and his keen eye for talent has led to Rich at the helm of the promotions talent acquisition program, ONE Warrior Series. Rich talks shop regarding all things ONE Championship, the continued success and global expansion of the company. We’ll also take an in-depth look back on his combat career and discuss everything from Franklin’s proudest moments, to his hardest setbacks, and the legacy he hopes to leave. Ray Cooper III and Zane Kamaka are both top-of-the-food-chain in Hawaii’s MMA landscape, and now the two compete for supremacy in the opening round of the 2019 PFL season. Cooper of course making it to the final last season, leaving a path of destruction in his wake before coming up short against Magomed Magomedkerimov. Kamaka on the other hand is incredibly hungry to prove his worth and feed his family in this promotional debut against Cooper on May 9th in Long Island, New York. As if that’s not enough reason to watch them collide, Ray and Zane are actually cousins cut from the same cloth . You’ll hear why Ray specifically asked to fight Zane in the opening round, why Zane believes he’ll prove to be the superior fighter, and how the bad blood began between the two.
Zach Zane vs. Justin Gonzales slated for Contender Series
Nolan King - April 19, 2019
The UFC is putting the final touches on another Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series bout. Featherweights Zach Zane (12-7) and Justin Gonzales (8-0) are on a crash course for Las Vegas on June 25, sources tell BJPenn.com Born and raised in Wailuku, Hawaii, “God’s Warrior” Zach Zane has been on a dominant run, competing for regional promotions around the world.
Francis Ngannou argues for title shot with win over Junior dos Santos
Tom Taylor - April 19, 2019
At UFC 239, which is scheduled for July 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Francis Ngannou will take on Junior dos Santos in a pivotal heavyweight showdown. If he wins this fight, he believes there will be no denying him another shot at the UFC heavyweight title. After blitzkrieg knockouts of Cain Velasquez and Curtis Blaydes, Ngannou feels he already arguably deserves that opportunity.
Alberto Del Rio believes Cain Velasquez 'has the right attitude' for Lucha Libre
James Lynch - April 19, 2019
Can former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez succeed in Lucha Libre wrestling? Alberto Del Rio would know better than anyone. The former WWE star has competed in North American pro wrestling, Lucha Libre and MMA, and weighed in on Velasquez’s chances in an interview with MMAJunkie.
UFC St. Petersburg weigh-in results: Alistair Overeem, Alexey Oleynik get green light
Tom Taylor - April 19, 2019
This Saturday, the UFC will return to ESPN+ with the exciting UFC St. Petersburg card. This card will be topped by a key heavyweight contender bout between former Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1 champ Alistair Overeem and Russian submission specialist Alexey Oleynik. It will also feature a host of rising contenders and prospects such as Islam Makhachev, Sergei Pavlovich, Ivan Shtyrkov, and Antonina Shevchenko.
Coach Firas Zahabi rips 'cheater' Jon Fitch in virulent tirade
Tom Taylor - April 19, 2019
On April 27, in the main event of Bellator 220, Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald will attempt to defend his title against former World Series of Fighting champ Jon Fitch in the final, first-round bout of the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. Speaking to Robin Black and DAZN ahead of this fight, MacDonald’s coach Firas Zahabi, the main behind Tristar MMA, went off Jon Fitch, calling him a cheater and a coward.
Anderson Silva not ruling out final middleweight title run
Tom Taylor - April 19, 2019
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, is nearing the end of his fighting career. Yet as he gears up for a high-stakes UFC 237 showdown with the dangerous Jared Cannonier, he suggested he might have one last UFC title run in him. UFC gold just isn’t a priority like it used to be. “I never put something in my mind like, ‘Oh I need to fight again for the belt,” Silva told the media in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this week (via MMA Junkie). “No. That’s a part in my life I passed. But I continue to fight. But I don’t know – maybe I have a new opportunity to fight for the belt. I don’t know.