MMA News
Kevin Lee explains why welterweight is the UFC's 'marquee division'
Cole Shelton - March 29, 2019
Former UFC interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee is moving up to welterweight. On May 18, he is set to take on Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC Rochester. Lee explained his decision to jump up a weight class and take on “RDA” during a recent interview.
Report | UFC 239 continues to take shape with Junior Dos Santos vs Francis Ngannou in the works
Drake Riggs - March 29, 2019
UFC 215 took place in September 2017 and featured a single heavyweight bout. However, that wasn’t the original plan. The night’s co-main event was former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos making his second appearance in the division against Neil Magny. The main event saw Amanda Nunes defeat Valentina Shevchenko for the second time to defend her title.
Michelle Waterson believes it's time for atomweights in the UFC, 'Give them a place to shine'
Drake Riggs - March 29, 2019
‘The Karate Hottie’ Michelle Waterson is back in action tomorrow night at UFC Philadelphia when she faces off with perennial top 10 strawweight contender and former title challenger, Poland’s Karolina Kowalkiewicz. A win for Waterson will put her on her first three-fight winning streak at 115-pounds since 2012. Prior to her UFC debut in July 2015, the JacksonWink MMA product had established herself as one of the world’s best atomweight fighters as she would earn the Invicta FC title in her second fight after dropping down to the division in October 2012. Waterson would dethrone the then champion, Jessica Penne in an instant classic before going on to defend the belt once.
VIDEO | Demetrious Johnson looks forward to fighting for audience that 'respects smaller weight classes'
Drake Riggs - March 29, 2019
Demetrious Johnson says he couldn't pass up the chance to "to fight in front of an audience that respects smaller weight classes." Watch full interview: https://t.co/Z4S150u8RD pic.twitter.com/66PzOQAhLQ
Ben Askren vs Jorge Masvidal close to finalization
Drake Riggs - March 29, 2019
Following his big promotional debut victory at UFC 235, ‘Funky’ former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight king, Ben Askren made it clear who he wanted for his sophomore appearance. And that was the winner of UFC London’s headliner which saw Darren Till face Jorge Masvidal. The man known as ‘Gamebred’ would end up walking away victorious with the violent second-round knockout over his British opponent.
More reasons to watch UFC Philadelphia
Mike Straus - March 29, 2019
The world leader in MMA sets up shop at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for UFC on ESPN 2. If the ultra-violent main event featuring Edson Barboza and Justin Gaethje isn’t enough to make you want to tune in on Saturday night, you might not have a pulse.
UFC Featherweights Bryce Mitchell, Dan Ige Angle for Summer Showdown
Nolan King - March 29, 2019
Two of the UFC’s top 145-pound up-and-comers, Bryce Mitchell and Dan Ige, are hoping to square off in the octagon this summer. The feud presumably stems from Mitchell’s ongoing back-and-forth with Ige’s close friend and boss, Ali Abdelaziz.
Gegard Mousasi, Paul Daley, James Gallagher, scheduled for fights at Bellator London
Tom Taylor - March 29, 2019
On June 22, Bellator MMA will return to the United Kingdom with the aptly titled Bellator London card. The promotion has already begun stacking this event, adding a trio of big names to the bill in Gegard Mousasi, Paul Daley and James Gallagher (via MMA Junkie). Gegard Mousasi will defend his Bellator middleweight title on the card, taking on the streaking Rafael Lovato Jr. This fight was originally expected to occur in June, but was unfortunately delayed when Mousasi sustained an injury.
Jose Aldo still isn't sure he'll be able to fight at UFC 237
Tom Taylor - March 29, 2019
Former UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo is currently scheduled for a UFC 227 showdown with streaking contender Alexander Volkanovski. But unfortunately, an infection Aldo sustained in wrestling practice has thrust this matchup into jeopardy. Jose Aldo updated on the situation at a scrum in Brazil this week.
EXCLUSIVE | Eduard Folayang looks back on his remarkable ONE Championship career
Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019
In 2011, Filipino Wushu specialist Eduard Folayang was invited to headline the debut event from a brand new promotion called ONE Fighting Championship. Folayang was originally booked to fight fellow Filipino Ole Laursen on the card, but was later matched up with streaking Korean A Sol Kwon when Laursen was sidelined with a knee injury. Folayang prevailed despite the opponent change, winning a unanimous decision. Almost eight years later, Folayang has competed 14 more times for this promotion (which has since dropped the word “Fighting” from its name).
Jon Jones and Valentina Shevchenko open as gargantuan betting favorites over Santos, Eye
Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019
The oddsmakers don’t have a lot of faith in Thiago Santos. For all the Brazilian’s ferocious, fight-altering power, he’s being effectively counted out by the bookies ahead of his UFC 239 showdown with seemingly unbeatable UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. The online bookmaker BetOnline has labelled Jon Jones as a huge -800 favorite, which means you’d have to successfully bet $800 to win $100 (h/t MMA Fighting). Santos, meanwhile, is a near 6-1 underdog at +575. That means that a successful $100 bet on him would earn you $575.
Chael Sonnen offers interesting theory on Conor McGregor retirement
Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019
Conor McGregor has retired from MMA — at least, that’s what he’s claiming. Hey guys quick announcement, I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as “Mixed Martial Art” today.I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition.I now join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement.Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!
Jorge Masvidal responds to callouts from Ben Askren and Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - March 28, 2019
UFC welterweight standout Jorge Masvidal has some options for his next fight. After knocking out Darren Till two weekends ago, both Ben Askren and Leon Edwards have been calling for a fight with “Gamebred”.
Reasons to watch Bellator 219
Mike Straus - March 28, 2019
The Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California will host this weekend’s Bellator 219 event. In a weekend chock-full of high level mixed martial arts action, it can be easy to overlook some intriguing fights that slip through the cracks. With a ton of hype being thrown in the direction of UFC Philadelphia, and for good reason, and with ONE Championship hosting their most anticipated event yet, Bellator 219 could be one such card. No worries, that’s why you are reading this. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons to tune in this Friday to Bellator 219.
Jose Aldo provides update, still unsure if he'll be able to fight at UFC 237
Drake Riggs - March 28, 2019
UFC 237 is set to go down on May 11 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the evening’s co-main event, legendary featherweight icon, Jose Aldo looks to take out another rising contender in Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski. Unfortunately for Aldo, his fight is now up in the air after suffering a bacterial infection from a cut last week that resulted in his hospitalization.
If Jose Aldo can't fight at UFC 237, Renato Moicano willing to step in
James Lynch - March 28, 2019
If Jose Aldo can’t compete at UFC 237, a former opponent is willing to replace him. Renato Moicano spoke with MMAJunkierecently and said that if Aldo – who was recently admitted to the hospital for a bacterial infection – is forced to withdraw from his fight against Alexander Volkanovski on May 11 that he’d be willing to step up in his place.
EXCLUSIVE | Pro fighters make their picks for Edson Barboza vs Justin Gaethje
Cole Shelton - March 28, 2019
The UFC is heading back to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for UFC on ESPN 2 this weekend. In the main event, Edson Barboza will be taking on Justin Gaethje in a matchup that has Fight of the Year written all over it. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions. Here’s what they had to say.
EXCLUSIVE | After first staredown, Yuya Wakamatsu believes Demetrious Johnson is 'intimidated'
Tom Taylor - March 28, 2019
Yuya Wakamatsu is being counted out by almost everybody as he prepares to battle former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson this Sunday at ONE: A New Era in Tokyo, Japan. However, the 24-year-old Japanese fighter feels that he has some crucial advantages heading into this matchup with the MMA legend. One such advantage is his size.