MMA News
PFL announces more names for 2019 roster
Nolan King - March 21, 2019
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is gearing up for its sophomore season, loading up its roster with faces both new and old. On Thursday afternoon, PFL announced its second batch of participants who will be entering the 2019 tournament via ESPN as well as a promotional video.
Aljamain Sterling blasts UFC for uncertainty at 125, 135
Tom Taylor - March 21, 2019
Things are very uncertain in the UFC flyweight and bantamweight divisions at present. At flyweight, reigning champ Henry Cejudo is floating the idea of moving up to bantamweight, while there’s also been rampant talk of shutting down his division altogether.
Dana White lists the fighters he expects to become big UFC stars
Cole Shelton - March 21, 2019
A common complaint UFC fans have is that there aren’t many huge MMA stars at the moment. It’s a recurring complaint, with Ronda Rousey leaving the spot, Brock Lesnar in the WWE and Conor McGregor fighting so infrequently. However, UFC President Dana White does not agree with these claims. Rather, he says there is a ton of up and coming prospects that will soon turn into stars.
Jimi Manuwa gives timeframe for Octagon return
James Lynch - March 21, 2019
Jimi Manuwa is still on the mend but has a clear idea of when we’ll likely see him compete next. The light heavyweight has been sidelined for the last few months with a groin injury but is targeting a return on the UFC on ESPN+10 card in Sweden, which takes place on June 1.
Conor McGregor reacts to 'little snake' TJ Dillashaw drug test findings
Tom Taylor - March 21, 2019
Conor McGregor has gotten wind of TJ Dillashaw’s drug testing drama, and well, he doesn’t seem surprised. See how McGregor reacted to this unfortunate news below:
EXCLUSIVE | Pro fighters make their picks for Anthony Pettis vs Stephen Thompson fight
Cole Shelton - March 21, 2019
The Octagon heads to Nashville, Tennessee this weekend, with a very interesting welterweight matchup in the main event. Former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis will be moving up in weight to challenge former welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson. Ahead of this welterweight fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight.
Henry Cejudo and Marlon Moraes trade barbs in wake of bantamweight title being vacated
Drake Riggs - March 20, 2019
The UFC bantamweight division was flipped on its head today as TJ Dillashaw was notified of a potential USADA violation thus resulting in a one-year suspension from the New York State Athletic Commission. Because of that, the bantamweight champion relinquished his title thus making it vacant for a new champion to be decided in the next fight for the crown.
Three options for the UFC’s vacant bantamweight title
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2019
Unfortunate news came out this morning that TJ Dillashaw would be relinquishing his bantamweight title due to ‘adverse’ findings in a USADA drug sample. In addition, it was announced that TJ Dillashaw will be suspended for a year, retroactive to January 19.
UFC 237 | Clay Guida praises BJ Penn ahead of fight, 'He paved the way'
Drake Riggs - March 20, 2019
Stephen Thompson feels he has quicker path to title after UFC 235, 'Nobody wants to see Thompson vs. Woodley 3'
Drake Riggs - March 20, 2019
Stephen Thompson is back! After 10 months away from the Octagon, a lot has happened. And because of that, ‘Wonderboy’ likes where he stands in the division. This Saturday night at UFC Nashville, Thompson is set to headline the event opposite former WEC and UFC lightweight champion, Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis.
EXCLUSIVE | Australia's Chelsea Hackett is zeroing in on the UFC's Octagon
Thomas Taylor - March 20, 2019
20-year-old Australian flyweight Chelsea Hackett has thrived as a Muay Thai fighter, and now she’s preparing to conquer the world of mixed martial arts. Hackett’s martial arts journey began at just eight years old, when her parents enrolled her in Taekwondo. By the time she was 12, she’d earned a blackbelt in the Korean martial art, and sought out a new challenge in the form of Muay Thai. She signed up for classes at Boonchu Gym on the Gold Coast, which is operated by Angie and John Wayne Parr, and by the time she was 13, she was climbing into the ring for her first fight.
BREAKING | Kevin Lee moves up to welterweight, faces Rafael Dos Anjos in UFC Rochester main event
Drake Riggs - March 20, 2019
It’s been a roller coaster ride of events for “The Mo-Town Phenom” Kevin Lee since his interim title fight with Tony Ferguson in October 2017. The then 24-year old Lee would go onto lose via third-round submission (triangle choke) in a fun and competitive bout. After taking some time to re-evaluate and gather himself, Lee would return for a main event encounter with another dangerous striker in Edson Barboza.
USADA releases statement on TJ Dillashaw drug test
Tom Taylor - March 20, 2019
This morning, TJ Dillashaw announced that he failed an in-competition drug test for his January showdown with UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo. Dillashaw added that he has chosen to relinquish his UFC bantamweight title as a result of this unfortunate situation. Shortly after this news broke, Ariel Helwani reported that the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), who oversaw Dillashaw and Cejudo’s Brooklyn battle, had suspended the former for one year. That being said, it was not immediately clear how the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) would react.
EXCLUSIVE | John Makdessi wants 'to give the fans excitement' at UFC Nashville
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2019
The Octagon heads to Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday and on the main card will be Canadian John Makdessi taking on Jesus Pinedo. For Makdessi it has been a long road to get to the Octagon after having to pull out of UFC 231 with an injury.
Joe Rogan responds to commentary criticism from Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - March 20, 2019
On Tuesday, BJPenn.com’s Mike Pendleton released footage of former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor criticizing UFC commentator Joe Rogan. McGregor made these comments during a recent Q&A session in Chicago. VIDEO: Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) says he could be a guest on Joe Rogan (@joerogan) podcast one day, but would like him to call fights the way he sees them and not like he’s reading off a script. pic.twitter.com/EGlBZL7WCK
Henry Cejudo issues statement on TJ Dillashaw drug test, suspension
Tom Taylor - March 20, 2019
On Wednesday morning, UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw announced that he failed an in-competition drug test surrounding his January showdown with UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo. Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Cejudo has now issued a statement on this dramatic turn of events.
MMA community reacts to TJ Dillashaw drug test result, suspension
Tom Taylor - March 20, 2019
On Wednesday morning, UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw announced that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) have discovered an adverse finding on one of his recent drug tests, and that he has decided to relinquish his bantamweight title as a courtesy to his peers as a result. Dillashaw explained the situation in an Instagram post.
Ben Askren explains why Khabib Nurmagomedov 165-pound title fight makes sense
James Lynch - March 20, 2019
Ben Askren has yet to have his next fight booked but he does have an ideal scenario in mind. This past weekend at UFC London, the 34-year-old spoke to the media about a number of topics including the creation of a 165-pound division. The former ONE and Bellator champion has been campaigning this new weight class since he signed with the UFC in October. He believes current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is the perfect opponent.
Eduard Folayang looks to give the best performance of his career at ONE: A New Era
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 20, 2019
Eduard Folayang is honored to headline ONE: A NEW ERA on 31 March where he will defend his ONE Lightweight World Title at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan against legendary Japanese martial artist Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki. Heading into this highly-anticipated rematch, Folayang knows he has to put forth the best performance of his career in order to successfully retain his title against the streaking Aoki. As such, he is hard at work in training camp getting ready to put on an absolute show.