MMA News
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
In hindsight, it’s pretty amazing to think that BJ Penn and Clay Guida have never crossed paths in battle before. Both men are seasoned veterans and staples of the lightweight division’s history. With a combined 52 UFC fights between the two. With 26 UFC fights each, there is no shortage of incredible memories both have left fans with over the years.
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.
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.
UFC rankings update: Jorge Masvidal surges up at welterweight
Tom Taylor - March 20, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last weekend’s action-packed UFC London card, and as expected, there have been some big changes. The biggest changes in these new UFC rankings occurred inside the welterweight division, where Jorge Masvidal surged up six spots on the strength of his second-round beheading of Darren Till. Co-main event winner Leon Edwards stayed put in the number-10 spot, however, his vanquished foe Gunnar Nelson took a bit of a tumble down the rankings.
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.
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.
Former UFC middleweight champ Luke Rockhold set for light heavyweight debut against Jan Blachowicz
Tom Taylor - March 20, 2019
At long last, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has a date an opponent for his anticipated light heavyweight debut. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Rockhold will make his debut in the 205-pound division against Poland’s Jan Blachowicz at UFC 239. The card goes down on July 6 in Las Vegas, in the heat of the UFC’s annual International Fight week.
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.
Dana White says it's not in Tony Ferguson's best interest to fight right now
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2019
Tony Ferguson is not expected to be in the Octagon anytime soon according to UFC President, Dana White. Ferguson, who is the former interim lightweight champion is currently in the midst of his own personal problems including his wife filing a restraining order against him.
BREAKING | TJ Dillashaw relinquishes title after 'adverse' drug test finding
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 vacate the bantamweight throne as a result. TJ Dillashaw made this shocking announcement on Instagram.
ONE: A New Era Preview: Kairat Akhmetov vs Reece McLaren
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 20, 2019
Before the main card gets started at ONE: A NEW ERA in Japan on 31 March, there are a host of interesting preliminary bouts, many of which are quarter-final matches in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix. The winner of the tournament will get a title shot, so the stakes are high–even during the prelims.
Dana White: No punishment for Jorge Masvidal, disappointed in UFC staff
Drake Riggs - March 19, 2019
UFC London took place this past weekend and to say that it ended with a bang would be putting it mildly. Even after the main event concluded, the action didn’t quite stop. In said main event, ‘Gamebred’ Jorge Masvidal would return to the Octagon for the first time since November 2017 as he hoped to snap a two-fight losing streak against Darren Till. And that he would.
Report | Donald Cerrone vs Al Iaquinta in the works for UFC Ottawa
Drake Riggs - March 19, 2019
The UFC lightweight division is full of super talented competitors from top to bottom and the argument is constantly being made for it as the best division in the sport overall. As top heavy as it is, fighters from all across the rankings have proven to be competitive with one another no matter the number next to their name. Take ‘Raging’ Al Iaquinta (14-4-1) for a recent example when he knocked off Kevin Lee in their rematch at UFC on Fox 31 in December 2018.
Derrick Lewis set to undergo surgery on four-year-old ACL tear
Drake Riggs - March 19, 2019
UFC Wichita marked the return of “The Black Beast” Derrick Lewis for the first time since his title-challenging effort in November 2018 against Daniel Cormier. Unfortunately for Lewis, his attempted rebound wouldn’t get the result that he wanted as his opponent, former champion, Junior Dos Santos would end up taking home the second round TKO victory.