MMA News

Cole Shelton - February 27, 2019

Reports came out today that Paige VanZant’s initial opponent at UFC 236 in Poliana Botelho was injured and off the card. Replacing her would be Montana De La Rosa who is fresh off of yet another submission win at UFC 234. However, De La Rosa has now confirmed that the fight is not happening and those reports are false. “I guess [UFC matchmaker] Mick [Maynard] wanted to make that fight between me and Paige,” De La Rosa told to BJPENN.com. “But now Paige is claiming her arm is hurt so she can’t fight that Poliana girl or me so we aren’t sure what is happening. As of now, she is hurt so that is not true. I’m just waiting to hear. They do want to make that fight with Paige and I but she is claiming she is hurt. I’m not really sure what is going on now.”

Drake Riggs - February 27, 2019

In 2016, the ‘Underground King’ Eddie Alvarez became the UFC lightweight champion of the world by defeating Rafael Dos Anjos via first-round TKO. Immediately after that, it was expected that we could very well see the unbeaten contender, Khabib Nurmagomedov finally getting his long-awaited UFC title shot. Instead, it would be given to the featherweight champion, Conor McGregor who would make good on it by defeating Alvarez via second-round TKO.

Drake Riggs - February 27, 2019

The last time we saw ‘The Mo-Town Phenom’ Kevin Lee (17-4) in action he was headlining the very last UFC card on the Fox network, UFC on Fox 31 in Milwaukie, Wisconsin. Unfortunately for Lee, he wouldn’t end up walking away as the last person to win on the Fox network.

Tom Taylor - February 27, 2019

Heading into his UFC 235 headlining battle with UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones, Anthony Smith has been counted out by a significant portion of the MMA world. That includes the oddsmakers, who have pegged him as a significant betting underdog. Yet when Anthony Smith looks at Jon Jones, he doesn’t see the unbeatable fighter that so many others see. He seems a person who can be beaten any number of ways.

Mike Pendleton - February 27, 2019

UFC 235 will be headlined by a pair of title fights, as Jon Jones defends his title against Anthony Smith, and Tyron Woodley looks to fend off Kamaru Usman. But the fireworks kick off far earlier than that. In the first bout of the UFC 235 main card, former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt returns to the Octagon, where he’ll look to correct a two-fight skid after losing the title to bitter rival TJ Dillashaw. In a rivalry that not only cost him his title, but consumed over a year of his fighting career, Garbrandt finds himself on the road to redemption and glory, as he looks to get back to what made him so special when he became champion.

Tom Taylor - February 27, 2019

UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley says he lost $10,000 thanks to a middle-of-the-night visit from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). This incident occurred in Atlanta earlier this year, right before the Super Bowl. Woodley was scheduled for an appearance that was going to pay him $10,000, but regrettably missed this engagement due to an inconveniently timed visit from USADA.

Tom Taylor - February 27, 2019

The Fight Gods giveth and the Fight Gods taketh away. These eternally merciless deities have accepted their latest sacrifice in the form of a compelling UFC 235 bantamweight fight between Marlon “Chito” Vera and Frankie Saenz. This unfortunate news, a product of illness, was first reported by @TalkMMA on Twitter on Tuesday night and subsequently announced on UFC.com on Wednesday morning.

Cole Shelton - February 27, 2019

Cody Stamann was preparing to fight in March before the UFC even called him. Then, about a month he was offered the chance to fight at UFC 235, where he is set to take on Alejandro Perez. Stamann, who is coming off of a submission loss to Aljamain Sterling in September is confident he was what it takes to beat Perez. Frankly, Stamann doesn’t even think Perez is that good.

Cole Shelton - February 27, 2019

In the co-main event of UFC 235 this Saturday, Tyron Woodley will look to defend his welterweight title against Kamaru Usman. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the title fight. In this case, the majority are leaning toward one fighter.

Tom Taylor - February 27, 2019

This Saturday, in the main event of UFC 235, Anthony Smith will attempt to wrest the UFC light heavyweight title from the waist of seemingly unbeatable champion Jon Jones. Heading into this fight, Smith has been discounted by a wide portion of the MMA community — most notably the oddsmakers, who have him labelled as a massive underdog. And really, it’s understandable why. Jon Jones has shown himself to be one of the most versatile and dangerous fighters in MMA history.

Tom Taylor - February 27, 2019

Junior dos Santos is a former UFC heavyweight champion and one of the most dangerous punchers in MMA history. Derrick Lewis, however, isn’t too impressed by the Brazilian. Lewis discredited the skills of dos Santos, who he’ll meet in the main event of UFC Wichita on March 9, in a recent interview with Helen Yee.

Tom Taylor - February 27, 2019

At UFC 236, streaking UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier will finally fight for UFC gold, as he’s set to battle featherweight champion Max Holloway for the interim lightweight belt. Generally speaking, when a fighter wins an interim title, the expectation is that they are guaranteed a crack at the undisputed champion thereafter. In Poirier’s case that would mean a fight with undisputed champ Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Drake Riggs - February 26, 2019

Former #UFC & #Bellator champ Eddie Alvarez had A LOT to say over "sad" interim titles in MMA 🔥👀 Watch full interview: https://t.co/bdi7Yh3eqh pic.twitter.com/uTcj7THGl7

Drake Riggs - February 26, 2019

From the UFC to ONE Championship… A transition that multiple big name fighters are starting to find themselves going through. One of the more recent ones being “Super” Sage Northcutt (11-2) who came as a bit of a surprise to see departing the UFC as they were so fond of him in his still young and developing career.

Drake Riggs - February 26, 2019

Any fan or player of video games, especially fighting video games, will know about the Mortal Kombat series. On April 23, the 27-year-old franchise will drop Mortal Kombat 11 which will be available for all major gaming platforms/consoles (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows).

Drake Riggs - February 26, 2019

Believe it or not, the former queen of the strawweight division, Joanna Jedrzejczyk is 1-3 in her last four bouts. After losing in back to back title fights against Rose Namajunas, Jedrzejczyk would rebound with a unanimous decision over perennial top 10 contender Tecia Torres before taking a fight back at her old division of flyweight.

Jordy McElroy - February 26, 2019

Out of sight could mean out of mind for reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is considering sitting out an entire year in support of his suspended teammates, Zubaira Tukhugov and Abubakar Nurmagomedov. For Conor McGregor, however, the absence of his greatest rival might shift his focus to prized fisticuffs over reclaiming the UFC title—a leather, gold-plated strap that never mattered in the first place. No one is cancelling red panty night over a lightweight title.

Tom Taylor - February 26, 2019

Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes, who was left with severe brain injury in a nearly-fatal 2017 accident, has reportedly been hit with restraining orders from both his wife Audra and his twin brother Mark amid allegations of domestic violence. TMZ reported this news Tuesday morning, citing court documents.