MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 19, 2019

Last October ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced a blockbuster addition to the promotion’s stacked lightweight division in the form of former UFC and Bellator champ Eddie Alvarez. Alvarez started his martial arts journey when he was in high school as a wrestler. He later incorporated a few more disciplines and went on to become a professional mixed martial artist to support his family.

James Lynch - February 19, 2019

Anthony Smith is not a fan of Colby Covington “Lionheart”, who is set to face Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title at UFC 235 on Mar. 2, didn’t hold back on the controversial welterweight After a Twitter exchange with Covington a few weeks back, Smith decided to address the issue on The MMA Hour on Monday.

Tom Taylor - February 19, 2019

UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou possess the kind of immeasurable power that could probably knock a planet off its orbit. On Sunday night, he flaunted that power again, thumping the former champ Cain Velasquez in less than 30 seconds, and absolutely dazzling UFC commentator Joe Rogan. Rogan was not on duty for this fight, but was watching with some of his friends on a Fight Companion episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

Drake Riggs - February 18, 2019

The last time we saw Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza inside the Octagon, he was competing in one of the most exciting fights of 2018 and wound up scoring one of the best knockouts of his career. That knockout came at the expense of the former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman in November at UFC 230.

Drake Riggs - February 18, 2019

Once known as strictly a tournament structured promotion, Bellator MMA is now getting back to its roots with their third tournament since Scott Coker’s arrival. Just at the end of this past month, Bellator wrapped up their heavyweight Grand Prix which saw the vacant title be awarded to the light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader after he ran through the likes of Muhammad ‘King Mo’ Lawal, Matt Mitrione, and the legendary Fedor Emelianenko.

Drake Riggs - February 18, 2019

Next week will be the big UFC 235 fight week as Jon Jones looks to make his first successful title defense since recapturing the gold at the end of 2018. However, the pay-per-view that will follow that one is UFC 236 which takes place on April 13… At least it’s expected to.

Thomas Taylor - February 18, 2019

On Friday night in Singapore (Friday morning in North America), at ONE: Call to Greatness, former ONE lightweight title challenger Amir Khan will attempt to advance to the second round of the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix with a win over Costa Rican grappling ace Ariel Sexton. Now just days away from this fight, Amir Khan says his preparations have been fruitful. He’s tailored his entire eight-week camp to combatting the unique skillset of his upcoming foe, and feels well prepared for the task at hand.

Drake Riggs - February 18, 2019

In the modern era of mixed martial arts, there are many different reasons one could find themselves attracted to this sport that is the purest form of combat. For every different country, every different person, what it is that piques their interest compared to another might not be identical which just goes to show the great depth that the sport can provide whether as a viewer, participant, or both.

Tom Taylor - February 18, 2019

Shortly after last night’s UFC Phoenix card wrapped up, UFC President Dana White partook in a interview with Megan Olivi. Mid-way through this interview, we were treated to a rare Nate Diaz appearance. After White and Diaz greet each other, Olivi asked Diaz if he’d be fighting again soon.

Cole Shelton - February 18, 2019

On Sunday night, the UFC debuted on ESPN with the exciting UFC Phoenix card. The card was topped by a dynamite heavyweight showdown between Francis Ngannou and Cain Velasquez, but the fight that stole the show was a welterweight main card fight between Vicente Luque and Bryan Barberena. The two went back and forth the entire fight, trading heavy artillery. The fight had the most significant strikes in a three-round UFC welterweight fight.

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 18, 2019

Demetrious Johnson did not hesitate to sign with ONE Championship after learning about their core values and how they treat their athletes from CEO Chatri Sityodtong. His excitement was evident when he flew to Singapore to witness a live ONE event late last year. “I’m very excited to be a ONE athlete,” Johnson said.

Tom Taylor - February 18, 2019

If you needed any further evidence that UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder is a badass, here it is. In the third round of his fight with the ever dangerous James Vick, Felder absorbed a body kick that caused his lung to collapse. Despite this serious injury, he continued to fight ferociously until the final bell, and ultimately wound up winning a unanimous decision for his efforts.

Cole Shelton - February 18, 2019

The UFC had its first card on big ESPN last night. In the co-main event of the evening, we witnessed a battle between two top lightweights in James Vick and Paul Felder. In the main event, meanwhile, Cain Velasquez made his long awaited return to the Octagon to take on Francis Ngannou. Ultimately, Felder defeated Vick by unanimous decision which should put a number beside his name, while Ngannou beat Velasquez in just 26 seconds by TKO to cap off a crazy night of fights.

Tom Taylor - February 18, 2019

Last night, in the headlining bout of the UFC’s debut event on ESPN, Francis Ngannou picked up arguably the biggest win of his career, defeating former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez in less than 30 seconds. In the wake of this fight, however, there’s been some debate as to whether or not Velasquez was put down by Ngannou’s punches, the knee injury he sustained, or a grisly combination of both.

James Lynch - February 18, 2019

A blockbuster fight between Conor McGregor and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone may be one step closer to happening. UFC commentator Joe Rogan spoke about the proposed matchup on his Fight Companion podcast last night during the UFC on ESPN broadcast. “Conor-Cowboy is a done deal, as far as I know.” Rogan stated plainly.

Tom Taylor - February 18, 2019

Having dispatched UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez in the headliner of the UFC’s Sunday night debut event on ESPN, Francis Ngannou now wants a shot at the UFC heavyweight title. As luck would have it, that title is currently owned by Daniel Cormier, a long-time friend and training partner of Velasquez. “I think what should be next for me is the title shot,” Ngannou said at the post-fight press conference. “I think Cain is the one that the victory against him, after that you deserve a title shot.”

Tom Taylor - February 18, 2019

Cain Velasquez didn’t get the return to action he was hoping for. Instead, the heavyweight legend was stopped by the ferocious Francis Ngannou in the first 30 seconds of their UFC Phoenix fight — apparently injuring his knee in the process. Post-fight, Cain Velasquez offered his complete disbelief with the way his knee quit on him. He says he felt completely healthy heading into the fight.

Tom Taylor - February 18, 2019

Last night, in the main event of the UFC’s first-ever card on ESPN, former UFC heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou picked up arguably the biggest victory of his career, deflating the returning Cain Velasquez in less than 30 seconds. Post fight, the victorious Francis Ngannou called for a heavyweight title shot opposite reigning champion Daniel Cormier.