MMA News
Joe Rogan says he believes Conor McGregor vs Donald Cerrone is 'done deal'
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.
Daniel Cormier shares confident prediction for potential fight with Francis Ngannou
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.”
The biggest winners from Bellator's weekend doubleheader
Mike Straus - February 18, 2019
Bellator had a busy weekend as the promotion held a doubleheader on Friday and Saturday night. Let’s look at who some of the biggest winners were. It’s a good thing that the Viacom owned promotion booked back to back nights in Uncasville, Connecticut. If the promotion would’ve packed it up and headed home after Friday night’s main event disaster, fans may have rioted. Luckily Bellator 216 on Saturday night largely delivered.
Cain Velasquez on Francis Ngannou loss: I beat myself tonight
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.
Pros react to Kron Gracie scoring a first round submission win at UFC Phoenix
Chris Taylor - February 17, 2019
Kron Gracie made his highly anticipated octagon debut in a featherweight bout against Alex Caceres at tonight’s UFC Phoenix event. The son of legendary Brazilian Jiu Jitsu wizard Rickson Gracie, Kron, entered tonight’s fight sporting a perfect professional record of 4-0.
Pros react to Francis Ngannou defeating Cain Velasquez at UFC Phoenix
Christopher Taylor - February 17, 2019
A highly anticipated heavyweight tilt between former division champion Cain Velasquez and feared knockout artist Francis Ngannou headlined tonight’s UFC Phoenix event. Cain Velasquez returned to action for the first time since defeating Travis Browne via first round TKO at UFC 200 in July of 2016.
UFC Phoenix Results: Francis Ngannou finishes Cain Velasquez in under a minute (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - February 17, 2019
A key heavyweight scrap between former division kingpin Cain Velasquez and former title challenger Francis Ngannou headlined tonight’s UFC Phoenix event. Cain Velasquez returns for the first time since UFC 200 in July of 2016, where he defeated Travis Browne via first round TKO.
UFC Phoenix Results: Paul Felder defeats James Vick (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - February 17, 2019
A lightweight bout between Paul Felder and James Vick served as the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC Phoenix event. James Vick (13-2 MMA) enters tonight’s co-main event looking to rebound, this after suffering a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje in his most recent effort at UFC Lincoln.
UFC Phoenix Results: Kron Gracie submits Alex Caceres (VIDEO)
Chris Taylor - February 17, 2019
A featherweight bout between Kron Gracie and Alex Caceres took place on the main card of tonight’s UFC Phoenix event. Kron Gracie, who is the son of legendary Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ace Rickson Gracie, will enter tonight’s fight with Caceres sporting a perfect professional record of 4-0.
UFC Phoenix Results: Vicente Luque stops Bryan Barberena in the final seconds (VIDEO)
Chris Taylor - February 17, 2019
A welterweight bout between Vicente Luque and Bryan Barberena took place on the main card of tonight’s UFC Phoenix event. Bryan Barberena was last seen in action this past August, where he scored a TKO victory over Jake Ellenberger.
UFC Phoenix Results: Andre Fili defeats Myles Jury (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - February 17, 2019
A featherweight fight between Andre Fili and Myles Jury kicked off tonight’s UFC Phoenix main card. Myles Jury (17-3) enters tonight’s contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a TKO loss to Chad Mendes in his most recent octagon appearance this past July.
EXCLUSIVE | Javier Mendez expects Cain Velasquez to smash dangerous Ngannou
Jason Kindschy - February 17, 2019
With the highly anticipated return of former heavyweight kingpin Cain Velasquez just hours away, the question remains if we will see the dominant display of cardio and technique that Cain is known for against a very dangerous opponent in Francis Ngannou. Following a hiatus from combat sports for over two years, one individual who has no doubt that Velasquez will make a big statement tonight on ESPN is his longtime friend and coach, Javier Mendez. On the most recent episode of BJPENN.COM Radio, Mendez discussed his star pupil, the long journey back to action, and the continued evolution of Cain as a martial artist.
Cheick Kongo and Ryan Bader get heated over potential title fight
Tom Taylor - February 17, 2019
When Cheick Kongo handed former Bellator champ Vitaly Minakov his first loss on the main card of Bellator 216 on Saturday night, he earned himself a shot a reigning Bellator heavyweight champ Ryan Bader. He did not hesitate to call Bader out at the Bellator 216 post-fight press conference.
Paul Daley protests MVP loss, accuses Bellator of 'protecting their investment'
Tom Taylor - February 17, 2019
On Saturday night, in the main event of the stacked Bellator 216 card, Paul Daley and Michael Page finally stepped into the cage together for an anticipated grudge match. Although Daley had some real success in this fight, using his wrestling edge to ground the action on multiple occasions, he ultimately wound up losing a unanimous decision to his rival.
Broadcast and commentary teams revealed for UFC on ESPN 1
Tom Taylor - February 17, 2019
On Sunday, February 17, the UFC will make its debut on ESPN with an exciting, 13-fight card. In a recent press release, ESPN revealed the commentary and broadcast teams for this debut UFC on ESPN card. Jon Anik and Dominick Cruz will call the fights from cage-side, while Rashad Evans, Michael Bisping and Karyn Bryant will man the broadcast desk, and Megan Olivi will handle reporting. UFC fighters Fabricio Werdum and Brandon Moreno will join Victor Dávila on the Spanish language broadcast.
Coach explains what is motivating Cain Velasquez ahead of Francis Ngannou fight
Tom Taylor - February 17, 2019
On Sunday evening, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will return from a hiatus of almost three years to battle brick-fisted knockout artist Francis Ngannou. Speaking on the UFC Unfiltered podcast recently, Velasquez’s chief handler Javier Mendez explained what is motivating the former champion as he heads into this high-stakes showdown with Ngannou.
Conor McGregor pens lengthy tribute to MMA legend Bas Rutten
Tom Taylor - February 17, 2019
Although Conor McGregor is known for his venomous pre-fight trash talk, he is always quick to pay respect to the MMA legends that preceded him. Speaking on Instagram over the weekend, the former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion did just that, heaping praise on former UFC heavyweight champ and MMA pioneer Bas Rutten. He even credited Rutten with inspiring some of the techniques he used in his recent fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Cheick Kongo sends ominous threat to Bellator heavyweight champ Ryan Bader
Tom Taylor - February 17, 2019
Cheick Kongo is now the number-one contender in the Bellator heavyweight division. The hulking Frenchman earned that honor with a workmanlike defeat of the formerly undefeated former champ Vitaly Minakov at Bellator 216 on Saturday night. Cheick Kongo has been chasing a Bellator heavyweight title shot for years, and can now look forward to a fight with reigning champion Ryan Bader. That said, he believes it would be more straightforward for Bader to just give him the belt — and he promises trouble if the champ doesn’t oblige.