MMA News
Kelvin Gastelum says Israel Adesanya is not yet worthy of a title shot
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2019
Kelvin Gastelum, who was supposed to battle Robert Whittaker in the UFC 234 main event, and now considers himself the middleweight champ by default after Whittaker withdrew from the fight with an injury, was not impressed by Israel Adesanya and Anderson Silva’s UFC 234 fight. Instead, Gastelum saw this fight as more “theatrics” than anything else.
Johnny Walker steps in against Misha Cirkunov at UFC 235
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2019
Rising light heavyweight prospect Johnny Walker has been booked for his next fight — and it’s a big one. The Brazilian knockout artist has stepped in to replace the injured Ovince Saint Preux against Canada’s Misha Cirkunov at UFC 235, which goes down on March 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada. News of this new matchup was first reported by MMA Fighting.
Anderson Silva hopes Israel Adesanya becomes UFC champion
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2019
Last weekend, in the last-minute main event of UFC 234, former UFC middleweight champ and undeniable MMA legend Anderson Silva came up short in an exciting, three-round battle with surging contender Israel Adesanya. In the wake of this fight, Anderson Silva has made no secret of his respect and admiration for Adesanya. In fact, he even hopes to see the Nigeria-born New Zealander become a UFC champion in the future.
Nate Diaz to corner Kron Gracie at UFC Phoenix
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2019
Fan favorite UFC lightweight contender Nate Diaz will be returning to the cage this weekend at UFC Phoenix on ESPN, he just won’t be doing any fighting. Instead, the younger Diaz brother will be cornering BJJ ace Kron Gracie in his UFC debut opposite the always exciting Alex Caceres. ESPN’s Greg Rosenstein has the details:
PFL suspends Josh Copeland after arrest, issues statement
Tom Taylor - February 12, 2019
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has indefinitely suspended heavyweight fighter Josh Copeland following his recent arrest, which stemmed from a domestic violence incident in early February. The PFL issued a statement on the Josh Copeland situation on Monday evening (via MMA Fighting).
Daniel Cormier says Cain Velasquez will be a champion again
Drake Riggs - February 11, 2019
Currently, Daniel Cormier is the reigning UFC heavyweight champion. But with an end in sight, he won’t hold that label forever. Training with Cormier for the majority of his professional MMA career has been the former two-time heavyweight king of the UFC, Cain Velasquez.
Kelvin Gastelum roasts 'leper' Conor McGregor following UFC 234
Drake Riggs - February 11, 2019
UFC 234 ended up being a pretty wild night of action as expected. Unfortunately, on the day of the event, it had lost its headliner as the middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, had to undergo emergency hernia surgery.
EXCLUSIVE | Austin Vanderford on special relationship with Paige VanZant, Bellator debut, and more
Mike Pendleton - February 11, 2019
Ahead of his upcoming Bellator debut, Austin Vanderford wanted to get one simple thing out of the way early, he’s going on without a nickname. Previously known in his fighting career as ‘AK-47’ and then also known to many as ‘Mr. VanZant’ due to his recent marriage to UFC flyweight Paige VanZant, Vanderford made it clear, there are no nicknames attached to him, he’s simply just Austin Vanderford.
Israel Adesanya responds to critique from Chris Weidman and Paulo Costa
Drake Riggs - February 11, 2019
Criticism is always going to find its way to athletes in professional sports. Whether it be from fans or even peers. At UFC 234 in Melbourne, Australia this past weekend, ‘The Last Stylebender’ Israel Adesanya headlined his first UFC pay-per-view event.
Volkan Oezdemir believes Jon Jones needs to finish Anthony Smith quickly
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2019
Anthony Smith has been on a roll since moving up to light heavyweight. First, he had quick knockouts over former champions in Rashad Evans and Shogun Rua. Then, he submitted Volkan Oezdemir in the main event of UFC Moncton in October. That third win set Smith up for a title shot at UFC 235 against arguably the greatest fighter of all time, Jon Jones.
EXCLUSIVE | Jessica Penne and the journey to self-discovery
Drake Riggs - February 11, 2019
As not all heroes wear capes, not all heroes are perfect, but they don’t always have to be. In the grueling world of combat sports and as is the case with every sport at the highest professional level, the magnitude of each and every setting gets magnified to the broadest possible audience with the more and more success that is gained.
Biggest winners from UFC 234
Mike Straus - February 11, 2019
No that it is over let’s take a look at the biggest winners from last weekend’s UFC 234 card. Unfortunately, middleweight champion Robert Whittaker was forced to have surgery to fix a hernia rather than defend his title against Kelvin Gastelum in the main event, but luckily the co-main event featured Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya.
After tough start to 2018, coach Mark Sangiao promises ‘better days ahead for Team Lakay’
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 11, 2019
What is already done cannot be changed anymore and that is exactly what Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao is feeling right now. Losing two World Titles in a span of six days may be disheartening to some, but the 39-year-old trainer remained optimistic that better days are ahead for the renowned gym from Baguio City.
Coach confident Ryan Bader could finish Daniel Cormier
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2019
Daniel Cormier recently became the first fighter in UFC history to wear the light heavyweight and heavyweight titles concurrently, first capturing the vacant belt with a defeat of Anthony Johnson, then thumping Stipe Miocic to capture the heavyweight belt. Ryan Bader recently accomplished the same feat under the Bellator banner, first defeating Phil Davis to win the light heavyweight belt, and then defeating Fedor Emelianenko to capture the vacant heavyweight belt.
Report | PFL heavyweight Josh Copeland arrested after allegedly assaulting wife in front of child
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2019
According to a report from TMZ, PFL heavyweight contender Josh Copeland has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife in front of their child. Per a police report obtained by TMZ, law enforcement in Adams County, Colorado received a call about an attack and rushed to the couple’s home on Feb. 2. When officers arrived at the scene, Copeland’s wife had “an obvious bruise on her left eye, a cut and was bleeding. There was blood down the front of her face and neck.”
Nick Diaz shuts down comeback talk: 'I just want to party'
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2019
Speaking at the UFC 234 post-fight press conference, Anderson Silva called for a rematch with former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz, who he battled to a no contest in early 2015. In fact, Silva claimed he’d actually been in contact with Diaz’s team about this fight. “I think it’s a very interesting fight,” Silva told the media on the scene (via MMAjunkie). “I talked to Nick’s manager a couple months ago, and Nick said, ‘OK, let’s go do it. Let’s talk to Dana (White).’ I’m just waiting for Dana.”
Dana White wants Paige VanZant vs. Montana De La Rosa next
James Lynch - February 11, 2019
After taking home a $50,000 bonus for beating Nadia Kassem at UFC 234, flyweight contender Montana De La Rosa has her sights on her next big payday: a matchup with Paige VanZant. The 23-year-old expressed interest in the fight following her victory and UFC President Dana White warmed up to the idea as well.
Daniel Cormier opens up on injury that is slowing down UFC return
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2019
It’s been awhile since we’ve seen UFC heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier in the cage — since he defeated Derrick Lewis by submission at UFC 230 in November, to be exact. The champ’s prolonged absence is due to a back injury he sustained in that fight.