MMA News

Mike Straus - January 17, 2019

Champion vs champion fights don’t come along too often and a title fight that is not on a PPV card is rare. That however, is exactly what is on tap for this weekend’s UFC Brooklyn card on ESPN+. The FOX era is over and the UFC is now partnered with Disney. Well, sort of … Disney owns ESPN. Regardless, just like they did with the first big FOX card between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos back in 2011, the UFC is coming in hot with their first offering on a new platform.

Tom Taylor - January 17, 2019

Earlier this week, UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo made some rather hostile remarks about his next challenger, slimmed-down bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw. Cejudo seemed particularly concerned about Dillashaw’s flyweight physique, and whether or not the bantamweight champ will hit the 125-pound flyweight limit for their Saturday night fight. “Personally, I think he looks like Pee-wee Herman if you ask me,” Cejudo said of Dillashaw on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour (transcript via MMA Fighting). “In the physique way, I really do feel like he looks like Pee-wee Herman. … I thought he’d have a little more bulk to him, but I guess not. He’s not looking so well. It looks like he needs a cup of water. He looks like a cross country runner.”

Tom Taylor - January 17, 2019

This Saturday, when the UFC debuts on ESPN+, Donald Cerrone returns to our screens for a fan friendly matchup with rising lightweight contender Alexander Hernandez. Before this matchup with Hernandez was announced, it briefly sounded as though Donald Cerrone could be the man to welcome former UFC lightweight and featherweight champ Conor McGregor back to the Octagon — although the rumors of this fight never evolved into reality.

Cole Shelton - January 17, 2019

In the main event of the UFC’s first card on ESPN+ this Saturday night, UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw will try to make history as the next two-division champion in the UFC, as he drops down to flyweight to challenge divisional champ Henry Cejudo. Ahead of the champion vs. champion fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions. Some had major question marks surrounding Dillashaw’s weight cut, while another fighter couldn’t even make a pick.

Tom Taylor - January 17, 2019

Last night, new UFC featherweight champ Amanda Nunes stated — apparently jokingly — that she is done with the featherweight division. Nunes followed this announcement by suggesting that Cris Cyborg, the woman she knocked out to win the UFC featherweight belt, fight lightweight prospect Kayla Harrison. Sorry Cristiane but I’m done with 145. My Goal was to be a double champ. But, now I can help you build the division. I got someone for you @Judo_Kayla is a true 145er

Tom Taylor - January 17, 2019

UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee is known for his innovative fashion choices, but not all of his outfits are well-received among his peers. One of Lee’s recent looks, for example, generated a negative comment from UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones. “I swear my daughter has that same jacket,” Jones wrote on one of Lee’s Instagram posts.

Drake Riggs - January 16, 2019

Well, UFC 232 has come and gone and less than a month later it seems that the ripple effect from the night’s results is about to be felt. In the co-main event on December 29, UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes scored a massive and historical knockout win over the longtime ruler at featherweight, Cris Cyborg. Thus making Nunes the first ever two-division female champion.

Thomas Taylor - January 16, 2019

More often than not, former UFC lightweight and featherweight champ Conor McGregor is the one doing the trash talking. This time around, however, McGregor finds himself on the receiving end of some trash talk, as UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee has lobbed a savage verbal shelling in the Irishman’s direction on Instagram. Here’s what Kevin Lee had to say about Conor McGregor:

Drake Riggs - January 16, 2019

There is no question about it, Jose Aldo is one of the greatest MMA fighters to ever live. The former UFC and WEC featherweight king has done it all and set a lofty standard for what it means to be a great champion.

Drake Riggs - January 16, 2019

Earlier today, the UFC’s return to London, England got its headliners announced. Darren Till and Jorge Masvidal are reportedly set to square off in the evening’s featured attraction. Now we know that the co-main event will also feature the 170-pounders.

Mike Pendleton - January 16, 2019

Stepping in to replace Dominick Cruz to take on John Lineker was an opportunity that Cory Sandhagen wasn’t expecting, but it’s one that he relished. Now that Lineker has withdrawn from the fight and Mario Bautista has stepped in to replace him, Sandhagen feels like he’s back into his comfort zone heading into the fight. Sandhagen will take on Bautista at UFC Brooklyn on ESPN+ on January 19 at the Barclays Center and in an exclusive interview with BJPenn.com he spoke about going through the opponent change and how he’s preparing for his fight against Bautista.

Tom Taylor - January 16, 2019

Earlier this week, UFC welterweight stars Darren Till and Jorge Masvidal seemed to agree to a fight in London on March 16. According to UFC President Dana White, who spoke to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, this fight is now official for the UFC London main event.

Tom Taylor - January 16, 2019

The UFC featherweight title reign of Cris Cyborg has come to an end — at least for now. Despite her recent loss to Amanda Nunes, however, Cyborg remains one of the most fearsome women on the planet, and a definite MMA star. As such, she believes it would unwise of the UFC to let her take her services elsewhere after her next fight, which is the final obligation on her current UFC contract. If Cris Cyborg does leave the UFC after her next fight, she believes her legions of fans will follow her.

Tom Taylor - January 16, 2019

Last night, top UFC middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum took a shot at UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley for plotting a move up to the middleweight division. https://twitter.com/KelvinGastelum/status/1085252534401265664

Tom Taylor - January 16, 2019

This Saturday, when the UFC makes its debut on ESPN with the stacked UFC Brooklyn card, fan favorite flyweight contender Paige VanZant will make her long-awaited return to the Octagon opposite Rachael Ostovich. Paige VanZant believes this fight is one of the most important of her whole career — more important, even, than her UFC debut. She feels this is her opportunity to reintroduce herself to UFC fans using the massive ESPN platform and prove she belongs amongst the flyweight division’s best fighters.

James Lynch - January 16, 2019

Conor McGregor didn’t win a fight in 2018 but did earn himself some recognition. Sports Illustrated released their 50-fittest athletes (25 fittest Men and 25 fittest Women) and the former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion found himself ranked ninth out of 25 other men.

Tom Taylor - January 16, 2019

By now, you’ve probably encountered the 10 year challenge dozens and dozens of times on your social media accounts. This craze, which encourages people to share a picture of themselves from 10 years ago and a picture of themselves from this year, side by side, has swept the Internet. Even MMA stars like Conor McGregor have gotten in on the fun. Here are some MMA fighters who have done the 10 year challenge over the last few days.

Mike Pendleton - January 15, 2019

As the UFC and ESPN prepare for their first event together, it will be interesting to see how they market their talent to a new audience. While the UFC certainly has their own audience, there is a market full of ESPN diehards that may not have been open to the idea of MMA or didn’t know where to access it, now it’s available on the worldwide leader of sports.