MMA News

Megan Anderson
UFC

Top featherweight contender Megan Anderson reacts to Amanda Nunes beating Cris Cyborg

Tom Taylor - January 7, 2019

Late last month, in the co-main event of UFC 232, Amanda Nunes ended the seemingly bulletproof reign of UFC featherweight champion Cris Cyborg with a volley of first-round punches. In the opinion of Megan Anderson — the top contender in the featherweight division — this was probably a good thing for the overall health of the weight class. In fact, she believes Cyborg’s previous dominance might have been part of the reason so few women stick around in the division.

Mark Hunt, UFC Adelaide
UFC

Mark Hunt trashes UFC, Jeff Novitzky for 'promoting steroids'

Tom Taylor - January 7, 2019

It’s no secret that Mark Hunt is not a fan of Performance-Enhancing drug use in MMA — particularly in the UFC. Now that the’s parted ways with the UFC, he’s even more open about his feelings on the issue. “They’ve actually taken my love for fighting away because of how they promote steroids and cheaters, how they’ve done it all,” Hunt told MMA UK recently, speaking of the UFC (transcript via MMA Fighting). “They’ve pushed me out of the way, to be honest and that’s what’s taken my love for fighting away. It’s kind of sad because they should be promoting the guy that’s not cheating whereas they are promoting the cheaters of this sport, which is wrong. I actually thought Jeff Novitzky was a nice person but he’s just a sellout. You’re a sellout, bro. That’s the bottom line.”

Tito Ortiz, Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen

Chael Sonnen issues challenge to 'stupid' Tito Ortiz

Tom Taylor - January 7, 2019

Chael Sonnen and Tito Ortiz have already fought once, in January of 2017, but apparently, their beef is not yet settled. Since their first fight, which Ortiz won via first-round submission, the pair have continued to go back and forth, raising question as to whether we might see them fight again.

Jon Jones, Alexander Gustafsson
Jon Jones

Alexander Gustafsson issues statement after losing third title fight at UFC 232

Christopher Taylor - January 6, 2019

For the third time in his storied career Alexander Gustafsson fell short in his bid to capture the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 235. “The Mauler” suffered a third-round knockout loss to division kingpin Jon Jones last weekend in Los Angeles, marking the second time in his career that the Swede had fallen victim to “Bones”.

Polyana-Viana
UFC

UFC strawweight Polyana Viana fends off robber in Rio De Janeiro

Drake Riggs - January 6, 2019

As MMA continues to grow as a sport, that means that more people will learn and know how to defend themselves in certain situations. And being the 10-2 UFC strawweight that she is, Polyana Viana is more than capable of doing just that. On Saturday around 8:00 PM local time, Viana had a stranger attempt to rob her of her phone. Of course, that did not at all go the way that he surely had planned.

Jon Jones, Anthony Smith, Volkan Oezdemir
Jon Jones

Opening Odds Released for Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith at UFC 235

Chris Taylor - January 6, 2019

UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones will be making a quick turnaround in order to defend his title at March’s UFC 235 event in Las Vegas. UFC President Dana White recently told TMZ Sports that a title fight between Jon Jones and Anthony Smith was in the works for March’s pay-per-view event.

Cody Garbrandt
UFC

Cody Garbrandt returns on stacked UFC 235 card

Thomas Taylor - January 6, 2019

UFC 235, which goes down on March 2 in Las Vegas, keeps getting better and better. Late on Sunday, it was reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto that former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt will make his long-awaited return to action on the card. The former champ will battle rising prospect Pedro Munhoz. Breaking: Cody Garbrandt vs. Pedro Munhoz added to UFC 235. That card now has two title fights and three former UFC champions. Wow. pic.twitter.com/heeXk4mg2H

Conor McGregor
Tenshin Nasukawa

Conor McGregor challenges Tenshin Nasukawa to MMA exhibition 'before this summer'

Thomas Taylor - January 6, 2019

On New Years Eve in Tokyo, Floyd Mayweather stepped through the ropes of the RIZIN Fighting Federation ring for a boxing exhibition bout with 20-year-old kickboxing ace Tenshin Nasukawa. In an absolutely dominant performance, Mayweather put the young kickboxer down inside the first three-minute round. Now Conor McGregor wants a turn at the Japanese fighter — albeit under a different ruleset. Speaking on Twitter on Sunday night, the Irish superstar called for a mixed martial arts exhibition bout with Tenshin Nasukawa — also in Tokyo.

Jon Jones, UFC 235, UFC 235 fight card, Chris Weidman
Jon Jones

UFC 235: Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith fight card

Tom Taylor - January 6, 2019

UFC 235, which goes down on March 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada, is already shaping up to be a 2019 Card of the Year contender. If all goes according to plan, the card will be topped by a light heavyweight showdown between resurgent champion Jon Jones and surging contender Anthony Smith. In order for this bout to occur at UFC 235 as planned, Jones will first have to receive licensure from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Macy Chiasson
UFC

EXCLUSIVE | TUF 28 featherweight winner Macy Chiasson explains why she's moving to bantamweight

Cole Shelton - January 6, 2019

Macy Chiasson is a natural featherweight. She competed at featherweight on The Ultimate Fighter 28, and ended up winning the season at that weight. However, she is moving down to bantamweight for her next fight, which will pit her against Gina Mazany at UFC 235 on March 2. This is a rather interesting move for Chiasson given the fact she has fought her entire career at 145 and won TUF at featherweight. Yet after talking to her coaches and working with the UFC Performance Institute, she decided the timing was right to move down a division.

Louis Taylor
Louis Taylor

EXCLUSIVE | Louis Taylor explains why $1M PFL title win was so important for his career

Mike Straus - January 6, 2019

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) seasonal format offers a unique alternative to the matchmaking style used by other major promotions like the UFC and Bellator. Season one middleweight champ Louis Taylor took full advantage of this format. The inaugural season of the PFL concluded on New Year’s Eve with the promotion handing out six million-dollar checks. It was the picture perfect way for Taylor to close out the best year of his career.

Tyron Woodley, Kamaru Usman
Tyron Woodley

Report | Tyron Woodley vs. Kamaru Usman signed for UFC 235 co-main event

Tom Taylor - January 6, 2019

After weeks of speculation, a welterweight title fight between champ Tyron Woodley and challenger Kamaru Usman is reportedly a done deal for UFC 235 on March 2, per ESPN’s Ariel Helwani. The fight is slated to serve as the card’s co-main event, co-headlining under a light heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Anthony Smith, provided Jones is able to achieve licensure in Nevada.

Sean O'Connell
Sean O'Connell

EXCLUSIVE | PFL champ Sean O'Connell shares wise advice for next generation of fighters

Tom Taylor - January 6, 2019

On New Years Eve, Sean O’Connell thumped Vinny Magalhaes to a corner stoppage, winning the Professional Fighters League (PFL) light heavyweight belt and a $1,000,000 prize in the process. In the moments after this life-changing win, the ever-entertaining veteran announced his retirement from MMA competition. At the end of his incredible fighting career, which unfurled in the UFC and PFL cages and carried him all over the world, Sean O’Connell has plenty of advice for the next generation of fighters.

TJ Dillashaw, Matt Serra
UFC

TJ Dillashaw responds to Ali Abdelaziz saying he won't make weight

Tom Taylor - January 6, 2019

On January 19, in the main event of the UFC’s first card on ESPN+, UFC bantamweight king TJ Dillashaw will drop down to the flyweight division to battle divisional champ Henry Cejudo for his belt. First, however, TJ Dillashaw will have to successfully cut down to the flyweight limit of 125 pounds. Henry Cejudo’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has doubts that that will happen.

Alexander Volkanovski
Jon Jones

Alexander Volkanovski shares photo from when he was over 210 lbs, calls out Jon Jones

Tom Taylor - January 6, 2019

After his thrilling UFC 232 defeat of Chad Mendes, Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski is right on the cusp of a shot at the UFC featherweight title. Speaking on Twitter this weekend, however, the surging featherweight contender issued a callout of UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Prior to his success in MMA, Volkanovski was a rugby player. During his rugby days, he apparently weighed more than 210 pounds — pretty incredible considering he hit the 145-pound mark at the UFC 232 weigh ins.

Brandon Vera
ONE Championship

ONE Championship Spotlight: Brandon "The Truth" Vera

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 6, 2019

Brandon “The Truth” Vera is the reigning ONE Heavyweight World Champion. The 41-year-old Filipino is one of five Filipino champions under the promotion’s banner. While Vera is a champion today, he has had to endure some significant hardships on his way to his current spot. Overcoming Adversity

Jon Jones, Brock Lesnar, Johnny Walker, Thiago Santos, Jon Anik
Jon Jones

Breaking! Jon Jones set to return at March's UFC 235 event in Las Vegas

Christopher Taylor - January 5, 2019

UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones will apparently be making a quick turnaround and defending his title at March’s UFC 235 event in Las Vegas. UFC President Dana White told TMZ Sports that a title fight between Jon Jones and Anthony Smith is in the works for March’s pay-per-view event.

Conor McGregor, Bellator 200
UFC

Conor McGregor celebrates Dallas Cowboys win, responds to hecklers

Christopher Taylor - January 5, 2019

The Dallas Cowboys successfully advanced to the divisional round of this seasons NFL Playoffs earlier this evening and former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor couldn’t be happier. “Mystic Mac” had taken to his official Instagram prior to kickoff wishing his favorite team the best of luck.