MMA News
5 reasons ONE: A New Era could be one of the best cards of 2019
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 27, 2018
ONE Championship is set to debut in Tokyo, Japan on March 31 with the stacked ONE: A New Era card. Even now, when the card is still not fully booked, it looks like it could be one of the best events of 2019. Here’s why: ONE Championship Debuts in Japan
Joe Rogan defends CSAC director Andy Foster, UFC exec Jeff Novitzky after controversial UFC 232 move
Tom Taylor - December 27, 2018
Despite the assurances of California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) director Andy Foster and UFC VP of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitzky, some members of the MMA community still aren’t convinced that Jon Jones is completely clean heading into to his UFC 232 showdown with Alexander Gustafsson. In the opinion of UFC commentator Joe Rogan, however, Foster and Novitzky’s comments on the topic of Jones’ “atypical” drug test findings can be trusted. He reminds that both men are experts in their fields.
EXCLUSIVE | Pro fighters make their picks for Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson 2
Cole Shelton - December 27, 2018
In the main event of UFC 232 this Saturday, former UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon — though not in the setting we originally expected. His opponent in this return to action will be Alexander Gustafsson, the Swedish star who gave him his toughest challenge to date back in 2013. Ahead of this massive UFC 232 rematch between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson, BJPENN.com reached out to a number of pro fighters to get their predictions for the bout.
Stamp Fairtex wants to hold titles in both kickboxing and MMA
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 27, 2018
It has been a memorable year for Thailand’s Stamp Fairtex. The 21-year-old claimed the ONE Kickboxing Atomweight World Championship in her promotional debut in October at ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES and her star looks set to shine even brighter in 2019. Stamp comprehensively outpointed defending champion Kai Ting Chuang throughout their five-round contest on her way to earning a unanimous decision victory. It was the co-main event of the evening and was watched by millions worldwide.
Jon Jones gives back to fans in Las Vegas with impromptu meet-and-greet: 'I thought you all hated me'
Tom Taylor - December 27, 2018
Last night, Jon Jones hosted an impromptu meet-and-greet with his fans in Las Vegas. Jones announced this meet-and-greet on social media earlier in the day.
ONE Championship announces another Grand Prix for 2019
Tom Taylor - December 27, 2018
Back in November, ONE Championship announced that it will be promoting exciting Grand Prix tournaments in its flyweight and lightweight divisions, featuring new signees Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez respectively. On Thursday afternoon, the Singapore-based martial arts powerhouse announced plans for another epic Grand Prix in 2019.
Skeptical Brendan Schaub not buying Jon Jones situation, says Jeff Novitzky can no longer be trusted
Drake Riggs - December 27, 2018
For many, the moving of UFC 232 from it’s originally planned location of Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena to the Los Angeles Forum on a week’s notice means more than just a simple relocating. The reason for it was due to an ‘atypical finding’ in one of one half of the event’s main event, Jon Jones’ drug tests. Because of this, the Nevada State Athletic Commission declined him of his license thus prompting the UFC to move the show to California. A state where the returning former light heavyweight champion has a temporary license.
Jon Jones apologizes to the fighters of UFC 232 following location change
Drake Riggs - December 26, 2018
From Las Vegas to Los Angeles all on one week’s notice. And all because of one half of the UFC 232 headliner, Jon ‘Bones’ Jones. Jones makes his return to the Octagon once again this Saturday night after some troubles with USADA. And after another recent scare due to an ‘atypical finding’ in one of Jones’ recent tests, the UFC moved the entire UFC 232 card from its original location of Las Vegas to Los Angeles, California in the Inglewood Forum.
Manager discusses futures of Cody Garbrant, Justin Gaethje, and Fabricio Werdum
Drake Riggs - December 26, 2018
When it comes to discussing the most notable managers in MMA, you can’t leave Ali Abdelaziz’ name out of the mix. He works with some of the biggest and best names MMA has to offer. Some of which he has recently provided updates for when making an appearance on MMAJunkie Radio.
Dana White gave Alexander Gustafsson option to move Jon Jones rematch to March
Drake Riggs - December 26, 2018
It takes two to tango. So if one party isn’t down to dance, you’ll need to find someone else. This was the case for Alexander Gustafsson and Jon Jones who are headlining this Saturday night’s UFC 232 event which closes out the year for the UFC.
CSAC extends UFC 232 weigh-in window due to event relocation
Drake Riggs - December 26, 2018
As the week goes on, the UFC 232 chaos begins to settle down as things get re-set and confirmed for the new venue in Los Angeles rather than Las Vegas. Currently, fighters on the card are now in Las Vegas where the card was originally to take place but they will be heading to Los Angeles tomorrow.
Dana White says Kamaru Usman will fight for title, but it might not be against Tyron Woodley
Thomas Taylor - December 26, 2018
Earlier today, on an episode of MMAjunkie Radio, manager Ali Abdelaziz claimed that streaking welterweight contender Kamaru Usman will “100%” get the next crack at UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, apparently at UFC 235 on March 2 in Las Vegas. Shortly thereafter, UFC President Dana White confirmed to MMAjunkie that Kamaru Usman will fight for the welterweight title next — but it might not be against Tyron Woodley. The UFC boss says Usman will fight for the welterweight title with our without Woodley.
EXCLUSIVE | Kay Hansen recaps Comeback of the Year win at Invicta 33
Cole Shelton - December 26, 2018
Kay Hansen did what many believed was impossible. At Invicta 33, Hansen, who is just 19-years-old, took a short-notice fight against Sharon Jacobson, a very tough opponent. When Hansen took the fight on short notice, she believed Jacobson would fight aggressively. However, that is not what happened. Jacobson switched her gameplan which threw Hansen for a loop.
Manager claims Kamaru Usman is '100%' fighting Tyron Woodley for welterweight title in March
Tom Taylor - December 26, 2018
According to manager Ali Abdelaziz, streaking welterweight contender Kamaru Usman will “100%” get the next shot at UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley. The fight will apparently occur at UFC 235, which goes down on March 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Abdelaziz made this claim on a Wednesday episode of MMAjunkie Radio.
Opinion: The comeback of a combat athlete and why we find it so intoxicating
Christine Allen - December 26, 2018
“It’s going to be part of my legacy, these injuries,” former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz said on a recent episode of Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show. “How many people go through life with problems? Life is no different from fighting and that’s why I love fighting so much…whether you play sport or not, athletes go through and build through adversity on a stage that the general public can connect to.” As humans, the arrival of setbacks, adversity and loss in our lives is virtually guaranteed. And while we often revere our favorite fighters to near god-like status, they are no different in their susceptibility to suffering than the rest of us.
UFC holiday message backfires as fans decry UFC 232 move in replies
Tom Taylor - December 26, 2018
UFC 232 was originally expected to occur in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, December 29. When a Jon Jones drug test turned up an “atypical finding,” however, the Nevada Athletic Commission decided not license the former champ for his UFC 232 main event rematch with Alexander Gustafsson. The UFC brass then made the unprecedented decision to move the entire UFC 232 card from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on just 6 days’ notice, as the California Athletic Commission agreed to license Jon Jones for the fight. While the UFC immediately offered refunds to fans who had purchased tickets to see the fights in Las Vegas, this didn’t do much to curb the disappointment of fans who had shelled out hundreds and even thousands of dollars on hotels, flights and other expenses to watch the card in Sin City.
EXCLUSIVE | Pro fighters make their picks for Cris Cyborg vs. Amanda Nunes super fight
Cole Shelton - December 26, 2018
This Saturday night, in the co-main event of UFC 232 in Inglewood, California, UFC featherweight champ Cris Cyborg will look to defend her belt when bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes moves up in weight to challenge her. There is no question that this will be one of Cyborg’s toughest tests to date, and because of that, fans are undecided on who will come out on top. Cyborg and Nunes’ fellow fighters, however, seem to be leaning toward the featherweight champ.
Joe Rogan gives his take on 'atypical' Jon Jones drug test result
Tom Taylor - December 26, 2018
Speaking on the latest episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, UFC commentator Joe Rogan gave his take on the recent “atypical finding” found on a Jon Jones drug test. From the sounds of it, he’s as confused as the rest of us. That being said, he’s compelled to believe that Jon Jones is innocent, and that the former light heavyweight champion has not ingested any banned substances of late.