MMA News
Report | Dominick Cruz injured out of bout with John Lineker at UFC 233, Cody Garbrandt targeted as replacement
Drake Riggs - December 11, 2018
It seems that disaster has struck once again for the former bantamweight king Dominick Cruz. Having his comeback set for UFC 233 on January 26 opposite John Lineker, that appears to longer be the case as MMA Brasil’s Tarso Doria reports that Cruz has sustained yet another fight canceling injury. Thus prompting the promotion to pursue Cruz’ last opponent, Cody Garbrandt to replace him against the Brazilian.
Valentina Shevchenko discusses possible future rematch with Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2018
Last weekend, in the co-main event of UFC 232, Valentina Shevchenko captured the vacant UFC women’s flyweight title with a dominant decision defeat of former UFC strawweight Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Speaking on The MMA Hour with Luke Thomas on Monday, the new champion broke down this victory.
Jon Jones gets CSAC license reinstated, is asked to enroll in additional VADA drug testing
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2018
Jon Jones has officially been removed from the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) suspension list, clearing him to fight Alexander Gustafsson for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 232 this December 29 in Las Vegas. Jones received this positive news at a CSAC hearing on Tuesday afternoon.
Joshua Pacio to defend ONE strawweight title against familiar foe in Jakarta
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 11, 2018
World champion Joshua Pacio will be out for redemption when he puts his ONE Championship belt on the line next year. Pacio (16-2-0), the undisputed ONE Strawweight World Champion, bids to avenge his only defeat in almost 500 days when he takes on Japan’s Hayato Suzuki (20-1-2) in Indonesia. The pair will square off in the main event at ONE: Eternal Glory, set for Istora Senayan in Jakarta on 19 January.
ONE Championship inks three-year United States TV deal
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2018
ONE Championship has a new home on television in the United States. On Tuesday morning, ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong teased big news, and shortly thereafter, ESPN confirmed what many suspected: that the promotion has signed a long-discussed United States broadcast deal.
Dustin Poirier doubles down on callouts of Tony Ferguson, Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2018
Surging UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier was expected to return to the cage opposite Nate Diaz at UFC 230 in early November. Regrettably, the New Orleans native was forced out of this fight with an injury and sidelined for several weeks. Now back in fighting shape, Dustin Poirier is getting antsy. He wants to fight, and fight soon. But with UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor both tied up with imminent Nevada State Athletic Commission punishments, he’s low on viable options.
Deontay Wilder and Joe Rogan agree Tyson Fury 'definitely' didn't recover from knockdown in time
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2018
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder fought an incredible fight against Tyson Fury. In fact, The American titleholder very nearly finished the resurgent British fighter in the 12th round, scoring a ring-shaking knockdown that would have left lesser men glued to the canvas for minutes. Miraculously, however, Fury was able to return to his feet and survive to the final bell, at which point the ring-side judges ruled the fight a draw.
James Gallagher to headline Bellator 218 in Dublin
James Lynch - December 11, 2018
Bellator MMA announced in a press release that James Gallagher will headline Bellator 218 in Dublin, Ireland on Feb. 23. Gallagher (7-1) will look to bounce back from the first loss of his career as he’s set to face Steven Graham in a bantamweight bout. The 22-year-old is coming off a first-round TKO loss to former CFFC champion Ricky Bandejas at Bellator 204 in August. Losing for the first time in his career was especially tough for Gallagher who had engaged in a lot of trash talk leading up until the bout. The highlight reel head kick made it’s way on SportsCenter and did big numbers on social media.
Tyron Woodley responds to recent comments of Dana White
Tom Taylor - December 11, 2018
UFC President Dana White has once taken a shot at UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, this time scolding the champ of turning down a fight in the main event of UFC 233 on January 26, and accusing him of avoiding fights. “When is Woodley ready to fight anybody, ever? Tell me when,” White said at the UFC 231 post-fight press conference (transcript via Sherdog). “Yeah [he just fought three months ago], and it took us forever to get him to fight that fight. He never wants to fight. You want to be a world champion, but you don’t want to fight anybody. That’s a problem.
Frankie Edgar explains why he is "definitely the guy" to challenge Max Holloway next
Christopher Taylor - December 10, 2018
Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar was expected to challenge Max Holloway for the promotions featherweight title at UFC 222. Unfortunately for fight fans, that contest failed to come to fruition after “Blessed” suffered an injury in training.
VIDEO | Michael Chandler recreates scene from The Purge for epic Bellator 212 promo
Drake Riggs - December 10, 2018
Former two-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler has undeniably established himself as one of the best fighters outside of the UFC. At Bellator 212, he looks to reclaim the title that he controversially lost.
Jon Jones blasts former MMA journalist who was recently found guilty of child pornography
Christopher Taylor - December 10, 2018
Former UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones will return to the octagon at UFC 232 on December 29, where he will rematch Alexander Gustafsson for the promotions interim 205-pound title. “Bones” has not stepped foot inside the cage since defeating Daniel Cormier via third-round knockout in the main event of UFC 214 in July of 2017.
EXCLUSIVE | Megan Anderson: Not like most girls
Drake Riggs - December 10, 2018
Growing up can be a very difficult task to be faced with. What may be easy to some can be tougher for others for various reasons. All experiences are different but similarities can and most likely will still exist. No one wants to get old, however, it happens to everyone, and as time goes on, us and the world around us changes. And dealing with the changes shapes us into who we are.
After close UFC 231 loss to Elias Theodorou, Eryk Anders says he's 'gonna keep it in America' for now
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2018
Last Saturday night, on the undercard of UFC 231 in Toronto, Eryk Anders got his long-awaited fight with Canada’s Elias Theodorou. While Anders had Theodorou visibly hurt in the second round — perhaps even enough to justify a 10-8 score — Theodorou was ultimately awarded a split decision win on the basis of his success his success in the first and third frames. While Eryk Anders has been classy in the wake of this loss, he recently announced his intention to fight in America for his next few fights, where he’s less likely to face any sort of judging bias.
EXCLUSIVE | Former UFC fighter Brad Pickett is focused on coaching, but willing to fight again
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2018
After a long career as a WEC and UFC bantamweight contender, Brad Pickett retired in 2017 and is now focusing on coaching and managing fighters. Picket always knew he would get into coaching. While he was a UFC fighter he loved helping out the younger fighters improve and show them what it takes to make it to the UFC. Although he was helping the fighters back then, he says it’s been different to focus exclusively on coaching.
John Kavanagh will have to be convinced to train Conor McGregor for another fight
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2018
SBG Ireland head coach John Kavanagh isn’t sure if his star pupil Conor McGregor will fight again. If the Irish MMA superstar does elect to fight again, however, Kavanagh will have to be convinced to train him for the bout. John Kavanagh explained why he feels this way in a recent interview with The Irish Independent.
EXCLUSIVE: Zak Ottow talks fighting in Milwaukee and making a statement
Mike Straus - December 10, 2018
Originally not scheduled to compete this weekend, Milwaukee’s own Zak Ottow is beyond excited to be fighting on the historical UFC on FOX 31 card. The UFC is returning to Milwaukee for the first time since 2013. Despite lobbying for the Octagon to return, Ottow wasn’t apart of the UFC’s original fight night line up. However, it pays to stay ready as “The Barbarian” explains.
Dana White encourages Joanna Jedrzejczyk to go back to strawweight
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2018
Over the weekend, in the co-main event of UFC 231, former UFC strawweight queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk came up short in a flyweight title fight with the fearsome Valentina Shevchenko. Having watched this fight, UFC President Dana White believes Jedrzejczyk is better suited for the strawweight division than she is for the flyweight division. “I love her, she’s such a great fighter and such a good person,” Dana White said at the UFC 231 post-fight press conference (transcript via MMA Fighting). “I actually consider her a friend. I want her to take some time off, go spend some time with her family and then we’ll get together and talk about it. But I’d like to see her stay at [115 pounds]. “




