MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - November 2, 2018

ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee believes that having the hometown advantage will play a huge factor when she tries to become the first two-division women’s world champion in history this November. Lee is scheduled to challenge ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan for the strawweight strap in the main event of ONE: HEART OF THE LION at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 9 November.

Tom Taylor - November 2, 2018

Earlier this week, we learned that UFC 230 heavyweight title challenger Derrick Lewis had signed a sponsorship deal with fried chicken giant Popeyes. Lewis’ deal with the fast food giant stems from an incident earlier this year, when he claimed to defend the restaurant’s honor after heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier shared a funny video of himself dancing with pieces of fried chicken in his hands. While the full terms of Lewis’ deal with Popeyes are unknown, we do know that he’ll be receiving free chicken for life at a franchise in his hometown, and can assume there’s probably plenty more on the table. Whatever the case, Daniel Cormier is bummed out that he wasn’t the one to get the sponsorship deal with the chicken chain.

Christopher Taylor - November 2, 2018

Current UFC Flyweight Champion Henry Cejudo believes the writing is on the wall for the promotion to close down its men’s 125-pound division. Cejudo, who claimed the UFC flyweight strap by defeating long-time flyweight kingpin Demetrious Johnson via split-decision at UFC 227, recently sat down the UFC commentator Joe Rogan.

Christopher Taylor - November 1, 2018

It appears that former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is attempting to goad Conor McGregor into accepting a fight. In the lead up to his highly anticipated octagon return against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, Conor McGregor stated that he would be interested in a future fight with former middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva.

Cole Shelton - November 1, 2018

Jon Jones will be back fighting in the UFC in 2018. However, he is not returning to action on the card Dana White was hoping for. When Jones was cleared to fight again many suspected he would headline the UFC 230 card at Madison Square Garden this weekend — something that obviously didn’t come to fruition. Headlining the card instead will be Jon Jones’ arch-nemesis Daniel Cormier, who is looking to defend his heavyweight belt against Derrick Lewis.

Cole Shelton - November 1, 2018

Jon Jones is, no question about it, one of the greatest fighters of all time. If he defeats Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232 this December 29, that will be even harder to deny. At least that’s what UFC President Dana White thinks. “That’s the question. And that is a great question. If he can come back and win the title after everything he has been through, it would be tough to deny he would be the greatest ever,” said Dana White speaking to ESPN. “We can talk about how Jon Jones could have been the greatest, and if he comes back and does this it is hard to deny.”

Tom Taylor - November 1, 2018

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1057648891334705152 You’d think it would be difficult to scare a UFC fighter.

Tom Taylor - November 1, 2018

At a glance, UFC 230’s Derek Brunson vs. Israel Adesanya bout looks like a two-outcome fight. The widespread thinking seems to be that Adesanya will win the fight with his superior striking, or that Brunson will win with his world-class wrestling. Based on the middleweights’ records and skillsets, you would not be faulted for thinking this way. The fighters, however, have other ideas.

Tom Taylor - November 1, 2018

Photo by Mitch Viquez On Saturday night, the UFC will return to Madison Square Garden in New York City with UFC 230. One of the most interesting fights on the bill is a middleweight contender bout between pinpoint striker Israel Adesanya and ferocious wrestler Derek Brunson.

Tom Taylor - November 1, 2018

Over the last few days, former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight king Ben Askren has taken numerous shots at recent UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till on social media, suggesting that he’d like to fight the Brit in his anticipated UFC debut. Speaking on a recent episode of his Rudis Wrestling podcast, Askren made it official, naming Daren Till as his choice opponent for his debut, and divulging that he’d even be willing to fight the Brit on his home turf.

BJPENN.COM Staff - November 1, 2018

Both Eddie Alvarez and Demetrious Johnson, former UFC champions, announced that they have joined ONE Championship within two weeks of each other. The news obviously ran up many headlines. The Johnson for Ben Askren trade in particular was the biggest acquisition in history for the Asia-based promotion. Alvarez, 34, has won world championships in the biggest mixed martial arts promotions in the world, and has made it clear that he’s intent on capturing a third major title.

Tom Taylor - November 1, 2018

Derrick Lewis, who is set to battle Daniel Cormier for the UFC heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 230 this weekend, is beloved not just for his thunderous knockout wins but also for his hilarious personality. “The Black Beast” is always entertaining fans with his hilarious one-liners, his wild Instagram posts, and his lackadaisical approach to training for major bouts. Apparently, however, Daniel Cormier doesn’t believe Derrick Lewis is 100% on the level. The heavyweight champion feels that Lewis probably trains much harder than he lets on. He also feels that, under Lewis’ jokey exterior, there is a much harder, more determined man.

Tom Taylor - November 1, 2018

https://www.facebook.com/KTNVLasVegas/videos/1945705355526130/ Earlier this week, news surfaced that UFC and Bellator veteran Stephan Bonnar had been arrested for a DUI in Nevada. On Wednesday, video of the fighter’s arrest surfaced online, and it’s not pretty.

Christopher Taylor - October 31, 2018

In this week’s inaugural “Heavy Lies the Crown” feature, BJPENN.com’s Chris Taylor takes a look at the dangerous challenges awaiting current UFC bantamweight king T.J. Dillashaw. Having finally rid himself of former teammate turned bitter rival Cody Garbrandt, “Killashaw” has recently turned his focus to current UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo.

Cole Shelton - October 31, 2018

Derrick Lewis is gearing up for the biggest fight of his life. “The Black Beast” will be taking on Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 230 inside Madison Square Garden this Saturday. Heading into this fight, some members of the MMA bubble have suggested that Lewis didn’t deserve a title shot. Lewis himself has admitted that he might not have been the most deserving contender.

BJPENN.COM Staff - October 31, 2018

Rising Singaporean lightweight star Amir Khan has declared his intent to challenge ONE Championship newcomer Eddie Alvarez. As Khan gears up for his lightweight title showdown against Filipino Eduard Folayang at ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS at Manila’s Mall of Asia Arena next month, he signalled his interest in meeting Alvarez early next year.

Cole Shelton - October 31, 2018

With 2018 closing out, news about the first UFC cards of 2019 is starting to leak. For example, we now know when are where the first pay-per-view of the year will occur.  On Jan. 26, the UFC will be heading back to the Honda Center in Anaheim, California for UFC 233, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Tom Taylor - October 31, 2018

Ari Emanuel, Endeavor CEO and owner of the UFC, is a powerful man. So too is UFC President Dana White. As such, both have been added to the Variety500 list, which counts down the 500 post powerful businesspeople in the entertainment industry. Here’s what the Variety500 list is all about, per the site itself (h/t MMA Mania):