MMA News

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.

Cole Shelton - November 1, 2018

For a moment, Sijara Eubanks was expected to headline this Saturday’s UFC 230 card against Valentina Shevchenko. Then, after a wave of fan backlash surrounding this main event, she was reallocated to an undercard bout with Roxanne Modafferi, while a heavyweight title fight between Daniel Cormier and Derrick Lewis was inserted into the headlining spot. Sijara Eubanks, as you can imagine, was mad, and quickly went on a Twitter rant targeting the UFC.

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.

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

Last night, costumed kids all over North America hit the streets on an indomitable quest for candy. This morning, these sugar-addled children are testing the very limits of their parents’ and teachers’ resolve, throwing temper tantrums and coating classroom floors in chocolate bar wrappers. Of course, children aren’t the only people who celebrate Halloween. While the kids were out trolling for sweets, many adults donned costumes of their own to celebrate the occasion. That includes some of the biggest names in our fine sport.

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.

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.

Tom Taylor - October 31, 2018

After defending the UFC flyweight title a record-breaking 11-straight times, Demetrious Johnson absolutely deserved an immediate rematch with Henry Cejudo, who ended his title reign with a split decision victory at UFC 227 in August. Instead of pursuing this rematch, however, Demetrious Johnson and his team negotiated a move to Singapore’s ONE Championship.

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.

Christopher Taylor - October 31, 2018

It is fair to assume that UFC President Dana White doesn’t receive a ton of calls from fighters who are begging to fight Justin Gaethje. After all, Justin Gaethje (19-2 MMA) has proven to be one the toughest and scariest fighters on the 155-pound roster, this despite having just four fights with the promotion.

Christopher Taylor - October 31, 2018

Infamous Boston crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger, who allegedly ran UFC President Dana White out of town in 1995, was found dead in a federal prison on Tuesday. NBC News was first to report Bulger’s passing, he was 89.

Cole Shelton - October 31, 2018

Ask any professional fighter where they would like to fight, and one of the most common answers you’ll get back is going to be “Madison Square Garden.” On Saturday, when the UFC takes over the hallowed New York City arena with UFC 230, many fighters will get the chance to do just that.

BJPENN.COM Staff - October 31, 2018

Team Lakay’s Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon (19-5) sees no problem if reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes (22-3) takes the action to the mat in their highly-anticipated rematch on 9 November. The two men are slated to lock horns in the co-main event of ONE: HEART OF THE LION, which takes place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Tom Taylor - October 31, 2018

Ever since news of his move to the UFC surfaced, Ben Askren has been picking fights on social media with many of his peers in the UFC welterweight division. That said, he is not limiting his Twitter warfare to his rivals in his new division. On Tuesday, the former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight kingpin unleashed a multi-part Twitter assault on Conor McGregor training partner and Bellator MMA star Dillon Danis.

Tom Taylor - October 31, 2018

Having defended the UFC lightweight title with a fourth-round submission of Conor McGregor at UFC 229, the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov is now looking ahead to his next challenge. The primary options for that challenge would seem to be a rematch with McGregor, or fights with Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier, Georges St-Pierre, or even new UFC signee Ben Askren.