MMA News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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):

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

Back in July, UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier stepped up to the heavyweight division to battle reigning champion Stipe Miocic in an effort to become a two-division champion. Cormier succeeded on this mission, knocking Miocic out in the very first round. From there, Daniel Cormier was vocal about his hopes to defend both his light heavyweight and heavyweight belts. The plan, he said, was to drop back down to defend the light heavyweight title, and then defend his heavyweight title against Brock Lesnar. All of this before his planned retirement in March of 2019.

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.

Tom Taylor - October 31, 2018

Earlier this week, recent UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till issued a few quick calls for a fight with former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor. It is his hope, he explained, that the fight will happen at Anfield, a massive football stadium in his native Liverpool. In a blog post penned for his sponsor PaddyPower, Darren Till elaborated on this callout of McGregor, listing a multitude of reasons why he and the Irish MMA superstar should fight at Anfield in then near future.