MMA News
Jorge Masvidal explains how he'll avoid a defensive stalemate with 'Wonderboy' at UFC 217
Tom Taylor - September 21, 2017
On November 4, on the main card of the stacked UFC 217, fourth-ranked welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal will take on the division’s number-two fighter, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. This bout will serve as Thompson’s opportunity to rebound from back-to-back failed title bids opposite reigning champion Tyron Woodley – the first being a majority draw, the second being a majority decision. Though Thompson performed admirably in these undeniably competitive fights, he failed to pull the trigger in either battle, opting instead to hang back and wait for opportunities to counter.
After talking with managers, Mike Perry updates on desired Robbie Lawler fight
Tom Taylor - September 21, 2017
Last weekend, in the co-main event of the UFC’s latest trip to Pittsburgh, brick-fisted welterweight “Platinum” Mike Perry picked up a thunderous knee-induced KO win over Alex Reyes, who stepped in to replace Thiago Alves on short notice. Shortly after this win, Perry made an exciting callout of former UFC welterweight king and fellow knockout artist Robbie Lawler. On the latest episode of BJ Penn Radio Mike Perry explained the reason for this callout of Lawler.
Al Iaquinta gives some promising updates on possible UFC return
Tom Taylor - September 21, 2017
Ragin’ Al Iaquinta is one of the best lightweights in the world. Unfortunately, his gripes with the UFC have caused him to question his continued fighting career, and he’s been quite inactive over the last few years. Earlier this year, of course, Iaquinta did step back into the Octagon, dazzling with a thunderous first-round knockout of the notoriously durable Diego Sanchez. Since then, however, he has once again been noncommittal on his fighting future.
VIDEO | Team Alpha Male coach Justin Buchholz makes comeback, kicks the s**t out of downed opponent
Tom Taylor - September 21, 2017
Justin Bucholz landed several hard soccer kicks to the body of Marques Facine and the last one went to the head and Facine was done #AFC133 pic.twitter.com/11Tl1Yjo0m — HONKY EXTRAORDINAIRE (@Mr_Honky) September 21, 2017
Paige VanZant Shows Off Her Upcoming Book and Reveals Release Date
Justin Golightly - September 20, 2017
The latest news about Paige VanZant isn’t just that the strawweight will be moving up into the new flyweight division at UFC 216. Back in January, VanZant announced she had a new book deal in development and it looks like it has all came together. Rise: Surviving the Fight of My Life, is the title of the UFC fighter’s new book she wrote for ‘all those who got knocked down and came up swinging’. It’s an autobiography that will document her struggles long before she was signed to the UFC.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk Named One of Glamour Mag's Women of the Year 2017
Justin Golightly - September 20, 2017
The champion is back. Joanna Jedrzejczyk will be one of three title fights on the super stacked UFC 217 card at Madison Sqaure Garden. She’s been undefeated, not just in the UFC, but for her entire MMA career. That’s a ridiculous 16-fight win steak, if you throw in her two amateur fights before making her professional debut. Shes’ well on her way to becoming the most dominant female MMA fighter in the world, and she just added another highlight to her stardom. Glamour Magazine Poland has added Jedrzejczyk to their Women of the Year 2017 list.
Olivier Aubin-Mercier Wants GSP to Call Out Conor McGregor
Justin Golightly - September 20, 2017
Everyone knows Georges St-Pierre touched down back into the UFC to challenge for the middleweight title against Michael Bisping. He’s gone on record saying that if he wins, he’s contractually obligated to defend against interim champ Robert Whittaker. If he loses, St-Pierre has said he will retire. Win or lose, his teammate Olivier Aubin-Mercier thinks that GSP should call out none-other than Conor McGregor for the biggest UFC fight of all time. “To tell you the truth, I would not [keep fighting], but Georges [St-Pierre] is truly a real fighter, a real warrior, a real inspiration. He may fight again, I’m not sure. I think what would be plausible is to call out Conor [McGregor] after [the fight with Michael Bisping]. That’s what I would do. Call out Conor. I think for the UFC, it’s a really smart fight to do too, since it’s a win-win of them. A win-win kind of, for the short time. If Georges wins, well, he’s the greatest fighter of all time. If Conor wins, he is too. And if GSP wins, I don’t think people would hold it against Conor.”
BJPENN.COM RADIO Ep. 50 // Mike Perry | Alan Jouban | Jorge Masvidal
Jason Kindschy - September 20, 2017
BJPENN Radio is back tonight at 8PM ET/5PM PT with another awesome guest list for your MMA fix! 8:15PM ET- “Platinum” Mike Perry will be joining us to kick off the show and recap his sensational KO victory over the weekend against Alex Reyes at UFC FN 116. We’ll hear the timeline for Thaigo Alves pulling out of the fight to Alex Reyes becoming the last minute replacement. Also, more about the callout of Robbie Lawler, his well-deserved fight bonus, and the likelihood of becoming a last minute replacement himself if any of the upcoming fights at 170 fall through. What’s next for Perry? Listen to find out!
Braun Strowman Warns Conor McGregor if He Has WWE Aspirations
Justin Golightly - September 20, 2017
When you’re Conor McGregor, the world is your oyster. But sometimes, diving for oysters is dangerous. Sometimes, there are monsters in the deep. All this is just a convoluted analogy for the WWE’s monster-among-monsters, Braun Strowman. He was recently asked about McGregor in an interview ahead of his beastly battle this Sunday with Brock Lesnar, and doesn’t think the UFC lightweight champion wants anything to do with him. https://twitter.com/BraunStrowman/status/882087532539781120
"Platinum" Mike Perry has found a willing opponent, and is eyeing a very quick turnaround
Tom Taylor - September 20, 2017
Last weekend, in the co-main event of the UFC’s anticipated stop in Pittsburgh, PA, rapidly rising welterweight “Platinum” Mike Perry returned to the Octagon. Originally, the welterweight star was expected to battle former UFC welterweight title challenger Thiago Alves. Unfortunately, however, Alves was forced out of the competition thanks to Hurricane Irma’s effects on Florida. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Alex Reyes.
Charles Bennett Says He Needs to Fight to Pay Rent and a Former UFC Fighter Steps Up
Justin Golightly - September 20, 2017
You may have not heard much from Charles “Felony” Bennett, better known as the now-dead nickname, Krazy Horse. A cult favorite of early 2000’s MMA and his few PRIDE appearances, Bennett blasted back into fight fan’s lives with a lightning quick, seven-second finish of Minoru Kimura in RIZIN in September of last year. He was supposed to return to the promotion, but was not able to. What followed is a long string of fights in regional promotions, leading to a plea on social media saying he needed a fight to pay his rent.
Advertisement featuring Floyd Mayweather banned on racial grounds
Russell Ess - September 20, 2017
An advertisement for an Irish betting website has recently been banned by England’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The betting site, Paddy Power featured a controversial ad with Floyd Mayweather in August ahead of his multi-million dollar boxing match against Conor McGregor. Mayweather, who endorsed the company was featured on the ad which a headline said, “ALWAYS BET ON BLACK.”
Darren Till Trashes Brendan Schaub After His Main Event Criticism
Justin Golightly - September 20, 2017
When Darren Till got word that Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone had no idea who he was, Till didn’t bat an eyelash. He didn’t feel any disrespect and promises he’ll know him after their fight at UFC Gdansk. However, when former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub said that Cerrone should be more selective of who he picks to fight, that caught Till’s attention. He recently went on the air to weigh-in on Schaub’s comments. “You’ve got people like Brendan Schaub saying he doesn’t know me, he’s disrespecting me and whatever, saying ‘Cowboy’ [Donald Cerrone] shouldn’t be taking this fight, but why shouldn’t I be taking the fight? Let’s get it straight, I’m unbeaten here. I’m unbeaten. Nobody’s been able to beat me. So, what do I do? Do I just stay on the prelims, do I? Fighting no one. Can’t I move up? Is this what the world’s come to? I can’t move up? I can’t fight these big guys? Is this what it is? A big gap? I’ll f-ckin’ show them what’s going to be a big gap on fight night when I crack him on the chin.”
VIDEO | Ovince Saint Preux and Yushin Okami have their first staredown in Japan
Tom Taylor - September 20, 2017
This Saturday, the UFC will touch down in the MMA hotspot of Japan with UFC Fight Night 117. Originally, the card was expected to be headlined by a light heavyweight scrap between PRIDE legend Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and his former foil Ovince Saint Preux. Unfortunately, the injury bug enjoyed its latest feast at the expense of this main event, and Shogun was forced to bow out with a damaged knee. Shogun’s replacement for this fight was a definite shocker. Rather than sifting through its sizeable light heavyweight roster for a new opponent for Ovince Saint Preux, the UFC opted to call on former UFC middleweight title challenger and recent World Series of Fighting welterweight Yushin Okami.
Robert Whittaker Ready to 'Crush' Michael Bisping or Georges St-Pierre
Justin Golightly - September 20, 2017
Rising up slowly on the horizon is UFC’s biggest card of the year. UFC 217 will feature three title shots, headlined by Michael Bisping and the welterweight legend Georges St-Pierre, who’ll be making his return to challenge the middleweight throne. Orbiting just outside of all this, is Robert Whittaker. Ol’ Bobby Knuckles is on an eight-fight win streak, and beat both Jacare Souza and Yoel Romero in three months to earn the interim title. Whoever wins between Bisping and St-Pierre allegedly are contractually obligated to fight the heavy-handed Aussie. Confident and laid back, Robert Whittaker says he doesn’t care who ends up with the title. He’ll crush either one. “Before I got the interim belt, I always had my eyes set on the prize, which is that UFC gold. How I get there doesn’t bother me. I’m either going to to plow a path through the division to get there. I’ve always been open to fight anyone, still am, but I want that belt and I need to fight [Michael] Bisping. So, whatever happens between Bisping and Georges [St-Pierre], let them play around a little bit, but I’ll be ready for either one of ’em.”
Sage Northcutt returns at UFC Fight Night 120 in Norfolk
Tom Taylor - September 20, 2017
Sage Northcutt, one of the UFC’s brightest young prospects, is scheduled for a return to the cage. The 21-year-old lightweight will be taking on Michel Quinones at UFC Fight Night 120 in Norfolk, Virginia this November 11. This news was first reported by ESPN.
Coach Javier Mendez gives update on Cain Velasquez's condition
Tom Taylor - September 20, 2017
Cain Velasquez is one of the greatest heavyweights alive. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been very active over the last few years, as he’s been sidelined by a hellish procession of injuries. Velasquez’s latest injury issue pertained to his back. Though he recently went under the knife to correct this issue, his coach Javier Mendez claims the surgery didn’t go as planned.
VIDEO | Check out the 'flying cage' that will be used at Bellator 183
Tom Taylor - September 20, 2017
This Saturday, Bellator MMA will return to San Jose, California with Bellator 183. The card is a pretty stacked one. In the main event, we’ll see former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson take on long-time Bellator staple Patricky Freire. In the co-main event, meanwhile, we’ll see a pair of knockout-addicted UFC veterans collide, as England’s Paul Daley takes on recent Bellator title challenger Lorenz Larkin. Elsewhere on the card, we’ll witness the Bellator debut of former UFC heavyweight Roy “Big Country” Nelson, who takes on Javy Ayala.