MMA News

Tom Taylor - June 29, 2017

Early this morning, upcoming UFC featherweight title challenger Cris “Cyborg” Justino posted an innocent sponsor video to her Twitter account. For whatever reason, this video prompted UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson – who has almost no association with Cyborg – to accuse her of using steroids. I had no idea how much harder the @VersaClimber became with @Tc1Gel warming my body up during the workout! #ufc214 #cyborgnation July 29 pic.twitter.com/9pwtftYL8f

Russell Ess - June 29, 2017

MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko lost in devastating fashion in his Bellator debut over the weekend at Bellator NYC. “The Last Emporer” is often talked about in the debate of the greatest mixed martial arts fighter of all time but was knocked out in the first round against Matt Mitrione on Saturday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

bjpenndotcom - June 29, 2017

This past weekend on the inaugural Bellator MMA pay-per view event, former Pride FC champion Wanderlei Silva stepped into the cage against former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen for a highly anticipated showdown four years in the making. The pair coached opposite against one another on TUF Brazil, and were scheduled to fight in 2013. Silva refused to submit the proper paperwork for licensing, before then refusing to take a drug test. Subsequently, ‘The Axe Murderer’ was pulled from the event. Interestingly enough, after the UFC tapped Vitor Belfort to step in for Wanderlei Silva, Sonnen was pulled from the fight for failing a drug test.

Tom Taylor - June 29, 2017

Every time an aging fighter loses, be it somebody like Fedor Emelianenko, or our very own BJ Penn, there follows an immediate tidal wave of calls for their retirement. In the opinion of MMA pioneer Phil Baroni, who has been fighting for nearly 20 years, however, nobody should be able to tell a fighter when it’s time to retire – least of all a member of the media who has never fought before. Phil Baroni sounded off on the topic on the latest episode of BJ Penn Radio.

bjpenndotcom - June 29, 2017

bjpenndotcom - June 29, 2017

This week, unfortunate news surfaced that UFC veteran Donald Cerrone had been forced out of his scheduled UFC 213 scrap against former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler. The news was a big blow to the MMA community, who had been anxiously awaiting the fight since UFC 205, where the fight was initially scheduled to take place. Unfortunately, when the fight was booked for UFC 205 at the end of 2016, it was Lawler who backed out of the fight, revealing that he would like to take more time off after being knocked out by Tyron Woodley at UFC 201, where Lawler lost the welterweight title.

Tom Taylor - June 29, 2017

Over the last few weeks, UFC President Dana White has had some harsh criticism of flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, blasting the champ for campaigning for a fight with Ray Borg over one with TJ Dillashaw. During a recent conversation with MMAJunkie.com, White said that he has conceded defeat on the issue, and that Johnson can fight Borg if he wants. That said, the boss isn’t happy with the flyweight champ.

Tom Taylor - June 29, 2017

After multiple failed cuts to the welterweight division’s 170-pound limit, former champion Johny Hendricks was sent packing to the 185-pound middleweight division. In his first fight in this new division, he followed an easy weight cut with a competitive but impressive decision win over former Bellator champ Hector Lombard. Things seemed to be looking up. Unfortunately, Johny Hendricks’ second middleweight bout, a Sunday showdown with Tim Boetsch, was much less successful. First, he missed weight for the fight. Then, he was turned off by a second-round head-kick and a swarm of uppercuts.

Tom Taylor - June 29, 2017

On August 26, UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor will step into the boxing ring with undefeated pugilist Floyd Mayweather Jr. Win or lose, McGregor will make more for this fight than he ever has in mixed martial arts. Much more. This has led many fans to wonder if he’ll even bother returning to the UFC after his fight with Mayweather. Earlier this week, however, McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh gave us some cause for optimism in this regard.

Chris Taylor - June 28, 2017

Georges St-Pierre’s fate has been determined Former UFC welterweight kingpin Georges St-Pierre (25-2 MMA) was originally slated to make his long awaited octagon return this summer in a middleweight title fight opposite current division champion Michael Bisping.

Chris Taylor - June 28, 2017

Breaking! Tyron Woodley will defend his title at UFC 214 UFC 214 has added another title fight!

bjpenndotcom - June 28, 2017

UFC veteran Donald Cerrone was gearing up for his highly anticipated showdown with Robbie Lawler at UFC 213, however news surfaced this week revealing that Cerrone had been forced out of the fight due to a minor injury. The UFC revealed their plan to keep the fight intact, and postpone it until Cerrone is healthy, however while details on the injury were initially scarce, Cerrone has since taken to social media to clarify the situation. Let everyone know this is not an injury. But a super bad infection in my blood. 7 days of IV and I'll be back at it. Working on getting the fight rescheduled

bjpenndotcom - June 28, 2017

Unfortunate news surfaced recently that fan favorite fighter Chan Sung Jung, also known as The Korean Zombie, had been forced out of his scheduled scrap with Ricardo Lamas due to an injury sustained in training. The Korean Zombie posted a message on Instagram when it happened:

Russell Ess - June 28, 2017

It took less than two minutes for Garrett Holeve, also known as “G-Money” to take out his opponent in his last fight.

Russell Ess - June 28, 2017

There is no denying that Conor McGregor is one of the biggest stars that mixed martial arts has ever seen. “The Notorious” has already won by being the first to bring two superstars from the world of boxing and MMA still in the height of their careers to meet for a fight, which takes place in the boxing ring on August 26 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Russell Ess - June 28, 2017

You may have missed it, but there was an accident that happened in the Octagon on Sunday at UFC Fight Night 112 in Oklahoma. In one of the most exciting fights on the main card between Felice Herrig and Justine Kish, Kish defecated while fighting off a near fight-ending submission attempt from Herrig. Brown stains could be seen on the canvas shortly after the grappling exchange. Kish was a good sport about the unfortunate incident and joked about the situation on social media following the fight saying, “I am a warrior, and I will never quit #ShitHappens haha be back soon.”

bjpenndotcom - June 28, 2017

This Sunday in Oklahoma City, Michael Chiesa and Kevin Lee stepped into the Octagon for a highly anticipated grudge match. The fight didn’t make it out of the first round, as Lee picked up an impressive submission win over Chiesa. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the fight was stopped before Chiesa physically tapped, with referee Mario Yamasaki stopping the fight when Chiesa stopped hand fighting with the choke. While many, including UFC President Dana White, ripped referee Mario Yamasaki for the stoppage, which he also agreed was premature, UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping took things one step further, calling for referees and judges to be held accountable for poor decisions. He spoke on his Believe You Me podcast:

Tom Taylor - June 28, 2017

UFC 215 just grew by one massive heavyweight showdown. This tilt will see former heavyweight champion and recent title challenger Junior Dos Santos collide with surging French contender Francis Ngannou. This fight, which has been rumored for some time, was announced on the UFC’s official Facebook page. The UFC also announced a light heavyweight bout between long-time Swedish contender Ilir Latifi and Australian prospect Tyson Pedro.