MMA News

bjpenndotcom - June 14, 2017

Recently, at the first ever UFC Athlete Retreat, UFC lightweight Kajan Johnson stood up and challenged a Reebok rep during his presentation, voicing the general opinion of fighters in attendance that the Reebok deal was very negative for the fighters. After Johnson’s outburst, the UFC brass spoke with him privately, before then opening up an open session with the fighters to discuss the deal, and what would make them more happy. While the UFC wasn’t happy with Johnson’s method of calling out the Reebok rep mid-presentation, the result was a positive discussion between the fighters and UFC brass.

bjpenndotcom - June 14, 2017

Wednesday morning, Mayweather Promotions request to promote an unspecified boxing event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena was put back on the agenda after being removed from the agenda earlier in the week. News surfaced earlier in the week revealing that Mayweather promotions was planning to request the MGM Grand Garden Arena for August 26th for an unspecified event, however their request was pulled shortly after, with ESPN’s Dan Rafael explaining that once Mayweather and McGregor have a deal, they can then request to reserve the MGM Grand. This reaffirmed the fact that Mayweather had not signed a contract to fight McGregor.

Tom Taylor - June 14, 2017

Fighter pay is a hot button issue in mixed martial arts. It is widely believed that the majority of fighters are not paid well enough, and we often see fighters speaking out in protest of the way they’re paid. Al Iaquinta is probably the most high profile example of this trend at present, but he is certainly not the first fighter to fight for higher pay. When fighters retire, their financial situations can become even bleaker. While many retired fighters get into coaching and other industry-related positions, some do not have this luxury. A new effort from the ABC – the Association of Boxing Commissions – strives to support any retired fighters who are struggling financially.

bjpenndotcom - June 14, 2017

https://youtu.be/K8FYiWKqCfg UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt was scheduled to fight former teammate TJ Dillashaw in a highly anticipated title fight this July. Unfortunately, while a procedure over in Germany was successful, Garbrandt remained unable to defend his title against Dillashaw in July due to the injury.

Tom Taylor - June 14, 2017

Yesterday afternoon, news surfaced that former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones had lost his mother, who had been struggling with diabetes for some time. In the wake of this tragedy, the MMA community united around Jones, offering their condolences to the former champ, and his brothers Arthur and Chandler, both of whom play in the NFL. Even reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, who stands out as Jones’ most heated rival, took a moment to reach out to the former champion and offer his thoughts and prayers.

Tom Taylor - June 14, 2017

Late last year, long-time UFC play-by-play man Mike Goldberg was released by the promotion with little in the way of sendoff or fanfare. He simply called UFC 207, put down his commentator’s headset, and that was that. His long run with the promotion was over. After months of rumors, we learned yesterday that the beloved commentator had found a new home. Goldberg has signed a deal with Bellator MMA – the sport’s second biggest promotion. He will debut behind the Bellator commentary desk during Bellator 180 and Bellator NYC, which compose arguably the biggest event the promotion has ever hosted.

Tom Taylor - June 14, 2017

Earlier this month, we learned that “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung had been forced out of his UFC 214 scrap with Ricardo Lamas with a long list of severe injuries that will keep him out of training for something in the area of six months. Though he has since been replaced by red hot prospect Jason Knight, this was an undeniably disappointing twist for the UFC 214 card all the same. Now, the bad news continues. According to Robin Black, who actually also broke the news of The Korean Zombie’s withdrawal, another high profile fighter has been forced off the UFC 214 bill. That fighter happens to be the card’s other Korean featherweight, “The Korean Superboy” Doo Ho Choi.

bjpenndotcom - June 13, 2017

Tragic news surfaced Tuesday morning that Camille Jones, the mother of UFC pound for pound kingpin Jon Jones, and Super Bowl champions Arthur Jones, and Chandler Jones, passed away after a lengthy battle with diabetes according to TMZ. Arthur Jones broke the tragic news via social media, with a heartfelt message asking fans to keep his family in their prayers during this difficult time:

Russell Ess - June 13, 2017

Max Holloway is on a new level now that he is the undisputed featherweight champion and wants to make sure he is being paid like a champion. At UFC 212, the 25-year-old Hawaiian took out Jose Aldo in enemy territory in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and was crowned the new king of the 145-pound division.

Russell Ess - June 13, 2017

There have been some outspoken members from the martial arts community that have laughed at the potential superfight between boxing’s 49-0 Floyd Mayweather and MMA’s 21-3 Conor McGregor. Boxing legend turned promoter, Oscar De La Hoya has been one that went as far as to ask fans to not buy into the “circus” matchup, even after campaigning for a McGregor vs. Golden Boy Promotions boxer Canelo Alvarez.

Russell Ess - June 13, 2017

Mike Goldberg is returning to work in the world of broadcasting for mixed martial arts.

bjpenndotcom - June 13, 2017

Former UFC fighter Urijah Faber is continuing to change MMA despite his retirement earlier this year. The ‘Team Alpha Male’ founder recently revealed some pretty groundbreaking changes for Team Alpha Male. Among the changes were two that could very well revolutionize MMA for fighters, including scholarships for recruiting, and an aviation deal that helps fighters, their family, and teammates all make trips that would otherwise be extremely difficult.

bjpenndotcom - June 13, 2017

At UFC 212 recently, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo looked to defend his featherweight title for the first time since being promoted to the undisputed champion once again. While the champ found success in the opening round, it was the challenger, Max Holloway, who picked up momentum as the fight continued. Ultimately, in the third round, Aldo was dropped by a big right hand from Holloway, and was TKO’d, losing the featherweight title to Max Holloway. Now, following the fight, Aldo’s head coach, Andre Pederneiras answers the question that ran through the minds of many MMA fans during UFC 212: ‘Why didn’t Aldo kick more?’

Tom Taylor - June 13, 2017

Having made his MMA debut all the way back in April of 2014, reigning UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has been fighting for a long time. And given that the champ is now 38 years old, it’s hard not to wonder when he might opt to hang up the gloves and call it a career. Wonder no longer.

Tom Taylor - June 13, 2017

Earlier this week, rumors began to surface surrounding a potential date and location for the much discussed boxing mega fight between UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor, and undefeated boxing star Floyd Mayweather. According to these rumors, the fight is being targeted for August 26, at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena – not the new T-Mobile Arena. Speaking to Helen Yee, Mayweather’s uncle Jeff Mayweather, and one of his proteges Kevin Newman weighed in on these rumors. While neither was willing to confirm or deny thee rumors, both seemed to think they made sense.

Tom Taylor - June 13, 2017

Back in late 2015, the seemingly unbeatable Ronda Rousey was knocked senseless by a second-round Holly Holm head kick. The once dominant fighter did not respond well to this match of adversity, disappearing from the MMA limelight for well over a year. Ultimately, of course, Rousey did march back to the cage, where she attempted to reclaim the women’s bantamweight crown from new champion Amanda Nunes. Regrettably for Rousey and her throngs of fans, this comeback fight went even worse than her bout with Holm, as she was knocked out by Nunes in less than a minute.

Tom Taylor - June 13, 2017

On July 29, in the main event of UFC 214, light heavyweight great Jon Jones will attempt to reclaim the title he once guarded so ferociously when he takes on the reigning champ and his biggest rival, Daniel Cormier. In advance of this fight, Jones’ striking coach Mike Winkeljohn says that Jones – who has always been an innovator when it comes to technique – is still adding new weapons to his arsenal.

Tom Taylor - June 13, 2017

Though it’s still not official, we seem to be closer than ever to a record-breaking boxing mega-fight between UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor and undefeated pugilist Floyd Mayweather Jr. Over the course of the long and winding road that has led us to this point – a point when the fight seems to be a signature or two away from fruition – McGregor and Mayweather have exchanged much in the way of trash talk.