MMA News

bjpenndotcom - May 4, 2017

UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic is currently gearing up for his upcoming title defense against Junior dos Santos this Saturday at UFC 211, where he is hoping to avenge his December 2014 loss to Dos Santos that saw his 3-fight winning streak end. Now, with Miocic reigning as the heavyweight champion, he is looking to pick up his second straight title defense, which would tie him for the most heavyweight title defenses. Ahead of his rematch with Dos Santos, Stipe Miocic spoke on the UFC 211 media conference call to explain what will be different about this fight with JDS, and why he will be the longest reigning heavyweight champion:

Russell Ess - May 4, 2017

https://youtu.be/jd1KDz1X7iE What would mixed martial arts be like without jiu-jitsu?

Tom Taylor - May 4, 2017

Shortly after his submission loss to light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 210, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson announced his plans to retire from mixed martial arts. Given that Rumble remained in the prime of his career, this news came as a definite surprise to pretty much everyone. On the latest edition of BJ Penn Radio, Rumble’s long-time teammate Michael Johnson weighed in on this surprising retirement from MMA.

Tom Taylor - May 4, 2017

Sometimes you just gotta let out your inner sexy…I got your back @paigevanzantufc @reebok pic.twitter.com/gnH0lZI56l — Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) May 4, 2017

Russell Ess - May 4, 2017

Former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler and Donald Cerrone are set to fight in the Octagon at UFC 213 in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 8. That is a fight fans are surely thrilled about seeing and as of now, it isn’t headlining or even the co-main event of the pay-per-view card. UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt will defend his title in what is being talked about as the co-main event of the evening against his former teammate and former champion TJ Dillashaw. The two rivals are starring in this current season of The Ultimate Fighter as opposing head coaches. This will be Garbrandt’s first title defense while Dillashaw will look to reclaim the UFC bantamweight title.

bjpenndotcom - May 4, 2017

When UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor defeated Eddie Alvarez via TKO at UFC 205 to claim the UFC lightweight championship, the Irish superstar revealed that he would be taking some time away from the Octagon to prepare for the upcoming birth of his firstborn son in May. With that being said, McGregor has managed to keep his name in headlines due to his involvement in a potential boxing superfight with Floyd Mayweather. While reports have indicated that a fight between McGregor and Mayweather could be made official if negotiations move in a positive direction, UFC lightweight veteran Nate Diaz believes both men are bluffing.

Tom Taylor - May 4, 2017

https://youtu.be/q8rVkYuNJJo Today, when any respectable mixed martial artist continuously sharpens their skills in many different disciplines, the classic, style vs. style matchups that dominated the halcyon days of the sport have become almost nonexistent. While the early days of MMA were highlighted by fights between boxers and wrestlers, jiu jitsu fighters and kickboxers, et cetera, today’s fighters are well versed in all the above. It just doesn’t really happen anymore.

Tom Taylor - May 4, 2017

The lightweight division is one of the most stacked divisions in the UFC. That said, things are a little chaotic in the division at the moment, as champ Conor McGregor is pursuing a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather, top contender Khabib Nurmagomedov has been sidelined with illness and religious obligations, and the fan favorite Nate Diaz has no plans to fight. On Wednesday’s edition of BJ Penn Radio, dangerous lightweight contender Michael Johnson weighed in on the situation at lightweight – particularly on the absences of McGregor and Nurmagomedov.

Russell Ess - May 4, 2017

The next UFC women’s bantamweight title fight is now official as the champion Amanda Nunes is set to defend her title against the #1 UFC ranked women’s bantamweight contender Valentina Shevchenko. BJPenn.com’s Chris Taylor originally reported the championship bout was in the works on April 22 and it was later confirmed by MMA insider Dizz. Now, it has once again been confirmed by MMAFighting.com.

Tom Taylor - May 4, 2017

On July 7, Canadian middleweight Elias Theodorou will face a tough test in Hawaii’s Brad Tavares. The two will meet at the finale of the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter, in Las Vegas, Nevada. On the latest edition of BJ Penn Radio, Theodorou discussed this looming scrap with Tavares, and was quite complimentary of the Hawaiian’s skill and potential.

Tom Taylor - May 4, 2017

Back in May of 2012, long-time lightweight contender Michael Johnson scored an impressive decision defeat over the highly regarded Tony Ferguson. Almost five years later, when Ferguson found himself without an opponent after Khabib Nurmagomedov’s last-minute withdrawal from UFC 209, Johnson offered him a shot at revenge. Unfortunately, Ferguson was unwilling to accept this fight with the dangerous Johnson on such short notice, and ultimately went without a fight.

Tom Taylor - May 4, 2017

Yesterday afternoon, fan favorite lightweight Nate Diaz appeared on a special edition of The MMA Hour to give the fight community an update on the state of his career, and when he might fight again. The news was not good. While many were expecting Diaz to announce a fight during this anticipated interview, he instead announced plans to sit out for the remainder of the year, and also suggested his brother Nick was likely to do the same.

Chris Taylor - May 3, 2017

Jim Miller vs. Anthony Pettis set for UFC 213 A lightweight scrap between former division title holder Anthony Pettis and perennial contender Jim Miller has been added to July’s UFC 213 pay-per-view event in Las Vegas.

Tom Taylor - May 3, 2017

Just months after crowing its first ever female featherweight champion in Germaine de Randamie, the UFC now has plans to introduce a 125-pound women’s division. For smaller female bantamweights, such as Jessica Eye, and strawweights who had a difficult time making the cut to 115-pounds, like the recently released Valerie Letourneau, this is undeniably good news. This development is also likely to spark the interest of dominant strawweight queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who has previously stated interest in fighting for flyweight gold, should the UFC introduce the division. The first-ever UFC women’s flyweight champion will be crowned on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter, which is also how they crowned the strawweight division’s first ever champion, Carla Esparza. All women currently signed with the UFC will be allowed to audition for this season of TUF, as will unsigned women.

bjpenndotcom - May 3, 2017

UFC veteran Nate Diaz had the combat sports community on the edge of their collective seats Wednesday afternoon when it was revealed that he would be making an appearance on a special episode of The MMA Hour. While Diaz didn’t announce his next fight as many expected, the Stockton superstar divulged about his recent offer from the UFC for a UFC 213 fight with top lightweight contender Tony Ferguson. After revealing that he had been offered a fight at UFC 213 on July 8th against Ferguson, Diaz stated:

bjpenndotcom - May 3, 2017

BJPENN.COM Radio is live at 8PM ET/5PM PT with John Wayne Parr, Elias Theodorou, and Michael Johnson! 8:15PM ET- Kicking off tonights show is the legendary kick boxer, John Wayne Parr @johnwayneparr. Just a few weeks removed from his blistering head-kick KO victory over Nando Calzetta at Bellator Kickboxing 5, we’ll be discussing the huge win in Italy and get his thoughts on making his Bellator debut. While JWP was originally expecting to face Giorgio Petrosyan, you’ll hear the latest on what Parr’s intentions are moving forward with the promotion.

Russell Ess - May 3, 2017

It has been nearly a year since former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold last fought in the Octagon. Rockhold was upset by current UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping, losing the UFC middleweight title after getting knocked out by “The Count” in the first round of their UFC 199 championship fight.

bjpenndotcom - May 3, 2017

#5 ranked UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal put together arguably one of the most impressive runs in 2016. After snapping a 2-fight skid by defeating Ross Pearson via unanimous decision. Following that, Masvidal picked up a controversial TKO win over Jake Ellenberger after ‘The Juggernaut’ got his big toe stuck in the cage wall. Most recently, Masvidal picked up a performance of the night bonus for his TKO win over Donald Cerrone, which snapped Cerrone’s four-fight win streak. Now, with Masvidal’s upcoming #1 contender fight with Demian Maia next weekend quickly approaching, the top ranked welterweight is questioning if he will truly be crowned the welterweight #1 contender with a win over Maia.