MMA News

Tom Taylor - April 27, 2017

Mike Perry entered mainstream MMA consciousness in a rather strange way. Though diehard fans had been aware of him for some time, his first steps into the limelight occurred at the UFC 202 weigh ins, when he faked a handshake with his opponent Hyun Gyu Lim, then pulled his hand away at the last minute, and screamed in Lim’s face. While this move certainly served to get the attention of the MMA community, it did so in a rather negative way, as Perry was immediately branded  by many as a bit of a hot-head.

bjpenndotcom - April 27, 2017

In the main event of ‘UFC Fight Night: Nashville’, top ranked UFC featherweight veteran Cub Swanson stepped into the Octagon with unranked Artem Lobov for a highly anticipated fight which was prefaced by months and months of trash talk between the two men. When the pair stepped into the Octagon, they delivered an impressive fight, and both drew praise from not only the fans, but one another as well. Interestingly enough however, when the medical suspensions were released, it was revealed that Swanson would only be out for the minimum 7 days required. On the flip side, Artem Lobov would be suspended for a potential 60 days.

bjpenndotcom - April 27, 2017

Back in the Bay doing what we do. Waiting on an opponent for July or maybe June… A post shared by Luke Rockhold (@lukerockhold) on Apr 26, 2017 at 6:21pm PDT

bjpenndotcom - April 27, 2017

UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is looking to secure himself a fight with former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones when ‘Bones’ becomes eligible to fight again in July following his year-long USADA suspension stemming from his random out-of-competition failed drug test prior to UFC 200, where he was supposed to fight Cormier for the undisputed light heavyweight title. Following Cormier’s recent UFC 210 win over Anthony Johnson, which saw him defend the light heavyweight title for the second time, the light heavyweight champ used his post-fight Octagon interview to send a message to Jon Jones.

bjpenndotcom - April 27, 2017

Prior to his UFC return this past weekend, where he picked up an impressive first round KO win over Diego Sanchez, UFC lightweight Al Iaquinta was engaged in a very long and very public contract dispute with the UFC. The dispute was so heated that Iaquinta even went as far as to retire from MMA, and pursue a real estate career full-time. Iaquinta and the UFC were ultimately able to reach an agreement, and ‘Raging Al’ returned to the Octagon nearly two years later at ‘UFC Fight Night: Nashville’ this past weekend. Much to his frustration, the UFC didn’t award him with a post-fight bonus despite his spectacular first round KO. This led to Iaquinta putting his bosses on blast in interviews, and on social media.

Tom Taylor - April 27, 2017

In a few short weeks, on the main card of the stacked UFC 211, Jorge Masvidal will take on streaking jiu jitsu specialist Demian Maia in what appears to be a welterweight number one contender fight. Yet while it would be near impossible to deny that the winner of this fight deserve the next shot at reigning champ Tyron Woodley, it’s also possible that they get skipped over, should MMA star Nick Diaz return to competition. According to Masvidal, however, this would not exactly be fair. Diaz, after all, has not fought since his infamous 2015 no contest with Anderson Silva – which occurred at middleweight – and has not won since October 2011, when he out-gunned BJ Penn.

Tom Taylor - April 27, 2017

When Jimi Manuwa knocked out Corey Anderson in their March light heavyweight showdown, he established himself as one of the top contenders at light heavyweight. In fact, were it not for the looming return of former champion Jon Jones, Manuwa could well be looking at a shot at reigning champ Daniel Cormier right now. While Manuwa expects to have one more fight before he takes on the Cormier vs. Jones winner, he’s had plenty to say about both men over the last few weeks. Manuwa’s latest comments on these light heavyweight greats occurred on Wednesday’s edition of BJ Penn Radio, when he discussed a possible showdown with Cormier.

Tom Taylor - April 27, 2017

Back in early March, Tony Ferguson was scheduled for an interim lightweight title fight with undefeated Dagestani star Khabib Nurmagomedov. With Nurmagomedov now recovering from the issues that forced him out of the fight, and sidelined by the religious obligations presented by Ramadan, Ferguson has been forced to look elsewhere in the hunt for his next opponent. That search has led him to MMA superstar Nate Diaz. Ferguson made his latest callout of Diaz, who has not been seen in action since he lost a decision to Conor McGregor in August, on the 5ive Rounds Podcast (via MMAFighting.com).

Tom Taylor - April 27, 2017

Shortly after his destruction of Corey Anderson, which occurred in mid-March, British UFC light heavyweight Jimi Manuwa made a surprise call for a boxing match with fellow Londoner David Haye. On Wednesday’s edition of BJ Penn Radio, Manuwa explained the reason for this callout.

bjpenndotcom - April 26, 2017

It’s no secret that UFC commentator Joe Rogan has a very extensive background in traditional martial arts. The long standing UFC commentator holds national TaeKwonDo championships in addition to a 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu black belt under Eddie Bravo. In addition, Rogan has been seen on camera teaching moves from 10th Planet JiuJitsu techniques to TaeKwonDo kicks, and was seen in a viral video teaching Georges St-Pierre his signature spinning back kick.

bjpenndotcom - April 26, 2017

BJPENN.COM Radio is live at 8PM ET/5PM PT with three great guests! 8:15PM ET- Kicking off tonights show is the legendary John Wayne Parr. 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 that matchup potentially coming to fruition in the near future and what Parr’s intentions are moving forward with the promotion.

Russell Ess - April 26, 2017

Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is set to make his UFC welterweight debut on June 17 against #11 UFC ranked welterweight Tarec Saffiedine at UFC Fight Night 111. The fight takes place in at Singapore Indoor Stadium and although dos Anjos hails from Brazil and is currently living in California, Singapore is another home away from home for the former champion.

bjpenndotcom - April 26, 2017

https://youtu.be/5i3DC_PwwYk This past weekend in the main event of ‘UFC Fight Night: Nashville’, #4 ranked featherweight Cub Swanson picked up a unanimous decision win over SBG Ireland’s Artem Lobov in the main event of what proved to be a stellar card.

bjpenndotcom - April 26, 2017

UFC prospect Mickey Gall may be the least experienced fighter on the UFC roster, however the young prospect quickly made a name for himself in 2016 when he picked up three straight submission wins. Gall was initially brought into the UFC to fight former WWE champion CM Punk in Punk’s highly anticipated UFC debut, however after a back injury delayed Punk’s UFC debut, Gall fought Mike Jackson in his UFC debut, where he picked up a 45 second submission win over Jackson.

Russell Ess - April 26, 2017

https://youtu.be/0xM7G7Tp_eI?t=6m51s It has been over three years since Georges St-Pierre fought in the UFC and is slated for his return to the Octagon against UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping. Although the fight date has not been announced, many fans are anxious to see the how the former welterweight kingpin will do after the long layoff and going up a weight class.

bjpenndotcom - April 26, 2017

Bellator MMA’s Michael Page possesses arguably one of the most impressive highlight reels in MMA today. The British star has managed to rack up an impressive 12-0 professional record while racking up numerous highlights reel knockouts, most notably his flying knee KO win over Cyborg Santos nearly a year ago. While Michael Page has remained under the Bellator MMA banner over the last three years, ‘Venom’ has just two fights left on his Bellator MMA contract, and admittedly, he isn’t quite sure what will be his next move.

Tom Taylor - April 26, 2017

UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is one of the fastest rising stars in MMA – but don’t expect him to be adopting the Dan Bilzerian playboy lifestyle. The bantamweight king is now engaged to his long time girlfriend, Danny Pimsanguan. Pimsanguan announced her engagement to Garbrandt on her Instagram account. Garbrandt then shared this post on his own Instagram account, calling her “the future Mrs. Garbrandt.”

bjpenndotcom - April 26, 2017

It was fun learning and sparring with the best. It's great to expand your knowledge whatever discipline you practice. You can never learn enough or better yourself in life and also your craft. Thanks again @lomachenkovasiliy for allowing me in to your training camp. Anyone want to see the entire sparring session? 😉 #lomachenko A post shared by tjdillashaw (@tjdillashaw) on Apr 26, 2017 at 8:41am PDT