MMA News

bjpenndotcom - October 11, 2016

This past weekend, UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping stepped into the Octagon in Manchester, England to defend his middleweight championship against MMA legend Dan Henderson in what was set to be Henderson’s last fight before retiring from MMA. The fight was an extremely competitive one, with Henderson dropping Bisping in both the first and second rounds. Despite that, Bisping poured out an incredible volume of strikes throughout the entire fight, landing an impressive amount of significant strikes from bell to bell.

Tom Taylor - October 11, 2016

Earlier this year, we saw former WWE star CM Punk, a man with no real martial arts experience, make a foray into the perilous world of mixed martial arts. It did not go well for him. Now, former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy, who has a similar deficit in terms of martial arts experience, is poised to try his hand at cage fighting.

bjpenndotcom - October 11, 2016

On Saturday, former featherweight title challenger, and top ranked featherweight Ricardo Lamas was slated to step into the Octagon in the main event of ‘UFC Fight Night: Manila’ to square off against UFC Hall of Famer, BJ Penn. The fight was supposed to be Penn’s highly anticipated return to the Octagon after partnering with famed coaches Greg Jackson & Mike Winkeljohn for his return.

bjpenndotcom - October 11, 2016

The ongoing saga of former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar’s failed drug test continues! Lesnar made his triumphant return to the Octagon back in July, however there was some controversy surrounding his return. When it was announced in June that Lesnar would be returning to the Octagon at UFC 200, it was also revealed that Lesnar had been granted an exemption from the four-month period of testing to become an eligible fighter in the eyes of USADA. The move was certainly a controversial one, with many other fighters questioning the fact that Lesnar was granted an exemption.

Tom Taylor - October 11, 2016

https://twitter.com/foxsportslive/status/785687018382594049 Earlier this year, in the buildup to UFC 202, rivals Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz got into a heated press conference altercation. While no blows were thrown, plenty of bottles were.

Tom Taylor - October 11, 2016

Last month, former pro wrestling star CM Punk made his long awaited jump into the world of mixed martial arts. He did so against 24-year-old prospect Mickey Gall on the main card of UFC 203. As we now know, of course, Punk’s visit to the Octagon would go down as an absolute disaster. After making a reckless charge across the canvas and whiffing a punch over the top of his foe’s head, he was easily taken down. From there, he was battered and bruised by ground strikes, and ultimately, forced to tap out to a rear-naked choke.

Russell Ess - October 10, 2016

This historic card marks the first UFC event in the Big Apple since mixed martial arts was legalized in the state this year. Three championship title fights will take place in what many believe is the biggest card in UFC history. In the main event of the evening, UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez will look to defend his title for the first time as he takes on the UFC featherweight champion, Conor McGregor. “The Notorious” Irishman will attempt to become the first fighter in UFC history to win and hold two UFC division’s championship simultaneously. UFC Hall of Fame legends Randy Couture and our very own BJ Penn are the only two fighters in history to have won titles in two different weight classes. However, neither Couture nor Penn held two division’s titles at the same time, which McGregor will get the opportunity to do on November 12.

bjpenndotcom - October 10, 2016

Derrick Lewis remembers the exact moment when he discovered that not only was his fight with Marcin Tybura was off, but the entire UFC: Manila card had been cancelled as well. ‘The Black Beast’ discussed flying out to the Philippines and cutting weight before hearing the event was cancelled:

Tom Taylor - October 10, 2016

Last Saturday, on the Fight Pass Prelims of UFC 204, undefeated welterweight Mike Perry sent England’s Danny Robert’s careening to the mat with a third-round knee and a followup punch. Though Roberts was clearly out cold, Perry then chased him to the canvas, where he landed a series of additional blows, while referee Marc Goddard watched on as if his mind was altogether elsewhere.

Russell Ess - October 10, 2016

Are people tired of hearing about Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz? Many fans may be, while many others want to see who wins the best out of three as McGregor and Diaz both split their fights with a win each. Even UFC President Dana White says he has had enough of their rivaled matchup, for now. However, if Conor McGregor is able to capture the UFC lightweight title at UFC 205 from Eddie Alvarez and become the first fighter in UFC history to hold two division’s belts simultaneously, what bigger lightweight title fight could there possibly be than the trilogy bout between the brash Irishman and Stockton scrapper?

bjpenndotcom - October 10, 2016

Bellator president Scott Coker is looking to put on a grudge match that’s been years in the making. Ever since Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva coached opposite each other on The Ultimate Fighter back in 2013, the two have never had the chance to settle the score in the ring.

bjpenndotcom - October 10, 2016

The MMA world had some strong reactions after news broke of Conor McGregor’s massive $150,000 fine for his part in the water bottle-throwing incident that occured between his camp and Nate Diaz’s. The scene garnered a lot of attention just prior to their UFC 202 rematch. It also got the attention of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which handed down the $150k fine as well as 50 hours of community service.

Tom Taylor - October 10, 2016

Last November, Ronda Rousey was knocked stiff by Holly Holm, surrendering the UFC women’s bantamweight title in the process. She has not stepped foot in the Octagon since. Luckily for Rousey fans, that could soon change, as recent rumors have suggested she’ll return to action at UFC 207, where she would take on reigning bantamweight queen Amanda Nunes.

Tom Taylor - October 10, 2016

On December 10, the UFC will touch down in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with UFC 206. The biggest fight confirmed for the card so far is a light heavyweight title showdown between champion Daniel Cormier and challenger Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. These two dangerous light heavyweights, of course, have fought once before. On that night, Cormier emerged the victor with a third-round rear-naked choke. And while Rumble’s incredible knockout power makes a different outcome very possible in the rematch, Cormier is confident he’ll come out on top again.

Russell Ess - October 10, 2016

On Monday, the Nevada State Athletic Commission ruled a stiff penalty on Conor McGregor for his involvement in the water bottle fiasco at the UFC 202 pre-fight press conference at the MGM Grand. The incident involved Team McGregor and Team Nate Diaz in an object-throwing war with press getting caught in the middle of it all. “The Notorious” was fined five percent of his disclosed salary for the main event fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 202. Given that the brash Irishman earned a UFC record-setting disclosed pay of $3 million dollars, the fine equated to a whopping $150,000. In addition to the six-figure fine, Mcgregor was also ordered to 50 hours of community service and will have to participate in an “anti-bullying campaign for the commission,” according to a report from MMA Fighting.

bjpenndotcom - October 10, 2016

Following a report on Monday of Conor McGregor being knocked out while sparring in preparation for his UFC 205 title fight with Eddie Alvarez, SBG’s head coach John Kavanagh took to Twitter to vaguely dispel the report. MMA insider Dizz had tweeted that McGregor was “shaky getting back to his feet” and with a possibly broken nose after a sparring session at Straight Blast Gym in McGregor’s native Ireland.

Tom Taylor - October 10, 2016

Earlier this month, it was announced that UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier will defend his title against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson at UFC 206. The card is scheduled for December 10 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Unsurprisingly, this news went over very well with Canadian fight fans. It’s unlikely, however, that fans in The Great White North will be completely satisfied with UFC 206 if it doesn’t feature the comeback of Georges St-Pierre.

Russell Ess - October 10, 2016

UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor had his hearing with the Nevada State Atheletic Commission (NSAC) on Monday for the UFC 202 water bottle war against Nate Diaz and his team during the pre-fight press conference.