MMA News
Michelle Waterson vs. Angela Hill off of August 22 card, fight rescheduled
Cole Shelton - August 13, 2020
The August 22 UFC card has taken another hit as Michelle Waterson and Angela Hill will no longer be fighting on that date. The event is scheduled to be headlined by Pedro Munhoz vs. Frankie Edgar at bantamweight. Sources told BJPENN.com that Michelle Waterson vs. Hill has also been removed from the card due to personal reasons on Waterson’s side. The good news, however, is the fact the fight will still happen as multiple sources confirm the scrap has been rescheduled for September 12.
Herbert Burns explains why UFC 252 opponent Daniel Pineda is more dangerous than champ Alex Volkanovski
Harry Kettle - August 13, 2020
UFC featherweight Herbert Burns has explained why he believes Daniel Pineda is a more dangerous opponent for him than the division’s champion Alexander Volkanovski. Burns will return to action this weekend at UFC 252 where he will go up against the aforementioned Pineda, with the latter returning to the UFC after six years away from the promotion. Burns, on the other hand, is hoping to extend his strong start to 2020 after going 2-0 in the first half of the year.
Pro fighters make their picks for Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier 3 title fight
Cole Shelton - August 13, 2020
In the main event of UFC 252, Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier are set for their trilogy fight. They are currently 1-1 with Cormier winning the first by knockout and Miocic winning the rematch by TKO. Heading into the fight, Miocic is a -110 underdog while “DC” is a -120 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believe Bruce Buffer will say “And New” with Cormier using his wrestling to get his hand raised.
Aljamain Sterling urges Dana White to "do the right thing," grant title shot
Tom Taylor - August 13, 2020
Aljamain Sterling hopes UFC President Dana White will “do the right thing” and grant him a title shot against UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan. Sterling is riding a five-fight win-streak, having most recently picked up an impressive, first-round submission victory over fellow contender Cory Sandhagen. While this victory seemed like it would be enough to earn him a crack at the new bantamweight champion, Yan, White has been noncommittal on the issue.
Sean O'Malley names Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya as inspirations during rise to stardom
Tom Taylor - August 13, 2020
Sean O’Malley is one of the fastest-rising stars in the UFC, and is already being compared to the likes of Conor McGregor and Israel Adesanya. He does not object to those comparisons.
UFC releases veterans Bethe Correia and Evan Dunham following recent losses
Natasha Hooper - August 13, 2020
The UFC has decided to release Bethe Correia and Evan Dunham following a string of recent losses. According to MMA Fighting, the former bantamweight title contender Correia, has been released from by the company following her last fight at UFC Fight Island 3 on July 25.
Marlon Vera offers savage response to Sean O'Malley mind games: "My skin is thicker than his Mom"
Andrew Whitelaw - August 13, 2020
When Sean O’Malley turned up to fight week with his hair dyed the colour of his opponent’s native Ecuador, reporters asked Marlon Vera if it bothered him. “My skin is thicker than his mom, so I’m good with that,” he said. “It’s hard to get in my mind.”
Chris Weidman dismisses talk of a Luke Rockhold rematch: “He needs to put in work”
Natasha Hooper - August 13, 2020
Luke Rockhold is ready for a rematch against Chris Weidman, but the feeling isn’t mutual. Weidman, the former UFC middleweight champion, got back to winning ways at UFC Vegas 6 on August 8. He defeated Omari Akhmedov by unanimous decision, redeeming his two consecutive losses and recent record of 1-5.
Promoter details Paige VanZant's four-fight deal with BKFC, hints at another "massive" signing
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
David Feldman is relieved Paige VanZant decided to sign with his promotion, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Entering UFC 251, VanZant was fighting Amanda Ribas and it was known it was the final fight of her contract. Many pundits believed she would end up in Bellator but on Wednesday that did not happen. Instead, it was announced she has signed with BKFC.
Austin Vanderford reacts to Paige VanZant signing with Bare Knuckle FC
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
Austin Vanderford had a joking reaction to his wife, Paige VanZant, signing with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. On Wednesday, it was revealed VanZant signed an exclusive multi-fight contract with the sans gloves promotion. The news caught many off guard. For Vanderford, he believes the news could very well make him the good looking one in their relationship.
Matt Dixon fired up for Contender Series opportunity: "I feel like that contract is mine"
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Matt Dixon might not be a household name among fight fans yet, but that could soon change. Dixon, a 24-year-old welterweight with a flawless, 9-0 record, will battle Orion Cosce (6-0) on next Tuesday’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Series. If he leaves the cage-side UFC President suitably dazzled, he’ll be offered a contract.
Bellator MMA launches exclusive channel with Pluto TV
Natasha Hooper - August 12, 2020
Bellator MMA has launched an exclusive channel with Pluto TV. The promotions organization have partnered up with the ViacomCBS TV service to provide free, ad-supported streaming for their content. The new channel will provide fans with over 500 fights from Bellator’s vast library over iconic fighting events. The content will be available during any time of week, 24 hour a day from the click of a button. The new Bellator MMA channel is available to stream on Smart TVs, or alternatively your phone or tablet.
Marlon Vera plans to "baptize" Sean O'Malley and "make him quit" in UFC 252 co-main event
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
Marlon Vera is excited to finally share the Octagon with Sean O’Malley as he is confident he can hand “Sugar” his first loss. In the co-main event of UFC 252, Vera and O’Malley are set to fight in a scrap many fans are looking forward to. The common perception entering the bout is whether or not O’Malley’s hype is real or if Vera will prove to be too much too soon.
Paige VanZant inks exclusive, multi-fight deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Paige VanZant has a new home. The former UFC flyweight and strawweight contender has signed an exclusive, multi-fight deal with upstart bare knuckle promotion Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
Ryan Bader on Corey Anderson moving to Bellator: "I can guarantee you he’s getting paid way more"
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Two-division Bellator champion Ryan Bader believes fellow UFC veteran Corey Anderson made the right decision moving to Bellator. Bader, who rules over the Bellator light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, weighed in on Anderson’s Bellator move in an interview with MMA Fighting.
Max Rohskopf cut by UFC after debut ended in controversy
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
Max Rohskopf has been cut from the UFC after his promotional debut, a short-notice lightweight fight with Austin Hubbard, ended in controversy. Rohskopf took on Hubbard at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov on June 20. Between the second and third rounds of the fight, he asked his coaches to end the bout, and didn’t change his tune when his handlers attempted to encourage him to continue.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik gunning for KO win over Junior dos Santos, eyes rematch with Francis Ngannou
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2020
Jairzinho Rozenstruik is looking to get back into the win column just three months after suffering a brutal knockout loss to Francis Ngannou. Back at UFC 249 in May, Rozenstruik was knocked out in 20 seconds. Following the loss, many expected the former kickboxer to take some time off to heal his brain.
Dana White: Miocic vs. Cormier winner will be greatest heavyweight in MMA history
Tom Taylor - August 12, 2020
UFC President Dana White believes the winner of the upcoming trilogy between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier will be the greatest heavyweight in MMA history. Miocic and Cormier will meet in the main event of UFC 252 this Saturday, with Miocic’s heavyweight title on the line. The heavyweight rivals have already fought twice previously. They first met in 2018 when Cormier, then the light heavyweight champion, moved up to heavyweight division to challenge Miocic for the division’s ultimate prize. Cormier won that first contest by first-round knockout. After Cormier defended the heavyweight title against Derrick Lewis later that year, he and Miocic then rematched in 2019. That time around, Miocic evened the scored, weathering some early adversity to stop Cormier in the fourth round and reclaim the heavyweight title.