MMA News
Michael Bisping explains decision to interview Joseph Benavidez following KO loss at UFC Norfolk
Chris Taylor - March 21, 2020
Moments after suffering a knockout loss to Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Norfolk, Joseph Benavidez was on the microphone answering questions from Michael Bisping. The bout had served a Benavidez’s third attempt at claiming UFC gold, this after two failed attempts against MMA legend Demetrious Johnson.
Tyron Woodley issues apology to Stephen Thompson
Chris Taylor - March 21, 2020
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has issued an apology to his previous rival Stephen Thompson. On Friday, ‘The Chosen One’ took to Instagram where he shared the following hilarious video from 2017, where he and ‘Wonderboy’ were exchanging verbal jabs in the leadup to their rematch at UFC 209.
MMA fighter found positive to Coronavirus
Alfredo Zullino - March 21, 2020
It was only matter of time before this brand new Coronavirus affected the MMA world. Italian, now retired, MMA fighter Cristian Binda posted on his social media that he is been found positive to COVID-19.
Kamaru Usman scolds Jorge Masvidal over Conor McGregor comparisons
Chris Taylor - March 21, 2020
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has gone off on Jorge Masvidal for suggesting that he is a more famous fighter than Conor McGregor. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ recently sat down with TMZ Sports where he revealed that the Coronavirus outbreak has killed his plans to fight ‘Gamebred’ in July.
VIDEO | Social distancing has not stopped Conor McGregor from throwing bombs
Chris Taylor - March 21, 2020
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor is trying to make the best out of these troubling times. The former featherweight and lightweight title holder made his long awaited return to the Octagon at January’s UFC 246 event, where he needed less than one minute to dismantle Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
Anthony Smith wants big fights or title shot after Glover Teixeira
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2020
Anthony Smith is looking for a big fight or running things back with Jon Jones after he battles Glover Teixeira. In the main event of UFC Lincoln, Smith will be fighting at home against Teixeira. Yet, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, “Lionheart” knows if the fight gets moved to a different place it is unlikely he will ever be able to fight back at home again. The reason? He expects to beat Teixeira easily then will be getting a title shot or big fights and will soon be the UFC’s light heavyweight champion.
Cory Sandhagen says Dominick Cruz is not interested in fighting him at UFC San Diego
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2020
Cory Sandhagen says he will not be fighting Dominick Cruz at UFC San Diego. It was reported Cruz was interested in making his return at the event and Sandhagen then took to Instagram to say he signed the contract. Now, however, the surging contender says the former bantamweight champion is not interested in fighting him.
Photo | Darren Till has been packing on the pounds during quarantine
Adam Martin - March 20, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Darren Till is apparently packing on the pounds during quarantine, showing off a picture of his bulging stomach on social media. Till was one of the biggest welterweights in the UFC but had difficulty making the weight and was forced to move up to middleweight after struggling to shave the weight. In his debut at 185lbs, he was able to edge out a split decision over top contender Kelvin Gastelum.
Five of the most costly fighter weight cutting blunders in UFC History
Natasha Hooper - March 20, 2020
Arguably one of the hardest challenges of MMA begins before the fight has even started: weight cutting. The primary purpose of cutting weight is to make the limit set by the division that the fighter has chosen to compete in. The process involves dehydrating the body and can create major health complications and even hospitalization. Today at BJPenn.com, we cover the biggest weight cut blunders that have hindered fighters’ careers:
PHOTO | Joanna Jedrzejczyk provides update two weeks after war with Weili Zhang
Adam Martin - March 20, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight contender Joanna Jedrzejczyk provided an update on her face two weeks after her war with Weili Zhang. Jedrzejczyk suffered a nasty hematoma and other damage to her face during the fight with Zhang at UFC 248, which she ended up losing via split decision. Despite losing the decision, Jedrzejczyk regained the respect of fans and fighters after a tough stretch in the last few years. She may have lost the decision, but her stock went way up.
Top fighters you should follow on Instagram
Natasha Hooper - March 20, 2020
Amid the Coronavirus epidemic and MMA events being cancelled left right and centre, many fight fans are stuck at home twiddling their thumbs. Not to fear, BJPenn.com have come to rescue you from your boredom slumber. We have curated the top fighter Instagram accounts you need to follow. Now, you can stay up to date with all the fight action, even when there are no fights!
David Feldman determined to guide BKFC through coronavirus crisis
Tom Taylor - March 20, 2020
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is one of countless sports organizations to be adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic that is currently sweeping the planet, having already been forced to postpone two events. Suffice it to say that it’s been a hectic few weeks for company president David Feldman, who is doing his best to guide the organization through these times of danger and uncertainty.
Jimi Manuwa still interested in boxing career, calls out Shannon Briggs
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2020
Jimi Manuwa is still interested in becoming a professional boxer. The former UFC light heavyweight retired last summer but recently said he is interested in a return to the Octagon. But, if that does not happen, the Englishman says he would like to box.
Ben Askren breaks down 'fascinating' Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson fight
Tom Taylor - March 20, 2020
Ben Askren is very excited for the upcoming lightweight title fight between champ Khabib Nurmagomedov and challenger Tony Ferguson — which is why he’s offered up a plan to ensure it still happens despite the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking on a recent episode of Submission Radio, the former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight king delved into the nuances of the matchup.
Chael Sonnen explains how fighters can take advantage of sports industry shut-down
Tom Taylor - March 20, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic has caused the combat sports industry to grind to a halt. Dozens of events have been postponed or canceled outright, and fighters are being deprived of the opportunity to compete. Yet Chael Sonnen believes this pandemic-related shutdown of the industry could be beneficial to fighters if they take proper advantage. In his eyes, fighters have a golden opportunity to gain some attention with much of the other noise drowned out.
Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker wish each other well, agree to fight when coronavirus pandemic subsides
Adam Martin - March 20, 2020
UFC lightweight rivals Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker wished each other well, agreeing to fight when the coronavirus pandemic is over. Poirier and Hooker are set to meet in the main event of UFC San Diego in May, but with the coronavirus outbreak wreaking havoc on the sports world and on the UFC schedule, there’s no guarantee that fight or card will still go on.
Dana White buries MMA media for pandemic worries: They're the 'weakest, wimpiest people on earth'
Tom Taylor - March 20, 2020
Dana White has been working hard to keep the UFC running during the coronavirus pandemic. While he ultimately had to “indefinitely postpone” three UFC shows, he delayed doing so until the last possible minute, and has been adamant future shows will go down as planned. White’s reluctance to bend to the coronavirus pandemic has generated some understandable criticism from fans and media alike. He has not taken kindly to that criticism.
Ben Askren has an idea to ensure Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson happens
Tom Taylor - March 20, 2020
Ben Askren wants to see Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson fight as a badly as the rest of us, and he’s got an idea he believes will ensure the fight happens even amid coronavirus-related restrictions. Nurmagomedov and Ferguson have been scheduled to fight four times previously to no avail. The UFC attempted to book them for a fifth time at UFC 249 on April 18 in Brooklyn, New York, but of course the coronavirus pandemic had to come along and derail that plan.