MMA News
Abubakar Nurmagomedov, Khabib's cousin, set for UFC debut
Tom Taylor - August 29, 2019
Abubakar Nurmagomedov, the cousin of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, is set to make his Octagon debut at UFC Moscow on November 9. The Russian is expected to fight Germany’s David Zawada. This news was first reported by ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto, who was informed by manager Ali Abdelaziz. Abubakar Nurmagomedov (15-2-1), Khabib's cousin, will make his UFC debut on Nov. 9 at UFC Fight Night in Moscow, per his manager Ali Abdelaziz. He will fight David Zawada. Abubakar likely would have fought in Abu Dhabi next week, but was recovering from injury.
Nick Diaz to Georges St-Pierre: 'Come and get some'
Tom Taylor - August 29, 2019
Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, who is retired from competition, recently explained that he has nothing to gain by rematching his former foe Nick Diaz. “I think this guy’s gonna hate me until the day I die. It’s unbelievable,” St-Pierre told Chael Sonnen of Diaz. “I know he doesn’t like me, and he looks to get me all the time. But, I genuinely like the guy. I’m telling you the truth.
Paulo Costa, five others, encouraged to change weight classes by CSAC
Mike Heck - August 29, 2019
UFC 241 went down a couple of weeks ago in Anaheim, Calif., but the aftermath of the memorable event continues as six fighters — including Paulo Costa — have been recommended to move up a weight class by the California State Athletic Commission. Along with Costa, who defeated Yoel Romero in their middleweight featured bout at the event, bantamweights Brandon Davis, Manny Bermudez, and Kyung Ho Kang, women’s flyweight Sabina Mazo, and featherweight Sodiq Yusuff have been given the recommendation.
Mickey Gall proclaims himself the "new Natural Born Killer" ahead of Condit fight
Tom Taylor - August 29, 2019
Yesterday afternoon, it was announced that former UFC interim welterweight champ Carlos Condit —who fights with the nickname “The Natural Born Killer” — will return to the cage opposite Mickey Gall. The bout is scheduled for December 7 in Washington D.C. For Mickey Gall, this bout represents a huge opportunity, as Condit is perhaps the most decorated and accomplished opponent he’s fought to date. Gall seems to be excited about this challenge.
Michael Bisping: Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier lacks hype
Fernando Quiles - August 29, 2019
Michael Bisping doesn’t see UFC 242, which will be headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Dustin Poirier, bringing in high pay-per-view numbers. On Sept. 7, Nurmagomedov will take on Poirier in a lightweight title unification bout. “The Eagle” holds the lightweight title, while Poirier is recognized as the interim champion.
Robert Whittaker opens up on recent struggle with depression
Tom Taylor - August 29, 2019
Robert Whittaker was expected to defend his UFC middleweight title against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 234 in in Melbourne, Australia back in February. Regrettably, the Australian was forced out of this fight at the last minute with a hernia and a collapsed bowel that required immediate, emergency surgery. Whittaker says this unfortunate twist of fate left him in a pit of depression and despair. He opened up on this struggle on a recent episode of Submission Radio.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos not frustrated by having to fight unranked opponents
Cole Shelton - August 29, 2019
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is currently ranked 14th in the UFC welterweight division and is on a seven-fight winning streak. Despite his success, the Brazilian continues to be matched up with unranked opponents. Yet dos Santos doesn’t care if he fights ranked or unranked opponents. Instead, he is just focused on fighting.
Jessica Andrade plans to call out Valentina Shevchenko after UFC Shenzhen
Cole Shelton - August 29, 2019
UFC strawweight champ Jessica Andrade is days out from her first title defense, as she’s set to take on Weili Zhang in the main event of UFC Shenzhen this Saturday. Although Zhang is a tough opponent, the Brazilian champ is already eyeing her next fight, and she wants it to be a super fight. She has been talking about fighting Valentina Shevchenko and now plans on calling her out if she wins on Saturday.
Dustin Poirier reveals two attributes that will carry him to win over Khabib Nurmagomedov
Natasha Hooper - August 29, 2019
Dustin Poirier is ready to make history as the first man to beat UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. During an interview with The Mirror, ‘The Diamond’ Poirier discussed this huge opportunity.
Cris Cyborg hints at where she'll be signing, promises news soon
Tom Taylor - August 29, 2019
Cris Cyborg has parted ways with the UFC, and is now negotiating with other promotions in hopes of finding a setting for the next chapter of her illustrious career. Speaking in a video posted to her official YouTube channel, Cyborg divulged that she feels no regret about leaving the UFC.
Gregor Gillespie calls out Anthony Pettis
Adam Martin - August 28, 2019
Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Gregor Gillespie has finally called someone out, as he called out Anthony Pettis for a fight at UFC 244 in November. Here’s what “The Gift” said on his social media.
Carlos Condit to battle Mickey Gall in Washington DC
Thomas Taylor - August 28, 2019
Carlos Condit isn’t done yet. The former UFC interim welterweight champion will soon return to the Octagon opposite Lookin’ For a Fight product Mickey Gall. The pair will meet when the UFC touches down in Washington DC on December 7. The bout was first reported by Post Sports.
Chael Sonnen calls Nate Diaz an 'unintentional genius'
Fernando Quiles - August 28, 2019
If you ask Chael Sonnen, Nate Diaz is a genius — but it isn’t by design. Few are doubting Diaz’s star power following UFC 241. The Stockton native made his entrance to the roar of the crowd inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. On that night, UFC 241 broke a record with the largest gate for an MMA event in the state of California. Diaz defeated Anthony Pettis via unanimous decision and after the bout, UFC president Dana White admitted that Diaz is a “needle mover.”
ONE: Immortal Triumph - 5 Fast Facts on ONE's Ho Chi Minh City debut
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 28, 2019
ONE Championship‘s next event is ONE: Immortal Triumph on September 6 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where martial arts fans will get a taste of the highest quality Muay Thai and kickboxing action. Here are five fast facts about the upcoming event in Vietnam.
Jan Blachowicz sends message to Jon Jones, Jones jabs back
Tom Taylor - August 28, 2019
It’s hard to say which light heavyweight contender will get the next crack at champion Jon Jones, but many fans and pundits believe the opportunity should go to Poland’s Jan Blachowicz. Although Blachowicz was recently stopped by Thiago Santos, he has since rebounded with a violent knockout of Luke Rockhold, and has long stood out as one of the division’s top dogs.
Dana White responds to Paige VanZant's pay gripes
Tom Taylor - August 28, 2019
Paige VanZant has one fight left on her UFC contract, and when that’s over and done with, she intends to test free agency. The reason for this decision is that she believes she deserves more money. In fact, she claims she makes more money posting to her Instagram account than she does through fighting. “With endorsements, I make way more money sitting at home posting pictures on Instagram than I do fighting,” VanZant said during an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show. “If I were to stop everything I do outside of fighting and just fight, I would be at a loss. By a long shot.”
Jessica Andrade plans to prove she is 'the best in the world' at UFC Shenzhen
Cole Shelton - August 28, 2019
Jessica Andrade is set for her first title defense in the main event of UFC Shenzhen. She will be taking on Weili Zhang in the challenger’s home country of China. For Andrade, defending her belt in hostile territory will be a new experience, but fighting in someone else’s backyard will not be.
Andrea Lee signs new six-fight extension heading into UFC 242
Mike Heck - August 28, 2019
Andrea Lee will return to action next weekend in a pivotal women’s flyweight matchup with Joanne Calderwood at UFC 242 and will do so with a new contract with the organization. In a recent interview with BJPENN.com, “KGB” revealed that she has signed a six-fight deal with the organization heading into her bout with Calderwood, which takes place Sept. 7 The Arena, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.