MMA News
Video | Kevin Lee shows off new head tattoo
Tom Taylor - November 4, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee is going to look a little different next time he steps into the Octagon thanks to a brand new head tattoo. Lee began teasing his new ink a few weeks ago, and in a Tuesday post to Instagram, showed off what looks like the nearly-finished product. See it below.
UFC rankings update: Uriah Hall cracks top-10
Tom Taylor - November 4, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 12 card, and as always, there have been some interesting changes. The most notable change concerns Uriah Hall, who has cracked the middleweight division’s top-10 after scoring a fourth-round TKO win over retiring legend Anderson Silva in the card’s main event. By moving into the No. 10 spot, Hall pushes former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman into the No. 11 spot.
Tito Ortiz wins Huntington Beach city council seat
Tom Taylor - November 4, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz has won a city council seat in his hometown of Huntington Beach, California. Ortiz has been in the running for this position for several months, and ultimately achieved his political goal by winning 34,901 votes—14.26 percent of the votes cast overall (h/t MMA Junkie).
Israel Adesanya names the "ultimate GOAT" of MMA: "Did everyone just forget about Demetrious Johnson?"
Tom Taylor - November 4, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has shared his picked for the greatest fighter in mixed martial arts history. Adesanya was asked to chime in on the GOAT debate during a recent appearance on Submission Radio. The champ quickly pointed to former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, who now competes under the ONE Championship banner.
Robert Whittaker reacts to callout from Paulo Costa: “He just lost his contention to the title”
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2020
UFC middleweight Robert Whittaker has issued his response after a recent callout by divisional rival Paulo Costa. Whittaker seems to be the next man in line for a shot at Israel Adesanya’s Middleweight Championship after his two decision wins over fellow contenders Darren Till and Jared Cannonier. Costa, on the other hand, was decisively beaten by Adesanya in a one-sided title fight back at UFC 253.
Kevin Holland says coach Travis Lutter wants him to fight two more times in 2020
Adam Martin - November 3, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland says that his coach, former UFC fighter Travis Lutter, wants him to fight two more times in 2020. Holland has been one of the most active fighters on the UFC roster during the COVID-19 pandemic era. Dating back to May, Holland has fought four times and he’s won all four fights in impressive fashion. In May, Holland knocked out Anthony Hernandez in the first round at UFC Jacksonville. Holland then returned in August at UFC Vegas: Lewis vs. Overeem and defeated Joaquin Buckley via KO, winning a 50k bonus for his efforts.
Michael Chandler calls out Tony Ferguson or Justin Gaethje for UFC debut: "We're going to have a blast"
Adam Martin - November 3, 2020
Recent UFC free-agent signing Michael Chandler is requesting a matchup against either Tony Ferguson or Justin Gaethje for his Octagon debut. Chandler was the backup for the UFC 254 main event between UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Gaethje, but he wasn’t needed as both men made weight and made it to the fight unscathed. A former three-time lightweight champion in Bellator, Chandler ended up getting introduced on the UFC 254 pay-per-view broadcast to UFC fans for the first time. But he went to Fight Island with the hopes of stepping into the cage.
Rashad Evans believes Conor McGregor is "one of the best to do it" after seeing Khabib beat Gaethje
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2020
Rashad Evans has nothing but praise for Conor McGregor after seeing Khabib Nurmagomedov beat Justin Gaethje the way he did at UFC 254. In the lead up to the fight, many pundits had said Gaethje would be Nurmagomedov’s toughest test. However, that proved not to be true, and as Javier Mendez told BJPENN.com, the toughest test still seems to be McGregor.
Conor McGregor vents his frustration after being “ignored” by UFC officials
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2020
Conor McGregor is venting his frustration with the UFC. In November of last year, McGregor announced he would be returning to the Octagon in January. His goal was to fight three times, the first in January, one in the summer, and then the rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov in October. However, that did not happen for a variety of reasons.
Ian Heinisch believes Brendan Allen is a "stepping stone," confident he will finish him
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2020
Ian Heinisch and Brendan Allen have been talking about fighting one another for years now. Both Heinisch and Allen were fighting in LFA and Allen had been calling Heinisch out. But, “The Hurricane” went on to win the interim middleweight belt and get on the Contender Series and get a UFC contract. Allen, meanwhile, had to stay fighting in LFA for another year, but when he signed to the Las Vegas-based promotion, he started calling out Heinisch once more, and at UFC Vegas 13, they will finally fight.
Welterweight contender Santiago Ponzinibbio makes long-awaited UFC return against Muslim Salikhov
Adam Martin - November 3, 2020
Welterweight contender Santiago Ponzinibbio will make his long-awaited return to the UFC against Muslim Salikhov in January. Ponzinibbio vs. Salikhov is set to take place at a UFC event on January 16, one that will most likely take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Other fights that have been announced for the event include Ricky Simon vs. Brian Kelleher, Justin Tafa vs. Carlos Felipe, and Tim Elliott vs. Jordan Espinosa. There is no main event confirmed for this card just yet, though there remains the possibility the Ponzinibbio fight could headline the card.
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Manel Kape added to Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards undercard
Adam Martin - November 3, 2020
An intriguing flyweight bout between Alexandre Pantoja and Manel Kape has been added to the Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards undercard. Pantoja vs. Kape is set for December 19 on the undercard of the Chimaev vs. Edwards UFC Fight Night event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. MMAjunkie.com broke the news.
South Korea's Sung Bin Jo hopes to draw in Asian-American fans as he takes his talents to PFL
bjpenndotcom - November 3, 2020
In his home country of South Korea, Sung Bin Jo is already a pretty big deal. The dashing 28-year old has looks that can rival any K-Pop star, and that has translated to gigs as an image model on television and magazine ads, as well as appearances on shows such as “Bad Papa” and “Cash Back”.
Daniel Cormier: Dana White made "smart" decision not stripping Khabib Nurmagomedov of title
Tom Taylor - November 3, 2020
Former two-division UFC champ Daniel Cormier believes the UFC made the right move by allowing Khabib Nurmagomedov to keep his title. Nurmagomedov, the UFC lightweight champion and current pound-for-pound king of MMA, announced his retirement after he submitted Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Despite this announcement, UFC President Dana White expressed optimism that the lightweight star will fight again.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 17 with Ian Heinisch, Max Griffin & Ramiz Brahimaj
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2020
The 17th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 13. We’re first joined by UFC middleweight, Ian Heinisch (2:32). Next, UFC welterweight, Max Griffin (16:17) joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC welterweight, Ramiz Brahimaj (29:57).
Video | Uriah Hall apologizes to Anderson Silva after scoring stoppage win
Tom Taylor - November 3, 2020
Uriah Hall apologized to Anderson Silva in the moments after their fight concluded. Hall stepped into the cage with Silva, widely regarded as one of the best fighters ever, in the main event of UFC Vegas 12 last Saturday. The bout was widely expected to be the last of Silva’s UFC career.
UFC Vegas 12 medical suspensions: Uriah Hall facing six months out
Tom Taylor - November 3, 2020
The medical suspensions for last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 12 card have been revealed, and main event winner Uriah Hall could be out six months. Hall defeated former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva by fourth-round knockout. Despite coming out on top in the fight, he’s facing a long stint on the sidelines, pending an orthopedic doctor’s ruling. Silva could also be out six months due to a broken nose.
Israel Adesanya not planning on bulking up for light heavyweight title fight
Tom Taylor - November 3, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya isn’t planning to pack on any extra muscle for his upcoming light heavyweight title superfight with Jan Blachowicz. Adesanya and Blachowicz don’t yet have a date for their collision, but UFC President Dana White has confirmed the fight is happening, and it’s already generating massive buzz.