MMA News
Claudia Gadelha explains why Joanna Jedrzejczyk trilogy would go differently
Adam Martin - November 6, 2020
UFC women’s strawweight contender Claudia Gadelha explained why a trilogy fight with Joanna Jedrzejczyk would go differently this time around. Gadelha and Jedrzejczyk have fought twice previously. In December 2014, the two met in a title eliminator while both were relatively new to the UFC. Jedrzejczyk won a narrow split decision and would go on to win the title from Carla Esparza in her next fight. The UFC then paired up Gadelha and Jedrzejczyk to be the coaches on TUF 23, and once again Jedrzeczkyk got her hand raised when she won a unanimous decision at the finale.
Austin Vanderford explains why he and wife Paige VanZant leave politics out of MMA: "I'm a fighter and I care about fighting"
Adam Martin - November 6, 2020
Bellator middleweight contender Austin Vanderford explained why he and his wife Paige VanZant leave politics out of their MMA careers. Vanderford picked up his 10th pro victory on Thursday night at Bellator 251 when he won a unanimous decision over short-notice opponent Vinicius De Jesus. The 30-year-old American signed with Bellator in 2019 following a stint on Dana White’s Contender Series that saw the UFC pass on signing him. Since joining Bellator, Vanderford is 4-0 and looking every bit like a future title contender in the promotion’s middleweight division.
ONE Championship results and highlights: Kiamrian Abbasov defends title on finished-filled card
Tom Taylor - November 6, 2020
On Friday, ONE Championship returned to screens worldwide with ONE: Inside the Matrix 2 from the Singapore Indoor Arena. The ONE Championship: Inside the Matrix 2 card was topped by a welterweight title fight between Kyrgyz champion Kiamrian Abbasov, making his first title defense, and unbeaten American challenger James Nakashima.
Khabib Nurmagomedov responds to doubts about retirement: "People can't understand"
Tom Taylor - November 6, 2020
Undisputed UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has opened up on his decision to retire from mixed martial arts. Khabib last fought at UFC 254 in late October, when he defeated Justin Gaethje, widely viewed as his toughest challenger to date, with a second-round triangle choke. After the win, which elevated his record to an incredible 29-0, he announced his retirement from MMA.
Corey Anderson hoping for Vadim Nemkov or Phil Davis next after victorious Bellator debut
Adam Martin - November 5, 2020
Light heavyweight Corey Anderson is hoping to fight Vadim Nemkov or Phil Davis next after a victorious Bellator debut over Melvin Manhoef. Anderson was a big free-agent signing after mutually parting with ways with the UFC this past summer. A former top-five light heavyweight in the UFC, Anderson was matched up against Manhoef for his debut in the Bellator cage. On paper, it looked like a squash match between a young, elite 205lber and an aging 44-year-old fighter in Manhoef, and it played out just like that in the cage as Anderson won via vicious second-round TKO.
Bellator 251 Results: Corey Anderson TKO's Melvin Manhoef (Highlights)
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2020
Corey Anderson is set to make his Bellator debut against knockout artist, Melvin Manhoef in the main event of Bellator 251. Melvin Manhoef (32-14-1) has been a pro since 1995 and at 44-years-old is still going strong. The former Bellator middleweight title challenger is on a two-fight winning streak but has not fought since October of 2019 when he beat Yannick Bahati by TKO at Bellator 230. In his career, Manhoef has fought the likes of Gegard Mousasi, Robbie Lawler, Tim Kennedy, and Mark Hunt.
Israel Adesanya says he will "slap" Jon Jones at light heavyweight and heavyweight
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2020
Israel Adesanya is open to fighting Jon Jones at light heavyweight and heavyweight. Adesanya and Jones have had a feud for quite some time and many figured Adesanya would move up to challenge “Bones” for his light heavyweight title. However, that is not the case as Jones vacated and now “The Last Stylebender” will face Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title in 2021.
Bellator 251: 'Manhoef vs. Anderson' Live Results and Highlights
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2020
Bellator remains in Uncasville, Connecticut for Bellator 251 that sees Melvin Manhoef welcome Corey Anderson to the promotion in the main event. Melvin Manhoef (32-14-1) has been a pro since 1995 and at 44-years-old is still going strong. The former Bellator middleweight title challenger is on a two-fight winning streak but has not fought since October of 2019 when he beat Yannick Bahati by TKO at Bellator 230. In his career, Manhoef has fought the likes of Gegard Mousasi, Robbie Lawler, Tim Kennedy, and Mark Hunt.
After first round win over Justin Ledet, Dustin Jacoby believes he'll be in the top-five in a year
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2020
Dustin Jacoby knows the win over Justin Ledet was big for his future. Jacoby, who had a two-fight stint in the UFC in 2011 and 2012 went 0-2 and was released. He then went to Bellator and where he went 0-2 there and decided to pursue kickboxing.
Thiago Santos believes he can steal back title shot from Israel Adesanya with finish over Glover Teixeira
Adam Martin - November 5, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Thiago Santos believes he can steal back the next title shot from Israel Adesanya with a finish over Glover Teixeira. Santos takes on Teixeira in a five-round main event of this weekend’s UFC on ESPN+ 40 event. Santos is the No. 1 ranked contender at 205lbs and Teixeira is ranked No. 3, so the general consensus among fans and media is that this is a title eliminator. However, that looks like it’s not the case anymore after UFC president Dana White recently said that Adesanya is getting the next title shot at the 205lbs belt that Blachowicz wears.
Glover Teixeira rates Israel Adesanya's chances at light heavyweight
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2020
Glover Teixeira has shared his thoughts on how Israel Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion, will perform at light heavyweight. Adesanya is expected to move up to light heavyweight sometime in early 2021 to challenge the division’s champion, Jan Blachowicz, for his title.
Dan Hardy responds to Diego Sanchez's offer for a "warrior's death"
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2020
Former UFC welterweight contender Dan Hardy has responded to a recent callout from The Ultimate Fight season one winner, Diego Sanchez. On Wednesday night, Sanchez took to Twitter where he called out UFC stars like Demian Maia, Conor McGregor, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, and Hardy.
UFC signs contract extension with EA Sports to produce the next generation of video games
Adam Martin - November 5, 2020
The UFC has signed a contract extension with EA Sports to continue producing video games for its popular video game franchise, EA Sports UFC. On Wednesday, EA Sports announced it has signed a multi-year deal with the UFC to continue producing the next generation of fighting and hockey video games. EA made the official announcement in a press release (via Business Wire).
Dana White shares quick reaction to Tito Ortiz winning city council seat
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2020
UFC President Dana White has shared a quick, initial reaction to Tito Ortiz winning a city council seat in his hometown of Huntington Beach, California. Ortiz, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, had been in the running for this position for several months, and ultimately achieved his political goal this by winning 34,901 votes—14.26 percent of the votes cast overall.
Paige VanZant to make BKFC debut on Super Bowl weekend
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2020
Former UFC star Paige VanZant is slated to make her debut in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship ring on Super Bowl weekend. VanZant signed with BKFC earlier this year after a lengthy stint with the UFC, throughout which she was one of the promotion’s biggest stars. She was originally expected to make her debut with the bare knuckle promotion in November, but that debut was ultimately delayed.
Pro fighters make their picks for Thiago Santos vs. Glover Teixeira
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 13, a pivotal light heavyweight bout headlines the card as Thiago Santos takes on Glover Teixeira. Heading into the fight, Santos is a -250 favorite while the 41-year-old is a +195 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are rather split on this one as they believe it is a coin-flip fight but the majority are leaning towards Santos landing the knockout punch.
Dana White comments on possible Joe Biden presidency
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2020
UFC boss Dana White has shared his thoughts on Joe Biden potentially winning the US presidency, and what that might mean for the UFC. White is a long-time friend and vocal supporter of current US President Donald Trump. The UFC boss has invited Trump and his family to several UFC events, brought fighters to the White House and to Trump rallies, and even spoke in Trump’s favor at the 2016 and 2020 Republican National Conventions.
Diego Sanchez would like a “legends fight” next, calls out McGregor, Cerrone, Maia and Hardy
Harry Kettle - November 5, 2020
UFC veteran Diego Sanchez has called out a handful of names as he goes in search of a “legends fight” for his next bout. Sanchez, who has won three of his last five fights, was beaten in his most recent outing as he fell to a unanimous decision defeat against Jake Matthews at UFC 253. Sanchez is known for being one of the more eccentric fighters on the UFC roster, and yet despite his longevity, many have wondered whether or not it’s time for him to consider hanging up the gloves.