MMA News
After near career-ending motorcycle accident, Sean Strickland looking to KO Jack Marshman in UFC return
Cole Shelton - October 29, 2020
Sean Strickland didn’t know if he would make the walk to the ever Octagon again. In the middle of December of 2018, Strickland was driving back from King MMA on his motorcycle when he was involved in a serious accident. The crash was not his fault, but he went unconscious and did not wake up until hours later. He also needed surgery and when he woke up, doctors told him his fighting career was likely over.
Former TUF winner Brad Katona calls release from the UFC "ridiculous"
Cole Shelton - October 29, 2020
Brad Katona was shocked when he got the news he was released from the UFC. The Canadian won The Ultimate Fighter Season 27 and on the show, beat the likes of Kyler Phillips and even submitted Bryce Mitchell. Yet, after going 2-0 to start his UFC tenure, he lost back-to-back fights to Merab Dvalishvili and Hunter Azure and was released.
Scott Coker explains why Bellator made 30 roster cuts
Adam Martin - October 29, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker explained why Bellator made 30 roster cuts including veterans such as Frank Mir, Roy Nelson, and Joe Warren. It was reported earlier this week that Bellator cut a number of fighters from its roster. Many of the fighters who were released were veterans coming to the end of the like such as Mir, Nelson, and Warren, but there were also a number of younger fighters on the list such as Ricky Bandejas, Chris Lencioni, and AJ Agazarm that surprised fans.
UFC light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz calls for March title fight with Israel Adesanya
Tom Taylor - October 29, 2020
Poland’s Jan Blachowicz, the new UFC light heavyweight champion has big plans for his first title defense. On Thursday, Blachowicz took to Twitter to call for a title defense opposite undefeated UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, naming March as his preferred timeframe for this super fight.
Robert Whittaker on "phenomenal" Khabib Nurmagomedov: "I wouldn’t want to take a fight with him"
Tom Taylor - October 29, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has some high praise for UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov—even conceding he wouldn’t want to fight him. Whittaker and Nurmagomedov both returned to the cage at UFC 254 last Saturday. Whittaker defeated Jared Cannonier in a perceived middleweight No. 1 contender fight in the co-main event, while Nurmagomedov defended the lightweight belt with a submission win over Justin Gaethje in the main event, and announced his retirement immediately thereafter.
Chris Weidman explains why UFC passed on booking the Khamzat Chimaev fight
Adam Martin - October 29, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Chris Weidman explained why the UFC passed on booking him in the fight against top prospect Khamzat Chimaev. Weidman broke his long losing skid with a unanimous decision win over Omari Akhmedov in his last outing. Since then, Weidman has been calling for some of the top dogs in the middleweight division such as Derek Brunson and Paulo Costa. Another fighter who Weidman mentioned as a potential opponent in Chimaev. Most fighters didn’t seem to be interested in being matched up with the Swede, but Weidman was out there calling for it.
Jon Jones still up in arms over pound-for-pound snub, blames "casual fans"
Tom Taylor - October 29, 2020
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is still up in arms after being surpassed by Khabib Nurmagomedov in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. Jones sat atop the UFC’s pound-for-pound list for many years, but lost his spot this week thanks to Nurmagomedov’s dominant defeat of Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 254 last Saturday.
Greg Hardy says he's "reaching assassin level" ahead of Maurice Greene fight
Adam Martin - October 29, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Greg Hardy says he’s “reaching assassin level” ahead of his fight against Maurice Greene at UFC Vegas 12. Hardy is one of the most controversial fighters in the sport right now due to his past as a member of the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL and domestic violence allegations he faced when he played football. Since making his UFC debut in January 2019, Hardy has gone 3-2, 1 NC with wins over Yorgan De Castro, Juan Adams, and Dmitry Smoliakov, losses to Alexander Volkov and Allen Crowder, and a No Contest against Ben Sosoli. This Saturday night in Vegas, he faces another tough test when he takes on “The Crochet Boss” Greene.
Bellator 250 loses two key fights at the last minute
Tom Taylor - October 29, 2020
The Bellator 250 card, which airs tonight on CBS Sports, has unfortunately lost two anticipated matchups at the last minute. According to a report from MMA Fighting, a Bellator 250 main card fight between Veta Arteaga and Desiree Yanez and an undercard fight between Nick Newell and Zach Zane have been scratched from the lineup.
UFC 254 PPV numbers reportedly fall short, prelims get lowest rating for 2020 PPV card
Tom Taylor - October 29, 2020
The viewership numbers for last Saturday’s UFC 254 card on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi are in, and they certainly leave a lot to be desired. According to a report from Sports Business Journal, UFC 254 sold 675,000 pay-per-views, making it the fifth biggest pay-per-view card of the year behind UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal (1.3M), UFC 256: McGregor vs. Cerrone (1M), UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa (700,000) and UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje (700,000).
Mike Perry calls for fight with Darren Till after Robbie Lawler withdraws from UFC 255
Tom Taylor - October 29, 2020
“Platinum” Mike Perry has once again set his sights on his long-time rival, UFC middleweight contender Darren Till. Perry was expected to take on former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler on the main card of UFC 255 on November 21. Regrettably, Lawler has withdrawn from the matchup due to an undisclosed injury, leaving Perry without a dance partner.
Pro fighters make their picks for Uriah Hall vs. Anderson Silva
Cole Shelton - October 29, 2020
In the main event of UFC Vegas 12, Uriah Hall takes on Anderson Silva in a very intriguing middleweight bout. Heading into the fight, Hall is a -235 favorite while the former champion is a +185 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe Silva has lost a step and it will be Hall beating the Brazilian in what is marketed as his final UFC fight.
Georges St-Pierre, Ben Askren to appear on ONE Championship's 'The Apprentice' reboot
Tom Taylor - October 29, 2020
Georges St-Pierre, Ben Askren, and Renzo Gracie are set to appear on ONE Championship’s upcoming reboot of The Apprentice. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced St-Pierre, Askren and Gracie’s involvement in the project on social media on Wednesday, adding that the trio will join a host of ONE Championship stars such as Angela Lee and Demetrious Johnson.
Anderson Silva says bout with Uriah Hall is “probably” his last UFC fight, but MMA future still undecided
Harry Kettle - October 29, 2020
UFC legend Anderson Silva has said his fight against Uriah Hall will probably be his final UFC fight, but may not be his last MMA bout. Silva is set to step into the Octagon, seemingly for the last time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as he prepares to battle Hall on Saturday night. It’s a fight that has been a few years in the making, with some even comparing the two ever since Hall joined the UFC family during his season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov winces in pain after snagging broken toe against cage in win over Justin Gaethje
Harry Kettle - October 29, 2020
New footage has been uncovered that seems to show Khabib Nurmagomedov catching his broken toe in the cage at UFC 254. In the immediate aftermath of Nurmagomedov’s big win over Justin Gaethje last Saturday night, Dana White revealed that “The Eagle” had actually suffered a broken foot of some description in the weeks leading up to the bout.
Kevin Holland receives short-notice opponent for UFC Vegas 12 after Makhmud Muradov withdraws
Adam Martin - October 28, 2020
UFC middleweight Kevin Holland received a short-notice opponent for UFC Vegas 12 after Makhmud Muradov withdrew from Saturday’s event. Holland vs. Muradov was set to be a part of the main card for this Saturday’s UFC event, which features a main event between middleweights Uriah Hall and Anderson Silva. Holland vs. Muradov had the potential to a great fight, but unfortunately, it won’t be happening anymore. According to a report from MMAFighting.com, Muradov was forced to withdraw from the event and he has been replaced by the UFC newcomer Ontiveros.
Donald Trump says Joe Biden wouldn't be a good UFC fighter: "One gentle little touch to the face and he's down"
Adam Martin - October 28, 2020
United States President Donald Trump questioned how Joe Biden would fare in MMA, saying “one gentle little touch to the face and he’s down.” Trump and Biden are hot on the campaign trail for the upcoming United States presidential election and both men never hesitate to trade shots with each other. Most of the shots these two men in their 70s trade are of the verbal variety but during a stop in Bullhead City, Arizona, Trump took it a step further, questioning how Biden would fare in an MMA fight. Here’s what Trump said to a group of his supporters on Wednesday.
Chris Weidman says Derek Brunson turned him down, eyes January showdown with Paulo Costa
Cole Shelton - October 28, 2020
Chris Weidman is looking to fight Paulo Costa after Derek Brunson turned him reportedly turned him down. Weidman returned to the win column back in August with a hard-fought decision win over Omari Akhemdov. After that, he began calling for a fight against a top contender and was offered to fight against Brunson which he accepted. However, the former middleweight champion says Brunson turned him down.