MMA News
Justin Gaethje has kept "most important weapon hidden" ahead of UFC 254, says coach
Tom Taylor - October 22, 2020
Justin Gaethje has kept his most important weapon hidden ahead of his UFC 254 fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov, according to his head coach Trevor Wittman. Gaethje will challenge Nurmagomedov, who has never been beaten in 28 pro fights, for the undisputed UFC lightweight title in the main event of UFC 254 this Saturday. While nobody has been able to topple Nurmagomedov thus far, many members of the MMA community believe Gaethje has the skills to pull it off.
AEW star Jake Hager set to return to the cage at Bellator 250
Harry Kettle - October 22, 2020
All Elite Wrestling star Jake Hager will return to the cage for his fourth professional MMA fight at Bellator 250. Hager, who once held the World Heavyweight Championship during his 11-year stint with WWE, has been juggling his pro wrestling career alongside his mixed martial arts journey for a few years now. His first fight took place at Bellator 214 in January 2019 and since then he’s put together a 2-0 record with one no contest last October due to an accidental groin strike.
Al Iaquinta rips Dustin Poirier: “He’s like a fan fighting Conor. It’s so cringey"
Harry Kettle - October 22, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Al Iaquinta has taken a shot at Dustin Poirier over his rematch negotiations with Conor McGregor. The mixed martial arts world has been hooked on the back and forth between Poirier and McGregor as the two attempt to finalize an agreement for a January 2021 rematch. While many have enjoyed how respectful they’ve been with one another, others have questioned why Poirier has been so cordial.
Fabricio Werdum says he plans on signing with Bellator, waiting for Fedor Emelianenko to sign contract
Adam Martin - October 21, 2020
Heavyweight legend Fabricio Werdum says he plans on signing with Bellator and is just waiting for Fedor Emelianenko to sign his contract. Werdum recently became a free agent after his UFC contract expired following a submission win over Alexander Gustafsson on Fight Island. Bellator president Scott Coker has been trying to sign Werdum as a free agent and match him up against Emelianenko, but to this point, there hasn’t been any official progress on the front. Now there is.
Video | Conor McGregor details illegal knee he used against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2020
Conor McGregor revealed he used an illegal knee when he fought Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 for the lightweight title. Back in October of 2018, McGregor was making his highly-anticipated return against Nurmagomedov which is the biggest fight in UFC history in terms of pay-per-view buys. It was a massive fight but in the end, it was Nurmagomedov who got his hand raised by submission.
Tony Ferguson weighs in on a potential fight with Michael Chandler
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2020
Tony Ferguson doesn’t think Michael Chandler has earned his shot to fight a top-ranked lightweight. When Chandler signed with the UFC, many fans hinted at a possible fight against Ferguson as his first. However, that never came to fruition, and Chandler, instead, will serve as the backup fighter for the UFC 254 main event.
Khabib Nurmagomedov only interested in Georges St-Pierre fight after Justin Gaethje: "This fight makes me excited"
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov has his eyes set on Georges St-Pierre after UFC 254. In the main event of UFC 254, Nurmagomedov is looking for his third title defense when he battles Gaethje. It is a very interesting fight but many have talked about a possible St-Pierre superfight after this and the champ is quite interested in it.
Javier Mendez "wouldn’t be surprised" if Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor 2 is next
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2020
Javier Mendez, the head coach of Khabib Nurmagomedov, believes the Conor McGregor rematch is likely next if the champ can get past Justin Gaethje. At UFC 254, Nurmagomedov is set to defend his belt against Gaethje, in what some are considering the toughest challenge for the champ. However, Mendez has said he still believes McGregor is the toughest test and knows the UFC wants the rematch.
UFC 254 | Pro fighters make their picks for Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje title fight
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2020
In the main event of UFC 254, Khabib Nurmagomedov is looking to defend his lightweight title for the third time when he battles current interim champion Justin Gaethje. Heading into the fight, the undefeated champ is a -325 favorite while the American is a +250 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The slight majority of pros believe we will hear “And New” as Justin Gaethje will be the first person to defeat Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Marlon Moraes vs. Rob Font booked for December UFC event
Adam Martin - October 21, 2020
An exciting bantamweight matchup between top-15 fighters Marlon Moraes and Rob Font is being targeted to take place at a December UFC event. The card is set to take place on December 19 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Moraes vs. Font will surely land on the main card. Veteran MMA reporter Mike Russell was the first to report the Moraes vs. Font matchup. Fight Bananas added the fight would take place on the December 19 card that currently does not have its main event set.
Photo | "Gucci Mink Pimp" Conor McGregor warns Khabib and Gaethje to “look out” ahead of UFC 254
Tom Taylor - October 21, 2020
Conor McGregor has a message for Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje ahead of the pair’s lightweight title fight at UFC 254 this weekend. McGregor, the former UFC lightweight champion, has been uncharacteristically quiet throughout UFC 254 Fight Week so far. It appears his silence has come to an end.
Alex Oliveira plans on calling out Anthony Pettis after win at UFC 254
Adam Martin - October 21, 2020
UFC welterweight Alex Oliveira plans on calling out Anthony Pettis following a win at this weekend’s UFC 254 card over Shavkat Rakhmonov. Oliveira takes on Rakhmonov in a very intriguing matchup at 170lbs at this weekend’s UFC Fight Island event. “Cowboy” is currently riding a two-fight win streak and a win over Rakhmonov — who he is favored to defeat at the sportsbooks — would give Oliveira a three-fight win streak. That could be enough to earn him an opponent in the top-15.
Justin Gaethje on retirement from MMA: "I would say I have at least five more fights"
Tom Taylor - October 21, 2020
Justin Gaethje says he’ll fight at least five more times before he hangs up the gloves, but it sounds like he could compete well beyond that. Gaethje is slated to challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC lightweight title in the main event of UFC 254 this Saturday. If he wins, it’ll be the biggest win of his career, and it will cement him as one of the great lightweights of an era.
Odds released for UFC 255 main event between Deiveson Figueiredo and Alex Perez
Adam Martin - October 21, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for the UFC 255 main event between UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Alex Perez. The UFC men’s flyweight title will be on the line when the new champion Figueiredo takes on one of the division’s top contenders in Perez, who is filling in for the injured Cody Garbrandt. UFC 255 takes place on November 21 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The co-main event features UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko against Jennifer Maia, with the odds for that fight overwhelmingly in the champ’s favor.
Khabib Nurmagomedov unsure how he'll feel in the cage after "hardest year" of his life
Tom Taylor - October 21, 2020
Undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says 2020 has been the hardest year of his life. Thanks to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, 2020 has been tough on many people, but Nurmagomedov has endured more tragedy than most. This summer, the lightweight champion lost his father Abdulmanap, who was also his coach, mentor and greatest influence.
Dana White recounts the first time he spoke with Michael Chandler: "What a great, great kid this kid is"
Adam Martin - October 21, 2020
UFC president Dana White recounted the first time he spoke with lightweight Michael Chandler, explaining why it was a no-brainer to sign him. Chandler was a three-time Bellator lightweight champion and he recently became a free agent following a stunning knockout win over former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in the Bellator cage. White and the UFC quickly swooped in and signed Chandler, while also anointing him as the official back-up to the UFC 254 main event between lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champ Justin Gaethje.
Dana White says dealing with Tyron Woodley is like “pulling teeth”
Adam Martin - October 21, 2020
UFC president Dana White says the hardest fighter he has had to deal with is welterweight Tyron Woodley, saying it’s like “pulling teeth.” Woodley was the UFC welterweight champion from July 2016 when he knocked out Robbie Lawler at UFC 201 until March 2019 when he dropped his belt to Kamaru Usman at UFC 235. Since then, Woodley has struggled, losing three straight fights to Usman, Gilbert Burns, and most recently Colby Covington. His recent struggles inside the cage have led to White suggesting that Woodley should be considering hanging up his gloves.
Justin Gaethje believes he's "screwed" if Khabib Nurmagomedov gets him against the fence
Tom Taylor - October 21, 2020
Justin Gaethje believes he’ll be in a bad situation if allows UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov to get him against the fence. Gaethje, the current UFC interim lightweight champion, will challenge the undefeated Nurmagomedov for the undisputed lightweight title in the main event of UFC 254 this Saturday on Fight Island.