MMA News
Islam Makhachev calls for Michael Chandler to step in and replace Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 254
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2020
Islam Makhachev is looking to remain on UFC 254 and is hoping Michael Chandler will step up. Makhachev was originally supposed to fight Rafael dos Anjos, yet the Brazilian announced he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is out of the fight. So, for Makhachev, he hopes Chandler, who is serving as the backup for UFC 254’s title fight will step up.
Rafael dos Anjos forced to withdraw from UFC 254 fight against Islam Makhachev
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2020
Rafael dos Anjos will not be returning to lightweight to take on Islam Makhachev after all. Dos Anjos has been competing at welterweight for the last couple of years but at UFC 254 he was expected to return to 155lbs. Yet, the former champion took to social media to announce he is out of the fight due to him testing positive for COVID-19.
Dustin Poirier reacts to the news Conor McGregor has agreed to fight him later this year
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2020
It appears Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor will fight for a second time later this year. Over the last couple of weeks, McGregor and Poirier talked about an exhibition sparring match to raise funds for charity. Yet, UFC president, Dana White said he would offer them to make that fight happen and on social media, McGregor has revealed he has accepted the fight and called for it to happen at UFC 255 or 256.
Already on a new contract, Youssef Zalal looking to go 4-0 in 2020
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2020
Youssef Zalal might be in the conversation to be the UFC’s newcomer of the year. Zalal made his Octagon debut at UFC 247 in February and scored a decision win over Austin Lingo. Youssef then followed that up with a win over Jordan Griffin in June and a win over Peter Barrett in August. For many fighters, getting three fights in a year would be plenty. Yet, for the 23-year-old in Zalal on Saturday he will look to make it four.
The painter and the fighter: the duality of Simon Biyong
Alfredo Zullino - October 8, 2020
Who is Simon Biyong? A basketball player for an Italian team? A Bellator fighter? Or maybe he is a talented painter? What is sure, is that he hasn’t always been a mixed martial artist. Born in 1991 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the Italian-based fighter recalls his early days as a sportsman.
Mike Perry wants to take on Conor McGregor after Robbie Lawler: It's a fight "everyone will want to see"
Adam Martin - October 8, 2020
UFC welterweight Mike Perry says he wants to fight Conor McGregor after Robbie Lawler in a fight that “everyone will want to see.” Perry is set to take on Lawler at UFC 255 in November, a card that recently lost its main event when Cody Garbrandt pulled out of his flyweight title fight with Deiveson Figueiredo due to injury. Figueiredo remains on the card against Alex Perez, but reports have suggested the UFC is looking for a bigger-name main event. McGregor has been floated as a possibility to headline the card opposite Dustin Poirier. That means Perry and McGregor could very well both fight on the same card, which would be good timing for a future fight.
Pro fighters make their picks for Marlon Moraes vs Cory Sandhagen
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2020
In the main event of UFC Fight Island 5, a key bantamweight bout headlines the card as Marlon Moraes battles Cory Sandhagen. Heading into the fight, Moraes is a +110 underdog while the American is a -140 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros believe Sandhagen’s footwork and reach will be the difference as he will get his hand raised.
Conor McGregor claims he accepted Dustin Poirier fight but "it must happen in 2020"
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2020
Conor McGregor claims he has accepted a fight with fellow lightweight contender Dustin Poirier, but he insists the matchup must happen this year. McGregor and Poirier first met in the featherweight division in 2014, with McGregor winning by first-round knockout. Since then, both men have achieved massive success in the lightweight division, and in the last few weeks, have both expressed interest in a second fight. The pair even briefly floated the notion of a charity exhibition match in McGregor’s hometown of Dublin.
Corey Anderson reacts to Bellator debut opposite Melvin Mahoef
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2020
Corey Anderson is set for his Bellator debut. The former UFC light heavyweight standout will collide with Melvin Manhoef on November 5. Manhoef is a decorated kickboxing specialist and experienced mixed martial artist, but has had his best success competing in the 185-pound middleweight division, so his welcoming Anderson to the Bellator light heavyweight division came as a surprise to some fans. Anderson himself, however, seems fired up about the challenge.
Georges St-Pierre: "Will I regret" staying retired?
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2020
Georges St-Pierre is still undecided on mounting a comeback, but the Canadian legend is worried he’ll regret it if he doesn’t fight again. St-Pierre has been retired since 2017, but has been floating the idea of another fight ever since—specifically with undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
PFL announces multiple new signings, including several UFC veterans
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2020
The Professional Fighters League (PFL), has announced a host of exciting free agent signings for its 2021 season. The PFL, a fast-rising mixed martial arts promotion that features a one-of-a-kind regular season, playoffs, and championship format, announced its newest signings in a press release on Wednesday.
Dustin Poirier lists reasons why Conor McGregor fight makes sense
Tom Taylor - October 8, 2020
Top UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier believes MMA superstar Conor McGregor would be wise to fight him next. McGregor and Poirier first fought in the featherweight division in 2014, with the former winning by first-round knockout. Since then, however, the two men have both enjoyed massive success in the lightweight division, and have recently been linked to a rematch.
Georges St-Pierre believes Nick Diaz still has what it takes to be UFC champion
Harry Kettle - October 8, 2020
UFC legend Georges St-Pierre believes that his former opponent Nick Diaz still has what it takes to become a champion in the UFC. St-Pierre, who is now retired from mixed martial arts, tends to pop up from time to time to shed some light on how he believes things are going in the sport. His last bout took place back in November 2017 but in March 2013, he defeated the aforementioned Nick Diaz to successfully retain his UFC Welterweight Championship.
Michael Chiesa dubs fighting Khamzat Chimaev as a lose-lose situation
Harry Kettle - October 8, 2020
UFC welterweight Michael Chiesa has explained why fighting Khamzat Chimaev isn’t something he’s interested in right now. Chiesa, 32, is riding a three-fight winning streak since making the move up to 170 pounds with victories over Carlos Condit, Diego Sanchez and Rafael dos Anjos. On the flip side, Chimaev has made an instant impact in the Ultimate Fighting Championship with two wins at middleweight and one at welterweight across the last few months.
Marlon Vera lists three potential opponents for his next fight
Adam Martin - October 7, 2020
UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera has his eyes set on three top-15 opponents for his next fight inside the Octagon. Vera is coming off of the biggest win of his career, a first-round TKO win over the previously-unbeaten prospect Sean O’Malley. Overall, the Ecuador native has won six of his last seven fights as he continues to make waves in the stacked UFC bantamweight division. At present, Vera is the No. 15 ranked fighter in the weight class and he’s understandably now looking to fight fighters ranked above him. There are three that he likes in particular.
Tony Ferguson sends a fiery message to Khabib Nurmagomedov & Justin Gaethje: "My mat, my f*****g time"
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2020
Tony Ferguson has sent a fiery warning to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje that he is coming. Ferguson, who is coming off a fifth-round TKO loss to Gaethje at UFC 249 for the interim title, is looking to return soon. With the lightweight title fight coming up in a few weeks, “El Cucuy” has his eyes on that fight.
Michael Chandler slams Tony Ferguson for turning him down at UFC 254
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2020
Michael Chandler is not happy with Tony Ferguson. Earlier on Wednesday, Ferguson was not happy with Chandler and what he was making in the UFC. He also didn’t like that the former Bellator lightweight champion is the backup fighter for UFC 254.
Giga Chikadze planning to submit Omar Morales to show off improved ground game on Fight Island
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2020
Giga Chikadze hopes to show everyone he isn’t just a kickboxer. When Chikadze signed with the UFC, he was a decorated kickboxer, and in his first three UFC fights he was able to show off his striking. Yet, many thought he would be able to show off his ground game against Alex Caceres. Unfortunately, Chikadze had tested positive for COVID-19 leaving that fight to be canceled.