MMA News
Joe Rogan speculates on why Conor McGregor hasn't fought recently
Tom Taylor - June 28, 2019
Conor McGregor hasn’t fought since he was walloped by UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in early October. UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes he knows why the Irishman has been lingering on the sidelines. Rogan gave his take on McGregor’s lengthy absence on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience. The commentator thinks the obscenely wealthy former two-division champ is just waiting for something he finds “fun.”
UFC Minneapolis | Dan Lambert believes no one should count out Junior dos Santos against Francis Ngannou
Cole Shelton - June 28, 2019
Junior dos Santos is set to take on Francis Ngannou in the main event of UFC Minneapolis. The expectation is that the winner will fight for the heavyweight title next. According to American Top Team owner, Dan Lambert, this is a tough fight for dos Santos, but he says no one should count out the former heavyweight champion.
'Losing sucks,' but Angela Lee vows to grow from the experience
Tom Taylor - June 28, 2019
ONE Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee recently had her first taste of defeat. This unappetizing dish was served up at ONE: A New Era in Tokyo in March when, after a four frenetic rounds of action, she was stopped by a volley of fifth-round strikes from ONE Strawweight World Champion Xiong Jing Nan. Lee does not plan on having a second serving.
Junior dos Santos explains how he'll beat 'the most dangerous man in MMA today'
Tom Taylor - June 28, 2019
Junior dos Santos is going to have his hands full in the UFC Minneapolis main event, where he will take on arguably the hardest puncher in MMA history in Francis Ngannou. He knows full well how dangerous the task at hand is. “Ngannou is a really strong guy, has heavy hands,” dos Santos told MMA Fighting recently. “I think it’s no exaggeration to say he’s the most dangerous man in MMA today. A punch that connects, even if it only grazes, will knock you out. He’s a dangerous guy and I’m getting ready for that. I know his potential, the danger he offers in the fight, but that’s the type of challenge that excites me.
Eddie Alvarez shares theory on why he struggles in promotional debuts
Natasha Hooper - June 28, 2019
Eddie Alvarez is a firm believer in the old adage that respect is earned, not given. Despite having a great track record and wins over notable stars including Anthony Pettis and Rafael Dos Anjos, Alvarez is now back to square one in ONE Championship and is ready to earn any respect he receives. Back in March, Eddie Alvarez made his ONE Championship debut against Timofey Nastyukhin. He experienced a first-round TKO at the hands of the Russian fighter. Many fans predicted Alvarez would win and were shocked by the outcome. There were residual expectations coming from his UFC and Bellator careers that not all debuting ONE Championship fighters have to contend with.
TJ Dillashaw starts new business during USADA suspension
Natasha Hooper - June 28, 2019
TJ Dillashaw is exploring a new business venture amid his United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) suspension. The former UFC bantamweight champion sent shockwaves through the MMA community after testing positive for EPO earlier this year. The 135-pound fighter was subsequently suspended for two years by USADA.
Jon Jones offers to train Robert Whittaker for Israel Adesanya fight
Christopher Taylor - June 27, 2019
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has offered to train Robert Whittaker for his title unification bout with Israel Adesanya. The news come shortly after ‘Bones’ complimented Whittaker in a recent interview calling him the ‘real deal’ and ‘a stand-up guy’, this while adding that he can’t wait to see Robert ‘stomp a mudhole’ in the face of Israel Adesanya.
Miesha Tate explains why she'd rather have Ronda Rousey's career than Amanda Nunes'
Cole Shelton - June 27, 2019
According to former UFC bantamweight champion, Miesha Tate, the career of Ronda Rousey is more desirable than that of Amanda Nunes. When Amanda Nunes beat Cris Cyborg at UFC 232, to become the featherweight and first female champ-champ, the consensus was that she was the greatest female fighter of all-time. And, she even admitted that herself.
Francis Ngannou 'Definitely' Wants To Fight Jon Jones
Fernando Quiles - June 27, 2019
Many have been wondering how Jon Jones would fare in the heavyweight division and Francis Ngannou wouldn’t mind being a dance partner. Ngannou and Jones are currently on different paths. ‘The Predator’ is set to take on former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos in the main event of UFC Minneapolis this Saturday night (June 29). Meanwhile, ‘Bones’ is scheduled to defend his light heavyweight gold against Thiago Santos in the UFC 239 headliner on July 6.
UFC's Dana White admits he wants to book Tom Cruise vs. Justin Bieber fight: 'It's true'
Tom Taylor - June 27, 2019
Justin Bieber was only messing around when he called for a fight with actor Tom Cruise in the UFC’s Octagon. Yet the pop star’s words have snowballed to the point that UFC President Dana White has actually made a concerted effort to set the fight up. “I should have known this was going to be the first question,” White, the guest speaker at at Hashtag Sports 2019, joked during a Q&A (via MMA Junkie). “Listen, if I can make that fight, I’d be all over that fight. It’d be the biggest pay-per-view in the history of pay-per-view.”
Joseph Benavidez says he's better than UFC champ-champ Henry Cejudo
Fernando Quiles - June 27, 2019
Joseph Benavidez already has a victory over Henry Cejudo and he feels lightning can strike twice. Benavidez and Cejudo shared the cage back in Dec. 2016. Cejudo was coming off a first-round TKO loss to Demetrious Johnson. In the first round against Benavidez, Cejudo was deducted a point for low blows. The bout went the distance and Benavidez was awarded the split decision victory. Since that bout, Cejudo has gone 5-0 and he is the UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion.
Dana White proclaims Jon Jones 'the best ever'
Tom Taylor - June 27, 2019
Fight fans love to debate about the greatest fighter of all time. But in the eyes of UFC President Dana White, there’s really no sense in debating it anymore. He believes reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has irrefutable claim to that title — which is especially impressive considering the troubles he’s had outside the cage. “This isn’t about a dominant, dominant champion. This is about the greatest of all time,” Dana White said in an interview with ESPN (transcript via MMA News). “We’re at a point now where, to keep saying, ‘Oh, he could possibly….’ He is. He’s it. Jon Jones is it. Nightmare outside of the Octagon, nightmare for opponents inside the Octagon. And when you look at what this guy has been able to do, the fact that we can sit here…I call him the greatest, you don’t disagree, and most other people wouldn’t, either, and the lifestyle that he’s lived outside the Octagon is pretty amazing. I mean, this guy is a freak of nature. He’s phenomenal. He’s the best ever.”
UFC rankings update: 'Korean Zombie' rises at featherweight
Tom Taylor - June 27, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of last Saturday’s UFC Greenville card, and as expected “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung has taken a big climb up the featherweight list on the strength of his first-round drubbing of Renato Moicano. In fact, the Korean Zombie has caused something of a domino effect at featherweight, as his recent opponent Yair Rodriguez has also taken a big climb up the ranks, while a host of others have dropped down two or three spots each.
Luke Rockhold: Jon Jones doesn't really want to fight 'DC' at heavyweight
Fernando Quiles - June 27, 2019
Luke Rockhold believes Jon Jones is doing all he can to avoid a heavyweight bout with Daniel Cormier. Jones is the reigning UFC light heavyweight title holder. He’ll put his gold on the line against Thiago Santos at UFC 239 on July 6. Rockhold will also be on the card and he’ll make his 205-pound debut against Jan Blachowicz. Rockhold has made it clear that he feels he can give “Bones” the toughest challenge.
Firas Zahabi: Georges St-Pierre open to UFC return for 'really amazing' offer
Adam Martin - June 27, 2019
Although Georges St-Pierre officially announced his retirement from the UFC back in February, his long-time head trainer at Tristar gym still believes he could one day return to the Octagon. Speaking on his YouTube Channel, Zahabi admitted that the welterweight legend is still training in his hometown of Montreal, and that he thinks St-Pierre could make a return to the Octagon if the right offer materializes.
Colby Covington explains why he accepted fight with 'incredible' Robbie Lawler
Tom Taylor - June 27, 2019
Colby Covington was widely expected to get the first crack at new UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, but after a series of twists and turns, he ultimately found himself booked for a crucial welterweight contender bout with the former champion Robbie Lawler instead. Surprisingly, Covington seems to be just fine with this matchup. He gave his take on how it all came to be on the latest episode of BJPenn.com Radio.
Jorge Masvidal explains why he 'loves' Henry Cejudo's trash talk
Cole Shelton - June 27, 2019
Jorge Masvidal is not a big fan of trash talk. The welterweight contender prefers to do his talking in the Octagon. But there is one person who Masvidal can get behind in terms of trash talking, and that is Henry Cejudo. He likes the Olympic gold medalist’s talk because the champ-champ backs it up.
Petr Yan sidelined with elbow injury
Natasha Hooper - June 27, 2019
Petr Yan will be taking some time off due to an elbow injury, according to his manager (via MMA Junkie). Petr Yan (13-1) has gained a lot of respect in the MMA world. Currently ranked number 4 in the bantamweight division, Yan is on a 5-0 winning streak since making his UFC debut. His intelligent footwork, great chin and technical striking ability makes him one of the most exciting upcoming UFC prospects.