MMA News
After Henry Cejudo injury, Petr Yan wants interim title fight against Aljamain Sterling
Cole Shelton - June 20, 2019
At UFC 238, the vacant bantamweight title was on the line as top contender Marlon Moraes was taking on flyweight champion Henry Cejudo. After a solid first round, the Brazilian started to fade and Cejudo TKO’d him in the third. After the fight, the Olympic gold medalist mentioned how he wanted to defend both titles. However, that won’t happen this year as Henry Cejudo is out until early 2020 due to shoulder surgery. With that, Petr Yan wants an interim title fight against Aljamain Sterling, who both won their respective bouts at UFC 238.
Dana White says Chael Sonnen was the best guy to 'piss off other fighters'
Cole Shelton - June 20, 2019
After Chael Sonnen lost to Lyoto Machida at Bellator 222, “The American Gangster” announced his retirement from MMA. The 42-year-old never reached his goal of capturing a major MMA title, which he considers to be a failure, but he was one of the major draws in the sport. The Oregon native, Chael Sonnen, fought the top names in the sport and knew how to sell a fight with his mouth. The lead up to his title fights with Anderson Silva and his scrap against Tito Ortiz were among the best. And, according to UFC President, Dana White, that made Sonnen stay relevant as he could sell a fight and piss off other fighters.
ONE CEO believes Sage Northcutt can be three-sport world champion
Adam Martin - June 20, 2019
When ONE Championship signed Sage Northcutt to a big free-agent contract, the thought was he could become one of the promotion’s stars. But after suffering a devastating knockout loss to Cosmo Alexandre in his ONE debut, many have written off Northcutt as an overrated bust, fairly or unfairly. Even UFC president Dana White said Sage Northcutt would be better off leaving the sport of MMA and pursuing other interests. But if you ask ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong, the promotion is still very much behind the 23-year-old talent, and Northcutt’s boss believes “Super Sage” can still be a world champion.
VIDEO | James Gallagher scuffles with opponent's teammate at Bellator 223 press conference
Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019
Irish Bellator star James Gallagher has never shied away from a little pre-fight trash talk, and at the recent Bellator 223 press conference in London, he wound up swapping plenty of that with a teammate of his opponent, Jeremiah Labiano. The drama began during the press conference, when one of Labiano’s teammates began heckling Gallagher from the crowd. Gallagher responded with a firm lecture for his heckler, who he believed was one of his foe’s coaches.
Jorge Masvidal 'would love to' scrap Nate Diaz
Cole Shelton - June 20, 2019
Ahead of UFC 235, it was reported Nick Diaz would return to the Octagon to take on Jorge Masvidal. But, the Stockton native said he never signed a contract and the fight never happened.”Gamebred” then fought Darren Till, who he knocked out back in March. Now, at UFC 239, Masvidal is taking on Ben Askren in a fight that could earn the winner a title shot. Although the stakes are high for this one, “Gamebred” is already eyeing a future opponent in Nate Diaz, Nick’s little brother.
Israel Adesanya questions Robert Whittaker's status as champion
Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019
Robert Whittaker captured the UFC interim middleweight title with a July, 2017 defeat of Yoel Romero. He was then promoted to undisputed champion when Georges St-Pierre vacated the undisputed title in late 2017. Current interim champ Israel Adesanya, who fights Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 in October, believes Whittaker’s unconventional road to middleweight gold casts doubt on his status as a legitimate champion.
Bellator plans to rapidly expand in Europe
Natasha Hooper - June 20, 2019
The Bellator 223 press conference held today at Leicester Square in London answered many questions about the future of the promotion, particularly in the European market. Scott Coker, the CEO of Bellator and a veteran fight promoter, made his thoughts very clear. During the conference, he discussed the expansion of the promotion on the continent next year:
Conor McGregor could attend Lobov-Malignaggi fight, says BKFC President
Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019
BKFC President Dave Feldman has apparently invited former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor to BKFC 6 in Tampa to watch his good friend Artem Lobov battle his nemesis Paulie Malignaggi. While Feldman has not yet gotten confirmation from McGregor’s camp, he’s confident the Irishman could be in attendance. “They won’t give confirmation yet but if I’m a betting man, I’m betting he’s coming,” Feldman told MMA Fighting. “They’re not going to give confirmation and if they are, they’re not going to tell us so we put it out there ‘hey Conor McGregor’s coming to the fight’ and then he’s mobbed. So it’s not going to happen like that but from the conversations I’m having, if I was going to bet on it, he’ll be there but who knows.”
Chael Sonnen praises skills of Lyoto Machida
Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019
Last weekend, in the co-main event of Bellator 222, Chael Sonnen was stopped by former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida. Shortly thereafter, the fan favorite announced his retirement from MMA. Speaking on his official YouTube channel days later, Sonnen shared his take on this final loss of his impressive career.
BKFC 6 | Pro fighters make their picks for Artem Lobov vs. Paulie Malignaggi
Cole Shelton - June 20, 2019
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returns this Saturday for their biggest card to date. In the card’s main event, Artem Lobov welcomes Paulie Malignaggi into BKFC. Ahead of this fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. And, the majority believe the boxer will get it done, but some think Lobov will be too much for Malignaggi.
Gegard Mousasi interested in Bellator welterweight title — under the right conditions
Tom Taylor - June 20, 2019
This weekend, in the main event of Bellator 223, Gegard Mousasi will attempt to defend the Bellator middleweight strap opposite Rafael Lovato Jr. If he’s successful on this mission, he may then seek a second title in another Bellator division. Previously, Mousasi has expressed interest in moving up to the light heavyweight division to battle reigning champion Ryan Bader for his belt. That being said, he’s now hinting at a potential move down to welterweight, but only if Douglas Lima captures the title from Rory MacDonald, as Mousasi has already decisively beaten MacDonald.
Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya headlines UFC 243 in Melbourne
Adam Martin - June 20, 2019
The two best middleweights in MMA are set to fight in a title unification bout this fall. According to a report from Raphael Marinho of Combate, UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker will take on interim UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 243, which takes place October 6 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. It is the biggest fight in MMA history between fighters from Australia and New Zealand.
Artem Lobov says Paulie Malignaggi doesn't have 'a clue what he is in for'
Cole Shelton - June 19, 2019
In the main event of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 6 this Saturday, Artem Lobov is taking on Paulie Malignaggi. The two have gone back-and-forth with trash talk, and it even got to the point where the former boxing champion spit on “The Russian Hammer” at a press conference. Now, they will finally settle their differences inside the cage. There it will be Lobov’s second fight in BKFC, while it will be Malignaggi’s debut. With the experience in hand, Artem Lobov believes it won’t be a challenge for him to defeat Paulie Malignaggi.
James Gallagher says Conor McGregor 'shouldn't come back unless he gets what he deserves'
Cole Shelton - June 19, 2019
Back in March, Conor McGregor announced his retirement from MMA. Many people believed it was only to keep him in the headlines and he would soon return to action. But, as of right now, there is still no word on if or when the Irishman will return to the Octagon. According to his teammate in James Gallagher, he believes the former champ-champ won’t return unless he gets what he deserves. What Conor McGregor deserves, says Gallagher is a share in the UFC.
Dana White fires back at UFC fans 'terrorizing' him over Tony Ferguson title shot
Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019
Tony Ferguson wants a shot at the UFC lightweight title currently owned by Khabib Nurmagomedov. Riding high on 12-straight wins over some of the division’s best fighters, he’s more than earned the opportunity, and he’s getting tired of waiting. As it turns out, his fans are tired of waiting too.
Julianna Pena makes short-notice return at UFC Sacramento, takes on Nicco Montano
Adam Martin - June 19, 2019
Former Ultimate Fighter winner Julianna Pena has not fought since January 2017, but she’ll be making her return to the Octagon next month at UFC Sacramento. According to Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com, Pena is stepping up on short notice to replace the injured Sara McMann and take on Nicco Montano in a women’s bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night 155, which takes place July 13 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
Ben Askren responds to warning from Jorge Masvidal
Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019
Speaking on the latest episode of BJPenn.com Radio, Jorge Masvidal warned that if his UFC 239 opponent Ben Askren gets too close ahead of their July 6 fight, he could wind up getting the same treatment as Leon Edwards — a three-piece and a soda. In layman’s terms, a few punches outside the cage.
Valentina Shevchenko discusses call with President of Kyrgyzstan, lobbies for UFC event in country
Tom Taylor - June 19, 2019
Earlier this month, in the co-main event of UFC 238 in Chicago, Kyrgyzstan’s Valentina Shevchenko defended the UFC flyweight title with a beautiful head kick knockout of challenger Jessica Eye. Shortly after this dazzling victory, she received a congratulatory phone call from Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. This isn’t the first this has happened, but it was still a pretty special moment for the flyweight champ.