MMA News
Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa disagree on grappling skills: "This fight can be on the ground also"
Tom Taylor - September 25, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and his UFC 253 title challenger Paulo Costa don’t agree on who has the grappling edge. Adesanya and Costa will meet in the main event of UFC 253 on Saturday night. While the pair are known first and foremost as strikers, it sounds like they could end up grappling a bit too.
Mike Perry reacts to Robbie Lawler booking
Tom Taylor - September 25, 2020
“Platinum” Mike Perry seems to be pretty excited for his newly announced fight with former UFC welterweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler. News of this dynamite welterweight matchup was reported by ESPN on Thursday. The fight will go down at UFC 255 on November 21.
Marvin Vettori finally books an opponent, returns at UFC 256 against Omari Akhmedov
Harry Kettle - September 25, 2020
UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori finally has another opponent after being booked in a rematch against Omari Akhmedov at UFC 256, MMA Junkie reports. The outspoken Italian has been pleading for another chance to prove himself against one of the division’s best in the wake of his dominant submission win over Karl Roberson back in June. Now, in addition to being given another fight, he’ll also have the opportunity to right a wrong from earlier on in his career.
UFC 253 weigh-in results: Main event official, two fighters miss weight
Tom Taylor - September 25, 2020
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens with the stacked UFC 253 card, the first of five consecutive events on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. UFC 253 will be headlined by a dynamite middleweight title fight between undefeated UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, and ferocious challenger Paulo Costa, who is also unbeaten.
UFC 253: ‘Adesanya vs Costa’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - September 25, 2020
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Fight Island this weekend for UFC 253, headlined by a mammoth Middleweight Championship showdown between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa. Event: UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa Date: Saturday, 26th September 2020 Location: Flash Forum, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Broadcast: ESPN2, ESPN+ PPV (7pm/8pm/10pm EST)
Mike Tyson says he "would love" to box Anthony Joshua for charity
Adam Martin - September 24, 2020
Heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson says that he “would love” to step into the ring and box Anthony Joshua if it was for charity. Tyson is set to make his return to the ring in November when he takes on Roy Jones Jr. in a heavyweight exhibition match between two legends of the sport. Although Tyson is 54 years old and hasn’t fought since 2005, he has been sharing plenty of videos of his training camp and he appears to be in incredible shape for his comeback.
Thiago Santos vs. Glover Teixeira booked for third time to headline November Fight Night card
Cole Shelton - September 24, 2020
The UFC is hoping the third time is the charm for Thiago Santos vs. Glover Teixeira. Thiago Santos and Glover Teixeira were first set to headline a Fight Night card on Sept. 12 yet Teixeira tested positive for COVID-19 and the fight was moved to Oct. 3. Unfortunately, Santos tested positive for COVID-19 leaving the fight to be re-booked to headline a Nov. 7 Fight Night card according to ESPN.
Dan Hooker reveals the three opponents he wants to fight next
Cole Shelton - September 24, 2020
Dan Hooker has three names in mind for his next opponent. Hooker is coming off a decision loss to Dustin Poirier in what was one of the fight of the years so far in 2020. Although he lost, he didn’t lose any stock and hopes his next fight will be against either Tony Ferguson, Michael Chandler, or Charles Oliveira.
UFC 253 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz title fight
Cole Shelton - September 24, 2020
In the co-main event of UFC 253, the vacant light heavyweight title is on the line as Dominick Reyes takes on Jan Blachowicz. Heading into the fight, Reyes is a -300 favorite while the Pole is a +230 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are unanimous in thinking it will be Reyes winning the fight and finally becoming the champion after many thought he beat Jon Jones last time out.
Diego Sanchez shares hopes for retirement fight against Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2020
UFC veteran Diego Sanchez hopes to close the curtain on his mixed martial arts career by fighting former two-division champion Conor McGregor. Sanchez will return to the Octagon on the undercard of UFC 253 this Saturday on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi when he takes on Australia’s Jake Matthews. The bout will mark the first of four obligations on his latest UFC contract.
Full betting odds released for UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa
Adam Martin - September 24, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the 11 fights scheduled to take place Saturday’s UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa event. In the main event, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya puts his title on the line against the undefeated contender from Brazil Paulo Costa. Adesanya is a perfect 8-0 in the UFC and Costa is 5-0 himself, so this a dream fight between two of the best middlweights in the sport in the prime of their careers who are unbeaten in the UFC.
Dana White confirms Khamzat Chimaev will fight ranked opponent in UFC main event next
Adam Martin - September 24, 2020
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that emerging star Khamzat Chimaev will fight a ranked opponent in a UFC main event his next time out. Chimaev is one of the UFC’s up-and-coming superstars. The 26-year-old Swede made his UFC debut back in July on Fight Island and made history by picking up two victories in a 10-day span, over John Phillips and Rhys McKee. The hype train was already surging at that point, but a 17-second KO win over Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 11 has shot him into the ranks of the most-talked-about fighters in the sport.
Khamzat Chimaev once again targets fight with "the Burger King guy" Conor McGregor
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2020
Surging UFC prospect Khamzat Chimaev has once again set his sights on former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor—the so-called “Burger King guy.” Chimaev was the star of summer, 2020 for the UFC. The Sweden-based fighter first picked up two wins in the span of 10 days on Fight Island in July, defeating John Phillips by first-round submission and Rhys McKee by first-round TKO, then picked up his third win of the season when he knocked out Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 11, also in the first round.
Paulo Costa refutes expectation that he will "chase" Israel Adesanya in the Octagon
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2020
Paulo Costa is refuting the widespread expectation that he’ll “chase” UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in their UFC 253 middleweight title fight. Costa is known as one of the most aggressive fighters in MMA, while Adesanya is known as a more defense-minded counter-striker. Given that, many fans expect Costa to follow his foe around the ring on fight night.
Dana White not sure he "heard anything racist" from Colby Covington
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2020
Surging UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington made some very controversial comments after his win over Tyron Woodley, but UFC President Dana White isn’t sure any of it qualifies as racist. Covington, a die-hard Donald Trump supporter, defeated former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, an African American and dedicated BLM supporter, in the main event of UFC Vegas 11 in Las Vegas. Post-fight, he called into question not only Woodley but the entire BLM movement.
Khamzat Chimaev claims next fight will be "five-round main event"
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2020
Rising UFC star Khamzat Chimaev claims he has the date for his next fight, and that it will be contested in a “five-round main event.” The details on his opponent for that fight, however, remain a mystery.
Video | Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa square off on Fight Island
Tom Taylor - September 24, 2020
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC 253, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will attempt to defend his title against his fiercest challenger yet, Paulo Costa. On Wednesday, Adesanya and Costa came face-to-face for a pre-fight staredown, and as expected, it was quite tense. See it below:
Dan Hooker open to kneeing Michael Chandler’s chin off and sending him “back to the B-Leagues”
Harry Kettle - September 24, 2020
UFC lightweight Dan Hooker has made it crystal clear that he is interested in a fight against promotional newcomer Michael Chandler. Hooker, who is coming off the back of a narrow loss to Dustin Poirier, has never been shy when it comes to calling out those in his division that he wants to fight. The aforementioned Chandler has finally made the jump over to the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is expected to serve as the back-up fighter for UFC 254’s main event between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje.