MMA News
Cat Zingano explains “very good decision” to part ways with UFC for Bellator
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2020
Bellator featherweight Cat Zingano has explained why she is satisfied with her decision to join the promotion after leaving the UFC. Zingano, 38, is set to make her promotional debut tomorrow night when she squares off against Gabrielle Holloway in the co-main event of Bellator 245. She’s been officially signed as a member of the roster for almost a year now, and she’s certainly ready to prove to the world why she could be a top contender in her new home.
With Frank Camacho out, Brok Weaver now faces short-notice replacement Jalin Turner
Cole Shelton - September 10, 2020
Frank Camacho and Brok Weaver will not share the Octagon on Saturday night anymore. Multiple sources tell BJPENN.com that Camacho is out of the fight. The good news, however, is Jalin Turner has agreed to step up on short notice to battle Weaver.
Henry Cejudo begs UFC President Dana White to allow him to introduce the world to C4
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2020
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo has begged Dana White to allow him to try and win another title in the promotion. Cejudo has been enjoying retirement ever since he successfully defended the Bantamweight Championship against the returning Dominick Cruz in May. Still, while he may have “retired”, he hasn’t really stopped campaigning for a big fight if and when he decides to return to the Octagon.
Alistair Overeem makes it clear he wants Jairzinho Rozenstruik rematch: "I still have a score to settle"
Adam Martin - September 9, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem says that he “still has a score to settle” with rival Jairzinho Rozenstruik and he wants a rematch. Overeem is coming off of an impressive fifth-round TKO victory over Augusto Sakai at UFC on ESPN+ 34. The veteran heavyweight has won four of his last five fights by knockout, with the lone blemish in that stretch a controversial KO loss to Rozenstruik last December. After dominating the first four rounds of the fight, Overeem was knocked down by a punch from Rozenstruik with just four seconds left, and referee Dan Miragliotta stopped the fight.
Gilbert Burns roasts Ben Askren for suggesting that "MMA is kinda boring right now"
Christopher Taylor - September 9, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns was not happy about Ben Askren suggesting that Mixed Martial Arts is kind of boring right now. Earlier this afternoon, “Funky” took to Twitter where he shared his thoughts on the current state of MMA.
MMA legend Cris Cyborg set to defend Bellator women's featherweight title against Arlene Blencowe
Adam Martin - September 9, 2020
MMA legend Cris Cyborg will defend the Bellator women’s featherweight title later this year against top contender Arlene Blencowe. Amy Kaplan of FanSided was the first to reveal that Cyborg’s next opponent would be Blencowe. It should be noted that there is currently no date set for this fight, only that it is expected to take place before 2020 is over. Bellator president Scott Coker previously said that Blencowe was likely going to be next in line to fight Cyborg, and this new report all but confirms that is indeed the direction that the Bellator matchmakers are going in.
Stephen Thompson admits Leon Edwards is "the scariest" guy in the division, but isn't interested in fighting him
Cole Shelton - September 9, 2020
Stephen Thompson believes Leon Edwards is the scariest guy in the division but isn’t interested in fighting him for his next fight. After it was reported that Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz would have their rematch, many thought it lined up Leon Edwards and Stephen Thompson to fight. Yet, “Wonderboy” isn’t interested in making that fight happen next.
Dustin Poirier on Tony Ferguson negotiations for UFC 254: "I'm a prizefighter and the prize needs to be right"
Cole Shelton - September 9, 2020
Dustin Poirier is open to making a fight with Tony Ferguson happen next month at UFC 254. For weeks now, it has been rumored Poirier and Ferguson would meet at UFC 254 on October 24. It’s a phenomenal fight and one that makes a ton of sense for the lightweight division. Yet, the fight has yet to be official. For Poirier, he says he is open to making the fight happen.
Kyle Nelson doesn't believe Billy Quarantillo is a "killer", expects to KO him in the first round
Cole Shelton - September 9, 2020
Kyle Nelson isn’t impressed with Billy Quarantillo and his fighting style. Nelson, who has not fought since he knocked out Polo Reyes last September, didn’t have Quarantillo on his radar but is excited to fight him.
Dana White reacts to COVID-19 shakeups on recent UFC cards
Tom Taylor - September 9, 2020
UFC President Dana White has reacted after the lineups for several recent UFC cards have been walloped by coronavirus-related shakeups. Last weekend’s UFC Vegas 9 card was particularly hard-hit by the COVID-19 induced lineup changes, and ultimately went down with far fewer fights on the bill than originally anticipated. This weekend’s UFC Vegas 10 card has also been banged up by the virus, as the originally scheduled Thiago Santos vs. Glover Teixeira light heavyweight main event was cancelled when the latter tested positive.
Robin Black and Bellator launch new 'Fight Secrets' video series
Tom Taylor - September 9, 2020
Bellator MMA and combat sports analyst Robin Black have teamed up to create an intriguing new video series titled Fight Secrets. The first episode of Fight Secrets, which delves into the subtleties of Phil Davis and Lyoto Machida’s games, debuted on the Bellator MMA YouTube channel on Wednesday. See it below:
Marvin Vettori says he's "lost all respect" for former UFC middleweight champ Chris Weidman
Tom Taylor - September 9, 2020
Surging UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori says he’s lost all respect for the division’s former champion, Chris Weidman. Vettori has been angling for a fight with Weidman for months, but so far, his callouts of the former champion have been fruitless. Now, he seems to have given up on that potential fight, conceding that he’s willing to fight pretty much anybody if he’s given five to six weeks to prepare.
Dana White explains why Khamzat Chimaev has two fights booked at once: "It's fun"
Adam Martin - September 9, 2020
UFC president Dana White explained why Khamzat Chimaev has been booked for two fights at once, saying quite simply that “it’s fun.” White recently revealed that Chimaev, a super prospect who many say is a future UFC champion, will fight Gerald Meerschart on September 19 in Las Vegas in a middleweight fight. Chimaev is then expected to fight welterweight veteran Demian Maia a few weeks later. It is rare for a fighter to be booked for two fights at once, which has led some fans and media scratching their heads. As well, Meerscahert called the move “disrespectful.”
Rachael Ostovich booked for first fight in nearly two years, gets Gina Mazany in November
Tom Taylor - September 9, 2020
Fan favorite UFC flyweight contender Rachael Ostovich has been booked for her first fight in almost two years: a November 28 showdown with Gina Mazany. News of this matchup was first reported by MMA Junkie.
Khamzat Chimaev lays out ambitions for "easiest money" fights with Nick and Nate Diaz
Tom Taylor - September 9, 2020
Red-hot UFC welterweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev is hoping for fights with Nick and Nate Diaz in the future—fights he views as “easy money.” Chimaev is currently scheduled to take on Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 11 on September 19. In a rare situation that is wholly indicative of his massive potential, UFC President Dana White has already laid out plans to match Chimaev up with Demian Maia thereafter—much to Meerschaert’s chagrin.
Dana White reacts to Nick Diaz comeback buzz
Tom Taylor - September 9, 2020
UFC President Dana White has reacted to the buzz surrounding a potential comeback for former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz. Diaz, who is also a former UFC welterweight title challenger, has reportedly undergone a test fight camp and weight cut and is plotting a comeback in 2021.
Amanda Ribas slated for UFC 256 return against the former champion Carla Esparza
Andrew Whitelaw - September 9, 2020
A fascinating women’s strawweight clash is reportedly being primed for UFC 256 with No. 7 contender Carla Esparza set to take on No. 12-ranked Amanda Ribas. According to MMA Fighting, the UFC is looking to book this one for their final numbered event of the year which is confirmed for December 12. The card does not currently have any fights confirmed and the location is yet to be revealed. Although, it’s widely believed that the event will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns or a featherweight title fight between Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson, with both fights likely to be made official soon.
Augusto Sakai details gruesome injuries suffered in UFC loss to Alistair Overeem
Harry Kettle - September 9, 2020
UFC heavyweight Augusto Sakai has revealed the injuries he sustained during his loss to Alistair Overeem last weekend. While the rising contender Sakai did look dangerous at points during his showdown with the veteran, he seemed to be overwhelmed by “The Reem” once the fight made it into the championship rounds. At that point, Overeem completely took over before finishing the bout with vicious ground & pound early in the fifth.