UFC NEWS

bjpenndotcom - April 26, 2012

UFC veteran Ricardo Almeida has been announced as one of the judges for the UFC’s upcoming event in New Jersey for UFC on FOX 3. This move breaths new life into the world of MMA judging. Almeida is an accomplished jiu-jitsu player and has been in the Octagon before. He knows what goes on in the cage and won’t be afraid to give a round to a fighter who attacks off their back, for example. This is an exciting announcement as UFC veterans make the perfect judges on paper. Judging has been the target of critics for years, but with a high level fighter like Almeida joining the ranks of UFC judge, hopefully we can see less controversy over close decisions.

bjpenndotcom - April 26, 2012

By Adam Cronklin: A fantastic card is made better as every drug test from the UFC on Fuel TV 2 event from Sweden, came back clean. All 24 fighters were tested under an election conducted by the Swedish MMA Federation. This was a good move for Sweden especially in a time where so many athletes are under scrutiny for using questionable substances.

BJPENN.COM News - April 25, 2012

By Evan Stoumbelis: On this week’s edition of Just Scrap Radio, host Jens Pulver and guest co-host Abel Pulver discussed many things. From Marloes Coenen’s knowledge about Alistair Overeem’s PED use, to UFC 145 results and an interview with special guest, Yves Edwards. The self-proclaimed “Thug Jitsu Master” boasts a 41-18-1 record (9-6 UFC), with 17 of his wins coming by way of submission, and 15 of his wins coming by way of knockout including a devastating knockout against Josh Thomson at UFC 49. Most recently, Yves lost to Ultimate Fighter winner Tony Ferguson via unanimous decision during The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale on December 3rd. During the course of the interview, Jens asked, “What’ve you been up to, and what do you have coming up? When’re we going to see an Yves Edwards sighting?”

bjpenndotcom - April 23, 2012

By Jonathan Kirschner: The deck has been shuffled and yet another change has been made to the UFC 146 main card.

BJPENN.COM News - April 22, 2012

By Evan Stoumbelis Yesterday the MMA world saw Jon Jones defend his title against Rashad Evans, Eddie Alvarez defeat Shinya Aoki at Bellator 66, and we learned that former heavyweight champion Frank Mir would be filling Alistair Overeem’s spot in the main event of UFC 146 against Junior Dos Santos for the heavyweight championship.

bjpenndotcom - April 20, 2012

By Adam Conklin: Main events usually cast a shadow that covers most of the main card. However, this shadow should not block the talent on the undercard. This is unfortunately the case with this weekends UFC 145 event, headlined, of course, by Jon Jones defending his title against Rashad Evans. Before I travel to far down that road though, lets discuss the co-main event. Canadian born welterweight powerhouse, Rory MacDonald (12-1) takes on the dangerous newcomer Che Mills (14-4, 1 NC). MacDonald is an all around monster similar to that of teammate and fellow welterweight, Georges St Pierre. He made his professional debut at 16 years old and has been improving ever since. He has fast, crisp, and powerful striking that he employs effortlessly on his opponents. Quite possibly the best display of his striking was against Carlos Condit. He brought the interim champ to the brink of defeat and outclassed him for most of the fight. He was unfortunately stopped with around ten seconds left in the fight after Condit went on a warpath in the third.

BJPENN.COM News - April 20, 2012

By Evan Stoumbelis Most of you are probably aware that this Saturday Jon ‘Bones’ Jones will be defending his light-heavyweight title against former teammate and former light-heavyweight champion ‘Suga’ Rashad Evans. I for one am excited for this event, I traveled to Chicago to see ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Phil Davis face Rashad for the #1 contender spot, and I cant wait to see how this fight plays out. One fight on the preliminary card that I cant wait to see, is Matt ‘The Immortal’ Brown vs Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. Both fighters fought at UFC 143 where Stephen Thompson shocked audiences in his UFC debut when he knocked out Dan Stittgen in the first round with a roundhouse kick to the head. Dana White awarded Wonderboy with the Knockout of the night. Matt Brown also fought on the preliminary card against former TUF contestant Chris Cope. Brown won the fight by TKO in the second round. Both Thompson and Brown like the standup game, with Brown considering himself a ‘technical brawler’ and Thompson a highly skilled kick boxer, with an outstanding kickboxing record of 63-0.

bjpenndotcom - April 19, 2012

By Adam Conklin: BJPENN.COM recently reported that the UFC 147 date and/or location is in jeopardy of being changed due to the United Nations convention, Rio +20. Although these are just rumors for the time being, Anderson Silva has already expressed his displeasure towards the situation in saying that the fight must take place in Brazil.

BJPENN.COM News - April 17, 2012

By Evan Stoumbelis: 197,000 people tuned in this past weekend to UFC on Fuel TV 2, where among others, Dennis Siver, Brian Stann, and Alexander Gustafsson emerged victorious. This is similar to the 217,000 viewers that watched UFC on Fuel TV 1, which set an all time prime time rating record for Fuel TV. This event marked the end of the UFC’s 43 day hiatus, and aired just 7 days before UFC 145, during which Jon Jones will defend his Light-Heavyweight title against Rashad Evans.

BJPENN.COM News - April 17, 2012

By Evan Stoumbelis: After defeating Thiago Silva this past weekend, Light Heavyweight Alex Gustafsson feels he’s ready to face one of the top 5 light heavyweight fighters in the division, and feels “more than ready” to fight for the title should the opportunity present itself.   Gustafsson said that he had no added pressure during this last fight, and said ““It just motivated me more. I was super excited for this fight. I don’t feel any pressure. I just go out there and do what I love to do,” Gustafsson told Fox Sports. “The crowd was amazing. I couldn’t even hear my coaches in the corner. I’m proud fighting here at home and in the UFC.”  Gustafsson’s may have exaggerated a bit, seeing as how this was a big fight for him, against Thiago Silva, who was making his comeback in this fight.  

BJPENN.COM News - April 15, 2012

By Evan Stoumbelis: After Alistair Overeem failed his random screening for PED’s last week with elevated testosterone levels of 14:1 which exceeds the maximum ratio of 6:1 everyone has put forth their opinion, and there has been talk of who will be Overeem’s replacement should the NSAC not allow him to fight. The one man that has been silent however, is Dana White. Dana explained in a recent interview why he had been silent on the issue, saying “I will snap and freak out and I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to talk about it. I’m too upset about it. Seriously, I can’t talk about it.”

BJPENN.COM News - April 14, 2012

By Evan Stoumbelis: Cutting 10 pounds, missing weight, and #9 ranked featherweight Diego Nunes couldn’t hinder Dennis Siver in his debut bout at the 145 pound division. In round 1 Siver comes out and establishes octagon control, as Nunes circles around the outside, they get within striking range as both men throw head kicks that miss. Siver connects with a punch and follows with a failed takedown attempt. Nunes goes on the offense now, throwing a kick, followed by a punch, both shots land. Nunes throws a hook which connects at the same time as Siver’s body kick. Nunes attempts a spinning back kick, but is caught with a heavy kick to the chest. Nunes recovers and the two men exchange punches and kicks with Siver connecting with the majority of his strikes. Nunes attempts his second spinning hook kick but misses, giving Siver an opening at a solid leg kick which connects. They clinch up, Nunes lands a few knees and Siver lands a few body shots.

BJPENN.COM News - April 13, 2012

By: Evan Stoumbelis UFC Lightweight Dennis “The Meanace” Siver (19-8) is moving down to the 145 featherweight division and is set to face Diego “The Gun” Nunes (17-2) at the upcoming UFC on FUEL TV 2 event tomorrow night. Siver was set to have a rematch with Ultimate Fighter winner Ross Pearson at the same event, but with the recent change in weight classes, will be facing Diego Nunes instead. Diego Nunes doesn’t plan on “Giving an inch” in the division

BJPENN.COM News - April 12, 2012

By Evan Stoumbelis: This Friday on the Ultimate Fighter, Chicago native Chris “Bad Boy” Tickle is set to represent Team Cruz against Joe Proctor of Team Faber. Chris Tickle holds a 7-4 record and has quickly become one of the more recognizable cast members, with his “Bad Boy” attitude and somewhat loudmouth style. Joe Proctor on the other hand is 7-1 and is coming off a submission victory.

BJPENN.COM News - April 10, 2012

By Evan Stoumbelis: UFC Middleweight champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva took some time recently to give his thoughts on the coaches of The Ultimate Fighter Brazil, Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva and Vitor “the Phenom” Belfort. The coaches are set to square off at UFC 147 in Brazil, where Anderson Silva will be defending his title against long time rival, Chael Sonnen in the main event. These coaches fought back in 1998 in Rio De Janeiro, where “The Phenom” decimated “The Axe Murderer” and won the fight in a stunning 44 seconds via knockout.

bjpenndotcom - April 9, 2012

By Adam Conklin: Vitor Belfort will soon face off with fellow TUF: Brazil Coach, Wanderlei Silva. Here Vitor is explaining his fight with Wanderlei Silva, his training camp, Silva vs. Sonnen 2, and the things the base of his motivation.

bjpenndotcom - February 7, 2012

Old school photo…2000 Jiujitsu was my life…i was so proud of this accomplishment… Personally it is still my greatest accomplishment! Charuto found the pic at MMA Fighter Kaynan Kaku’s house…I always call him The Man the Myth The Legend!!

bjpenndotcom - February 2, 2012