UFC president Dana White revealed on Tuesday that he has spoken with BJ Penn about his return to active MMA competition. When he was reached for comment by MMAjunkie, White confirmed the news of Penn coming out of retirement, but was short on details.
“(It’s) true,” White told MMAjunkie. “But I don’t know when or who he will fight.”
UFC president Dana White revealed on Tuesday that he has spoken with BJ Penn about his return to active MMA competition. When he was reached for comment by MMAjunkie, White confirmed the news of Penn coming out of retirement, but was short on details.
“(It’s) true,” White told MMAjunkie. “But I don’t know when or who he will fight.”
UFC featherweight champ Conor McGregor was under investigation by authorities in Ireland after posting a photo on Instagram of him holding an automatic rife. McGregor, who was wearing a ski mask in the photo, later apologized and claimed he was using an Airsoft gun to rehearse for a movie role. Carrying an Airsoft gun in public could still be a violation, and on January 7th Irish authorities stated: “We are investigating the circumstances under which the photo was taken.”
According to TMZ Sports, Irish police have concluded their investigation, which began earlier this month. A spokesperson told TMZ on Tuesday that the police had determined “no offense was committed” in relation to McGregor’s photo.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BAOA3AHrztJ/
McGregor’s next fight is against Rafarl dos Anjos at UFC 197 on March 5, 2016 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. We’ll have live round-by-round coverage right here on MMANews.com.
UFC featherweight champ Conor McGregor was under investigation by authorities in Ireland after posting a photo on Instagram of him holding an automatic rife. McGregor, who was wearing a ski mask in the photo, later apologized and claimed he was using an Airsoft gun to rehearse for a movie role. Carrying an Airsoft gun in public could still be a violation, and on January 7th Irish authorities stated: “We are investigating the circumstances under which the photo was taken.”
According to TMZ Sports, Irish police have concluded their investigation, which began earlier this month. A spokesperson told TMZ on Tuesday that the police had determined “no offense was committed” in relation to McGregor’s photo.
A photo posted by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on
McGregor’s next fight is against Rafarl dos Anjos at UFC 197 on March 5, 2016 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. We’ll have live round-by-round coverage right here on MMANews.com.
Penn said on The MMA Hour this week that he’s coming back to MMA to fight in the featherweight division, and he’s aiming for UFC gold.
“That’s who I am, Ariel,” Penn told Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour. “That’s who I am. That’s what I do. I want to go get that 145-pound belt. That’s definitely a huge motivation for me. I believe with Greg Jackson’s help, I can get that done. And I believe that I will be able to walk away as the only man with three titles in three weight divisions.”
Penn ended his career on a three-fight losing streak in 2014. What do you think of Penn’s return? Sound off in the comments below!
Penn said on The MMA Hour this week that he’s coming back to MMA to fight in the featherweight division, and he’s aiming for UFC gold.
“That’s who I am, Ariel,” Penn told Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour. “That’s who I am. That’s what I do. I want to go get that 145-pound belt. That’s definitely a huge motivation for me. I believe with Greg Jackson’s help, I can get that done. And I believe that I will be able to walk away as the only man with three titles in three weight divisions.”
Penn ended his career on a three-fight losing streak in 2014. What do you think of Penn’s return? Sound off in the comments below!
Patrick Cote, who is fresh off a win over Ben Saunders at UFN 81, wants to step into the octagon with Nick Diaz next. Cote says he wants a guy who is ranked in the top 15, and that Diaz is that guy. Here’s what he had to say:
“There’s a guy who’s coming back in August, it’s Nick Diaz,” Cote said in Boston. “I would be very happy to share the Octagon with him. He’s a big name. I have nothing personal against him. I’m a big fan of the Diaz brothers. I know he’s going to bring it. It’s going to be a fun fight to promote. If it’s not him, I think I really deserve to be in the top 15 and fight a top 15 guy.”
Diaz’s five-year suspension has been reduced to 18 months, which will allow him to return to competition as soon as August 1st. He was suspended after UFC 183 when he tested over the limits for marijuana metabolites in a post-fight drug screening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAuZJZkZkfY
Patrick Cote, who is fresh off a win over Ben Saunders at UFN 81, wants to step into the octagon with Nick Diaz next. Cote says he wants a guy who is ranked in the top 15, and that Diaz is that guy. Here’s what he had to say:
“There’s a guy who’s coming back in August, it’s Nick Diaz,” Cote said in Boston. “I would be very happy to share the Octagon with him. He’s a big name. I have nothing personal against him. I’m a big fan of the Diaz brothers. I know he’s going to bring it. It’s going to be a fun fight to promote. If it’s not him, I think I really deserve to be in the top 15 and fight a top 15 guy.”
Diaz’s five-year suspension has been reduced to 18 months, which will allow him to return to competition as soon as August 1st. He was suspended after UFC 183 when he tested over the limits for marijuana metabolites in a post-fight drug screening.
Urijah Faber recently told FOX Sports that he’s been waiting for another shot at Dominick Cruz. Faber and Cruz each have one win over each other, making a potential third fight the rubbermatch. Here’s what he had to say:
“Cruz, you have got to give it to him. What a journey he has been on,” Faber told Fox Sports on the post-fight show. “He’s a real champion, he’s a true champion, he’s only lost to one team, that’s Team Alpha Male. He’s only lost to one guy, that’s me.”
“And I feel like I beat him the second time also. I connected to his chin. I know he feels like he’s hard to hit. I found his chin, his butt found the ground, and I’m going to make that happen again. So let’s do it, Dom! this has been a long time coming.”
“I’ve been sticking around a couple extra years just to let you heal up buddy! You’re not made for battle. Thank goodness you made it out this thing, hopefully alive, hopefully, the foot’s okay. Let’s do this!”
Faber’s most-recent fight was a victory over Frankie Saenz at UFC 194.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_kfu839OVU
Urijah Faber recently told FOX Sports that he’s been waiting for another shot at Dominick Cruz. Faber and Cruz each have one win over each other, making a potential third fight the rubbermatch. Here’s what he had to say:
“Cruz, you have got to give it to him. What a journey he has been on,” Faber told Fox Sports on the post-fight show. “He’s a real champion, he’s a true champion, he’s only lost to one team, that’s Team Alpha Male. He’s only lost to one guy, that’s me.”
“And I feel like I beat him the second time also. I connected to his chin. I know he feels like he’s hard to hit. I found his chin, his butt found the ground, and I’m going to make that happen again. So let’s do it, Dom! this has been a long time coming.”
“I’ve been sticking around a couple extra years just to let you heal up buddy! You’re not made for battle. Thank goodness you made it out this thing, hopefully alive, hopefully, the foot’s okay. Let’s do this!”
Faber’s most-recent fight was a victory over Frankie Saenz at UFC 194.
Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle recently spoke on CM Punk’s upcoming UFC debut. Angle at one point was going to switch from pro wrestling to MMA, but UFC president Dana White said Angle didn’t pass the physical exam. Kurt recently spoke to DigitalSpy about CM Punk making that same switch:
“I wouldn’t say he is a young 37, I think that he’s a beat-up 37, but he has been able to take the year off – that’s going to help,” Angle said. “I just don’t know how good he is. I know he’s training, but I don’t know how good he is as a fighter. He’s a great pro-wrestler, but fighting is a different story.”
Angle concluded that either way, Punk will draw attention to the UFC with his debut fight: “He will draw, he will draw, and we’ll see how he does.”
CM Punk is expected to fight Mickey Gall (1-0) at UFC 199 in June. Kurt Angle will be appearing as as a commentator for Bellator MMA’s live Spike TV show on February 19. The main event is Royce Gracie vs. Ken Shamrock, and Kurt Angle has stated he may take a fight with Shamrock later this year.
Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle recently spoke on CM Punk’s upcoming UFC debut. Angle at one point was going to switch from pro wrestling to MMA, but UFC president Dana White said Angle didn’t pass the physical exam. Kurt recently spoke to DigitalSpy about CM Punk making that same switch:
“I wouldn’t say he is a young 37, I think that he’s a beat-up 37, but he has been able to take the year off – that’s going to help,” Angle said. “I just don’t know how good he is. I know he’s training, but I don’t know how good he is as a fighter. He’s a great pro-wrestler, but fighting is a different story.”
Angle concluded that either way, Punk will draw attention to the UFC with his debut fight: “He will draw, he will draw, and we’ll see how he does.”
CM Punk is expected to fight Mickey Gall (1-0) at UFC 199 in June. Kurt Angle will be appearing as as a commentator for Bellator MMA’s live Spike TV show on February 19. The main event is Royce Gracie vs. Ken Shamrock, and Kurt Angle has stated he may take a fight with Shamrock later this year.
