MMA News
Aljamain Sterling plans to quiet his doubters after Petr Yan rematch at UFC 273: "I smoke him, what are people going to say?"
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2022
Aljamain Sterling is excited to prove his doubters wrong at UFC 273. Sterling is set to rematch Petr Yan in the co-main event in a highly-anticipated bout. The two first met at UFC 259 when Yan was the champ and the first two rounds were competitive but in the third and fourth rounds, it was clear Yan was beginning to pull away. However, the Russian threw an illegal knee and was DQ’d, leaving Sterling to become the new champ.
Luke Rockhold accuses Paulo Costa of making excuses to avoid fight: "He's looking for a way out"
Josh Evanoff - April 6, 2022
Luke Rockhold has taken aim at Paulo Costa for allegedly turning down a July fight against him. The former UFC middleweight champion announced that he would be returning to the cage last year. He was scheduled to fight Sean Strickland last November, but that bout was scrapped after Rockhold had an injury. Since that cancelation, the former champ has been looking for a fight with Paulo Costa.
Ian Garry expects another highlight reel finish against Darian Weeks at UFC 273: "It won't just be an easy finish, it will be beautiful"
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2022
Ian Garry is eyeing another spectacular finish when he squares off with Darian Weeks at UFC 273 on Saturday night. Garry is set to make his sophomore Octagon appearance this weekend against Weeks. It’s an intriguing matchup but when Garry was offered the fight, he says he didn’t know who Weeks was but the one thing he does know now, is his foe is a very game opponent.
Logan Paul reveals Paddy Pimblett as ideal UFC opponent: "Paddy can sell"
Josh Evanoff - April 6, 2022
Logan Paul has revealed his ideal opponent for a proposed UFC fight. The YouTuber would like to face Paddy Pimblett. The 27-year-old is currently active in both professional wrestling and boxing. However, he’s teased an MMA fight over the years. Paul was previously an accomplished collegiate wrestler before his days as a social media influencer.
Khamzat Chimaev blasts "b***h" Colby Covington, doubts he would fight him: "He’s going to go to the cops"
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev has his eye on Colby Covington should he get past Gilbert Burns at UFC 273. With Kamaru Usman likely to face Leon Edwards next, Chimaev says he wouldn’t be opposed to fighting once more and believes Covington would make sense as that opponent. The two have trash-talked one another in the past which is why Chimaev wants it to happen. However, he doesn’t think ‘Chaos’ would accept the fight.
Petr Yan slams Aljamain Sterling ahead of UFC 273: “He doesn’t behave like a worthy rival or like a man”
Susan Cox - April 6, 2022
With UFC 273 just days away, Petr Yan has slammed Aljamain Sterling claiming he isn’t behaving like a worthy opponent let alone a man. The Petr Yan (16-2 MMA) vs Aljamain Sterling (20-3 MMA) II match-up will take place on Saturday, April 9th at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
UFC 273 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexander Volkanovski vs. Korean Zombie title fight
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2022
In the main event of UFC 273, the featherweight title is up for grabs as Alexander Volkanovski is set to take on Korean Zombie. Heading into the fight, Volkanovski is a massive -720 favorite while the challenger is a +500 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros actually believe the fight is much closer than the odds make it out to be, but the slight majority are thinking Volkanovski defends his belt.
Robert Whittaker and Tai Tuivasa critical of Aljamain Sterling’s champ status: “You didn’t win the belt, you were given it. It’s different.”
Susan Cox - April 6, 2022
Robert Whittaker and Tai Tuivasa are not mincing words and are both being critical of Aljamain Sterling’s champ status ahead of his upcoming match with Petr Yan this weekend. It will be Aljamain Sterling (20-3 MMA) vs Petr Yan (16-2 MMA) II at UFC 273 this Saturday, April 9th in the bantamweight co-main event.
UFC 273 | Pro fighters make their picks for Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2022
In the co-main event of UFC 273, the bantamweight title is up for grabs as Aljamain Sterling rematches Petr Yan. Heading into the fight, Sterling is a +360 underdog while the interim champ is a -490 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. As seen below, many of the pros believe Yan defeats Sterling with ease in the rematch, while a select few are picking ‘Funkmaster’ to edge out the win.
Shavkat Rakhmonov discusses a potential fight with Khamzat Chimaev: “There's nothing extraordinary in what he does”
Susan Cox - April 6, 2022
Shavkat Rakhmonov, 27, the Kazakhstani MMA who competes in the welterweight division of the UFC has discussed the potential of a fight with Khamzat Chimaev. Khamzat Chimaev, also 27, is sporting a current record of 10-0 MMA and is set up to fight Gilbert Burns (20-4 MMA) this coming Saturday, April 9th at UFC 273. Chimaev, a Russian born Swedish fighter, has had dominant performances in the cage and is looking to up his wins to 11 this weekend.
PFL Challenger Series event flagged for suspicious betting activity
Harry Kettle - April 6, 2022
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is under investigation after an event of theirs was flagged for suspicious betting activity. Last Friday night on April 1, the PFL put on a Challenger Series event that was intended to showcase some new faces within the mixed martial arts sphere. However, those who decided to bet on the outcome of the fights involved were left with their accounts under review over the weekend after some strange activity was seen in the hours leading up to the show.
Hasbulla says it’s “on sight” with Abdu Rozik in first-ever interview with Barstool Sports (Video)
Harry Kettle - April 6, 2022
Internet sensation Hasbulla Magomedov has sent a warning to his rival and potential opponent Abdu Rozik. Some pretty bizarre trends have been making headlines on the web over the course of the last few years, but one that’s been particularly relevant in the combat sports space is the rise of Hasbulla Magomedov.
Henry Cejudo responds after being dubbed a “little fat novice” by Conor McGregor
Harry Kettle - April 6, 2022
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo has once again responded to a jibe from Conor McGregor on social media. The bizarre feud between fellow champ champs Henry Cejudo and Conor McGregor has been ongoing for a few months now. While it’s incredibly unlikely we’ll ever see the two square off inside the Octagon, that hasn’t stopped them from teeing off on one another through Twitter.
Khamzat Chimaev criticizes Kamaru Usman's win streak: "Who he beat, brother?"
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t think highly of Kamaru Usman. Chimaev is set to face Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 and should he win, it seems likely he would get a title shot against Usman. It would be a fight many fans would like to see as it would be a very intriguing matchup but one that Chimaev is confident in.
"I don't subscribe to the idea he looked bad in his last fights" - Chael Sonnen believes Tony Ferguson not declining ahead of Michael Chandler bout
Josh Evanoff - April 5, 2022
Chael Sonnen doesn’t seem to believe that Tony Ferguson has lost a step ahead of his fight with Michael Chandler. The former UFC interim lightweight champion is currently on a three-fight losing streak. ‘El Cucuy’ has suffered recent defeats at the hands of Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveria, and Beneil Dariush. It’s worth noting that all three of those bouts were very lopsided as well.
"I don't care if he wins" - Sean O'Malley announces he won't be cornering Petr Yan at UFC 273
Josh Evanoff - April 5, 2022
Sean O’Malley has joined Henry Cejudo by announcing he won’t be cornering Petr Yan this weekend. ‘No Mercy’ is set to return at UFC 273 this Saturday in a rematch against Aljamain Sterling. Their first encounter in March 2021 ended in a fourth-round disqualification victory for ‘Funk Master’. With the loss, Yan became the first-ever UFC fighter to lose his title via DQ.
Brendan Schaub perplexed by UFC's hesitation to sign Jake Paul: "He's more suited than CM Punk"
Josh Evanoff - April 5, 2022
Brendan Schaub is a little confused by the UFC’s hesitation to sign Jake Paul. ‘The Problem Child’ has spent the last year running down the promotion and various fighters. He’s called out names such as Jorge Masvidal, Nate Diaz, and Conor McGregor. Meanwhile, in the boxing ring, he’s knocked out UFC alumni such as Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley.
Alex Volkanovski says the decision to stop trying to please everyone has paid off ahead of UFC 273
Susan Cox - April 5, 2022
Leading up to UFC 273 this coming Saturday, April 9th has Alex Volkanovski stating that the decision to stop trying to please everyone has paid off. It will be Alex Volkanovski (23-1 MMA) vs The Korean Zombie (17-6 MMA) in the featherweight main event title bout at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.