MMA News
Curtis Blaydes vs. Chris Daukaus targeted to headline UFC Columbus
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2022
A pivotal heavyweight fight between Curtis Blaydes and Chris Daukaus is set to headline UFC Columbus. According to MMA reporter, Ariel Helwani, Blaydes will take on Daukaus in the main event of UFC Columbus on March 26. The event was supposed to be headlined by Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic, but the former champion had to pull out with an injury.
Israel Adesanya defends Joe Rogan during latest Spotify controversy
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2022
Joe Rogan has found an ally in Israel Adesanya amidst his latest Spotify controversy. The UFC commentator has been in hot water over the last few months due to a variety of scandals. He was first under fire for his controversial comments about the COVID-19 vaccine on his podcast.
Chael Sonnen praises Dana White following news of Israel Adesanya’s new UFC contract: “Elon Musk will not do this”
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2022
Chael Sonnen has nothing but praise for Dana White after it was announced Israel Adesanya has signed a new UFC contract. Adesanya’s deal was announced by his management company and it is said to make him one of the highest-paid fighters in MMA history. For Sonnen, he says White and Adesanya did everything right as the negotiation never went public.
Israel Adesanya shares audio clip mocking "good guy" Robert Whittaker
Jeffrey Walter - February 10, 2022
The mind games between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker continue ahead of Saturday’s UFC 271 main event. Adesanya (21-1 MMA) will be taking on Whittaker (24-5 MMA) for a second time in this weekend’s much anticipated headliner at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Derrick Lewis reveals he didn't watch Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane: "I tried to stream it but they kept getting shut down"
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2022
Derrick Lewis has revealed that he didn’t want the UFC 270 main event between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane. The news comes as a bit of a surprise, given that ‘The Black Beast’ has a history with both men. Lewis defeated Ngannou via unanimous decision in one of the worst fights ever at UFC 226. Unfortunately, he faltered in his interim championship clash with Gane at UFC 265.
Yoel Romero makes Bellator return in May against Melvin Manhoef
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2022
Yoel Romero has a name and a date for his return to the Bellator cage. The ‘Soldier of God’ signed to the promotion in December 2020 to much fanfare. Romero was a staple of the UFC’s middleweight promotion for nearly a decade. Along the way, he fought in four titles bouts, most recently against Israel Adesanya at UFC 248.
Report | Kayla Harrison's PFL return hits a roadblock
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2022
It appears that Kayla Harrison may not be returning to PFL after all. The Judoka made her name in the PFL over the past three years. Following her victory in the 2021 lightweight tournament, she became a free agent. She began openly hinting at a move to either the UFC or Bellator.
Jared Vanderaa eyes KO win over Andrei Arlovski at UFC 271, wants Tanner Boser next
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2022
Jared Vanderaa is ecstatic to get the chance to share the Octagon with Andrei Arlovski. Vanderaa was booked to fight Chris Barnett on the first card of 2022 but “Beast Boy” had to withdraw before it was made official. Shortly after, Arlovski agreed to step up on short notice to fight Vanderaa on January 15 but the promotion decided to move it to UFC 271 so they can fight in front of fans.
Kyler Phillips plans to "expose" a lot of Marcelo Rojo's "flaws and weaknesses" at UFC 271
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2022
Kyler Phillips sees a lot of holes in Marcelo Rojo’s game and he plans to expose that on Saturday night at UFC 271. Phillips is coming off a controversial decision loss to Raulian Paiva last July and will now face Rojo in what appears to be an all-action fight. For Phillips, he expects Rojo to come out swinging but doubts his foe will be able to keep up with him.
Kamaru Usman wants $100 million for Israel Adesanya fight, responds to callout from Khamzat Chimaev
Susan Cox - February 10, 2022
Kamaru Usman is claiming he wants $100 million for a fight with Israel Adesanya. Usman, who is currently recovering from hand surgery and anticipating a return to UFC this summer, is hinting at the possibility of moving up to 185 pounds.
UFC 271 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jared Cannonier vs. Derek Brunson
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2022
At UFC 271, a potential number one contender bout at middleweight goes down as Jared Cannonier takes on Derek Brunson. Heading into the fight, Cannonier is a -160 favorite while the American is a +140 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are actually going with the underdog in Brunson to be able to outwrestle Cannonier to get the win.
Chael Sonnen believes Robert Whittaker was “petrified” in first fight with Israel Adesanya, shares prediction for Saturday’s rematch
Susan Cox - February 10, 2022
Chael Sonnen has weighed in on the upcoming title fight rematch between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker at UFC 271 this coming weekend, February 12th, 2022. Sonnen, spoke about their first fight and shared his views on what went wrong for ‘The Reaper’ back in October of 2019 at UFC 243 at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
UFC veteran Cub Swanson shares some advice for frustrated lightweight fighter Alexander Hernandez
Harry Kettle - February 10, 2022
UFC veteran Cub Swanson has shared some words of wisdom for Alexander Hernandez following the latter’s recent outburst. Throughout the course of his iconic mixed martial arts career, Cub Swanson has been there and done it all. He’s fought the best of the best from WEC to UFC and beyond, earning the respect of the masses in the process.
Tai Tuivasa weighs in on Carlos Felipe’s failed drug test: “How did he get done for steroids? He’s fat as sh*t!”
Harry Kettle - February 10, 2022
UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa can’t fathom how divisional rival Carlos Felipe tested positive for banned substances. Last month, it was announced that Carlos Felipe tested positive for the anabolic agent Boldenone and its metabolites. The news broke after Felipe fell to a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Andrei Arlovski, with the veteran continuing to enjoy a late-career resurgence.
Paddy Pimblett says Jake Paul’s MMA fighter pay initiative is a publicity stunt: “He's trying to act like a martyr”
Harry Kettle - February 10, 2022
UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett doesn’t believe Jake Paul’s attempt to increase fighter pay amongst UFC fighters is legitimate. If there’s a newcomer in the UFC that’s doing a good job of making some noise right now, it’s Paddy Pimblett. The former Cage Warriors star burst onto the UFC scene last September with a vicious knockout win over Luigi Vendramini, and now, he’s ready to get back into the Octagon for a second time on March 19 when he fights Kazula Vargas at UFC London.
Bobby Green explains why he will always be loyal to the UFC: “They put the money in for my brother’s funeral”
Harry Kettle - February 10, 2022
UFC lightweight Bobby Green has explained why he will always be loyal to the promotion after almost a decade on the roster. At the age of 35, Bobby Green is still an important – and impressive – member of the UFC’s lightweight division. He may not be the most consistent fighter in the world in terms of results, but he’s always going to go out there and put on a show no matter what.
Tai Tuivasa says he'll drink a beer out of Derrick Lewis' cup after UFC 271, 'The Black Beast' responds
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2022
Tai Tuivasa is known for drinking beers out of a shoe but now he wants to do it out of Derrick Lewis’ cup. Tuivasa is set for the toughest test of his career as he will face Lewis in the co-main event of UFC 271. It’s a very intriguing matchup between two knockout artists and fan-favorites and should Tuivasa get his hand raised, he says he wants to drink a beer out of Lewis’ cup instead of a shoe. Lewis, of course, infamously threw his cup to a fan after his KO win over Chris Daukaus in December.
Israel Adesanya shuts down the idea of fighting Kamaru Usman following comments from “super greedy" Ali Abdelaziz
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2022
Israel Adesanya says he’s sticking by his word and won’t fight Kamaru Usman. Adesanya and Usman have both said in the past they won’t fight another as they want as many African champions in the UFC as possible. However, just recently, Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz said he wants to see the fight happen.