MMA News
Jiri Prochazka shares his thoughts on Kamaru Usman possibly fighting at light heavyweight
Harry Kettle - February 2, 2022
UFC star Jiri Prochazka has given his thoughts on Kamaru Usman suggesting he was considering a move to light heavyweight. While it’s well-known that Kamaru Usman isn’t interested in fighting Israel Adesanya at middleweight, few could’ve expected that he’d entertain going all the way up to 205 pounds – but according to the man himself, that’s what he was contemplating when Jan Blachowicz was champion.
Francis Ngannou on the possibility of his UFC career being over: “I’m proud of myself and of what I have achieved”
Harry Kettle - February 2, 2022
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has said that if his time in the promotion is over, he’s proud of what he’s accomplished. At UFC 270 last month, Francis Ngannou successfully defended the UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane. “The Predator” overcame some early adversity and used his wrestling to grind out a decision win, with UFC president Dana White failing to be the man who put the belt on him when Bruce Buffer announced the result.
Kevin Holland explains why he paid travel expenses to humble an internet troll: “Bottom line, people were saying things they shouldn't be saying”
Harry Kettle - February 2, 2022
UFC fighter Kevin Holland has explained why he decided to go head to head with, and easily submit, an internet troll. It’s safe to say that Kevin Holland received his fair share of criticism last year after falling to convincing defeats at the hands of Derek Brunson and Marvin Vettori, bringing him crashing back down to earth after an incredibly successful 5-0 run in 2020. Alas, what some people probably didn’t expect was the level of trolling “Trailblazer” would be subjected to – especially by one individual, Jayden Draper.
Jorge Masvidal to release the true story of 'Judas' Covington: “He will be exposed”
Harry Kettle - February 2, 2022
Jorge Mavisdal has released a cryptic video suggesting he’s going to reveal the “truth” about Colby Covington. At UFC 272 next month, Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington will finally collide in a fascinating welterweight showdown at the T-Mobile Arena. The former friends turned enemies have been hinting at a fight with one another for years and now, it’s finally going to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Israel Adesanya says he's "going to f*ck Whittaker up, again" at UFC 271: "It’s another easy bag"
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2022
Israel Adesanya believes his rematch against Robert Whittaker is another easy paycheck. Adesanya is looking to defend his middleweight title for the fourth time as he rematches Whittaker in the main event of UFC 271 in a very intriguing matchup. The first time they fought, Adesanya scored a second-round TKO to become the new champ and he expects the rematch to be just as easy.
Chael Sonnen on next months Colby Covington vs Jorge Masvidal grudge match: “Those guys do not know each other, whether they think they do or not”
Josh Evanoff - February 1, 2022
Chael Sonnen has weighed in on UFC 272’s grudge match between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal. Covington and Masvidal previously trained together for years. The two were friends and even roommates for a long time. However, the friendship between the two is over, and the two men have been gunning for a fight for some time.
Paulo Costa says he's "not even interested in fighting" unless he rematches Marvin Vettori next: "I want to hurt him"
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2022
Paulo Costa is only interested in fighting Marvin Vettori next. Costa and Vettori headlined a Fight Night card back in October that was full of drama. On fight week, Vettori revealed Costa was not going to make weight and it was reported the bout would be moved to a 195lbs catchweight. Yet, by the time the two ended up sharing the Octagon with one another, it was a light heavyweight scrap.
Kamaru Usman says he was swindled out of $60k by an “attractive” female investment advisor
Josh Evanoff - February 1, 2022
Kamaru Usman has revealed that early in his career, he lost $60k. The way that ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ lost the funds is a bit of an interesting story. As a novice investor, Usman met with a woman who he found attractive. According to the UFC welterweight champion, the woman convinced him that she would be able to make some investments for him.
Jack Hermansson expects to get an "early finish" against Sean Strickland and earn a title shot: "Just go in there and dominate"
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2022
Jack Hermansson wanted to fight someone ranked above him but is excited for the challenge of fighting Sean Strickland. Hermansson is coming off a decision win over Edmen Shahbazyan and will now headline UFC Vegas 47 against Strickland. ‘The Joker’ says he is glad the UFC is giving him an opportunity to headline another card.
Julianna Pena says she was “heartbroken” by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s comments about her UFC 269 win
Susan Cox - February 1, 2022
Julianna Pena, 32, (12-4 MMA) is heartbroken by recent comments made by Khabib Nurmagomedov following her UFC 269 win. Pena defeated Amanda Nunes 33, (21-5 MMA) on December 11, 2021 in Las Vegas to win the UFC women’s bantamweight title. It was said to be one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. Odds were stacked in favor of ‘The Lioness’ but it was not to be, as ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ won by submission with a rear naked choke in the second round.
UFC aims to “enhance the fan experience” by expanding their Apex facility in Las Vegas
Susan Cox - February 1, 2022
The UFC is planning to expand their Apex facility to increase fan capacity and enhance the overall fan experience. The live events and production center is located off the 215 Beltway near Rainbow Boulevard, in Enterprise, Nevada. The current 13,000-square-foot Apex facilities request for expansion is slated to be up for approval at Wednesday’s Feb. 2nd Clark County Zoning Commission meeting. The proposed plan is to host up to 1,000 fans for events, adding food and alcohol service, ticket booths, as well as a souvenir shop.
Joe Rogan believes loss to Israel Adesanya took a serious mental toll on Paulo Costa: “You look like a destroyer and then this skinny dude just lights you up”
Susan Cox - February 1, 2022
Joe Rogan during his recent podcast, ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ spoke about Paulo Costa’s second round TKO loss to Israel Adesanya and how the fight took a serious mental toll on Costa. Costa (13-2 MMA) and Adesanya (21-1 MMA) met at UFC 253 in September 2020 at the du Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The loss was Costa’s first in his professional MMA career.
Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov react as Islam Mamedov escapes deep submission attempt from Benson Henderson (Video)
Harry Kettle - February 1, 2022
Khabib Nurmagomedov was watching on at Bellator 273 after Islam Mamedov managed to escape a deep guillotine attempt. While his mixed martial arts career alone is enough to cement Khabib’s legacy as a legend of the sport, he doesn’t want to sit back and rest on what has already been and gone. Instead, he’s looking to the future, whether it be through Eagle FC or his blossoming run as a coach.
Mark Hunt applauds Jake Paul for Dana White diss video: “I don’t know why people think Dana is a good person, he’s just a ruthless businessman”
Harry Kettle - February 1, 2022
Mark Hunt has given his thoughts on Jake Paul’s Dana White diss track by emphasizing his dislike for the UFC president. It’s no secret that Mark Hunt and the UFC haven’t been big fans of one another in the last six years. Hunt has constantly gone after the promotion, and Dana White specifically, for issues relating to fighter pay as well as the ongoing lawsuit between the two parties. While the UFC seems to be slowly moving towards a conclusion on the latter of those fronts, that doesn’t mean Hunt is going to go quietly into the night.
Sean O’Malley says UFC lightweight Bobby Green doesn’t like him because of 6ix9ine: “He’s always talking sh*t”
Harry Kettle - February 1, 2022
Sean O’Malley has reiterated that UFC lightweight Bobby Green continues to have a problem with him. While he’s an incredibly popular fighter within the UFC fanbase, mainly due to his eccentric personality and skill inside the Octagon, that doesn’t mean Sean O’Malley is beloved by everyone. Some of his fellow members of the UFC roster seem to have an issue with him, and that’s especially true for Bobby Green.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 65 with Jack Hermansson, Sam Alvey, Steven Peterson, Julian Erosa, Jason Witt, and Bryan Battle
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2022
The 65th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 47. We’re first joined by one-half of the main event in sixth-ranked middleweight contender, Jack Hermansson (2:50). Next, UFC middleweight, Sam Alvey (16:12) comes on. UFC featherweights, Steven Peterson (32:00), and Julian Erosa (45:56) then join the show to preview their fight. UFC welterweight, Jason Witt (1:01:13) stops by. Closing out the program is UFC middleweight, Bryan Battle (1:15:37).
Blagoy Ivanov vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima set for UFC 274
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2022
Blagoy Ivanov will finally be making the walk to the Octagon again. Multiple sources have informed BJPENN.com that Ivanov will return at UFC 274 on May 7 against Marcos Rogerio de Lima at a location TBD. The fight has been in the works for a while and now it is finally a done deal. UFC 274 will see Glover Teixeira defend his light heavyweight belt against Jiri Prochazka while Charles Oliveira will defend his lightweight strap against Justin Gaethje.
Jake Paul "would love" to box former "idol" Anderson Silva
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2022
Jake Paul says he grew up idolizing Anderson Silva so he would love to box the former UFC middleweight champion. Paul says he grew up an MMA fan and even met and got a picture with Silva along with his autograph in a gym in Ohio. He said he’s always enjoyed watching ‘The Spider’ fight and with both men not having their next fight booked, Paul says there is some interest in facing the Brazilian.