MMA News
Rose Namajunas reveals her “ultimate life purpose”, plans for UFC retirement
Harry Kettle - November 5, 2021
UFC star Rose Namajunas has revealed that her ultimate life purpose, beyond mixed martial arts, is to become a farmer. This weekend at UFC 268, Rose Namajunas will attempt to cement her position as the best strawweight in the world when she defends her UFC title against Zhang Weili. It comes just months after Namajunas knocked Weili out with a head kick, winning the belt in the process.
Dana White names the “four baddest women on Earth” ahead of UFC 268
Harry Kettle - November 5, 2021
UFC president Dana White has listed who he believes to be the four baddest women on Earth – within mixed martial arts. Over the course of the last few weeks there’s been a lot of debate about what it means to be elite in women’s MMA and who qualifies. In many instances, the UFC is home to the world’s greatest female fighters – but the likes of Kayla Harrison and Cris Cyborg serve as an exception to that.
Michael Chandler and Dana White seemingly dismiss the notion that Islam Makhachev could skip the line for a UFC title shot
Christopher Taylor - November 4, 2021
Dana White has seemingly dismissed the notion that Islam Makhachev could leapfrog Michael Chandler or Justin Gaethje in the UFC contender line. Makhachev (21-1 MMA) improved his current win streak to nine in a row at last weekend’s UFC 267 event, earning a dominant technical submission victory over Dan Hooker in the very first round.
Dana White on the probability of Hasbulla fighting in the UFC: "Is there more than a zero percent chance? Yes."
Christopher Taylor - November 4, 2021
Hasbulla, also known as ‘mini Khabib’, left quite the impression on Dana White after attending last weekend’s UFC 267 event in Abu Dhabi. The viral mixed martial arts sensation had sent a video to the UFC President making him aware of his planned appearance earlier in the fight week.
Colby Covington says if you believe in ring rust you are 'mentally weak' ahead of return at UFC 268
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2021
Colby Covington doesn’t want to hear any talk of ring rust and how that might impact him. Covington is set to return in the main event of UFC 268 in Madison Square Garden against Kamaru Usman. The two will finally have their highly-anticipated rematch and it will be the first time in 14 months that Covington fought and the rematch will happen with a new team behind “Chaos” which he says was needed.
Kamaru Usman explains what it would take for him to move up to middleweight and fight Israel Adesanya
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2021
Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya are very close and they have said they would never fight one another, but Usman says there is one way they fight. Usman, Adesanya, and Ngannou are the three African UFC champions and they all call each other brothers and root for each another. With that, both the welterweight and middleweight champ have said they would never compete against one another.
Michael Bisping responds following “see you soon” threat from Dillon Danis: “I’ll send location any time you little sh*t stain”
Adam D Martin - November 4, 2021
Michael Bisping responded following the “see you soon” threat from Dillon Danis, saying “I’ll send location any time you little sh*t stain.” Bisping and Danis went back-and-forth on social media recently. Check out the exchange below as the former UFC middleweight champion and the Bellator star exchanged words.
Kamaru Usman praises Khamzat Chimaev following UFC 267 win: "He’s doing a phenomenal job"
Adam D Martin - November 4, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman praised Khamzat Chimaev following his latest win at UFC 267, saying that “he’s doing a phenomenal job.” Usman fights rival Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 268 on Saturday night for the UFC welterweight title, and the winner of the fight could potentially be facing Chimaev in the near future. Ahead of this Saturday’s pay-per-view event, Usman was asked by the media what he thought of Chimaev’s recent win over Li Jingliang at UFC 267 and what he thinks about potentially fighting him in the future. As far as Usman goes, what Chimaev has been doing is incredibly impressive, though he stopped short of talking about a fight.
Ian Garry plans to prove 'the hype is real' with a first-round KO over Jordan Williams at UFC 268: 'I want him stiff'
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2021
Ian Garry knows he’s the next big thing in the UFC and he plans to prove that at UFC 268. Garry is the former Cage Warriors welterweight champion and he’s an undefeated Irish phenom. He’ll make his debut at Madison Square Garden against Jordan Williams and Garry knows the UFC sees something special in him.
Khamzat Chimaev responds after receiving multiple insults from Colby Covington
Adam D Martin - November 4, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev responded after receiving multiple insults from his divisional rival Colby Covington. Covington took shots at Chimaev at the UFC 268 pre-fight press conference. In addition to poking fun of his name and calling him “Cumshot” Chimaev, Covington also poked fun at Chimaev for contracting COVID-19 and temporarily retiring from the sport. There are very few fighters who are able to get under the skin of their rivals the way that Covington has, and just a day after making all of these insults, Chimaev shot back at him on social media.
Jiri Prochazka denies being offered fight against "liar" Aleksandar Rakic
Adam D Martin - November 4, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender Jiri Prochazka has denied being offered an upcoming fight against “liar” Aleksandar Rakic. Prochazka was the backup on Fight Island for the main event of UFC 268 between Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira. While Blachowicz entered the fight as a big favorite to defend his UFC light heavyweight title, it was Teixeira who emerged as the champion. The common thinking is that Prochazka will be next in line to fight for the belt, but UFC president Dana White was non-committal to that when asked by the media following UFC 268. Because White hasn’t come out and 100 percent confirmed that Prochazka is next in line, there is the possibility now that Prochazka will have to fight Rakic instead.
UFC 268 | Pro fighters make their picks for Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2021
Opening up UFC 268 from Madison Square Garden, Justin Gaethje takes on Michael Chandler which promises to be fireworks for however long it lasts. Heading into the fight, Gaethje is a -210 favorite while the former Bellator champ is a +175 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros lean towards Gaethje getting it done by KO as they trust his durability more than Chandler.
Dana White lashes out at “morons” complaining about a possible Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz fight
Adam D Martin - November 4, 2021
UFC president Dana White lashed out at the “morons” who are complaining about a possible Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz fight. White recently revealed that he is going to offer Diaz the fight against Chimaev, who has become one of the biggest stars in the UFC these days following his big win over Li Jingliang at UFC 267. However, Diaz doesn’t appear to be super interested in the fight. Quite frankly, there are a lot of fans who also don’t seem to be too keen on this fight booking, as there have been plenty of complaints by fans since the potential fight was rumored. However, White believes the people complaining about the fight are “morons.”
Alex Pereira focused on becoming UFC champion, not Israel Adesanya: “Maybe if I had lost to him it would annoy me a little bit”
Adam D Martin - November 4, 2021
Alex Pereira is focused on becoming UFC champion, not Israel Adesanya, saying “maybe if I had lost to him it would annoy me a little bit.” Pereira is a former GLORY kickboxing standout who will be making his UFC debut this Saturday when he takes on Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268. In his kickboxing past, Pereira actually defeated Adesanya, the current UFC middleweight champion. Although Pereira is fighting against Michailidis this weekend, he can’t help but think ahead to a potential fight with Adesanya, especially when asked by the media. But Pereira also wants to make it perfectly clear that his focus is 100 percent on becoming the UFC champ, not Adesanya.
Justin Gaethje explains why Edson Barboza was the UFC opponent he was “the most terrified of”
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2021
Justin Gaethje has explained why Edson Barboza was the UFC opponent he was the most terrified of fighting. This Saturday night, Justin Gaethje is set to return to the Octagon for the first time since being submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254. He’ll be doing so at Madison Square Garden, and he’ll be competing against fellow top contender Michael Chandler.
Colby Covington scoffs at Kamaru Usman’s callout of Canelo Alvarez: “Just more fake news and easier landing for him”
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2021
Colby Covington has laughed off Kamaru Usman’s recent talk of potentially fighting boxing star Canelo Alvarez. Covington and Usman, who will square off for the second time this weekend with the UFC welterweight title on the line, are set to go up against Canelo Alvarez vs Caleb Plant on the same night. Based on what went down when it was Canelo vs UFC in 2019, we’d say there’s going to be some talk about comparisons.
Vicente Luque to serve as backup fighter for UFC 268 main event, Leon Edwards declined the role first
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2021
Vicente Luque is in New York City and will weigh in to be the backup fighter for UFC 268. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Luque will be the backup fighter for the welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington in Madison Square Garden.
Kamaru Usman confident he'll stop Colby Covington in a 'flawless' performance at UFC 268
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2021
Kamaru Usman believes he’ll finish Colby Covington again at UFC 268. In the main event of the stacked pay-per-view card, Usman is set to have his highly-anticipated rematch against Covington. The two fought at UFC 245 in one of the best fights of 2019 as they went back-and-forth before Usman got the fifth-round TKO.