MMA News
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Islam Makhachev 'mauls' Dan Hooker: 'Only thing he has is a lucky punch'
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes the only way Dan Hooker beats Islam Makhachev is by a lucky punch. Makhachev is a pupil of Nurmagomedov and was supposed to fight Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 267 in October. Yet, the Brazilian was forced out of the fight and Hooker took the fight on short notice and for Nurmagomedov, he expects Makhachev to maul Hooker.
BJ Penn announces run for Governor of Hawaii
Adam D Martin - October 5, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn announced that he is running for Governor of Hawaii in a social media post where he explained his decision in full. Penn, one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, made the announcement this week that he is running for the role of Hawaiian Governor. As part of his campaign, Penn promised that he will get rid of vaccine passports. He is running on a campaign of getting freedom back for the people of Hawaii. Take a look at the full statement that Penn posted below.
Israel Adesanya takes a shot at Jon Jones following post with fiancée
Adam D Martin - October 5, 2021
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya took a shot at former UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones following his post with his fiancée. Jones was arrested two weeks ago in Las Vegas after his 2013 fight against Alexander Gustafsson was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Following the HOF ceremony, Jones was arrested on an alleged domestic battery incident that left his fiancée, Jessie Moses, with bumps and bruises on her face, according to hotel security. In addition, Jones was also charged with damaging a police vehicle after reportedly headbutting it. Days after this incident, however, Jones took to his social media to share a video of him and Moses kissing and making up. According to Jones, he and Moses plan on sticking together through the good and the bad. But posting the video has led to him taking shots from his rivals, and Adesanya had no problem taking to his social media to poke fun at Jones for the video.
Kevin Holland vs. Kyle Daukaus rematch rebooked for upcoming UFC Fight Night card
Adam D Martin - October 5, 2021
The Kevin Holland vs. Kyle Daukaus middleweight rematch has been rebooked for an upcoming UFC Fight Night card after their recent No Contest. Holland and Daukaus fought to a No Contest last weekend at UFC Vegas 38. Early in the first round, Holland and Daukaus clashed heads and it dropped Holland to the mat. He woke back up a split second later but Daukaus was able to get him into a rear-naked choke soon afterward and the fight was stopped due to a submission victory. However, the instant reply was used immediately afterward and the fight was quickly reversed to a No Contest. Thankfully, the UFC has been able to rebook the rematch in short order. According to Brett Okamoto, the rematch will take place on November 13 (via Marcel Dorff).
Mackenzie Dern expects to finish Marina Rodriguez and leapfrog Carla Esparza to earn the next title shot
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
Mackenzie Dern had a feeling her next fight would be a main event. Dern submitted Nina Nunes in the first round back in April. After that, she was offered two short-notice main event fights. However, they never came to fruition but Dern had a feeling once Rodriguez beat Waterson she would headline a card opposite the Brazilian.
Randy Brown believes he's better everywhere than Jared Gooden, confident he can get a finish
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
Randy Brown wanted to get another fight in this year and he jumped at the chance to take a fight at UFC Vegas 39 against Jared Gooden. Brown is coming off a submission win over Alex Oliveira at UFC 261 and many thought he would get another high-profile name. Yet, that isn’t the case as he will battle Jared Gooden in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 39. For Brown, he says he just wanted to fight and this was a chance to get back in there.
Michael Bisping explains how Khabib Nurmagomedov took himself out of the MMA GOAT conversation
Adam D Martin - October 5, 2021
Michael Bisping explained how former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov took himself out of the MMA GOAT conversation. Nurmagomedov is considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time as he went 29-0 in his amazing MMA career, including 13-0 in the UFC. However, he decided to walk away from the sport following his submission win over Justin Gaethje last year. Despite being only 33 years old, in his prime, and undefeated, “The Eagle” decided that it was time to hang up his gloves. But as far as Bisping goes, Nurmagomedov retiring so early means that he has taken himself out of the conversation for the greatest MMA fighter of all time.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 53 with Mackenzie Dern, Randy Brown, Tim Elliott, Charles Rosa, and Jared Vanderaa
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
The 53rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 39. We’re first joined by one-half of the main event in fourth-ranked strawweight, Mackenzie Dern (2:34). Next, UFC welterweight, Randy Brown (18:3) comes on. Ninth-ranked flyweight, Tim Elliott (33:47) then joins the program. UFC featherweight, Charles Rosa (46:57) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC heavyweight, Jared Vanderaa (1:03:11).
Henry Cejudo on callout of UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski: “I ain’t no Georges St-Pierre”
Harry Kettle - October 5, 2021
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo has explained why he’s taking more of a risk by potentially challenging Alexander Volkanovski than when Georges St-Pierre went to middleweight. Cejudo is best known as “Triple C” thanks to his Olympic gold medal, bantamweight title and flyweight title successes throughout his combat sports career. Now, however, he wants to turn his nickname into “C4” by taking the 145-pound belt from current champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Henry Cejudo says 'Zhang Weili 2.0 is coming' ahead of UFC 268
Drake Riggs - October 4, 2021
Henry Cejudo is feeling rather confident in his new training partner. Ahead of her upcoming title fight rematch with Rose Namajunas, former champion Zhang Weili has taken her talents to the U.S. where she’s training in Scottsdale. Aiding “Magnum” at the Fight Ready team along the way is none other than the former dual-division titlist in Cejudo.
Miesha Tate on Jon Jones arrest: 'He’s a grown-ass man and he needs to be responsible'
Drake Riggs - October 4, 2021
After so many run-ins with the law, many believe Jon Jones needs to start being more responsible – Miesha Tate included. “Cupcake” recently shared her thoughts on her fellow former UFC champion and his latest arrest in Las Vegas after his Hall of Fame induction ceremony for his first Alexander Gustafsson fight at UFC 165 in 2013.
Justin Thornton dies after KO loss at BKFC 20
Cole Shelton - October 4, 2021
Justin Thornton, who fought 24 times in MMA and was 0-1 in BKFC, died following his knockout loss at BKFC 20 in August. He was 38-years-old. Thornton, who was making his Bare Knuckle debut at BKFC 20 on August 20 in Mississippi, took on Dillon Cleckler, who was 2-0 in BKFC in a heavyweight bout. Both men also had MMA experience as Thornton was 6-18 and Cleckler was 11-1. It seemed like a mismatch on paper and it was exactly that as Cleckler KO’d Thornton in just 19 seconds and Thornton left the ring on a stretcher and immediately was taken to the hospital.
Kevin Holland stops alleged car thief following pursuit
Adam D Martin - October 4, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland stopped an alleged car thief following a pursuit on the feet in Saginaw, Texas on Monday morning. Holland just fought Kyle Daukaus to a No Contest at UFC Vegas 38 this past Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada. He headed back to his home in Texas following the fight, but he nearly got into another one on the streets. On Monday morning, MMAjunkie.com reported that Holland stopped an alleged car thief near his home. According to Holland’s coach, Shug Dorsey, Holland was pulling into a gas station when he heard someone’s car was being stolen. The coach said that Holland then called him and said what was happening.
Kevin Holland notes improved takedown defense, calls for rematch with Kyle Daukaus
Adam D Martin - October 4, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland noted his improved takedown defense as he called for a rematch with Kyle Daukaus after UFC Vegas 38. Holland was knocked out by an accidental clash of heads, but he quickly woke back up and continued fighting against Daukaus in the co-main event of this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 38 card. About a minute after suffering the unfortunate knockdown, Holland was choked out by Daukaus. However, the fight was overturned to a No Contest after instant replay was used and it was deemed that the end of the fight was a result of the clash of heads.
Niko Price open to fight Nick Diaz or Nate Diaz following win at UFC Vegas 38
Adam D Martin - October 4, 2021
UFC welterweight fan favorite Niko Price says he is open to fighting either Nick Diaz or Nate Diaz following his latest win at UFC Vegas 38. Price won a unanimous decision over Alex Oliveira in a main card welterweight battle that took place at this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 38 card. For Price, it was a much-needed win after going winless in his last three fights entering the contest. Following the fight, the fan favorite spoke to reporters and was asked who he wants to fight next. As far as Price goes, he’s down for another exciting fight for the fans, and he feels the Diaz brothers are perfect.
Dustin Poirier says Charles Oliveira contract is "signed, sealed, delivered"
Adam D Martin - October 4, 2021
Dustin Poirier says the Charles Oliveira contract for their UFC lightweight title fight at UFC 269 is now “signed, sealed, delivered.” Poirier and Oliveira are set to meet in the main event of the UFC 269 pay-per-view card that is set to take place on December 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. There have been rumors for weeks that this is the fight the UFC wanted to book, but it wasn’t made official until Sunday night when Poirier took to his social media and confirmed it.
Video | Audience member leaps on stage to attack Khabib Nurmagomedov
Adam D Martin - October 4, 2021
An audience member leaped on stage to try and attack former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov during a recent speaking engagement. Nurmagomedov is retired from MMA but he has been busy traveling the world and doing speaking engagements. At a recent Q&A session in Harrogate, England, Nurmagomedov was on the stage speaking. As soon as he stood up from his seat, a member of the audience immediately got up and confronted “The Eagle.” However, Nurmagomedov didn’t even flinch, and security immediately removed the fan from invading his personal space.
Aljamain Sterling explains why he withdrew from UFC 267 rematch against Petr Yan
Adam D Martin - October 4, 2021
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling explained why he withdrew from his scheduled UFC 267 rematch against his rival, Petr Yan. Sterling defeat Yan via a controversial fourth-round DQ back at UFC 259 in March. Yan was in complete control of the fight and was well on his way to finishing it or at least winning a decision. However, he made a colossal error when he landed an illegal knee to the head of a downed opponent. Sterling was not able to continue and, in a UFC first, the belt changed hands via DQ. Although Yan deserved to be punished for his infraction, there are many fans out there who are not buying Sterling as a champion due to him winning the fight by DQ.