MMA News
Cris Cyborg set to defend Bellator women's featherweight title against Sinead Kavanagh
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
One of the best women’s fighters of all time, Cris Cyborg is set to defend Bellator the women’s featherweight title against Sinead Kavanagh. Bellator president Scott Coker revealed the news on the latest edition of The MMA Hour. According to Coker, Cyborg will fight against Kavanagh on November 12. The event will take place at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, as per Coker.
Dana White says UFC fighters do not want the media or fans to know how much money they make
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
UFC president Dana White says that UFC fighters do not want the media or fans to know how much money they make with the company. Fighter pay is often a touchy topic with White and the UFC. There have been lots of stories about UFC fighters being paid poorly as of late, and boxer Jake Paul has been leading the charge to get the fighters a bigger percentage of the UFC’s revenue pie. Despite the numbers saying otherwise, White has remained adamant that UFC fighters are paid quite well. In fact, that’s one of the reasons why White says the fighters want their numbers private despite there being fans and media who are curious as to what they make.
Devin Clark explains mindset needed to fight through brutal teeth injury against Ion Cutelaba
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
UFC light heavyweight fighter Devin Clark explained the mindset he needed to fight through his brutal teeth injury against Ion Cutelaba. Clark fought Cutelaba last month and suffered a horrendous injury when his teeth were smashed from a vicious knee. Despite his teeth being broken, Clark decided to continue fighting and toughed it out, going the distance and even winning the last round on two of the judges’ scorecards. While Clark lost the unanimous decision to Cutelaba, he gained the respect of the fans by battling through one of the nastiest teeth injuries we’ve ever seen.
Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane, Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 targeted for UFC 270
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
Two title fights featuring Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane and Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 are being targeted for UFC 270. According to the French outlet “La Sueur,” UFC 270 is being planned to take place on January 22 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight is not official yet, but the UFC plans on having the UFC heavyweight title unified that night between the champ Ngannou and the interim champ Gane. As for the co-main event, the plan is to have to rematch between Adesanya and Whittaker. Overall, with these two title fights at the top of the bill, UFC 270 is shaping up to be a stacked card already. MMA journalist Aaron Bronsteter added the following:
Alistair Overeem reveals he's injured, out of Rico Verhoeven GLORY kickboxing match
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem revealed that he is injured and out of the upcoming Rico Verhoeven GLORY kickboxing match. Overeem was set to return to the kickboxing ring against Verhoeven on October 23, but the fight will no longer go down as planned. According to “The Demolition Man,” he has been dealing with an injury for a month. Unfortunately, he has had to pull out of the fight as he is now 100% healthy. Check out the full written statement from Overeem below.
Dana White responds to Henry Cejudo’s request for a UFC featherweight title shot: “You want to come back and fight Volkanovski and jump the line?”
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
UFC president Dana White responded to Henry Cejudo’s recent request for a UFC featherweight title shot against Alexander Volkanovski. Volkanovski defeated Brian Ortega at UFC 266 last month to mark his latest title defense at 145lbs. Following the fight, Cejudo made it clear that he wants a piece of the champ. “The Messenger” has called out “The Great” in the past for a fight, but until now, White hasn’t taken his calls for the fight seriously. However, Cejudo said that he has a meeting with White this week to talk about the fight, and the UFC president admitted that the two will have a chat about the Volkanovski fight. However, White calls it “a tough conversation.”
Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov squares off with football icon Cristiano Ronaldo
Harry Kettle - October 6, 2021
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov entertained fans this week by squaring off with close friend Cristiano Ronaldo during a recent trip to Manchester, England. Khabib, who has been in the UK for a series of different appearances in the last week or so, spent time at Old Trafford on Saturday to watch his friend Ronaldo play for Manchester United against Everton. While CR7 wasn’t quite able to score the winner, it did give them a chance to reconnect after the game.
Dana White reacts to the tragic death of BKFC fighter Justin Thornton: “First of all, is anybody shocked?”
Harry Kettle - October 6, 2021
UFC president Dana White has given his thoughts on the recent passing of BKFC fighter Justin Thornton. It was confirmed just a few days ago that Thornton had died due to injuries sustained following his 20-second knockout defeat at BKFC 20. There’s been an outpouring of support from the mixed martial arts community ever since then with many paying tribute to the 38-year-old and what he achieved in the sport.
Aspen Ladd admits weight miss fault in response to Miesha Tate's criticism
Drake Riggs - October 5, 2021
Aspen Ladd was supposed to make her long-awaited return to action this past weekend. Originally booked to face Macy Chiasson in July, Chiasson would suffer an injury thus rescheduling the bout for the start of October. However, Ladd tipped the scales overweight at 137-pounds resulting in the bout’s cancellation – along with critique from fellow bantamweight such as former champion, Miesha Tate.
Cody Garbrandt admits flyweight moves 'scares' him but expects to make a 'statement' against Kai Kara-France
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
Cody Garbrandt says all the unanswered questions around his flyweight move are scaring him but also motivating him. Garbrandt is the former UFC bantamweight champion but has struggled as of late and decided to drop down to flyweight. He will make his flyweight debut at UFC 269 on December 11 against Kai Kara-France and Garbrandt says he’s ready to make a statement.
Robbie Lawler checks in on Nick Diaz after UFC 266 loss, asks if he's 'good in life' and if he needs help
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
Robbie Lawler and Nick Diaz had their highly-anticipated rematch and after the fight, Lawler made sure to check in on the Stockton, native. In the lead-up to their rematch at UFC 266, Diaz was vocal that he didn’t know why he was fighting or why this was the fight. It was troubling comments and he echoed that after the fight as well.
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.
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).
Herb Dean explains why he did not stop Brian Ortega vs. Alexander Volkanovski fight at UFC 266
Adam D Martin - October 5, 2021
MMA referee Herb Dean explained why he did not stop the recent Brian Ortega vs. Alexander Volkanovski featherweight title fight at UFC 266. During the Ortega vs. Volkanovski fight, Ortega appeared to have trouble making it to his stool, and he also appeared to have vision issues. However, Dean let the fight continue. Speaking to Helen Yee in a recent interview, Dean defended not stopping the fight.
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.
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).