MMA News
Khabib Nurmagomedov goes off on Conor McGregor during Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson podcast
Chris Taylor - August 4, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov went off on his longtime rival Conor McGregor during his recent appearance on the “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson” podcast. Last week McGregor made headlines when he tweeted and deleted a post that appeared to be mocking Khabib’s late father Abdulmanap.
Luke Rockhold scolds Dana White for "stupid" matchmaking tactics used in booking fight with "f*cking nobody" Sean Strickland
Chris Taylor - August 4, 2021
Luke Rockhold was not happy with the “stupid” matchmaking tactics used by Dana White for his upcoming fight with Sean Strickland at UFC 268. Earlier this week the UFC President told reporters that he had offered Rockhold a fight with recent main event winner Sean Strickland. However, according to the former UFC middleweight champion no formal offer was ever made and White’s remarks were just a negotiation tactic.
Michael Chandler says he "won't be able to perform" against Justin Gaethje at UFC 268: "I won’t be vaccinated by Nov. 6"
Chris Taylor - August 4, 2021
It appears that Michael Chandler vs. Justin Gaethje will require a new date and venue following the newly introduced mandates in the state of New York. Chandler and Gaethje recently agreed to a highly anticipated lightweight showdown at UFC 268, which is set to take place on November 6 at Madison Square Garden.
Chad Mendes ends retirement, signs multi-fight deal with BKFC
Cole Shelton - August 4, 2021
Chad Mendes has ended his retirement. The former UFC title challenger retired after his loss to Alex Volkanovski at UFC 232 in December of 2018. Since then, Mendes has remained in the gym but there were no talks of a possible comeback. However, over the past couple of months, he has teased a return to the sport saying the itch is back.
Dana White "praying" Vitor Belfort KO's "crackhead" Oscar De La Hoya: "Viciously knocks him out"
Cole Shelton - August 4, 2021
UFC president, Dana White, and Oscar De La Hoya have had a feud for quite some time so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see White rooting for Vitor Belfort. On September 11 at the Staples Center, De La Hoya will end his retirement to box Belfort in an intriguing matchup. Both men are past their prime and for White, he hopes the former UFC champ in Belfort wins and wins violently.
Colby Covington plans to fight Israel Adesanya to become champ-champ after UFC 268
Cole Shelton - August 4, 2021
Colby Covington is set to rematch Kamaru Usman at UFC 268 but he already has plans after that. Covington is the former UFC interim welterweight champion but came up short in his bid for the undisputed champion at UFC 245. He lost by fifth-round TKO to Usman but he has a ton of confidence ahead of the rematch.
Alonzo Menifield eyes KO win over Ed Herman at UFC 265: "I'm honored to go in there and fight with him and take him out"
Cole Shelton - August 4, 2021
Alonzo Menifield is excited to be getting the chance to fight Ed Herman and in front of a crowd. Menifield returned to the win column last time out with a submission win over Fabio Cherant. The victory snapped his two-fight losing skid and now, he gets a chance to fight Herman at UFC 265 in his home state of Texas which he’s ecstatic about.
Brent Primus wants rematch with Islam Mamedov after controversial loss: "He knows I'm the better fighter"
Cole Shelton - August 4, 2021
Brent Primus was shocked he didn’t get his hand raised against Islam Mamedov at Bellator 263. Although Primus spent the majority of the fight on his back, he was the one doing all the damage. He was landing heavy shots from the bottom while Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protégé was just holding him down and not landing anything significant.
Nicco Montano cut from UFC after recent UFC Vegas 33 weight miss
Drake Riggs - August 3, 2021
Nicco Montano’s time with the UFC has come to an abrupt end. MMA Fighting revealed on Tuesday that Montano has been cut from the promotion. This coming hours after UFC President Dana White shared his thoughts on Montano’s recent weight troubles that saw yet another one of her bouts canceled.
Luke Rockhold offered return fight against Sean Strickland, says Dana White
Cole Shelton - August 3, 2021
Luke Rockhold had been asking for a top-10 middleweight and he has gotten his wish. UFC president, Dana White has told TSN’s Aaron Brontsteter that Rockhold has been offered Sean Strickland as his return fight. Strickland is now ranked eighth at middleweight and Rockhold has claimed several middleweights don’t want to fight him.
Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez rebooked to headline Fight Night card in November, reveals Dana White
Cole Shelton - August 3, 2021
Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez will fight after all. Holloway and Rodriguez were supposed to headline a Fight Night card on July 17 but the Hawaiian was forced out of the fight with an injury. After that, it was uncertain whether or not they would rebook the fight. Yet, Dana White revealed to TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter that Holloway and Rodriguez will headline a Fight Night card on November 13.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts to Conor McGregor's "terrible" deleted tweet about his father
Chris Taylor - August 3, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov has shared his thoughts on the recent deleted tweet by Conor McGregor, which appeared to mock the passing of his father. Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA) lost his father thirteen months ago due to complications stemming from the novel Coronavirus. It was a tragic loss for ‘The Eagle’ and one which promoted his decision to walk away from the sport.
Cody Garbrandt sends a message to Sean O’Malley after booking his UFC flyweight debut
Harry Kettle - August 3, 2021
Cody Garbrandt has sent a departing shot to Sean O’Malley after his flyweight debut was officially announced. In the wake of his defeat to Rob Font earlier this year, Garbrandt has been forced to reflect on his time at 135 pounds and what will come next for the former UFC bantamweight champion. While many believe he can still be a top contender, others worry that his time as an elite member of that division has come and gone.
Vicente Luque says UFC 265 scrap against Michael Chiesa "will be the Fight of the Night" if he doesn't get the KO win
Cole Shelton - August 3, 2021
Vicente Luque thought he would be fighting Michael Chiesa after his win over Tyron Woodley in March. Luque and Chiesa are currently ranked fifth and sixth at welterweight and both are dark horses of the division. It’s an intriguing matchup but for the Brazilian, he knows stylistic, it’s a striker vs. grappler matchup. Luque is also expecting the scrap to be an entertaining one for however long it lasts.
Casey Kenney plans to "throw down" with Song Yadong at UFC 265 en route to a stoppage win
Cole Shelton - August 3, 2021
Casey Kenney had a feeling he would be fighting Song Yadong after his last fight. Kenney will make the walk to the Octagon on the main card of UFC 265 in Houston, Texas. The bantamweight contender is coming off a split decision loss to Dominick Cruz in March and after the loss, Kenney says he wanted to be active.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 46 with Vicente Luque, Casey Kenney, Alonzo Menifield, and Ode Osbourne
Cole Shelton - August 3, 2021
The 46th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 265. We’re first joined by sixth-ranked UFC welterweight, Vicente Luque (2:31) joins the show. Next, UFC bantamweight, Casey Kenney (14:32) comes on. UFC light heavyweight, Alonzo Menifield (25:56) then joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC flyweight, Ode Osbourne (36:23).
Rafael dos Anjos set to take on Islam Makhachev in October, 'Islam doesn't want to fight five rounds'
Drake Riggs - August 2, 2021
Islam Makhachev is officially set for his biggest fight yet as he and Rafael dos Anjos have been rebooked for an October showdown. ESPN broke the news on Monday that the pair of ranked lightweights are set to compete at UFC 267 on October 30 in Abu Dhabi. They were originally scheduled to clash twice in 2020. The first being for October only to fall through due to dos Anjos contracting COVID-19. Makhachev was then forced out with an injury when rebooked for a month later.
Coach believes AJ McKee and Patricio Pitbull should rematch in Brazil
Drake Riggs - August 2, 2021
AJ McKee is the new Bellator featherweight king. Bellator 263 this past Saturday night saw the 26-year old crowned to close out the 145-pound one-million-dollar Grand Prix. To do so, McKee put away the greatest fighter in promotional history, Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, in just a single round.