MMA News

Jonathan Martinez Nathaniel Wood
Nathaniel Wood

Nathaniel Wood returns to action in London on September 4, faces Jonathan Martinez

Alfredo Zullino - July 1, 2021

A bantamweight clash between Nathaniel Wood (17-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC) and Jonathan Martinez (13-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC) is in the works, sources with knowledge of the situation informed BJPENN.com. The sources asked for anonymity since the news hasn’t been officially confirmed yet. The contracts have not been signed, but it seems it’s in the promotion plans to book this fight in London, for September 4.

Valentina Shevchenko, UFC 255
Valentina Shevchenko

Valentina Shevchenko explains how Julianna Pena can defeat Amanda Nunes at UFC 265

Adam D Martin - July 1, 2021

UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko explained how Julianna Pena can defeat women’s double champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 265. Shevchenko and Pena fought at UFC on FOX 23 and Shevchenko won the fight in the second round by armbar, so they are very familiar with one another. Pena will next step into the Octagon this summer when she fights Nunes for her UFC bantamweight championship. Not surprisingly, Pena is the underdog at the sportsbooks and very few fans are giving her a chance to pull off the upset against Nunes, who is universally regarded as the greatest women’s MMA fighter of all time. But Shevchenko thinks there’s a chance.

Charles Oliveira, Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor

Charles Oliveira shares prediction for Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier trilogy fight

Adam D Martin - July 1, 2021

UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira shared his prediction for the upcoming trilogy fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. Oliveira became the new UFC 155lbs champion when he won the vacant title with a KO win over Michael Chandler at UFC 262 in May. For his first title defense, “Do Bronx” seems destined to fight the winner of the UFC 264 main event trilogy fight between McGregor and Poirier. The champion has been keeping a close eye on this blockbuster fight and is now ready to share his prediction.

Georges St-Pierre
UFC

Georges St-Pierre names his choice for best active pound-for-pound UFC fighter

Adam D Martin - July 1, 2021

Mixed martial arts legend Georges St-Pierre named his choice for the best active pound-for-pound fighter currently competing in the UFC. GSP was, for many years, considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport and one of the greatest mixed martial artists to ever step into the Octagon. The French Canadian has been happily retired since 2017, but he still watches the sport on the regular and keeps up to date with the fights that are going on. He is also keeping a close eye on the welterweight division that he once was the king of, and of its champion Kamaru Usman.

Khabib Nurmagomedov
UFC

Khabib Nurmagomedov says Kamaru Usman would beat Georges St-Pierre in 2021, but 2010 was a different story

Adam D Martin - July 1, 2021

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says Kamaru Usman would beat Georges St-Pierre in 2021, but 2010 was a different story. Nurmagomedov recently sat down with UFC Russia for an interview and was asked about a variety of different topics. One of the questions posed to “The Eagle” was about his stablemate at Dominance MMA, the UFC welterweight champion Usman, and who would win in a superfight against the legend GSP. As far as Nurmagomedov is concerned, Usman would be the one getting his hand raised in 2021, but he believes that if this fight took place back in GSP’s prime around 2010, that the result of the fight would likely be different.

Luis Pena
UFC

Luis Pena reacts after recent arrest: "They talking like I'm the next OJ Simpson"

Adam D Martin - July 1, 2021

UFC lightweight fighter Luis Pena reacted after his recent arrest, suggesting that “they talking like I’m the next OJ Simpson.” Pena is accused of a domestic violence incident that took place on June 14 where he allegedly struck his girlfriend and broke her phone after he got upset he said she was looking at other men on Instagram. Pena was charged with robbery by sudden snatching, battery, and criminal mischief for the incident. The former Ultimate Fighter competitor, who is nicknamed “Violent Bob Ross” due to his likeness to the famous painter, was released this weekend from jail after putting an $8000 bond in order to get him out. Pena is now potentially facing up to five years in prison, though of course, he will have his day in court.

MMA News

Justin Balboa plans to have Joe Schilling prosecuted for viral barroom knockout

Harry Kettle - July 1, 2021

Justin Balboa, who was knocked out by Joe Schilling in a recent barroom brawl, intends to prosecute Schilling in court. In recent days video footage has emerged of Balboa, who was clearly intoxicated, being knocked out cold by Schilling – a former GLORY and Bellator fighter. Schilling has claimed it was self defense, putting out the following now-deleted post on Instagram.

Uriah Hall, UFC Vancouver, Darren Till, UFC Vegas 12
UFC

UFC Vegas 33: ‘Hall vs. Strickland’ Fight Card and Rumors

Harry Kettle - July 1, 2021

In the final UFC event of July, Uriah Hall and Sean Strickland will meet in a fascinating middleweight headliner at UFC Vegas 33. Event: UFC Vegas 33: Hall vs. Strickland Date: Saturday, 31st July 2021 Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Broadcast: ESPN+ – Time TBD

Jake-Paul
UFC

Struggling UFC fighter Sarah Alpar responds to 5K USD donation from Jake Paul

Andrew Whitelaw - June 30, 2021

Sarah Alpar has responded to Jake Paul’s generous contribution to her GoFundMePage. The YouTuber-turned-boxer showed his support this week by donating 5K USD to the UFC flyweight’s campaign.

Sean O'Malley
UFC

Sean O'Malley claims Ricky Simon declined the fight because he couldn't make weight, Simon fires back

Cole Shelton - June 30, 2021

Sean O’Malley says he agreed to fight Ricky Simon but the bantamweight contender declined because he couldn’t make weight. Simon was one of many bantamweights who called out O’Malley after the news that Louis Smolka was out of the fight. “Suga” then went on Instagram seemingly accepting the fight but just minutes later he took to Twitter to claim the 28-year-old couldn’t make weight.

Sean O'Malley, Ben Askren
UFC

Sean O'Malley remains on UFC 264, faces UFC newcomer Kris Moutinho

Cole Shelton - June 30, 2021

Sean O’Malley will fight on UFC 264 next weekend after all. It was revealed on Tuesday that Louis Smolka was out of his fight against O’Malley due to a staph infection. After the news became public, several bantamweights began calling him out and O’Malley hinted on social media he agreed to face Ricky Simon. Unfortunately, Simon couldn’t make the weight and O’Malley revealed on his Twitch that he will now face UFC newcomer Kris Moutinho.

Charles Oliveira. Michael Chandler
Conor McGregor

Charles Oliveira confident he would knock out Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier

Adam D Martin - June 30, 2021

UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira says he is confident that he would knock out Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier if they fight. Oliveira won the vacant UFC lightweight title when he knocked out Michael Chandler at UFC 262 in May. The winner of his last nine fights in a row, “Do Bronx” seems poised to fight the winner of the UFC 264 trilogy fight between McGregor and Poirier next. Speaking to the media ahead of next weekend’s blockbuster event, Oliveira said that he is feeling good about the possibility of facing either “Notorious” or “The Diamond” and is predicting that he will knock out either man if they step foot into the Octagon with him.

Jake-Paul
Jake Paul

Jake Paul donates $5000 to GoFundMe for UFC fighter Sarah Alpar: "Imagine a rookie in the NBA had to start a GoFundMe to play"

Adam D Martin - June 30, 2021

Jake Paul donated $5000 to the GoFundMe for UFC fighter Sarah Alpar, adding “imagine a rookie in the NBA had to start a GoFundMe to play.” Earlier this week, Alpar let her fans know that she was starting a fundraiser in order to raise money for fight camp expenses. The 30-year-old Alpar fought on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019 and made it to the UFC with a submission win over Shanna Young. She then made her UFC debut in September 2020 and lost via third-round TKO to Jessica-Rose Clark. Alpar then had two fights fall apart for May 2021 against Stephanie Egger and Lupita Godinez, before finally being re-booked for her second UFC fight when she faces off against prospect Erin Blanchfield, but that won’t take place until Septmber.

Jake Paul, Hasim Rahman Jr, Boxing.
Jake Paul

Jake Paul might knock out Tyron Woodley, says Jeremy Stephens: "He's an athletic freak"

Adam D Martin - June 30, 2021

UFC lightweight Jeremy Stephens says that YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul might knock out Tyron Woodley in their upcoming boxing match. Paul meets Woodley on August 28 in a professional boxing match promoted by Showtime PPV. For Paul, it’s his fourth pro boxing match and he earned the opportunity to fight a big name in the world of combat sports in Woodley after defeating his longtime friend and training partner Ben Askren in his last outing. For Woodley, after losing four straight fights in the UFC he was released and chose to fight Paul and earn a big payday in the process. This summer’s blockbuster PPV is expected to make both men several million dollars.

Paige VanZant, BKFC
Paige VanZant

Paige VanZant has no regrets about leaving the UFC for BKFC: "It was the best decision I’ve ever made"

Adam D Martin - June 30, 2021

Women’s combat sports superstar Paige VanZant has no regrets about leaving the UFC for BKFC, calling it “the best decision I’ve ever made.” VanZant competed in MMA from 2012 to 2020, and between 2014 and 2020 she fought exclusively for the UFC, where she went 4-5 overall. After becoming a free agent last summer, VanZant decided to take her talents to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Although she lost a decision to Britain Hart in her BKFC debut, VanZant has already been booked for her next fight, a rematch with her former UFC opponent Rachael Ostovich.

Ronda-Rousey-Travis-Browne
Travis Browne

Ronda Rousey and Travis Browne announce gender of baby (Video)

Adam D Martin - June 30, 2021

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and her husband, former UFC heavyweight Travis Browne, revealed their baby’s gender. Rousey and Browne announced back in April that the UFC Hall of Famer is pregnant with her first child and expecting to give birth to the baby in September. Two months later, and Rousey and Browne are now ready to reveal the gender of their child to the world. Check out the video that Rousey and Browne posted on their YouTube featuring a gender reveal.

Cris Cyborg
Cris 'Cyborg' Justino

Cris Cyborg says "the best thing for my career was leaving the UFC"

Adam D Martin - June 30, 2021

Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg said in a recent interview that “the best thing for my career was leaving the UFC.” Cyborg was once the UFC women’s featherweight champion, but after beating Felicia Spencer at UFC 240 in July 2019, UFC president Dana White released her from her contract after not being able to come to an agreement on a rematch with Amanda Nunes. Cyborg then became a free agent and, not long after that, she signed with Bellator. She has since become the Bellator women’s 145lbs champion as she has continued to dominate her foes.

UFC-264-Conor-McGregor-Dustin-Poirier
Dustin Poirier

Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 3 "The Man In The Arena" hype video released

Adam D Martin - June 30, 2021

The UFC has released the Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 3 hype video and it uses a quote from the famous “The Man in the Arena” speech. McGregor and Poirier meet for the third, and presumably the final time at UFC 264, which takes place on July 10 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. For McGregor and Poirier both, this is absolutely a must-win fight after both men split the first two fights between the pair. McGregor won the first meeting between the two rivals back at UFC 178 in September 2014 when he knocked Poirier out in the first round in a featherweight fight. Poirier then returned the favor at UFC 257 earlier this year at 155lbs when he stopped McGregor in the second round with punches after compromising his legs with calf kicks.