MMA News
Walt Harris issues statement following TKO loss to Marcin Tybura at UFC Vegas 28: "I strayed away from the game plan and it cost me"
Adam D Martin - June 8, 2021
Walt Harris issued a statement after his TKO loss to Marcin Tybura at UFC Vegas 28, saying “I strayed away from the game plan and it cost me.” Harris and Tybura met in the co-main event of this past Saturday night’s UFC Vegas 28 event. Harris started off strongly in the fight as he rocked Tybura with punches and nearly finished him with a barrage of strikes up against the fence. However, Tybura was able to survive the storm, and after Harris got tired from throwing so many punches, Tybura was able to get him down to the mat, move into a dominant position, and finish him via TKO.
Brandon Moreno expects to "bully" Deiveson Figueiredo now that he knows what his power is like
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2021
Brandon Moreno left UFC 256 without the belt, but he gained a ton of confidence for his rematch against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 263. In the main event of the pay-per-view card, Figueiredo and Moreno had one of the best fights of the year. It was a back-and-forth bout that ended in a draw and for Moreno, he says he feels much better now than he did back in December.
UFC 263 | Pro fighters make their picks for Israel Adesanya vs. Marvin Vettori 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2021
In the main event of UFC 263, Israel Adesanya looks to defend his middleweight title for the third time as he rematches Marvin Vettori. Heading into the fight, Adesanya is a -250 favorite while the challenger is a +200 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believe Israel Adesanya will get his hand raised again and likely do so by stoppage this time around.
Dana White calls recent comments about fighter benefits plan a misunderstanding: "I actually responded to the wrong guy"
Adam D Martin - June 8, 2021
UFC president Dana White says recent comments about fighter benefits were a misunderstanding, saying “I actually responded to the wrong guy.” White recently responded to a comment on an Instagram post where a fan asked him if the UFC was considering a full-time benefits package for its athletes, and the UFC president responded positively when asked the question. Here’s how that exchange went down.
Alistair Overeem shares cryptic video following release from the UFC, returns to kickboxing
Adam D Martin - June 8, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem shared a cryptic video following his release from the world’s leading MMA promotion. Overeem was released by the UFC in March following a knockout loss to Alexander Volkov. Along with his former rival Junior dos Santos, Overeem’s surprise cut saw the promotion lose one of the top-10 heavyweights on the roster. But given that he’s 41, coming off of a knockout loss, and makes a big salary, the UFC decided that the promotion was ready to move on from “The Reem” and it gave the MMA legend his release from his contract.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 40 with Brandon Moreno, Eryk Anders, Matt Frevola, Steven Peterson, and Frank Camacho
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2021
The 40th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 263. We’re first joined by one-half of the co-main event and UFC flyweight title challenger, Brandon Moreno (2:24). Next, UFC middleweight/light heavyweight, Eryk Anders (17:03) joins the show. UFC lightweight, Matt Frevola (31:04) comes on. UFC featherweight, Steven Peterson (45:51) then joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC lightweight, Frank Camacho (56:58).
Nick Diaz "will fight this year," confirms Dana White: "It's looking promising"
Adam D Martin - June 8, 2021
UFC president Dana White says that fan-favorite Nick Diaz “will fight again” this year after recently revealing he wanted to make a comeback. Diaz was a guest at UFC 261 in Jacksonville in April and he made it known at that time that he was in discussions with the UFC about a potential comeback. The last time we saw Diaz fight was in 2015 when he fought to a No Contest against Anderson Silva. It’s now 2021 and Diaz is hoping to get back into the Octagon and fight for the first time in six years. However, while Diaz himself wants to come back, White was initially skeptical about it. In fact, the UFC president previously suggested that it might not be a good idea for his return.
Marvin Vettori scores sponsorship with Dolce & Gabbana ahead of UFC 263 title fight
Harry Kettle - June 8, 2021
Marvin Vettori has secured a sponsorship deal with Dolce & Gabbana heading into his UFC 263 main event this Saturday. The news comes courtesy of his manager Ali Abdelaziz as “The Italian Dream” gears up for the most important fight of his life. He’ll be taking on Israel Adesanya, the man who beat him via split decision in an intriguing bout back in 2018, with the UFC middleweight title being on the line.
Former TUF 12 contestant Dane Sayers confirmed dead after body is pulled from the Red River in Fargo
Christopher Taylor - June 7, 2021
Former TUF 12 contestant Dane Sayers has been confirmed dead after his body was pulled from the Red River in Fargo on Saturday. The cause of Sayer’s death remains unknown at this time, but local radio station WZFG released that Dane’s body had been pulled from the Red River in Fargo. Details from the autopsy have not been released to the public.
Dana White rips Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul: “That wasn’t a f*cking boxing match”
Christopher Taylor - June 7, 2021
UFC President Dana White slammed all of the “dummies” who paid money to watch Floyd Mayweather box Logan Paul. Last night in Miami, Mayweather (50-0) squared off with YouTube sensation Logan Paul (0-1) in an exhibition boxing match slated for eight rounds.
Dana White blasts Paulo Costa: "You’re in no position to be talking about crazy money after your last performance"
Cole Shelton - June 7, 2021
Dana White isn’t a fan of Paulo Costa demanding more money. After it was revealed Costa was out of his main event fight against Jared Cannonier on August 21, he took to social media to say the UFC needs to pay him as a main event fighter. He also says he never signed the contract which White says is not true as the UFC president blasted the Brazilian.
Colby Covington blasts "prick" Dustin Poirier for dropping and taunting an amateur in training
Cole Shelton - June 7, 2021
Colby Covington has blasted Dustin Poirier for allegedly dropping and taunting an amateur in training. Covington and Poirier used to train with each other at American Top Team. However, they had a big falling out after “Chaos” picked Khabib Nurmagomedov to beat him. After that, they then began taking shots at one another and now Covington claims Poirier taunted an amateur in training in the lead-up to the Nurmagomedov preparation.
Colby Covington says he's "never even heard of" Khamzat Chimaev: "Does this guy have a ranked win yet?"
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington says he’s “never even heard of” Khamzat Chimaev, asking “does this guy have a ranked win yet?” Covington is one of the top-ranked welterweights in the world and he is hoping to get a rematch with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman for his next fight. However, one opponent Covington is not interested in is Chimaev, one of the welterweight division’s top prospects. Chimaev had an amazing UFC debut last summer when he finished three opponents in brutal fashion, but he has been dealing with health issues stemming from COVID-19 that have left him out of the Octagon since last September. Still, he says he is ready to get back into the cage this summer, and he wants to fight a top-15 opponent.
After "hanging with" Khabib and Islam in training, Kyle Crutchmer has the confidence to make a Bellator title run
Cole Shelton - June 7, 2021
Kyle Crutchmer has all the confidence in the world to be a Bellator champion. Crutchmer is coming off his first career loss as he lost a hard-fought decision to Kemran Lachniov at Bellator 249 in October, who is on the newest season of TUF. Although it was Crutchmer’s first career loss, he says he took a lot from it as he learned how to mix in his striking and grappling.
Joe Rogan praises "freak show" boxing match between Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather: "It was pretty f*cking interesting"
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2021
UFC analyst Joe Rogan praised the “freak show” boxing match between Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather, calling it “pretty f*cking interesting.” Paul and Mayweather met on Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida in an eight-round exhibition boxing match. Though Mayweather landed the better shots throughout and would have won had there been judges scoring it, Paul proved his toughness and heart by going eight rounds with one of the greatest boxers in the world, and Rogan liked what he saw.
Claressa Shields calls teammate Holly Holm the "cheat code" ahead of PFL and MMA debut
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2021
Boxer-turned-MMA fighter Claressa Shields called teammate Holly Holm the “cheat code” ahead of her upcoming PFL and mixed martial arts debut. Shields makes her official professional MMA debut this Thursday at PFL 4 when she takes on Brittany Elkin in a non-tournament women’s lightweight bout. Shields is one of the best women’s boxers on the planet but she has said for a few years now that MMA was her goal, and she will finally make her debut in mixed martial arts later this week against Elkin.
Henry Cejudo slams Floyd Mayweather for his performance against Logan Paul: “Imagine what an Olympic gold medalist would do to a guy who lost to a YouTuber”
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2021
Former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo slammed boxing legend Floyd Mayweather for his performance against Logan Paul. Mayweather went the full eight-round distance with Paul on Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, during their special exhibition boxing match. It wasn’t the most exciting fight as there was a lot of hugging and Mayweather seemed to be almost playing with his food and carrying Paul instead of finishing him with punches. Indeed, Paul even admitted in his post-fight interview that he wondered if Mayweather carried him to the distance. Either way, it was far from the best performance we’ve seen from Mayweather, although it’s worth noting again that it was an exhibition fight that doesn’t really matter.
Ariel Helwani leaves ESPN, reportedly in talks with Action Network
Harry Kettle - June 7, 2021
MMA reporter Ariel Helwani has confirmed that he will be leaving ESPN later this month after three successful years with the company. Helwani is one of the most famous mixed martial arts journalists of his generation and will continue to hold that title for as long as he decides to cover the sport. Prior to this he spent time with MMA Fighting, before making what he considered to be the dream move of his career by jumping ship to ESPN.