MMA News
Tristan Connelly ecstatic to finally make return and featherweight drop at UFC 261, expects a "three-round war" against Pat Sabatini
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2021
Tristan Connelly will finally make the walk to the Octagon at UFC 261 and will do so two weight classes lower than his debut fight. Connelly made his UFC debut on short notice against Michel Pereira at UFC Vancouver in 2019, he also moved up to welterweight for the fight. Connelly ended up pulling off a big upset and earned a decision win.
UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2 full betting odds
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2021
Check out the complete betting odds for this Saturday’s UFC 261 card featuring three title fights including Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal running it back. The UFC 261 main event sees Usman look to defend his welterweight title for the fourth time as he rematches Masvidal. The two fought back at UFC 251 last July with Usman winning the fight by decision, but “Gamebred” took it on six day’s notice. Since that fight, Usman TKO’d Gilbert Burns, while Masvidal has not fought since.
Drakkar Klose given show, but not win money, following canceled fight with Jeremy Stephens
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC lightweight Drakkar Klose has been given his show money, but not his win bonus, after his recent fight with Jeremy Stephens was canceled. Last Friday at the UFC Vegas 24 weigh-ins, Klose was shoved by Stephens. The shove came out of nowhere and startled Klose, who was already dehydrated from cutting weight. The next day, the fight was canceled just hours before the fighters were supposed to step into the cage. Klose later released a statement saying that he was injured from the shove and that he was dealing with whiplash-like symptoms. UFC president Dana White responded by saying that UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby was the one to blame since he should have prevented the shove from ever occurring between Klose and Stephens.
Lorenz Larkin returns to the Bellator cage in May in middleweight bout against Costello Van Steenis
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
Former UFC welterweight Lorenz Larkin will move up to middleweight when he takes on Costello Van Steenis at Bellator 258 next month. Many fans have been wondering what Larkin has been up to. When Bellator released its inaugural promotional rankings last week, Larkin was nowhere to be found in the 170lbs rankings because he had a 15-month layoff. Still, it made fans wonder where “Da Monsoon” was. Now we know, as the striker just had next his MMA fight announced.
Ronda Rousey announces pregnancy
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey has publicly announced that she is pregnant and she will have a child with Travis Browne in September. Rousey made the announcement in a YouTube video posted to her channel on Wednesday that she and her husband, Browne, are having a baby this fall. The UFC Hall of Famer said that she and Browne found out they were having a baby in January and the baby is due in September. Check out the official announcement that Rousey and Browne made below.
UFC 261 | Pro fighters make their picks for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2021
In the main event of UFC 261, Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal are running it back in front of a full capacity crowd in Jacksonville. Heading into the fight, Usman is a -400 favorite while “Gamebred” is a +300 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believe Usman beats Masvidal just like he did at UFC 251 as he will defend his welterweight title again.
Cody Garbrandt unloads on Jake Paul for callout of Daniel Cormier, spawns beef with J’Leon Love
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC bantamweight Cody Garbrandt unloaded on Jake Paul for his callout of Daniel Cormier and he spawned a beef with pro boxer J’Leon Love. Paul knocked out Ben Askren at this past Saturday night’s Triller Fight Club event, and ever since then, he has been taking to social media to talk trash about a number of MMA fighters, including Cormier. As well, there was an incident backstage between Team Paul and former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, where J’Leon Love — a pro boxer who is part of Paul’s squad — was seen talking some smack to “The Chosen One.”
Michael Chandler explains why he has been targeting Dustin Poirier, not Conor McGregor, in lead-up to UFC 262
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler explained why he has been targeting Dustin Poirier, not Conor McGregor, in the lead-up to UFC 262. Chandler turned heads at his UFC debut earlier this year when he knocked out Dan Hooker. The win was good enough for the promotion to give him a vacant UFC lightweight title shot against Charles Oliveira at UFC 262 in May. And while Chandler is fully focused on that fight, it hasn’t stopped him from taking to social media and interviews to take shots at Poirier. There is a reason for that, according to Chandler.
Jake Paul no longer following through on wrestling match with Ben Askren: "I'm choosing not to do it anymore because he’s a f*cking loser"
Christopher Taylor - April 21, 2021
Jake Paul is no longer interested in having a pay-per-view wrestling match with his recent boxing opponent Ben Askren. Askren (19-2 MMA), a former MMA champion, made his boxing debut against Paul this past Saturday night in Atlanta. The fight itself did not last long, as the YouTuber turned boxer dropped ‘Funky’ with a big right hand early in round one. When Askren got to his feet he was still noticeably wobbled so the referee waved off the fight.
Conor McGregor expresses interest in buying Manchester United
Christopher Taylor - April 20, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has expressed interest in purchasing the football club Manchester United. On Tuesday the heavily scrutinized plans for a European Super League seemingly fell apart after football fans worldwide came together to protest the idea.
Corey Anderson claims his two fights with Bellator have paid him double what he made in 15 fights with the UFC
Christopher Taylor - April 20, 2021
Corey Anderson claims that six months of work with his new employer Bellator has resulted in double the money he made in 15 fights with the UFC. The light heavyweight standout, Anderson (15-5 MMA), earned his second consecutive finish under the Bellator banner this past Friday in Uncasville, stopping Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov with elbows in the third round.
Khamzat Chimaev believes he will be the Mike Tyson, Muhammad Ali of MMA: "I'm going to show everybody"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev claims he will be the Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali of MMA, now that he’s able to continue his career. After a severe case with COVID-19, Chimaev seemingly announced his retirement from the sport. It was disappointing news for many MMA fans as Chimaev was a top prospect who looked like a future star in the sport.
Ben Askren disagrees with ref stoppage but says he didn't take a dive as some suggest: "I got hit"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Ben Askren has put to bed any doubts that he took a dive against Jake Paul. In the first round of their highly-anticipated boxing match, both men were feeling each other out but after landing a jab, Paul followed it up with a big overhand right that dropped the UFC veteran. The fight was then waived off, and many wondered if the fight was fixed, which Askren says was not the case.
Jake Paul calls out Daniel Cormier: “I’ll beat the f**k out of your fat ass too, just like Stipe did"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Jake Paul has called out Daniel Cormier as he wants to beat him up just like his fellow Clevelander, Stipe Miocic did. In the lead-up to Paul’s boxing match against Ben Askren, Cormier was vocal about the fight. He had said after “Funky” pushed him at the press conference, Askren was going to win the fight, which is far from what happened.
Eddie Alvarez vs. Oscar de la Hoya "a real possibility," confirms Chatri Sityodtong
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong revealed that Eddie Alvarez vs. Oscar de la Hoya in a boxing match is “a real possibility.” Alvarez recently admitted that he was in “serious talks” to fight de la Hoya, the boxing legend who is also part of the commentary team the Triller Fight Club.
Daniel Cormier says he would "kill" Jake Paul if they ever fought, suggests Luke Rockhold fight him instead
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier doesn’t believe Jake Paul actually wants to fight him because he would get destroyed if they ever fought. Cormier, the former UFC double champion, posted his hilarious reaction of watching Ben Askren get finished by Paul at Saturday’s boxing event. The two then got into a bit of a back-and-forth on social media, so it wasn’t a surprise that Cormier had some harsh words for Paul on his podcast.
Randy Brown expects to TKO Alex Oliveira in a "banger" of a fight: "I'm preparing for war"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Randy Brown is excited to share the Octagon with Alex Oliveira. Brown and Oliveira were supposed to meet in February, but Brown got COVID-19. Yet, the good news was the fight was rebooked for a sold out crowd in Jacksonville at UFC 261, which Brown is excited about.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk wants title shot against Weili Zhang vs. Rose Namajunas winner at UFC 261
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk believes she should be next to fight the winner of Weili Zhang vs. Rose Namajunas. Jedrzejczyk hasn’t fought since last March when she dropped a split decision to Zhang in a “Fight of the Year” candidate at UFC 248. Since then, Jedrzejczyk has been staying busy outside the Octagon with other ventures and she has enjoyed taking some time off to rest and relax, especially during COVID-19 times. However, she still plans on fighting again, and her hope is that she can step back into the Octagon and get a title fight shortly.