MMA News
Coach: Israel Adesanya would've faced Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title next if he beat Jan Blachowicz
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2021
Israel Adesanya had plans to try and become the first-ever three-weight champion in the UFC. According to Adesanya’s coach, Eugene Bareman had Adesanya became a champ-champ on Saturday he would’ve moved up to heavyweight if Miocic defended his belt again.
Megan Anderson reveals that the UFC featherweight division is being dropped from the promotion
Drake Riggs - March 9, 2021
After suffering a loss in her first UFC title opportunity against Amanda Nunes at UFC 259, Megan Anderson has revealed that the featherweight division is no more. The Australian took to her Twitch on Tuesday to share that she will not be returning to the UFC for her next time out. Anderson says she was informed earlier in the day that the promotion was cutting the 145-pound weight class altogether.
John Kavanagh says Conor McGregor approaching Dustin Poirier trilogy "with an MMA mentality"
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2021
Conor McGregor is changing his approach and mentality ahead of his trilogy with Dustin Poirier. At UFC 257, Poirier evened the score as he earned a second-round knockout over the Irishman. Given the fact, they are now 1-1 against each other, with both wins coming by knockout, it makes sense to do the trilogy. According to Kavanagh, the goal remains the same of having that fight take place in the summer.
Holly Holm explains why Julianna Pena fight fell through
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm has shed some light why she was forced out of a planned fight with Julianna Pena. Holm and Pena were slated to collide on May 8, in a bout that could have earned the winner a crack at reigning bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes.
UFC rankings update: Aljamain Sterling forces Conor McGregor off pound-for-pound list
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last Saturday’s stacked UFC 259 card, and as expected, there have been some significant changes. The biggest chances to the UFC rankings concern the men’s pound-for-pound list.
Rafael dos Anjos reacts to Islam Makhachev's UFC 259 win: "Stop this hype"
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos isn’t buying the hype surrounding rising contender Islam Makhachev. Makhachev, a long-time friend and training partner of Khabib Nurmagomedov, returned to the cage on the UFC 259 main card last Saturday in Las Vegas, where he picked up an impressive submission victory over Drew Dober.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 31 with Dan Ige, Eryk Anders, Jonathan Martinez and Jason Witt
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2021
The 31st episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 21. var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_50564942", "obj": {"id":"22947","width":"100%","height":"","video":"737270"} });
Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya "doesn't really need to happen," says Daniel Cormier
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is no longer interested in a potential super fight between Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya. Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, and Adesanya the reigning middleweight champion, are two of the fiercest rivals in MMA at present—to the point that a future fight between them seemed almost inevitable.
Kamaru Usman, Gilbert Burns cross paths at Sanford MMA: "We're going to see each other again soon, in the Octagon"
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and his latest opponent, Gilbert Burns, recently crossed paths at Sanford MMA in South Florida. For many years, Usman and Burns called themselves teammates at Sanford MMA. Eventually, however, Usman left the gym to train under Trevor Wittman in Colorado. Not long thereafter, he and Burns were booked to clash for the welterweight strap.
Joseph Benavidez issues statement after UFC 259 loss to Askar Askarov
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
UFC flyweight star Joseph Benavidez has issued a statement after his decision loss to rising Russian contender Askar Askarov. Benavidez and Askarov met on the undercard of Saturday’s UFC 259 card in Las Vegas. Despite a spirited effort, Benavidez lost by unanimous decision, marking his third defeat in as many fights.
UFC Vegas 21: ‘Edwards vs. Muhammad’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - March 9, 2021
After the excitement of UFC 259, we return to another thrilling Fight Night full of potential as Leon Edwards attempts to earn himself a title shot when he meets Belal Muhammad at UFC Vegas 21. Event: UFC Vegas 21: Edwards vs Muhammad Date: Saturday, 13th March 2021 Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Broadcast: ESPN+ – 5pm/8pm EST
Coach Ray Longo on Aljamain Sterling winning the title at UFC 259: “It’s almost like it cursed him”
Harry Kettle - March 9, 2021
Aljamain Sterling coach Ray Longo has hit back at the trolls coming after the new champion in the wake of his win at UFC 259. Sterling captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship on Saturday night after Petr Yan was disqualified due to an illegal knee he threw. In the wake of the event, with photos of Sterling holding the belt being leaked onto social media, many fans decided to throw a whole lot of grief at him and his team.
Petr Yan fires back at Jon Jones after congratulating Aljamain Sterling on DQ win
Drake Riggs - March 8, 2021
Petr Yan lost his title at UFC 259 – but it came at his own doing rather than his opponent’s. Yan dropped his bantamweight crown after landing an illegal knee to incapacitate the downed challenger, Aljamain Sterling, this past Saturday night. Since then, the community has been buzzing with many a thought on the matter. Among the names was the former light heavyweight kingpin, Jon Jones.
Aljamain Sterling has a message for those who are offended by him posing with the UFC belt
Christopher Taylor - March 8, 2021
Aljamain Sterling has issued a statement following the immense backlash he has received for posing with the UFC bantamweight title. Sterling (20-3 MMA) captured the promotions coveted bantamweight title at Saturday’s UFC 259 event, but it was not in the fashion he or anyone watching desired.
Ray Rodriguez expects to KO Rani Yahya to prove he's "one of the best bantamweights in the world"
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2021
Ray Rodriguez is confident he will get his first UFC win. At UFC Vegas 21, Rodriguez is set to return to the Octagon against Rani Yahya. Rodriguez made his UFC debut last September and suffered a 39-second submission loss to Brian Kelleher on short notice. It was a disappointing result for Rodriguez but he knew he’d get another well-known name and he gets his wish against former WEC bantamweight title challenger in Yahya.
Leon Edwards on Colby Covington turning him down: "When it's time to fight real fighters he goes running and makes excuses"
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2021
Leon Edwards wasn’t too surprised when Colby Covington turned him down. After Khamzat Chimaev was forced out of his UFC Vegas 21 main event against Leon Edwards, many thought Covington would step up. Unfortunately, that did not come to fruition and instead, Edwards will now face Belal Muhammad.
Daniel Cormier still believes Jon Jones is the best light heavyweight alive
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2021
Daniel Cormier believes Jon Jones is still the best light heavyweight in the world. After Jan Blachowicz defeated Israel Adesanya to defend his light heavyweight title for the first time, many wondered how he would do against Jon Jones. After the Pole won the vacant belt, he told BJPENN.com that Jones went up to heavyweight because of him. However, according to Cormier, the former UFC champ-champ says “Bones” is still the best light heavyweight.
Julianna Pena calls for title fight with Amanda Nunes
Tom Taylor - March 8, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Julianna Pena is setting her sights on a title shot against Amanda Nunes. Nunes currently rules over the UFC bantamweight and featherweight divisions. She returned to the Octagon at UFC 259 last Saturday, defending the former title with a blowout, first-round submission victory over Megan Anderson.