MMA News
Phil Davis, not Corey Anderson, gets next Bellator title shot against Vadim Nemkov
Adam Martin - November 10, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker said that Phil Davis, and not Corey Anderson, will get the next title shot against 205lbs champ Vadim Nemkov. After Anderson dominated Melvin Manhoef in his Bellator debut, many fans and media thought he could jump past Davis for the next title shot against Nemkov, who will be making his first title defense since knocking out Ryan Bader. However, it appears as though Bellator has decided to go with Davis instead of Anderson for the next title shot.
Conor McGregor reflects on first fight with Dustin Poirier, tells fight fans “see you guys soon”
Cole Shelton - November 10, 2020
Conor McGregor has reflected on his first fight with Dustin Poirier after their rematch is reportedly a done deal. For weeks now, McGregor and Poirier have agreed to fight one another but on Tuesday it was reported to be a done deal, despite Dana White saying otherwise.
Israel Adesanya not committed to light heavyweight long-term: "Middleweight is my perfect fighting weight"
Adam Martin - November 10, 2020
UFC middleweight champ is Israel Adesanya not committed to light heavyweight long-term, stating “middleweight is my perfect fighting weight.” Adesanya won the UFC middleweight title in October 2019 when he defeated Robert Whittaker to take his belt. He has since defended his title successfully against Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa to improve his MMA record to a perfect 20-0. The UFC is now giving Adesanya the opportunity to move up to 205lbs and challenge new UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in an attempt to win a second belt. If Adesanya can beat Blachowicz, most fans figure that he will pursue a fight with Jon Jones next.
Maycee Barber set to return from her first career loss on February 13 against Alexa Grasso
Cole Shelton - November 10, 2020
Maycee Barber is set to return to the Octagon on February 13. According to Mexican outlet, Milenio.com, Barber is set to face Alexa Grasso at a Fight Night event on February 13. It is currently unknown if the event will take place in Las Vegas or on Fight Island.
After being "embarrassed" by his last performance, Eryk Anders looking to start a winning streak at UFC Vegas 14
Cole Shelton - November 10, 2020
Eryk Anders has been sitting on his last loss for quite some time. Back in May, Anders lost a decision to Krzysztof Jotko, which Anders isn’t mad at the result, but more frustrated with his performance. The former Alabama Crimson Tide football star knows he put on a boring performance for the fans and that is not what he is about.
Dana White says McGregor-Poirier 2 is not a done deal: "There are a ton of if's right now"
Cole Shelton - November 10, 2020
Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier may not be fighting at UFC 257 after all according to Dana White. Earlier on Tuesday, it was revealed the rematch between McGregor and Poirier was a done deal for UFC 257 on January 23. The two sides had verbally agreed to the rematch weeks ago but just recently word got around that the UFC might pull Poirier and do Justin Gaethje vs. Conor McGregor.
Andrei Arlovski explains how he is on a winning streak at age 41
Adam Martin - November 10, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski explained his recent success with being on a two-fight winning streak at the age of 41. Arlovski defeated the younger Tanner Boser via unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 13. It’s the second straight win for Arlovski, who won a unanimous decision over Phillipe Lines in his prior bout. Along with a decision win over Ben Rothwell last year, Arlovski has now won three of his last four fights. Considering it’s not that long ago that he was on a five-fight losing skid, his recent run has been remarkable.
Robert Whittaker makes prediction for Adesanya vs. Blachowicz fight
Tom Taylor - November 10, 2020
Former UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker has made a prediction for the upcoming fight between Israel Adesanya and Jan Blachowicz. Adesanya, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, and Blachowicz, the promotion’s new light heavyweight champ, are expected to fight for the latter’s title sometime in the new year.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 18 with Eryk Anders, Khaos Williams, Alex Morono & Louis Smolka
Cole Shelton - November 10, 2020
The 18th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 14. We’re first joined by UFC middleweight, Eryk Anders (2:05). Next, UFC welterweight, Khaos Williams (14:23) joins the program. UFC welterweight, Alex Morono (28:23) comes on. Closing out the show is UFC bantamweight, Louis Smolka (44:07).
Manager teases Khabib Nurmagomedov comeback
Tom Taylor - November 10, 2020
If a recent Tweet from MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz is to be taken at face value, Khabib Nurmagomedov could fight again in the future. Nurmagomedov last fought in the main event of UFC 254 in late October, when he defended the UFC lightweight title with a second-round submission victory over Justin Gaethje, who was widely viewed as his toughest challenger to date. This win pushed his record to a fantastic 29-0.
With eyes on ONE bantamweight belt, John Lineker ready for "tough opponent" Kevin Belingon
Tom Taylor - November 10, 2020
UFC veteran John Lineker came into ONE Championship having won eight of his last ten fights, all the while building a reputation as a ruthless finisher with very heavy hands. After beating the highly-regarded Muin Gafurov in his promotional debut in October of 2019, Lineker now has the opportunity to put himself into position for a shot at the ONE bantamweight belt.
Breaking: Conor McGregor set to return to the Octagon opposite Dustin Poirier at UFC 257
Tom Taylor - November 10, 2020
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor is set to return to the Octagon against Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 257 on January 23. News of this bout was first reported by MMA Fighting.
Michael Chandler calls out Conor McGregor: "I'm ready to sign when you are"
Tom Taylor - November 10, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is setting his sights on a blockbuster fight with MMA superstar Conor McGregor. Chandler signed with the UFC earlier this year, but has yet to make his debut with the promotion.
UFC rankings update: Glover Teixeira, Yan Xiaonan make huge climbs
Tom Taylor - November 10, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last weekend’s UFC Vegas 12 card, and as expected, there have been some significant changes. Most notably, ageless wonder Glover Teixeira has swiped the No. 1 spot in the light heavyweight rankings on the strength of his submission victory over Thiago Santos in the card’s main event.
Kevin Belingon outlines keys to victory against John Lineker
Tom Taylor - November 10, 2020
Former ONE bantamweight champion Kevin Belingon doesn’t expect his showdown with UFC veteran John Lineker to go the distance. The two hard-hitting bantamweights are set to collide in the main event of ONE: Inside the Matrix III, a previously-recorded event from Singapore scheduled for air on Friday, November 13th (SGT).
Paul Felder vs. Rafael dos Anjos opening betting odds revealed
Adam Martin - November 10, 2020
The opening betting odds were released for the UFC Vegas 14 main event this Saturday between contenders Paul Felder and Rafael dos Anjos. Felder stepped up on short notice and saved the show as he is filling in for Islam Makhachev on just five days’ notice and taking on a former champion in dos Anjos this Saturday at UFC Vegas 14. It’s incredible that Felder found the will to step up on such short notice and not only fight dos Anjos, but to do so at 155lbs and do so in a five-round fight. On paper, Felder vs. dos Anjos has the potential to be a fan-friendly fight.
Rafael dos Anjos shames Michael Chandler for turning down short-notice fight
Tom Taylor - November 10, 2020
Rafael dos Anjos is not impressed with Michael Chandler after the former Bellator champ turned down a short-notice fight at UFC Vegas 13. Dos Anjos, the former UFC lightweight champion, was originally expected to take on Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC Vegas 13, which goes down this Saturday on ESPN+. When Makhachev withdrew from the fight, however, he called on Chandler, who has yet to make his UFC debut, to step in.
Video | Stephen Thompson batters willing bodybuilder with kicks
Harry Kettle - November 10, 2020
UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson has taken part in an amusing video where he delivers vicious leg kicks to a bodybuilder. While Thompson may widely be known as one of the nicest fighters to ever step foot in the Octagon, his kickboxing skill has ensured that he is still one of the most feared strikers in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.