MMA News
Sean O'Malley determined to avoid mistake Conor McGregor made
Tom Taylor - July 21, 2020
As Sean O’Malley closes in on a title fight with bantamweight champion Petr Yan, he’s keen to avoid a mistake made by MMA superstar Conor McGregor. O’Malley is easily one of the most promising prospects in MMA right now, and he’s already on the radar of many of his division’s top fighters, including former champions Henry Cejudo and Cody Garbrandt, and the reigning champion Yan.
Paige VanZant: I will "show off how good I am" after "rock bottom"
Tom Taylor - July 21, 2020
After a long stint with the UFC, Paige VanZant is now a free agent, but her mixed martial arts career is far from over. VanZant fulfilled the final obligation of her latest UFC contract at UFC 251, when she was submitted by Amanda Ribas. While it’s possible she will re-sign with the UFC, she can now field offers from other promotions.
Daniel Cormier explains how he "fumbled really bad" in Stipe Miocic rematch
Tom Taylor - July 21, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier says he “fumbled” his 2019 rematch with Stipe Miocic. Cormier and Miocic first met in 2018, when Cormier, then the light heavyweight champion, challenged Miocic for the heavyweight strap. In a historic feat, Cormier won this fight by first-round knockout.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 3 with Dan Lambert, Peter Sobotta & Ricky Bandejas
Cole Shelton - July 21, 2020
The third episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Fight Island 3 and Bellator 242. Host Cole Shelton is first joined by American Top Team owner Dan Lambert (1:56). Then, UFC welterweight Peter Sobotta (24:29) comes on and the final guest is Bellator bantamweight, Ricky Bandejas (41:26).
Ali Abdelaziz: “Khabib Nurmagomedov told me to tell Justin Gaethje to go fight Conor McGregor”
Natasha Hooper - July 21, 2020
According to his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, Khabib Nurmagomedov encouraged Justin Gaethje to go fight Conor McGregor next. UFC president Dana White recently revealed that “The Eagle” is taking some time away from the Octagon due to the tragic death off his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. He was expected to return to fighting at UFC 253 on September 19 and defend his belt against the lightweight interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje. White hasn’t ruled out the possibility of the fight but is still waiting for a callback from Nurmagomedov to see where his head is at.
Dana White praises Amanda Ribas, says she will fight again this fall
Adam Martin - July 20, 2020
UFC president Dana White praised women’s flyweight contender Amanda Ribas and said she will return to the Octagon this fall. Ribas is coming off of a first-round armbar submission win over Paige VanZant in the main card pay-per-view opener at UFC 251. The win upped Ribas’ record in the UFC to 4-0 with wins over VanZant, Randa Markos, Mackenzie Dern, and Emily Whitmire. White and the UFC are always looking for the next big thing, especially in the women’s weight divisions, and Ribas appears like she could break out and become a massive star for the promotion.
Joanne Calderwood steps in on short notice to fight Jennifer Maia on August 1
Cole Shelton - July 20, 2020
Joanne Calderwood may not be getting the next title shot after all. Calderwood was set to take on Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 251 when it was supposed to take place in Perth, Australia. Yet, an injury to champion and the COVID-19 pandemic halted those plans. But, all signs still pointed to her fighting Shevchenko until now.
Dana White targeting three title fights to take place on Fight Island, claims Abu Dhabi is the new fight capital
Cole Shelton - July 20, 2020
Dana White is expecting to be on Fight Island for a while and is already looking at three title fights to take place there. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world, White has been adamant he will keep on holding events. He even said he’d be hosting them on an island. Well, on July 11 at UFC 251 he did just that as Fight Island was born in Abu Dhabi, which the UFC boss says is the new fight capital of the world.
Daniel Cormier doesn't know if teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight again following the death of his father
Cole Shelton - July 20, 2020
Daniel Cormier does not believe Khabib Nurmagomedov will be fighting in 2020. He also doesn’t know if his teammate will even fight again. Nurmagomedov was expected to face Justin Gaethje at UFC 253 on September 19. Yet, his father recently passed away due to complications of COVID-19. Since then, the undefeated champion has been mourning his father, while many have wondered when may he fight again.
Gilbert Burns announces he's "covid free"
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
On Monday afternoon, surging UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns announced that he has tested negative for COVID-19. Burns was expected to challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. Regrettably, he tested positive for COVID-19, and was promptly removed from the matchup as a result. He was then replaced by Jorge Masvidal, who Usman defeated by unanimous decision.
Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa odds update
Adam Martin - July 20, 2020
We have an update for the betting odds in the upcoming middleweight title fight at UFC 253 between champion Israel Adesanya and challenger Paulo Costa. The odds for Adesanya vs. Costa were actually originally released last fall immediately after Adesanya knocked out Robert Whittaker to win the belt at UFC 243. At the time, Costa was coming off of a decision win over Yoel Romero at UFC 241 and was set to fight Adesanya for the belt. Unfortunately, Costa injured his bicep and couldn’t fight for the belt. Instead, Adesanya took on Romero at UFC 248 and won a unanimous decision to keep his belt.
Colby Covington slams "pathetic" Jorge Masvidal for requesting Usman rematch
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
Colby Covington has some choice words for Jorge Masvidal, who recently requested a rematch with UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. Masvidal challenged Usman for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 251 earlier this month. He accepted the fight on six days’ notice, replacing Usman’s originally slated foe Gilbert Burns, who tested positive for COVID-19.
Dana White noncommittal on Aljamain Sterling title shot
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
UFC President Dana White isn’t ready to guarantee Aljamain Sterling the next crack at the UFC bantamweight title. The UFC bantamweight throne was left vacant after the former champion Henry Cejudo retired in May. A new champion was crowned at UFC 251 earlier this month, when Petr Yan defeated Jose Aldo by fifth-round TKO in a fight for the vacant title.
Sean O'Malley trolls UFC 252 opponent Marlon Vera with new hairstyle
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
Surging UFC bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley has trolled his UFC 252 opponent Marlon “Chito” Vera with a new hair style. O’Malley, who has never been afraid to get creative with fashion, has died his hair the colors of the flag of Ecuador—Vera’s home country.
Joe Rogan praises "one of the most promising talents in the sport" after UFC on ESPN+ 30
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
You can count long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan among those riding the Arman Tsarukyan hype train. Tsarukyan, who is now 15-2 as a pro mixed martial artist, came up short in his UFC debut, losing a decision to Khabib Nurmagomedov training partner Islam Makhachev. Since then, however, the Russia-based Armenian has rebounded with a pair of impressive decision wins over Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Davi Ramos, the latter of which occured at UFC on ESPN+ 30 last Saturday night in Abu Dhabi.
Darren Till responds to Mike Perry's eye-poke threat: "That's not going to happen"
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
Darren Till and Mike Perry have had an interesting relationship over the course of their time in the UFC. Initially, the pair were rivals in the welterweight division, and were seemingly destined to clash in the Octagon. Then, they seemed to form something of a friendship, and even partook in a sparring session together. More recently, however, their relationship has regressed, and Perry is now chomping at the bit for the chance to fight Till—despite the fact that the Brit has moved up to the middleweight division.
Manager: Khabib Nurmagomedov will fight Justin Gaethje by year's end
Tom Taylor - July 20, 2020
Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje, says the pair will fight by the end of the year. Nurmagomedov, the undisputed UFC lightweight champ has been expected to defend his title against Gaethje, the interim champ, for some time. However, doubt was cast on the bout when Nurmagomedov’s father and trainer Abdulmanap died this summer.
Henry Cejudo sends a message to Dana White after witnessing the UFC hand his belts to a couple of “Rent A champs”
Harry Kettle - July 20, 2020
Henry Cejudo has sent a message to UFC President Dana White in the wake of new bantamweight and flyweight champions being crowned. “Triple C” retired from mixed martial arts back in May after his convincing win over Dominick Cruz at UFC 249, opening the door for both of the aforementioned divisions to move on without him. In the last few weeks, Petr Yan and Deiveson Figueiredo have both stepped up to the plate and won titles in their respective weight classes – prompting more than a few responses from Cejudo.