MMA News
Islam Makhachev on Dustin Poirier moving up to welterweight: “I think he just wanna make money. He knows he's not gonna be champion no more”
Susan Cox - February 4, 2022
According to Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poiriers’ move to welterweight is only because he won’t ever be a lightweight champion. Poirier (28-7 MMA) lost to Charles Oliveira (32-8 MMA) at UFC 269 in December 2021, failing to earn the desired lightweight belt. It was Poiriers’ second attempt to gain the title, his first attempt was back in 2019 at UFC 242, in Abu Dhabi, when he lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA).
Michael Bisping reacts after Jorge Masvidal releases the first episode of ‘Judas Covington’
Susan Cox - February 4, 2022
Michael Bisping has reacted after Jorge Masvidal released episode one of ‘The Story of Judas Covington’ to expose his former friend, Colby. Covington (16-3 MMA) and Masvidal (35-15 MMA), are set to do battle in the headliner of UFC 272 on March 5, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Marvin Vettori responds after Paulo Costa suggests he wants to end his life: “I know a bitch her name Felicia she hits harder than you”
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2022
UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori has hit out at Paulo Costa as the Brazilian continues to push for a rematch. Back in October, Marvin Vettori and Paulo Costa clashed in what turned out to be an impromptu light heavyweight bout – as well as a Fight of the Year contender. The contest was initially supposed to take place at 185 pounds, only for a fight week alteration to be made as a result of Costa’s weight issues.
Michael Bisping reveals how a previous motorcycle accident changed Sean Strickland’s fight style: “He got a ton of money from the accident”
Susan Cox - February 4, 2022
During a ‘Believe You Me’ podcast, former UFC champion Michael Bisping discussed a conversation he had with Sean Strickland concerning his previous motorcycle accident and how it changed his fight style. Sean Strickland (24-3 MMA) is scheduled to fight Jack Hermansson (22-6 MMA) this Saturday, February 5th at the UFC Vegas 47 main event.
Aleksei Oleinik vs. Ilir Latifi booked for UFC Columbus
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2022
A heavyweight fight between Aleksei Oleinik and Ilir Latifi has been added to UFC Columbus. Multiple sources informed BJPENN.com that Oleinik and Latifi have signed to fight one another at UFC Columbus on March 26. The card does not have a main event after Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic was pulled from the headlining spot.
Jeremy Stephens feels he was being “iced out” by the UFC: “I just want an opportunity to go to work”
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2022
Jeremy Stephens has explained why he believes he was being “iced out” by the UFC prior to leaving the promotion. Last month, it was announced that UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens would not be re-signing with the company and would instead be heading to PFL. The 35-year-old last won a bout back in February 2018 but was always viewed as one of the most entertaining guys on the roster – especially across the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
Khabib Nurmagomedov on Drake showing up with Conor McGregor at UFC 229: “People said this guy is very famous. I swear I didn’t know this guy”
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2022
Khabib Nurmagomedov has said he didn’t know who Drake was when he showed up with Conor McGregor at UFC 229. The build-up to UFC 229 in 2018 was so intense that it was always going to break records throughout the promotion. From PPV numbers to social media engagement and beyond, the world wanted to see what was going to happen when Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor squared off in Las Vegas.
Jack Hermansson seeks title shot with win at UFC Vegas 47: "I think people want to see Jack Hermannson vs. Adesanya"
Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2022
Jack Hermansson thinks it’s about time for him to receive a title shot. ‘The Joker’ is currently set to face Sean Strickland at UFC Vegas 47 this weekend. The No.6-ranked middleweight is only 2-2 in his last four bouts. However, he believes that if he scores a win over ‘Tarzan’ he very well may receive a title shot next.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk reveals the hardest puncher she's ever fought
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2022
Joanna Jedrzejczyk has revealed who the hardest puncher she has ever fought is. Jedrzejczyk has fought the who’s who of the strawweight division and even competed at flyweight against Valentina Shevchenko. She shared the Octagon with the likes of Jessica Andrade, Rose Namajunas, and Weili Zhang among others. However, she says Valerie Letourneau is the hardest hitter she has ever fought.
Khabib Nurmagomedov criticizes Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather boxing match: "It was not a real fight"
Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2022
Khabib Nurmagomedov has weighed in on the 2017 superfight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather. The boxing match between the UFC lightweight champion and one of the GOATs of boxing is the second-largest PPV ever. The fight sold 4.3 million buys in the United States, and over a million in the U.K. as well.
Daniel Cormier thinks Isreal Adesanya - Anderson Silva comparisons are premature: "Izzy has some work to do"
Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2022
Daniel Cormier has weighed in on the middleweight GOAT conversation. Israel Adesanya is set to fight Robert Whittaker for the second time at UFC 271. If ‘The Last Stylebender’ wins, it’ll be his 4th title defense, and put his professional record at a stellar 22-1.
Khabib Nurmagomedov blames Conor McGregor's performance for UFC 229 post-fight brawl: "I was preparing for war and he tapped"
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2022
Khabib Nurmagomedov says Conor McGregor’s poor performance at UFC 229 played a key role in him starting the post-fight brawl. After Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor, ‘The Eagle’ jumped out of the Octagon and attacked Dillon Danis in the Irishman’s corner. People from Nurmagomedov’s corner then went into the Octagon to try and fight McGregor as all hell broke loose.
Pro fighters make their picks for Jack Hermansson vs. Sean Strickland
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2022
In the main event of UFC Vegas 47, a battle of top-10 middleweights go down as Jack Hermansson takes on Sean Strickland. Heading into the fight, Strickland is a -210 favorite while the Swede is a +175 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros believe Strickland will be able to keep it standing and either get a late finish or a clear decision win.
Khabib Nurmagomedov scoffs at Jake Paul’s Eagle FC ultimatum: “He has to learn a lot”
Susan Cox - February 3, 2022
Khabib Nurmagomedov established Eagle Fighting Championship in 2020 after retiring as a former UFC lightweight champion. ‘The Eagle’ has no intention of competing again.
Jack Hermansson on Sean Strickland saying he would be happy to kill someone in the Octagon: “It’s not actually helping our cause”
Susan Cox - February 3, 2022
UFC Vegas 47 features Jack Hermansson (22-6 MMA) vs Sean Strickland (24-3 MMA) this Saturday, February 5th in the main event. Strickland has made it known in the past that it would make him ‘super happy’ to actually kill an opponent in the Octagon or in a parking lot for that matter. Yes, ‘Tarzan’ seems to ‘fantasize’ about murder be it in or out of the cage.
Sean Strickland explains why Kevin Holland doesn’t like him: “I think I told him I could rape him in prison one day”
Susan Cox - February 3, 2022
Sean Strickland, 30, (24-3 MMA) is currently competing in the UFC middleweight division and has opened up on why Kevin Holland doesn’t like him. Strickland has been very open about the tough childhood he had growing up, even going as far as admitting, ‘I got kicked out of school for hate crimes’. ‘Tarzan’ has an arguably rough-around-the-edges way with words and seemingly likes to antagonize other fighters in the UFC.
Paddy Pimblett explains why he’s “glad” that a UFC fight with Jared Gordon didn’t pan out
Harry Kettle - February 3, 2022
UFC newcomer Paddy Pimblett has explained why his rumoured showdown with Jared Gordon didn’t come to fruition. In the last few months we’d been hearing speculation that Paddy Pimblett, who knocked out Luigi Vendramini in his UFC debut, would be locking horns with Jared Gordon in his next fight. Unfortunately for fans that isn’t going to happen, but Pimblett will still be appearing on the upcoming UFC London card – against Rodrigo Vargas.
Derrick Lewis really appreciates Tai Tuivasa for his KO of Greg Hardy, but he’s still not willing to do a shoey: “My feet smell cheesy”
Harry Kettle - February 3, 2022
Derrick Lewis has admitted he isn’t a big fan of Tai Tuivasa’s shoeys – but he did enjoy seeing him knock out Greg Hardy. At UFC 271 next week, Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa will attempt to move a step closer to a UFC heavyweight title shot as they clash in the PPV’s co-main event. Both men are coming off the back of impressive knockout wins and while Tuivasa has a longer streak, “The Black Beast” has only been beaten once in his last six outings.