MMA News
Robert Whittaker explains what went wrong in first fight with Israel Adesanya: "My ego was something that affected me"
Chris Taylor - January 8, 2022
Robert Whittaker has explained what went wrong in his first fight with reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Whittaker (23-5 MMA) and Adesanya (21-1 MMA) initially collided for the promotions undisputed middleweight title in October of 2019, with ‘Stylebender’ emerging victorious by way of a second round knockout.
Korean Zombie frontrunner to replace Max Holloway against Alexander Volkanovski, multiple fighters express interest
Cole Shelton - January 7, 2022
Korean Zombie is reportedly the favorite to replace Max Holloway and face Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 272 for the featherweight belt. Earlier on Friday, it was revealed Holloway was forced out of the bout due to an injury. However, sources told BJPENN.com that the Hawaiian had never signed the contract so the fight was never truly official. But, after the news came out that Holloway was out, multiple featherweights put their name in the hat to fight Volkanovski, despite Korean Zombie being the front runner.
Jake Paul practices leg kicks, tweets at PFL and Bellator (Watch)
Cole Shelton - January 7, 2022
Jake Paul has hinted at having an MMA fight and now he’s taken a step towards that. Paul has taken the boxing world by storm as he’s 5-0 and coming off a violent KO win over Tyron Woodley. After the victory, he talked about wanting to have an MMA fight before his career is over and said he wants to train at AKA.
Jorge Masvidal calls out 'coward' Colby Covington: 'They gonna call you and hopefully 4th time is a charm'
Cole Shelton - January 7, 2022
Jorge Masvidal has taken a shot at his nemesis Colby Covington. Masvidal and Covington used to be training partners and friends, even living together at one point. However, they had a massive falling out which caused “Chaos” to leave the ATT gym and since then, the two have been going back and forth at one another. After Covington lost to Kamaru Usman he told Masvidal to pull out of his UFC 269 fight against Leon Edwards so they could fight. While, “Gamebred” did not grant Colby his wish, he did end up having to pull out of the Edwards bout due to injury.
Derrick Lewis books fight with Tai Tuivasa for UFC 271 in Houston
Susan Cox - January 7, 2022
A massive fight for the heavyweight division will take place at UFC 271 as Derrick Lewis is set to meet Tai Tuivasa. That news comes courtesy of MMAJunkie, who reported that the perennial division contenders will collide on February 12th under the bright lights of the Toyota Center.
Dustin Poirier launches ‘Rare Stash’ whiskey company to compete against Conor McGregor’s ‘Proper 12’
Susan Cox - January 7, 2022
Dustin Poirier, former interim UFC lightweight champion, has launched his very own ‘Rare Stash’ bourbon. ‘The Diamond’s’ latest business venture was announced in a twitter video:
The UFC announces 3 new matchups including the return of welterweight veteran Matt Brown
Susan Cox - January 7, 2022
The UFC has announced three new matchups including the return of fan favorite welterweight Matt Brown. Brown (23-18 MMA) will be returning to the Octagon in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio on March 26th opposite opponent Bryan Barberena, according to a report from MMAFighting.
Michael Bisping says fans shouldn’t blame the UFC if Conor McGregor gets a title shot in his return: “Blame yourself because you are ultimately responsible”
Susan Cox - January 7, 2022
Michael Bisping, speaking on his youtube channel is letting fans know they should not blame the UFC, Dana White or anyone else but themselves if Conor McGregor gets a title shot in his return. “A lot of people inside the top-15, top-5, top-10, they’re gonna say: ‘What the f*ck is happening? Why is Conor McGregor getting to skip the line?’ Well guess what? As I said this is prize fighting, this is about pay-per-views. This is the UFC and they put on the fights, historically that we want to see, okay.” Bisping said. “The fights that we want to see, they are the fights the UFC put up. So, if you’re not happy that Conor McGregor might get to skip the line and fight the champion when he’s not even ranked, don’t blame Conor McGregor, don’t blame Dana White, don’t blame the UFC, blame your-f*cking-self because you are ultimately responsible.”
UFC 272 betting odds: Petr Yan and Alex Volkanovski open as favorites
Harry Kettle - January 7, 2022
Sean Strickland details his interactions with Muslims and Christians: “I find the death threats way more entertaining”
Harry Kettle - January 7, 2022
UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has spoken about some of the backlash he’s received for his comments towards various religions. Over the course of the last few months we’ve seen Sean Strickland come into the spotlight in a big way. His win over Uriah Hall certainly helped but in addition to that, Strickland has made the headlines for a series of remarks he’s made about a variety of different topics.
Paddy Pimblett on Dustin Poirier: “Lad, if Oliveira can do that to you Dustin, I can”
Harry Kettle - January 7, 2022
UFC newcomer Paddy Pimblett believes he could submit Dustin Poirier in a similar manner to Charles Oliveira. Ever since arriving in the UFC last year, Paddy Pimblett hasn’t been afraid to make some noise. From his knockout win over Luigi Vendramini to his cocky persona, “The Baddy” is someone that plenty of folks are going to be keeping an eye on throughout 2022.
UFC and ESPN announce price hike beginning with this month’s pay-per-view event
Harry Kettle - January 7, 2022
The UFC and ESPN have announced an increase in the price of pay-per-views – beginning this month with UFC 270. Over the course of the last few years, the Ultimate Fighting Championship and ESPN have enjoyed a strong relationship with one another. The UFC serves as one of the top products ESPN has at their disposal, with ESPN offering the UFC some great exposure.
Khamzat Chimaev agrees to fight former UFC title challenger Gilbert Burns on April 9
Christopher Taylor - January 6, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev has agreed to fight former UFC welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns on April 9. Chimaev (10-0 MMA) last competed at October’s UFC 267 event, where he needed less than a round to dispose of ranked welterweight Li Jingliang. That contest was Khamzat’s first since September of 2020, where he had scored a sensational 18-second knockout win over Gerald Meerschaert (see that here).
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega is 'the greatest fight in MMA history,' claims Henry Cejudo
Cole Shelton - January 6, 2022
Henry Cejudo believes Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega at UFC 266 was the greatest fight in MMA history. Volkanovski was looking to defend his belt for the second time as he took on Ortega in a highly-anticipated bout. The two coached TUF and on the show, they began to dislike one another which only added to the excitement of the fight.
Chael Sonnen claps back at 'stupid' Paddy Pimblett
Andrew Whitelaw - January 6, 2022
Chael Sonnen has not taken kindly to UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett accusing him of ‘clickbait.’ The Brit was strongly rumoured to be fighting Donald Cerrone but ‘the Baddy’ appeared on Michael Bisping’s podcast where he denied the fight was happening and accused Sonnen of stirring the pot for clicks.
Urijah Faber responds to Cub Swanson's callout: 'We might find out who the king of California is'
Cole Shelton - January 6, 2022
Urijah Faber has some interest in fighting Cub Swanson. After Swanson beat Darren Elkins back in December, he hinted at a possible matchup with Faber and a drop to bantamweight. Swanson said Urijah is his dream fight and he wants the two to fight in California to find out who the real ‘King of Cali’ is.
Gregor Gillespie blasts Tony Ferguson for ducking him: 'I will f**k you up'
Cole Shelton - January 6, 2022
Gregor Gillespie believes Tony Ferguson is ducking him. Gillespie recently called out Ferguson, and sources close to the situation informed BJPENN.com that there were discussions for the fight to take place at UFC 271 this February in Houston, but it never came to fruition.
Tyson Fury open to having a boxing match with Francis a Ngannou in UFC gloves
Susan Cox - January 6, 2022
Francis Ngannou has expressed an interest in boxing Tyson Fury for years and both have taken to Twitter today citing a challenge to one another. Fury tweeting: “Who would like to see me fight this beast boxing rules @ufc gloves?”
Sean O’Malley responds after receiving “super weird” charity criticism from Marlon Vera: “Some people have no respect”
Susan Cox - January 6, 2022
Sean O’Malley has responded after receiving some “super weird” charity criticism from former opponent Marlon Vera. Over the past year and a half there has been an ongoing feud between Vera and O’Malley. It seemingly began after UFC 252 when Vera defeated O’Malley resulting in the first professional MMA loss of Sean’s career.