MMA News

Kris-Moutinho
UFC

Kris Moutinho set to return to the UFC this fall against Aaron Phillips

Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021

Following his war with Sean O’Malley at UFC 264, UFC bantamweight Kris Moutinho is set to return to the UFC this fall against Aaron Phillips. Moutinho vs. Phillips will take place on a UFC Fight Night card that is set for October 23. Nolan King of MMAjunkie.com was the first to report the news on Mountinho’s next fight.

Anthony Taylor
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Anthony Taylor confident he will "shock the world" with a win over Tommy Fury: "The only thing special he has is the last name Fury"

Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021

Anthony Taylor is glad he called out Jake Paul as the brash YouTuber turned boxer has given him a massive opportunity. Before Paul was set to fight Ben Askren, Taylor admits he wasn’t believing his skill and talked crap about him on social media. Paul’s coach then messaged Taylor to come and train and he impressed Paul and he has since been a main training partner of Paul and “The Problem Child” was the one who got him this boxing match against Tommy Fury on his undercard.

Kevin Lee
Kevin Lee

Kevin Lee expects to beat Daniel Rodriguez "from bell-to-bell" at UFC Vegas 35: "I'm here to show I'm the best in the world"

Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021

Kevin Lee just wanted to fight at UFC Vegas 35 on August 28 and he got his wish. Lee was supposed to face Sean Brady but the ranked welterweight was forced out of the fight with a foot injury. After that, “The Motown Phenom” began calling out several welterweights but it was Daniel Rodriguez who accepted the fight.

Demian Maia
UFC

Demian Maia still hopeful to get one last fight in the UFC

Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021

Despite being removed from the rankings after his contract with the UFC recently expired, Demian Maia wants one more fight in the Octagon. Maia lost a unanimous decision to Belal Muhammad at UFC 263 in June, and after the fight, UFC president Dana White hinted it would likely be the 43-year-old Brazilian’s last fight in the UFC. However, Maia said that he was hoping the UFC would give him one more fight, and he called upon fellow legends such as Nate Diaz for his final farewell fight. Ultimately, it appears as though the UFC has made the decision to sever ties with Maia following his recent contract expiration. However, Maia tells MMAFighting.com he is still hopeful that he will get one last fight in the Octagon, and ideally that fight would take place in Brazil.

Just Scrap Radio
MMA Podcasts

Just Scrap Radio Ep. 48 with Kevin Lee, Anthony Taylor, Sam Alvey, Bryan Battle, and Andre Petroski

Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021

The 48th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 35 and Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley. We’re first joined by the 11th-ranked lightweight and now welterweight contender, Kevin Lee (3:05). Next, former Bellator fighter and now professional boxer, Anthony Taylor (17:20) joins the program. UFC middleweight, Sam Alvey (41:20) comes on. Then, TUF 29 finalist Bryan Battle (54:35) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC middleweight, Andre Petroski (1:12:41).

Henry Cejudo
UFC

Henry Cejudo explains why Gable Steveson is a legitimate threat to Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou

Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021

Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo explained why wrestling stud Gable Steveson is a legitimate threat to beat Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. Steveson won the Gold medal at the Olympics this summer in men’s freestyle wrestling in the 125kgs category. It was a phenomenal run by the Minnesota Golden Gophers product, who appears to have a bright future in sports regardless of what he does with the rest of his life. Following his big win at the Olympics, there have been rumors that Steveson will be pursued by both the WWE and the UFC. If you ask Cejudo, who is one of the most successful wrestlers-turned-MMA fighters in UFC history, Steveson would be a fantastic MMA fighter and he believes he could be a champion with a few years of training.

Jared Cannonier, UFC 254
Kelvin Gastelum

Jared Cannonier explains the "I'm broke" comments following win over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Vegas 34

Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021

UFC middleweight contender Jared Cannonier explained the “I’m broke” comments he made following his win over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Vegas 34. Cannonier defeated Gastelum via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC Vegas 34, but what everyone is talking about a few days later isn’t his performance, but rather his comments that he made after the fight. Taking the mic, Cannonier said that he was broke and that he needed to get paid more. It was another example of a UFC fighter saying they are short on funds, with Cheyanne Buys recently saying the same thing after her win.

Brian Kelleher, Sean O'Malley
Sean O'Malley

Brian Kelleher wants Sean O'Malley next: "He says he doesn’t want to fight ranked guys. I’m not ranked right now"

Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021

UFC bantamweight Brian Kelleher wants Sean O’Malley next, saying “he says he doesn’t want to fight ranked guys. I’m not ranked right now.” Kelleher defeated Domingo Pilarte via dominant unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 34 this past weekend. Since joining the UFC back in 2017, Kelleher is 7-5 overall in the Octagon. While he has yet to break through and become a top-15 ranked fighter, he has proven himself to be quite the gatekeeper into the rankings, and with O’Malley recently suggesting he has no interest in fighting ranked opponents for the same pay, Kelleher called him out.

Artem Lobov and Paddy Holohan
Paddy Holohan

Artem Lobov set to compete in charity wheelchair boxing match opposite Paddy Holohan

Harry Kettle - August 24, 2021

Artem Lobov is set to take on Paddy Holohan in a charity wheelchair boxing match in Dublin, Ireland. It’s safe to say that “The Russian Hammer” is easily one of the most popular cult hero fighters in recent memory. From his never say die attitude to how he carries himself, it was always exciting when Lobov got into the cage or ring – regardless of whether it was for mixed martial arts or boxing.

Dany Hardy
Eddie Alvarez

Dan Hardy keen to face Eddie Alvarez & Shinya Aoki after John Wayne Parr fight in ONE Championship

Andrew Whitelaw - August 23, 2021

Dan Hardy has been itching to lace up the gloves again for a long time. Having been released from his UFC contract earlier this year, it looks like ‘the Outlaw’ may be about to get his wish in ONE Championship. Having last competed in MMA in 2012, the 39 year old is looking to make a comeback out in Asia – starting with a caged Muay Thai bout against John Wayne Parr. The Brit says that he and JWP have been exchanging messages and that the fight is ‘verbally agreed.’

Paddy Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett

Paddy Pimblett suggests Khabib Nurmagomedov is 'becoming the Karen of the MMA scene'

Andrew Whitelaw - August 23, 2021

Paddy Pimblett has been making plenty of headlines ahead of his UFC debut. The former Cage Warriors champion has never been shy about speaking his mind, and has now fired shots at Khabib Nurmagomedov following ‘the Eagle’s’ comments about his appearance on Mike Tyson’s Hotboxin’ podcast. With Nurmagomedov now retired, the chances of Pimblett getting to fight him one day seem remote. They are however, in the same division. With that in mind, perhaps the Liverpool-native is seeking to plant the seed in case there is a chance of one day facing the Dagestani icon.

Volkan-Oezdemir-Magomed-Ankalaev
UFC

Volkan Oezdemir returns after year-long layoff to face Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 267

Drake Riggs - August 23, 2021

Volkan Oezdemir is ready to make up for some lost time. On Monday, MMA DNA’s Marcel Dorff revealed that a bout between top light heavyweight contenders in the No. 8 ranked Oezdemir and No. 7 Magomed Ankalaev is on. The two are set to compete in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 30 at UFC 267.

Dan Hooker
UFC

Dan Hooker explains why he isn't fighting "dumbass" Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 266

Adam D Martin - August 23, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker explained why he isn’t fighting “dumbass” Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 266 despite rumblings of a fight. Hooker takes on Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266, which is set for September 25 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. While he is a good fighter in his own right, Haqparast is an unranked fighter at 155lbs, while Tsarukyan is at least ranked No. 15. Hooker is ranked No. 8 in the UFC, so it is understandable why he wanted to fight someone who was ranked, but he ended up accepting the fight with Haqparast because he wants to scrap.

Paddy-Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett

Paddy Pimblett calls for future fight against Conor McGregor at Anfield Stadium

Adam D Martin - August 23, 2021

New UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett called for a future fight against promotional superstar Conor McGregor at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool. Pimblett, a native of Liverpool himself, makes his UFC debut on September 4 when he takes on Luigi Vendramini in a lightweight contest. Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors champion, signed with the UFC earlier this year and his debut is highly-anticipaed. While he still has to step into the Octagon and beat Vendramini before he makes any sort of callouts, it’s clear that Pimblett is already looking far ahead, and wants to fight Ireland’s McGregor.

Deiveson Figueiredo
UFC

Deiveson Figueiredo still wants Brandon Moreno next, tells Alexandre Pantoja to wait for his rematch

Adam D Martin - August 23, 2021

Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo still wants Brandon Moreno next, telling Alexandre Pantoja to wait for his rematch. Pantoja submitted Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 34 in a fight that UFC president Dana White himself called a title eliminator. Because Pantoja already has two previous wins over Moreno, on TUF and in the Octagon, he appears to be next in line for the champ Moreno, and the two flyweights actually verbally agreed to the fight following Pantoja’s win over Royval. However, Figueiredo is still hot on the trail and wants the Moreno fight first.

Pedro Munhoz, UFC
UFC

Pedro Munhoz open to move down to UFC flyweight division

Adam D Martin - August 23, 2021

Longtime UFC bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz admitted that he is open to a move down to the flyweight division following his latest loss. Munhoz lost a unanimous decision to former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo in the co-main event of UFC 265 last month. That fight took place at 135lbs, the weight class that Munhoz has fought at exclusively in his UFC career, but following his lastest defeat to Aldo, the Brazilian says that he is now considering moving down to the UFC flyweight division.

Jared Cannonier, UFC 254
UFC

What's next for Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum after UFC Vegas 34?

Cole Shelton - August 23, 2021

In the main event of UFC Vegas 34, a battle of top-10 middleweights took place as Jared Cannonier took on Kelvin Gastelum. Cannonier entered the fight coming off a decision loss to Robert Whittaker last October at UFC 254 in a fight he broke his arm. He then needed two surgeries to repair it and finally was able to return. Gastelum, meanwhile, was also coming off a decision loss to Whittaker and was just 1-4 in his last five.

Kevin-Lee-Tony-Ferguson
UFC

Kevin Lee says he would beat Tony Ferguson "so bad" in a rematch: "He's too far over the hill"

Adam D Martin - August 23, 2021

UFC welterweight contender Kevin Lee says that he would beat Tony Ferguson “so bad” in a rematch, suggesting “he’s too far over the hill.” Ferguson and Lee first met at UFC 216 in October 2018 in an interim UFC lightweight title bout, which “El Cucuy” ended up winning via third-round submission (triangle choke). Since that fight, Ferguson has gone into a decline, having lost his last three fights in a row and not appearing competitive in any of them. Lee, too, has struggled as of late, but given Lee is just 28 and Ferguson is 37, it stands to reason that if one of these two fighters is going to bounce back in their career, it is more likely going to be “The Motown Phenom.”