MMA News
Ciryl Gane discloses how much money he made for knocking out Derrick Lewis at UFC 265
Adam D Martin - August 17, 2021
New UFC interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane disclosed how much money he made for recently knocking out Derrick Lewis at UFC 265. Gane is one of the hottest names in MMA right now. Since starting MMA in 2018, the 31-year-old Frenchman has been nothing short of dominant, going 10-0 as a pro, including a brilliant 7-0 record in the UFC alone. His biggest win to date came earlier this month at UFC 265 when he scored a third-round TKO victory over Lewis to capture the promotion’s interim heavyweight championship. “Bon Gamin” will next take on his former training partner, UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, in a title unification matchup.
Quinton Jackson explains why he wants to make his comeback
Adam D Martin - August 17, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson explained why he wants to make his comeback to combat sports at 43 years of age. Jackson has not fought since he was knocked out by Fedor Emelianenko in a Bellator/RIZIN co-promoted fight in December 2019. In fact, Jackson lost three of his last four MMA fights, and after getting knocked out by Emelianenko, there was the feeling that would be the last time that we see “Rampage” in the cage. However, according to the man himself, he now has the itch to fight once again after taking two years away from competing in the cage.
Chase Sherman expects to finish Parker Porter and answer Rodrigo Nascimento's callout
Cole Shelton - August 17, 2021
Chase Sherman is eager to return to the win column. Sherman suffered a decision loss to Andrei Arlovski back in April. He will now return at UFC Vegas 34 against Parker Porter. He was supposed to fight Porter on the same day in April but he was forced out and replaced by Arlovski.
Brandon Royval expects to finish "the scariest flyweight" in Alexandre Pantoja and earn rematch with Brandon Moreno: "There's unfinished business"
Cole Shelton - August 17, 2021
Brandon Royval wanted the toughest fight he could get in his return and that’s exactly what he got. Back in November at UFC 255, Royval fought Brandon Moreno, and at the end of the first round, he dislocated his shoulder and the fight was called. Following that, he had surgery which he says was much-needed.
Kamaru Usman opens as massive betting favorite for potential Conor McGregor fight
Adam D Martin - August 17, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has opened up as a massive betting favorite for a potential fight against superstar Conor McGregor. Usman and McGregor have been going back-and-forth on social media as of late, which has led to speculation of a future fight. The trash talk also triggered the sportsbooks getting in on the action and releasing the opening betting line for this potential fight. According to the sportsbook BetOnline, Usman opened as a -700 (bet $700 to win $100) betting favorite for this potential bout, while the comeback on McGregor is +450 (bet $100 to win $450).
Luke Rockhold sizes up "stupid" Sean Strickland ahead of UFC 268
Adam D Martin - August 17, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold sized up his “stupid” opponent Sean Strickland ahead of their upcoming fight at UFC 268. Rockhold takes on Strickland in an important fight at 185lbs on UFC 268 in November. Strickland has won all four of his fights since moving up to middleweight last year — over Uriah Hall, Krzysztof Jotko, Brendan Allen, and Jack Marshman — while Rockhold is returning to middleweight after several years away from the cage. It is an intriguing matchup between two California natives who are known for their entertaining fights inside the Octagon, as well as some of the things that both men have said outside of the cage.
Kevin Holland signs new multi-fight contract with the UFC
Adam D Martin - August 17, 2021
UFC middleweight fan-favorite Kevin Holland has signed a new multi-fight contract with the promotion despite losing his last two fights. The news is according to MMAjunkie.com’s Nolan King, who confirmed with Holland’s management group that “Trailblazer” aka “Big Mouth” has signed a new deal with the world’s leading MMA promotion. In fact, Holland already has his next fight booked when he takes on fellow middleweight Kyle Daukaus at a UFC Fight Night card on October 2.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 47 with Brandon Royval, Chase Sherman, Brian Kelleher, Vinc Pichel, and Ramiz Brahimaj
Cole Shelton - August 17, 2021
The 47th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 34. We’re first joined by sixth-ranked flyweight, Brandon Royval (2:54) Next, UFC heavyweight, Chase Sherman (16:52) joins the show. UFC bantamweight, Brian Kelleher (30:36) then comes on. Next, UFC lightweight, Vinc Pichel (47:50) comes on the program. Closing out the show, is UFC welterweight, Ramiz Brahimaj (1:02:59).
Michael Bisping urges Dustin Poirier to fight Charles Oliveira, not Nate Diaz: “Keep your eye on the prize baby boy”
Adam D Martin - August 17, 2021
Michael Bisping urged Dustin Poirier to fight Charles Oliveira and not Nate Diaz, telling him to “keep your eye on the prize baby boy.” Poirier is currently the No. 1 contender in the UFC lightweight division and is next in line to fight the champion, Charles Oliveira, hopefully at the end of the year. However, “The Diamond” has recently been going back-and-forth with Diaz on social media, leading to speculation that he could be pursuing a fight with the Stockton native instead. However, if you ask Bisping, Poirier would be making a mistake if he chooses to fight Diaz next instead.
Stephen Thompson shares his thoughts on a potential “awesome” matchup with Israel Adesanya
Harry Kettle - August 17, 2021
Stephen Thompson has said he’s open to the idea of a future match-up with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Thompson, better known to the masses as “Wonderboy”, has had his fair share of ups and downs throughout the course of his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s come within touching distance of the UFC welterweight title on multiple occasions only to fall short, and after his recent defeat to Gilbert Burns, many wonder whether or not he can ever challenge for the belt again.
Darren Till plans to finish Derek Brunson in round one and establish himself as a true contender
Harry Kettle - August 17, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Darren Till believes he’ll beat Derek Brunson in the first round of their upcoming main event clash. It’s been over a year since we last saw “The Gorilla” over on Fight Island when he lost a close decision to former champion Robert Whittaker. Now, after his return bout against Marvin Vettori earlier this year was cancelled, he’s ready to get back into the Octagon on September 4 to meet the in-form Derek Brunson.
Dustin Poirier names two candidates as likely next opponents
Andrew Whitelaw - August 16, 2021
Dustin Poirier has put himself in the perfect position to name his next opponent. The Louisiana-native has amassed one of the most impressive records in the game including back-to-back stoppage wins against Conor McGregor in his last two fights. With two clashes in their trilogy currently standing in the top-5 highest-selling UFC pay-per-views ever; there will always be an argument for Poirier and McGregor running the fight back for a fourth time.
Yana Kunitskaya announces pregnancy a month after Irene Aldana loss
Drake Riggs - August 16, 2021
Yana Kunitskaya is going to be taking some time away from the octagon. The No. 6 ranked UFC bantamweight contender teased her pregnancy on Sunday. On April 1, Kunitskaya and her partner, UFC light heavyweight Thiago Santos, announced a fake pregnancy for April Fool’s Day. MMA Fighting has confirmed that this time the announcement is legitimate.
Kayla Harrison puts reporter on blast for 'disrespectful' comments during media call
Drake Riggs - August 16, 2021
Kayla Harrison calls it as she sees it. The PFL held a media call over Zoom on Monday to promote this weekend’s upcoming event headlined by Harrison and New Zealand’s Genah Fabian. The winner will advance to the playoff finals for their opportunity at 1 million dollars against either Larissa Pacheco or Taylor Guardado.
Israel Adesanya "100 percent" believes fight with Jon Jones happens
Cole Shelton - August 16, 2021
Israel Adesanya still believes he will fight Jon Jones sometime in the future. Adesanya and Jones had a feud in 2019 and 2020 and many thought a fight between them would happen. However, in March of this year, Adesanya lost a decision to Jan Blachowicz, and many thought that ended hope of the scrap happening as it provided a blueprint for “Bones” to win.
Dan Hooker returns at UFC 266 against rising contender Nasrat Haqparast
Cole Shelton - August 16, 2021
Dan Hooker will be making his return to the Octagon at UFC 266 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Multiple sources have informed BJPENN.com that Hooker will face Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266 on September 25 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Contracts have already been sent out for the fight, the sources said.
Justin Jaynes was cut by the UFC on his birthday, says coach
Adam D Martin - August 16, 2021
UFC featherweight fighter Justin Jaynes was cut by the UFC on his birthday, says his coach at Xtreme Couture, Eric Nicksick. Jaynes most recently made headlines when he admitted he bet his entire $25,000 purse on himself in June for his fight against Charles Rosa. Although Jaynes put up a valiant effort and nearly had a third-round comeback submission win, he ultimately came up short and lost a split decision. The loss to Rosa dropped Jaynes’ UFC record to 1-4 with a four-fight losing skid. Typically, when a fighter loses four in a row, they will be released by the promotion, so it’s not surprising that he was released considering his record. However, what is especially odd about this cut is that the UFC allegedly waited until his 32nd birthday on August 10 to inform Jaynes that he was cut for a fight that took place back on June 26.
Charles Oliveira open to future boxing match: "I want to test myself"
Adam D Martin - August 16, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira says he is open to a future boxing match, saying that “I want to test myself” in the ring. Oliveira is the best lightweight fighter in MMA right now and the UFC champion, so he has plenty of opponents to face in the Octagon — including UFC superstar Dustin Poirier — before he even thinks about making a move to boxing. But in a recent interview with AG Fight, Oliveira admitted that he is interested in making the move to the sport of boxing in the future. According to “Do Bronx,” he is intrigued by participating in a boxing match.