MMA News
Diego Sanchez says he will be enrolling in a Professional Athletes Brain Health Study
Harry Kettle - May 11, 2021
Diego Sanchez has announced that he will be enrolling in a Professional Athletes Brain Health Study in association with the UFC. Over the course of the last few days, Sanchez has been in the headlines for his relationship with controversial coach Joshua Fabia. The latter has been accused of warping the mind of Sanchez in recent months with many MMA figures speaking out about it after Diego was released from his UFC contract.
Conor McGregor reveals the easiest opponent of his career
Harry Kettle - May 11, 2021
UFC star Conor McGregor believes his first fight against Dustin Poirier was the easiest fight of his career thus far. McGregor is set to square off against Dustin Poirier for the third time in their trilogy bout at UFC 264 this summer. If Conor wins that contest, the expectation is that he’ll go on to face either Charles Oliveira or Michael Chandler for the UFC Lightweight Championship. If he loses, it’s anyone’s guess as to what he may have in store for us in the future.
Dan Hardy asks for release from UFC fighter contract, says 'I'd love to fight in Japan'
Drake Riggs - May 10, 2021
No longer under contract with the UFC as a commentator, former welterweight title challenger Dan Hardy now hopes to part ways as a fighter. Despite it nearly being 10 years since “The Outlaw” stepped foot inside the Octagon, Hardy still aims for a return to competition if possible. But first, he needs to be released from his UFC fighter contract.
UFC welterweight Alan Jouban announces his retirement
Drake Riggs - May 10, 2021
Alan Jouban announced Monday that his time as a fighter has come to an end. The UFC welterweight took to Twitter to share that he will be sticking to the analyst desk as he heads into retirement.
Kevin Lee says he's moving to welterweight for the foreseeable future, calls out Mike Perry
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
Kevin Lee is changing weight classes and has an opponent in mind for his return to the Octagon. After Lee suffered a submission loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC Brasilia in March of 2020, he said he would be away from MMA for a couple of years. He ended up tearing both of his knees which required by surgery, but “The Motown Phenom” is looking to return this summer at welterweight.
Zhang Weili details hostile Jacksonville territory and struggles landing Rose Namajunas fight
Drake Riggs - May 10, 2021
The build-up to the big strawweight title clash between Zhang Weili and Rose Namajunas culminated with some political integration. However, it was just a struggle to make the fight happen in the first place. Now the former champion, China’s Zhang (21-2) hadn’t fought in over a year before the Namajunas encounter in Jacksonville, Florida at UFC 261. “Magnum” ultimately found herself in enemy territory when once again making the walk.
Report | Billy Joe Saunders fighting career in jeopardy following loss to Canelo Alvarez
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
Billy Joe Saunders suffered a severe eye injury in his loss to Canelo Alvarez and his career is now in jeopardy, according to a recent report. On Saturday night, Saunders and Alvarez took one step closer to unifying the 168-pound division. It was a massive fight and early on, Saunders had success. Yet, as the fight wore on, Alvarez started to go to the body and then landed a beautifully timed uppercut that landed flush on the eye of Saunders.
Donald Cerrone will get one more UFC fight at lightweight, says Dana White
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
Donald Cerrone will get another shot to end his winless streak. On Saturday night in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 26, Cerrone suffered a first-round TKO loss to Alex Morono. “Cowboy” was supposed to face Diego Sanchez, but after the TUF 1 winner was released, Morono stepped up on short notice and got the win.
Renan Ferreira fires back at Fabricio Werdum following controversial win in PFL
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
Brazilian heavyweight Renan Ferreira fired back at his countryman Fabricio Werdum following his recent controversial win in PFL. Ferreira scored the biggest win of his MMA career to date when he knocked out Werdum in the first round of their PFL regular season fight, but the finish was controversial as it appeared as though Ferreira had tapped to a triangle choke seconds beforehand. Werdum was upset about the finish and his team has already appealed the result of the contest. Fans online for the most part seem to agree there was a tapout, but the referee missed it and Ferreira didn’t acknowledge it, thus leading to Werdum not getting his hand raised.
Michael Chandler shares prediction for Charles Oliveira fight at UFC 262: "He’s going to get his clock cleaned"
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
UFC lightweight Michael Chandler shared his prediction for the Charles Oliveira fight at UFC 262: “He’s going to get his clock cleaned.” Chandler steps into the Octagon for the second time this Saturday night when he fights Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title. For Chandler, he earned this title shot after being a champion in Bellator for the better part of 10 years and after scoring a knockout over Dan Hooker in his promotional debut at UFC 257. Although Oliveira is a tough matchup as the Brazilian is well-rounded and elite on the ground, Chandler is still confident that he will win this fight, and he’s excited to score another highlight-reel knockout.
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Jack Hermansson off UFC 262, rescheduled for UFC Vegas 27
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
A pivotal middleweight bout between Edmen Shahbazyan and Jack Hermansson will not happen this Saturday at UFC 262. Multiple sources informed BJPENN.com’s Cole Shelton and Adam Martin the fight is off UFC 262 and postponed one week to UFC Vegas 27 on May 22. It’s expected to serve as the co-main event. MMA reporter, Marcell Dorff was the first to report the news.
Gordon Ryan to face Shinya Aoki in ONE Championship grappling match
Andrew Whitelaw - May 10, 2021
Gordon Ryan has an opponent for his ONE Championship debut. According to a Facebook post from ONE CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, the BJJ star will take on JMMA lcon Shinya Aoki in “an openweight grappling super match on August 27!”
Neil Magny open to Khamzat Chimaev fight, but explains why he has his concerns about waiting for him
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
UFC welterweight Neil Magny says he open to the Khamzat Chimaev fight, but explained why he has his concerns about waiting for him. Magny had one of his best performances ever as he won a unanimous decision over Geoff Neal at UFC Vegas 26. For Magny, beating someone as talented as Neal proves that he still has what it takes to be a top-10 fighter. It’s not a surprise, then, that so many other top contenders in the welterweight division are gunning for Magny, including Chimaev. The Swede has missed all of 2021 so far due to health issues but he is hoping to make his return to the Octagon this summer, and Chimaev has made Magny one of his targets.
What's next for Marina Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson after UFC Vegas 26?
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 26, Marian Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson stepped up on short notice to headline the card up a weight class at flyweight. Rodriguez entered the fight coming off the biggest win of her career as she TKO’d Amanda Ribas at UFC 257 in January. The Brazilian was 3-1-2 in the UFC and her lone loss was a controversial split decision to Carla Esparza. Waterson, meanwhile, returned to the win column last September with a split decision win over Angela Hill.
Michael Page could be next in line for Bellator title shot, confirms Scott Coker
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed that welterweight star Michael Page could be next in line to get a title shot at 170lbs. Page knocked out Derek Anderson in highlight-reel fashion at Bellator 258 this past Friday night, and overall he has won his last five fights in a row, with four of those wins coming by way of knockout. Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima is currently set to fight No. 1 contender Yaroslav Amosov, but Page has been vocal about wanting to fight the winner.
Giga Chikadze challenges Max Holloway to prove who the UFC's top striker is
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
UFC featherweight contender Giga Chikadze wants to fight divisional rival Max Holloway in order to prove who the top striker in the UFC is. Chikadze is one of the hottest fighters in the UFC featherweight division right now after winning his first six fights at 145lbs in the world’s leading MMA promotion. His last performance, a first-round body kick TKO win over Cub Swanson at UFC Vegas 25, was his best showing yet, and following the fight, Chikadze called out a number of the division’s top fighters including Yair Rodriguez, Calvin Kattar, and the man he wants the most, Holloway.
Conor McGregor discusses potential purchase of a sports team: “Both Celtic and Man United are teams I like for sure”
Harry Kettle - May 10, 2021
Conor McGregor has confirmed that he would be interested in the possibility of buying a football club – with Celtic and Manchester United being at the top of the list. Over the course of the last few weeks, in the midst of the European Super League chaos that engulfed European football, Manchester United fans have made it clear that they want the Glazer family to sell the club and leave Old Trafford for good.
Chuck Liddell open to fighting Jake Paul: “I’m ready anytime for that clown”
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell said that he’s ready to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, saying “I’m ready anytime for that clown.” Liddell was responding to a fan who had suggested that either Liddell, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya or former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov should fight Paul, who has quickly turned himself into one of combat sports’ biggest names. Taking to his social media to respond, “The Iceman” said that he’d be happy to fight Paul.