MMA News
Ben Askren shares some advice for Leon Edwards
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
Ben Askren has some advice for UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards, who is struggling to get a big opportunity despite an eight-fight win-streak. Edwards, who currently holds the No. 3 spot in the UFC welterweight rankings, has gone over a year without a fight, and has grown increasingly bellicose during that time.
Dana White claims Dustin Poirier "didn't want" Ferguson fight, Poirier responds
Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020
UFC President Dana White claims Dustin Poirier “didn’t want” to accept a widely rumored fight with Tony Ferguson. Poirier, however, begs to differ.
Renato Moicano forced to withdraw from planned Magomed Mustafaev bout on Fight Island
Harry Kettle - September 16, 2020
Renato Moicano has been forced to pull out of his planned Fight Island bout against Magomed Mustafaev, Ag Fight reports. Moicano made a successful transition up to lightweight back in March when he was able to submit Damir Hadžović in just 44 seconds over in Brazil. He was initially set to square off with Mustafaev on October 17, who has won three of his five UFC bouts thus far, but it now appears as if that’s no longer happening.
Dustin Poirier receives message from Bellator's Patricky Freire following failed UFC negotiations
Harry Kettle - September 16, 2020
Bellator star Patricky Freire has sent a clear message to Dustin Poirier after his recent negotiation troubles with the UFC. Fans have been anticipating the proposed showdown between Poirier and Tony Ferguson for months now, but after “The Diamond” recently confirmed that he was not able to come to terms on a deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, fans have started to question why the promotion isn’t giving Poirier the kind of offer that they believe he deserves.
Donald Cerrone expects to finish Niko Price but is focused on "having fun"
Cole Shelton - September 15, 2020
Donald Cerrone is looking to snap his losing streak while having some fun in the process. In the co-main event of UFC Vegas 11, Cerrone is remaining at welterweight to battle Niko Price. Many are expecting this fight to be the Fight of the Night or for one of them to get a Performance of the Night. Both Cerrone and Price like to strike and are always in entertaining fights, but for “Cowboy” he is confident he will get the stoppage win.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why he cannot be compared to Muhammad Ali
Christopher Taylor - September 15, 2020
Undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was recently asked about being compared to boxing legend Muhammad Ali. “Many fans are increasingly comparing you to Muhammad Ali. Do you like this comparison?” a reporter asked Nurmagomedov.
Tyron Woodley says he won't shake Colby Covington's hand after he knocks him out
Cole Shelton - September 15, 2020
Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington have had a heated rivalry in the lead up to their UFC Vegas 11 fight and it appears their feud will last longer than that. Woodley and Covington have trashed talked one another for years. Nearly two years to the date they were supposed to fight. Yet, the UFC could not come to an agreement with “Chaos” and “The Chosen One” went on to defend his belt against Darren Till.
Thiago Santos has been forced out of October 3 fight with Glover Teixeira
Adam Martin - September 15, 2020
UFC light heavyweight contender Thiago Santos has been forced out of his upcoming October 3 fight against Glover Teixeira. According to a report from Globo’s Marcelo Barone, Santos tested positive for COVID-19 and his fight against Teixeira set for the October 3 card on Fight Island has been scrapped. Ironically, Santos and Teixeira were supposed to meet at UFC on ESPN+ 35 this past weekend, but Teixeira tested positive for COVID-19 and the fight had to be rescheduled. Unfortunately, the other half of the fight in Santos has also tested positive.
After getting back into the win column, Hunter Azure looking to turn around quickly and build up some momentum
Cole Shelton - September 15, 2020
Hunter Azure knew that he needed to beat Cole Smith back at UFC Vegas 9. Azure was entering the fight coming off a knockout loss to Brian Kelleher at 145-pounds. Although he is a natural bantamweight, due to the pandemic and the lack of training, his fight with ‘Boom’ was up a weight class.
Johnny Walker expects to finish Ryan Spann after having "one of the best camps ever" at SBG Ireland
Cole Shelton - September 15, 2020
Johnny Walker is on a two-fight losing streak and thus has made some career changes ahead of his upcoming fight. At UFC Vegas 11, Walker is set to take on Ryan Spann in a very intriguing matchup. Normally, Walker trains at Tristar in Montreal, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he could not get into Canada so he decided to send John Kavanagh a message to train at SBG Ireland.
Artem Lobov recounts favorite moments of UFC career
Tom Taylor - September 15, 2020
Artem Lobov has some fond memories from his time competing under the Ultimate Fighting Championship banner. Lobov, who has a 14-15-1 overall record, competed in the UFC from 2015 to 2018. In that time, he amassed a 2-5 promotional record, defeating Teruto Ishihara and Chris Avila, and coming up short to top talents in Ryan Hall, Alex White, Cub Swanson, Andre Fili, and lastly, Michael Johnson.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 10 with Johnny Walker, Randy Costa & Andre Ewell
Cole Shelton - September 15, 2020
The tenth episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 11. We’re first joined by 11th-ranked light heavyweight, Johnny Walker (1:47). Next, UFC bantamweight, Randy Costa (13:56) comes on. Finally, UFC bantamweight, Andre Ewell (30:58) closes out the show.
Conor McGregor issues statement on allegations, mental health concerns
Tom Taylor - September 15, 2020
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has issued a statement on the recent allegations against him and on the ensuing concerns about his mental health. Last weekend McGregor was detained in Corsica, an island territory of France, after allegedly exposing himself to a woman. After being interviewed by local authorities, he was released from custody without being charged. However, the case is ongoing.
Mirsad Bektic loses opponent for Saturday's card due to COVID-19 issues
Adam Martin - September 15, 2020
UFC featherweight Mirsad Bektic has lost his opponent Eduardo Garagorri ahead of their fight this Saturday night at UFC Vegas 11. Bektic and Garagorri were set to meet in a featured prelim on this weekend’s UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley card, but the fight has been canceled. According to a report from MMAFighting.com, a cornerman for Garagorri has tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the cornerman’s positive COVID-19 test, the promotion has pulled Garagorri from the event out of an abundance of caution, leaving Bektic with no opponent.
Daniel Cormier reveals he had COVID-19 before Miocic fight: "This is not an excuse at all"
Tom Taylor - September 15, 2020
Daniel Cormier says he had COVID-19 before his UFC 252 heavyweight title fight with the division’s reigning champion, Stipe Miocic. During a recent interview with Yahoo! Sports, Cormier sang the praises of a product called the Oura Ring, which tracks health data and can help alert the wearer to potential health problems. The former two-division champion revealed that wearing the ring helped him realize he had COVID-19 and allowed him to get this health issue under control before his fight with Miocic.
Henry Cejudo on Sean O'Malley: "I actually like the kid"
Tom Taylor - September 15, 2020
Former two-division UFC champ Henry Cejudo recently admitted that he actually has some respect for rising bantamweight prospect Sean O’Malley. Cejudo has had plenty in the way of trash talk for O’Malley lately, particularly after the prospect sustained the first loss of his career at the hands of Marlon Vera. On a recent episode of Real Quick with Mike Swick, however, Cejudo offered some rare praise for the up-and-comer—although he also questioned O’Malley’s toughness and heart.
Video | Khamzat Chimaev helps homeless man in Las Vegas
Tom Taylor - September 15, 2020
Red-hot UFC prospect Khamzat Chimaev showed his charitable side ahead of his fight with Gerald Meerschaert this Saturday in Las Vegas. In the lead-up to his fight with Meerschaert, Chimaev encountered a homeless man on the streets of Vegas, and ended up buying him a meal from McDonalds. See it below (via MMA Nytt):
Chael Sonnen suggests new matchup for Tony Ferguson since "Poirier doesn't want the opportunity"
Tom Taylor - September 15, 2020
Chael Sonnen has a new matchup in mind for Tony Ferguson now that a fight with Dustin Poirier is seemingly off the table. For many weeks, Poirier and Ferguson were linked to a fight at UFC 254 on October 24. Regrettably, the matchup fell through when Poirier and the UFC couldn’t agree on the size of his prize.