MMA News

Tom Taylor - June 18, 2020

Long-time UFC welterweight contender Rafael dos Anjos has made his prediction for the upcoming welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. Usman, the UFC welterweight champion, holds a decision win over dos Anjos. He’s scheduled to defend his title against dos Anjos’ friend and countryman, Burns, in the main event of UFC 251 on July 11.

Tom Taylor - June 18, 2020

In 2014, shortly after a TKO loss to Michael Bisping in Macau, Cung Le tested positive for elevated levels of Human Growth Hormone (HGH). The UFC promptly handed Le a nine-month suspension, which was later elevated to a twelve-month term. Fight fans were quick to pile-on and vilify Le—but things were not as cut-and-dry as they seemed.

Natasha Hooper - June 18, 2020

Darren Till has explained his reasons for creating a “Mike Perry Is A Bum” website. According to the British middleweight, barely anything is off-limits when it comes to mocking fighters. That includes creating a website, www.mikeperryisabum.com, and several social media accounts to mock his welterweight rival. Each platform that Till created featured images and videos of “Platinum” getting finished during fights. According to Till, mocking Mike Perry was all in good jest.

Tom Taylor - June 18, 2020

UFC lightweight Matt Frevola has announced he’s out of his scheduled June 20th fight with Frank Camacho, as one of his cornerman and his teammate Billy Quarantillo have both tested positive for COVID-19. Frevola announced this unfortunate situation on Instagram on Thursday.

Cole Shelton - June 18, 2020

In the main event of UFC on ESPN 11, aka UFC Vegas 3, Curtis Blaydes looks to extend his winning streak when he battles perennial contender, Alexander Volkov. Heading into the fight, Blaydes is a -380 favorite while the Russian is a +290 underdog. Some sportsbooks have the American wrestler as big as a -490 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. It is a classic striker vs. grappler matchup, but the pros are with the odds as the majority think Blaydes’ wrestling will be too much for Volkov.

Natasha Hooper - June 18, 2020

Steve-O has traded Jackass stunts for MMA, with the help of Jon Jones and Holly Holm. The professional prankster and stuntman is a big fan of mixed martial artists and even recently interviewed UFC president, Dana White on his podcast. He has appeared on the Joe Rogan podcast and frequently shares his predictions for blockbuster bouts. He even announced the Shogun Rua vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira trilogy fight on his podcast earlier this month.

Tom Taylor - June 18, 2020

UFC President Dana White has chimed on The Schmo’s recent call for a charity grappling match with ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani. The Schmo has quickly become a fan favorite member of the MMA media. Helwani, meanwhile, is one of the longest-serving and most widely respected reporters in the sport.

Harry Kettle - June 18, 2020

UFC veteran Diego Sanchez has given his brief thoughts on the recent allegations in relation to former UFC matchmaker Joe Silva. Silva was a well known figure during his tenure with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, with many, at the time, considering him to be a likeable yet somewhat mysterious figure.

Cole Shelton - June 17, 2020

Darren Till is hoping he gets to fight the worst version of Robert Whittaker there has been on July 25. Till and Whittaker were expected to headline UFC Dublin but the event was canceled due to the coronavirus. But, it was quickly rebooked for July 25 where the two have been taken shots at one another where the two even pitched a catchweight so they could drink and eat.

Cole Shelton - June 17, 2020

Chael Sonnen has a much different stance than many fighters have shared on former UFC matchmaker, Joe Silva. Recently, fighters have come out and told ‘horror stories’ about dealing with the former Ultimate Fighting Championship matchmaker. Yet, for Sonnen, he says every single interaction he had with Joe Silva was positive.

Cole Shelton - June 17, 2020

Lyman Good and Belal Muhammad were supposed to fight back at UFC 249 on April 18. However, Good was forced to pull out of the bout due to an ‘injury’, and the fight card was later canceled entirely. Once the card was officially canceled, Good revealed that he pulled out the contest due to contracting COVID-19. The welterweight contender did overcome it and once he did, he told the UFC to get him back in there ASAP and preferably against Muhammad.

Adam Martin - June 17, 2020

Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub revealed he eavesdropped on a phone call with former UFC matchmaker Joe Silva, who he said bashed Rory MacDonald. A number of former UFC fighters such as Gray Maynard, Eddie Alvarez, and Gerald Harris have recently spoken out against Silva, the long-time UFC matchmaker. Schaub is the latest ex-UFC fighter to speak negatively against Silva, explaining how he was a “complete prick” to the fighters and saying he was nothing more than a “Sherdog forum troll.”

Tom Taylor - June 17, 2020

UFC President Dana White has shed some light on the difficulties he’s had getting former welterweight title challenger Colby Covington back into the cage. Covington has not competed since he challenged Kamaru Usman for the welterweight strap back in December—a fight he lost by fifth-round TKO.

Tom Taylor - June 17, 2020

UFC President Dana White says that streaking UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou contender could serve as an alternate for the upcoming title fight between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier. Miocic and Cormier have fought twice previously. Cormier won the pair’s first bout, in 2018, by first-round knockout, claiming the heavyweight title for himself. Miocic then swiped the title back from Cormier in their 2019 rematch, surviving some early adversity to win via fourth-round TKO. The pair are scheduled to meet for a third time at UFC 252 on August 15.

Tom Taylor - June 17, 2020

Long-time UFC featherweight contender Cub Swanson believes he knows the “perfect leader” for a potential fighters association: Brian Stann. Over the last few weeks, a host of UFC fighters have aired their grievances with respect to fighter pay—most notably UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal.

Tom Taylor - June 17, 2020

Former UFC light heavyweight titleholder Tito Ortiz is thinking about running for public office in his native California. Ortiz, an outspoken conservative, has been weighing in on many controversial subjects on social media recently.

Adam Martin - June 17, 2020

Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub ripped former UFC matchmaker Joe Silva, calling him a “complete prick” and a “Sherdog forum troll.” Schaub had a segment on the latest edition “Below the Belt” podcast focusing on the recent number of negative stories that have popped up on social media related to Silva. Fighters such as Eddie Alvarez, Gray Maynard, and Gerald Harris all had some negative things to say about Silva, and Schaub took the time to share his own experiences with Silva.

Tom Taylor - June 17, 2020

Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos believes the timing is perfect for a showdown with Conor McGregor. Dos Anjos was scheduled to defend the lightweight title against McGregor in 2016, but ultimately had to pull out of the contest with a foot injury. He was then replaced by Nate Diaz, and never had the opportunity for a rescheduled fight with the Irishman.