MMA News
Returning Kevin Lee targets rematch with Tony Ferguson, eventual bouts with Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee has a few names in mind for his impending return. Earlier this month, ‘The Motown Phenom’ announced plans to return to the cage. Last summer, Kevin Lee retired following a first-round submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov. For the former UFC title challenger, the bout was his first back in the Dana White-led company after being released in 2021.
Dana White vows to make the UFC's event at The Sphere "the greatest live sporting event anybody has ever seen"
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2024
Dana White is excited for the UFC to have an event at The Sphere in Las Vegas in September. White revealed he wanted to host an event at The Sphere ever since it opened and has it booked to host the Mexican Independence Day card in September. It will be a highly-anticipated event and White says seeing U2 there made him want to do an event at The Sphere.
Dana White hopeful Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler will take place in "the fall"
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has provided an update on when the rumored Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight may take place. Ever since McGregor and Chandler coached TUF against one another, many wondered when the two would fight. It’s one of the most anticipated fights in quite some time, and on New Year’s, McGregor announced he would return on June 29 against Chandler.
Raquel Pennington calls for summer title showdown with Julianna Pena
Harry Kettle - February 7, 2024
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington has called for a showdown with Julianna Pena. Last month, Raquel Pennington finally reached the top of the mountain. She defeated Mayra Bueno Silva to win the championship, completing her sensational journey to become the new face of the division. Of course, soon after, many were questioning what would be next – and the most popular answer was Julianna Pena.
Colby Covington reveals his future plans in the UFC's welterweight division
Harry Kettle - February 7, 2024
UFC star Colby Covington has given fans an insight into what he may have planned next in his mixed martial arts career. At UFC 296, Colby Covington suffered a pretty humbling loss to Leon Edwards. He was beaten in pretty much every department, failing to make any real impact on ‘Rocky’ throughout the bout.
Alexander Volkanovski reveals drinking habits prior to Islam Makhachev rematch
Harry Kettle - February 7, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has revealed the nature of his drinking habits prior to his rematch against Islam Makhachev. At UFC 298, Alexander Volkanovski returns to defend his belt against rising star Ilia Topuria. It comes just months after his short notice rematch against Islam Makhachev, which he lost via brutal head kick KO.
Sean O'Malley shares prediction for Henry Cejudo vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has given his prediction for a pivotal fight in his weight class between Henry Cejudo and Merab Dvalishvili. Cejudo and Dvalishvili are set to fight next weekend at UFC 298 in a potential number-one contender fight at bantamweight. The winner could very well be in line to fight the winner of O’Malley vs. Vera 2, which goes down the following month at UFC 299.
Robert Whittaker won't comment on rumored injury before Dricus Du Plessis fight but admits his training camp "wasn't optimal"
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024
Robert Whittaker won’t comment on the rumors he was dealing with a significant injury going into his UFC 290 fight against Dricus Du Plessis. Ben Askren and Daniel Cormier recently spoke on ‘DC’s’ YouTube channel and both mentioned they heard Whittaker had a serious ankle injury going into that fight. However, Whittaker says he won’t comment on if that was true, but does admit the training camp for his fight against Du Plessis wasn’t one he was happy with.
Gina Carano sues Disney over 'The Mandalorian' firing, lawsuit reportedly funded by Elon Musk
Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2024
Former MMA fighter Gina Carano is looking to get back her role in ‘The Mandalorian’. In terms of fighter-turned-stars, there are few more high-profile than Gina Carano. From 2006 to 2009, the former Strikeforce title challenger accumulated a 7-1 record and wins over the likes of Tonya Evinger and Julie Kedzie. However, following a knockout loss to Cris Cyborg, she retired from the sport of MMA.
Rampage Jackson alleges Ian Garry turned down podcast appearance because he was afraid of being laughed at
Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2024
Former UFC champion Rampage Jackson has had many fighters on his podcast, but Ian Garry won’t be one of them. Starting last year, the former champion decided to start his ‘Jaxxon‘ podcast. Along the way, Rampage Jackson has interviewed many fighters, including names such as Gilbert Burns, Cain Velasquez, and more. One name that the former UFC champion wanted to speak to, is one Ian Garry.
Ryan Garcia fires shot at Sean O'Malley over potential crossover fight: "Couldn't hold my gym bag"
Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2024
It appears that Ryan Garcia doesn’t seem to take UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley very seriously. ‘Sugar’ is currently slated to return to the octagon in March, at UFC 299. There, he will face Marlon Vera in his first title defense. Sean O’Malley famously captured the gold with a second-round knockout win over Aljamain Sterling last August. Now, he will look to avenge his one career loss to ‘Chito’ next month.
WATCH | UFC announcer Bruce Buffer introduces the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl media day
Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2024
UFC announcer Bruce Buffer had a little bit of a different announcing job earlier this week. The longtime MMA announcer has worked for the company for decades now. However, Bruce Buffer is known beyond combat sports circles these days. His iconic UFC introductions have seemingly now made their way to the world of American Football and the NFL.
Raquel Pennington shoots down the idea of Kayla Harrison skipping the line for a UFC title shot: “I just don’t find that fair”
Susan Cox - February 6, 2024
Raquel Pennington is shooting down the idea of Kayla Harrison skipping the line for a UFC title shot. Pennington (16-9 MMA) is the current UFC’s woman’s bantamweight champion and has her own thoughts concerning the arrival of Kayla Harrison (16-1 MMA) to the UFC stage.
Jack Hermansson believes he has to "make a statement" against Joe Pyfer at UFC Vegas 86 to prove he's still a title contender
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024
Jack Hermansson isn’t surprised people are overlooking him and doubting him going into his UFC Vegas 86 main event fight against Joe Pyfer. Hermansson hasn’t fought since December of 2022 when he suffered a TKO loss to Roman Dolidze. He was later booked to fight Brendan Allen in June, but an injury forced him to withdraw as he was out of action for all of 2023, which was frustrating for ‘The Joker’.
Colby Covington responds after being labeled “slow and old” by UFC CEO Dana White
Susan Cox - February 6, 2024
Colby Covington is responding after being labeled ‘slow and old’ by UFC CEO Dana White. UFC 296 took place last December and saw Colby Covington (17-4 MMA) vs. Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA) in the main event welterweight title bout. The result was a unanimous decision victory for ‘Rocky’.
Dustin Poirier explains why it is a “perfect” scenario to be the underdog against Benoit Saint-Denis: “This is where I perform the best”
Susan Cox - February 6, 2024
Dustin Poirier is explaining why it is a ‘perfect’ scenario to be the underdog against Benoit Saint-Denis. UFC 299 will take place on Saturday, March 9th at the Kaseya Center, in Miami, Florida.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 152 with Jack Hermansson, Max Griffin, and Devin Clark
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024
The 152nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 86 this Saturday. We’re first joined by 10th-ranked UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson (1:13) ahead of his main event fight. Next, UFC welterweight Max Griffin (12:07) stops by. Closing out the program is UFC light heavyweight Devin Clark (23:07).
Michael Bisping calls for changes in refereeing following Roman Dolidze vs. Nassourdine Imavov fight: “For the fans' sake”
Harry Kettle - February 6, 2024
MMA analyst Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on the state of refereeing following the Roman Dolidze vs Nassourdine Imavov fight. Last weekend, Nassourdine Imavov had his hand raised as he defeated Roman Dolidze in their middleweight main event. While many saw it as a clean and decisive win for Imavov, others couldn’t help but comment on how strange the contest was.