MMA News
Michael Bisping praises “extremely confident” Leon Edwards for previously accepting fights with Jorge Masvidal and Khamzat Chimaev
Harry Kettle - January 19, 2022
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has praised Leon Edwards for previously accepting fights against Jorge Masvidal and Khamzat Chimaev. It was recently announced by UFC president Dana White that Leon Edwards will be the next man to challenge Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight championship. While there’s no official date or event attached to the rematch just yet, many fans are grateful to see that “Rocky” is finally being rewarded for his 10-fight unbeaten streak with the promotion.
UFC fighter Carlos Felipe accepts 18-month suspension from USADA after being presented with defense costs
Harry Kettle - January 19, 2022
UFC heavyweight Carlos Felipe has accepted an 18-month suspension from USADA after his manager revealed the costs involved with his defense. Back in October, Carlos Felipe lost to Andrei Arlovski via unanimous decision to drop his professional mixed martial arts record to 11-2. It was then announced soon after that Felipe had tested positive for the anabolic agent Boldenone and its metabolites. He was fined $4,200 of his purse and $489 in prosecution fees.
Jon Jones excited to “learn so much” about Ciryl Gane and Francis Ngannou at UFC 270
Harry Kettle - January 19, 2022
UFC star Jon Jones has said that he’s excited to learn more about Ciryl Gane and Francis Ngannou this weekend. This Saturday night, Francis Ngannou will defend the UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 270. The two former teammates will lock horns in one of the biggest title fights in recent memory, with fans and pundits alike being fairly split down the middle when it comes to who will come out on top.
Alex Volkanovski responds to “annoying” callout from Yair Rodriguez: “It just blows me away. You’re coming off a loss”
Harry Kettle - January 19, 2022
UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski has responded to the recent callout he’s received from Yair Rodriguez. While he may be preparing to defend his 145-pound title against The Korean Zombie at UFC 273, Alex Volkanovski can’t seem to shake off the other contenders who feel as if they should’ve been the ones to get a shot at the gold. Giga Chikadze is one example, with another being the always-vocal Yair Rodriguez.
Dana White reveals his top three MMA fighters of all time
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2022
Dana White has revealed his top three MMA fighters of all time and provided a fourth name that is closing the gap. The debate over who is the greatest MMA fighter ever remains an ongoing discussion. There have been so many great fighters like Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, Daniel Cormier, and Khabib Nurmagomedv among countless others. Yet, White revealed his top three on Tuesday and said Kamaru Usman is closing the gap to enter that list.
Report | Kayla Harrison expected to re-sign with PFL
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2022
Kayla Harrison will likely be heading back to the Professional Fighters League. According to MMA journalist, Ariel Helwani, PFL is the front-runner to sign the coveted free agent in Harrison. The deal is not done yet but the report says an agreement is all but finalized. It’s also trending in the right direction to be made official soon.
Cody Stamann expects to dominate Said Nurmagomedov at UFC 270, plans to call out Sean O'Malley
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2022
Cody Stamann believes he could be fighting for his job on Saturday night. Stamann enters his UFC 270 fight against Said Nurmagomedov on a two-fight losing streak. With that, he knows the pressure is on him, but for Stamann he’s glad to just finally get a fight.
Ciryl Gane says keeping the distance is key to defeating Francis Ngannou, wants to be the first person to finish him
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2022
Ciryl Gane is well-aware of Francis Ngannou’s power due to the time they spent training with one another. Gane and Ngannou used to train with each other years ago and during that time, the Frenchman says he remembers the power of the champ. He also says he enters every fight knowing he can get knocked out so nothing changes in preparation to face Ngannou.
Paddy Pimblett set to return at UFC London against Jared Gordon, reveals Dana White, manager claims it's not true
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2022
Paddy Pimblett has his second UFC fight booked. Ever since Pimblett picked up a first-round KO win in his debut, many were eager to see him back in there. Now, his next fight has been booked as UFC president went on The Dave Portnoy Show on Barstool to reveal Pimblett has been booked to face Jared Gordon at UFC London on March 19.
Marcus Davis says he wasn’t paid a cent for his first round finish in November: “They ghosted me”
Susan Cox - January 18, 2022
Former UFC fighter Marcus Davis says he wasn’t paid a cent by Premier FC for his first round finish this past November. Courtesy of Alan Murphy of ‘Murphy Sports Marketing’, Marcus Davis shared through a Facebook thread, which Murphy duplicated on Twitter, that he’s not been paid a cent by Premier FC:
Henry Cejudo shares the one way fighters end up getting paid by the UFC
Susan Cox - January 18, 2022
Henry Cejudo (16-2 MMA), a former two-division title holder, who retired back in May 2020 after UFC 249, is looking at the possibility of a comeback. In recent weeks he has been angling for another title fight but he wants a raise if he’s going to get back in the cage.
Francis Ngannou to receive half of UFC 270 purse in Bitcoin
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2022
Francis Ngannou will be getting half of his UFC 270 pay in Bitcoin, the heavyweight champion revealed on Tuesday. Ngannou partnered with Cash App which will turn half of his purse into bitcoin. As well, “The Predator” is also giving away $300,000 worth of Bitcoin to fans on his Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 64 with Ciryl Gane, Cody Stamann, Trevin Giles, Kay Hansen, and Matt Frevola
Cole Shelton - January 18, 2022
The 64th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 270. We’re first joined by the interim UFC heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane (3:10). Next, UFC bantamweight, Cody Stamann (15:31) comes on. Trevin Giles who’s dropping to welterweight then stops by (37:00). UFC flyweight, Kay Hansen (47:39) then joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC lightweight, Matt Frevola (58:52).
Henry Cejudo “would love to go to Russia” and fight “ugly potato” Petr Yan
Harry Kettle - January 18, 2022
Henry Cejudo has confirmed that he would be interested in fighting former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan. While he may have retired back in May 2020 after his win over Dominick Cruz, Henry Cejudo has still been an ever-present member of the UFC family since then. “Triple C” has flirted with the idea of coming out of retirement on several occasions and in the last few weeks, those talks have intensified as we move closer towards the two-year anniversary of him riding off into the sunset.
Aljamain Sterling says fighters should do jail time if caught taking steroids or EPO
Harry Kettle - January 18, 2022
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling believes fighters should do jail time if caught taking steroids or EPO. As the countdown continues to his highly anticipated rematch with Petr Yan, it appears as if Aljamain Sterling is ready and willing to step on the gas when it comes to the promotion of the fight. Everyone knows these two men don’t particularly like each other and after the recent trash talk between the two, which has included Sterling accusing Yan of cheating, it seems as if things are going to step up a notch heading into UFC 273.
Alex Volkanovski fires back at “punching bag” Giga Chikadze for suggesting he dodges fights: “You’re an absolute idiot”
Harry Kettle - January 18, 2022
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has hit back at Giga Chikadze following the Georgian’s recent criticism. When Alexander Volkanovski discovered that Max Holloway had withdrawn from their trilogy bout, the only name on his mind for a replacement seemed to be The Korean Zombie. Chan Sung Jung was happy to oblige and now, the pair will square off for the 145-pound title at UFC 273.
Calvin Kattar responds after Giga Chikadze suggests he would defeat him 9 out of 10 times
Jeffrey Walter - January 17, 2022
Calvin Kattar was nothing but class while responding to Giga Chikadze’s claim that he would defeat him 9 out of 10 times. Kattar and Chikadze clashed in the headliner of last Saturday’s UFC event in Las Vegas. It was a pivotal bout for the featherweight division with the winner inching closer to their first career title shot.
Gilbert Burns calls for main event fight in Brazil against Khamzat Chimaev: "Let's grapple"
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2022
Gilbert Burns is looking to fight Khamzat Chimaev next and wants it to be a main event. Burns and Chimaev have been going back-and-forth with one another on social media and they had verbally agreed to fight one another on Twitter. Now, on Monday, Burns took to social media to once again call out the Swede and mentions he wants the bout to serve as a Fight Night main event in Brazil.