MMA News
Eddie Hearn takes aim at “awful” boxing match between Nate Diaz and Jake Paul: “You're talking about low level”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 15, 2023
Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn was not impressed by the boxing skills on display during the Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz match. Paul and Diaz shared the ring inside the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas earlier this month. The bout had its moments with Paul scoring a fifth-round knockdown, and Diaz continuing to hang in there and land punches. The problem for Diaz was his punches had no significant impact on his opponent. Paul’s punches were clearly more effective and he won the bout via unanimous decision.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 135 with John Dodson and Andre Petroski
Cole Shelton - August 15, 2023
In the 135th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com, host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 292 and recapping BKFC 48. We’re first joined by the new BKFC flyweight champion John Dodson (1:17). Closing out the show is UFC middleweight Andre Petroski (14:31). Sorry for only two guests, we did have interviews with Rob Font and Mario Bautista that went out after their opponents pulled out, as well as an interview scheduled with Geoff Neal before he withdrew.
Israel Adesanya warns Dricus Du Plessis that he has not secured a title opportunity: “He’s not calling the shots, I am”
Harry Kettle - August 15, 2023
Israel Adesanya has issued a warning to Dricus du Plessis that he hasn’t necessarily earned a shot at the title yet. Back at UFC 290, Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis faced off in the Octagon following the latter’s win over Robert Whittaker. By all accounts, it seemed as if du Plessis would get the next shot at Adesanya’s UFC middleweight championship. However, with Dricus not being ready in time for UFC 293, Sean Strickland got the call instead.
Michael Chandler explains why he is “ticked off” by recent Logan Paul vs. Dillon Danis booking: “What are we doing?”
Harry Kettle - August 15, 2023
UFC fighter Michael Chandler has explained why he isn’t a big fan of the recent Logan Paul vs Dillon Danis booking. On October 14, Logan Paul and Dillon Danis are scheduled to square off in the co-main event of the KSI vs Tommy Fury card in Manchester, England. It’s a bout that has been teased for a long time now, but many fans have already said they don’t think it’ll happen. The reason, of course, is because Danis pulled out of his previously scheduled showdown with KSI.
BJ Penn praises Marlon Vera ahead of UFC 292 fight with Pedro Munhoz: “He does have all the championship qualities”
Harry Kettle - August 15, 2023
UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn has popped up on the latest episode of Embedded to praise Marlon Vera ahead of his fight this weekend. Following on from his decisive loss to Cory Sandhagen earlier this year, Marlon Vera has had to go back to the drawing board. He’s still a top contender, but adjustments need to be made. He’s set to return at UFC 292 this Saturday night in Boston, with his original opponent being Henry Cejudo. Unfortunately, ‘Triple C’ had to pull out, meaning Pedro Munhoz has now stepped in as a replacement.
Aljamain Sterling reveals he has a bet with Sean O'Malley over who shoots a takedown first
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2023
Aljamain Sterling has a bet made with Sean O’Malley over their UFC 292 title fight. Sterling and O’Malley are set to headline UFC 292 in Boston in a highly anticipated matchup. In the lead-up to the fight, both men have been vocal in suggesting they will be getting a stoppage win. However, on Monday, Sterling revealed another interesting wrinkle to the fight as the two sides have agreed to a side bet.
Filipino MMA pioneer Eduard Folayang returns against Amir Khan at ONE Fight Night 14
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 14, 2023
Former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang is ready to grace the Circle once again. But when he makes his return on September 29, he’ll be competing against a familiar foe. The Filipino MMA legend will face Amir Khan in a long-awaited rematch at ONE Fight Night 14. The event will broadcast live in U.S. primetime from the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and Folayang can’t wait.
Chatri Sityodtong offers to promote Mark Zuckerberg-Elon Musk MMA Fight, proposes bout card
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 14, 2023
It all began with a single tweet aimed at Mark Zuckerberg. Elon Musk threw down the gauntlet when he playfully called out the Meta boss for an MMA bout.
Dana White says he moved PPV model to streaming due to cable dispute: “We were so tired of the cable side and the satellite side being basically pigs’
Zain Bando - August 14, 2023
For the first time in 2023, Dana White opened up on the business aspects of the UFC and what has made the company successful since moving from FOX Sports to ESPN/ESPN+ in 2019. The UFC puts on 40+ annual events as one of the few promotions that exclusively stream without needing televised pay-per-view.
Demetrious Johnson commits to join 2023 IBJJF Masters
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 14, 2023
Demetrious Johnson, the reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion and MMA legend, is set to embark on a new challenge. “Mighty Mouse” will be switching fields temporarily to showcase his talents in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the 2023 IBJJF Masters World Championships. The competition will take place between August 31 and September 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What's next for Vicente Luque and Rafael dos Anjos after UFC Vegas 78?
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2023
In the main event of UFC Vegas 78, welterweight contenders threw down as 10th-ranked welterweight Vicente Luque took on former lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos. Luque entered the fight coming off back-to-back losses and last August, he suffered a knockout loss to Geoff Neal that caused a brain hemorrhage. Prior to that, he lost a five-round decision to Belal Muhammad which snapped his four-fight win streak that included notable wins over Tyron Woodley and Michael Chiesa. Rafael dos Anjos, meanwhile, was coming off a submission win over Bryan Barberena in his return to the welterweight division.
Aljamain Sterling shares prediction for UFC 292 title fight against Sean O'Malley: "There's levels, man"
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2023
Aljamain Sterling is confident he will defend his bantamweight title with relative ease at UFC 292. Sterling is set to headline UFC 292 on Saturday night in Boston against Sean O’Malley. It’s a highly-anticipated matchup and one both men have been vocal in their confidence ahead of.
Aljamain Sterling goes off on Sean O'Malley ahead of UFC 292: "That naked mole rat is getting smashed"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 14, 2023
UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling has put Sean O’Malley on blast before their UFC 292 encounter. Sterling will be putting the bantamweight gold on the line against O’Malley in the UFC 292 headliner. The two will collide this Saturday inside the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. It’ll be O’Malley’s first UFC title fight.
Israel Adesanya threatens to break Sean Strickland's jaw at UFC 293: "I’m going to knock him out"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 14, 2023
UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya believes the more Sean Strickland talks, the worse the outcome will be for him at UFC 293. Adesanya is scheduled to put his 185-pound gold at stake against Strickland. The two will collide on September 9 inside Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The title fight will headline UFC 293. Strickland stepped up after Dricus du Plessis wasn’t going to be healed in time to fight Adesanya at the event.
UFC Legend Daniel Cormier reveals problem with giving Conor McGregor USADA Exemption
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 14, 2023
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier thinks USADA will have an issue on its hands if Conor McGregor is allowed to fight before 2023 comes to a close. McGregor still has yet to re-enter the USADA testing pool. In fact, the “Notorious” one missed the deadline to get back in the pool in time to fight this year. UFC President Dana White has gone on record saying, “Who cares what USADA says,” a statement he claims he never made despite the fact that his comments were filmed.
Rose Namajunas explains motivation behind her move up to flyweight: “I want something that scares me”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 14, 2023
Rose Namajunas has given her reason behind moving up to the women’s flyweight division. Namajunas is a two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion. Her exit from the 115-pound division wasn’t exactly ideal. Namajunas suffered a split decision loss against Carla Esparza in a bout that was widely panned for its lack of activity. “Thug” Rose lost the strawweight championship, and she’s hoping a move up to flyweight can shed the negativity from her last outing.
Chris Avila calls out former UFC champion Anthony Pettis for a boxing match
Harry Kettle - August 14, 2023
Chris Avila has challenged Anthony Pettis to a boxing match following his recent win over Jeremy Stephens. Earlier this month, Chris Avila went toe to toe with Jeremy Stephens on the undercard of Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz. In what proved to be a pretty one-sided contest, Avila managed to get his hand raised.
Stephen Thompson has no regrets about not fighting at UFC 291, sends a message to future opponents: “You better be on weight or it’s not going to happen”
Harry Kettle - August 14, 2023
Stephen Thompson has issued a warning to any of his potential opponents about missing weight in the future. Last month at UFC 291, Stephen Thompson was scheduled to square off with Michel Pereira. Unfortunately, the bout didn’t end up happening as a result of Pereira missing weight by three and a half pounds. Thompson had the option to go forward with the contest, but he opted not to do so. Because of that, he didn’t receive his show money, creating quite the controversy within the MMA community.