MMA News
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 132 with Jan Blachowicz, Stephen Thompson, and Trevin Giles
Cole Shelton - July 25, 2023
The 132nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 291 this Saturday. We’re first joined by third-ranked UFC light heavyweight Jan Blachowicz (1:42). Next, seventh-ranked UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson (16:22) stops by. Closing out the program is UFC welterweight Trevin Giles (29:18).
Zabit Magomedsharipov says the UFC put an immediate title shot on the table to try and lure him out of retirement
Harry Kettle - July 25, 2023
Zabit Magomedsharipov has claimed that the Ultimate Fighting Championship offered him a title shot to try and get him out of retirement. In recent years, Zabit Magomedsharipov has been one of the biggest ‘what ifs’ in mixed martial arts. Beyond that, you could argue that claim extends to the entire history of the sport. With an 18-1 pro record and a 6-0 record in the UFC, it always felt as if Zabit was destined for a world title. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen him in the Octagon since November 2019 when he beat Calvin Kattar.
Report | Derek Brunson set to return at UFC 295 opposite Roman Dolidze
Harry Kettle - July 25, 2023
According to a recent report from Giorgi Kokiashvili, Derek Brunson and Roman Dolidze will collide at UFC 295. The middleweight division is certainly looking interesting right now. While Israel Adesanya may still be running the show as champion, there are plenty of hungry contenders hoping to make a push for a title shot.
Chael Sonnen claims Israel Adesanya has already surpassed fellow UFC champion Jon Jones: “He’s long put Jon Jones in the dust”
Harry Kettle - July 25, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen believes Israel Adesanya has been able to surpass fellow UFC champion Jon Jones. When it comes to Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones, their legacies have largely already been written. Both have been successful world champions in the UFC, and both have been through some real adversity along the way. Many see Jones as the greatest of all time, and Adesanya is certainly working hard to reach that point.
Justin Gaethje knows "for a fact" Islam Makhachev is not as good as Khabib Nurmagomedov and hopes he can "prove that"
Cole Shelton - July 24, 2023
Justin Gaethje wants the chance to prove Islam Makhachev is not as good as Khabib Nurmagomedov. Gaethje fought Nurmagomedov back at UFC 254 in October 2020 and it was Nurmagomedov winning by second-round submission. After the win, Nurmagomedov announced his retirement from MMA which did catch many by surprise.
What's next for Tom Aspinall and Marcin Tybura after UFC London?
Cole Shelton - July 24, 2023
In the main event of UFC London, ranked heavyweights took center stage as Tom Aspinall was taking on Marcin Tybura. Aspinall entered the fight coming off a year away after tearing his MCL just seconds into his fight against Curtis Blaydes last July. Prior to that, the Brit was 5-0 in the UFC and had beaten the likes of Alexander Volkov and Andrei Arlovski by stoppage. Tybura, meanwhile, was on a two-fight winning streak and was 7-1 in his last eight entering his main event spot.
Khamzat Chimaev vows to "smash" Paulo Costa and make him "cry" at UFC 294: "Nobody likes him"
Cole Shelton - July 24, 2023
Khamzat Chimaev is confident he will beat Paulo Costa with ease at UFC 294. Chimaev is set to make his return to the middleweight division in Abu Dhabi in October when he faces Costa. It’s an intriguing matchup and it’s a fight that finally ends both of their layoffs. However, according to the Swede, he has been trying to fight but Kamaru Usman kept turning him down.
Tom Aspinall expects to be UFC champion by July 2024: "Lot of time to think"
Josh Evanoff - July 24, 2023
UFC heavyweight contender Tom Aspinall expects to be champion by this time next year. The British heavyweight contender ended his long layoff over the weekend at UFC London. Out for a year due to an injury suffered against Curtis Blaydes last summer, Tom Aspinall returned to the same arena to face Marcin Tybura. There, the Brit wasted no time getting finishing ‘Tybur’.
Molly McCann announces move down to strawweight after upset loss to Julija Stoliarenko
Josh Evanoff - July 24, 2023
UFC women’s flyweight contender Molly McCann is ready to make a big change after her loss to Julija Stoliarenko. At UFC London over the weekend, ‘Meatball’ made her high-profile return. The fight was the British star’s first since a one-sided submission loss to Erin Blanchfield last November. Sadly for Molly McCann, it was Déjà vu against Julija Stoliarenko in the co-main event on Saturday. For her part, Lithuanian entered the contest as a massive underdog, holding a 1-4 promotional record.
Tom Aspinall laughs off 'patronizing' Jon Jones comments after UFC London: "I only have to hit him one time"
Josh Evanoff - July 24, 2023
UFC heavyweight contender Tom Aspinall believes Jon Jones was a little patronizing over the weekend. The British fighter returned to the cage on Saturday night in the main event of UFC London. There, Tom Aspinall was back for the first time since his stoppage loss to Curtis Blaydes last July, where he lost due to injury. Back at UFC London, the British fighter made up for lost time against Marcin Tybura.
Justin Gaethje says UFC 291 fight against Dustin Poirier will be a "car crash for the ages"
Cole Shelton - July 24, 2023
Justin Gaethje has some violent expectations for his BMF title fight against Dustin Poirier. Gaethje and Poirier are set to have their rematch in the main event of UFC 291 on Saturday in a highly-anticipated fight. The two fought back in April of 2018 where it was Poirier who won by fourth-round TKO in the best fight of 2018 and one of the best scraps of recent memory.
Marcin Tybura issues statement following TKO loss to Tom Aspinall at UFC London
Susan Cox - July 24, 2023
Marcin Tybura has issued a statement following his TKO loss to Tom Aspinall at UFC London. It was just this past Saturday, July 22nd at the UFC Fight Night 224 heavyweight main event where Tom Aspinall (13-3 MMA) defeated Marcin Tybura (24-8 MMA) via way of knockout at 1:13 of round 1 in the O2 Arena in London, England.
Daniel Cormier believes a win over Paulo Costa at UFC 294 will earn Khamzat Chimaev a middleweight title shot
Susan Cox - July 24, 2023
Daniel Cormier believes a win over Paulo Costa at UFC 294 will earn Khamzat Chimaev a middleweight title shot. UFC 294 takes place on Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Revised main card lineup released for Saturday’s UFC 291 event
Susan Cox - July 24, 2023
The revised main card lineup has been released for Saturday’s UFC 291 event. UFC 291 takes place this coming Saturday, July 29th, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Paul Craig eyeing titles in two divisions following successful middleweight debut at UFC London: “We aren’t done at light heavyweight”
Harry Kettle - July 24, 2023
UFC fighter Paul Craig has his eyes set on a world title before he walks away from mixed martial arts. Last weekend at UFC London, Paul Craig made his middleweight debut. While he had to overcome some real adversity, ‘Bearjew’ was able to secure a second round TKO over Andre Muniz. While there’s no guarantee of what’s next for him, it certainly seems as if he’s ready to try and go on a run that could lead to a title shot.
Mike Tyson open to training Francis Ngannou for Tyson Fury fight: “That’d be cool”
Harry Kettle - July 24, 2023
Boxing legend Mike Tyson has confirmed that he’s open to the idea of training with Francis Ngannou ahead of his debut. Later this year, Francis Ngannou will make his long-awaited pro boxing debut. The former UFC heavyweight champion will do so against Tyson Fury in a contest that has split combat sports fans down the middle.
Darren Till offers to let Dillon Danis knock him out on the undercard of Paul vs. Diaz following online feud
Harry Kettle - July 24, 2023
Darren Till has called out Dillon Danis for a boxing match on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz fight. Ever since leaving the UFC, Darren Till has kept fans guessing when it comes to his next move. Some think he’ll venture into boxing, some believe he’ll sign for another MMA promotion, and others don’t know what to think. Either way, the Liverpudlian needs to do something to get out of the rut he’s found himself in lately.
UFC exec explains why the promotion doesn't run many stadium shows: "They're tough"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 23, 2023
A UFC executive has detailed why the company limits its stadium events. The UFC has held stadium shows in the past. Perhaps the most memorable one was UFC 193 back in 2015. The event closed with the head kick heard around the world. Holly Holm knocked Ronda Rousey out in the second round of their UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship fight. On that night, over 56,000 people packed Etihad Stadium, now known as Marvel Stadium.