MMA News
Joanna Jedrzejczyk approves of Ronda Rousey fighting for the UFC bantamweight title in rumored return: “It’s her belt”
Susan Cox - July 11, 2023
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is approving of Ronda Rousey fighting for the UFC bantamweight title. The former strawweight queen, Joanna Jedrejczyk, is quite okay with Ronda Rousey returning to the Octagon for a bantamweight title fight.
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou made official for October 28 in Saudi Arabia
Susan Cox - July 11, 2023
Its official – save the date – Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou – October 28th in Saudi Arabia. ESPN Boxing Insider, Mike Coppinger took to ‘Twitter’ with a picture of Fury and Ngannou and the news:
Kevin Lee announces his retirement from the UFC
Susan Cox - July 11, 2023
Kevin Lee has announced his retirement from the UFC. ‘The Motown Phenom’ (18-8 MMA) most recently fought Rinat Fakhretdinov (21-1 MMA) on Saturday July 1st in a welterweight bout. The outcome was a submission win for ‘Gladiator’ at 0:55 of Round 1.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 130 with Terrance McKinney, Austin Lingo, and Evan Elder
Cole Shelton - July 11, 2023
The 130th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 77 this Saturday. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney (2:06). Next, UFC featherweight Austin Lingo (15:04) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC lightweight Evan Elder (23:14).
UFC legend Donald Cerrone says he feels “21 again” after no longer having to abide by USADA rules: “Get on the TRT and put your wife in a bind”
Harry Kettle - July 11, 2023
UFC legend Donald Cerrone claims he feels young again now that he doesn’t have to abide by USADA regulations. Last year, Donald Cerrone decided to hang up his gloves and walk away from mixed martial arts. It came after he fell to a second round submission defeat at the hands of Jim Miller, a fellow UFC veteran. Ever since then, Cerrone hasn’t been shy about his TRT use, noting some of the benefits he’s been able to get from it.
Israel Adesanya takes aim at Dricus du Plessis for “playing the victim” after heated confrontation at UFC 290
Harry Kettle - July 11, 2023
Israel Adesanya has taken aim at Dricus du Plessis following their confrontation at UFC 290 last weekend. On Saturday night, Dricus du Plessis secured the biggest win of his career thus far with a dominant performance and finish over Robert Whittaker. Based on the reaction, we’d say it was deemed a pretty big upset in the eyes of many.
Geoff Neal sounds off after upcoming opponent Ian Garry wore a t-shirt with his mugshot to UFC 290: “He’s dead”
Harry Kettle - July 11, 2023
Geoff Neal and his father have gone off on Ian Garry for wearing a t-shirt with his mugshot on as the countdown to their fight continues. At UFC 292 next month in Boston, Geoff Neal and Ian Garry are set to go head to head. For Garry, he’ll be aiming to maintain his unbeaten record. For Neal, he’ll try and get back on the winning trail after his fascinating contest with Shavkat Rakhmonov earlier this year. Both still view themselves as welterweight contenders, but there’s certainly more hype on the Garry train right now.
Robert Whittaker issues statement following TKO loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290
Chris Taylor - July 10, 2023
Robert Whittaker has issued a statement following his TKO loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290. Whittaker (24-7 MMA), the promotion’s former middleweight title holder, collided with surging 185lbs contender Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) on the main card of Saturday’s pay-per-view event in Las Vegas. It was a high stakes matchup as the winner would be awarded the next title shot against reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
Israel Adesanya opens as a sizeable betting favorite ahead of potential title defense against Dricus Du Plessis
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2023
Israel Adesanya has opened as the betting favorite to beat Dricus Du Plessis. At UFC 290, Du Plessis was fighting Robert Whittaker in a title-eliminator bout as the winner would go on to face Adesanya, likely in September in Australia. Whittaker entered the fight as the betting favorite and many expected him to win, but it was Du Plessis who won by second-round TKO to secure a title shot.
Michael Chandler defends Conor McGregor's coaching on TUF 31: "Conor's getting a little bit of a raw deal"
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2023
Michael Chandler thinks Conor McGregor is getting a raw deal on TUF 31. Chandler and McGregor are serving as the coaches of the show and so far, Team Chandler is a perfect 6-0 in the fights. As well, on the show, McGregor isn’t seen at weigh-ins and some contestants on the show have said he isn’t always there for training. However, Michael Chandler says that is not true, as it was only weigh-ins that Conor McGregor never attended.
Wanderlei Silva announces November boxing debut against Brazilian bodybuilder Felipe Franco
Josh Evanoff - July 10, 2023
MMA legend Wanderlei Silva will be making his boxing debut against Felipe Franco in November. ‘The Axe Murderer’ has been out of action for nearly five years, last facing Rampage Jackson. That was the fourth fight between the two, taking place at Bellator 206 in September 2018. There, Wanderlei Silva came up short, losing by second-round knockout moving the series to 2-2.
Alexander Volkanovski slams 'delusional' Ilia Topuria: "Do you watch me fight?"
Josh Evanoff - July 10, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has some choice words for Ilia Topuria. ‘The Great’ returned to the cage for yet another title defense against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290. While ‘El Pantera’ held interim gold stemming from a destructive win over Josh Emmett in February, he was no match. In the pay-per-view headliner, Alexander Volkanovski dominated en route to a fourth-round knockout win.
Ilia Topuria shares bold prediction for “easy” Alexander Volkanovski
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2023
Ilia Topuria is extremely confident heading into a potential title fight against Alexander Volkanovski. In the main event of UFC 290, Volkanovski defended his featherweight title with a third-round TKO over Yair Rodriguez. Following the win, it’s uncertain what will be next for the Aussie as he may move up to lightweight, but if he stays at featherweight, Topuria believes he should be the fight.
Newly crowned UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja reveals he was driving for Uber Eats two fight’s ago
Josh Evanoff - July 10, 2023
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has only become a full-time fighter again recently. ‘The Cannibal’ made his return to the cage at UFC 290 on Saturday night against Brandon Moreno. While many likely didn’t know, the contest was actually a trilogy bout. In prior outings in 2016 and 2018, Alexandre Pantoja claimed victories over ‘The Assassin Baby’.
Stipe Miocic plans to prove that he deserves to be “the heavyweight champ" at UFC 295 against Jon Jones
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2023
Stipe Miocic is ready to be the UFC’s heavyweight champion again. Miocic is set to headline UFC 295 on November 11 at Madison Square Garden against Jon Jones. It’s an intriguing matchup and one Jones called for after he became the UFC’s heavyweight champ back in March. However, the hope was the fight would’ve happened on Saturday at International Fight Week, but Miocic is fine with having to wait until November.
Sean O’Malley believes Aljamain Sterling’s large weight cut will play a factor at UFC 292: “That brain liquid goes away, it doesn’t take many shots”
Susan Cox - July 10, 2023
Sean O’Malley believes Aljamain Sterling’s large weight cut will play a factor in their title fight at UFC 292. UFC 292 takes place on Saturday, August 19th at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Conor McGregor claims the return of the BMF title is being lined up specifically for him
Susan Cox - July 10, 2023
Conor McGregor is claiming the return of the BMF title is being lined up specifically for him. The BMF (Baddest Motherf**ker) title is up for grabs at UFC 291 when Dustin Poirier (29-7 MMA) takes on Justin Gaethje (24-4 MMA) in their much anticipated rematch.
Watch | Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum share wholesome moment at UFC 290 (Video)
Susan Cox - July 10, 2023
Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum shared a wholesome moment at UFC 290. UFC 290 took place last Saturday, July 8th, at the T-Mobile Arena facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.