MMA News
Jake Paul gives dismal update on fighter's union talks with Anderson Silva: "Near impossible"
Josh Evanoff - June 27, 2023
Jake Paul and Anderson Silva aren’t having an easy time creating a fighter’s union. ‘The Problem Child’ and ‘The Spider’ faced off last October on Showtime pay-per-view. The Brazilian entered the contest off wins over Tito Ortiz and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. In the build to the contest, Jake Paul made Anderson Silva a bet. That bet was if the YouTuber won, the MMA legend would have to help him create a union.
Dricus Du Plessis praises "incredible champion" Israel Adesanya but doesn't think he's the middleweight GOAT
Cole Shelton - June 27, 2023
Dricus Du Plessis says Israel Adesanya is an incredible champion, but he doesn’t believe ‘Stylebender’ is the middleweight GOAT. Adesanya is the current UFC middleweight champion and has defended the title five times. He recently reclaimed the belt after losing it to Alex Pereira – which is a feat Silva never accomplished. However, ‘The Spider’ defended his belt 10 times, and with that Du Plessis believes Silva is still the middleweight GOAT.
Khamzat Chimaev says there’s a “90 percent” chance he fights Kamaru Usman next: “There was no other match. It’s just him”
Susan Cox - June 27, 2023
Khamzat Chimaev is saying there is a ’90 percent’ chance he will fight former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman next. The undefeated Swede is looking to return to the Octagon in October of this year at UFC 294 which will take place on Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The question then becomes who will the 29 year olds opponent be?
Michael Chandler remains confident that he will still end up fighting Conor McGregor: “I don’t think he wants to stain his legacy”
Susan Cox - June 27, 2023
Michael Chandler remains confident that he will indeed end up fighting former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor. Chandler (23-8 MMA) and McGregor (22-6 MMA) wrapped up filming on Season 31 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ earlier this year, which is currently airing Tuesdays on ESPN until it’s conclusion Aug. 15th.
UFC Champion Aljamain Sterling says Sean O’Malley is undeserving of title fight: “I’ve got the resume”
Susan Cox - June 27, 2023
UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling says Sean O’Malley is undeserving of a title fight. Aljamain Sterling (23-3 MMA) has defended his title against the likes of Henry Cejudo (16-3 MMA), T.J.Dillashaw (17-5 MMA) and Petr Yan (16-5 MMA).
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 128 with Max Griffin, Grant Dawson, and Blagoy Ivanov
Cole Shelton - June 27, 2023
The 128th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 76 this Saturday. We’re first joined by UFC welterweight Max Griffin (1:39). Next, 15th-ranked UFC lightweight Grant Dawson (18:35) stops by. Closing out the program is 15th-ranked UFC heavyweight Blagoy Ivanov (31:40).
Israel Adesanya reacts to recent footage of Alex Pereira being tailed at Walmart: “I wish the guy tried”
Harry Kettle - June 27, 2023
UFC champion Israel Adesanya has reacted to the footage of rival Alex Pereira being tailed by a Walmart employee. It’s safe to say that there’s no love lost between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira. These two men have been to war with one another on four different occasions, and who knows, perhaps they’ll meet again one day.
Aljamain Sterling shares advice to Marlon Vera ahead of his UFC 292 fight with Henry Cejudo
Harry Kettle - June 27, 2023
Aljamain Sterling has given Marlon Vera some advice ahead of his proposed UFC 292 showdown with Henry Cejudo. If there’s one man who knows how to win at bantamweight right now, it’s Aljamain Sterling. ‘Funk Master’ is the reigning undisputed champion, he’s successfully defended the belt three times, and he hopes to do so again against Sean O’Malley later this summer.
Elon Musk accepts training offer from former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre: “Let’s do it”
Harry Kettle - June 27, 2023
Elon Musk has seemingly accepted a training offer from former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre for his rumored fight with Mark Zuckerberg. Over the course of the last week or so, combat sports fandom has been a strange place to be. The reason, obviously, is that people can’t stop talking about a potential fight between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.
Neil Magny takes aim at "little Irish kid" Ian Machado Garry after recent callout
Cole Shelton - June 26, 2023
Neil Magny is open to fighting Ian Machado Garry after the Irishman’s recent callout. After defeating Daniel Rodriguez by first-round TKO last month, Gary decided to callout Magny. However, ‘The Haitian Sensation’ was already booked to fight against Phil Rowe at UFC Jacksonville last Saturday, a contest which he ultimately won by decision.
Dricus Du Plessis plans to finish Robert Whittaker at UFC 290: “We’ll see who’s the biggest dog”
Cole Shelton - June 26, 2023
Dricus Du Plessis is confident he will finish Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. Du Plessis is set for the toughest test of his career as he will take on Whittaker in a title eliminator bout with the winner set to take on Israel Adesanya in September. It’s an intriguing matchup but the oddsmakers have Whittaker as a sizeable betting favorite to get the job done.
PFL and UFC veteran Stevie Ray announces retirement from MMA
Josh Evanoff - June 26, 2023
PFL lightweight contender Stevie Ray has decided to hang up the gloves for a second time. ‘Braveheart’ is a name that is recognizable to most MMA fans. The Scottish fighter quickly found success in BAMMA, winning lightweight gold. By 2015, Stevie Ray was in the UFC, and racking up multiple high-profile wins. That year alone, he claimed three victories in the octagon.
Alexander Volkanovski reflects on deep Brian Ortega guillotine choke: "His arms will gas out or I die"
Josh Evanoff - June 26, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski’s mindset was otherworldly against Brian Ortega. ‘The Great’ is currently slated to return next month at UFC 290 against Yair Rodriguez. The bout will be the featherweight champion’s first since February. That month at UFC 284, Alexander Volkanovski came up short against Islam Makhachev in a bid for lightweight gold.
Mark Zuckerberg denies Chael Sonnen's report about fighting Elon Musk at UFC 300
Josh Evanoff - June 26, 2023
Mark Zuckerberg has denied Chael Sonnen’s comments about him fighting Elon Musk at UFC 300. Over the last week, the battle of the billionaires has been the topic of conversation for many fans. On social media, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg teased that they would actually fight each other in the cage. For his part, Dana White later offered to book the contest inside the octagon.
Ilia Topuria down for Australia showdown with Alexander Volkanovski: "No f*cking problem!"
Josh Evanoff - June 26, 2023
UFC featherweight contender Ilia Topuria is down to fight Alexander Volkanovski anywhere. ‘El Matador’ is fresh off his return in the main event of UFC Jacksonville this past Saturday. There, he faced Josh Emmett in a five-round featherweight showcase. Leading into the contest, Ilia Topuria was vocal about his desire to get a title shot with a victory.
Arman Tsarukyan explains why he's the one to dethrone Islam Makhachev: "It’s going to be a tough fight"
Cole Shelton - June 26, 2023
Arman Tsarukyan believes he is going to be the one to dethrone UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Tsarukyan made his UFC debut on short notice at UFC St. Petersburg in July of 2019 against Makhachev. Tsarukyan entered the contest as a sizeable betting underdog, but was able to make the fight much closer than many expected. Makhachev ultimately got the unanimous decision win, but Arman proved he could hang with the division’s best.
Henry Cejudo’s coach suggests Ronda Rousey should return to UFC at featherweight: “Save the weight class"
Susan Cox - June 26, 2023
Henry Cejudo’s coach is suggesting Ronda Rousey should return to the UFC at featherweight. Ronda ‘Rowdy’ Rousey (12-2 MMA), former UFC bantamweight champion officially retired from the UFC in 2018. The now 36 year old had won 12 in a row in the Octagon before having back-to-back defeats against Holly Holm (15-6 MMA) in November of 2015 and Amanda Nunes (23-5 MMA) in December of 2016. The loss to Nunes would be Rousey’s last fight in the Octagon.
Video | Sean Strickland agrees to spar with random dude from the street ahead of UFC Vegas 76
Susan Cox - June 26, 2023
Sean Strickland agreed to spar with a random dude from the street ahead of UFC Vegas 76. UFC Vegas 76 takes place this coming Saturday, July 1st at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The middleweight main event will feature Sean Strickland (26-5 MMA) vs Abusupiyan Magomedov (25-4 MMA).