MMA News
Max Holloway praises former opponent Charles Oliveira and calls for Islam Makhachev rematch: "Excited to watch it"
Josh Evanoff - June 13, 2023
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway has high praise for Charles Oliveira. ‘Do Bronx’ returned to the octagon over the weekend at UFC 289 in the co-main event. There, he faced Beneil Dariush in a title eliminator fight, with champion Islam Makhachev currently waiting for his next opponent. The two lightweights were highly motivated by that potential title shot headed into Saturday night.
Alexander Volkanovski eyeing potential BMF title fight if Islam Makhachev is busy: "I can have three belts!"
Josh Evanoff - June 13, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski still wants to fight Islam Makhachev. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since his trip to lightweight in February. In the main event of UFC 284, Volkanovski faced Islam Makhachev in an instant classic. The two champions went back and forth for 25 minutes, with the lightweight champion retaining his title by unanimous decision.
Francis Ngannou confirms "advanced discussions" with Deontay Wilder for two-fight deal
Josh Evanoff - June 13, 2023
PFL heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou has confirmed ongoing talks with Deontay Wilder. ‘The Predator’ has been out of the cage for well over a year, since his win over Ciryl Gane in January 2022. That victory went down as his last in the octagon, as he became a free agent earlier this year. In March, Ngannou signed with the PFL, ending his MMA free agency.
Alexander Volkanovski explains why he thinks Yair Rodriguez is the "most dangerous" fighter he's fought
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski has shared some high praise for his upcoming opponent Yair Rodriguez. Volkanovski is set to defend his featherweight title in the main event of UFC 290 – in his first fight since losing to Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title. Although Volkanovski is a sizeable betting favorite, he believes Rodriguez is a more dangerous fight than Makhachev and any other opponent he has faced.
UFC champion Israel Adesanya explains why he doesn’t fancy a future move to WWE: “I like to be the author of my own story”
Susan Cox - June 13, 2023
UFC champion Israel Adesanya is explaining why he doesn’t fancy a future move to WWE. With Endeavor’s recent acquisition of the world’s premier pro wrestling organization, and the decision to merge the WWE and UFC under the same financial umbrella, there has been much talk about potential crossovers between the two sports in the not to distant future.
Daniel Cormier weighs in on potential rematch between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev
Susan Cox - June 13, 2023
Daniel Cormier is weighing in on a potential rematch between Charles Oliveira and current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Oliveira (34-9 MMA) most recently defeated Beneil Dariush (22-5 MMA) via TKO at 4:10 of round 1. It all took place at UFC 289 last Saturday, June 10th, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Nate Diaz requests extended rounds for upcoming Jake Paul boxing match, ‘The Problem Child’ accepts
Susan Cox - June 13, 2023
Nate Diaz is requesting extended rounds in the upcoming Jake Paul boxing match and ‘The Problem Child’ has accepted. It will be Nate Diaz vs Jake Paul on Saturday, August 5th at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The event is being billed as ‘Ready 4 War’.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 126 with Aspen Ladd, Modestas Bukauskas, Kyle Daukaus, Miles Johns, and Nikolas Motta
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
The 126th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of 2023 PFL 5, UFC Vegas 75, and CFFC 120 this weekend. We’re first joined by PFL featherweight Aspen Ladd (3:05). Next, UFC light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas (11:58) stops by. Former UFC middleweight and current CFFC fighter Kyle Daukaus (28:57) then comes on. UFC bantamweight Miles Johns (44:53) joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC lightweight Nikolas Motta (57:26).
Jorge Masvidal shares his top payout from the UFC
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2023
Former MMA fighter Jorge Masvidal has revealed that he once made millions from a UFC fight. Earlier this year, Jorge Masvidal retired from mixed martial arts. It came following a poor run of form that ended with a defeat to Gilbert Burns. Now, he’s focusing on business ventures outside of the Octagon, with some rumors indicating that he may consider having a boxing match.
Amanda Nunes explains why she believes Julianna Pena won’t return to UFC champion status
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2023
Amanda Nunes has explained why she doesn’t believe Julianna Pena will become a UFC champion again. Last weekend at UFC 289, Amanda Nunes retired from professional mixed martial arts. She did so after defeating Irene Aldana, cementing her status as the greatest female fighter of all time in the process. Many had been speculating for months that her time was coming and now, we know it to be true.
Jorge Masvidal blasts Conor McGregor over Miami Heat mascot incident: “For that you banned bitch”
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2023
Jorge Masvidal has hit out at Conor McGregor over the Miami Heat mascot incident that took place last week. As many fans know, Jorge Masvidal lives and breathes the city of Miami. It’s where he first made a name for himself, and it’s where he resides to this day.
What's next for the stars of UFC 289?
Cole Shelton - June 12, 2023
The UFC finally returned to Canada for the first time since 2019 as the promotion headed to Vancouver, British Columbia for UFC 289. In the main event, Amanda Nunes was looking to defend her bantamweight title against Irene Aldana who took the fight on short notice after Julianna Pena was forced out of the scrap. The co-main event saw a pivotal lightweight bout go down as Charles Oliveira took on Beneil Dariush.
Conor McGregor backs John Gotti III in his feud with Floyd Mayweather: "War is on"
Cole Shelton - June 12, 2023
Conor McGregor will be on John Gotti III’s side. On Sunday, Gotti III was boxing Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition match and the MMA fighter was disqualified for constantly grabbing the undefeated boxer. After the ref made the decision, all hell broke loose as the two teams jumped into the ring and a brawl started.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev says the BMF title is for bums
Cole Shelton - June 12, 2023
Islam Makhachev has taken aim at the BMF belt. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion, but in the main event of UFC 291, two of the top 155lbs contenders in Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje are set to collide for the BMF belt. Many fans have mixed feelings on the belt and Makhachev says the BMF belt is for bums.
Julianna Pena reveals coach had to talk her out of storming cage during Amanda Nunes retirement speech: "Be classy"
Josh Evanoff - June 12, 2023
Things nearly got a bit ugly following the UFC 289 main event bout between Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes on Saturday. In the main event, Amanda Nunes returned for yet another title defense. She was initially slated to face ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ in a rare trilogy bout, however, Julianna Pena was forced to withdraw due to injury. As a result, Irene Aldana was given the nod to the short-notice pay-per-view headliner.
Israel Adesanya believes "the story" with Jon Jones isn't over: "I don't like him, he doesn't like me"
Josh Evanoff - June 12, 2023
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes his story with Jon Jones isn’t over. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is currently awaiting his next title challenger. In April, he scored a second-round knockout win over Alex Pereira to re-earn UFC gold. While there was brief talk of a trilogy bout, ‘Poatan’ later announced plans to move to light-heavyweight, with his debut slated for July.
Julianna Pena crowns herself the women's GOAT after Amanda Nunes's retirement: "I'm a warrior"
Josh Evanoff - June 12, 2023
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena believes she’s the greatest fighter ever. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ has been out of action since her rematch with Amanda Nunes last July. The bout took just a few months after Pena upset ‘The Lioness’ at UFC 269 by submission, ending her historic title run. However, in their rematch, it was one-way traffic, as the Brazilian won by a lopsided unanimous decision.
Islam Makhachev opens as a sizeable betting favorite for potential rematch with Charles Oliveira
Cole Shelton - June 12, 2023
Islam Makhachev will once again be the betting favorite over Charles Oliveira. At UFC 280, Makhachev opened as a -300 betting favorite and closed around -245 in a fight he ended up winning by second-round submission. Since then, Makhchev beat Alexander Volkanovski to defend his belt while Oliveira returned to the win column at UFC 289 with a first-round TKO win over Beneil Dariush.