MMA News
Bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis eyes second title after he gets past Patricio Freire at Bellator 297
Harry Kettle - June 7, 2023
Sergio Pettis has got his eyes set on a second world title if he’s able to get past Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire at Bellator 297. Next weekend in Chicago, Sergio Pettis will go head to head with Patricio Pitbull. He’ll be defending his Bellator bantamweight championship against a man who is widely considered to be the best fighter in Bellator history. If Pitbull is able to secure the win, he’ll also become the first man to be a three-weight champion in a major organization.
Jon Anik believes it was “pretty clear” that Kai Kara-France did enough to defeat Amir Albazi at UFC Vegas 74
Harry Kettle - June 7, 2023
UFC commentator Jon Anik believes Kai Kara-France did enough to defeat Amir Albazi during their main event collision last weekend. The flyweight battle between Kai Kara-France and Amir Albazi was a technical, entertaining clash on Saturday night. However, while many would’ve preferred to focus on the quality of the bout, there’s been a lot of controversy surrounding the scoring.
Anthony Smith explains why he looks forward to seeing UFC champion Amanda Nunes retire: “Sometimes I almost feel bad for her”
Harry Kettle - June 7, 2023
Anthony Smith has explained why he looks forward to seeing Amanda Nunes ride off into the sunset and retire. For so long now, Amanda Nunes has been considered the greatest female fighter of all time. She’s a two-weight world champion in the UFC, she’s beaten the best of the best, and she’s done so in a convincing fashion. The Brazilian sensation is one of a kind, and this weekend, she’ll return to action when she defends her bantamweight crown against Irene Aldana at UFC 289.
Dana White sounds off on the scumbag and unprofessional members of the MMA Media: “F**k every one of them”
Harry Kettle - June 7, 2023
UFC president Dana White has decided to again go after MMA media members in a recent rant. It’s no secret that Dana White isn’t a big fan of the media – especially in mixed martial arts. Whenever he’s called out regarding a particular topic, the boss often doesn’t respond in a very cordial way. He doesn’t particularly care who he offends in the process, as we’ve seen time and time again in interviews.
Beneil Dariush says he has "no problem taking it to the ground" with Charles Oliveira at UFC 289: "Kill or be killed"
Cole Shelton - June 6, 2023
Beneil Dariush is ready to just fight. Dariush was hoping to return in March against Charles Oliveira, but the fight didn’t get booked until May. However, after the Brazilian suffered a minor injury, the fight was pushed back until UFC 289 in June which was frustrating for Dariush.
Israel Adesanya believes UFC badly needs to raise post-fight bonuses: "Inflation is going up!"
Josh Evanoff - June 6, 2023
Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya knows the UFC can do better in terms of fighter pay. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is currently awaiting his next opponent. Adesanya was last seen in the cage in April, knocking out Alex Pereira to re-earn the middleweight gold. However, his next challenger won’t be decided until July, when Robert Whittaker faces Dricus du Plessis at UFC 290.
Paddy Pimblett eyeing year-end return to erase "sh*t performance" against Jared Gordon
Josh Evanoff - June 6, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett is eyeing his return to the octagon. ‘The Baddy’ was seemingly on his way to becoming the promotion’s next massive star last year. Pimblett debuted in September 2021 and quickly racked up three stoppage victories in the UFC. Furthermore, he even got a brand deal with Barstool Sports. That all led up to the biggest test of the Brit’s career against Jared Gordon last December.
Logan Paul admits he was destroyed by Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski in training: "Tapped me out six times in five minutes"
Josh Evanoff - June 6, 2023
Logan Paul was predictably uncompetitive with UFC champions earlier this week. ‘The Maverick’ is currently searching for his next fight. Earlier this year, Paul stated that he planned to box Nate Diaz, but wound up losing out on the bout to his brother. ‘The Problem Child’ is now slated to face the Stockton native on DAZN pay-per-view in August.
Charles Oliveira claims Conor McGregor is "avoiding" him, says he is "hungry" to get his belt back
Cole Shelton - June 6, 2023
Charles Oliveira believes Conor McGregor is afraid to fight him. Oliveira is set to return to the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 289 against Beneil Darisuh. It’s the Brazilian’s first fight since suffering a submission loss to Islam Makhachev back in October for the lightweight title. It was a disappointing result for Oliveira to no longer be the champ, but after the loss, he thought he could still get a big fight and mentioned McGregor as a possibility.
Dana White says PFL is in a "tough position" after 10 fighters fail drug tests
Cole Shelton - June 6, 2023
UFC President Dana White thinks PFL is in a tough spot after 10 of their fighters recently failed drug tests. The PFL kicked off its 2023 season in Las Vegas and after the events, many thought it was a success. However, just weeks later the drug tests came back and 10 fighters failed them and are out of the season, including last year’s winner, Rob Wilkinson, and UFC veterans Thiago Santos and Krzysztof Jotko.
Henry Cejudo shares his take on how we can make MMA judges not suck
Susan Cox - June 6, 2023
Henry Cejudo is sharing his take on how we can make MMA judges not suck. The main focus of Cejudo’s most recent commentary is the fight which occurred between Kai Kara-France and Amir Albazi.
Photo | Johnny Munoz shares physical damage from UFC Vegas 74 loss to Daniel Santos
Susan Cox - June 6, 2023
Johnny Munoz has shared the physical damage he incurred from his UFC Vegas 74 loss to Daniel Santos. UFC Vegas 74 took place this past Saturday, June 3rd at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
New Nate Diaz documentary "Hit 'Em Up" explores Nate's rise in the UFC and friendship with Shane Gillis
Pineapple Dojo MMA - June 6, 2023
Nate Diaz made his UFC debut in 2007, following a successful run on The Ultimate Fighter.Despite holding noteworthy career wins over Melvin Guillard, Donald Cerrone, Jim Miller, and “The Notorious” Conor McGregor, Diaz never hesitated to express his distaste for the UFC’s contractual and promotional practices. In 2022, prior to the final fight of his long-standing contract, Diaz declared on “The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani” that he had been seeking free agency since 2012 when he fought Benson Henderson for the lightweight title.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 125 with Beneil Dariush, Dan Ige, Kyle Nelson, and Jasmine Jasudavicius
Cole Shelton - June 6, 2023
The 125th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 289 in Vancouver this Saturday. We’re first joined by the fourth-ranked UFC lightweight and one-half of the co-main event, Beneil Dariush (2:27). Next, 13th-ranked UFC featherweight Dan Ige (18:21) comes on. UFC featherweight Kyle Nelson (35:40) joins the show and closing out the program is UFC women’s flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius (47:29).
UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall labels Deontay Wilder as the most winnable boxing match for Francis Ngannou
Harry Kettle - June 6, 2023
Tom Aspinall believes Deontay Wilder serves as a winnable fight for Francis Ngannou if he ventures into the boxing world. While he may have recently signed with PFL, Francis Ngannou’s next big priority is a boxing match. He wants to test himself against the very best at heavyweight, and he wants to make the most money possible in the process.
Colby Covington explains why he will never consider former roommate Jon Jones as the greatest fighter of all time
Harry Kettle - June 6, 2023
Colby Covington has explained why he can’t consider former roommate Jon Jones as the greatest fighter of all time. In the eyes of many, Jon Jones is the greatest MMA fighter ever. In the strictest sense, he has never lost a fight in his career – outside of a disqualification. He’s the best light heavyweight we’ve ever seen, and he’s now the UFC heavyweight champion too.
Paul Felder replaces Joe Rogan for UFC 289 commentary team duties
Harry Kettle - June 6, 2023
Former UFC fighter Paul Felder is set to replace Joe Rogan on commentary this weekend for the UFC 289 pay-per-view event. This Saturday night, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Canada for the first time since before the pandemic. They’ll be heading to Vancouver for UFC 289, with Amanda Nunes vs Irene Aldana serving as the main event of the evening. While the card isn’t entirely stacked from top to bottom, we will also be getting to see the return of Charles Oliveira when he clashes with Beneil Dariush in a vital lightweight collision.
Dana White claims Michael Jordan is a “killer,” says Jordan would beat LeBron James in slap fight
Zain Bando - June 5, 2023
Dana White’s newfound obsession with “Power Slap,” the online reality television series launched by he and Lorenzo Fertitta in January, has taken on a life of its own. White, who has been UFC president since 2001, had a vision for Power Slap’s social media success and international appeal upon its initial launch. After two events, the conversations about who would win have become deeper, reaching into different sports and eras.