MMA News
Diego Ferreira admits he thought about retiring due to injures, expects a "war" against Michael Johnson
Cole Shelton - May 16, 2023
Diego Ferreira wasn’t sure if he was going to fight again. Ever since Ferreira suffered a TKO loss to Mateusz Gamrot in December of 2021 – which was his third loss in a row – he has dealt with a plethora of injuries. Those ailments kept him from competing and he admits the time off has been difficult.
Chase Hooper explains why he moved up to lightweight, plans to drag Nick Fiore into "deep waters"
Cole Shelton - May 16, 2023
Chase Hooper is finally making the move up to lightweight. When Hooper entered the UFC he fought at featherweight, but as he started to get older and add size, the weight cut began getting harder and harder. Hooper had to stop eating food a week or two before the fight and instead only had protein shakes, which he says no doubt impacted his performance.
Dana White announces headliner and co-main event for UFC 292
Andrew Whitelaw - May 16, 2023
Dana White has announced a couple of bangers for UFC 292. Taking place on August 19 in Boston, Massachusetts, the card will feature Aljamain Sterling defending his bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley in the main event. In the co-main, Zhang Weili will defend her women’s strawweight belt against Amanda Lemos.
Dana White announces official main card lineup for UFC 291 and two big prelim fights
Josh Evanoff - May 16, 2023
Dana White has announced a stacked UFC 291 card headlined by Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. ‘The Diamond’ and ‘The Highlight’ have been in talks to fight for a while now. Following Gaethje’s unanimous decision victory over Rafael Fiziev in March, he called for a REMATCH with Poirier. Their first bout back in April 2018 was an instant classic, with the Louisiana native earning the win by fourth-round stoppage.
Francis Ngannou explains why PFL debut isn't slated until 2024
Josh Evanoff - May 16, 2023
PFL heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou has explained why his promotional debut won’t happen for a while. ‘The Predator’ has been out of the cage since a unanimous decision win over Ciryl Gane in January 2022. That bout was the last of his contract with the UFC, and he became a free agent earlier this year. For months, fans and fighters alike wondered where Ngannou would sign.
Francis Ngannou hits back at "two-faced" BKFC's David Feldman after PFL signing
Josh Evanoff - May 16, 2023
PFL heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou has taken time to hit back at BKFC’s David Feldman. ‘The Predator’ recently ended his lengthy free agency by signing with the PFL. Ngannou famously left the UFC in January, vacating the heavyweight title in the process. For months, fans and fighters wondered where the former champion would land.
Jon Jones responds after Francis Ngannou tells him to “cross the street” and join PFL
Josh Evanoff - May 16, 2023
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has hit back at Francis Ngannou. ‘Bones’ has been out of the cage since March, when he faced Ciryl Gane. However, as the story goes, he was never expected to face ‘Bon Gamin’. For months, the promotion had attempted to book Jones’ return against heavyweight champion Ngannou, but the bout failed to come to fruition.
Jake Paul sends welcome message to “baddest man on the planet” Francis Ngannou after signing with PFL
Susan Cox - May 16, 2023
Jake Paul is sending a welcome message to the ‘baddest man on the planet’, Francis Ngannou, after signing with PFL. The news broke this morning that Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, had signed with the Professional Fighters League.
Ian Machado Garry doubles down on Neil Magny callout
Andrew Whitelaw - May 16, 2023
Ian Machado Garry’s UFC stock has never been higher. The Irishman just got a new ’15’ tattoo to commemorate his first round TKO victory over Daniel Rodriguez last weekend – a win that sees him drive into the top-15 at welterweight for the first-time in his career. In fact, he’s usurped both Jack Della Maddalena and Michel Pereira and rides up to #13 in the rankings.
Francis Ngannou responds to 'ignorant' Conor McGregor
Lewis Simpson - May 16, 2023
Francis Ngannou has stuck by his gun and is confident he made the right decision to part ways with the UFC, even when the sport’s biggest star challenged it. On Tuesday, May. 16, it was announced that Francis Ngannou had signed a lucrative deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and will make his debut with the promotion in mid-2024.
Jon Jones reacts after former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou signs with PFL
Chris Taylor - May 16, 2023
Jon Jones has reacted to the news that former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has signed a deal to fight for PFL (Professional Fighters League). Earlier today, news broke that ‘The Predator’ has found a new home under the PFL banner. The 36-year-old Ngannou will have ‘equity and leadership’ roles within the company, which includes a seat on the promotion’s athlete advisory board as well as a role of chairman of PFL Africa.
Francis Ngannou names the boxer he plans to face before making his PFL debut
Susan Cox - May 16, 2023
Francis Ngannou is naming the boxer he plans to face before making his PFL debut. The former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, made headlines today, Tuesday, May 16th, when it was revealed that he signed a multi-fight, exclusive MMA contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 123 with Diego Ferreira, Chase Hooper, Houston Alexander, Loopy Godinez, and Vanessa Demopoulos
Cole Shelton - May 16, 2023
The 123rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 73 and BKFC 43 this weekend. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight Diego Ferreira (2:42). Next, UFC lightweight Chase Hooper (16:03) comes on. BKFC fighter Houston Alexander (37:15) stops by. UFC strawweight Loopy Godinez (52:33) then comes on. Closing out the program is UFC strawweight Vanessa Demopoulos (1:02:09).
Ali Abdelaziz slams Conor McGregor for mocking “overrated” Gilbert Burns
Harry Kettle - May 16, 2023
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz has lashed out at Conor McGregor for mocking Gilbert Burns in a recent Twitter exchange. It’s no secret that Ali Abdelaziz and Conor McGregor don’t like one another. They’ve had a long-running feud for years now, dating back to Conor’s showdown with Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.
Watch UFC President Dana White console “f**king stud” Daniel Rodriguez following his TKO loss to Ian Garry
Harry Kettle - May 16, 2023
UFC president Dana White made sure to console Daniel Rodriguez following his loss to Ian Garry last weekend. On Saturday night, Ian Garry arrived in a big way in the top 15 of the UFC’s welterweight division. He was able to finish Daniel Rodriguez, being the first man to beat the veteran by TKO/KO. He did so in the first round and now, he’s jumped up to #13 at 170 pounds.
UFC champion Aljamain Sterling reacts to Henry Cejudo’s callout of teammate Merab Dvalishvili: “He's got a tall task ahead of him”
Harry Kettle - May 16, 2023
Aljamain Sterling has given his thoughts on Henry Cejudo possibly squaring off with his teammate Merab Dvalishvili. Earlier this month, Aljamain Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo via split decision. It was a tight, competitive affair but in the end, it was Sterling who got his hand raised and walked away as the UFC bantamweight champion.
Aljamain Sterling uncertain Sean O’Malley fight will happen in August: “I just fought one of the baddest dudes in the game”
Cole Shelton - May 15, 2023
Aljamain Sterling isn’t sure if he will be ready to face Sean O’Malley in August. Sterling defended his bantamweight title for a third time in the main event of UFC 288 earlier this month with a split decision victory over Henry Cejudo. After the win, O’Malley came into the Octagon to set up their fight and Dana White said the promotion was hoping to make it happen in August. Yet, Sterling is now uncertain if he will be ready to go by August.
What's next for Jailton Almeida and Jairzinho Rozenstruik after UFC Charlotte?
Cole Shelton - May 15, 2023
In the main event of UFC Charlotte, a battle of top-12 heavyweights went down as Jairzinho Rozenstruik took on Jailton Almeida. Rozenstruik entered the fight coming off a 23-second knockout win over Chris Daukaus back in December to return to the win column. Almeida, meanwhile, was a perfect 4-0 in the Octagon and was set for his first UFC main event.