MMA News
Nate Diaz set for court hearing in June for involvement in New Orleans street fight
Cole Shelton - May 2, 2023
Nate Diaz will be heading to a New Orleans court in June. MMAFighting revealed that Diaz is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on June 27 at 3 p.m. in New Orleans for his involvement in a brawl that occurred on Bourbon Street. Diaz is facing second-degree battery charges which carry a potential penalty of up to eight years in prison “with or without hard labor” and/or up to a $2,000 fine.
ONE Championship's Chatri Sityodtong alleges Francis Ngannou turned down $20 million dollar payday: "The money wasn't enough"
Josh Evanoff - May 2, 2023
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong has discussed his meeting with Francis Ngannou. ‘The Predator’ is reportedly in the process of ending his long-discussed free agency. Ngannou famously left the UFC in January due to a litany of complaints pertaining to a lack of health insurance, proper pay, and the ability to have a boxing match. He vacated the heavyweight title upon his departure but discussed his hope for a high-profile boxing match.
Aljamain Sterling questions if Henry Cejudo used banned substances during brief retirement: "I wouldn't put it past Henry"
Josh Evanoff - May 2, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has questions about Henry Cejudo’s time outside USADA. ‘The Funk Master’ has been out of action since his title defense against T.J. Dillashaw in October. In the co-main event of UFC 280, Sterling scored a second-round stoppage victory to retain the bantamweight gold. Just a few months removed from that win, he’s now eyeing a second straight win over a former champion.
Jake Paul defends Francis Ngannou amidst reports of impending PFL signing: "Best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world"
Josh Evanoff - May 2, 2023
PFL’s Jake Paul has taken to social media to defend Francis Ngannou. ‘The Predator’ is currently searching for his next home in MMA. In January, Ngannou left the UFC as the promotion’s reigning heavyweight champion, vacating the title in the process. Following his exit, the company quickly set Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant championship in March.
BKFC's David Feldman reveals mainstream television deal expected by July: "Two years ago it was a dream"
Josh Evanoff - May 2, 2023
BKFC President David Feldman has revealed that the company is working on a television deal. Over the weekend, the promotion held its biggest card to date. BKFC 41 went down in Colorado, with the event being broadcast on pay-per-view. In the main event, UFC veterans Mike Perry and Luke Rockhold went toe-to-toe, with Eddie Alvarez and Chad Mendes clashing in the co-main.
Bryce Mitchell forced out of UFC 288 fight against Movsar Evloev, replacement opponent found
Cole Shelton - May 2, 2023
UFC 288 has taken a hit as Bryce Mitchell is out of his scheduled fight. According to Carlos Contreras Legaspi of ESPN Deportes, Mitchell has suffered an undisclosed injury and was forced to pull out of his slated main card contest against Movsar Evloev.
Khamzat Chimaev responds to callout from former UFC champion Kamaru Usman
Susan Cox - May 2, 2023
Khamzat Chimaev is responding to the callout from former UFC champion Kamaru Usman. Chimaev (12-0 MMA) last fought and defeated Kevin Holland (24-9 MMA) at UFC 279 in September of last year.
Jorge Masvidal says he is open to working with AEW or WWE following MMA retirement: “I'll go show these guys some discipline”
Susan Cox - May 2, 2023
Jorge Masvidal is saying he’s open to working with AEW or WWE following his MMA retirement. It was Jorge Masvidal (35-17 MMA) vs Gilbert Burns (22-5 MMA) on Saturday, April 8th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Burns was awarded the unanimous decision victory over ‘Gamebred’. It was to be Masvidal’s 4th consecutive loss in the Octagon.
Ali Abdelaziz claims Alexander Volkanovski weighed two pounds heavier than Islam Makhachev on a fight night at UFC 284: “You talking about IV’s?”
Susan Cox - May 2, 2023
Ali Abdelaziz is claiming Alexander Volkanovski weighed two pounds heavier than Islam Makhachev on fight night at UFC 284. UFC 284 took place on Saturday, February 11th of this year and highlighted Alexander Volkanovski (25-2 MMA) vs. Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA) in the lightweight main event at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The result was a unanimous decision win (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) for Makhachev.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 121 with Matt Frevola, Khaos Williams, Devin Clark, and Parker Porter
Cole Shelton - May 2, 2023
The 121st episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 288 on Saturday. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight Matt Frevola (2:13). Next, UFC welterweight Khaos Williams (17:13) comes on. UFC light heavyweight Devin Clark (29:15) then joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC heavyweight Parker Porter (45:31).
Fans express concern over recent footage of Conor McGregor at BKFC 41 and ‘Davis vs. Garcia’ events: “Cocaine ain’t cheap”
Harry Kettle - May 2, 2023
Mixed martial arts and boxing fans have expressed concern over Conor McGregor’s recent actions at a few major combat sports events. Even in the modern day, Conor McGregor is easily the biggest star in MMA. Beyond that, he’s one of the biggest names in all of sports. He hasn’t competed in a while but later this year, he’s expected to get into the Octagon to take on Michael Chandler.
Aljamain Sterling reveals the medical diagnosis that prevents him from competing in New York
Harry Kettle - May 2, 2023
UFC champion Aljamain Sterling has spoken candidly about the medical diagnosis that means he cannot compete in the state of New York. This weekend, Aljamain Sterling returns to action. He’ll step into the Octagon to defend his UFC bantamweight championship against Henry Cejudo, a man he’s been feuding with for over two years now.
What's next for Song Yadong and Ricky Simon after UFC Vegas 72?
Cole Shelton - May 1, 2023
In the main event of UFC Vegas 72, top-15 bantamweights threw down as Song Yadong took on Ricky Simon. Yadong entered the fight coming off a main event loss to Cory Sandhagen as he suffered a fourth-round stoppage loss. Prior to that, he was on a three-fight win streak with wins over Marlon Moraes, Julio Arce, and Casey Kenney.
WATCH | Replay shows the punch that knocked Luke Rockhold's tooth out in BKFC 41 fight against Mike Perry
Cole Shelton - May 1, 2023
Slow motion video has been released of the Mike Perry punch that broke the tooth of Luke Rockhold. Rockhold entered the bout with a ton of confidence and in the first round, he landed a solid shot that stunned Perry. From then on, however, Perry brought it to Rockhold and in the second round, ‘Platinum’ landed a punch that sent Rockhold’s tooth flying.
Eddie Alvarez hoping for longshot clash against Nate Diaz in BKFC: "Would be f*cking beautiful"
Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2023
Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez has his next opponent in mind. ‘The Underground King’ is fresh off his BKFC debut over the weekend against Chad Mendes. In that outing, the two put on a show. The two former UFC stars traded multiple knockdowns in the five-round affair, with Alvarez picking up the split-decision victory.
Frank Mir reveals shockingly low purse for UFC 100 rematch against Brock Lesnar: "It blew my mind"
Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2023
Former heavyweight champion Frank Mir is questioning why he wasn’t paid more in the UFC. The former heavyweight titleholder is currently preparing for his final fight later this year. Mir will headline a card promoted by the United Fight League, the promotion was started last year. The main goal of the company is to help provide fighters with a suitable alternative to the UFC.
Eddie Alvarez admits he was listening to Conor McGregor's technical advice at BKFC 41: "It was a good moment"
Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2023
Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez received help from an old friend on Saturday. On Saturday night, ‘The Underground King’ made his BKFC debut against Chad Mendes. The bout was his first since an April 2021 loss in ONE Championship, and Alvarez gave it his all. In the co-main event, the two former UFC stars stole the show.
Ariel Helwani reveals Francis Ngannou could find his next MMA home as soon as this week
Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2023
According to Ariel Helwani, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou won’t be a free agent for long. ‘The Predator’ has been out of the octagon for over a year, last defeating Ciryl Gane by decision in January 2022. That victory will likely end up being the last of Ngannou’s UFC career, as he left the promotion earlier this year. In the process, he vacated his heavyweight title.