MMA News
UFC 287 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2023
In the main event of UFC 287, the middleweight title is up for grabs as Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya have their rematch in MMA. Heading into the fight, Pereira is a +114 underdog while the challenger is a -146 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros have a slight lean towards Adesanya getting the belt back but many think Pereira’s power will be too much for the former champ.
Jorge Masvidal says he feels amazing after escaping dark chapter in his life: “A lot of the time, when you're in these dark places, you don't come out”
Harry Kettle - April 5, 2023
UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal has spoken candidly about coming out of what he describes as a dark chapter in his life. This Saturday night, Jorge Masvidal will return to the Octagon for the first time in over a year. When he does so, he’ll lock horns with Gilbert Burns in a major grudge match.
Justin Gaethje explains why Michael Bisping is not his favorite UFC commentator: “I'm a pretty petty person, and, you know, some things you don't forget”
Harry Kettle - April 5, 2023
UFC fighter Justin Gaethje has explained why Michael Bisping isn’t exactly his favourite commentator in the promotion. Back at UFC 286, Michael Bisping was on commentary for the duration of the event. In the co-main event of that card, Justin Gaethje fought and defeated Rafael Fiziev. Then, in the main event, Leon Edwards was able to beat Kamaru Usman via decision in their trilogy bout.
Chael Sonnen says it’s time for Francis Ngannou to “wake up” and call Dana White: “Everyday he’s not signed, he’s losing”
Harry Kettle - April 5, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has given Francis Ngannou some advice as he continues to play the field in free agency. Ever since leaving the UFC earlier this year, many have wondered what Francis Ngannou’s next move will be. The popular opinion, given he wants to be paid well, is that he’ll enter the world of professional boxing.
Rob Font plans to "mix it up" and submit Adrian Yanez at UFC 287 to silence his doubters: "I want to get him down and get him out of there"
Cole Shelton - April 4, 2023
Rob Font is excited to remind everyone just how good he is at UFC 287. Font will be making his return to the Octagon for the first time in a year after losing a decision to Marlon Vera. The 35-year-old knew he needed to take some time off absorbing a lot of damage in back-to-back fights with ‘Chito’ and Jose Aldo.
VIDEO | Mike Perry picks nose, wipes it on Luke Rockhold's sweater in first faceoff ahead of BKFC 41
Cole Shelton - April 4, 2023
Mike Perry and Luke Rockhold had an interesting faceoff following a press conference to promote BKFC 41. Perry and Rockhold are set to headline the event on April 29 in a fight that caught many by surprise. On Tuesday, the two came face-to-face for the first time at the press conference and Perry decided to pick his nose and wipe it on Rockhold’s sweater when the former UFC champ wasn’t looking.
Jorge Masvidal sends a warning to Gilbert Burns ahead of UFC 287: "You know what I do to crotch sniffers"
Cole Shelton - April 4, 2023
Jorge Masvidal has sent a warning to Gilbert Burns ahead of UFC 287. Masvidal is set to return to the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 287 against Burns in a highly-anticipated fight. It’s also an important scrap for Masvidal’s career as he is on a three-fight losing skid and has hinted at retirement if he loses.
Paul Heyman warns "clown" Conor McGregor of "picking a fight" with Roman Reigns after UFC-WWE merger
Cole Shelton - April 4, 2023
Paul Heyman doesn’t see a fight between Conor McGregor and Roman Reigns ending well for the Irishman. After Endeavor bought WWE and merged them with the UFC, McGregor tweeted a photo of himself holding a UFC and WWE belt. Heyman then took a shot at him to which the Irishman fired back saying he would break his jaw in three different places.
Joe Rogan admits Conor McGregor's approach to the USADA testing pool after injury is what he would've done: "You're not just going to heal off eating mangos"
Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan understands why Conor McGregor left the USADA testing pool. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of action since his trilogy with Dustin Poirier in July 2021. In that outing, ‘The Diamond’ won by first-round TKO after McGregor broke his leg in the final seconds of the round. Due to the injury, the Irishman has been out of action for nearly two years.
Michelle Waterson-Gomez plans to be "the dominant fighter" against Luana Pinheiro at UFC 287: "I wouldn't say she is a well-rounded fighter"
Cole Shelton - April 4, 2023
Michelle Waterson-Gomez is excited to stay with the UFC. ‘The Karate Hottie’ fought out her previous UFC contract last July, suffering a submission loss to Amanda Lemos. Despite the disappointing setback, the UFC re-signed her to a new eight-fight deal which Waterson-Gomez was obviously excited about.
Dustin Poirier hits back at Justin Gaethje's claim of being the most exciting fighter ever: "F*ck the shortlist, I am the guy!"
Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2023
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier believes he’s the most exciting fighter of all time. ‘The Diamond’ has been out of the cage since his clash with Michael Chandler last November. In that lightweight showcase bout on UFC 281, Poirier survived an early swarm from the former Bellator champion. However, in the third round, he locked up a rear-naked choke for the submission win.
Jorge Masvidal believes Colby Covington's legal case against him could prevent slated title shot: "How the f*ck are you going to compete if you've got a brain injury?"
Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal believes Colby Covington won’t fight for gold next. ‘Gamebred’ is slated to make his return to the octagon this Saturday against Gilbert Burns. For his part, ‘Durinho’ enters the contest off a first-round submission victory over Neil Magny in January. Meanwhile, Masvidal has been out of action since his loss to ‘Chaos’ last March.
Israel Adesanya plans on "dominating from start to finish" against Alex Pereira at UFC 287: "I don’t get paid by the round"
Cole Shelton - April 4, 2023
Israel Adesanya is extremely confident he will get his belt back this Saturday at UFC 287. Adesanya is set to rematch Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 287 from Miami. The two previously fought twice in kickboxing, with ‘Poatan’ winning both of those contests. The rivals collided for a third time at UFC 281 last November, with the Brazilian winning by fifth-round TKO to become the new middleweight champ.
Chris Weidman shares advice to Israel Adesanya on facing criticism from the media: "You have to answer all those questions"
Lewis Simpson - April 4, 2023
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman shares some friendly advice to Israel Adesanya as he prepares to reclaim the title he lost in November last year. This Saturday, at UFC 287, in Miami, Florida, Adesanya will look to avenge his first middleweight loss in MMA against a longtime foe, Alex Pereira. Pereira snatched Adesanya’s middleweight crown in the fifth round of their third combat sports encounter at UFC 281 in Maddison Square Garden.
Michael Bisping shares his thoughts on last weekend’s Vitor Belfort vs. Jacare Souza boxing match: “He looked like a soggy teabag that’d been used about 50 times”
Susan Cox - April 4, 2023
Michael Bisping is sharing his thoughts on last weekend’s Vitor Belfort vs Jacare Souza boxing match. Gamebred Boxing 4 took place on Saturday, April 1st at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The result was Belfort defeating Souza via unanimous decision.
Belal Muhammad turns his attention to former UFC champion Kamaru Usman: “I think that fight makes all the sense in the world”
Susan Cox - April 4, 2023
Belal Muhammad is turning his attention to former UFC champion Kamaru Usman. Muhammad (22-3 MMA) is on an eight-fight winning streak, his last victory coming via way of TKO against Sean Brady (15-1 MMA) in October of last year at UFC 280.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 117 with Michelle Waterson-Gomez, Rob Font, Adrian Yanez, and Loopy Godinez
Cole Shelton - April 4, 2023
The 117th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 287. We’re first joined by 10th-ranked UFC strawweight Michelle Waterson-Gomez (3:07). Next, we are joined by sixth-ranked UFC bantamweight Rob Font (18:27). 12th-ranked UFC bantamweight Adrian Yanez (36:10) then stops by. Closing out the program is UFC strawweight Loopy Godinez (1:03:16).
Tyron Woodley rips Instagram post for ranking Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler ahead of him in GOAT welterweights: “I smashed him. Nick never won a title”
Harry Kettle - April 4, 2023
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has torn into an Instagram post ranking the best 170-pounders of all time. While he may have most recently been in the boxing ring, Tyron Woodley is best known for his mixed martial arts career. Towards the end of his run with UFC, as we know, he lost four straight.