MMA News
Charles Oliveira expects UFC lightweight title defense in December, but unsure if it will come against Dustin Poirier
Adam D Martin - August 25, 2021
Charles Oliveira expects his first UFC lightweight title defense in December, but he is unsure if it will come against Dustin Poirier. Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler via second-round KO back at UFC 262 in May to win the vacant UFC lightweight title. Next in line to face “Do Bronx” appears to be the No. 1 lightweight contender in Poirier, but “The Diamond” seems to be more interested in a money fight against Nate Diaz at this time rather than stepping into the cage with Oliveira.
Dustin Poirier says he is "living rent free" in Conor McGregor's head
Adam D Martin - August 25, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier says he is “living rent free” in rival Conor McGregor’s head following their recent Twitter spat. Poirier defeated McGregor via first-round TKO at UFC 264 in July for his second straight win over his rival. While his second-round TKO win at UFC 257 earlier this year was a clean stoppage with no controversy, the trilogy fight saw McGregor break his leg, which led to the doctor stoppage. Even though Poirier is 2-1 all-time in their series and McGregor is out for the next year with his injury, it hasn’t stopped the Irishman from taking to his social media as of late to take shots at Poirier and his family. But Poirier says he doesn’t care.
Pro fighters make their picks for Edson Barboza vs. Giga Chikadze
Cole Shelton - August 25, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 35, top-10 featherweights and two of the best strikers in the division collide as Edson Barboza takes on Giga Chikadze. Ahead of the fight, Barboza is a -115 favorite while the Georgian is the -105 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are split on this one but the slight majority lean towards Giga Chikadze getting it done and likely by stoppage.
Jose Aldo shares motivational quote following UFC career revival: "Don't give up on your dreams"
Adam D Martin - August 25, 2021
Top bantamweight contender Jose Aldo shared a motivational quote following his UFC career revival, saying “don’t give up on your dreams.” Aldo’s career appeared to be coming to a screeching halt just last year following a brutal fifth-round TKO defeat to Petr Yan at UFC 251. It was a devastating loss for Aldo, who had lost to Alexander Volkanovski and Marlon Moraes before that for a three-fight losing skid. You could forgive fans for thinking that Aldo’s career was on a huge decline given his losing skid between 2019 and 2020, but the Brazilian proved that he is a legend once again by bouncing back in his last two outings with wins over Pedro Munhoz and Marlon Vera at 135.
Edson Barboza is shredded ahead of Giga Chikadze featherweight fight at UFC Vegas 35 (Photo)
Adam D Martin - August 25, 2021
UFC featherweight contender Edson Barboza appears to be absolutely shredded ahead of his fight against Giga Chikadze at UFC Vegas 35. Barboza, the longtime UFC lightweight contender, moved down to 145lbs last year for the first time in his UFC career. Although he lost a controversial split decision to Dan Ige in his featherweight debut, “Junior” bounced back with a decision win over Makwan Amirkhani, before knocking out Shane Burgos at UFC 262 in one of the best fights of 2021. With Barboza on a two-fight win streak and entrenched as one of the top-10 featherweights in the UFC, the promotion booked him against the red-hot Chikadze for the main event of this Saturday’s UFC Vegas 35 event, in what should be an entertaining fight between strikers.
Alistair Overeem says Fedor Emelianenko declined to fight him in Bellator and Strikeforce
Adam D Martin - August 25, 2021
Heavyweight great Alistair Overeem says that fellow legend Fedor Emelianenko declined to fight him in Bellator not to mention in Strikeforce. Overeem became a free agent following a knockout loss to Alexander Volkov earlier this year in the UFC. “The Demolition Man” was open to signing with different promotions and had talks with Bellator about potentially fighting Emelianenko, but the fight didn’t end up getting booked, and Emelianenko instead chose Tim Johnson to fight. For his part, Overeem decided that he will take a break from MMA for now and re-joined GLORY.
Dustin Poirier coach says Nate Diaz fight would be 'monster' but lightweight title first
Drake Riggs - August 24, 2021
Dustin Poirier is in the perfect position to get his second career undisputed UFC title shot. “The Diamond” is fresh off of back-to-back finishes of former lightweight and featherweight titleholder Conor McGregor with a fight of 2020 opposite Dan Hooker preceding.
Kevin Lee suggests that a lack of "challenges" prevent Khabib Nurmagomedov from being "an all time great"
Joe McDonagh - August 24, 2021
Former UFC interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee had plenty to say about the legacy of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Lee spoke to Ariel Helwani of the MMA Hour, showcasing his distain of the fact the always rumored battles between Lee and Nurmagomedov never became a reality. Lee puts blame on Dominance MMA head hancho, and Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz.
Tyron Woodley sends violent warning to Jake Paul: "You’re going to see Jake Paul get hurt in a way you’d never imagine"
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021
Tyron Woodley is eager to spoil all Jake Paul’s plans on Sunday in Cleveland. Paul, the former Disney and YouTube star turned boxer, is 3-0 as a pro but will get his toughest test on Sunday when he faces Woodley. It’s an intriguing matchup but for “The Chosen One” he has some violent plans for Paul.
Jacare Souza reveals the main "mistake" he made during his UFC career
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021
Jacare Souza admits he made one big mistake during his UFC run. After Souza suffered a submission loss to Andre Muniz at UFC 262, the Brazilian was released from the promotion. He ended his UFC tenure on a four-fight losing skid and during that run, he dropped a split decision to Jan Blachowicz. Despite his losing streak, Souza was also a top middleweight contender and the former Strikeforce middleweight champion admits he should’ve waited for a title shot.
Jake Paul convinced he is in Dana White's head over fighter pay remarks
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is convinced that he is in UFC president Dana White’s head over the fighter pay remarks he recently made. Paul has been at the forefront of the fighter pay movement for UFC fighters. The boxing star wants White to pay his fighters more, and with Paul being so vocal about the low fighter pay in the UFC, it’s led to a number of MMA fighters speaking out recently about their pay, including middleweight contender Jared Cannonier, and women’s strawweight Cheyanne Buys. However, despite the increased talk about fighter pay, there haven’t been any changes to the way UFC fighters are paid in regards to giving them a bump in pay.
Kris Moutinho set to return to the UFC this fall against Aaron Phillips
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
Following his war with Sean O’Malley at UFC 264, UFC bantamweight Kris Moutinho is set to return to the UFC this fall against Aaron Phillips. Moutinho vs. Phillips will take place on a UFC Fight Night card that is set for October 23. Nolan King of MMAjunkie.com was the first to report the news on Mountinho’s next fight.
Kevin Lee expects to beat Daniel Rodriguez "from bell-to-bell" at UFC Vegas 35: "I'm here to show I'm the best in the world"
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021
Kevin Lee just wanted to fight at UFC Vegas 35 on August 28 and he got his wish. Lee was supposed to face Sean Brady but the ranked welterweight was forced out of the fight with a foot injury. After that, “The Motown Phenom” began calling out several welterweights but it was Daniel Rodriguez who accepted the fight.
Demian Maia still hopeful to get one last fight in the UFC
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
Despite being removed from the rankings after his contract with the UFC recently expired, Demian Maia wants one more fight in the Octagon. Maia lost a unanimous decision to Belal Muhammad at UFC 263 in June, and after the fight, UFC president Dana White hinted it would likely be the 43-year-old Brazilian’s last fight in the UFC. However, Maia said that he was hoping the UFC would give him one more fight, and he called upon fellow legends such as Nate Diaz for his final farewell fight. Ultimately, it appears as though the UFC has made the decision to sever ties with Maia following his recent contract expiration. However, Maia tells MMAFighting.com he is still hopeful that he will get one last fight in the Octagon, and ideally that fight would take place in Brazil.
Kevin Lee believes he is already a top-five fighter in the UFC welterweight division
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee believes that he is already a top-five fighter in the UFC welterweight division. Lee makes his return to the Octagon after nearly 18 months away from the cage when he fights Daniel Rodriguez this Saturday night at UFC Vegas 35. After losing by submission to current UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in his last fight, Lee decided that he will be moving back up to 170lbs. He fought in the welterweight division back in 2019 when he lost via submission to Rafael dos Anjos. Despite not having a win in the division, however, Lee believes that he is already one of the top-five fighters in the UFC welterweight division.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 48 with Kevin Lee, Anthony Taylor, Sam Alvey, Bryan Battle, and Andre Petroski
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021
The 48th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 35 and Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley. We’re first joined by the 11th-ranked lightweight and now welterweight contender, Kevin Lee (3:05). Next, former Bellator fighter and now professional boxer, Anthony Taylor (17:20) joins the program. UFC middleweight, Sam Alvey (41:20) comes on. Then, TUF 29 finalist Bryan Battle (54:35) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC middleweight, Andre Petroski (1:12:41).
Jared Cannonier explains the "I'm broke" comments following win over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Vegas 34
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Jared Cannonier explained the “I’m broke” comments he made following his win over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Vegas 34. Cannonier defeated Gastelum via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC Vegas 34, but what everyone is talking about a few days later isn’t his performance, but rather his comments that he made after the fight. Taking the mic, Cannonier said that he was broke and that he needed to get paid more. It was another example of a UFC fighter saying they are short on funds, with Cheyanne Buys recently saying the same thing after her win.
Brian Kelleher wants Sean O'Malley next: "He says he doesn’t want to fight ranked guys. I’m not ranked right now"
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
UFC bantamweight Brian Kelleher wants Sean O’Malley next, saying “he says he doesn’t want to fight ranked guys. I’m not ranked right now.” Kelleher defeated Domingo Pilarte via dominant unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 34 this past weekend. Since joining the UFC back in 2017, Kelleher is 7-5 overall in the Octagon. While he has yet to break through and become a top-15 ranked fighter, he has proven himself to be quite the gatekeeper into the rankings, and with O’Malley recently suggesting he has no interest in fighting ranked opponents for the same pay, Kelleher called him out.