MMA News
Team Alistair Overeem denies PED use following recent suspension
Susan Cox - March 15, 2023
Team Alistair Overeem is denying PED use following the recent suspension he received from Glory Kickboxing. Alistair Overeem (47-19 MMA) was cut from the UFC roster following a TKO loss in his fight with Alexander Volkov (36-10 MMA) at UFC Vegas 18 back in February of 2021.
Alexander Volkanovski reacts after Jon Jones bumps him from top spot in UFC P4P rankings: “Can I really argue that when you look at it?”
Susan Cox - March 15, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski is reacting after Jon Jones bumped him from top spot in the UFC P4P rankings. It was at UFC 284 on February 11th of this year where Alexander Volkanovski (25-2 MMA) fought Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA) in the lightweight main event taking place at The RAC Arena In Perth, Western Australia. The result was a unanimous decision win for Makhachev.
UFC 286 | Pro fighters make their picks for Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 title fight
Cole Shelton - March 15, 2023
In the main event of UFC 286, the welterweight title is up for grabs as Leon Edwards is defending his welterweight title for the first time in the trilogy match against Kamaru Usman. Heading into the fight, Edwards is a +196 underdog while the challenger is a sizeable -260 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority of the pros expect Usman to have a wrestling-heavy game plan to get his hand raised and reclaim his welterweight title.
Anthony Smith questions whether the friendship between Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili is going both ways: “What I’ve seen is Merab ride hard as s**t for his best friend”
Harry Kettle - March 15, 2023
UFC fighter Anthony Smith has questioned whether the friendship between Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili is too one-sided. Last weekend, Merab Dvalishvili earned the biggest win of his career as he completely outclassed Petr Yan. In doing so, he put himself firmly in line for a shot at the UFC bantamweight championship.
Conor McGregor is still not listed in the USADA testing pool
Harry Kettle - March 15, 2023
UFC star Conor McGregor has reportedly still not re-entered the USADA testing pool ahead of his return to the cage this year. In 2023, we’re expected to see Conor McGregor compete in the Octagon for the first time in two years. His opponent is set to be Michael Chandler, one of the most exciting fighters in all of mixed martial arts.
Conor McGregor talks about "issue" with Michael Chandler during TUF filming: "Tempers are flaring"
Cole Shelton - March 14, 2023
Conor McGregor says he still respects Michael Chandler despite the altercation that happened on TUF. Currently, McGregor and Chandler are coaching TUF and the two will fight later this year. With that, many were interested in seeing how the two would deal with one another on the show. And, during UFC 285 post-fight press conference we got an answer as Dana White revealed something went down between the two that shouldn’t have happened.
Vitor Belfort reveals he was orignally supposed to box Roy Jones Jr. at Gamebred Boxing 4, vows to KO Jacare Souza: "When I come to the ring, I come to knock people out"
Cole Shelton - March 14, 2023
Vitor Belfort was hoping to box Roy Jones Jr. at Gamebred Boxing 4. When Belfort was first offered to box on the card, the Brazilian says he was going to headline the card against Jones Jr. in a massive fight for both men. Yet, the former UFC light heavyweight champion revealed Jones Jr. turned him down as he wanted an easier matchup.
Conor McGregor believes Michael Chandler hasn't fought anyone like him, plans to be active once he returns: "I hope for 100 more fights"
Cole Shelton - March 14, 2023
Conor McGregor is hoping to remain active once he returns from his broken leg. Ever since McGregor boxed Floyd Mayweather, the Irishman hasn’t been as active as he wanted to be for a variety of reasons. Yet, he is set to return later this year against Michael Chandler after the two coach TUF. When the two do fight, McGregor is confident he will be too skilled and slick for him, in large part because he thinks Chandler has never fought anyone like him.
Recently released Darren Till reportedly in-talks to face Logan Paul in boxing match
Josh Evanoff - March 14, 2023
Former UFC middleweight contender Darren Till might not be returning to the MMA promotion after all. ‘The Gorilla’ has been out of action since his clash with Dricus du Plessis last December. The two fought on the main card of UFC 282 and put on a show. Ultimately, Till lost by third-round submission, but was given ‘Fight of the Night’ honors for his performance.
Kamaru Usman feels Leon Edwards forgot he "was taking his soul" prior to shocking knockout loss
Josh Evanoff - March 14, 2023
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman feels Leon Edwards needs to remember that he took his soul. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ and ‘Rocky’ faced off in the main event of UFC 278 last August. The bout was a rematch of their prior outing at UFC on Fox 17 in December 2015. On that night, Usman earned the victory by unanimous decision.
Francis Ngannou slams Jon Jones for saying he avoided fighting him: "I wanted that fight, but where was Jon Jones at that time?"
Josh Evanoff - March 14, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou appears unhappy with Jon Jones. ‘The Predator’ famously walked out of the MMA promotion in January, after failing to come to terms on a new deal. At the time, Ngannou stated that low fighter pay, restrictive contracts, and lack of healthcare led to his exit. He later stated his intention to transition to the boxing ring.
Former UFC fighter Jay Hieron discusses being KO'd by Jake Gyllenhaal during UFC 285 'Road House' filming: "He went for it"
Josh Evanoff - March 14, 2023
Former UFC welterweight Jay Hieron enjoyed his time back in the octagon. ‘The Thoroughbred’ had a lengthy MMA career, competing from 2003 to 2013. A few years of that time was spent in the UFC octagon, as Hieron made his debut for the promotion in 2004. That year, he lost to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 48 by first-round knockout.
Luke Rockhold believes Mike Perry is in for a rude awakening at BKFC 41: “He’s so f**king dumb, it makes him effective”
Lewis Simpson - March 14, 2023
Luke Rockhold believes Mike Perry is in for a rude awakening at BKFC 41. Two weeks ago, it was announced that Rockhold would make his bare-knuckle boxing debut against Mike Perry at 185lbs. Many believed Rockhold would return to some form of combat sports competition, but the confirmation of the matchup came as a surprise.
Michael Bisping comes to bat for Dana White amidst Power Slap criticism: “Dana never invented that. It was already a thing”
Susan Cox - March 14, 2023
Michael Bisping is coming to bat for Dana White amidst the Power Slap criticism. Former UFC middleweight champion, Bisping, provided color commentary during Power Slap’s first season finale.
Islam Makhachev doesn’t think unhealthy Conor McGregor will end up fighting Michael Chandler: “He just can’t”
Susan Cox - March 14, 2023
Islam Makhachev doesn’t think unhealthy Conor McGregor will end up fighting Michael Chandler. TUF 31 debuts on May 30th on ESPN. It will feature Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler in the UFC produced reality television series. Following The Ultimate Fighter, Conor McGregor (22-6 MM) is slated to meet Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA) in the Octagon, with a date, time and place yet to be determined.
Francis Ngannou reveals he’s had “serious” conversations with two MMA promotions: “Not too much with Bellator”
Susan Cox - March 14, 2023
Francis Ngannou has revealed that he’s had ‘serious’ conversations with two MMA promotions, but ‘not too much with Bellator’. Ngannou parted ways with the UFC two months ago, after a lengthy contractual dispute between the promotion and the 36 year old heavyweight champion.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 114 with Vitor Belfort and Chris Duncan
Cole Shelton - March 14, 2023
The 114th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 286 and an early look at Gamebred Boxing 4. We’re first joined by former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort (1:35). The other guest is UFC lightweight Chris Duncan (24:50).
Leon Edwards believes aging Kamaru Usman will have a difficult time responding to his KO loss at UFC 286: “What does he change?”
Harry Kettle - March 14, 2023
UFC welterweight king Leon Edwards has questioned what Kamaru Usman can do to avenge his knockout loss. Last summer, Leon Edwards shocked the world by knocking out Kamaru Usman. In doing so, he captured the UFC welterweight championship.