MMA News
Israel Adesanya not worried about the belt or keeping score in Alex Pereira rematch at UFC 287: “I don’t keep score, I settle them”
Harry Kettle - February 15, 2023
UFC star Israel Adesanya has given his thoughts on his upcoming rematch against Alex Pereira at UFC 287. Last November at Madison Square Garden, Alex Pereira shocked the world. After a competitive fight, he knocked Israel Adesanya out to become the new UFC middleweight champion.
Matt Brown announces he will be fighting fellow UFC veteran Court McGee in May: “I’m ready to go in there and smash his f**king face”
Harry Kettle - February 15, 2023
UFC fighter Matt Brown has announced that he will return to the Octagon on May 13 to battle fellow veteran Court McGee. Many legendary fighters have come and gone in the UFC, but few have been as durable as Matt Brown and Court McGee. Brown made his debut all the way back in June 2008, whereas McGee’s first appearance was in June 2010.
Watch Israel Adesanya and Dan Hooker's live reaction to Alexander Volkanovski's loss at UFC 284 (Video)
Harry Kettle - February 15, 2023
Israel Adesanya has released footage of his and Dan Hooker’s reaction to Alexander Volkanovski’s UFC 284 defeat. Last weekend, Israel Adesanya and Dan Hooker were in attendance for UFC 284 in Perth, Australia. In addition to that, the likes of Tai Tuivasa, Robert Whittaker and Kai Kara-France were also present.
Austin Trout plans to be a champion in boxing and BKFC, vows to KO Diego Sanchez at KnuckleMania 3: "Shoutout to him for signing up to take this ass-whooping"
Cole Shelton - February 14, 2023
Austin Trout surprised many when he signed with BKFC. Trout is the former WBA light middleweight champion and still a top-five contender and many expected him to try and get a title shot this year. The former champ has fought the likes of Canelo Alvarez and the Charlo twins, but he wanted to be more active so inked a deal with BKFC.
Mateusz Gamrot replaces Dan Hooker, set to fight Jalin Turner at UFC 285
Cole Shelton - February 14, 2023
Mateusz Gamrot is stepping up on less than a month’s notice. According to FanSided’s Amy Kaplan, Gamrot has agreed to step up on short notice to take on Jalin Turner at UFC 285. Turner was originally supposed to face Dan Hooker but the Kiwi was forced out of the bout due to a broken hand. UFC 285 goes down on March 4 in Las Vegas, with Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane serving as the main event for the vacant heavyweight title.
Belal Muhammad rips Colby Covington for turning him down, proclaims himself "the best in the world"
Cole Shelton - February 14, 2023
Belal Muhammad believes he is the best fighter in the world. Muhammad is coming off a TKO win over Sean Brady and is likely one win away from a title shot. Yet, who he fights next is uncertain, as Gilbert Burns is set to face Jorge Masvidal, leaving many to think Muhammad would face Colby Covington in a title eliminator bout.
Yair Rodriguez admits Josh Emmett knocked him out in round one sequence: "I went into automatic mode, I don’t remember much after that"
Josh Evanoff - February 14, 2023
UFC interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez had to go through a lot to win the gold. ‘El Pantera’ returned to the octagon over the weekend in the co-main event of UFC 284. Standing opposite the Mexican star was Josh Emmett, who was riding a five-fight winning streak. During that stretch, ‘The Fighting Falmer’ defeated names such as Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige.
Aljamain Sterling reiterates confidence in possible fight against Alexander Volkanovski: "He does his homework, but I believe I’d get him"
Josh Evanoff - February 14, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling still feels confident in a possible fight with Alexander Volkanovski. ‘Funk Master’ has been out of action since his title defense against T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 280 last October. In the opening moments of the fight, the challenger’s shoulder dislocated as a result of a pre-existing injury. Sterling wound up closing the show by stoppage in round two.
Javier Mendez confirms Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 will happen: "I don’t see no reason why they wouldn’t do a rematch"
Lewis Simpson - February 14, 2023
Javier Mendez is confident Islam Makhachev will run it back with Alexander Volkanovski. After five-rounds of back-and-forth action in Perth, Australia, Makhachev edged a close unanimous decision victory to hold onto his lightweight title at UFC 284.
Former UFC champion Jose Aldo claims a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather is in the works: “His side has already agreed, my side too”
Susan Cox - February 14, 2023
Former UFC champion Jose Aldo is claiming a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather is in the works. Jose Aldo (31-8 MMA) retired from the UFC in September of 2022 after a loss to Merab Dvalishvili (15-4 MMA) at UFC 278. The Brazilian had an illustrious career with the promotion, winning 18 straight fights and reigned with the UFC featherweight belt through a record of seven title defenses.
Diego Sanchez sends warning to Austin Trout ahead of KnuckleMania 3: "You are not who you think you are and you are in for a rude awakening"
Cole Shelton - February 14, 2023
Diego Sanchez believes Austin Trout is overlooking him. Sanchez is set to make his BKFC debut at KnuckleMania 3 against Trout who is the former WBA light middleweight champion. The pro boxer has fought the likes of Canelo Alvarez and the Charlo twins. Given Trout is a big name in boxing, Sanchez was excited when he got the call to fight him as he wanted the biggest name possible for his debut.
Shaquille O'Neal anticipates "vengeance" when Conor McGregor returns to the UFC against Michael Chandler: “Me and him have a similar type of blood”
Susan Cox - February 14, 2023
Shaquille O’Neal is anticipating ‘vengeance’ when Conor McGregor returns to the UFC against Michael Chandler. UFC President, Dana White, recently announced the return of ‘The Notorious’ in the upcoming season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter 31’ where he and Michael Chandler will act as opposing coaches.
Alexander Volkanovksi retains top spot in UFC P4P Rankings despite loss to Islam Makhachev
Susan Cox - February 14, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski has retained the top spot in the UFC P4P Rankings despite his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. It was just last Saturday, February 11th where Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA) defeated Alexander Volkanovski (25-2 MMA) via unanimous decision at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. In doing so, Makhachev retained the lightweight championship belt and declared himself ‘the best in the world‘.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 110 with Diego Sanchez, Austin Trout, John Dodson, Zac Pauga, and Evan Elder
Cole Shelton - February 14, 2023
The 110th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of KnuckleMania 3 and UFC Vegas 69 this weekend. We’re first joined by former UFC fighter and current BKFC fighter Diego Sanchez (2:43). Next, former WBA light middleweight champion and current BKFC fighter Austin Trout (29:54) comes on. John Dodson (42:01) returns to the program. Then, UFC light heavyweight Zac Pauga (55:04) stops by. Closing out the program is UFC lightweight Evan Elder (1:04:53).
Anthony Smith would like to see the UFC make changes to existing weight classes: “I’d love to see no weight cap on heavyweight”
Harry Kettle - February 14, 2023
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has given his thoughts on the UFC’s current weight class structure. For many years now, there’s been a lot of debate regarding weight classes in mixed martial arts. Some believe we should have more, whereas others think the actual limits should be different.
Alexander Volkanovski hints at immediate rematch with Islam Makhachev, gives Yair Rodriguez the green light to defend his new title
Harry Kettle - February 14, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski has suggested that he wants an immediate rematch with Islam Makhachev, delaying his return to featherweight. Last weekend, Alexander Volkanovski battled Islam Makhachev in a fantastic main event at UFC 284. The two competed for the UFC lightweight championship and in the end, Makhachev was the one who walked away with the belt.
Video | UFC 285: ‘Jones vs. Gane’ promo released
Harry Kettle - February 14, 2023
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has released an incredible new promo for UFC 285: Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane. After three years away from the Octagon, Jon Jones will make his return at UFC 285 on March 4. He will be competing at heavyweight for the first time ever, aiming to take home the division’s title belt and become a two-weight world champion.
Islam Makhachev's team denies use of IVs after UFC 284 weigh-ins: "We all know this is completely BS"
Cole Shelton - February 13, 2023
Islam Makhachev’s team is denying the lightweight champ used IVs to rehydrate after the UFC 284 weigh-ins. In the main event of the card, Makhachev was defending his lightweight title for the first time. In the lead-up, Alexander Volkanovski said the champ was having a hard weight cut. However, Makhachev did make the weight and ended up winning a close decision.