MMA News

Cole Shelton - July 20, 2021

Ian Heinisch wanted a quick turnaround after he lost to Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 258, but that didn’t come to fruition. Following the loss to Gastelum, Heinisch moved down to Florida to start training at Sanford MMA full-time. After a short time there, he was offered to fight Jacare Souza at UFC 262 in Houston. However, he turned it down as Henri Hooft wanted him to just focus on training.

Cole Shelton - July 20, 2021

Kyler Phillips wasn’t too mad when Raphael Assuncao was forced out of their fight and was replaced by Raulian Paiva. After Phillips beat Song Yadong at UFC 259, many expected him to get a ranked opponent next. That ended up being the case as he was set to meet Raphael Assuncao at UFC Vegas 32. Unfortnately, Assuncao got injured which was disappointing news. However, for Phillips, he said his mindset didn’t change at all.

Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021

UFC commentator Joe Rogan revealed his “very weird” encounter with former United States President Donald Trump at the recent UFC 264 event. Rogan was the analyst working the commentary desk alongside play-by-play man Jon Anik and former UFC champion Daniel Cormier. Because UFC 264 was such a big event featuring UFC superstar Conor McGregor and rival Dustin Poirier in the main event, a number of celebrities took in the event, including Trump, who was a personal guest of UFC president Dana White’s. Trump entered the building to a great effect, though the UFC production staff blew it and didn’t get his face on the television, which White called a big mistake.

Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021

Heavyweight MMA fighter Matt Mitrione has been released by Bellator following his third straight knockout loss this past weekend. MMAFighting.com confirmed with promotional officials that Mitrione received his walking papers from Bellator after tapping out to strikes against Tyrell Fortune at last Friday’s Bellator 262 event. In addition to Mitrione, Bellator also confirmed that it has released Ronny Markes and Adil Benjilany. Markes was knocked out at Bellator 262, but Benjilany defeated Johnny Soto, marking his release as a strange one considering he just won.

Cole Shelton - July 20, 2021

The 45th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 32. We’re first joined by 10th-ranked UFC heavyweight, Chris Daukaus to preview his fight against Shamil Abdurakhimov (3:14). The fight has since been postponed one week to UFC Vegas 33. Next, 14th ranked bantamweight, Kyler Phillips (17:14) comes on. UFC middleweight contender, Ian Heinisch (34:36) then joins the show. Rising UFC bantamweight contender, Randy Costa (45:37) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight, Adrian Yanez (1:03:03).

Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021

Managers Ali Abdelaziz and Wallid Ismail have agreed for their clients in Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori to have an upcoming matchup. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto spoke to Ismail, Costa’s manager, who said that the fight that his team wants is against Vettori. Not long after the word emerged that Costa is looking to fight Vettori next, Vettori’s manager Abdelaziz responded and said they want the fight.

Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021

UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad says that he is “very confident” he would beat divisional rival Leon Edwards in a future rematch. Muhammad and Edwards fought earlier this year and the fight ended early in the second round when Edwards accidentally poked Muhammad in the eye, causing an end to the fight. In the immediate aftermath of that bout, Muhammad was making noise and telling the UFC that he wanted the rematch, but the promotion gave both fighters different opponents. Instead, Muhammad fought and defeated Demian Maia at UFC 263, while Edwards beat Nate Diaz on the same card. And while Edwards is hoping that his win over Diaz is enough for him to get a title shot, Muhammad doesn’t agree with that sentiment.

Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021

UFC analyst Michael Bisping explained why he respects former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw for admitting that he cheated. Dillashaw hasn’t fought in over two years since being handed a suspension in January 2019 after being caught with PEDs in his system following a knockout loss to Henry Cejudo. Dillashaw admitted that he cheated and was trying to gain an unfair advantage and he has served the suspension for the last two years on the sidelines. This Saturday night at UFC Vegas 32, Dillashaw finally returns to the cage when he takes on rival Cory Sandhagen.

Harry Kettle - July 20, 2021

WWE star Big E has said not every wrestler would welcome Conor McGregor with open arms in a possible crossover. Big E, who won the Money in the Bank contract on Sunday night, is known for being a big mixed martial arts fan. He regularly tweets about the latest goings-on in the UFC and beyond, keeping a close eye on the action alongside his busy WWE schedule.

Cole Shelton - July 19, 2021

Nate Diaz is looking to fight again and wants it to be at Madison Square Garden. Back at UFC 244 in November of 2019, Diaz headlined the pay-per-view card at MSG against Jorge Masvidal for the BMF belt. It was a big fight and massive event, and now the fan-favorite Stockton native says he might have to headline another card at MSG.

Cole Shelton - July 19, 2021

Dana White believes Conor McGregor has chronic arthritis in his ankles which played a factor in his leg-breaking at UFC 264. In the main event of the pay-per-view card, McGregor and Dustin Poirier had their highly-anticipated trilogy match. Early on, the Irishman had success but “The Diamond” got him down and landed some heavy ground and pound. When McGregor got back up to his feet he threw a steep kick and after that, when he threw a punch his leg broke. According to White, that was due to the fact McGregor has chronic arthritis.

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021

Mike Brown fired back after John Kavanagh said that Conor McGregor was doing well against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 before his injury. Poirier defeated McGregor via first-round TKO (doctor stoppage) after the Irishman suffered a broken leg that caused a stop to the contest. Even before the injury, however, Poirier was doing quite well in the fight and two of the three judges scoring the bout cage-side gave him the first round 10-8. So when Kavanagh recently came out and stated that he thought McGregor was doing well in the fight before the injury, there were a lot of fans who didn’t agree with his assessment of the fight, and Brown doesn’t agree with it, either.

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021

The former kingpin of the 125lbs division, Deiveson Figueiredo called for the trilogy fight with UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno next. Figueiredo and Moreno have fought twice in the past year. The first time they met, the two rivals fought to a majority draw in the main event of UFC 256 last December in what was undoubtedly one of the best fights of 2020. Since the fight was declared a draw, the UFC matchmakers decided to run it back right away, and Figueiredo and Moreno met at UFC 263 back in June, this time with Moreno submitting Figueiredo to take home the title.

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021

UFC welterweight Colby Covington sent a message to Ali Abdelaziz, reminding him that “you’re not the matchmaker of the UFC.” Covington is expected to take on Abdelaziz’s client, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, later this year in a rematch of their “Fight of the Night” in 2019 that Usman won via fifth-round TKO. UFC president Dana White has remarked on numerous occasions that the first Usman vs. Covington fight was one of his personal favorite fights of all time, and he has already confirmed that “Chaos” is next in line to fight “The Nigerian Nightmare.”

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021

UFC women’s strawweight contender Amanda Lemos called out Michelle Waterson and Tecia Torres following her quick KO win at UFC Vegas 31. The 34-year-old Brazilian knocked out Montserrat Conejo in just 35 seconds to pick up her fourth straight win at 115lbs in the UFC. Now 4-1 overall in her UFC career and 10-1-1 in MMA, Lemos is ready to start fighting the elite opponents in her weight class. Following her big win over Conejo, Lemos took the microphone and told UFC president Dana White that she wants to be part of the promotion’s next series of events in Abu Dhabi this fall, and apparently, she has two opponents in mind, pointing out Torres and Waterson specifically.

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021

Emerging title contender Islam Makhachev poked fun at his fellow lightweight contenders following their “radio silence” after his callouts. Makhachev defeated Thiago Moises via fourth-round submission in the main event of UFC Vegas 31 this past Saturday night to pick up his eighth straight win in the Octagon. With a 9-1 record now in the UFC, Makhachev has cemented himself as one of the elite lightweights in the sport. However, since he’s ranked No. 9 in the division, he needs to start fighting the fighters ranked higher than him if he wants to get a title shot. Some of those potential opponents include the likes of Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, and Rafael dos Anjos, all of who Makhachev called out following his big win over Moises on Saturday.

Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021

UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker says he “got bored” watching Islam Makhachev fight Thiago Moises in the main event of UFC Vegas 31. Hooker is the No. 8 ranked lightweight in the UFC and right behind him at No. 9 is Makhachev, who defeated Moises via fourth-round submission in the headliner of this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 31 card. Speaking to Submission Radio following Makhachev’s win, Hooker was asked if he is interested in facing Makhachev next. While Hooker knows this fight is possible just based on the rankings, Hooker says he was “bored” watching Makhachev fight against Moises and can’t imagine what his New Zealand fans would think if they ever fought on his home soil, unlike someone who is a striker such as Paul Felder.

Harry Kettle - July 19, 2021

Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has claimed he didn’t benefit from his previous PED use. Back in 2019, Dillashaw was stripped of his 135-pound title and suspended after testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO). It came in the midst of his UFC flyweight title defeat to Henry Cejudo, with many questioning whether Dillashaw would even return after his suspension was complete.