MMA News
Khamzat Chimaev says Colby Covington went “running”, claims he will fight the winner of Usman vs. Edwards 3: “Whoever takes it will face me”
Harry Kettle - February 8, 2023
Khamzat Chimaev has claimed that Colby Covington doesn’t want to fight him after laying out his future plans in the UFC. The rise of ‘Borz’ has been pretty incredible to watch in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In the space of just a few short years, he has become one of the biggest stars in the promotion – and all of mixed martial arts.
UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira has a message for those critical of his wrestling: “Almost nobody could be able to put Israel down with a takedown”
Harry Kettle - February 8, 2023
UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira has hit back at those critical of his wrestling skills ahead of his rematch with Israel Adesanya. The rise of ‘Poatan’ has been pretty remarkable. After just three wins in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he earned a shot at Israel Adesanya’s crown. Then, at UFC 281, he took his opportunity and ran with it by knocking ‘Stylebender’ out to become the new king at 185 pounds.
Dana White claims Islam Makhachev’s criticism regarding lack of promotion for UFC 284 was taken out of context: “Yeah, that’s not true”
Harry Kettle - February 8, 2023
UFC president Dana White has responded to Islam Makhachev’s comments regarding the promotion of UFC 284. This weekend, Alexander Volkanovski will move up to take on Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. In doing so, the promotion will be pitting the #1 and #2 fighters in the world against one another – arguably for the first time.
UFC 287 'Pereira vs. Adesanya 2' Fight Card and Rumors
Zain Bando - February 7, 2023
The UFC will cap off a star-studded first quarter of fight action when the UFC middleweight champion, Alex Pereira, will put his newly-minted title at stake against Israel Adesanya in a highly-anticipated rematch at UFC 287. The bout and the rest of the action will take place Saturday, April 8, from Miami, Fla., as it’s the UFC’s first trip there since 2003. Former UFC welterweight title challengers will compete for a No 1 contender spot in the event’s co-headlining attraction, as Jorge Masvidal returns after a year layoff to face Gilbert Burns, who is coming off a first-round submission win against Neil Magny at UFC 283. As for Masvidal, he lost his last outing to Colby Covington in March 2022, and due to a legal dispute between him and ‘Chaos’, he did not brace the Octagon again for the rest of the calendar year.
Ciryl Gane not worried about Jon Jones' wrestling, hopes to be the "GOAT" if he wins at UFC 285
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2023
Ciryl Gane isn’t afraid of Jon Jones’ wrestling at UFC 285. Gane and Jones are set to headline UFC 285 on March 4 in Las Vegas for the vacant heavyweight title in an intriguing matchup. Heading into the contest, many point to Jones’ wrestling as a potential advantage given the fact Francis Ngannou was able to get Gane down. Yet, Gane says he isn’t worried about Jones’ wrestling ability.
Islam Makhachev plans to bring Alexander Volkanovski into "the deep ocean" and "finish him there" at UFC 284
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2023
Islam Makhachev plans to drag Alexander Volkanovski into the deep waters at UFC 284 en route to a finish. Makhachev is set for his first title defense in the main event of UFC 284 opposite the featherweight champ in Volkanovski. It’s a highly-anticipated fight and Makhachev has made it clear that he feels like he is going to dominate. With that said, the reigning 155lbs champion doesn’t believe the contest will end early.
Joe Rogan holding out hope that Francis Ngannou returns to the UFC to face Jon Jones in the future: "The perfect world"
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan is holding out hope that Francis Ngannou will return to the promotion. ‘The Predator’ famously left the UFC last month, after failing to come to terms on a new contract. As a result, Ngannou was quickly stripped of his heavyweight title as he targeted a move to boxing. For their part, the UFC later booked Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant championship in March.
Ryan Bader hoping to face Francis Ngannou next to prove legitimacy as champion: "To to go out there and beat him, and there’s no question I'm legit"
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2023
Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader is hoping that he can share the cage with Francis Ngannou. ‘Darth’ returned over the weekend in the main event of Bellator 290. In the headliner, Bader faced Fedor Emelianenko in a rematch of their 2019 meeting. In the finals of the Bellator heavyweight Grand Prix four years prior, ‘The Last Emperor’ lost by first-round stoppage.
Bellator champion Johnny Eblen believes he would beat Alex Pereira "ten times out of ten" in possible fight: "He would have had to start wrestling 10 years ago"
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2023
Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen feels good about a fight against Alex Pereira. ‘The Human Cheat Code’ returned to the cage over the weekend in the co-main event of Bellator 290. At the event, Eblen looked to make his first title defense since capturing the middleweight gold against Gegard Mousasi last June.
Yair Rodriguez promises to KO Josh Emmett to win the interim featherweight title at UFC 284: "I have better tools"
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2023
Yair Rodriguez is confident he will become the interim featherweight champion on Saturday at UFC 284. Rodriguez is set to take on Emmett in the co-main event of UFC 284 in Australia in a very fan-friendly fight. Both men are primarily strikers, but Rodriguez believes he has the advantage on the feet and expects that will lead to a knockout.
Daniel Cormier says Stipe Miocic is the greatest MMA heavyweight of all time, not Fedor Emelianenko
Susan Cox - February 7, 2023
Daniel Cormier is saying it is Stipe Miocic that is the greatest MMA heavyweight of all time, not Fedor Emelianenko. Fedor Emelianenko (40-7 MMA) retired this past Saturday, February 4th, after a first round knockout loss to heavyweight champion Ryan Bader (31-7 MMA) at Bellator 290.
John McCarthy warns Michael Chandler against throwing caution to the wind in UFC fight with Conor McGregor: “It is the dumbest idea ever”
Susan Cox - February 7, 2023
John McCarthy is warning Michael Chandler against throwing caution to the wind in his UFC fight with Conor McGregor. UFC President, Dana White, announced this past Saturday that McGregor (22-6 MMA) and Chandler (23-8 MMA) will be rival coaches and opponents on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter 31 (TUF).
Jorge Masvidal slams Jake Paul for his constant attacks on UFC President Dana White: “What the f**k have you done in this sport, but feed yourself?”
Susan Cox - February 7, 2023
Jorge Masvidal is slamming Jake Paul for his constant attacks on UFC President Dana White. Speaking with Ariel Helwani on a recent appearance on ‘The MMA Hour’, Jorge was discussing his upcoming ‘Gambred Boxing 4’, which will feature Anthony Pettis vs Roy Jones Jr. in the main event. Masvidal also made his thoughts known, as only Jorge can, about Jake Paul and his dissing of Dana White:
Tony Ferguson reacts to Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight booking: “Maybe it’s a good idea he takes the easy road”
Susan Cox - February 7, 2023
Tony Ferguson is reacting to the Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight booking. UFC President, Dana White, announced last Saturday that McGregor and Chandler will coach The Ultimate Fighter 31 (TUF) which is set to debut on Tuesday, May 30th and run through to August 15th of this year on ESPN/ESPN+.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 109 with Jimmy Crute, Parker Porter, Don Shainis, and Blake Bilder
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2023
The 109th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 284. We’re first joined by the 12th-ranked UFC light heavyweight Jimmy Crute (2:48). UFC heavyweight Parker Porter (14:28) comes on. Next, UFC featherweight Don Shainis (31:39) stops by. Closing out the program is UFC featherweight Blake Bilder (47:08).
Henry Cejudo explains why he isn’t giving Alexander Volkanovski a chance in UFC 284 title fight with Islam Makhachev: “There’s nothing that Alexander can do”
Harry Kettle - February 7, 2023
Henry Cejudo has explained why he doesn’t like Alexander Volkanovski’s chances against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. This weekend, Alexander Volkanovski will dare to be great in his home country of Australia. He will take on Islam Makhachev with the UFC lightweight championship being on the line.
Chris Weidman plans one more title run upon UFC return: “I’m not coming back to be a B-rated fighter or a gatekeeper”
Harry Kettle - February 7, 2023
Chris Weidman has made it clear that he wants to pursue another UFC middleweight title run upon returning. Between 2013 and 2015, Chris Weidman held the UFC middleweight championship and successfully defended it three times. However, after losing the belt to Luke Rockhold, Weidman has been on a terrible run of form that has seen him win just twice in the space of seven years.
Michael Bisping discusses the possibility of Conor McGregor earning a UFC title shot with a win over Michael Chandler: “That is a given”
Harry Kettle - February 7, 2023
Michael Bisping believes it is a ‘given’ that Conor McGregor will earn a UFC title shot if he’s able to defeat Michael Chandler. Last week, the UFC announced the return of Conor McGregor. The Irishman will serve as a coach on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter, doing so against Michael Chandler. At the end of the season, the two will battle it out inside the Octagon.