MMA News
Jimmy Crute plans to "have a performance of a lifetime" against Alonzo Menifield in his return at UFC 284: "I'm a terrible matchup for every single person in this division"
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2023
Jimmy Crute is set to end his 14-month layoff at UFC 284. Crute last fought in December of 2021 when he suffered a KO loss to Jamahal Hill. A couple of months later, Crute revealed he would be going under the knife for a serious knee injury. After rehabbing it, the timing worked out for him to have his return fight at home in Australia.
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.
Khamzat Chimaev calls to face "nice guy" Robert Whittaker next: "We are going to have fun at the press conference and fight each other"
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev has settled on a weight class, and who he wants to fight next. ‘Borz’ has been out of action since his first-round submission win over Kevin Holland last September. However, as the story goes, Chimaev was not supposed to face ‘Trail Blazer’ that night. He was previously scheduled to face Nate Diaz in the main event of UFC 279.
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.
Jon Jones discusses his new heavyweight physique ahead of UFC 285 title fight with Ciryl Gane: “I think when the fans see me, they’ll be surprised “
Lewis Simpson - February 7, 2023
Jon Jones is weeks away from making his transition to the UFC heavyweight division. The former UFC light heavyweight champion believes fans will be “surprised” when they scan his new physique. It’s been three years since Jones last appeared inside the octagon, when he attained a unanimous decision victory over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in Houston, Texas.
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).
Dana White reveals he paid Doo Ho Choi his win money following “insane” point deduction at UFC Vegas 68
Harry Kettle - February 7, 2023
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that he paid Doo Ho Choi his win money despite the majority draw against Kyle Nelson. After over two years away due to mandatory military service, Doo Ho Choi returned to action last weekend. He went toe to toe with Kyle Nelson and given that he was coming off the back of three straight losses, we’d say he was pretty hungry to secure the win.
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.
Modestas Bukauskas expects to finish Tyson Pedro at UFC 284 in his return to the Octagon: "The comeback story isn't a comeback story until I win in the UFC"
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2023
Modestas Bukauskas is back in the UFC. Bukauskas made his debut in 2020 on Fight Island and scored a first-round TKO win over Andreas Michailidis. However, he then lost his next three fights – losing by TKO to Jimmy Crute, dropping a controversial decision to Michal Oleksiejczuk, and losing by TKO to Khalil Rountree.
Alexander Volkanovski questions Islam Makhachev's striking ahead of UFC 284: "He's got people around him saying he can strike. We'll see."
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t think Islam Makhachev’s striking is as good as many people think it is. Volkanovski is set to challenge Makhachev for the lightweight title in the main event of UFC 284 in a massive fight for both men’s legacies. Although Volkanovski is moving up in weight and is the betting underdog, he has confidence in his skills that he will get his hand raised, in large part due to him believing he has the striking advantage. However, Makhachev has made it clear he is gunning for the KO.
Dustin Poirier shares prediction for upcoming Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight: “He’s just too hittable”
Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier is leaning toward Conor McGregor to defeat Michael Chandler. Late last week, Dana White announced that ‘The Notorious’ and ‘Iron’ would coach the next season of The Ultimate Fighter. The show is slated to begin broadcasting in May, with a clash later this year yet to be announced. While the date isn’t known, Ariel Helwani has previously reported the bout will take place at welterweight.