MMA News
Michael Chandler anticipates second-round knockout over Conor McGregor following 'TUF 31': "Hopefully it comes to fruition"
Lewis Simpson - February 8, 2023
Michael Chandler is anticipating a second-round knockout over Conor McGregor after the pair have finished filming the upcoming season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter‘. On Saturday past, UFC President Dana White announced that ‘TUF’ Season 31 coaches would feature McGregor and Chandler. In the wake of the season, the lightweight standouts are expected to collide towards the end of the year.
Deontay Wilder offers Francis Ngannou boxing match followed by MMA bout: “I would love to do that one in Africa”
Susan Cox - February 8, 2023
Deontay Wilder has offered Francis Ngannou a boxing match followed by an MMA bout. Francis Ngannou recently parted ways with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and in doing so vacated his heavyweight title. The promotion and Ngannou could not come to terms on a new contract.
Islam Makhachev reacts after Dana White forgets his name ahead of UFC 284
Susan Cox - February 8, 2023
Islam Makhachev is reacting after Dana White forgets his name ahead of UFC 284. It was at the UFC Fight Night 218 post-fight news conference last weekend that UFC President Dana White stumbled when speaking about the upcoming UFC 284 event and Makhachev.
Alexander Volkanovski reveals plans to trash talk Islam Makhachev while in the Octagon at UFC 284: “I love seeing people's faces freak out like that”
Harry Kettle - February 8, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski plans on trying to get into Islam Makhachev’s head when they battle at UFC 284 this weekend. At UFC 284 in Australia, Alexander Volkanovski will attempt to make history. He will try and become a two-weight UFC champion, cementing his place as the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport in the process.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).