MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Kevin Lee signs multi-fight deal with the UFC
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2023
Kevin Lee is back in the UFC. Lee told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto that he has inked a multi-fight deal with the UFC. He later confirmed the news via text message to BJPENN.com and confirmed he will be competing at welterweight, with his return fight not booked as of now.
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.
Francis Ngannou seemingly agrees to Tyson Fury's requests for a mixed-rules bout: "What else?"
Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is down for a mixed-rules bout with Tyson Fury. ‘The Predator’ left the UFC last month after failing to reach an agreement on a new deal. As a result, Ngannou was quickly stripped of his heavyweight title. The promotion later announced that Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane would fight for the vacant championship in March.
Chris Weidman reflects on road to recovery after suffering leg break against Uriah Hall: "I don't even think about quitting"
Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2023
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has been through a lot over the last two years. At UFC 261 in April 2021, the former titleholder faced Uriah Hall. Sadly, just seconds into the contest, ‘Prime Time’ checked a kick that broke Weidman’s leg. As a result, the fight was called off, and Hall became the first fighter in promotional history to win without throwing a strike.