MMA News
Giga Chikadze blasts fellow UFC featherweights for refusing to fight him: "Everybody is not picking up the phone"
Adam D Martin - June 25, 2021
Giga Chikadze blasted his fellow UFC featherweight rivals for refusing to fight him, saying that “everybody is not picking up the phone.” Chikadze is currently the No. 10 ranked featherweight in the UFC. The 32-year-old Georgia native is a perfect 6-0 in the UFC and the last time we saw him, he picked up the biggest win of his career when he stopped Cub Swanson with a body kick in May. Since that fight, Chikadze has made it clear that he wants to get back into the Octagon as soon as possible. He’s spent essentially the last two months calling out nearly every top-10 fighter in the UFC featherweight division, but thus far, no one has picked up the phone to accept the fight.
Jason Miller shares his thoughts on Nate Diaz’s fighting future: “Should he have a title shot right now, nah. But…”
Adam D Martin - June 25, 2021
Former UFC fighter Jason Miller shares his thoughts on Nate Diaz’s fighting future, suggesting the route he could take towards a title shot. Miller has been back in the MMA news as of late and during a recent interview, he spoke about the UFC welterweight division and what Diaz has to do in order to get a title shot. Despite the fact that Diaz lost a unanimous decision to Leon Edwards at UFC 263 earlier this month, his star power has never been higher as he nearly came back in the fifth round of that fight, and that’s what all the fans are remembering. So despite the fact that Diaz is currently on a two-fight losing skid to Jorge Masvidal and to Edwards, the fact that he is such a popular fighter is keeping his name in the UFC welterweight title conversation.
Justin Jaynes betting entire $25,000 purse on himself against Charles Rosa at UFC Vegas 30
Adam D Martin - June 25, 2021
UFC featherweight Justin Jaynes said he is betting his entire $25,000 purse on himself against Charles Rosa this weekend at UFC Vegas 30. Jaynes and Rosa meet in the second fight of the night at Saturday’s UFC Vegas 30 event. For Jaynes, this is absolutely a must-win fight for the man known as “The Guitar Hero.” Jaynes kicked off his UFC career last summer with an incredible knockout victory over Frank Camacho in a fantastic short-notice debut for himself, but since then, Jaynes has lost three fights by stoppage. The UFC is giving him one more fight against Rosa and Jaynes knows that he has to go out there and get his hand raised. In fact, he’s so confident that he is going to get the job done that he says he is betting his entire fight purse on himself.
Conor McGregor bids farewell to his wife and kids ahead of UFC 264: “Just going to bust a man up”
Adam D Martin - June 25, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor bid farewell to his wife and kids ahead of UFC 264, telling them that he is “just going to bust a man up.” McGregor returns to the Octagon on July 10 when he faces off against rival Dustin Poirier in a trilogy match. It’s the first time we have seen both men compete inside the Octagon since their fight earlier this year at UFC 257 in January, which McGregor lost via second-round knockout. The Irishman is now looking to bouncing back and winning the trilogy against Poirier after having originally beaten him by first-round knockout back in 2014.
Israel Adesanya goes off on internet bullies after Megan Anderson reveals she was threatened with rape
Harry Kettle - June 25, 2021
Israel Adesanya has lashed out at internet trolls after Megan Anderson revealed she was recently threatened with rape. Adesanya has always been a fighter who stands up for what he believes in and, in this instance, he’s one of many who has recognized the magnitude of these disgraceful comments by keyboard warriors online.
Amanda Ribas makes most respectful callout imaginable, 'Hey, Yan Xiaonan, how are you?!'
Drake Riggs - June 24, 2021
Amanda Ribas has always been one of the nicest fighters in the UFC. The rising Brazilian superstar has been out of action since January but it hasn’t been without a lack of effort. Now, Ribas has a name in mind for a return, and let it be known on Thursday.
Photos | Miesha Tate shows off incredible physique ahead of UFC return
Drake Riggs - June 24, 2021
Miesha Tate is ready to return to MMA action and her hard work looks to be paying off. The former UFC bantamweight champ took to social media to share her progress this week. As Tate puts it, expect “Cupcake” 2.0 on July 17.
Jon Jones responds to failed drug test accusations from former opponent Anthony Smith
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
Jon Jones has issued a fiery response to Anthony Smith after his former foe claimed he failed every drug test during their fight week. Jones and Smith fought at UFC 235 which was Bones’ first title defense since he reclaimed the belt at UFC 232. Smith, meanwhile, entered the fight undefeated at light heavyweight but throughout the bout, Jones dominated it and won a clear-cut decision aside from throwing an illegal knee and being deducted two points.
Kevin Lee wants Sean Brady fight rebooked for UFC 265 after pulling out of UFC 264 due to a "minor" rib injury
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
Kevin Lee is disappointed he won’t be making the walk to the Octagon on July 10 at UFC 264. Lee was set to move back up to welterweight to face Sean Brady in a highly-anticipated bout. Yet, on Thursday, Brady revealed Lee was out of the fight due to an injury which Lee confirmed to BJPENN.com.
Pro fighters make their picks for Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 30, Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov meet in a battle of top-five heavyweights. Gane is the -157 favorite while the Russian is a +130 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of pros believe Volkov will pull off the upset as his striking and range will be too much for Gane.
Mike Goldberg reveals "awkward" encounter with Dana White after being fired by UFC
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
MMA play-by-play color commentator Mike Goldberg revealed his “awkward” encounter with UFC president Dana White after being fired by UFC. Goldberg, who most recently worked for Bellator MMA as its lead play-by-play announcer, worked for the UFC for 20 years between 1997 and 2017 before he was released by the organization and replaced by Jon Anik as the promotion’s top commentator. For Goldberg, being let go by the UFC came as a big shock since the company was doing so well and he was one of the people who were there since the early days. But the UFC and White decided that they needed to make a change and they let Goldberg go back in 2017. According to the longtime mic man, White didn’t bother telling Goldberg why the company let him go.
UFC Vegas 29 rankings update: Marlon Vera moves up, Aleksei Oleinik falls off
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
The official UFC rankings have been updated following UFC Vegas 29, and Marlon Vera moved up the ranks while Aleksei Oleinik fell out. Vera beat up Davey Grant to pick up a unanimous decision win and bounce back into the win column after losing a decision to Jose Aldo in his last fight. With the impressive win over Grant, Vera moved up from No. 15 in the UFC bantamweight rankings to No. 13. In turn, Cody Stamann dropped two spots down to No. 15. For Vera, beating Grant this past weekend in a “Fight of the Night” performance and having a previous knockout win over Sean O’Malley from two fights ago puts him in a good position at 135lbs. Vera wants to fight former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz next, but we’ll see what happens.
Fedor Emelianenko to return to the Bellator cage in October
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
One of the greatest MMA fighters of all time will fight once again this fall when Fedor Emelianenko makes his return to the Bellator cage. MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reports that Emelianenko will officially announce his return to the Bellator cage on Friday against an opponent that is still to be determined. The fight will take place in October at a location and venue that has yet to be revealed. It will be the first fight for the Russian legend since he defeated Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at Bellator 237.
Demian Maia wants one more UFC fight, told Dana White he wants Donald Cerrone or Nate Diaz
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
Welterweight veteran Demian Maia wants one more UFC fight, and he told UFC president Dana White that he wants Donald Cerrone or Nate Diaz. Maia lost a unanimous decision to Belal Muhammad at UFC 263 and, following the event, White hinted that it could be the last time we saw the Brazilian inside the Octagon. However, the 43-year-old Maia has made it clear since the fight with Muhammad that he is still interested in fighting one more time, and he’s hoping the UFC gives him the chance.
UFC Vegas 30: Gane vs. Volkov full betting odds
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
Check out the complete betting odds for this Saturday’s UFC Vegas 30 card featuring a battle of top-five heavyweights as Ciryl Gane takes on Alexander Volkov. The UFC Vegas 30 main event sees Ciryl Gane looking to remain undefeated as he battles perennial contender, Alexander Volkov. Gane is coming off a lackluster decision win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik last time out in his first main event. Prior to that, he scored a TKO win over Junior dos Santos. Volkov, meanwhile, is riding a two-fight winning streak after scoring TKO wins over Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris.
UFC fighter Luis Pena accused of punching his girlfriend and breaking her iPhone 11
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
UFC lightweight fighter Luis Pena has been accused of punching his girlfriend and breaking her iPhone 11 during a domestic violence incident. According to MMAFighting.com, Pena is accused of the domestic violence incident that allegedly took place on June 14. Police documents revealed that Pena’s girlfriend of one year called the police and said that “Violent Bob Ross” had gotten angry after accusing her of looking at other men’s photos on Instagram and decided to destroy her iPhone 11. According to the woman, whose name has not been made public, Pena also left her face with marks and bruises. She reportedly also had a lump on the top of her head as well.
Chris Weidman admits that leg amputation still a possibility
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman admitted that having a leg amputation is still a possibility as he recovers from his injury. Weidman broke his leg in a devastating fashion when he threw a low kick that Uriah Hall checked in their middleweight bout at UFC 261, an injury that left “The All-American” writhing in pain on the Octagon canvas. It was one of the worst injuries we have ever seen in the UFC, but Weidman has been making an incredibly fast recovery since then as he’s already gotten back into the gym to do some sparring and even went golfing.
Ovince Saint Preux will not be staying at heavyweight after training with UFC champ Francis Ngannou: “I know how to stay in my lane”
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
Ovince Saint Preux will not be staying at heavyweight after training with UFC champ Francis Ngannou, saying “I know how to stay in my lane.” Saint Preux returns to the Octagon on Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 30 when he takes on Tanner Boser in a short-notice heavyweight bout. Saint Preux was originally set to take on Maxim Grishin on this card at light heavyweight, but after Grishin pulled out of the fight with an injury, the UFC asked him to move up to heavyweight to take on Boser and stay on the card. Although Saint Preux only has one heavyweight bout in the UFC to his name, a split decision defeat to Ben Rothwell last year, he had no problem saying yes to the opportunity to move up and fight Boser in order to keep a fight booked.