MMA News
Charles Oliveira targeting return in March or April to earn rematch against Islam Makhachev: "I'm one fight away from him"
Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2023
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is gearing up for a busy year. ‘Do Bronx’ has been out of action since his lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 in October. The Brazilian was famously previously stripped of his 155-pound championship in May, prior to a title defense against Justin Gaethje.
Kevin Lee offers himself as Jake Paul's first PFL opponent: "If he wants to make it legitimate, I’ll be around"
Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2023
Kevin Lee believes Jake Paul needs to fight someone like him in the cage to earn respect. ‘The Problem Child’ has been out of action since a decision victory over Anderson Silva in the boxing ring in October. While the fight was the closest of the YouTuber’s career thus far, an eighth-round knockdown for Paul sealed the win. He went on to claim the victory over ‘The Spider’ by unanimous decision.
Former champion A.J. McKee signs multi-year extension with Bellator
Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2023
Former Bellator featherweight champion A.J. McKee will be sticking around in the promotion for the long haul. ‘Mercenary’ is fresh off his decision victory over Roberto de Souza in the main event of Bellator vs. RIZIN last month. The win was also McKee’s second since moving to the lightweight division earlier this year. He previously defeated Spike Carlyle at Bellator 286 in October.
Diego Sanchez set to face former boxing champion Austin Trout at BKFC KnuckleMania 3 in February
Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2023
Former UFC title challenger Diego Sanchez is now slated for his BKFC debut next month. ‘The Nightmare’ has been out of action since a super lightweight clash with Kevin Lee at Eagle FC 46 last March. The fight marked the first for Sanchez outside the UFC since 2004, as he was released the prior year due to his association with Joshua Fabia. The UFC Hall of Fame inductee later left the controversial coach and guru in 2021.
Sean O’Malley reacts to news that UFC champion Aljamain Sterling has a torn bicep: “If that’s the case let me beat up Henry”
Susan Cox - January 10, 2023
Sean O’Malley is reacting to the news that UFC champion Aljamain Sterling has a torn bicep. Sterling (22-3 MMA) has not competed since last October at UFC 280 where he defeated T.J. Dillashaw (17-5 MMA) via TKO. With that win, the 33-year-old has an impressive record of 8 consecutive wins in the Octagon.
The CA Legislative Women’s Caucus demand that parent company Endeavour removes Dana White as UFC President
Lewis Simpson - January 10, 2023
Since the new year began, UFC President Dana White has been doing the rounds in the media for all the wrong reasons. While in a nightclub in Cabo, White was spotted slapping his wife Anne in footage released by TMZ. White has since taken accountability for his actions, labelling it as “embarrassing”. His wife has also made a statement revealing it’s “out of character” from the UFC boss.
Twenty-six-fight veteran Francisco Trinaldo reacts after receiving UFC release: “We feel a bit offended”
Susan Cox - January 10, 2023
Twenty-six-fight veteran Francisco Trinaldo is reacting following receiving his UFC release. Francisco ‘Massaranduba’ Trinaldo (28-9 MMA) had won 5 of his last 7 fights in the Octagon, most recently meeting and being defeated by Randy Brown (16-4 MMA) by unanimous decision this past October.
Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub reacts to “brilliant” Jake Paul signing with the PFL: “He’s doing the lord’s work”
Susan Cox - January 10, 2023
Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub is reacting to the ‘brilliant’ move in Jake Paul signing with the PFL. It was recently announced that Jake Paul was joining the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and will make his debut in the sport in 2023.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 106 with Dan Ige, Damon Jackson, and Isaac Dulgarian
Cole Shelton - January 10, 2023
The 106th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 67. We’re first joined by 13th-ranked UFC featherweight Dan Ige (1:54). Next, UFC featherweight Damon Jackson (28:11) then comes on. Closing out the program is UFC featherweight Isaac Dulgarian (40:04).
UFC champion Aljamain Sterling explains why his fight with Henry Cejudo is being delayed: “It’s whether or not I can compete with this torn bicep again”
Harry Kettle - January 10, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has explained why his proposed fight with Henry Cejudo may have to be delayed. For the longest time now, there’s been a lot of talk surrounding Aljamain Sterling fighting Henry Cejudo. ‘Triple C’ has been retired for almost three years but despite that, he seems poised to walk back into another crack at the 135-pound belt.
Brendan Schaub is confident 2023 will be the final year of dominance for UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko: “I would be willing to bet all my cash”
Harry Kettle - January 10, 2023
Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub has predicted that Valentina Shevchenko will lose her flyweight crown by the end of the year. It’s safe to say that Valentina Shevchenko is one of the greatest female MMA fighters ever. At the age of 34, ‘Bullet’ has done a pretty incredible job of cleaning out the flyweight division. She’d been campaigning for the UFC to introduce the new weight class for years and after capturing the gold in late 2018, she’s gone on to successfully defend it seven times.
Joe Rogan explains why fighters who feel effects from CTE still continue to compete: “It's so above and beyond normal life experiences”
Harry Kettle - January 10, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has explained why he believes fighters carry on competing despite feeling the extreme effects. The impact of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) has been well documented across the last decade and beyond. Whether it be in the NFL or combat sports, a parade of athletes have been posthumously diagnosed with the condition that impacts the brain.
Mike Jackson among two fighters removed from UFC roster
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2023
Mike Jackson, who once fought CM Punk, has been removed from the UFC roster. Twitter account, UFC Roster Watch, which tracks who is added or removed from the UFC roster has revealed Mike Jackson and Leah Letson are no longer on the roster.
Adrian Yanez warns Rob Font of thinking he is a tune-up fight: "It's going to be far more than a tune-up, he has to be ready for war"
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2023
Adrian Yanez was glad to finally be booked against Rob Font. After Yanez knocked out Tony Kelley in June at UFC Austin, a month later he was in discussions to fight Rob Font at Madison Square Garden. Yet, it never came to fruition, and Yanez was offered some different opponents but those too never happened.
Valentina Shevchenko has sights set on super fight with Zhang Weili or Amanda Nunes: "I’m definitely ready for Amanda and Weili"
Lewis Simpson - January 9, 2023
UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is having a tough time getting matched with willing contenders. Shevchenko made the seventh consecutive defence of her gold strap with a controversial split decision win over Taila Santos at UFC 275. It was the first time anyone had seen the champion tested since her second meeting with Amanda Nunes in 2017.
Kelvin Gastelum issues statement after being forced to withdraw from UFC Vegas 67 main event
Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2023
Middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum has released a statement after being forced out of UFC Vegas 67. The former UFC title challenger has been out of action since a decision loss to Jared Cannonier in August 2021. That defeat was a brutal one, as it set him back to 1-5 in his last six contests. He previously lost to names such as Robert Whittaker, and Darren Till in that stretch.
Kelvin Gastelum forced out of UFC Vegas 67, Sean Strickland vs. Nassourdine Imavov now headlines the event
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2023
Sean Strickland will be headlining back-to-back UFC events. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Strickland is set to replace the injured Kelvin Gastelum against Nassourdine Imavov and will headline UFC Vegas 67. With Strickland taking the fight on short notice, the scrap will be held at light heavyweight, according to the report.
Former UFC champion Jose Aldo and his wife reportedly caught up in scandal involving government handouts
Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2023
Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is now once again back in hot water. ‘Junior’ retired from MMA following a loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278 last August. Prior to the bout, the Brazilian stated that he would retire if he loses, as he was disinterested in fighting for anything but titles. After UFC 278, he kept his word and retired.