MMA News
Marvin Vettori suggests he's a “superior fighter”, Israel Adesanya responds with bold prediction
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
Marvin Vettori believes he’s a much better fighter than Israel Adesanya. In the main event of UFC 263, Adesanya and Vettori will rematch in the same arena where they fought back in 2018 with ‘Stylebender’ winning a split decision. It was a close fight which makes the rematch intriguing and ahead of the scrap, Vettori wants it known that he is the much better fighter.
Israel Adesanya says Kamaru Usman "inspired" him to beat Marvin Vettori again, plans to "shut him down"
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
Israel Adesanya admits he wasn’t too interested in fighting Marvin Vettori again. Adesanya and Vettori fought back in 2018 with Adesanya winning a split decision win. Since then, Vettori claimed he won the scrap and was eager for the rematch. Now that they are set to meet in the main event of UFC 263 the rivalry between the two have gotten intense including a hotel run-in. Yet, according to “The Last Stylebender” he says Vettori wasn’t as loud as he was in person.
Diego Sanchez hints at potential move to boxing
Adam D Martin - June 10, 2021
Former Ultimate Fighter winner Diego Sanchez says his fighting career is not over and he is now hinting at a future in the world of boxing. Sanchez was recently released by the UFC following a disagreement between his former coach/manager Joshua Fabia and the promotion regarding the release of medical documents. The UFC decided to let him go and paid off the final fight of his contract, which was supposed to be a welterweight bout against Donald Cerrone. Sanchez later severed ties with Fabia, but he is still technically a free agent now. There is still the possibility things could work out with the UFC now that Fabia is out of the picture, but more than likely it seems like Sanchez will have to go to another promotion, or perhaps another sport.
Joe Rogan praises the boxing skills of Jake Paul: "Jake throws things straight and hard"
Adam D Martin - June 10, 2021
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan praised of Jake Paul, saying that “Jake throws things straight and hard.” Paul takes on former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley on August 28 in a professional boxing match. Paul is coming off of a huge TKO win over Ben Askren which earned him this big opportunity against Woodley, who was recently released from the UFC following the end of his last contract. Paul vs. Woodley is expected to be one of the biggest combat sports events of the summer and it should be a very exciting fight regardless of what happens. And if you ask Rogan, it’s going to be a very competitive boxing match.
Matt Frevola believes Ottman Azaitar had IVs to "hide the steroids he's on," plans to give him "a beating he deserves"
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
Matt Frevola had a crazy 2020 as he had three canceled fights due to COVID-19 and Frevola fracturing his foot. He was then set to return at UFC 257 but his 2021 also got off to a hectic start. Frevola was set to face Ottman Azaitar at UFC 257 in a highly-anticipated bout. However, on the day of weigh-ins, it was revealed Azaitar was out of the fight due to sneaking people into Fight Island. He ended up having to fight Arman Tsarukyan which he says is a fight he wants back.
UFC 263 | Pro fighters make their picks for Leon Edwards vs. Nate Diaz
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2021
In a very intriguing five-round welterweight bout at UFC 263, Leon Edwards welcomes back fan favorite Nate Diaz. Heading into the fight, Edwards is the biggest favorite on the card at -600 while the Stockton native is a +450 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. To no surprise, the majority believe Edwards will get his hand raised as many don’t see a path to victory for Diaz.
Video | Nate Diaz heads to Arizona for UFC 263 with the Skrap Pack
Adam D Martin - June 10, 2021
UFC welterweight superstar Nate Diaz posted a video of him heading to Arizona for UFC 263 along with the rest of his team the Skrap Pack. Diaz takes on Leon Edwards on the UFC 263 pay-per-view main card. It’s the first fight in UFC history that is a non-title, non-main event that is set for five rounds. Both Diaz and Edwards are two of the best in the game and this should be a very exciting fight. UFC president Dana White has already confirmed that the winner of the fight will get a future welterweight title shot after Colby Covington gets his against champion Kamaru Usman.
UFC Vegas 28 rankings update: Santiago Ponzinibbio in at welterweight, Robbie Lawler and Khamzat Chimaev removed
Adam D Martin - June 10, 2021
UFC welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio is back in the top-15 rankings at welterweight, while Robbie Lawler and Khamzat Chimaev were removed. Ponzinibbio defeated Miguel Baeza at UFC Vegas 28 via unanimous decision in a “Fight of the Night” performance by both men. It was an incredible fight, and Ponzinibbio is now being rewarded with a top-15 ranking once again. He has in fact re-entered the welterweight rankings at No. 13, and Muslim Salikhov broke into the top-15 at No. 15 following his unanimous decision win over Francisco Trinaldo last weekend as well.
Dana White shoots down the notion that Israel Adesanya has cleaned out the middleweight division ahead of UFC 263
Adam D Martin - June 10, 2021
UFC president Dana White shot down the notion that 185lbs champ Israel Adesanya has cleaned out the middleweight division ahead of UFC 263. Adesanya returns back to the middleweight division this Saturday night when he takes on Marvin Vettori in a rematch that headlines UFC 263. Coming off of his first career loss to Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259, Adesanya is eager to get back into the Octagon and bounce back into the win column. Had he won the fight with Blachowicz, it’s likely that Adesanya would have given up his belt and continued to fight at the higher-weight class. But since he lost the fight, Adesanya is back down at 185lbs, and his first order of business is Vettori.
Video | Jamahal Hill and Paul Craig get into heated confrontation ahead of UFC 263
Adam D Martin - June 10, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contenders Jamahal Hill and Paul Craig got into a heated confrontation ahead of their fight at this weekend’s UFC 263. Craig is the No. 14 ranked light heavyweight in the UFC and Hill is ranked No. 15, so this is an important fight at 205lbs. The fight kicks off the pay-per-view portion of the UFC 263 card, but ahead of this weekend’s fight, the two rivals got into a heated confrontation at the UFC fighter hotel. Check out what Hill and Craig did when they ran into each other.
Photo | Vitor Belfort’s son Davi accepts offer from Nick Saban to play football at Alabama
Harry Kettle - June 10, 2021
Vitor Belfort‘s son Davi Belfort has accepted an offer from Nick Saban to play football at the University of Alabama. The youngster has yet to even play a single snap at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Florida – but that hasn’t stopped Saban, head coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide since 2007, from taking a keen interest in him and what he’s able to do on the field.
Photos | Georges St-Pierre honored in his hometown of Saint-Isidore with ‘Place GSP’
Harry Kettle - June 10, 2021
UFC legend Georges St-Pierre has been honored in his hometown of Saint-Isidore with ‘Place GSP’ – a statue tribute to his career. A few years on from his official retirement from mixed martial arts, St-Pierre has had a statue unveiled that he hopes will continue to inspire the next generation of fighters.
Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul reportedly sells at least 1 million pay-per-views
Cole Shelton - June 9, 2021
Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul on Sunday night in Miami did well on pay-per-view. According to BoxingScene and confirmed by The Athletic, the Showtime PPV between the undefeated boxer in Mayweather and the YouTube and social media star in Paul did at least one million buys. Sources told both outlets that Showtime is projecting at least one million buys (or slightly more) domestically – which includes cable, satellite, and streaming.
Belal Muhammad jokes he'll give Leon Edwards a "three piece and a soda" if they cross paths backstage
Cole Shelton - June 9, 2021
Belal Muhammad still isn’t happy he’s not rematching Leon Edwards. On March 13, Muhammad stepped up on short notice to fight Edwards in a pivotal bout. In the first round, the Englishman had a ton of success and clearly won it. Yet, in the second Edwards poked Muhammad in the eye and the fight was ruled a No Contest.
Sean O'Malley says he's "inspired" by Paul brothers, wants to train with Jake ahead of Tyron Woodley fight
Cole Shelton - June 9, 2021
Sean O’Malley has a lot of respect for Logan and Jake Paul. O’Malley a rising bantamweight star and says he wants to be known for his entertainment. With that, he says he likes what the Paul brothers are doing as they are massive entertainers who are now taking over the combat sports world.
UFC 263: Adesanya vs. Vettori 2 full betting odds
Cole Shelton - June 9, 2021
Check out the complete betting odds for this Saturday’s UFC 263 card featuring Israel Adesanya defending his middleweight title against Marvin Vettori. The UFC 263 main event sees Adesanya and Vettori have their highly-anticipated rematch in the same arena they fought in back in 2018. In the first bout, they fought to a split decision where Adesanya won it. Since then, “The Last Stylebender” became the champ but is coming off his first career loss as he dropped a decision to Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight belt. He also holds notable wins over Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, and Anderson Silva. Vettori, meanwhile, is undefeated since losing to Adesanya and is coming off back-to-back main events where he beat Kevin Holland and Jack Hermansson, both by decision.
Video | Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori exchange words following run-in at UFC 263 fighter hotel
Adam D Martin - June 9, 2021
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and rival Marvin Vettori exchanged words following their run-in at the UFC 263 fighter hotel. Adesanya and Vettori meet in the main event of UFC 263 this Saturday night in a rematch. The two previously met in April 2018, with Adesanya winning a split decision. They now meet again three years later, only this time with Adesanya’s gold on the line. Before their big fight this weekend, Adesanya and Vettori ran into each other at the UFC fighter hotel ahead of the card. Check out how the interaction between the bitter rivals went.
Eryk Anders expects to finish Darren Stewart at UFC 263 in their rematch: "It was pretty clear who was winning that fight"
Cole Shelton - June 9, 2021
Eryk Anders has all the confidence in the world when he rematches Darren Stewart at UFC 263. Anders and Stewart first met in a middleweight bout in March. Early on in the fight, Anders dropped Stewart and was landing heavy shots. However, as he was looking to finish the Englishman he threw an illegal knee and the fight was ruled a No Contest.