MMA News
Ben Askren praises Paddy Pimblett's attitude following controversial win over Jared Gordon: "That’s what early McGregor would have done"
Josh Evanoff - December 14, 2022
While many are attacking Paddy Pimblett, Ben Askren liked what he saw at UFC 282. ‘The Baddy’ made his return to the octagon last Saturday night on pay-per-view. The bout was just Pimblett’s fourth in the promotion, and despite that, he’s already a star. Promotional deals with brands such as Barstool Sports have only raised his profile further.
Glover Teixeira confirms retirement plans on hold ahead of Jamahal Hill fight at UFC 283: "We see the level I'm fighting"
Josh Evanoff - December 14, 2022
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira isn’t thinking about retirement. The Brazilian has been out of action since his loss to Jiri Prochazka at UFC 275 in June. While the bout was back and forth for all five rounds, it was ‘Denisa’ who secured the victory by submission.
Bobby Green rips "amateur fighter" Paddy Pimblett, says it would be "disrespectful" if they are in the same cage: "He doesn't belong"
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2022
Bobby Green doesn’t think Paddy Pimblett would accept a fight with him, but if he did, he says the scrap would not be close. After Pimblett beat Jared Gordon at UFC 282, many wondered who would be next for the Brit. A popular name was Green who is set to face Drew Dober on Saturday at UFC Vegas 66. Yet, Green doesn’t think highly of Pimblett and believes he would beat him with ease.
Pro fighters make their picks for Jared Cannonier vs. Sean Strickland
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2022
In the main event of UFC Vegas 66 on Saturday, a middleweight bout headlines the card as Jared Cannonier takes on Sean Strickland. Heading into the fight, the oddsmakers have it as a pick’em as Cannonier is -111 while the comeback on Strickland is -115 on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros believe Cannonier will get his hand raised, with some even expecting the fight to end by KO.
Legless wrestler Zion Clark set for MMA debut this Saturday against Eugene Murray
Josh Evanoff - December 14, 2022
Former collegiate wrestler Zion Clark will make his professional MMA debut this weekend against Eugene Murray. The 25-year-old was born with caudal regressions syndrome. The birth defect is a rare disorder that disrupts the development of the lower half of the body. While the syndrome is extremely rare, Clark has never let the disorder define him.
James Krause and Darrick Minner have suspensions extended by Nevada State Athletic Commission
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2022
James Krause and Darrick Minner will remain suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Krause and Minner were suspended following Minner’s first-round TKO loss to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke – which saw a ton of unusual betting activity. Although the initial suspension was temporary, the Nevada Commission agreed to extend it until the ruling of the investigation is announced and revealed to the public.
Sean O’Malley believes Paddy Pimblett is at a crossroads following latest performance at UFC 282: “Is he going to get better or fatter?”
Susan Cox - December 14, 2022
Sean O’Malley believes Paddy Pimblett is at a crossroads following his latest performance at UFC 282. Just last Saturday, December 10th, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Paddy Pimblett (20-3 MMA) defeated Jared Gordon (19-6 MMA) by unanimous decision. The win has caused much discussion as several fans and fighters alike believed it was Gordon who should have been declared the winner.
Conor McGregor removed from the official UFC rankings for the first time in over 8 years
Susan Cox - December 14, 2022
Conor McGregor has been removed from the official UFC rankings for the first time in over 8 years. The former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA) has not competed in the Octagon since July of 2021.
Ariel Helwani responds to the latest accusations from UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett
Susan Cox - December 14, 2022
Ariel Helwani is responding to the latest accusations from UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett. It was last Saturday, December 10th at UFC 282 that saw Paddy Pimblett (20-3 MMA) defeat Jared Gordon (19-6 MMA) in the co-main lightweight bout. It was a controversial decision win for the Liverpudlian which extended his undefeated record to 4-0 within the promotion.
Henry Cejudo reveals plans to “dye my hair blonde” for UFC title fight with Aljamain Sterling
Harry Kettle - December 14, 2022
Henry Cejudo has joked about dying his hair blonde in order to get a favourable decision when he fights Aljamain Sterling. In the wake of Paddy Pimblett’s controversial win at UFC 282, there’s been an awful lot of chatter about scoring. Many believe, as was the case when Petr Yan lost to Sean O’Malley, that the scorecards were incorrect.
Michael Bisping believes Conor McGregor could fast track his way to a UFC title shot with a knockout of Michael Chandler
Harry Kettle - December 14, 2022
Michael Bisping believes Conor McGregor could end up with a UFC title shot if he’s able to knock out Michael Chandler. The return of Conor McGregor has been hotly debated ever since his leg break last summer against Dustin Poirier. A parade of potential opponents have been mentioned, understandably, given that McGregor can fight at a series of different weight classes.
Valentina Shevchenko name drops two opponents for her next title defense
Harry Kettle - December 14, 2022
Valentina Shevchenko has given her thoughts on who she will face next as her UFC flyweight title reign continues. Ever since capturing the belt four years ago, Valentina Shevchenko has been the queen at 125 pounds. ‘Bullet’ has been able to defeat everyone who has stepped forward, even if the win over Taila Santos was a bit controversial.
Cody Brundage believes Michal Oleksiejczuk has holes in his game that he will "exploit" at UFC Vegas 66: "I think I can get him out of there"
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2022
Cody Brundage is excited to fight one more time in 2022. Brundage was supposed to face Rodolfo Vieira in November but the Brazilian pulled out on fight week. The news was disappointing for Brundage as no replacement opponent was found – despite him being offered one.
Julian Erosa believes Alex Caceres won't be able to keep up with his pressure, plans to "break him in the third round" at UFC Vegas 66
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2022
Julian Erosa has gotten his wish for the third straight fight. After Erosa beat Charles Jourdain, he called out Steven Peterson and got that fight and won a decision. He then called out Hakeem Dawodu – and once again got his wish. Then, after his win over Dawodu, he called out Alex Caceres who he will fight at UFC Vegas 66.
Julianna Pena hits back at critics over possible trilogy with Amanda Nunes: "They’re making Deiveson Figuieredo vs. Brandon Moreno 4 for Pete’s sake"
Josh Evanoff - December 13, 2022
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena believes a trilogy with Amanda Nunes has to be next. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ has been out of action since her title defense against ‘The Lioness’ at UFC 277 in July. The bout was a rematch of their prior encounter in December 2021. There, Pena sprung one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, submitting Nunes in round two.
UFC champion Aljamain Sterling reveals beef with Raul Rosas Jr. over filming grappling session: "You'd think someone would have taught him some etiquette"
Josh Evanoff - December 13, 2022
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has shed light on a prior run-in with Raul Rosas Jr. ‘El Nino Problema’ is fresh off his return at UFC 282 this weekend against Jay Perrin. The 18-year-old made his UFC debut at the event and put on a show. He moved to 7-0 in his young career by the way of first-round submission.
Bellator president Scott Coker warns Dillon Danis of boxing match with KSI: "You're going to have your hands full"
Josh Evanoff - December 13, 2022
Bellator president Scott Coker has given his thoughts on Dillon Danis’s boxing match against KSI. ‘El Jefe’ has been out of the cage since a submission victory over Max Humphrey in June 2019. That win was just the second in Danis’s career in MMA, as he debuted the prior year with a toe-hold submission win victory over Kyle Walker.
Sean Strickland reacts to Josh Thomson’s recent criticism of UFC President Dana White: “Dana is a business man and we are the cattle”
Josh Evanoff - December 13, 2022
UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland has reacted to Josh Thomson’s recent criticism of Dana White. It’s been an eventful few days for the UFC president, mainly due to their pay-per-view offering last Saturday. Both of the top two bouts on UFC 282 in Las Vegas were highly controversial. In the co-main event, Paddy Pimblett eeked out a decision victory over Jared Gordon. That’s despite many believing ‘The Baddy’ deserved his first loss in the promotion.