MMA News
Renato Moicano says he has no game plan for Brad Riddell, but plans to "put on a show" at UFC 281 to earn a fight with Tony Ferguson or Dan Hooker next: "I'm going to call out names"
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2022
Renato Moicano was hoping to fight Brad Riddell after his short-notice loss to Rafael dos Anjos back in March. After Moicano submitted Alexander Hernandez at UFC 271, he stepped up on just days’ notice on the next pay-per-view to face dos Anjos. The fight did not go his way but he showed a ton of heart and after the loss, he called for a scrap with Riddell.
Israel Adesanya believes he's the reason Alex Pereira got signed to the UFC and fighting for the belt: "I cleared the way for him to get to the top"
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2022
Israel Adesanya thinks he is the reason why Alex Pereira even got signed to the UFC and is fighting for the title so soon in his career. Adesanya and Pereira fought twice in kickboxing with the Brazilian winning twice including one by KO. The KO defeat was the last time Adesanya fought in kickboxing as he transitioned to MMA and had a ton of success. Just 14 months after signing with the promotion he won the interim belt and has been the undisputed champion since October 2019.
Carla Esparza relishing in underdog role ahead of UFC 281 title defense against Weili Zhang: "It’s always great to win, but to silence all the doubters"
Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2022
UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza is happy to be the underdog this weekend. ‘Cookie Monster’ is set to return for the first time since her controversial win over Rose Namajunas in May. While their first outing eight years prior was a dominant win for Esparza, the second encounter wasn’t.
Ahead of retirement at UFC 281, Daniel Cormier praises former champion Frankie Edgar: "He's going into the Hall of Fame"
Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2022
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes Frankie Edgar will soon be in the Hall of Fame. ‘The Answer’ is set to return this Saturday at UFC 281 against Chris Gutierrez. The former lightweight champion has announced prior to the event that the bout will be his final. It’s a perfect ending as well, given that the card will take place in his stomping grounds of New York City.
Michael Chandler hunting for a finish against Dustin Poirier at UFC 281: "He's not a crazy hard puzzle to solve"
Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2022
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is hunting for a finish this weekend. ‘Iron’ has been out of action since his knockout victory over Tony Ferguson in May. The win was an important one for the former Bellator champion, as it snapped a two-fight losing streak. Chandler was previously defeated by Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.
Brendan Schaub praises Mark Hunt's final knockout victory in boxing: "Top five toughest human being to ever compete in combat sports"
Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2022
Brendan Schaub has heaped praise on Mark Hunt after his retirement victory. ‘The Super Somoan’ has long been a fan favorite in the MMA community. Originally getting into kickboxing and boxing, he made the jump to PRIDE in 2004. There, he pulled off massive victories, defeating names such as Wanderlei Silva and Mirko Cro Cop.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk reveals she nearly ended retirement and returned to fighting: "I was about to call Dana"
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2022
Joanna Jedrzejczyk thought about ending her retirement less than six months after calling it a career. Jedrzejczyk announced her retirement from MMA following her KO loss to Zhang Weili at UFC 275 in June of this year in Singapore. Had Jedrzejczyk won, she likely would’ve gotten a title shot, but when she came up short, she put her gloves in the Octagon and announced she was done with the sport.
Sean O’Malley shares his prediction for UFC 281 main event between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira: “He’s a f**king scary human being”
Lewis Simpson - November 8, 2022
Sean O’Malley shared his prediction for the highly anticipated UFC 281 main event. Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira will go toe-to-toe for the third time in their careers. However, it will be the first time the pair will square off inside the Octagon with 4oz gloves.
Fedor Emelianenko calls for the IMMAF to end Russia’s suspension from future events: “Russian athletes are hostages of socio-political problems”
Susan Cox - November 8, 2022
Fedor Emelianenko is calling for the IMMAF to end Russia’s suspension from future events. The MMA legend and president of the Russian MMA Union, Emelianenko, wants the IMMAF (International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) to allow Russians to compete at next year’s European Championships.
Firas Zahabi shares his thoughts on Israel Adesanya's "incredibly strange" and “very suspicious” gyno: “In my mind, there's only one reason for this”
Lewis Simpson - November 8, 2022
World-famous MMA coach Firas Zahabi gave his take on the rumours surrounding Israel Adesanya and his gyno. With many claiming it occurred due to steroid use and similar theories, Zahabi explained that a doctor indicated that receiving punches to the chest causing tissue damage could be the reason behind the swollen pectoral muscle.
Chito Vera issues fiery response following latest insults from former UFC champion Henry Cejudo
Susan Cox - November 8, 2022
Chito Vera has issued a fiery response following the latest insults from former UFC champion Henry Cejudo. Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, (20-7 MMA) most recently defeated Dominick Cruz (24-4 MMA) in August of this year via knockout. The 29 year old bantamweight is currently sporting 4 wins in a row inside the Octagon.
Conor McGregor claims he’s the highest paid first time actor of all time: “Add that to the rest of my accolades”
Susan Cox - November 8, 2022
Conor McGregor is claiming he’s the highest paid first time actor of all time. Yes, the Irishman is in the news again, this time minus the ape face.
Ian Garry the latest victim of Leon Edwards head kick: “There’s no avoiding telling the truth”
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2022
UFC newcomer Ian Garry is the latest man to taste a nasty head kick from UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards. Since entering the UFC, Ian Garry has been pretty flawless. In addition to marketing himself as the next great Irish star, the 24-year-old is also 3-0 in the promotion.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 100 with Frankie Edgar, Renato Moicano, Chris Gutierrez, Matt Frevola, and Andre Petroski
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2022
The 100th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 281. We’re first joined by 12th-ranked UFC bantamweight Frankie Edgar (2:54) ahead of his retirement fight. UFC lightweight Renato Moicano (14:46) then comes on. UFC bantamweight Chris Gutierrez (29:21) then stops by. Next, UFC lightweight Matt Frevola (40:20) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC middleweight Andre Petroski (54:46).
Alex Pereira claims Israel Adesanya is being “forced” to face him at UFC 281: “He doesn’t want this fight”
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2022
Alex Pereira believes Israel Adesanya didn’t want to fight him. Pereira and Adesanya have fought twice in kickboxing with the Brazilian winning both including one by KO. With that, the two have a history and a bit of a rivalry, and ever since Pereira signed with UFC many fans have wanted to see the pair fight again. The two will finally meet this Saturday night at UFC 281 for the middleweight belt but Pereira claims Adesanya was forced to take this scrap.
Israel Adesanya compares his current situation to that of former UFC champion Jon Jones: “It’s because you’re great”
Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2022
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya admits he has one thing in common with Jon Jones. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is set to return this Saturday at UFC 281 against Alex Pereira. The two have clashed twice previously in kickboxing, with the Brazilian winning both times. However, both men have stated that this outing will be much different.
Chael Sonnen believes Jiri Prochazka vs. Glover Teixeira 2 is the most resisted rematch in UFC history: "It has not been discussed at all, but Jon Jones not being there was"
Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2022
Chael Sonnen believes there’s a big lack of excitement for Jiri Prochazka’s rematch with Glover Teixeira. The two light heavyweights met earlier this year in Singapore. In their main event at UFC 275, they put on an incredible show. However, it was Prochazka, who ended their ‘Fight of the Year’ encounter with a shocking fifth-round submission.
Dan Hooker previews UFC 281 lightweight clash between Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier: "Chandler has a disregard for his own personal safety"
Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2022
Dan Hooker believes Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier are going to put on a show at UFC 281. The UFC’s lightweight division is in a state of flux. Last month, Islam Makhachev became the 155-pound champion, ending Charles Oliveira’s reign with a second-round submission. Following that win, the Russian called for a clash with Alexander Volkanovski next.