MMA News
Robert Whittaker hoping to "dominate" Kelvin Gastelum, but expects "an absolute war"
Cole Shelton - April 15, 2021
Robert Whittaker is expecting a tough fight with Kelvin Gastelum on Saturday night. Whittaker and Gastelum are set to headline UFC Vegas 24 in a very intriguing middleweight bout. Originally, Whittaker was set to face Paulo Costa but a month out, the Brazilian pulled out of the fight and Gastelum stepped in on short notice.
Ticket prices for UFC 264: ‘McGregor vs Poirier 3’ are sky high
Harry Kettle - April 15, 2021
The ticket prices for UFC 264 have been released – and fans have noticed that the higher bracket of tickets could set them back by up to five figures. The event on July 10 is set to mark the UFC’s return to Las Vegas in style. UFC president Dana White announced yesterday that Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier III will headline the blockbuster card, with the expectation being that there will be a full crowd of fans in attendance at the T-Mobile Arena.
Michael Page returns at Bellator 258 against Derek Anderson
Adam D Martin - April 15, 2021
Bellator welterweight contender Michael Page will return to the cage when he takes on Derek Anderson at Bellator 258 in May. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani was the first to report this Page vs. Anderson fight. It’s actually a re-booking of a fight that Bellator tried to book twice previously in 2017 and 2019. The hope is that in 2021 both men will stay healthy and make it to the fight. When they do meet at Bellator 258 on May 7, it will be a battle between two top-10 fighters in Bellator’s welterweight division. Page is the No. 2 ranked welterweight in Bellator while Anderson is ranked at No. 6. The winner of this fight would surely be in play for a title shot at 170lbs.
Ricardo Ramos issues statement after being pulled from UFC Vegas 24
Adam D Martin - April 15, 2021
This Saturday’s UFC Vegas 24 card has lost a fight due to COVID-19 protocols as featherweights Bill Algeo and Ricardo Ramos are off the card. Algeo vs. Ramos was expected to take place on the preliminary card for Saturday’s event, which is headlined by middleweights Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum. Unfortunately, the fight is now off after Ramos was pulled from the event due to COVID-19 protocols. The fighter himself announced on his social media in a video statement that he tested positive for COVID-19 and that’s why his fight with Algeo was canceled. Check out the video below.
Corsica officials dismiss sexual assault case involving UFC star Conor McGregor
Harry Kettle - April 15, 2021
Officials on the island of Corsica have dismissed the sexual assault claim aimed at Conor McGregor due to insufficient evidence. The claim stems back to September 2020 when McGregor “allegedly exhibited his private parts to the young woman without her consent as she made her way into the bar toilets.”
Invicta FC sold to Anthem, gets new television deal
Adam D Martin - April 15, 2021
All-women MMA promotion Invicta FC has been sold to Anthem Sports & Entertainment and the organization now has a new television deal. As part of the new deal, Invicta FC will now be aired on AXS TV in the United States and on The Fight Network in Canada. It was previously aired on UFC Fight Pass. The first event under the new partnership will be Invicta FC 44, which takes place on May 21. The card features Invicta FC atomweight champion Alesha Zappitella taking on Jessica Delboni.
Pro fighters make their picks for Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Cole Shelton - April 15, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 24, Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum are finally set to meet. Whittaker enters the fight as a -265 favorite while the eighth-ranked middleweight is a +210 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe Whittaker will get the job done as he is the better mixed martial artist.
UFC Vegas 23 Rankings Update: Mackenzie Dern and Marvin Vettori break into the top-five
Adam D Martin - April 15, 2021
UFC women’s strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern has moved into the top-five of the division in the latest UFC rankings update. Dern defeated Nina Nunes via first-round submission at this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 23 card. It was the most impressive performance of her career to date, and it improved her Octagon record to 6-1 overall. That was enough for Dern to move up significantly in the rankings. In the latest UFC rankings update, Dern moved up to No. 5 in the promotion at women’s 115lbs. In turn, Nunes dropped from No. 5 to No. 7, and Claudia Gadelha, Michelle Waterson, Tecia Torres, and Amanda Ribas all dropped a spot, as well.
Henry Cejudo fires back at Sean O'Malley over short joke: "Too bad the steroids you took couldn’t give you a strong ankle"
Christopher Taylor - April 14, 2021
Henry Cejudo was not happy that Sean O’Malley referenced him in a “short joke” during his recent exchange with Petr Yan on social media. O’Malley (13-1 MMA) has been trying to lockdown a big fight ever since scoring a third round knockout victory over Thomas Almeida last month at UFC 260.
ONE on TNT 2 Results: Christian Lee knocks Timofey Nastyukhin out in 73 seconds (Video)
Drake Riggs - April 14, 2021
Christian Lee is proving with each fight that he’s truly come into his status as a champion. At ONE on TNT 2, he added to his highlight reel. Taking on the dangerous Russian in Timofey Nastyukhin—most famous for upsetting former UFC and Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez in Alvarez’s ONE Championship debut—the eldest Lee brother needed only 73 seconds to earn his second career title defense.
Stephen Thompson 'refuses to watch' Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren, 'It's kind of cringe'
Drake Riggs - April 14, 2021
With the upcoming boxing match between Jake Paul and Ben Askren rapidly approaching, the community’s excitement is building. Stephen Thompson, however, isn’t among those in anticipation. On April 17, the world finally gets to see if the younger Paul brother can defeat an actual combat sports veteran. But despite Askren’s former fellow UFC welterweight contender in Thompson supporting “Funky,” he won’t be watching.
Paul Daley reveals previous altercation with Dustin Poirier ignited feud with Bellator 257 opponent Sabah Homasi
Christopher Taylor - April 14, 2021
Paul Daley claims a previous altercation with UFC standout Dustin Poirier resulted in his bitter rivalry with Bellator 257 opponent Sabah Homasi. The veteran welterweight, Daley (42-17-2 MMA), returns to the cage this Friday night in Uncasville for a bout with the streaking American in Homasi (15-8 MMA).
Weili Zhang seemingly unfazed by "better dead than red" comments made by Rose Namajunas
Christopher Taylor - April 14, 2021
Women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang has responded to the “better dead than red” comments made by her upcoming opponent Rose Namajunas. Zhang (21-1 MMA) and Namajunas (9-4 MMA) are set to square off in the co-main event of UFC 261 on April 24 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Jeremy Stephens still wants Conor McGregor, plans to finish him with calf kicks
Adam Martin - April 14, 2021
UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens still wants to fight Conor McGregor, and he says he will finish the fight with calf kicks if they ever meet. In 2016 at the UFC 205 press conference, Stephens and McGregor were involved in one of the most oft-quoted pieces of back-and-forth in UFC history. When asked by a reporter who the toughest fight on stage for McGregor was, Stephens decided to take matters into his own hands and say it was him. Only he ended up getting absolutely roasted by McGregor.
Eddie Alvarez reveals he's in "serious talks" to box Oscar De La Hoya this summer
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2021
Eddie Alvarez is looking like he will be the one to welcome Oscar De La Hoya back to the boxing ring this summer. Over the past few months, De La Hoya has hinted at a possible return and said he wanted a big named opponent. However, he was mentioning boxers as his opponent. But, as of late has changed his attention to MMA fighters, and Alvarez says he is in talks with De La Hoya.
Nate Diaz will be the "number one contender" at welterweight if he beats Edwards, says Ali Abdelaziz
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2021
Nate Diaz is a win away from a welterweight title shot, according to Kamaru Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz. In the co-main event of UFC 262 on May 15, Diaz is set to return to the Octagon against Leon Edwards in a highly-anticipated fight. The scrap will also be five rounds and according to Kamaru Usman’s manager, if Diaz wins, he would be the number one contender and get the next title shot.
Jake Paul says Ben Askren will forfeit his entire purse if he uses MMA moves in the fight, "Funky" refutes claim
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2021
Jake Paul says there is strict vocabulary in their contract that will prohibit Ben Askren from using any MMA tactics in their fight. When Paul and Askren were booked, many wondered if “Funky” would accidentally shoot for a takedown or use some elbows or knees. However, according to the brash YouTuber, in the contract, if Askren does any MMA tactics in the fight, his entire purse would be forfeited.
UFC Vegas 24: Whittaker vs. Gastelum full betting odds
Cole Shelton - April 14, 2021
Check out the complete betting odds for this Saturday’s UFC on Vegas 24 card featuring an intriguing middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum. The UFC Vegas 24 main event sees Whittaker and Gastelum finally fight after they were supposed to meet in 2019 for the title but Whittaker was forced out of the fight on the day of the event. Whittaker is coming off back-to-back decision wins over Jared Cannonier and Darren Till to return to the win column after losing his belt to Israel Adesanya. Gastelum, meanwhile, returned to the win column last time out with a decision win over Ian Heinisch.