MMA News
Did Dana White really confirm Alexander Volkanovski would get the next lightweight title shot?
Ryan Harkness - October 18, 2022
We’re days away from the big UFC 280 card in Abu Dhabi, which not only features two big title fights but could also decide who fights for those same titles next. The vacant UFC lightweight title is being fought for between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev, with featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski serving as backup and calling dibs on next. The UFC bantamweight title is being defended by Aljamain Sterling, who takes on T.J. Dillashaw. Immediately before that bout, 135ers Petr Yan and Sean O’Malley will compete in a fight many consider a number one contenders match.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 97 with Beneil Dariush, Volkan Oezdemir, and AJ Dobson
Cole Shelton - October 18, 2022
The 97th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 280 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. We’re first joined by sixth-ranked UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush (1:33). Next, eighth-ranked light heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir (14:50) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC middleweight AJ Dobson (27:46).
Tyron Woodley explains how his previous mentorship of Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington proved costly
Harry Kettle - October 18, 2022
Tyron Woodley has suggested that previous mentorship of Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington impacted his bouts against them. While his run with the UFC may not have ended particularly well due to a notable losing streak, Tyron Woodley will forever be known as one of the most successful welterweight champions in the promotion’s history. He successfully retained the belt four times, eventually losing it to Kamaru Usman.
Cub Swanson issues statement following TKO loss to Jonathan Martinez at UFC Vegas 62
Harry Kettle - October 18, 2022
UFC veteran Cub Swanson has issued a statement following his loss to Jonathan Martinez last weekend. When Cub Swanson announced that he’d be making the move down to bantamweight for the next phase of his career, many questioned just how well that would go for him. While the weight cut itself appeared to be quite smooth, his actual performance inside the Octagon on Saturday night didn’t quite live up to his expectations.
Paul Felder replaces Joe Rogan on the commentary table for UFC 280
Harry Kettle - October 18, 2022
Paul Felder will feature on the commentary team for UFC 280 this weekend, replacing Joe Rogan in the process. On Saturday night in Abu Dhabi, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will put on one of their biggest cards of the year thus far. We’ll see the UFC lightweight title and UFC bantamweight title being defended alongside a whole host of other fun bouts as Abu Dhabi prepares to put on a real show for fans watching around the world.
UFC bans fighters and their teams from betting on fights
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2022
The UFC has made a major change to its Code of Conduct. On Monday, it was revealed by MMA reporter Ariel Helwani, the promotion has now changed rules banning fighters and their teams from betting on UFC fights. The promotion says it is due to a “clear direction” from sports betting regulators. The memo was written by Hunter Campbell who provided detail on the announcement.
What's next for Alexa Grasso and Viviane Araujo after UFC Vegas 62?
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2022
In the main event of UFC Vegas 62, a top-six women’s flyweight bout headlined the card as Alexa Grasso took on Viviane Araujo. Grasso entered the fight undefeated at flyweight after moving up in 2020 with a decision win over Ji Yeon Kim. The Mexican then beat Maycee Barber by decision and followed it up with a submission win over Joanne Wood to earn her first UFC main event. Meanwhile, Araujo returned to the win column last time with a win over Andrea Lee and was 5-2 in the UFC entering the scrap.
Dana White announces Alex Volkanovksi will fight for the UFC lightweight title next and that the winner of Yan vs. O’Malley will receive next bantamweight title shot
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2022
UFC President Dana White says Alexander Volkanovski will be getting the next shot at the UFC lightweight title. In the main event of UFC 280, the vacant lightweight title is up for grabs as Charles Oliveira takes on Islam Makhachev in a very intriguing matchup. Also on the pay-per-view card is a lightweight scrap between Beneil Dariush vs. Mateusz Gamrot with many thinking the winner would get the next title shot. However, Dana White revealed to Barstool Sports on Monday that Volkanovski will get the next crack at 155lbs gold.
Aljamain Sterling's coach Ray Longo believes T.J. Dillashaw's PED history is a relevant narrative heading into UFC 280: "He's a convicted cheater"
Josh Evanoff - October 17, 2022
Aljamain Sterling’s coach Ray Longo believes that T.J. Dillashaw‘s history is important heading into UFC 280. ‘Funk Master’ is set to return this weekend for the first time since his rematch with Petr Yan in April. In that bantamweight title matchup, Sterling used his wrestling and grappling to earn a split-decision win. The victory was his first title defense since claiming the championship by disqualification the year prior.
Oscar De La Hoya explains why he thinks Jake Paul will KO Anderson Silva
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2022
Oscar De La Hoya believes Jakes Paul will remain undefeated after he faces Anderson Silva in two weeks’ time. Paul is set for the toughest test of his career as he faces the former UFC champ, Silva. It’s an intriguing matchup as Paul is coming off back-to-back wins over Tyron Woodley while Silva has had success in boxing beating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., and Tito Ortiz. However, De La Hoya believes Paul’s power will be too much for the Brazilian.
Javier Mendez says Islam Makhachev unbothered by Alexander Volkanovski being replacement fighter at UFC 280: "You could put whoever you want"
Josh Evanoff - October 17, 2022
American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez and his pupil Islam Makhachev are set to fight anyone on Saturday. The Russian is set for the biggest fight of his career this weekend at UFC 280. In the pay-per-view headliner, Makhachev is expected to face Charles Oliveira. The bout will likely crown the new UFC lightweight champion.
Jiri Prochazka thrilled for the chance to avenge "worst performance" of his career against Glover Teixeira: "I want to show my best"
Josh Evanoff - October 17, 2022
UFC light-heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka is ready for his rematch with Glover Teixeira. ‘Denisa’ first faced the Brazilian in June in Singapore. In the main event of UFC 275, the two light heavyweights put on an incredible show. For five rounds, the champion and contender went back and forth.
Charles Oliveira doesn't think Islam Makhachev earned the title fight on his own "merit": "This match is happening because Khabib made it happen"
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2022
Charles Oliveira doesn’t think Islam Makhachev deserves to be fighting for the lightweight title. Oliveira and Makhachev are set to headline UFC 280 on Saturday from Abu Dhabi for the vacant lightweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup but Makhachev enters the fight not having beaten anyone currently ranked in the top 10 or top-five of the division, which is rare.
Conor McGregor claims he carried Floyd Mayweather in their first fight: "I come out full force, and today, I end Floyd"
Ryan Harkness - October 17, 2022
Floyd Mayweather has often claimed that he ‘carried’ Conor McGregor through the early rounds of their 2017 boxing superfight, which ended in a 10th round TKO victory for Floyd. Now McGregor is firing back, saying he was the one who was doing the carrying. McGregor’s comments came as part of a compliment he paid towards Claressa Shields, who had just won a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate against Savannah Marshall over the weekend. Shields retained her WBA, WBC, IBF, WBF, and The Ring middleweight titles. She added the WBO middleweight title to her collection, becoming the unified middleweight champion.
Leon Edwards pushing for new contract before Kamaru Usman rematch: "I need a new one now, 100 percent"
Ryan Harkness - October 17, 2022
Leon Edwards had to wait years for his shot at the welterweight title. After capitalizing on his shot against Kamaru Usman at UFC 278, he’s looking to cash in on his new championship status. In a new interview with Mirror Sports, ‘Rocky’ made it clear that he expected the UFC to renegotiate his contract before he’d face ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ in a highly anticipated rematch.
President of UFC parent company Endeavor expresses interest in buying WWE: "That would be interesting and worth exploring"
Ryan Harkness - October 17, 2022
We all know the story of how the UFC was bought by talent agency turned global entertainment juggernaut Endeavor in 2016 for a cool $4 billion. Could they end up buying the WWE in the future? The UFC may be the biggest sports property owned by Endeavor, but they’re far from the only one. Endeavor also owns Professional Bull Riders, Euroleague Basketball, and nine minor league baseball teams. And if recent talk from Endeavor president Mark Shapiro is any indication, maybe some day they’ll own the WWE as well.
Islam Makhachev responds to critics suggesting he hasn’t fought high-level competition: “This is not my mistake”
Harry Kettle - October 17, 2022
Islam Makhachev has hit back at critics for suggesting he hasn’t fought high level competition in the UFC. While he may be riding a 10-fight win streak right now, Islam Makhachev isn’t considered to be a lightweight who has fought the best of the best in the division’s top five just yet. The names of his victims on his current streak include Drew Dober, Thiago Moises, Dan Hooker, Bobby Green and more, but none of them have that quality about them which deems them to be overly impressive.
Aljamain Sterling becomes public enemy number one on Twitter after sharing pictures with Andrew Tate
Harry Kettle - October 17, 2022
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has caught a great deal of heat after posting pictures of him hanging out with Andrew Tate. Over the course of the last few months, Andrew Tate has quickly become one of the most hated men on the internet. The reason for this is due to a string of clips and videos in which he displays misogynistic behaviour, with a lot of his controversial remarks leading to a real boom in his popularity.