MMA News
Julianna Pena takes issue with Daniel Cormier suggesting she hasn’t warranted a trilogy fight with Amanda Nunes, ‘DC’ responds
Cole Shelton - October 14, 2022
Julianna Pena has taken a shot at Daniel Cormier after ‘DC’ suggested that she doesn’t deserve a trilogy against Amanda Nunes. Pena got a crack at the belt against Nunes at UFC 269 and she shocked many as she scored a submission win. After the win, the two had an immediate rematch at UFC 277 with Nunes winning by decision in a rather one-sided fight.
Jiri Prochazka praises Alexander Gustafsson ahead of "light heavyweight night" at UFC 282: "I think he’s still a very dangerous man"
Josh Evanoff - October 14, 2022
UFC light-heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka couldn’t be happier to return at UFC 282. ‘Denisa’ has been out of action since his headlining role with Glover Teixeira in June. In the main event of UFC 275 in Singapore, the two light heavyweights put on an incredible show. However, in the fifth round of the back-and-forth contest, Prochazka scored a shocking submission win.
Luke Rockhold open to boxing matches after UFC retirement: "My legs need a f*cking break"
Josh Evanoff - October 14, 2022
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is retired from MMA, but not other combat sports. The former champion was last seen in action at UFC 278 in August. That matchup with Paulo Costa was an important one for the California native. It was his first octagon appearance in over three years and his first middleweight fight in over four years.
Tyron Woodley eyes scrap with Nick or Nate Diaz, believes they will "make quite a few millions of dollars fighting each other"
Cole Shelton - October 14, 2022
Tyron Woodley is hoping to fight either Nick or Nate Diaz his next time out. Woodley is currently a free agent and hasn’t fought since he had the back-to-back boxing matches against Jake Paul. Although he lost both of them, including the second one by KO, he still remains a big name in the sport and is hoping to make a big fight.
Cub Swanson explains brutal cut to 135 for UFC Vegas 62: "I needed to suffer more"
Ryan Harkness - October 14, 2022
After a four fight losing skid that seemed to signal the end of his days as a UFC contender, Cub Swanson dug deep and turned things around with a 3-1 run over his last four fights. Despite beating Darren Elkins in his last fight with a spectacular spinning wheel kick, ‘Killer’ Cub decided it was time to drop from featherweight to bantamweight for what may be his last career sprint. Swanson faces Jonathan Martinez at 135 pounds in the co-main event of this weekend’s UFC Vegas 62 event. In a new interview with UFC.com, he explained the decision to cut another ten pounds off his frame and how difficult it was to do.
Aspen Ladd explains why she’s “on top of the world” following UFC departure
Harry Kettle - October 14, 2022
Aspen Ladd has explained why she feels on top of the world after leaving the UFC and joining PFL. While she was always a fascinating prospect during her tenure with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Aspen Ladd’s weight cut issues, as well as some disagreements with the promotion, eventually led to her being released.
Movsar Evloev forced out of UFC main event with Bryce Mitchell
Harry Kettle - October 14, 2022
UFC featherweight Movsar Evloev has been forced out of his UFC main event against Bryce Mitchell, as per reports. Within the context of the featherweight division, Movsar Evloev and Bryce Mitchell are two of the leading prospects with many believing they could both go on to hold the gold. Of course, the current king Alex Volkanovski may have a thing or two to say about that, but Evloev and Mitchell are definitely making big gains as they continue on through their exciting careers.
Uriah Hall shares his take on UFC fighter pay: “Ring card girls are making $70,000, which is utterly f**king ridiculous”
Harry Kettle - October 14, 2022
Former UFC fighter Uriah Hall has given his thoughts on the current state of fighter pay in the promotion. For so many years, Uriah Hall switched between being one of the most entertaining fighters in mixed martial arts to being someone who couldn’t quite live up to his potential. There was seemingly no point in between and after dropping consecutive losses to André Muniz and Sean Strickland, he was released by the promotion earlier this year.
Alexander Volkanovski responds to Beneil Dariush over UFC 280 backup claims: "I’m not playing any games... I’m getting paid for this"
Cole Shelton - October 13, 2022
Alexander Volkanovski has responded to Beneil Dariush over who the backup fighter for the UFC 280 lightweight title fight is. When it was announced Charles Oliveira would face Islam Makhachev for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 280, a critical 155lbs bout between Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot was also added to the card. With that, many thought Dariush would be the backup fighter which he said his manager confirmed to him, but that won’t be the case.
Le'Veon Bell believes win over Uriah Hall will begin climb to the top of boxing: "I want to be the best at what I do"
Josh Evanoff - October 13, 2022
Former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell is ready to shock the world against Uriah Hall. The world of crossover boxing has seen celebrities from all walks of life enter the ring. Former NFL players, such as Frank Gore, have competed. Former NBA players such as Deron Williams have competed, as have YouTubers such as KSI and Jake Paul.
Luke Rockhold discusses poor relationship with Dana White and regaining support at UFC 278: "you've got to get dirty and nasty sometimes to show people who the f*ck you are"
Josh Evanoff - October 13, 2022
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has discussed his relationship with Dana White. The California native was last seen at UFC 278 in August, against Paulo Costa. The fight was an important one for Rockhold, as he hadn’t competed in over three years. Furthermore, prior to his matchup with the Brazilian, the former champion hadn’t competed at middleweight in over four years.
Kevin Holland explains brief retirement, plans on knocking out Stephen Thompson in UFC return: "I think my Kung Fu beats his Karate"
Josh Evanoff - October 13, 2022
UFC welterweight Kevin Holland plans on finishing Stephen Thompson in his octagon return. ‘Trail Blazer’ has been out of action since his submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev last month. The bout was a short-notice one, as ‘Borz’ was originally set to face Nate Diaz at the event. However, after Chimaev missed weight, he was bumped down to the fight with Holland.
Leon Edwards believes setting up Conor McGregor fight "would be easy to make"
Cole Shelton - October 13, 2022
Leon Edwards believes setting up a welterweight title fight against Conor McGregor would be easy to make. Edwards became the UFC’s welterweight champion with a comeback fifth-round head kick KO over Kamaru Usman in the rematch. Although all signs point towards the trilogy happening next, Edwards is also open to taking some super fights and the biggest one he eyes is against Conor McGregor.
Uriah Hall reveals the "only reason" he's boxing Le'Veon Bell is to secure the Jake Paul fight next
Cole Shelton - October 13, 2022
Uriah Hall is hoping to land the Jake Paul fight next time out. Hall is set to make his pro boxing debut on the Paul vs. Anderson Silva undercard against former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell. The news caught many by surprise given that Hall announced his retirement from MMA just months prior but admits he is coming back to hopefully secure the Paul fight.
Mike Jackson still just fighting for "shits and giggles", but confident he'll KO Pete Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 62: "Everyone knows I'm coming for the knockout"
Cole Shelton - October 13, 2022
Mike Jackson will be returning to the Octagon on Saturday for the second time in 2022. Jackson fought Dean Barry in April, and he won by DQ due to Barry eye-gouging him. After the win, Jackson was unsure when he would fight again but will make a relatively quick turnaround as he’s set to face Pete Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 62.
Henry Cejudo explains why Alex Volkanovski is making a “mistake” by taking on backup fighter role for UFC 280 main event
Ryan Harkness - October 13, 2022
Alexander Volkanovski recently revealed that he will be the official back-up for UFC 280’s lightweight title bout between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira. Should either fighter be unable to compete in Abu Dhabi come October 22nd, the featherweight champ will step up to lightweight and compete for a second title. Speaking as a former double champ himself, Henry Cejudo thinks that’s a bad idea. He’s convinced it’s such a mistake that he’s made an eight minute video detailing all the reasons why Volkanovski is shooting himself in the foot with the move.
Da Un Jung vs. Devin Clark targeted for February Fight Night card in Korea
Cole Shelton - October 13, 2022
The UFC will be heading to Korea in February and local fighter Da Un Jung will be on the card. Multiple sources informed BJPENN.com that Jung will face Devin Clark on February 4, with the event likely taking place in Seoul, South Korea. The location has not been finalized as of yet but is trending in the right direction, while the bout is also only verbally agreed to. It will be the first time the UFC is in Korea since UFC Busan in December of 2019 which saw Korean Zombie vs. Frankie Edgar in the main event.
UFC and Facebook parent company Meta announce partnership to bring MMA to virtual reality
Ryan Harkness - October 13, 2022
The UFC and Facebook’s parent company Meta have officially announced a partnership that will bring UFC and MMA events to the Metaverse in virtual reality. Speculation abounded when UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan on October 1st was closed to the press and public. In the end, a small handful of Meta employees including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan were on hand to see Mackenzie Dern and Yan Xiaonan battle it out for five rounds in the UFC APEX.