MMA News
Pro fighters make their picks for Ciryl Gane vs. Tai Tuivasa
Cole Shelton - August 31, 2022
In the main event of UFC Paris, a heavyweight bout between top contenders goes down as Ciryl Gane takes on Tai Tuivasa. Heading into the fight, Gane is a massive -530 favorite while the Aussie is a +360 underdog on FanDuel. Heading into the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros slightly lean towards Gane getting it done but some think Tuivasa can keep his streak going with another surprise KO.
Dana White scolds Chael Sonnen for suggesting Leon Edwards cheated in title fight with Kamaru Usman at UFC 278
Susan Cox - August 31, 2022
Dana White is scolding Chael Sonnen for suggesting Leon Edwards cheated in the title fight with Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. UFC 278 saw Usman (20-2 MMA) vs Edwards (20-3 MMA) in the welterweight main event on Saturday, August 20th at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The result was a stunning last-minute head kick from Edwards to Usman resulting in Leon Edwards capturing the welterweight title.
UFC signs the 'Russian Ronda' Irina Alekseeva following Bellator release
Harry Kettle - August 31, 2022
UFC has reportedly signed Irina Alekseeva, also known as ‘Russian Ronda‘, to a deal following her release by Bellator. For many years now the UFC has had a blossoming women’s roster across a handful of weight classes, but even through the likes of Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko, they haven’t quite had a female fighter reach the same kind of superstardom as Ronda Rousey.
Islam Makhachev believes Leon Edwards got “lucky” with head kick KO of Kamaru Usman
Harry Kettle - August 31, 2022
Islam Makhachev has given his thoughts on Leon Edwards‘ fantastic knockout win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. This October at UFC 280, Islam Makhachev will take part in the biggest fight of his career as he prepares to battle Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight championship. The contest is set to go down in Abu Dhabi and while Makhachev has been tipped to become a world champion for a long time, Oliveira will almost certainly serve as the toughest test he’s faced to date inside the Octagon.
Darren Till arrested by Stockholm police for alleged DUI back in July
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
Darren Till has reportedly been arrested by the Stockholm police for an alleged DUI (drunk driving) back in July. According to the Swedish national newspaper Expressen, Till was arrested on July 31 after he was pulled over for speeding in a silver Audi with English registration plates. All the information is cited from a police report the newspaper was able to obtain.
Israel Adesanya explains why he's not excited for Robert Whittaker vs. Marvin Vettori at UFC Paris: "I know who's going to win"
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
Israel Adesanya doesn’t think Robert Whittaker vs. Marvin Vettori is as good of a matchup as many think. Whittaker and Vettori are set to meet in the co-main event of UFC Paris on Saturday in a pivotal fight for both men’s careers. Although both Whittaker and Vettori are 0-2 against the middleweight champ in Adesanya, the winner of the fight will remain a top contender while the loser could become a gatekeeper.
Weili Zhang prepared to fight fearlessly against Carla Esparaza at UFC 281: "I don't care about win or lose anymore"
Josh Evanoff - August 30, 2022
UFC women’s strawweight contender Weili Zhang is prepared for her fight with Carla Esparza. ‘Magnum’ has been out of action since June. At UFC 275, Zhang faced Joanna Jędrzejczyk in a rematch of their famous brawl in March 2020. In that outing, the Chinese fighter won by split decision after five rounds of pure chaos.
Islam Makhachev states Charles Oliveira doesn't believe he can win at UFC 280: "I am terrible fight for everybody"
Josh Evanoff - August 30, 2022
Lightweight contender Islam Makhachev believes that Charles Oliveira isn’t confident heading into UFC 280. The two lightweights are set to square off in October with gold on the line. The Brazilian famously lost his titles back on the scale in May. Oliveira missed weight for his UFC 274 headliner against Justin Gaethje and was stripped of his championship.
Brendan Schaub encourages Leon Edwards to fight Jorge Masvidal next: "Get it done"
Josh Evanoff - August 30, 2022
Brendan Schaub believes UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards should face Jorge Masvidal next. ‘Rocky’ is fresh off his fight with Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 earlier this month. The bout was a rematch of their prior outing at UFC on Fox 17 in December 2015. In that outing, Usman scored a unanimous decision victory.
Sean Strickland forced to undergo surgery: “Lesson learned don’t hit people in the mouth”
Susan Cox - August 30, 2022
Sean Strickland is being forced to undergo surgery. Strickland, 31, is coming off a recent loss to Alex Pereira on July 2nd at UFC 276. Pereira (6-1 MMA) defeated Strickland (25-4 MMA) via a first-round knockout.
Gilbert Melendez confirms he's not retired, willing to fight again for the right opportunity: "I will always be a fighter"
Josh Evanoff - August 30, 2022
Former UFC title challenger Gilbert Melendez isn’t done competing just yet. ‘El Nino’ hasn’t been in action since his fight with Arnold Allen at UFC 239 in July 2019. In that outing, Melendez lost by unanimous decision. The defeat was the fifth straight for the former title challenger.
Ben Askren reveals the only fight he would end his retirement for
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
Ben Askren is happily retired from MMA but admits there is one fight that would draw him back in. Askren retired following his submission loss to Demian Maia but then made his pro boxing debut and was knocked out by Jake Paul. After the loss, he confirmed his career would be over as he needed hip surgery and cited his age. However, ‘Funky’ says he would end his retirement and return to fighting to face Jorge Masvidal.
Sayif Saud "proud" of Uriah Hall's career and everything he accomplished following his retirement from MMA: "Uriah had a great run"
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
Sayif Saud is proud of everything he accomplished coaching Uriah Hall. Hall joined Fortis MMA back in 2019 ahead of his fight with Antonio Carlos Junior. He won that bout and then went on to defeat both Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman. However, Hall went on to suffer a decision loss to Sean Strickland in a main event contest and then lost to Andre Muniz by deicison.
Sean O’Malley releases mock interview with Petr Yan ahead of UFC 280 (Video)
Susan Cox - August 30, 2022
Sean O’Malley has released a mock interview with Petr Yan ahead of UFC 280. It will be Sean O’Malley (15-1 MMA) vs Petr Yan (16-3 MMA) in a bantamweight bout on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Ciryl Gane says he's fighting "for my country" at UFC Paris, plans to "put on a show" against Tai Tuivasa to get the "finish"
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
Ciryl Gane is excited to headline the first UFC event in Paris, France. Gane, who was born and raised in France is excited to fight in front of his family and friends again. The Frenchman hasn’t fought at home since his muay Thai career and he knows the walkout and the moment will be special.
Kamaru Usman says he was attempting to finish Leon Edwards moments before head kick KO: “I didn’t land it, [who knows] how much damage it could’ve done”
Harry Kettle - August 30, 2022
Kamaru Usman has admitted that he was attempting to finish Leon Edwards in the fifth round of their title fight. Heading into the final round of the UFC 278 main event, Kamaru Usman seemed to be well on his way to successfully defending the UFC welterweight championship against Leon Edwards. He was 3-1 up on the judges’ scorecards, he was in full control, and Edwards appeared to be fading down the stretch.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 92 with Ciryl Gane, Sayif Saud, and John Dodson
Cole Shelton - August 30, 2022
The 92nd episode of Just Scrap Radio is here ahead of UFC Paris and recapping BKFC 28 on Saturday. We’re first joined by the number one ranked heavyweight and former interim champ Ciryl Gane (1:39). Next, Fortis MMA head coach Sayif Saud (13:44) comes on. Closing out the program is former UFC title challenger and current BKFC fighter John Dodson (41:19).
Chael Sonnen addresses Vince McMahon’s recent departure from WWE: “I know 10 people he’s had sexual relations with, eight of them are women”
Harry Kettle - August 30, 2022
Chael Sonnen has made some allegations regarding the recent departure of former chairman Vince McMahon from WWE. Earlier this year, Vince McMahon brought his iconic run with WWE to an end as he sailed off into the sunset and retired. However, while it may have been a big moment in the history of professional wrestling, it wasn’t exactly celebrated all that much.