MMA News
Jessica Andrade claims UFC champion Carla Esparza blocked her on social media after she requested a fight
Harry Kettle - July 14, 2022
Jessica Andrade has claimed Carla Esparza blocked her on social media after she asked to fight her for the title. While she may be moving back up to flyweight for a showdown with Manon Fiorot at UFC Paris, Jessica Andrade still very much has her eyes on the prize at strawweight – the division in which she won her first world title in the UFC.
Former flyweight title challenger John Dodson opens up on his UFC release: “I was like, ‘What the hell? First fight in and I’m done?”
Harry Kettle - July 14, 2022
John Dodson has opened up on how surprised he felt upon being released by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. From the moment he knocked out TJ Dillashaw to win The Ultimate Fighter 14, it was clear to see that John Dodson had some real potential. Then, immediately after conquering the bantamweight tournament, he swiftly moved down to flyweight in search of gold.
Darren Till says he’s at a “f**king low point” in his UFC career: “It’s so f*cking frustrating for me at the same time because I know my potential”
Harry Kettle - July 14, 2022
UFC star Darren Till has admitted he’s at a low point in his career after withdrawing from his UFC London fight against Jack Hermansson. In the wake of four losses in his last five bouts, it was clear to see that Darren Till needed to go back to the drawing board. So, that’s exactly what he did, mixing up his training in Liverpool with some work in Sweden at Allstars – with a particularly notable friendship brewing between himself and Khamzat Chimaev.
Alex Pereira says UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya would “never give” him props: “Ask him if he was impressed when I knocked him out”
Harry Kettle - July 14, 2022
UFC middleweight Alex Pereira continues to go after rival Israel Adesanya as speculation regarding a fight between them grows. The rivalry between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya had been dormant for a few years prior to ‘Poatan’ making his way over to the UFC from the world of kickboxing. In that particular martial art, Pereira managed to get the better of Adesanya on two separate occasions – one via knockout, and one via decision.
Logan Paul gives prediction for his brother's fight with Hasim Rahman Jr.: "Face down on the canvas"
Josh Evanoff - July 13, 2022
Logan Paul believes his brother will knockout Hasim Rahman Jr. on August 6th. Jake Paul is set to headline Madison Square Garden next month on Showtime pay-per-view. While the 25-year-old was originally set to face Tommy Fury, the Brit was forced out due to visa issues. However, ‘TNT’ has now been replaced by ‘Gold Blooded’.
Sean O'Malley works as a gas station attendant, and gives everything away (Video)
Josh Evanoff - July 13, 2022
UFC bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley has seemingly found a second calling. ‘Sugar’ is fresh off his no-contest with Pedro Munhoz at UFC 276 earlier this month. While that bout went down as a no-contest, O’Malley viewed the fight as a win. However, he didn’t receive his win bonus for his effort, as he had previously hoped he would.
Maycee Barber sees herself challenging for UFC gold within two years: "I want to make sure I'm fully prepared for that"
Josh Evanoff - July 13, 2022
UFC women’s flyweight contender Maycee Barber sees herself fighting for gold soon. ‘The Future’ is fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Jessica Eye at UFC 276 earlier this month. The win moved her current winning streak to three. Barber had previously captured victories over Montana De La Rosa and Miranda Maverick.
Yair Rodriguez believes "it’s going to be important to have a really good strategy and stick to it" against Brian Ortega at UFC Long Island
Cole Shelton - July 13, 2022
Yair Rodriguez knows Brian Ortega will be a tough out at UFC Long Island on Saturday. Rodriguez and Ortega are set to headline the card in a pivotal fight for the featherweight division as the winner could get a title shot. Although the Mexican is coming off a loss to Max Holloway last time out, he says that fight taught him a lot including having a good strategy.
Darren Till says he would've finished Marvin Vettori in the first round when they were booked in 2021: "He just wouldn’t have been able to take my shots"
Cole Shelton - July 13, 2022
Darren Till believes he would’ve finished Marvin Vettori when they were scheduled to fight in April of 2021. Till and Vettori were set to headline UFC on ABC 2 but unfortunately just a few weeks before the event, the Brit broke his collarbone and was forced out of the fight. Vettori then fought Kevin Holland who he beat and proceeded to get a title shot against Israel Adesanya in the fight after.
Kamaru Usman says Alex Volkanovski is “phenomenal” but not the pound for pound best: “The world has to just realize that, right now, I am P4P best fighter on the planet”
Susan Cox - July 13, 2022
Kamaru Usman is dismissing the idea that Alex Volkanovski is the best pound for pound fighter on the planet. Usman (20-1 MMA) has 19 wins in his last 19 fights, his latest victory coming against Colby Covington (17-3 MMA) at UFC 268 in November of 2021.
Chael Sonnen goes to bat for UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya: “We’re seeing greatness and we’re trying to beat him the only way we know how: verbally”
Susan Cox - July 13, 2022
Chael Sonnen has a message for fighters and fans critical of UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. It was Israel Adesanya (23-1 MMA) who retained his title for a fifth time when he defeated Jared Cannonier (15-6 MMA) at UFC 276 on July 2nd of this year.
Diego Ferreira out of UFC 277 fight against Drakkar Klose
Cole Shelton - July 13, 2022
Diego Ferreira will no longer be fighting in front of his adopted home of Dallas, Texas. Multiple sources informed BJPENN.com that Ferreira has been forced to pull out of his UFC 277 fight against Drakkar Klose due to an injury. The UFC is actively searching for an opponent to replace Ferreira and face Klose, the sources said, but it is uncertain if one will be found on two weeks’ notice.
Felice Herrig explains why she ended retirement to sign with BKFC, reveals they "tripled my UFC contract"
Cole Shelton - July 13, 2022
Felice Herrig ended her retirement rather quickly. After Herrig suffered a submission loss to Karolina Kowalkiewicz in June she announced her retirement from MMA. Yet, she recently signed with BKFC, and according to Herrig, she retired from MMA, not from fighting.
Cody Brundage says KO win over Tresean Gore proves "I don't have to just wrestle"
Cole Shelton - July 13, 2022
Cody Brundage was happy to shut up Tresean Gore. Leading up to his UFC Vegas 58 fight, Brundage heard all the trash talk Gore was saying, and that included throughout fight week. However, Brundage just put his head down as he had all the confidence in the world he would beat Gore and was surprised the former TUF competitor didn’t come out more aggressive.
Nate Diaz slams Khabib Nurmagomedov following UFC Hall of Fame induction: “You are a scared fighter”
Harry Kettle - July 13, 2022
Nate Diaz has taken a shot at Khabib Nurmagomedov and his Hall of Fame induction as the cold war between the two continues. Over the course of the last few years there hasn’t exactly been much ‘peace’ between Nate Diaz and his UFC rivals. The Stockton king enjoys going after them both physically and on social media, and while he hasn’t fought as often as many fans would’ve liked, he still knows how to keep us entertained.
Brian Ortega reveals he was going to "quit" MMA if he lost to Thiago Tavares in 2015: "I wasn't making money, I had 75 dollars to my name"
Cole Shelton - July 12, 2022
Brian Ortega nearly retired from MMA in 2015. Ortega agreed to fight Thiago Tavares on short notice after his UFC debut was overturned following him testing positive for drostanolone which saw him get suspended for nine months and fined $2500. Entering the fight, Ortega was the betting underdog and before the two weighed in, Tavares came up to Ortega and thanked him for taking the fight.
Brendan Schaub hits back at fans criticizing Paige VanZant's BKFC return: "She doesn't have to do this s*it"
Josh Evanoff - July 12, 2022
Brendan Schaub isn’t a fan of those who criticize Paige VanZant’s fighting career. The 28-year-old was last seen in action against Rachel Ostovich at BKFC 19. She went on to lose that fight by unanimous decision, knocking her bare-knuckle record to 0-2. VanZant had previously lost her debut to Britain Hart in February 2021.
Nate Diaz reveals he's asked for fights against Tony Ferguson and Vicente Luque: "It was never good on their side"
Josh Evanoff - July 12, 2022
UFC welterweight star Nate Diaz is ready to leave the promotion. The Stockton-native has been out of the cage since his loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 263 in June 2021. The loss was his second in a row, having been stopped by Jorge Masvidal back in November 2019. However, the fight with Edwards had importance to it.