MMA News
Demetrious Johnson weighs in on Henry Cejudo’s callouts of current UFC champions Aljamain Sterling and Alex Volkanovski
Harry Kettle - June 29, 2022
Demetrious Johnson has given his thoughts on Henry Cejudo’s chances against Aljamain Sterling and Alex Volkanovski. After re-entering the USADA testing pool a few months ago, it probably isn’t going to take long for Henry Cejudo to get back into a UFC title fight. After all, when he first retired in 2020, he was a two-weight world champion who had successfully defended the strap at both bantamweight and flyweight.
Dana White reacts to Mateusz Gamrot’s callout of Justin Gaethje: “Yeah, I think what I love is I love Gamrot-Dariush“
Harry Kettle - June 29, 2022
UFC president Dana White pictures Mateusz Gamrot taking on Beneil Dariush as opposed to Justin Gaethje in his next fight. Last Saturday night, Mateusz Gamrot solidified his position as a bonafide lightweight contender with an absolutely thrilling win over Arman Tsarukyan at the UFC Apex. Some have disputed the nature of the scoring but at the end of the day, Gamrot was the one who had his hand raised in victory.
Carla Esparza not surprised by Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s retirement, says she “would’ve loved” a rematch
Harry Kettle - June 29, 2022
UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza has admitted she would’ve liked the chance to have a rematch against Joanna Jedrzejczyk. While the way in which Carla Esparza became a two-time UFC champion was somewhat strange, there was nothing odd about how she submitted Rose Namajunas in 2014 to win the gold the first time around. Alas, her joy didn’t last long as just three months later, she was beaten by Joanna Jedrzejczyk as the Polish sensation went on to become one of the all-time greats in the division.
Jorge Masvidal tells McGregor, 'my mom loves you man' after Irishman responds to cocaine comments
Andrew Whitelaw - June 28, 2022
Jorge Masvidal and Conor McGregor have been going back and forth on twitter, with ‘Gamebred’ suggesting that his mother supports a money fight with the Irishman. The pair are two of the biggest stars in the UFC, so fans could be witnessing the build-up to one if the most lucrative fights in the history of the sport. Masvidal certainly sees the potential in the match-up but believes that ‘Notorious’ is not up for it.
Conor McGregor claps back at Jorge Masvidal following accusations of cocaine use and ducking fights: “Me and your mom get along”
Cole Shelton - June 28, 2022
Conor McGregor has fired back at Jorge Masvidal for his recent comments. Masvidal has been vocal in taking shots at McGregor as he hopes that will lead to them fighting. The Irishman is getting close to returning and may return at welterweight given the size he has added on during the time off, which is why Masvidal is interested in the bout, but he claims McGregor doesn’t want it.
Paddy Pimblett responds to grappling challenge from Dillon Danis: “Why u gettin Conor to send u pictures of his money u silly sausage”
Cole Shelton - June 28, 2022
Paddy Pimblett has taken a shot at Dillon Danis. Danis, a training partner of Conor McGregor and a Bellator fighter, took to Twitter to offer Pimblett a deal to grapple him. The two would put money in an escrow and the winner takes all.
Chael Sonnen believes Max Holloway's comments about Conor McGregor may be to set up possible rematch: "I don't think he is a fool"
Josh Evanoff - June 28, 2022
Chael Sonnen believes Max Holloway might have underlying motives for discussing Conor McGregor. ‘Blessed’ is set to face Alexander Volkanovski this Saturday at UFC 276. Ahead of his return, Holloway had an interview where he discussed Conor McGregor. The Hawaiian stated that the Irishman might be retired, saying:
Luke Rockhold reveals abortion and relationship issues led to UFC return: "It just f*cked me up"
Josh Evanoff - June 28, 2022
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold has opened up on his UFC return. The 37-year-old has been out of action since his fight with Jan Blachowicz at UFC 239 in July 2019. That bout was a second-round knockout defeat for Rockhold, his third defeat in his last four contests.
Brendan Schaub opines Jared Cannonier is the perfect fight for Israel Adesanya: "He can light him up like a Christmas tree"
Josh Evanoff - June 28, 2022
Brendan Schaub believes that Jared Cannonier is outmatched against Israel Adesanya at UFC 276. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is set to make another defense of his middleweight strap this weekend in Las Vegas. The 32-year-old is back for the first time since his decision victory over Robert Whittaker in February at UFC 271.
Jorge Masvidal slams Conor McGregor for ducking the biggest pay-per-view fight in UFC history: “I think the only thing that makes him want to get out of bed is cocaine”
Josh Evanoff - June 28, 2022
UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal believes that Conor McGregor is ducking him. ‘Gamebred’ has been out of action since his decision defeat to Colby Covington in March. Following that loss, he allegedly assaulted ‘Chaos’ later that month in Miami. Despite currently facing felony charges, Masvidal is on the hunt for another fight.
Israel Adesanya claims Alex Pereira is the most overhyped fighter in the UFC: "I'll make him look easy"
Cole Shelton - June 28, 2022
Israel Adesanya believes Alex Pereira is overhyped and he hopes he can expose that. When Pereira signed with the UFC it was highly anticipated due to the fact he is the former GLORY kickboxing champ and has two wins over Adesanya including one by KO. In his debut, he scored a highlight-reel KO win over Andreas Michailidis and then beat Bruno Silva by decision in his sophmore appearance. Yet, for Adesanya, he believes those were handpicked opponents and because of that, he thinks Pereira is the most overhyped fighter in the UFC.
Indian promotion MFN bans all Afghan fighters - accused athlete allegedly trying to flee with false documents
Andrew Whitelaw - June 28, 2022
Indian promotion Matrix Fight Night has issued a lifetime ban on Afghan fighters in what’s become arguably the wildest MMA news story of the week. MFN issued a statement saying that fighters from Afghanistan will no longer feature on their cards following unsavoury scenes at Matrix Fight Night 9 on June 24th. The final fight of the night was between New Delhi-based Puerto Rican Seth Rosario and Afghanistan’s Zahoor Shah.
Julianna Pena believes Taila Santos should’ve got the nod over Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 275: “She beat her with one eye, and she still lost. It was horrible”
Susan Cox - June 28, 2022
Julianna Pena believes Taila Santos should have got the nod over Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 275. It was Santos (19-2 MMA) vs Shevchenko (23-3 MMA) on Saturday June 11th, 2022 in the women’s flyweight co-main event. ‘Bullet’ was awarded the win over Santos via split decision, giving her a record 9 victories in a row and her seventh title defense.
Jim Miller doesn't view Donald Cerrone fight as a rematch, plans to "just go in there and fight" at UFC 276: "I'm confident I can get the W this time"
Cole Shelton - June 28, 2022
Jim Miller doesn’t view his UFC 276 fight against Donald Cerrone as a true rematch. Miller was originally supposed to fight Bobby Green on July 2, but just over a week out it was revealed that Green was out and Cerrone had stepped up on short notice. The fight will also take place at welterweight and for Miller, he’s just happy he got a fight.
Chito Vera believes “total destruction” of Dominick Cruz could lead to title shot: “I really feel whoever gets the best win is going to jump all of them”
Susan Cox - June 28, 2022
Chito Vera believes ‘total destruction’ of Dominick Cruz could lead to a title shot. It will be Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera (19-7 MMA) vs Dominick Cruz (24-3 MMA) on Saturday, August 13th at the UFC Fight Night bantamweight main event in San Diego, California.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 84 with Jim Miller, Jalin Turner, and Gabe Green
Cole Shelton - June 28, 2022
The 84th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 276.
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou responds to chicken taunts from Tyson Fury: “You’re still my priority. I’m coming for all of the smoke”
Harry Kettle - June 28, 2022
Francis Ngannou has responded to a challenge from Tyson Fury for a showdown at Wembley Stadium later this year. While both men are currently inactive, Fury as a result of his supposed retirement and Ngannou due to injury, they both still seem to be pretty keen on getting a mixed rules fight in the diary. Ever since his win over Dillian Whyte, Tyson Fury has made it clear that squaring off with Francis Ngannou is just as much of a priority for him as an undisputed heavyweight championship showdown would be.
Paddy Pimblett is confident he will finish Jordan Leavitt at UFC London: “He’ll wilt under the pressure in the first or early second”
Harry Kettle - June 28, 2022
Paddy Pimblett has expressed confidence in his ability to finish Jordan Leavitt at UFC London next month. While there’s definitely an argument to be made that mixed martial arts fans are split down the middle on him, nobody can deny the surging popularity of Paddy Pimblett. The Scouse sensation continues to draw more eyes to what he’s doing both in and outside of the cage, and that’s expected to continue when he heads back into the Octagon for his third UFC appearance in the English capital on July 23.