MMA News
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.
Jalin Turner expects to turn Brad Riddell into a wrestler at UFC 276 but plans to "test" his durability: "I'm coming to finish the fight"
Cole Shelton - June 28, 2022
Jalin Turner wanted Brad Riddell next and was excited when he found out that was the fight. After Turner scored a second-round TKO of Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 272 in March, he wanted a ranked opponent next and thought Riddell made sense. Sure enough, the UFC booked the fight as the two will meet on Saturday at UFC 276.
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.
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.
Israel Adesanya shares his pick for the “biggest pretender” in the UFC
Susan Cox - June 28, 2022
Israel Adesanya has shared his pick for the ‘biggest pretender’ in the UFC. UFC champion Israel Adesanya (22-1 MMA) has recently named middleweight rival Martin Vettori (18-5 MMA) as the biggest pretender in the UFC.
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.
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.
Dan Hooker reacts to rumored Clay Guida matchup: “How did I go from Conor McGregor to Clay Guida?”
Harry Kettle - June 28, 2022
Dan Hooker has given his thoughts on the rumours suggesting he will be squaring off with Clay Guida in his next fight. Despite being one of the most entertaining fighters of his era, Dan Hooker hasn’t quite had the success he would’ve been hoping for across his last few fights. In his last five he’s only managed to secure one victory across both lightweight and featherweight and following an unsuccessful return to 145 pounds in his loss to Arnold Allen, ‘Hangman’ appears to be gearing up for a lightweight comeback.
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.
'Wonderboy' Thompson wants 4-man tournament with Diaz, Masvidal and Rakhmonov
Andrew Whitelaw - June 27, 2022
Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson has a suggestion for the UFC after Shavkat Rakhmonov called him out following his latest win over Neil Magny last weekend. The ‘Kazakh’ won via submission in the second round to take his undefeated streak to 16-0. https://twitter.com/Tweets_by_Sayan/status/1540913332383010817
What's next for Mateusz Gamrot and Arman Tsarukyan after UFC Vegas 57?
Cole Shelton - June 27, 2022
In the main event of UFC Vegas 57, an intriguing lightweight matchup as Mateusz Gamrot took on Arman Tsarukyan. Gamrot entered his first UFC main event riding a three-fight win streak as he knocked out Scott Holtzman, submitted Jeremy Stephens and TKO’d Diego Ferreira. Tsarukyan, meanwhile, was on a five-fight win streak and coming off a TKO win over Joel Alvarez entering his first UFC main event.
Dana White says Jon Jones is “ready to go” and will fight either Francis Ngannou or Stipe Miocic in his return
Cole Shelton - June 27, 2022
Jon Jones is finally ready to return to the Octagon according to UFC President Dana White. Shortly after Jones defeated Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 to defend his light heavyweight championship in February of 2020, he made the decision to vacate his title. The plan was to move up to heavyweight but the pandemic and other issues have delayed that. However, now it appears ‘Bones’ is ready to go.
Max Holloway interested in move to lightweight after Alexander Volkanovski trilogy: "There's interesting fights up there"
Josh Evanoff - June 27, 2022
UFC featherweight Max Holloway is intrigued by a move to 155-pounds after his fight with Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 276. The 30-year-old is set to face the UFC featherweight champion this Saturday in Las Vegas. ‘Blessed’ will look to defeat ‘The Great’ for the first time in their series. Volkanovski holds two prior decision victories over Holloway, having defeated him in 2019 and 2020.
Max Holloway vows to finish Alexander Volkanovski inside three rounds at UFC 276 to reclaim featherweight title
Cole Shelton - June 27, 2022
Max Holloway is confident he will become the UFC’s featherweight champion again at UFC 276. Holloway is set to face Alexander Volkanovski in the co-main event in their trilogy match. Although Volkanovski has won both their fights, the second one was controversial as many thought Holloway won, so this time around he plans to not let the judges be involved.
Miesha Tate vs. Lauren Murphy set for UFC Long Island on July 16th
Josh Evanoff - June 27, 2022
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate will have to wait a bit longer to make her flyweight debut. She’s now set to face Lauren Murphy at UFC Long Island next month. The 35-year-old has been absent from the cage since her defeat to Ketlen Vieira last November. Following the defeat, Tate decided to move downward in weight. She quickly set her target on current women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.