MMA News
Claressa Shields gives update on timeframe for PFL debut
Adam Martin - January 22, 2021
Boxer-turned-MMA fighter Claressa Shields gave an update as to when she will be making her mixed martial arts debut with PFL. Shields shocked many in the combat sports world when she decided to sign with the PFL over the UFC. She had been connected to the UFC for two years and had reportedly even been offered a chance to fight UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes in her UFC and MMA debut. However, Shields decided that PFL was the better opportunity for her to get her feet wet, and so she decided to take her talents to PFL instead of fighting in the UFC.
Dana White calls Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier the biggest non-title fight in UFC history
Adam Martin - January 22, 2021
UFC president Dana White called this weekend’s rematch between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier the biggest non-title fight in UFC history. UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor 2 takes place on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night. Unsurprisingly, White has already said that the pay-per-view is trending in the right direction, and it could potentially sell upwards of two million PPVs. Even though there is no title on the line, the fact that McGregor is competing is automatically a huge boost for the PPV, and the fact that he’s fighting a stud like Poirier makes this weekend’s main event a must-watch.
ONE Championship announces next fights for Eddie Alvarez, Demetrious Johnson
Tom Taylor - January 22, 2021
ONE Championship has announced the next fights for former UFC champions Eddie Alvarez and Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. The promotion announced these fights during Friday’s ONE: Unbreakable broadcast.
Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier reach 50 perfect USADA tests
Adam Martin - January 22, 2021
UFC lightweights Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier have each reached the coveted mark of 50 perfect USADA drug tests this month. McGregor takes on Poirier in the main event of the PPV blockbuster UFC 257 this Saturday night in Abu Dhabi. These two previously met back in September 2014 at UFC 178, with McGregor knocking Poirier out in the first round in a featherweight contest. Six-plus years later and both men are now ready to step back in the Octagon and do it again, only this time at lightweight.
Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier have tense staredown ahead of UFC 257 rematch
Tom Taylor - January 22, 2021
On Friday morning, Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier came face-to-face for a final time ahead of their hotly anticipated rematch. McGregor and Poirier will collide in the lightweight main event of UFC 257 this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The bout will be a rematch of a 2014 featherweight fight that McGregor won by first-round knockout.
Conor McGregor keeps promise, makes massive donation to Dustin Poirier's charity
Tom Taylor - January 22, 2021
Conor McGregor has followed through on a previous promise, and will be making a $500,000 donation to Dustin Poirier’s charity, The Good Fight Foundation. McGregor and Poirier will collide in the main event of UFC 257, which goes down this Saturday on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
ONE Championship results and highlights: Shinya Aoki sets promotional record with sub of James Nakashima
Tom Taylor - January 22, 2021
On Friday, ONE Championship returned to our screens with its first event of 2021—and the card did not disappoint. Titled ONE: Unbreakable, the card emanated from the promotion’s home base of Singapore, and was headlined by a bantamweight kickboxing title between reigning champion Alaverdi Ramazanov and one of the best pound-for-pound Muay Thai fighters on the planet, Capitan Petchyindee Academy. Capitan won this fight in emphatic fashion in round two, claiming the title for himself.
UFC 257 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dan Hooker vs. Michael Chandler
Cole Shelton - January 22, 2021
In the co-main event of UFC 257, Dan Hooker is set to welcome, Michael Chandler to the UFC in a really intriguing bout. Heading into the fight, Hooker is a -135 favorite while the former Bellator lightweight champion is a +105 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The slight majority of pros believe Dan Hooker gets it done by using his reach advantage to piece up Chandler.
Daniel Cormier says the hype of Conor McGregor got to Cowboy at UFC 246: “Cerrone of the old would never have lost in 40 seconds”
Harry Kettle - January 22, 2021
UFC legend Daniel Cormier believes the hype surrounding Conor McGregor affected Donald Cerrone’s performance at UFC 246 last year. McGregor and Cerrone kicked off 2020 with a blockbuster main event that ended in just 40 seconds when the Irishman brutally finished “Cowboy” before the veteran was ever really able to get started.
UFC 257 weigh-in results: McGregor, Poirier hit marks, two fights canceled
Tom Taylor - January 22, 2021
The lightweight main event of UFC 257 is official, but two fights on the card have unfortunately been canceled. UFC 257, which goes down on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi, will be the promotion’s first pay-per-view offering of 2021. The card will be headlined by a lightweight showdown between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. This will be the second time the pair meet in the cage, as McGregor knocked Poirier out in a featherweight fight back in 2014. Heading into their rematch, the expectation is that the winner will be well positioned for a shot at the lightweight title.
Daniel Cormier refutes Al Iaquinta's claims regarding Dustin Poirier ahead of UFC 257
Christopher Taylor - January 21, 2021
Former UFC champ-champ Daniel Cormier has refuted the claims made by Al Iaquinta regarding Dustin Poirier ahead of UFC 257. ‘Raging Al’ had previously slammed ‘The Diamond’ for his attempts to lure Conor McGregor into a rematch this January.
Georges St-Pierre shares his keys to victory for both Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier at UFC 257
Christopher Taylor - January 21, 2021
Georges St-Pierre has shared his keys to victory for both Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier ahead of Saturday’s UFC 257 event. The mixed martial arts legend and former two-division UFC champion, St-Pierre (26-2 MMA), has been masterful in his previous executions of gameplans for fights. For that reason, it is worth listening when ‘GSP‘ decides to provides his “keys to victory” for fellow fighters.
Frankie Edgar reflects on Gray Maynard rematch 10 years later: 'I don't remember much of that fight'
Drake Riggs - January 21, 2021
Together, Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard gave us arguably the greatest trilogy in MMA history. As of the start of 2021, the rematch was 10 years ago. Incredibly, Edgar remains a top contender in the sport today as a 135-pound bantamweight. Yet his claim to fame came at 155-pounds as the UFC lightweight champ. During his run, he and Maynard gave us two of the greatest bouts of all time.
Video | Eminem tells Dana White his opinion doesn’t matter on SportsCenter
Adam Martin - January 21, 2021
Hip-hop star Eminem took a shot at UFC president Dana White during an appearance on ESPN SportsCenter on Thursday. Eminem is one of the most famous artists on the planet and his music is being used during the promos for this weekend’s UFC 257 card. On Thursday, ESPN SportsCenter was able to get the chance to talk to Eminem, and White joined them. Following their appearance on the podcast, former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub posted a short clip from the interaction between Eminem and White. Check out what the legendary rapper said to the UFC president.
Michael Chandler: 'There's a lot of people comparing me to Ben Askren'
Drake Riggs - January 21, 2021
Michael Chandler isn’t the first high-profile Bellator champion to make the crossover into the UFC and he surely will not be the last. Among the most notable acquisitions in UFC history, the first that comes to mind will probably be the likes of Eddie Alvarez and Ben Askren — both men that have connections to Chandler. However, each’s level of success varies greatly.
Dan Hooker slams Charles Oliveira for saying he can't make weight to fight at UFC 257: "I've got broomsticks thicker than that boy"
Cole Shelton - January 21, 2021
Dan Hooker slammed Charles Oliveira for saying he couldn’t make weight at UFC 257. Originally, the UFC wanted to book Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira at UFC 257 but the Brazilian said he couldn’t make weight on short notice. Dan Hooker ended up taking the fight against Chandler and glad he did, but he took the time at the UFC 257 press conference to blast the Brazilian.
Dan Hooker plans to "spoil" the UFC and Michael Chandler's plans with a "statement" win
Cole Shelton - January 21, 2021
Dan Hooker plans to ruin the UFC and Michael Chandler’s plans just one-fight into his UFC tenure. In the co-main event of UFC 257, Hooker is set to welcome Michael Chandler to the UFC in a really intriguing bout. Although many top lightweights weren’t wanting to fight Chandler in his debut, Hooker knew it was a chance to steal some of his hype.
Conor McGregor says cardio concerns are a "myth," promises a "masterpiece" against Dustin Poirier
Cole Shelton - January 21, 2021
Conor McGregor has shot down any concerns over his cardio. Ahead of his fight against Dustin Poirier, many have claimed if the fight goes into the later rounds, the better Poirier will do. However, McGregor doesn’t believe that is the case as he says he has great cardio but has gotten everyone out in the first round or two that he hasn’t been able to show it.