MMA News
Laura Sanko says she has no shortage of critics: “There is a whole contingent of people out there that think I got this job in some untoward and scandalous way”
Harry Kettle - June 1, 2022
UFC commentator and presenter Laura Sanko has admitted she still has an array of critics across social media. Over the course of the last few years, Laura Sanko has become one of the most integral analysts on the UFC and ESPN roster. From her personality on the weigh-in shows to the tactical analysis she provides, Sanko knows the sport of mixed martial arts as well as any of her peers.
Jordan Leavitt explains why he's "a bit offended" to be fighting Paddy Pimblett at UFC London
Cole Shelton - May 31, 2022
Jordan Leavitt says he was a bit offended when he got the offer to face Paddy Pimblett at UFC London. Leavitt, who’s currently 3-1 in the UFC, wasn’t sure who would be next for him but he was surprised when he was offered Pimblett. According to ‘The Monkey King,’ he says he thought Pimblett was getting easy fights to build his record up in the UFC. With that, he says he was surprised he was the opponent as he doesn’t think he is an easy fight for anyone.
TJ Dillashaw dismisses Aljamain Sterling's skills ahead of potential fight: "He's just not very threatening"
Cole Shelton - May 31, 2022
TJ Dillashaw doesn’t think Aljamain Sterling is a dangerous foe. After Sterling edged out Petr Yan to defend his bantamweight title, he called out Dillashaw and it seems likely the fight will happen next. With Dillashaw expecting to fight Sterling next he has begun studying him and after breaking him down he doesn’t see much of a danger factor. Instead, the former champ says he could fight with his hands down if he wanted to as ‘Funkmaster’ doesn’t have the power to KO him.
T.J. Dillashaw gives take on rival Cody Garbrandt's recent losses: "He's not the smartest human being in that cage"
Josh Evanoff - May 31, 2022
Former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw has given his take on Cody Garbrandt’s losing streak. The two were bitter rivals just a few years ago. Previously training partners, they coached opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter season 25. Following the season, they matched up at UFC 217 in November 2017. Their first outing ended in Dillashaw winning via second-round knockout.
Dan Ige trained with Gaethje and Cejudo ahead of Mosvar Evloev fight, expects to "break" the Russian: "I know I have the ability to break guys"
Cole Shelton - May 31, 2022
Dan Ige made some changes to his usual training camp for his UFC Vegas 56 fight against Movsar Evloev. Ige is set to face the undefeated Russian on Saturday in the co-main event in a crucial fight for both men. The Hawaiian is on a two-fight losing streak after dropping decisions to Josh Emmett and Korean Zombie in his most recent efforts. After the setbacks, Ige expected he’d get someone ranked below him so he wasn’t surprised when he got the offer to face Evloev.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik expects to "put away" Alexander Volkov and face either Tom Aspinall or Tai Tuivasa next
Cole Shelton - May 31, 2022
Jairzinho Rozenstruik is glad to finally make the walk to the Octagon. Rozenstruik was supposed to face Marcin Tybura at UFC Columbus but the fight was ultimately moved to UFC 273 on April 9. However, after weighing in, Tybura fell ill and the fight was canceled again. After that, the promotion quickly booked him to face Alexander Volkov in a main event slot which Rozenstruik is happy about.
Brendan Schaub not a fan of Nick Diaz challenging Kamaru Usman: "It doesn't make a ton of sense"
Josh Evanoff - May 31, 2022
Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub is among those who don’t want to see Nick Diaz fight Kamaru Usman. Earlier this month, the former Strikeforce champion stated that he would love a fight against Usman. Despite coming off a loss to Robbie Lawler last September at UFC 266, Diaz believes that he would do well against the UFC welterweight champion. However, the bout is unlikely to happen.
Claudia Gadelha challenges Joanna Jedrzejczyk to trilogy match, but in grappling: "It would make me happy if it happens in jiu-jitsu"
Josh Evanoff - May 31, 2022
Former UFC strawweight Claudia Gadelha would like a trilogy match with Joanna Jedrzejczyk. However, she doesn’t want it in the cage. The two strawweights have clashed on two occasions already, in 2014 and 2016. Both of the bouts were won by Jedrzejczyk by decision. However, both bouts were quite close, with their 2014 fight ending in a split decision. Meanwhile, their follow-up bout was one of the best of the year.
Shu-Ki Fita #43: VH.21
Chris Taylor - May 31, 2022
INTRODUCING VH.21 VH.21 is a SINGLE model built exclusively from Air Jordan III’s. Its construction is TOE-DOWN and LACE-to-LACE. His Primary Color is BLACK (COMMON) and his Accent Color is SEAFOAM (S TIER).
Chase Hooper scolds John McCarthy for suggesting Kamaru Usman would get “lit up” by Nick Diaz: “Probably one of the worst MMA takes I’ve seen”
Susan Cox - May 31, 2022
Chase Hopper has scolded John McCarthy for suggesting Kamaru Usman would get ‘lit up’ by Nick Diaz. During a recent interview with ‘TMZ’, Nick Diaz (26-10 MMA) indicated he’s targeting an end-of-year return and he’d like to challenge Kamaru Usman (20-1 MMA) for the title.
Paddy Pimblett says he will never return to Paris following the UEFA Champions League Final: “Crazy shithole that!”
Susan Cox - May 31, 2022
Paddy Pimblett says he will never return to Paris again following the UEFA (Union of European Football Association) Champions League Final. The Liverpool lightweight contender traveled to the Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis last weekend to watch the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid CF.
UFC fighter Paulo Costa accused of striking a nurse during COVID dispute
Susan Cox - May 31, 2022
UFC fighter Paulo Costa is being accused of striking a nurse during a COVID dispute. Apparently the middleweight contender was arrested by the police in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Costa, 31, is being accused of striking a health care professional at a local medical center after she refused to issue the fighter an immunization card for the COVID-19 vaccine. The claim is that ‘The Eraser‘ wanted the immunization card without actually getting the vaccine.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 80 with Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Dan Ige, Jeff Molina, Joe Solecki, and Ode Osbourne
Cole Shelton - May 31, 2022
The 80th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 56. We’re first joined by eighth-ranked UFC heavyweight Jairzinho Rozenstruik (2:38). 10th-ranked featherweight Dan Ige (13:39). Next, UFC flyweight Jeff Molina (29:45) comes on. UFC lightweight Joe Solecki (49:59). Closing out the program is UFC flyweight Ode Osbourne (1:03:58).
Former UFC fighter Paige VanZant makes in-ring debut for AEW (Highlights)
Harry Kettle - May 31, 2022
Paige VanZant made her in-ring debut for All Elite Wrestling during their Double or Nothing pay-per-view over the weekend. While she may not have made it to the top of the mountain during her run with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Paige VanZant certainly has the potential necessary to go a long way in professional wrestling.
Dominick Cruz responds to accusations that he’s ducking a fight with Chito Vera: “I don’t say no to fights”
Harry Kettle - May 31, 2022
Former UFC champion Dominick Cruz has denied Marlon Vera’s accusation that he’s ducking a fight against him. While he may not have fought for a title since losing to Henry Cejudo back at UFC 249, Dominick Cruz is certainly still one of the best bantamweights on the planet. He’s currently riding a two-fight win streak and even at the age of 37, the popular opinion is that he could be just a few wins away from a shot at the strap based on his body of work.
Henry Cejudo shoots down the idea of fighting “Dominick Snooze” in his return: “I hurt him so bad that I literally woke him up”
Harry Kettle - May 31, 2022
Henry Cejudo has shot down the idea of his return fight being a rematch against former foe Dominick Cruz. The former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo announced recently that he’s re-entering the USADA testing pool after more than two years away from competitive mixed martial arts. His plan of action seems to be going after UFC bantamweight king Aljamain Sterling as his primary target but beyond that, he’s also noted that he wants to try and become the featherweight champion in order to be the first fighter to hold a title in three weight classes in the UFC.
Amanda Nunes discusses Julianna Pena's lack of trash talk on The Ultimate Fighter: "Don't you talk online?"
Josh Evanoff - May 30, 2022
UFC featherweight champion Amanda Nunes had an interesting experience with Julianna Pena on The Ultimate Fighter. ‘The Lioness’ faced Pena back at UFC 269 in December 2021. The latter wound up springing the upset, winning via second-round submission. With the victory, Pena had handed Nunes her first loss in seven years and earned the bantamweight title.
Chuck Liddell sends message of support to Cain Velasquez during attempted murder trial: "We love you"
Josh Evanoff - May 30, 2022
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell is the latest to show support to Cain Velasquez. Earlier this year, the former UFC heavyweight champion was arrested on attempted murder charges. The former MMA fighter reportedly chased a man through traffic and fired at his vehicle several times. Over the following weeks, more details were released as to the situation involving Velasquez.