MMA News
Pro fighters make their picks for Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic
Cole Shelton - May 12, 2022
In the main event of UFC Vegas 54, a pivotal light heavyweight bout headlines the card as former champ Jan Blachowicz takes on Aleksandar Rakic. Heading into the fight, Blachowicz is a +164 underdog on FanDuel while the Austrian is a -205 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. Although Rakic is above a -200 favorite, the majority of pros believe the former champ in Blachowicz gets the job done as he will look much improved after losing his title.
Photo | Nate Diaz takes a piss on the UFC Performance Institute: “I could do this cause I get paid more than all you guys”
Susan Cox - May 12, 2022
Things are getting ugly between Nate Diaz and the UFC. Diaz just posted a picture on ‘Twitter‘ of him relieving himself outside the UFC Performance Institute. The building is located in Enterprise, Nevada opposite the UFC Apex, and serves as the company headquarters.
Jorge Masvidal - Colby Covington trial date set for August 29
Susan Cox - May 12, 2022
The Jorge Masvidal – Colby Covington trial date has been set for August 29, 2022. It was Covington (17-3 MMA) vs Masvidal (35-16 MMA) at UFC 272 in March of this year. Covington came out the victor in the welterweight main event. Just over two weeks later Masvidal allegedly attacked Covington outside of the cage.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan shares his thoughts on “whacky” Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial
Susan Cox - May 12, 2022
Joe Rogan, taking some time off from commenting on UFC matters, shared his thoughts about the ongoing Johnny Depp and Amber Heard very public trial taking place in Fairfax, Virginia court. The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ star, 58, is suing Amber Heard for $50 million dollars in a defamation case. Heard is countersuing Depp for $100 million dollars. Needless to say all their ‘dirty laundry’ is front and centre for all the world to see. Graphic details have been shared by both Depp and Heard while taking the stand in their own defense.
Anthony Johnson announces comeback after recovering from serious illness: “When I’m back you’ll see a different, more dangerous version of what you’ve already seen”
Harry Kettle - May 12, 2022
Bellator star Anthony Johnson has confirmed he’s aiming to get back into the cage and hopes to do so before the end of the year. After four years away from active competition, Anthony Johnson – also known as ‘Rumble’ – made a triumphant return last year when he knocked out José Augusto to progress in the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix. He was initially scheduled to take on Vadim Nemkov in the semi-finals but unfortunately, a serious illness led to him withdrawing from the tournament.
Belal Muhammad snubs Kamaru Usman while listing his welterweight Mount Rushmore
Harry Kettle - May 12, 2022
Belal Muhammad did not include Kamaru Usman when listing who should be on the welterweight Mount Rushmore. While his fighting style may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no way of denying how solid the run Belal Muhammad has been on is. The 33-year-old is unbeaten in his last eight fights and while one of those was a no contest against Leon Edwards, he’s still managed to pick up some notable wins with his last three coming against Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson and Vicente Luque.
Daniel Cormier and Tony Ferguson continue to trade shots on social media: “Lay off the yay buddy, not a good look”
Harry Kettle - May 12, 2022
Tony Ferguson and Daniel Cormier continue to trade shots at one another as their strange social media rivalry continues. Last Saturday night at UFC 274, Tony Ferguson returned to the Octagon for a big lightweight showdown against Michael Chandler. While he did manage to have some success in the first round, Ferguson was caught with an incredible kick from Chandler that put his lights out and condemned him to his fourth straight defeat.
Paul Daley explains why he rejected a “very lucrative” offer to box Dan Hardy
Harry Kettle - May 11, 2022
Paul Daley has explained why he rejected a big offer that would’ve seen him fight Dan Hardy in a boxing match. While he may not have been part of the UFC family for quite some time, Paul Daley is still one of the most notable mixed martial arts stars to come out of the United Kingdom in the last few decades. ‘Semtex’ possesses the kind of power that can put people to sleep with ease and tomorrow night, he’ll attempt to show off his magic one more time when he faces Wendell Giácomo at Bellator London in his retirement fight.
Tony Ferguson throws shade at Daniel Cormier: “Shoulda stripped em’ like they did Charles Oliveira”
Cole Shelton - May 11, 2022
Tony Ferguson believes Daniel Cormier should’ve been stripped back when he allegedly held the towel to make weight. In the main event of UFC 210 in Buffalo, Cormier was looking to defend his light heavyweight title against Anthony Johnson. Before the fight, however, there was some controversy as Cormier was heavy but when he came back to re-weigh it appeared he held onto the towel to make the weight. To this day, Cormier has denied it and said it was a faulty scale.
Report | UFC 274 has highest selling pay-per-view of the year
Cole Shelton - May 11, 2022
UFC 274 was a big success for the Las Vegas-based promotion. The card was supposed to have two titles on the line as Charles Oliveira was defending his lightweight strap against Justin Gaethje. Rose Namajunas, meanwhile, was looking to defend her strawweight title against Carla Esparza, along with Michael Chandler fighting Tony Ferguson.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk sees herself as UFC strawweight champion by the end of 2022: "It's meant to be"
Josh Evanoff - May 11, 2022
Former UFC strawweight titleholder Joanna Jedrzejczyk sees herself as being champion again soon. The Polish fighter is set to return next month at UFC 275 against Weili Zhang. The bout will be her first since March 2020, also against Zhang. Their first bout was arguably the greatest women’s MMA fight ever, which ended with the champion winning via split decision.
Alexander Volkanovski not worried by lightweight move: 'I don't look at this as that big of a challenge"
Josh Evanoff - May 11, 2022
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski isn’t afraid of the jump to 155 pounds. ‘The Great’ is scheduled for his trilogy bout with Max Holloway this summer. However, that doesn’t mean that Volkanovski hasn’t thought about what could be after that bout. He’s repeatedly discussed a move up to lightweight.
Pat Barry says Sean Strickland's recent comments could've led to Rose Namajunas' loss: "It's causing her to get into the fight and be emotional"
Josh Evanoff - May 11, 2022
Pat Barry has touched on Sean Strickland’s recent comments about his relationship with Rose Namajunas. Last month, the UFC middleweight contender went after Barry and Namajunas, among other MMA couples. Strickland alleged that the former UFC heavyweight contender is a groomer. The main reason is that Barry was much older when he met Namajunas, and it’s been alleged that she was a minor when they began dating.
Andre Petroski explains why he asked for Nick Maximov fight, wants to submit Diaz protégé to steal his hype
Cole Shelton - May 11, 2022
Andre Petroski asked for the Nick Maximov fight as he believes it’s a good style matchup for him. Petroski competed on TUF 29 and beat Micheal Gillmore in his UFC debut. He followed that up with a submission win over Yaozong Hu. After that fight he watched Maximov beat Punahele Soriano and proceeded to ask the UFC for the matchup.
Michael Chandler discusses his move from Bellator to the UFC: “I don’t necessarily make more money on paper or in my fights”
Susan Cox - May 11, 2022
Michael Chandler has discussed his move from Bellator to the UFC. It was late 2020 that Michael Chandler, three time Bellator champion made the decision to sign with the UFC. Since switching sides, after almost 10 years with Bellator, Chandler has made 4 appearances in the Octagon with 2 wins and 2 losses to his resume.
Davey Grant believes he's "a real hard fight for anyone" at bantamweight, vows to KO Louis Smolka and earn spot on UFC London
Cole Shelton - May 11, 2022
Davey Grant knows the pressure is on him to get back into the win column at UFC Vegas 54. Grant is coming off a split decision loss to Adrian Yanez and a decision loss to Marlon Vera in two entertaining fights. He’s finally set to return against Louis Smolka at UFC Vegas 54 on Saturday and it’s a matchup he thinks is a favorable one for him.
Daniel Cormier opens up on the Cain Velasquez situation: “It absolutely kills me”
Susan Cox - May 11, 2022
Daniel Cormier has opened up about the Cain Velasquez situation. Cormier was just starting his professional mixed martial arts career in late 2010, when Velasquez was the UFC heavyweight champion. The two became good friends and training partners at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA).
Michael Bisping explains why Charles Oliveira is a matchup that might favor Conor McGregor
Susan Cox - May 11, 2022
Michael Bisping is weighing in on why he thinks Charles Oliveira is a good matchup for Conor McGregor. According to Bisping, he does not believe Conor McGregor deserves a title fight but admits Charles Oliveira could be a favorable matchup.