MMA News
UFC 273 | Pro fighters make their picks for Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2022
In the co-main event of UFC 273, the bantamweight title is up for grabs as Aljamain Sterling rematches Petr Yan. Heading into the fight, Sterling is a +360 underdog while the interim champ is a -490 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. As seen below, many of the pros believe Yan defeats Sterling with ease in the rematch, while a select few are picking ‘Funkmaster’ to edge out the win.
Shavkat Rakhmonov discusses a potential fight with Khamzat Chimaev: “There's nothing extraordinary in what he does”
Susan Cox - April 6, 2022
Shavkat Rakhmonov, 27, the Kazakhstani MMA who competes in the welterweight division of the UFC has discussed the potential of a fight with Khamzat Chimaev. Khamzat Chimaev, also 27, is sporting a current record of 10-0 MMA and is set up to fight Gilbert Burns (20-4 MMA) this coming Saturday, April 9th at UFC 273. Chimaev, a Russian born Swedish fighter, has had dominant performances in the cage and is looking to up his wins to 11 this weekend.
PFL Challenger Series event flagged for suspicious betting activity
Harry Kettle - April 6, 2022
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is under investigation after an event of theirs was flagged for suspicious betting activity. Last Friday night on April 1, the PFL put on a Challenger Series event that was intended to showcase some new faces within the mixed martial arts sphere. However, those who decided to bet on the outcome of the fights involved were left with their accounts under review over the weekend after some strange activity was seen in the hours leading up to the show.
Hasbulla says it’s “on sight” with Abdu Rozik in first-ever interview with Barstool Sports (Video)
Harry Kettle - April 6, 2022
Internet sensation Hasbulla Magomedov has sent a warning to his rival and potential opponent Abdu Rozik. Some pretty bizarre trends have been making headlines on the web over the course of the last few years, but one that’s been particularly relevant in the combat sports space is the rise of Hasbulla Magomedov.
Henry Cejudo responds after being dubbed a “little fat novice” by Conor McGregor
Harry Kettle - April 6, 2022
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo has once again responded to a jibe from Conor McGregor on social media. The bizarre feud between fellow champ champs Henry Cejudo and Conor McGregor has been ongoing for a few months now. While it’s incredibly unlikely we’ll ever see the two square off inside the Octagon, that hasn’t stopped them from teeing off on one another through Twitter.
Khamzat Chimaev criticizes Kamaru Usman's win streak: "Who he beat, brother?"
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t think highly of Kamaru Usman. Chimaev is set to face Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 and should he win, it seems likely he would get a title shot against Usman. It would be a fight many fans would like to see as it would be a very intriguing matchup but one that Chimaev is confident in.
"I don't subscribe to the idea he looked bad in his last fights" - Chael Sonnen believes Tony Ferguson not declining ahead of Michael Chandler bout
Josh Evanoff - April 5, 2022
Chael Sonnen doesn’t seem to believe that Tony Ferguson has lost a step ahead of his fight with Michael Chandler. The former UFC interim lightweight champion is currently on a three-fight losing streak. ‘El Cucuy’ has suffered recent defeats at the hands of Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveria, and Beneil Dariush. It’s worth noting that all three of those bouts were very lopsided as well.
"I don't care if he wins" - Sean O'Malley announces he won't be cornering Petr Yan at UFC 273
Josh Evanoff - April 5, 2022
Sean O’Malley has joined Henry Cejudo by announcing he won’t be cornering Petr Yan this weekend. ‘No Mercy’ is set to return at UFC 273 this Saturday in a rematch against Aljamain Sterling. Their first encounter in March 2021 ended in a fourth-round disqualification victory for ‘Funk Master’. With the loss, Yan became the first-ever UFC fighter to lose his title via DQ.
Brendan Schaub perplexed by UFC's hesitation to sign Jake Paul: "He's more suited than CM Punk"
Josh Evanoff - April 5, 2022
Brendan Schaub is a little confused by the UFC’s hesitation to sign Jake Paul. ‘The Problem Child’ has spent the last year running down the promotion and various fighters. He’s called out names such as Jorge Masvidal, Nate Diaz, and Conor McGregor. Meanwhile, in the boxing ring, he’s knocked out UFC alumni such as Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley.
Alex Volkanovski says the decision to stop trying to please everyone has paid off ahead of UFC 273
Susan Cox - April 5, 2022
Leading up to UFC 273 this coming Saturday, April 9th has Alex Volkanovski stating that the decision to stop trying to please everyone has paid off. It will be Alex Volkanovski (23-1 MMA) vs The Korean Zombie (17-6 MMA) in the featherweight main event title bout at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Khamzat Chimaev sends a message to the welterweight division ahead of UFC 273: "If sombody stands in my way, I'm going to kill them"
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev has sent a stern warning to the entire welterweight division. Chimaev is set for the toughest test of his career when he faces Gilbert Burns on the main card of UFC 273 in what is a very intriguing matchup. Chimaev (10-0 MMA) has run through all of his opponents to date, which includes four straight finishes under the UFC banner. During that impressive four-fight stretch, ‘Borz’ has only been hit with one significant strike. He has been hyped up as a future title challenger and the Swede has now sent a message to the division about what’s coming.
Mackenzie Dern plans to make a "statement" and become the first person to finish Tecia Torres at UFC 273: "She hasn't fought someone with my ground game"
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2022
Mackenzie Dern plans to put the strawweight division on notice at UFC 273. Dern is coming off a decision loss to Marina Rodriguez in a bout which served as her first-ever main event. Before that contest, she was dealing a nagging injury but she is now fully healthy for UFC 273. She will return to the Octagon to take on Tores in a fight that has been talked about for years.
Conor McGregor unloads on Henry Cejudo for continuing to criticize his training videos
Susan Cox - April 5, 2022
Apparently Conor McGregor has had enough and is tired of Henry Cejudo continuing to criticize his training videos. McGregor (22-6 MMA) has been out of the Octagon since his loss to Dustin Poirier (28-7 MMA) at UFC 264 in July 2021. It was at that fight that ‘The Notorious’ suffered a leg injury, forcing a halt to the bout at the end of the first round. It was the third time Poirier and McGregor had met in the cage, with Poirier ending up 2-1 in the series.
Petr Yan slams Aljamain Sterling for trying to make things political ahead of UFC 273: “Smiling, standing with Ukrainian flags”
Susan Cox - April 5, 2022
Petr Yan has had no lack of words for Ajamain Sterling in the lead up to UFC 273 this weekend, on Saturday, April 9th. Yan’s latest comments towards ‘Funk Master’ accuse him of making things political ahead of their rematch. It will be Yan (16-2 MMA) vs. Sterling (20-3 MMA) who will set the record straight in the Octagon this weekend, but both fighters have been sparing outside the cage for over a year now.
Henry Cejudo will no longer be cornering Petr Yan at UFC 273: “It’s just too much illegal activity for me to be involved in”
Susan Cox - April 5, 2022
Henry Cejudo will not be cornering Petr Yan at UFC 273 this coming Saturday, April 9th at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. It will be Petr Yan (16-2 MMA) vs Aljamain Sterling (20-3 MMA) II in the much anticipated bantamweight co-main even this coming weekend. Yan is looking to reclaim his UFC title after losing it by disqualification (the use of an illegal knee) to Sterling back in March 2021 at UFC 259.
Alex Volkanovski shares his picks for the three greatest fighters in UFC history
Harry Kettle - April 5, 2022
UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski has picked Conor McGregor, Georges St-Pierre and Israel Adesanya as his three greatest fighters in UFC history. This Saturday night at UFC 273, Alex Volkanovski returns to action as he puts his 145-pound title on the line against Chan Sung Jung – aka The Korean Zombie. If he wins, some have suggested it could move him pretty close to Kamaru Usman in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings given what he’s been able to accomplish during his time in the promotion thus far.
Anthony Smith on surging UFC light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev: “He’s not the boogeyman that everyone made him out to be”
Harry Kettle - April 5, 2022
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has given his thoughts on divisional rival and rising star Magomed Ankalaev. Out of all divisions in the UFC, there’s an argument to be made that light heavyweight is the most unpredictable. From Glover Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz winning the title to a host of new faces cropping up in the top 15, things have been pretty wild since Jon Jones vacated the belt and started his transition up to heavyweight.
Casey O’Neill defends Ronda Rousey following recent criticism from UFC champion Julianna Pena
Harry Kettle - April 5, 2022
UFC flyweight star Casey O’Neill has defended Ronda Rousey following recent criticism from Julianna Pena. There’s a strong argument to be made that without Ronda Rousey, women’s MMA simply would not be where it is today. “Rowdy” came into the UFC and set the place alight with some tremendous performances, firmly establishing herself as one of the biggest stars in the history of the sport.