MMA News
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 73 with Alexander Volkanovski, Mackenzie Dern, Ian Garry, Eddie Cha, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Vinc Pichel, and Jared Vanderaa
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2022
The 73rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 273 and it is stacked. We’re first joined by the UFC’s featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski (3:23). Fifth-ranked strawweight, Mackenzie Dern (26:57) then comes on. UFC welterweight, Ian Garry (42:58) joins the show. Korean Zombie’s head coach, Eddie Cha (1:04:42) then stops by. Eighth-ranked UFC heavyweight, Jairzinho Rozenstruik (1:18:29) then joins the show. UFC lightweight, Vinc Pichel (1:30:45) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC heavyweight, Jared Vanderaa (1:47:37).
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.
Throwback! Watch Khamzat Chimaev score a brutal KO at Brave CF 23 (Video)
Harry Kettle - April 5, 2022
As Khamzat Chimaev prepares to return to the Octagon, footage has re-emerged of one of his best pro MMA wins. This Saturday night at UFC 273, Khamzat Chimaev will attempt to grow his legend even further when he steps into the cage to take on Gilbert Burns. “Borz” is 4-0 in the UFC and while he’s already being viewed as a potential title holder, he needs to beat someone like Burns first before he can even think about getting a shot at welterweight king Kamaru Usman.
Demetrious Johnson blasts the UFC for attempting to book Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno 4: "Let someone totally different fight"
Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2022
Demetrious Johnson has given his thoughts on the UFC booking Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno yet again. ‘Mighty Mouse’ departed the UFC in 2019 in the first-ever “MMA trade”. Johnson was sent to the Asia-based ONE Championship promotion, and Ben Askren was sent to the UFC. The former UFC flyweight champion was last seen in action this past weekend, defeating Rodtang Jitmuangnon in a mixed-rules bout.
Henry Cejudo says Alexander Volkanovski doesn't have any power, believes Korean Zombie sleeps the champ at UFC 273
Cole Shelton - April 4, 2022
Henry Cejudo has all the confidence that his teammate, Korean Zombie will become the new featherweight champion on Saturday. Zombie trains out of Fight Ready in Arizona and Cejudo has been coaching him for his title fight against Volkanovski at UFC 273. Although ‘Triple C’ was campaigning for the fight himself, but has taken a back seat to coach Zombie instead. Since working with him, Cejudo now believes this is a terrible style matchup for the champ as he believes Zombie will find the KO shot.
Julianna Pena takes aim at former UFC champion Ronda Rousey: “She's kind of a joke in the MMA world now”
Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2022
Julianna Pena has taken shots at former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. The current UFC bantamweight champion is currently expected to rematch Amanda Nunes later this year. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ captured gold by upsetting ‘The Lioness’ at UFC 269 in December 2021.
Khamzat Chimaev explains how Conor McGregor inspired him to pursue MMA
Cole Shelton - April 4, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev says seeing Conor McGregor knock out Jose Aldo made him realize he could become a big star in MMA. Chimaev, at the time of the fight, had yet to make his pro or amateur debut and was instead doing wrestling matches in Sweden. But, after the fight, he began training and finally turned pro in 2018 and has gone 10-0 including four wins in the UFC.
Former NFL star Frank Gore signs on to fight with Jorge Masvidal’s “Gamebred Promotions”
Susan Cox - April 4, 2022
NFL star Frank Gore announced his plans to officially retire from football and enter into a different kind of combat sport. Gore, 38, plans to sign a one-day contract with the 49ers and retire as a member of the team that drafted him way back in 2005. Frank Gore spent 10 seasons with the 49ers, three with the Indianapolis Colts, and one each with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. In his 16-year NFL career, Gore rushed for exactly 16,000 yards.
Michael Bisping shares his prediction for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns
Susan Cox - April 4, 2022
Michael Bisping has weighed in on who he thinks will be the victor this weekend at UFC 273. It will be Khamzat Chimaev (10-0 MMA) vs Gilbert Burns (20-4 MMA) in the much anticipated welterweight bout on Saturday April 9th, 2022 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Aljamain Sterling trolls Petr Yan with “MMA Rulebook 4 Dummies” ahead of UFC 273 rematch
Susan Cox - April 4, 2022
Aljamain Sterling is trolling Petr Yan with the ‘MMA Rulebook 4 Dummies’ ahead of UFC 273. Yes the two fighters will be squaring off for the second time on Saturday April 9th at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Israel Adesanya shares bold prediction for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns fight at UFC 273
Susan Cox - April 4, 2022
Israel Adesanya has shared a bold prediction for the upcoming Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns fight. It will be at UFC 273 this coming Saturday, April 9, 2022 that Chimaev (10-0 MMA) will enter the cage with Burns (20-4 MMA) for the much anticipated welterweight match-up.
Jon Jones says he will be in peak condition by June or July but is still waiting on a fight offer
Harry Kettle - April 4, 2022
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has said he plans on being in “peak condition” by the summer. For the last few years we’ve all been waiting for the moment that Jon Jones gets back into the Octagon and finally debuts at heavyweight. Unfortunately, whether it be due to contract disputes or personal issues, we’re no closer to seeing “Bones” make his long-awaited comeback.
Video | Conor McGregor shares new training footage: “I’m gonna break a head with these”
Harry Kettle - April 4, 2022
UFC star Conor McGregor has shared new training footage as his recovery from last year’s broken leg continues. Back at UFC 264 last summer, Conor McGregor fell victim to a leg break in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier. While many were concerned about his wellbeing, others had already begun to look ahead to what the future may hold for “The Notorious” upon returning in 2022.
Aljamain Sterling shares his thoughts on Masvidal-Covington and Will Smith’s slap on Chris Rock
Harry Kettle - April 4, 2022
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has given his thoughts on the Jorge Masvidal/Colby Covington assault as well as Will Smith’s slap on Chris Rock. Across the last few weeks we’ve seen quite a few discussions develop regarding the morality of using violence in unusual situations. The first instance came as a result of Jorge Masvidal assaulting rival Colby Covington in Miami, just weeks after Covington beat “Gamebred” in the main event of UFC 272.
Daniel Cormier has high praise for Khamzat Chimaev but believes hanging out with Darren Till is a mistake
Chris Taylor - April 3, 2022
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is concerned over the whole buddy-buddy thing between Khamzat Chimaev and Darren Till. Chimaev (10-0 MMA) is set to make his highly anticipated return to the Octagon at next weekend’s UFC 273 event against former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns (20-4 MMA).
Neil Magny scolds Jorge Masvidal for his alleged attack on Colby Covington: “That just takes it back to like the old school primitive days of MMA”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 3, 2022
Neil Magny isn’t a fan of Jorge Masvidal’s alleged attack on Colby Covington. Back in March, Masvidal was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a mask, and criminal mischief. He allegedly attacked Covington outside of a restaurant in Miami Beach. “Gamebred” was released from jail on $15,000 bond.
Kai Kara-France details his recent run-in with a childhood bully
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 3, 2022
Kai Kara-France ran into one of his childhood bullies recently. Kara-France is the number two-ranked UFC flyweight. He extended his winning streak to three on March 26 against Askar Askarov. Kara-France won the fight via unanimous decision.