MMA News
Vicente Luque weighs in on a potential Conor McGregor vs Kamaru Usman fight: “I think Kamaru goes in there and dominates him”
Harry Kettle - March 22, 2022
UFC welterweight Vicente Luque believes Kamaru Usman would dominate Conor McGregor in a potential match-up between the two. The MMA world is waiting to see when Conor McGregor will return to the Octagon – and when he does, who it will be against. “The Notorious” has a string of potential challengers he could face but in a recent interview, he revealed that Kamaru Usman is the man he wants to take on.
Tim Elliott responds to callout from UFC London winner Muhammad Mokaev: “I have more bonuses in the UFC than you have actual fights”
Harry Kettle - March 22, 2022
UFC veteran Tim Elliott has responded to a callout from UFC newcomer Muhammad Mokaev after his debut win. Last Saturday night at UFC London, Muhammad Mokaev announced his introduction to the big time in style against Cody Durden. It took the 21-year-old less than one minute to secure a submission win on his debut, putting all other flyweights on notice that he’s one to watch in the years to come.
Undefeated UFC lightweight Ottman Azaitar sets his sights on rising star Paddy Pimblett
Harry Kettle - March 22, 2022
UFC lightweight Ottman Azaitar has challenged Paddy Pimblett to a fight following the latter’s win last weekend. While he’s had a rollercoaster ride of a stint with the UFC thus far, which included him being released after breaching COVID-19 protocols, Ottman Azaitar is still one of the most intriguing prospects in the 155-pound division. He’s currently 13-0 as a professional and 2-0 in the UFC with many believing he can be a title contender one day – so long as he’s able to get back in the Octagon, where he hasn’t been since September 2020.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 72 with Chris Daukaus, Max Griffin, and Matt Brown
Cole Shelton - March 22, 2022
The 72nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Columbus on Saturday. We’re first joined by one-half of the main event and eighth-ranked heavyweight, Chris Daukaus (2:15). UFC welterweight, Max Griffin (25:10) then joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC welterweight, Matt Brown (43:53).
Demian Maia reacts after learning that UFC light heavyweight Paul Craig named his daughter after him
Josh Evanoff - March 21, 2022
Demian Maia has reacted after learning that Paul Craig named his daughter after him. The ‘Bearjew’ continued his ascent up the light-heavyweight rankings at UFC London. Dealing with some early adversity against Nikita Krylov, Craig survived and submitted him near the end of the first round. The victory earned him a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus for his efforts, and also continued his unbeaten streak to six.
Leon Edwards foresees immediate trilogy with Kamaru Usman after July rematch
Josh Evanoff - March 21, 2022
Leon Edwards doesn’t believe his July meeting with Kamaru Usman will be their last. The two men are set to square off later this year, with most reports stating the bout will be set for International Fight Week. However, it will not be the first meeting between the two middleweights.
Arnold Allen hits back at Israel Adesanya's early-stoppage comments regarding Dan Hooker fight: "The man himself didn't even complain"
Josh Evanoff - March 21, 2022
Arnold Allen has responded to Israel Adesanya’s comments about his fight with Dan Hooker. The two featherweights squared off at UFC London in the co-main event. Allen dominated the contest and stopped Hooker in the first round with a flurry of punches. Despite the seeming finality of the bout, ‘The Hangman’s teammate Israel Adesanya disagreed with the stoppage.
What's next for Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov after UFC London?
Cole Shelton - March 21, 2022
In the main event of UFC London on Saturday, a pivotal heavyweight bout went down as Tom Aspinall took on Alexander Volkov. Aspinall entered the fight being just 4-0 in the UFC and a relative unknown to many. He was coming off a TKO win over Serghei Spivac and also held a submission win over Andrei Arlovski. Volkov, meanwhile, beat Marcin Tybura his last time out, a win which was preceded by a decision loss to Ciryl Gane. This was also his sixth UFC main event.
Paddy Pimblett blasts reported UFC London payouts: "I wish I was getting paid that"
Josh Evanoff - March 21, 2022
Paddy Pimblett has responded to reports of what he earned at UFC London, and he doesn’t seem pleased. ‘The Baddy’ made his return last weekend against Kazula Vargas. After a scare early in the first round, Pimblett recovered and quickly submitted his foe. With the victory, he moved to 2-0 in his UFC career, and also earned a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus for his efforts.
Colby Covington praises "legend" Chael Sonnen for suggesting he fights Israel Adesnaya next: "Uncle Chael makes a very good point"
Cole Shelton - March 21, 2022
Colby Covington agrees with Chael Sonnen that he should be next for Israel Adesanya. Covington is coming off a dominant win over Jorge Masvidal and after the event, Sonnen said the fight that made the most sense is ‘Chaos’ vs. Adesanya. He believed it would be a massive pay-per-view success and given ‘The Last Stylebender’ has basically cleared out the middleweight division the timing worked. According to Covington, he says he would be interested in it and believes the scrap makes a ton of sense.
Israel Adesanya criticizes Dan Hooker-Arnold Allen stoppage at UFC London: "Come on ref, what the f**k"
Cole Shelton - March 21, 2022
Israel Adesanya thinks the ref stopped Arnold Allen’s TKO win over Dan Hooker too early. In the co-main event of UFC London, Hooker returned to featherweight and was facing Allen who is undefeated in the UFC. It was an intriguing matchup and a crucial fight for Hooker. Early on, both men threw heavy shots but it was Allen who wound up catching Hooker with a big combination. The Kiwi responded with a nice counter that staggered the Brit for a moment. However, Allen continued the pressure and landed heavy shots along the fence and the ref eventually stopped the fight.
Paddy Pimblett hopes he can eventually earn as much as Conor McGregor: “No child in my city would ever eat from a food bank ever again”
Susan Cox - March 21, 2022
UFC London this past weekend resulted in Paddy Pimblett (18-3 MMA) defeating Rodrigo ‘Kazula’ Vargas (12-5 MMA) in their lightweight fight. The 02 Arena went crazy when their hometown lad won and vaulted the cage in celebration.
Anthony Smith responds to callout from UFC London winner Paul Craig
Harry Kettle - March 21, 2022
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has responded to a recent callout from fellow contender Paul Craig. For many years now Anthony Smith has been one of the most consistent performers at 205 pounds. While he does have three defeats to his name in the weight class, he’s 7-3 overall and is currently riding a three-fight win streak – all of which came via stoppage.
Ben Askren praises Colby Covington for “great” callout of Dustin Poirier: “Huge name, easy win”
Susan Cox - March 21, 2022
Ben Askren, the former Bellator and ONE Welterweight Champion has praised Colby Covington on his ‘great’ callout of Dustin Poirier. It was after UFC 272 on March 5th, at the post fight press conference, that Colby Covington (17-3 MMA) called out Dustin Poirier (28-7 MMA). In speaking with Joe Rogan, Colby had this to say:
Ilia Topuria is convinced Paddy Pimblett won't fight him unless Dana White holds "The Baddy" at gunpoint
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 20, 2022
Ilia Topuria thinks Paddy Pimblett will do all he can to avoid fighting him. Topuria and Pimblett were both featured on the UFC London card in separate bouts. Topuria went to battle with Jai Herbert, while Pimblett took on Kazula Vargas. Both men emerged victorious with Topuria knocking out Herbert and Paddy submitting Vargas.
Arnold Allen explains why he called out Calvin Kattar following UFC London win over Dan Hooker
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 20, 2022
Arnold Allen is rising in the UFC featherweight rankings and he’s eyeing Calvin Kattar next. Allen turned in a stellar performance against Dan Hooker in the co-main event of UFC London on March 19. Allen quickly battered Hooker and was able to snag the first-round TKO. This earned Allen his third “Performance of the Night” bonus.
Tom Aspinall speaks on UFC London win over Alexander Volkov: “It couldn’t have gone any better”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 20, 2022
Tom Aspinall made quite the statement at UFC London. This past Saturday (March 19), Aspinall and Alexander Volkov shared the Octagon inside The O2 Arena. While this was expected to be Aspinall’s toughest test to date, he made it look all too easy. Aspinall got his opponent to the ground and secured the first-round submission via straight armlock.
UFC boss Dana White says there’s “one guy” who could replace him but it’s not Daniel Cormier: “I love Daniel but Daniel couldn't do it”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 20, 2022
UFC President Dana White knows who could replace him and it isn’t Daniel Cormier. It’s difficult to imagine the UFC without Dana but it’ll happen one day. The UFC boss is known for being in the public eye and helping keep the UFC a well-oiled machine. Fans have long championed for Daniel Cormier to be White’s replacement when the time comes but it looks like that would be a pipe dream.