MMA News
Former UFC and BKFC fighter Paige VanZant signs contract with AEW
Harry Kettle - March 10, 2022
Former UFC and BKFC fighter Paige VanZant has officially completed her transition over to professional wrestling with AEW. Paige VanZant has always been one of the most popular figures in women’s MMA ever since her debut for the UFC back in 2014. Since then she’s had a series of ups and downs in the sport, with her UFC tenure ending with a submission loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 251 – leaving her pro record at 8-5.
Tai Tuivasa wants to have a crack at former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic
Harry Kettle - March 10, 2022
UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa has confirmed that he’d be interested in a fight against former champion Stipe Miocic. When it comes to the recent history of both men, the trajectory of Tai Tuivasa has been pretty different to that of Stipe Miocic. Tuivasa is currently riding a five-fight win streak, all of which came via TKO/KO, with the latest being a scintillating knockout success over KO king Derrick Lewis at UFC 271.
Henry Cejudo rips the UFC for handing out lucrative contracts to Jorge Masvidal and Israel Adesanya: “I’m not signing up to USADA”
Harry Kettle - March 10, 2022
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo has explained why he’s not interested in re-entering the USADA testing pool right now. While he may have been retired for almost two years, Henry Cejudo is still a pretty important figure in the world of mixed martial arts. In addition to his coaching work and numerous podcast appearances, “Triple C” continues to flirt with the idea of returning to the Octagon in pursuit of a world title at a third weight class.
Rob Font set to headline April Fight Night card against Marlon Vera
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2022
A crucial bantamweight bout is set to headline a Fight Night card in April as Rob Font will take on Marlon Vera. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Font and Vera have agreed to headline a Fight Night card on April 30. The event will likely take place at the UFC Apex.
Israel Adesanya says he doesn't need Jon Jones fight but still wants it: "People think I need that for my legacy"
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2022
Israel Adesanya says he still would like to fight Jon Jones, even though he doesn’t think he needs it for his legacy. Adesanya is coming off a decision win over Robert Whittaker and with that has practically cleared out the middleweight division. That being said, many think ‘Stylebender’ will move back up to light heavyweight again. Adesanya previously competed at 205lbs at UFC 259, where he suffered a loss to the now-former light heavyweight champion in Jan Blachowicz.
Robert Whittaker shuts down welterweight comeback, light-heavyweight on the table: "Going up is an option"
Josh Evanoff - March 9, 2022
Robert Whittaker has shut down a potential move back down to welterweight. He has, however, noted that a move upwards is on the table. ‘The Reaper’ was last in action at UFC 271 against Israel Adesanya. While he put forth an admirable performance, he lost the bout via unanimous decision in a bid for the middleweight title. With the defeat, he moved to 0-2 in the series with ‘The Last Stylebender’.
Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson set for UFC 274
Josh Evanoff - March 9, 2022
It seems that the long-awaited Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson fight has a date. For months, ‘Iron’ and ‘El Cucuy’ have teased a fight against one another. However, a date hasn’t been known for the bout, as the UFC tried to set the fight for early summer but Ferguson wanted it sooner. It seems that the promotion has finally nailed down the fight and made it official.
Terrance McKinney eyes "something spectacular" to finish Drew Dober at UFC Vegas 50: "Expect some fireworks"
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2022
Terrance McKinney said he wanted a quick turnaround and he is doing just that. After defeating Fares Ziam by first-round submission at UFC Vegas 49, ‘T.Wrecks’ has stepped up on a weeks’ notice to face Drew Dober at UFC Vegas 50. It’s an intriguing matchup and one McKinney wanted right when he saw Ricky Glenn was out of the fight.
Michael Bisping says he'd box Jake Paul if offered: "Two rounds, boom out cold!"
Josh Evanoff - March 9, 2022
Michael Bisping is firmly in retirement, but that doesn’t stop him from having fun. The former UFC middleweight champion retired following a loss to Kelvin Gastelum in November 2017. His retirement was brought on following issues with vision in one of his eyes. He would later reveal that he was essentially blind in one eye following a loss to Vitor Belfort in 2013.
Junior dos Santos signs with Eagle FC, set to headline a card in May against a UFC veteran
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2022
Junior dos Santos has signed with Eagle FC. On Wednesday, Khabib Nurmagomedov went on ESPN and announced he has signed Dos Santos to his promotion. The former UFC heavyweight champion will headline an Eagle FC card on May 20 against UFC veteran, Yorgan Se Castro. The co-main event of the card will also see a battle of ex-UFC fighters as Hector Lombard will take on Thiago Silva. The event is expected to take place at FLXcast Arena in Miami.
Bryce Mitchell voices concerns over the current state of America: “Evil has took over this nation”
Susan Cox - March 9, 2022
Bryce Mitchell is once again in the news, voicing his concerns over the current state of America. It was last weekend, Saturday March 5th at UFC 272 where Bryce Mitchell (15-0 MMA) defeated Edson Barboza (22-11 MMA) by decision in a three round affair.
John McCarthy weighs in on Colby Covington: “He’s never going to be an exciting fighter”
Susan Cox - March 9, 2022
John McCarthy has shared his on his thoughts on former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington. McCarthy, 59, is a former MMA referee and current broadcaster for Bellator MMA. Arguably best known for officiating numerous bouts in the UFC.
Michael Bisping details his evening with Khamzat Chimaev and Darren Till: “Khamzat is out of his mind behind the wheel of a car”
Susan Cox - March 9, 2022
Michael Bisping recently detailed an evening he spent with Khamzat Chimaev and Darren Till. Posting a picture of ‘dinner out’ at Barry’s Downtown Prime Steakhouse in Circa Las Vegas, ‘The Count’ proceeded to take an evening drive with Khamzat Chimaev and Darren Till in a rented BMW.
Pro fighters make their picks for Kevin Lee vs. Diego Sanchez
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2022
In the main event of Eagle FC on Friday in Miami, Kevin Lee is set to face Diego Sanchez at 165lbs. Lee is a massive -800 favorite while ‘The Nightmare’ is a +500 underdog. Heading into the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. As the odds suggest the pros believe this is a total mismatch and it will be Lee winning violently.
Jorge Masvidal explains why he didn’t “pounce” on Colby Covington after scoring the knockdown in round four
Susan Cox - March 9, 2022
Jorge Masvidal has weighed in on why he didn’t ‘pounce’ on Colby Covington after scoring a knockdown in round four at UFC 272. It was Masvidal (35-16 MMA) vs Covington (17-3 MMA) last Saturday, March 5th in the welterweight main event at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. ‘Chaos’ was to be victorious by unanimous decision.
Alex Pereira believes Israel Adesanya is “scared” to fight him again: “He’s fooling his fanbase”
Harry Kettle - March 9, 2022
UFC middleweight contender Alex Pereira believes former foe Israel Adesanya is scared to fight him again. It’s become a popular part of Israel Adesanya’s story in combat sports – especially for those who don’t like him. Back in 2016 and 2017, “The Last Stylebender” twice fought Brazilian star Alex Pereira in kickboxing. In their first meeting, Pereira came out on top via decision, and in the rematch he was able to knock Adesanya out cold.
Sean Strickland and Jan Blachowicz continue to joust over Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine
Harry Kettle - March 9, 2022
UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has reignited his back and forth with Jan Blachowicz over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. There’s been a lot of social commentary from UFC fighters over the course of the last few weeks regarding the Russian invasion that’s currently taking place in Ukraine. Unsurprisingly, there are several different viewpoints, with Sean Strickland previously suggesting that Ukrainians should “bend the knee“. In response, former 205-pound champion Jan Blachowicz said the following.
Islam Makhachev rips Conor McGregor amid talks of the Irishman getting a title shot: "He’s never gonna be champion"
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2022
Islam Makhachev doesn’t think Conor McGregor deserves a title shot but if he gets it, he doesn’t see it going well for him. After Makhachev reportedly turned down a fight against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 272, Dana White said he would rebook the fight against Beneil Dariush. With that, many thought it opened up the door for McGregor to get a title shot which Islam doesn’t see happening, but if it does, he doesn’t think it ends well for the Irishman.