MMA News
Justin Gaethje on retirement from MMA: "I would say I have at least five more fights"
Tom Taylor - October 21, 2020
Justin Gaethje says he’ll fight at least five more times before he hangs up the gloves, but it sounds like he could compete well beyond that. Gaethje is slated to challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC lightweight title in the main event of UFC 254 this Saturday. If he wins, it’ll be the biggest win of his career, and it will cement him as one of the great lightweights of an era.
Odds released for UFC 255 main event between Deiveson Figueiredo and Alex Perez
Adam Martin - October 21, 2020
The opening betting odds have been released for the UFC 255 main event between UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Alex Perez. The UFC men’s flyweight title will be on the line when the new champion Figueiredo takes on one of the division’s top contenders in Perez, who is filling in for the injured Cody Garbrandt. UFC 255 takes place on November 21 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The co-main event features UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko against Jennifer Maia, with the odds for that fight overwhelmingly in the champ’s favor.
Khabib Nurmagomedov unsure how he'll feel in the cage after "hardest year" of his life
Tom Taylor - October 21, 2020
Undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says 2020 has been the hardest year of his life. Thanks to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, 2020 has been tough on many people, but Nurmagomedov has endured more tragedy than most. This summer, the lightweight champion lost his father Abdulmanap, who was also his coach, mentor and greatest influence.
Dana White recounts the first time he spoke with Michael Chandler: "What a great, great kid this kid is"
Adam Martin - October 21, 2020
UFC president Dana White recounted the first time he spoke with lightweight Michael Chandler, explaining why it was a no-brainer to sign him. Chandler was a three-time Bellator lightweight champion and he recently became a free agent following a stunning knockout win over former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in the Bellator cage. White and the UFC quickly swooped in and signed Chandler, while also anointing him as the official back-up to the UFC 254 main event between lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champ Justin Gaethje.
Dana White says dealing with Tyron Woodley is like “pulling teeth”
Adam Martin - October 21, 2020
UFC president Dana White says the hardest fighter he has had to deal with is welterweight Tyron Woodley, saying it’s like “pulling teeth.” Woodley was the UFC welterweight champion from July 2016 when he knocked out Robbie Lawler at UFC 201 until March 2019 when he dropped his belt to Kamaru Usman at UFC 235. Since then, Woodley has struggled, losing three straight fights to Usman, Gilbert Burns, and most recently Colby Covington. His recent struggles inside the cage have led to White suggesting that Woodley should be considering hanging up his gloves.
Justin Gaethje believes he's "screwed" if Khabib Nurmagomedov gets him against the fence
Tom Taylor - October 21, 2020
Justin Gaethje believes he’ll be in a bad situation if allows UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov to get him against the fence. Gaethje, the current UFC interim lightweight champion, will challenge the undefeated Nurmagomedov for the undisputed lightweight title in the main event of UFC 254 this Saturday on Fight Island.
Joe Rogan Experience podcast producer tests positive for COVID-19
Tom Taylor - October 21, 2020
Jamie Vernon, the producer for the extremely popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast, has tested positive for COVID-19. So far, Rogan himself has tested negative for the virus, despite the fact that he works in close proximity with Vernon.
Dana White says Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier rematch "has to happen at 155"
Andrew Whitelaw - October 21, 2020
Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 2 looks like it’s really happening. If it does go down in January, it will be absolutely massive. There’s an important detail to be settled, though.
Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov rejects Stephen A. Smith’s question about Conor McGregor
Harry Kettle - October 21, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov rejected a question about Conor McGregor from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith ahead of UFC 254. Nurmagomedov is gearing up for one of the biggest fights of his career so far on Saturday night as he prepares to defend the UFC Lightweight Championship against Justin Gaethje. However, many fans and pundits can’t seem to stop talking about the Russian’s UFC 229 opponent Conor McGregor.
Anderson Silva confirms Uriah Hall fight will be his last
Adam Martin - October 20, 2020
UFC legend Anderson Silva confirmed that his upcoming middleweight fight on Halloween against Uriah Hall will be his last. Silva is the oldest fighter on the UFC roster at 45 years of age and he has really struggled in the latter stages of his legendary career, losing two straight bouts to Jared Cannonier, Israel Adesanya, and four of his last five overall. UFC president Dana White recently said that Silva would call it quits after the Hall fight on Halloween, but until now we haven’t had confirmation from “The Spider” himself about his retirement plans.
UFC heavyweight Chase Sherman suspended nine months by USADA
Adam Martin - October 20, 2020
UFC heavyweight Chase Sherman has accepted a suspension for nine months by USADA due to violating the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. According to a statement from the USADA website, Sherman “tested positive for anastrozole as the result of a sample collected in-competition at UFC Fight Night on May 13, 2020. Anastrozole is a Specified Substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and UFC Prohibited List.”
Dana White interested in Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Georges St-Pierre, but unsure if GSP can make 155lbs
Adam Martin - October 20, 2020
UFC president Dana White is interested in Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Georges St-Pierre, but he’s unsure if GSP can actually make 155lbs. Nurmagomedov vs. GSP is a superfight that has been talked about for a few years now by both fighters, the fans, the media, and even White himself. It would be a massive superfight between two of the best MMA fighters of all time, especially if Nurmagomedov goes for a perfect 30-0 record in the fight. If “The Eagle” defeats Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, the calls for a fight with “Rush” will grow even louder.
Dana White says Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje is "trending to be the biggest fight" in UFC history
Cole Shelton - October 20, 2020
Dana White is expecting the UFC 254 pay-per-view headlined by a lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje to do big business. In the lead up to the PPV, it has felt like a big fight as Nurmagomedov is a massive star and many think Gaethje is the toughest challenge for the champ. According to White, the trends for the fight is better than any other event they have done.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's coach believes McGregor is a tougher overall test when compared to Gaethje
Cole Shelton - October 20, 2020
Javier Mendez believes Khabib Nurmagomedov has already fought the toughest challenge for his title and that was Conor McGregor. In the main event of UFC 254, Nurmagomedov is set to defend his lightweight title against the interim champion, Justin Gaethje. In the lead up to the fight, many pundits have said Gaethje will be Khabib Nurmagomedov’s toughest test, which Mendez disagrees with.
PFL announces date, broadcast details for start of 2021 season
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the first organization to present MMA through a Regular Season, Playoffs and Championship format, today announced that the 2021 PFL Season will begin April 23 on ESPN2 in primetime. The remaining Regular Season events will take place on April 29, May 6, June 10, June 17, and June 25. PFL will begin its 2021 season a month early as the league makes its anticipated return to action. “We’re thrilled to announce an early start date for the 2021 PFL Season and we look forward to building on the positive momentum experienced in a historic first season on ESPN,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “In 2021, the PFL will deliver an elevated, immersive, and interactive fan viewing experience incorporating expanded, real-time fighter data and analytics from our proprietary SmartCage technology, behind-the-scenes access, the return of ref cam, and more. Our champions return looking to earn another title, while a fresh crop of exciting new fighters will challenge for the top spot in MMA. Additional contenders will be unveiled in the lead-up to what we believe will be the biggest season in PFL history.”
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Islam Makhachev matchup rescheduled for UFC Vegas 15
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
A lightweight fight between Islam Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos has been rescheduled for UFC Vegas 15 on November 14. This news was first reported by MMADNA.nl.
Michael Chandler explains disinterest in short-notice Islam Makhachev fight
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler has explained why he wasn’t interested in fighting Islam Makhachev on short-notice. Chandler, who has yet to make his UFC debut, is on standby on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi in the event that Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje is unable to compete in the UFC 254 headliner this weekend. Makhachev, meanwhile, was scheduled to fight Rafael dos Anjos on the card, but was forced off the bill when the UFC couldn’t find him a replacement opponent after a dos Anjos injury.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 15 with Javier Mendez, Sam Alvey & Casey Kenney
Cole Shelton - October 20, 2020
The 15th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 254. We’re first joined by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s head coach, Javier Mendez (2:34). Next, UFC light heavyweight, Sam Alvey (16:27) joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC bantamweight, Casey Kenney (28:16).