MMA News
Khabib Nurmagomedov discusses Francis Ngannou's contract dispute: "If you guys have a deal, you have to follow through with it"
Cole Shelton - February 22, 2022
Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his thoughts on the ongoing contract dispute between Francis Ngannou and the UFC. It was well-known Ngannou entered his UFC 270 title defense against Ciryl Gane on the last fight of his deal. He said he would never fight on his current contract again as he wasn’t happy with his pay.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk seeks summer Weili Zhang rematch: "I'm only looking at big, big fights"
Josh Evanoff - February 22, 2022
Joanna Jedrzejczyk seemingly has a face for her long-awaited return. The former UFC strawweight champion has been out of the ring since UFC 248. She lost her March 2020 clash against Weili Zhang in a bid for the title she used to hold. While the Polish fighter lost the bout via split decision, she was hailed for her performance in a bout seen as the best of the year.
Diego Sanchez explains Eagle FC signing despite BKFC talks: "I really wanted to truly finish my mixed martial arts career my way"
Josh Evanoff - February 22, 2022
Diego Sanchez was seemingly set to fight for BKFC prior to signing with Eagle FC earlier this month. He’s now explained the sudden change in course. ‘The Nightmare’ departed from the UFC last year after a roller coaster 15-years in the company. Sanchez was inaugurated into the UFC Hall of Fame as a part of the ‘Fight Wing’ for his bout with Clay Guida. Sadly, the legend didn’t get the sendoff he expected.
Islam Makhchev's coach believes Conor McGregor will get the next title shot: "This is entertainment first, sport second"
Cole Shelton - February 22, 2022
Islam Makhachev’s coach, Javier Mendez, believes it’s very likely Conor McGregor will get the next lightweight title shot. Makhachev is set to headline UFC Vegas 49 against Bobby Green, who stepped up on 10 days’ notice after Beneil Dariush was forced out of the bout with an injury. Currently on a nine-fight winning streak, many believe Islam should be rewarded with a title shot if he defeats ‘King’ on Saturday night.
Brendan Schaub explains why taking a chance on Bobby Green to beat Islam Makhachev is not a “terrible idea”
Susan Cox - February 22, 2022
Brendan Schaub has taken to Twitter to explain who his thinks could win in the upcoming matchup between Bobby Green and Islam Makhachev. Bobby Green (29-12 MMA) and Islam Makhachev (21-1 MMA) will meet in the Octagon this coming Saturday, February 26th at UFC Vegas 49 in Nevada.
Urijah Faber shares his thoughts on the upcoming Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling rematch at UFC 273: “Yan’s definitely the favorite in my opinion”
Susan Cox - February 22, 2022
Urijah Faber weighed in on who he thinks will win in the upcoming Yan vs Sterling rematch at UFC 273. Petr Yan (16-2 MMA) will meet up with Aljamain Sterling (20-3 MMA) on Saturday, April 9th at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Michael Bisping reacts after not so “minny” Chad Mendes delivers TKO in his BKFC debut: “He looks like he’s back on the juice again doesn’t he?”
Susan Cox - February 22, 2022
Former UFC middleweight champion has reacted after Chad Mendes scored a TKO victory in his BKFC debut. BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) saw Mendes make his debut this past weekend. It was to be a strong showing for the former UFC featherweight title challenger.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik not happy with talks of a potential Jones vs. Miocic interim heavyweight title fight: “Come and fight and then you should you earn your place”
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2022
UFC heavyweight Jairzinho Rozenstruik has hit back at the idea of a Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic interim title fight. With Francis Ngannou out of action for the foreseeable future, due to his uncertain contract status as well as ongoing injury problems, the UFC needs to start planning ahead for the heavyweight division. Some believe that means a new interim champion needs to be crowned and if that’s going to happen, the two biggest names available are Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones.
Chris Leben provides update as he continues to fight for his life in hospital: “They did say 100% of my lungs are damaged, but they also said 100% recovery is possible”
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2022
UFC veteran Chris Leben has provided fans with an important health update as his battle with COVID-19 continues. Leben, 41, is fondly remembered for some of his great knockout wins across his tenure with both the UFC and, more recently, BKFC. While he also had his fair share of setbacks, that never stopped him from doing everything in his power to put on a show.
Michael Bisping says Darren Till has been telling him things about Khamzat Chimaev that are “truly terrifying”
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2022
Michael Bisping has issued a warning over some of the things Darren Till has told him about rising star Khamzat Chimaev. A blossoming friendship that seems to be emerging within the UFC sphere as of late is the one shared between Darren Till and Khamzat Chimaev. After going back and forth with one another over social media, and even sharing a bizarre Instagram Live session, Till has opted to head over to Sweden and train with “Borz”. It seems as if there’s some real progress being made and while “The Gorilla” still has a lot of work left to do before becoming an elite middleweight, he’s in the right place to help him grow.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 68 with Renato Moicano, Terrance McKinney, and Micheal Gillmore
Cole Shelton - February 22, 2022
The 68th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 49 as well as recapping UFC 271. We were supposed to be joined by Beneil Dariush but he was forced out of the bout due to an injury. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight Renato Moicano (1:40) to recap his UFC 271 win over Alexander Hernandez. UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney (13:45) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC welterweight, Micheal Gillmore (23:07).
Jorge Masvidal attempts to reignite his rivalry with Nate Diaz: "That little f**cking broomstick keeps talking"
Jeffrey Walter - February 21, 2022
Jorge Masvidal is not opposed to running things back with Nate Diaz once the dust settles from his upcoming fight with Colby Covington. Masvidal (35-15 MMA) and Covington (16-3 MMA), former friends turned enemies, are set to collide in the main event of next month’s UFC 272 fight card in Las Vegas.
Mike Perry explains bringing bat to BKFC press conference: "Outside of the ring, we ain't fighting fair"
Josh Evanoff - February 21, 2022
Mike Perry has explained why he brought a weapon to his first BKFC press conference. Last weekend, the UFC veteran made his debut inside the BKFC ring against fellow fan-favorite Julian Lane. The bout itself was very hyped going in, mainly thanks to great promotion from both fighters.
Jessica-Rose Clark issues statement following submission loss at UFC Vegas 48: “I’m super gutted”
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2022
Jessica-Rose Clark has issued a lengthy statement following her submission loss to Stephanie Egger at UFC Vegas 48. Clark suffered a first-round armbar loss on Saturday night, a defeat which snapped her two-fight winning streak. It was a tough loss for the fan-favorite and after the loss, she took to Instagram to release an 11-minute video talking about the setback. For Clark, she says performance anxiety played a big role in the loss.
Jan Blachowicz shares the “secret” behind his victory over Israel Adesanya
Josh Evanoff - February 21, 2022
Jan Blachowicz has shared his “secret” behind his victory over Israel Adesanya. We’re less than a year removed from the Polish fighter’s upset over ‘The Last Stylebender’. Many expected the current UFC middleweight champion to go in and secure champ-champ status at UFC 259. However, Jan Blachowicz had over plans that night in Las Vegas.
Bobby Green explains why he took Islam Makhachev fight: "I'm not crazy, I'm f*cking nuts"
Josh Evanoff - February 21, 2022
Bobby Green accepted a fight with Islam Makhachev on ten days’ notice to prove something to fans. ‘King’ competed earlier this month at UFC 271 against Nasrat Haqparast, winning via unanimous decision. Just days after the win, he got an offer to fight Islam Makhachev in his first main event after Beneil Dariush withdrew. Green accepted the fight on just ten days’ notice.
What's next for Jamahal Hill and Johnny Walker after UFC Vegas 48?
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2022
In the main event of UFC Vegas 48, top-15 light heavyweights collided as Jamahal Hill battled Johnny Walker. Hill entered the fight coming off a first-round TKO win over Jimmy Crute, this after suffering a loss to Paul Craig in his previous fight. Walker, meanwhile, was coming off a lackluster decision loss to Thiago Santos after TKO’ing Ryan Spann in the scrap before.
Anthony Pettis responds to rematch request from new PFL signee Jeremy Stephens: “My chin has been tested and it’s proven”
Susan Cox - February 21, 2022
Anthony Pettis has responded to a rematch request from Jeremy Stephens. Jeremy Stephens (28-19 MMA) recently signed with PFL (Professional Fighters League) and has expressed interested in having a rematch with Anthony Pettis (24-10 MMA).