MMA News
Matt Schnell sounds off on “unfair” fighter pay: “Let’s talk about what’s happening outside the UFC”
Susan Cox - February 11, 2022
Speaking on YouTube Matt Schnell spoke with ‘MMA Island’ about fighter pay in the UFC. Matt Schnell was supposed to be fighting against Alex Perez this Saturday, February 12th at UFC 271. ‘Danger’ (15-5 MMA) and Perez (24-6 MMA) were slated to meet in the flyweight division at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
UFC 271 weigh-in results: William Knight misses weight by twelve pounds
Susan Cox - February 11, 2022
UFC 271 serves as the second pay-per-view event of 2022 and is slated to feature a total of fifteen contests. The weigh-ins are taking place at the UFC host hotel in Houston, Texas. The nearby Toyota Center will feature tomorrows event, February 12th, which hosts the main card on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
Chael Sonnen says former UFC champion Stipe Miocic has put on 20lbs of muscle: “Stipe’s at 249!”
Harry Kettle - February 11, 2022
Chael Sonnen has claimed that Stipe Miocic has bulked up in a big way following his UFC 260 loss to Francis Ngannou. At UFC 260 last year, Stipe Miocic lost his UFC heavyweight title to Francis Ngannou in one of the biggest moments of the year in mixed martial arts. “The Predator” finally managed to reach the top of the mountain,three years after Miocic put on a clinic and dominated him over five rounds.
Israel Adesanya shows off "NFT chain" featuring his knockout of Robert Whittaker (Video)
Harry Kettle - February 11, 2022
The mind games of Israel Adesanya continue after he showed off an NFT chain that showcases his knockout win over Robert Whittaker. Tomorrow night at UFC 271, Israel Adesanya will attempt to successfully defend the UFC middleweight title for a fourth time as he prepares to take on Robert Whittaker. In their first showdown, back at UFC 243, Adesanya managed to knock Whittaker out – claiming the undisputed gold in the process.
The first Metaverse fight in history features Khabib Nurmagomedov taking on Max Holloway
Harry Kettle - February 11, 2022
The once-proposed UFC 223 main event, Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Max Holloway, will happen in the Metaverse this Saturday. Back in April 2018, UFC fans were treated to one of the most chaotic fight weeks in the promotion’s history. Khabib Nurmagomedov was scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson, only for a bizarre injury to force “El Cucuy” out of the contest. Then, Max Holloway stepped in to take the UFC lightweight title bout on short notice, but he wasn’t given clearance to compete by doctors.
Curtis Blaydes vs. Chris Daukaus targeted to headline UFC Columbus
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2022
A pivotal heavyweight fight between Curtis Blaydes and Chris Daukaus is set to headline UFC Columbus. According to MMA reporter, Ariel Helwani, Blaydes will take on Daukaus in the main event of UFC Columbus on March 26. The event was supposed to be headlined by Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic, but the former champion had to pull out with an injury.
Israel Adesanya defends Joe Rogan during latest Spotify controversy
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2022
Joe Rogan has found an ally in Israel Adesanya amidst his latest Spotify controversy. The UFC commentator has been in hot water over the last few months due to a variety of scandals. He was first under fire for his controversial comments about the COVID-19 vaccine on his podcast.
Chael Sonnen praises Dana White following news of Israel Adesanya’s new UFC contract: “Elon Musk will not do this”
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2022
Chael Sonnen has nothing but praise for Dana White after it was announced Israel Adesanya has signed a new UFC contract. Adesanya’s deal was announced by his management company and it is said to make him one of the highest-paid fighters in MMA history. For Sonnen, he says White and Adesanya did everything right as the negotiation never went public.
Female fighter goes the distance with 529-pound man in MMA fight in Russia (Video)
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2022
A female fighter in Russia went the distance in a fight with a 529-pound man in a card that featured a lot of whacky fights. Russia’s Epic Fighting put on a number of bewildering contests including a 75-year-old man and his 18-year-old grandson in a two vs. one fight. But, the fight that grabbed the attention of the MMA world was Aleksandra Stepakova, a female bantamweight, facing a 529-pound man by the name of Grigory Chistyakov. This is of course the same big man that fought now Bellator bantamweight, Darina Mazdyuk, which the female won.
Derrick Lewis reveals he didn't watch Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane: "I tried to stream it but they kept getting shut down"
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2022
Derrick Lewis has revealed that he didn’t want the UFC 270 main event between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane. The news comes as a bit of a surprise, given that ‘The Black Beast’ has a history with both men. Lewis defeated Ngannou via unanimous decision in one of the worst fights ever at UFC 226. Unfortunately, he faltered in his interim championship clash with Gane at UFC 265.
Yoel Romero makes Bellator return in May against Melvin Manhoef
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2022
Yoel Romero has a name and a date for his return to the Bellator cage. The ‘Soldier of God’ signed to the promotion in December 2020 to much fanfare. Romero was a staple of the UFC’s middleweight promotion for nearly a decade. Along the way, he fought in four titles bouts, most recently against Israel Adesanya at UFC 248.
Report | Kayla Harrison's PFL return hits a roadblock
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2022
It appears that Kayla Harrison may not be returning to PFL after all. The Judoka made her name in the PFL over the past three years. Following her victory in the 2021 lightweight tournament, she became a free agent. She began openly hinting at a move to either the UFC or Bellator.
Daniel Cormier details the “harsh reality” of Derrick Lewis’ standing in the UFC heavyweight division
Susan Cox - February 10, 2022
Daniel Cormier has shared his thoughts on the upcoming Derrick Lewis vs Tai Tuivasa fight this coming weekend. Lewis (26-8 MMA) will meet Tuivasa (14-3 MMA) in the co-main event of UFC 271 on February 12th, 2022 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Kyler Phillips plans to "expose" a lot of Marcelo Rojo's "flaws and weaknesses" at UFC 271
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2022
Kyler Phillips sees a lot of holes in Marcelo Rojo’s game and he plans to expose that on Saturday night at UFC 271. Phillips is coming off a controversial decision loss to Raulian Paiva last July and will now face Rojo in what appears to be an all-action fight. For Phillips, he expects Rojo to come out swinging but doubts his foe will be able to keep up with him.
Kamaru Usman wants $100 million for Israel Adesanya fight, responds to callout from Khamzat Chimaev
Susan Cox - February 10, 2022
Kamaru Usman is claiming he wants $100 million for a fight with Israel Adesanya. Usman, who is currently recovering from hand surgery and anticipating a return to UFC this summer, is hinting at the possibility of moving up to 185 pounds.
UFC 271 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jared Cannonier vs. Derek Brunson
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2022
At UFC 271, a potential number one contender bout at middleweight goes down as Jared Cannonier takes on Derek Brunson. Heading into the fight, Cannonier is a -160 favorite while the American is a +140 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are actually going with the underdog in Brunson to be able to outwrestle Cannonier to get the win.
Israel Adesanya on a potential UFC fight with former kickboxing opponent Alex Pereira: “He’s a long way from seeing me”
Susan Cox - February 10, 2022
In speaking with TSN on YouTube, Israel Adesanya discussed his former kickboxing opponent Alex Pereira and the potential of a UFC fight between the two. Pereira, a former two-division GLORY champion, holds a knockout over reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in kickboxing.
UFC veteran Cub Swanson shares some advice for frustrated lightweight fighter Alexander Hernandez
Harry Kettle - February 10, 2022
UFC veteran Cub Swanson has shared some words of wisdom for Alexander Hernandez following the latter’s recent outburst. Throughout the course of his iconic mixed martial arts career, Cub Swanson has been there and done it all. He’s fought the best of the best from WEC to UFC and beyond, earning the respect of the masses in the process.