MMA News
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson denounces his support of Joe Rogan: "Now I've become educated to his complete narrative"
Chris Taylor - February 5, 2022
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is no longer backing Joe Rogan after a video of the UFC commentator using the N-Word went viral. Earlier this week, Rogan took to Instagram to post a nine minute video addressing accusations that his podcast ‘JRE’ was spreading misinformation concerning Covid-19. The longtime UFC commentator admitted that he enjoys having “interesting conversations with people that have differing opinions”, and admitted he doesn’t “always get it right”, promising to “do better“.
Joe Rogan issues statement following viral video of him using the N-Word: "I clearly have f*cked up"
Chris Taylor - February 5, 2022
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has issued a statement after a video of him using the N-Word on multiple occasions went viral. On Friday, Grammy Award-winning R&B singer India Arie released a video that showcased Rogan using the N-Word on multiple occasions during previous podcasts.
Bryan Battle doesn't view Tresean Gore fight as real TUF finale, confident he'll finish him: "He's going to melt mentally and physically"
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2022
Bryan Battle doesn’t think his UFC Vegas 47 fight against Tresean Gore is the real TUF 29 finale. Battle and Gore were supposed to fight in the finals, but Gore suffered an injury and “Pooh Bear” ended up facing Gilbert Urbina instead. Battle won the fight to win TUF, but now as he finally faces Gore, he says this is just another fight.
Chad Mendes claims he'll make more money in his BKFC debut than Francis Ngannou made for UFC 270
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2022
Chad Mendes is finally set to make his BKFC debut and is apparently getting paid quite a bit of money for his services. Mendes hasn’t fought since 2018 at UFC 232 and he later retired in the summer of 2019. ‘Money’ recently announced his intention to return and signed with BKFC where he will face Joshuah Alvarez in a 155-pound bout on Feb. 19 at BKFC: Knucklemania 2.
Joe Lauzon explains mixed emotions upon Cowboy Cerrone fight offer: "Should I be fighting at all?"
Josh Evanoff - February 4, 2022
Joe Lauzon is set for his first Octagon walk since 2019. The long layoff mainly stemmed from his own inner turmoil over potentially retiring. The last UFC appearance for ‘J-Lau’ was in October 2019. In his hometown of Boston, he dominated and TKO’d Jonathan Pearce to a raucous ovation. Following the bout, UFC president Dana White said that he wanted Lauzon to retire.
Jon Jones teases return fight against "greatest heavyweight of all time"
Josh Evanoff - February 4, 2022
Jon Jones has taken to Twitter to tease a return to the Octagon. The former UFC light heavyweight champion has been out of the cage since February 2020. Following his win over Dominick Reyes, he vacated his 205-pound title and announced his intention to move up to heavyweight.
Max Holloway medically cleared, offered backup role at UFC 273
Josh Evanoff - February 4, 2022
Max Holloway has the possibility to find himself in a strange position come April. The Hawaiian was previously booked in a trilogy bout against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 272. The fight had a lot of fan demand behind it, which is why it was made despite Holloway being down 2-0 in the series against ‘The Great’.
Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes to serve as TUF 30 coaches, rematch set for after season
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2022
Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes will be coaching the newest of The Ultimate Fighter. TUF 30 will start filming in February and Pena and Nunes will serve as the coaches. The news of the two being the coaches was first reported by MMA reporter Ariel Helwani. Pena also confirmed the news on an appearance Friday on Ellen.
Joe Rogan explains what it would take for the UFC to implement a super-heavyweight division
Susan Cox - February 4, 2022
Joe Rogan, interviewer and color commentator for the UFC and also known as an actor, comedian and host, launched his podcast ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ in 2009. In speaking on ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ on YouTube, Rogan commented on how a super-heavyweight division could happen in the UFC:
Islam Makhachev on Dustin Poirier moving up to welterweight: “I think he just wanna make money. He knows he's not gonna be champion no more”
Susan Cox - February 4, 2022
According to Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poiriers’ move to welterweight is only because he won’t ever be a lightweight champion. Poirier (28-7 MMA) lost to Charles Oliveira (32-8 MMA) at UFC 269 in December 2021, failing to earn the desired lightweight belt. It was Poiriers’ second attempt to gain the title, his first attempt was back in 2019 at UFC 242, in Abu Dhabi, when he lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA).
Michael Bisping reacts after Jorge Masvidal releases the first episode of ‘Judas Covington’
Susan Cox - February 4, 2022
Michael Bisping has reacted after Jorge Masvidal released episode one of ‘The Story of Judas Covington’ to expose his former friend, Colby. Covington (16-3 MMA) and Masvidal (35-15 MMA), are set to do battle in the headliner of UFC 272 on March 5, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Marvin Vettori responds after Paulo Costa suggests he wants to end his life: “I know a bitch her name Felicia she hits harder than you”
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2022
UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori has hit out at Paulo Costa as the Brazilian continues to push for a rematch. Back in October, Marvin Vettori and Paulo Costa clashed in what turned out to be an impromptu light heavyweight bout – as well as a Fight of the Year contender. The contest was initially supposed to take place at 185 pounds, only for a fight week alteration to be made as a result of Costa’s weight issues.
Sean Strickland attempts to retract his previous homophobic comments: “Gay men are awesome. Lesbians, not so much”
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2022
UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has reiterated his stance after being accused of making homophobic comments. In recent months, Sean Strickland has really come out of his shell within the MMA landscape. In addition to being a top 185-pound contender, he’s also showing off a different side of his personality – with many fans being split down the middle as to the legitimacy of it.
Aleksei Oleinik vs. Ilir Latifi booked for UFC Columbus
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2022
A heavyweight fight between Aleksei Oleinik and Ilir Latifi has been added to UFC Columbus. Multiple sources informed BJPENN.com that Oleinik and Latifi have signed to fight one another at UFC Columbus on March 26. The card does not have a main event after Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic was pulled from the headlining spot.
Jeremy Stephens feels he was being “iced out” by the UFC: “I just want an opportunity to go to work”
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2022
Jeremy Stephens has explained why he believes he was being “iced out” by the UFC prior to leaving the promotion. Last month, it was announced that UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens would not be re-signing with the company and would instead be heading to PFL. The 35-year-old last won a bout back in February 2018 but was always viewed as one of the most entertaining guys on the roster – especially across the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
Khabib Nurmagomedov on Drake showing up with Conor McGregor at UFC 229: “People said this guy is very famous. I swear I didn’t know this guy”
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2022
Khabib Nurmagomedov has said he didn’t know who Drake was when he showed up with Conor McGregor at UFC 229. The build-up to UFC 229 in 2018 was so intense that it was always going to break records throughout the promotion. From PPV numbers to social media engagement and beyond, the world wanted to see what was going to happen when Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor squared off in Las Vegas.
Jason Witt expects to "break" Phil Rowe at UFC Vegas 47, wants a ranked opponent by the end of the year
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2022
Jason Witt believes he is a stylistic nightmare for Phil Rowe. Witt picked up his second UFC win last time out in a Fight of the Night performance against Bryan Barberena. After the fight, he was rewarded with a new contract and after discussing opponents, he and his team pushed for the Rowe fight.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk reveals the hardest puncher she's ever fought
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2022
Joanna Jedrzejczyk has revealed who the hardest puncher she has ever fought is. Jedrzejczyk has fought the who’s who of the strawweight division and even competed at flyweight against Valentina Shevchenko. She shared the Octagon with the likes of Jessica Andrade, Rose Namajunas, and Weili Zhang among others. However, she says Valerie Letourneau is the hardest hitter she has ever fought.