MMA News
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.
Khabib Nurmagomedov criticizes Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather boxing match: "It was not a real fight"
Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2022
Khabib Nurmagomedov has weighed in on the 2017 superfight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather. The boxing match between the UFC lightweight champion and one of the GOATs of boxing is the second-largest PPV ever. The fight sold 4.3 million buys in the United States, and over a million in the U.K. as well.
Daniel Cormier thinks Isreal Adesanya - Anderson Silva comparisons are premature: "Izzy has some work to do"
Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2022
Daniel Cormier has weighed in on the middleweight GOAT conversation. Israel Adesanya is set to fight Robert Whittaker for the second time at UFC 271. If ‘The Last Stylebender’ wins, it’ll be his 4th title defense, and put his professional record at a stellar 22-1.
Sam Alvey not flustered by short-notice fight: "I'd fight Ngannou if they want me to"
Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2022
Sam Alvey is currently riding a seven-fight winless streak inside the octagon. Despite that skid, he remains undeterred by any fighter on the roster. ‘Smiling Sam’ is scheduled to fight Brendan Allen this weekend at UFC Vegas 47 at 205 pounds. However, that was far from the plan to start with. Alvey was originally scheduled to fight Ian Heinisch at middleweight at the event.
Pro fighters make their picks for Jack Hermansson vs. Sean Strickland
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2022
In the main event of UFC Vegas 47, a battle of top-10 middleweights go down as Jack Hermansson takes on Sean Strickland. Heading into the fight, Strickland is a -210 favorite while the Swede is a +175 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros believe Strickland will be able to keep it standing and either get a late finish or a clear decision win.
Khabib Nurmagomedov scoffs at Jake Paul’s Eagle FC ultimatum: “He has to learn a lot”
Susan Cox - February 3, 2022
Khabib Nurmagomedov established Eagle Fighting Championship in 2020 after retiring as a former UFC lightweight champion. ‘The Eagle’ has no intention of competing again.
Jack Hermansson on Sean Strickland saying he would be happy to kill someone in the Octagon: “It’s not actually helping our cause”
Susan Cox - February 3, 2022
UFC Vegas 47 features Jack Hermansson (22-6 MMA) vs Sean Strickland (24-3 MMA) this Saturday, February 5th in the main event. Strickland has made it known in the past that it would make him ‘super happy’ to actually kill an opponent in the Octagon or in a parking lot for that matter. Yes, ‘Tarzan’ seems to ‘fantasize’ about murder be it in or out of the cage.
Aljamain Sterling responds to fans suggesting he got “beat up” in first fight with Petr Yan: “I won every exchange”
Susan Cox - February 3, 2022
Back in March of 2021 at UFC 259 the bantamweight title was on the line. It was Yan (16-2 MMA) vs Sterling (20-3 MMA) with ‘Funk Master’ winning by disqualification. ‘No Mercy’ was disqualified for landing an illegal knee. “I won every exchange. You clearly didn’t watch the fight.” Aljamain Sterling took to Twitter responding to fans suggesting he got “beat up”.
Paddy Pimblett explains why he’s “glad” that a UFC fight with Jared Gordon didn’t pan out
Harry Kettle - February 3, 2022
UFC newcomer Paddy Pimblett has explained why his rumoured showdown with Jared Gordon didn’t come to fruition. In the last few months we’d been hearing speculation that Paddy Pimblett, who knocked out Luigi Vendramini in his UFC debut, would be locking horns with Jared Gordon in his next fight. Unfortunately for fans that isn’t going to happen, but Pimblett will still be appearing on the upcoming UFC London card – against Rodrigo Vargas.