MMA News
Blagoy Ivanov vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima set for UFC 274
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2022
Blagoy Ivanov will finally be making the walk to the Octagon again. Multiple sources have informed BJPENN.com that Ivanov will return at UFC 274 on May 7 against Marcos Rogerio de Lima at a location TBD. The fight has been in the works for a while and now it is finally a done deal. UFC 274 will see Glover Teixeira defend his light heavyweight belt against Jiri Prochazka while Charles Oliveira will defend his lightweight strap against Justin Gaethje.
Jake Paul "would love" to box former "idol" Anderson Silva
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2022
Jake Paul says he grew up idolizing Anderson Silva so he would love to box the former UFC middleweight champion. Paul says he grew up an MMA fan and even met and got a picture with Silva along with his autograph in a gym in Ohio. He said he’s always enjoyed watching ‘The Spider’ fight and with both men not having their next fight booked, Paul says there is some interest in facing the Brazilian.
Chael Sonnen scolds Said Nurmagomedov for using “real schoolyard tactic” to try and score a fight with Sean O’Malley
Josh Evanoff - January 31, 2022
Said Nurmagomedov has recently been calling out Sean O’Malley, and Chael Sonnen has decided to weigh in. The Russian is coming off a massive win at earlier this month at UFC 270. Already considered one of the best prospects at bantamweight going in, he scored an effortless victory over 135lb staple Cody Stamann. Following the win, he quickly decided to try and set up his next fight by calling out Sean O’Malley.
Randy Couture sounds off on the “horrible” Ultimate Fighter contracts handed out by UFC: “A one-sided mess”
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2022
Randy Couture doesn’t like the contracts the UFC hands to the contestants of The Ultimate Fighter. Couture owns Xtreme Couture and was a coach on TUF, so he has seen first hand what fighters’ contracts are like coming off the show. He claims TUF contracts are extremely one-sided and are very favorable towards the UFC.
Ali Abdelaziz wants Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya to fight: "I don’t think they’re best friends"
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2022
Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya have both said they won’t fight one another, but Ali Abdelaziz is hoping he can make the scrap happen. Usman is currently the welterweight champion while Adesanya is set to defend his middleweight strap against Robert Whittaker at UFC 271 on February 12. Both men are clearing out their respective divisions and there aren’t many options available but Abdelaziz says Usman will face Leon Edwards next.
Paul Daley announces May retirement bout
Josh Evanoff - January 31, 2022
One of the great mainstays of the UK’s MMA scene is finally calling it quits. Paul Daley recently went on to The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. There, ‘Semtex’ revealed that he has an upcoming bout scheduled for May 13th. The London card is headlined by Yaroslav Amosov vs. Michael Venom Page.
Chael Sonnen reveals Henry Cejudo is back in the USADA testing pool: "Cejudo fans out there, be happy, you're getting your guy back"
Susan Cox - January 31, 2022
Chael Sonnen says Henry Cejudo is back in the USADA testing pool and training twice a day for a comeback. Cejudo (16-2 MMA), retired from the UFC back in May of 2020 after beating Dominick Cruz at UFC 249. The former two-division title holder has repeatedly told the media and Dana White that he wants a shot at Alexander Volkanovski (23-1 MMA).
Cody Garbrandt’s uncle and former trainer believes another KO loss for ‘No Love’ would be a career-ender
Susan Cox - January 31, 2022
Cody Garbrandt, 30, (12-5 MMA) last fought in December 2021 at UFC 269, where he suffered a first round TKO loss to Kai Kara-France in his flyweight debut. ‘No Love’ has experienced a tough few years. With having a bad case of Covid-19, and multiple injuries he has the daunting record of having 5 losses over the last 4 years.
Joe Rogan responds to Spotify controversy
Susan Cox - January 31, 2022
Joe Rogan shared a video on Instagram where he responded to the ongoing controversy surrounding misinformation which he is accused of spreading concerning Covid-19 on his podcast, ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’. Rogan, has a huge following with estimates at 11 million listeners per episode and as of today has accumulated over 1,750 plus podcasts.
Michael Bisping finds it mind blowing that adult males get excited for pro wrestling: “I can’t understand how another grown man who takes himself seriously gets so invested in it”
Harry Kettle - January 31, 2022
UFC commentator Michael Bisping can’t understand the fascination grown men have for professional wrestling. While he may have had a fantastic persona during his fighting days with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Michael Bisping has certainly scaled that back since retirement. Now, he chooses to focus on having a good time, whether it be on the commentary desk or during his podcasts.
Francis Ngannou’s coach explains why he wants to get Jon Jones his first time out at heavyweight
Harry Kettle - January 31, 2022
Xtreme Couture coach Eric Nicksick has explained why he wants Jon Jones’ first heavyweight fight to be against Francis Ngannou. For years now we’ve been hearing talk of Jon Jones building his body up in the right way in anticipation of his move to the heavyweight division. The former light heavyweight king hasn’t been seen in the UFC since controversially beating Dominick Reyes in February 2020, with many wondering whether his issues with the promotion would prevent him from making that leap.
Sean O’Malley reveals the “f*cking gangster” he would like to fight most: “I think it would be a sick fight”
Harry Kettle - January 31, 2022
UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley has revealed the “gangster” he’d like to fight the most as his career continues to progress. While he may be divisive in the eyes of some, there’s no denying the impact Sean O’Malley has been able to have since entering the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s one of the most exciting fighters on the entire roster and as we look ahead to the future, that reputation looks set to stick with him.
Fernand Lopez Credits Kamaru Usman For Keeping Peace With Francis Ngnanou
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 30, 2022
MMA Factory head coach Fernand Lopez has some praise for UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman. Going into the UFC 270 PPV, the beef wasn’t between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane. Instead, the bad blood between Ngnanou and Lopez came to a head. The two exchanged some harsh words in the build-up to the undisputed heavyweight title bout.
Tony Ferguson fires back at Ali Abdelaziz over “jealous old girlfriend” comment: “Sit down and shut up before I ankle pick you”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 30, 2022
Tony Ferguson is having none of Ali Abdelaziz’s backtalk. It’s no secret that Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov aren’t friends. The two were booked to fight numerous times but never actually shared the Octagon. Khabib has retired and Ferguson isn’t likely to ever face “The Eagle.”
Zabit Magomedsharipov says he will “simply destroy someone” on February 28
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 30, 2022
Zabit Magomedsharipov isn’t done with the sport of MMA. For months, rumors have swirled on the status of Magomedsharipov. He hasn’t competed since Nov. 2019. Despite being on a 14-fight winning streak, some claimed that Zabit would be done competing professionally.
UFC middleweight Sean Strickland gives fans a unique look at his crib (Video)
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 30, 2022
Sean Strickland’s house tour has serious Redman MTV Cribs vibes. Strickland is known for his unique personality. Those who follow the UFC middleweight on social media know to expect the unexpected. This go-around, followers were in for an impromptu edition of Sean Strickland’s crib.
Kevin Holland makes internet troll eat his words in the gym (Video)
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 30, 2022
Kevin Holland has taken down a troll who was brave enough, or stupid enough, to mix it up with him in the gym. Holland had been getting hounded online by Jayden Draper, someone seemingly begging for attention and a beatdown. Holland shared messages from the keyboard warrior on his Instagram account.
Cris Cyborg responds after Cat Zingano accuses her of refusing to drug test for Bellator
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 30, 2022
Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg is none too pleased with Cat Zingano over recent accusations. Bellator fans have long been awaiting a showdown between Cyborg and Zingano. The bout had already been anticipated but now there’s some more spice to it. That’s because Zingano has a bold claim on why she hasn’t been matched up with the 145-pound champion yet.