MMA News
Justin Gaethje explains why a rematch with Dustin Poirier would go differently: “I played a different game back then”
Harry Kettle - December 8, 2021
Justin Gaethje has explained why he believes a rematch with Dustin Poirier would go differently from their initial bout. Back in April 2018, Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier went to war in a lightweight scrap for the ages. The pair spent just over three rounds swinging for the fences before eventually, Poirier was able to land the final blow that handed him the TKO victory.
Photos | Michelle Waterson is sporting a much different look ahead of her newly announced UFC return
Christopher Taylor - December 7, 2021
‘The Karate Hottie’ Michelle Waterson is sporting a much different look ahead of her newly announced UFC return. Yesterday news broke that Waterson (18-9 MMA) had booked a fight with fellow strawweight standout Amanda Ribas (11-2 MMA) for a UFC Fight Night event on March 26.
'It's a joke!' Rafael Fiziev manager slams #11 lightweight ranking
Andrew Whitelaw - December 7, 2021
Daniel Rubenstein – who manages Rafael Fiziev, is not happy with his client’s latest UFC lightweight ranking. Fiziev pulled off a masterful win against former training partner Brad Riddell at UFC Fight Night: Font vs Aldo and finished the Kiwi with a savage wheel kick. Since losing his UFC debut, the Tiger Muay Thai fighter has put together a run of five straight wins including two highlight reel finishes. Riddell was ranked at #12 in the 155lb division heading into the bout with Fiziev.
Chael Sonnen explains why Jake Paul made the 'biggest mistake' of his career by rematching Tyron Woodley
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2021
Chael Sonnen believes Jake Paul rematching Tyron Woodley is a big mistake for him. Paul was supposed to headline a Showtime pay-per-view boxing card on December 18 against Tommy Fury. It was an intriguing matchup but on Monday, it was revealed Fury was out of the fight due to an injury and Woodley will now rematch Paul, yet Sonnen isn’t a fan of it for Paul.
Tyson Fury targeted to defend WBC heavyweight title against Dillian Whyte in the UK
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2021
Tyson Fury has been ordered to defend his heavyweight titles against Dillian Whyte in the spring of 2022. The WBC announced on Tuesday they have ordered Fury to face the interim WBC heavyweight champion in Whyte. The hope is for the fight to happen in the spring in the UK, according to multiple reports.
Dan Ige expecting a 'Gaethe-Chandler type of war' against Josh Emmett at UFC 269: 'It will be an insane fight for the fans'
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2021
Dan Ige knows his UFC 269 fight against Josh Emmett has all the makings to be the Fight of the Night and one of the best fights of the year. After Ige dropped a decision to Korean Zombie back in June, he wasn’t sure what would be next for him. He thought he would have to fight someone ranked below him, yet when he got the fight offer to face Emmett it was an immediate yes.
Khamzat Chimaev challenges Conor McGregor to London showdown after Nate Diaz “ran away like his brother”
Susan Cox - December 7, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev has challenged Conor McGregor to a London showdown after Nate Diaz “ran away like his brother”. Chimaev (10-0 MMA) most recently competed at October’s UFC 267 event, where he scored a first round TKO victory over ranked welterweight Li Jingliang. That win marked his fourth under the UFC banner and ‘Borz’ is now eyeing a high profile matchup for his next appearance.
Josh Emmett preparing for a '15-minute war' against Dan Ige at UFC 269 but hopes for a KO win to cement himself as a title contender
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2021
Josh Emmett is excited to finally get back into the Octagon. Emmett tore his ACL in the opening seconds of his June 2020 win over Shane Burgos. Since then he has been rehabbing and had other setbacks. During that time, Emmett admits he didn’t know how he would be when he was able to return.
Sean O'Malley explains why it "makes sense" for him to fight on the UFC 269 PPV and Dominick Cruz on the prelims
Susan Cox - December 7, 2021
Sean O’Malley believes it “makes sense” that he is fighting on the UFC 269 PPV while former champ Dominick Cruz is on the prelims. O’Malley (14-1 MMA), is scheduled to return to the Octagon at next Saturday’s pay-per-view event for the bantamweight bout with Raulian Paiva (21-3 MMA).
Derek from MPMD claims Jon Jones had urinary testosterone levels similar to "a female" during fight with Daniel Cormier
Susan Cox - December 7, 2021
Derek from MPMD claims that UFC star Jon Jones had urinary testosterone levels similar to “a female” during his fight with Daniel Cormier. Jones (26-1 MMA) and Cormier (22-3 MMA) of course have one of the most storied rivalries in mixed martial arts history. The pair initially collided at UFC 182 in 2015, with ‘Bones’ emerging victorious and ‘DC’ leaving distraught.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 61 with Josh Emmett, Dan Ige, Phil Daru, Eryk Anders, and Randy Costa
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2021
The 61st episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 269. We’re first by the seventh-ranked UFC featherweight, Josh Emmett (2:44). Next, ninth-ranked featherweight, Dan Ige (16:43) joins the show. Dustin Poirier’s strength and conditioning coach, Phil Daru (35:44) comes on. UFC middleweight, Eryk Anders (51:46) then joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC bantamweight, Randy Costa (1:02:53).
Dustin Poirier to host ‘Thanks-Christmas’ after UFC 269, plans to use world title as a dinner plate
Harry Kettle - December 7, 2021
UFC star Dustin Poirier is clearly in a relaxed mood after declaring he will have ‘Thanks-Christmas’ dinner to celebrate if he wins at UFC 269. This Saturday night, Dustin Poirier will attempt to finally reach the top of the mountain when he challenges Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight championship. Both men have been on incredible runs as of late with Oliviera beating Kevin Lee, Tony Ferguson and Michael Chandler, whereas Poirier has defeated Dan Hooker and Conor McGregor twice since his title defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Ciryl Gane warns fans not to expect the same Francis Ngannou at UFC 270: “He knows I can manage the power”
Christopher Taylor - December 6, 2021
Ciryl Gane has warned fight fans not to expect the same style out of Francis Ngannou at UFC 270. Gane (10-0 MMA), the promotions current interim heavyweight title holder, and Ngannou (16-3 MMA) the UFC’s reigning heavyweight champion, are set to collide in a title unification bout on January 22.
John Kavanagh lists six opponents that Conor McGregor could fight in his UFC return
Christopher Taylor - December 6, 2021
John Kavanagh has named six opponents that his star pupil Conor McGregor could fight in his highly anticipated UFC return. McGregor (22-6 MMA) has not competed since suffering a broken leg during his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier this past July. That setback marked the Irishman’s second loss in a row and third in his past four fights overall.
Jake Paul scoffs at ‘no knockout clause’ rumor, implements $500k bonus to Tyron Woodley for rematch
Cole Shelton - December 6, 2021
Jake Paul has made it clear there is nothing in the contracts saying his opponent can’t knock him out. Back in August, Tyron Woodley rocked Paul badly but didn’t throw anything of substance after that to finish the job. To no surprise, after the fight, Dillon Danis claimed Woodley had a no knockout rule in his contract which Paul says is not true. Instead, he offered Woodley a $500k bonus if he does knock him out in their rematch on December 18.
Jake Paul opens as sizeable favorite over Tyron Woodley ahead of December 18 rematch
Cole Shelton - December 6, 2021
Jake Paul has opened as the betting favorite over Tyron Woodley. Paul was originally supposed to box Tommy Fury in the main event of the Showtime boxing pay-per-view on December 18 in Tampa, Florida. Unfortnately, on Monday it was revealed Fury was forced out of the fight due to an injury. Shortly thereafter, it was revealed Paul would be rematching Woodley, who took the fight on 12 days’ notice.
Rashad Evans ends retirement to compete on Khabib Nurmagomedov's Eagle FC card, Bigfoot Silva booked in the main event
Cole Shelton - December 6, 2021
Rashad Evans will be fighting again. Evans, who retired following his KO loss to Anthony Smith at UFC 225 in June of 2018, will be coming out of retirement to compete on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC’s U.S. debut on January 28. The news was reported by Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports, but Evans’ opponent is not yet known.
What's next for Jose Aldo and Rob Font after UFC Vegas 44?
Cole Shelton - December 6, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 44, top-five bantamweights threw done as Rob Font took on Jose Aldo in a pivotal matchup. Aldo entered the fight on a two-fight winning streak after beating Pedro Munhoz and Marlon Vera after losing three straight including a TKO loss to Petr Yan for the vacant belt. Font, meanwhile, was riding high after a decision win over Cody Garbrandt.