MMA News
UFC 268 reportedly sells over 700,000 pay-per-view buys in the United States
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2021
UFC 268, headlined by a welterweight title fight at Madison Square Garden, did fairly well on pay-per-view. According to the Sports Business Journal, UFC 268 sold 700,000 pay-per-view buys in the United States. Those numbers are from ESPN+ buys only and do not reflect buys from other countries like Canada. UFC 268 is the fourth highest-selling PPV of the year behind UFC 257 (1.6 million), UFC 264 (1.5 million), and UFC 269 (800,000). UFC 261, which Usman also headlined also came in at 700,000 showing he is a PPV draw.
Cris Cyborg says Kayla Harrison reminds her of Ronda Rousey, would fight her at 155lbs
Adam D Martin - November 23, 2021
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg says Kayla Harrison reminds her of Ronda Rousey, saying she would fight her at 155lbs. Harrison is currently a free agent find is looking for her next home in the world of MMA. Harrison was last with PFL, who could still re-sign her to a new contract, but she is also being courted by the UFC, Bellator, and even the WWE. Regardless of where she ends up, Harrison is expected to get a big-money deal as she appears to be one of the best women’s MMA fighters in the world. Those are in high demand right now, and Harrison knows that.
Ben Askren calls out Nate Diaz for UFC fight: "Would be happy to be the last fight on his contract"
Adam D Martin - November 23, 2021
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren called out Nate Diaz for a UFC fight, saying he “would be happy to be the last fight on his contract.” Askren retired from the UFC after losing to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia citing lingering injury issues. Following his retirement, Askren returned to combat sports in boxing, having been knocked out by Jake Paul earlier this year. Since then, we have not heard much from Askren in regards to fighting again. But it appears as though “Funky” is interested in a return to combat sports, only this time in the UFC, and he has a specific opponent in mind.
Rob Font expects to 'pick apart' Jose Aldo and earn stoppage win to enter title conversation at bantamweight
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2021
Rob Font is eager to be able to share the Octagon with an MMA legend in Jose Aldo. Font and Aldo are set to headline UFC Vegas 44 on December 4 and when Font got the call for the fight, he immediately accepted as it is a massive opportunity for him.
Miesha Tate issues statement following loss to Ketlen Vieira at UFC Vegas 43: "I am not sad"
Adam D Martin - November 23, 2021
UFC women’s bantamweight contender Miesha Tate issued a statement following her loss to Ketlen Vieira at UFC Vegas 43, saying “I am not sad.” Tate lost a unanimous decision to Vieira in what was mostly a standup fight between two fighters who generally prefer to grapple with their opponents. Taking to her social media in the days following the loss, Tate issued a statement after her defeat to Vieira. In the statement, Tate admitted that she lost fair and square, but said she was happy with the improvements that she showed in the fight. Take a look at the full statement Tate shared.
Colby Covington still believes he beat Kamaru Usman at UFC 268, calls for trilogy match
Adam D Martin - November 23, 2021
Colby Covington still believes he beat UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 268, and he is calling for a trilogy match. Covington and Usman met earlier this month in the main event of UFC 268 and the fight turned out to be a back-and-forth war, much like their first meeting back at UFC 245. In the first fight, Usman won the fight via fifth-round TKO. This time around, the fight was closer, but it was still Usman who ended up winning via unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards. But if you ask Covington, he should have been named as the fight’s winner.
Nate Diaz takes a shot at Jake Paul: "You can't really fight"
Adam D Martin - November 23, 2021
UFC welterweight superstar Nate Diaz took a shot at Jake Paul, telling the YouTuber-turned-boxer that “you can’t really fight.” Diaz and Paul have been going back-and-forth on social media and in interviews for the last little while, so it should come as no surprise to anyone that they continued to take shots this week. It all came after Diaz responded to an article about Paul, where his former opponent Ben Askren gave him credit for being a good boxer. Diaz saw the comments and replied right away, telling him that these comments are coming from a retired wrestler who can’t box, and therefore they don’t mean anything. That led to Paul then returning fire by telling Diaz that he has a bunch of losses on his resume, and then Diaz took a shot at Paul.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 60 with Rob Font, Matt Brown, Louis Smolka, and Vince Morales
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2021
The 60th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 44 on December 4. We’re first joined by the fourth-ranked bantamweight and one-half of the main event in Rob Font (2:10). Next, UFC welterweight, Matt Brown (14:30) joins the program. UFC bantamweight, Louis Smolka (27:32) then comes on. UFC bantamweight, Vince Morales (40:02) closes out the show.
Chael Sonnen calls a fourth fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier "a tough sell"
Adam D Martin - November 23, 2021
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen called a fourth fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier “a tough sell” for his return fight to the Octagon. McGregor and Poirier fought twice this year, with McGregor losing via TKO both times. Their fight at UFC 257 resulted in Poirier winning by second-round knockout with punches, but at UFC 264, the fight ended with McGregor breaking his leg. Since then, the Irishman has been out on the sidelines with his injury, but he is hoping that he gets the fourth fight when he returns to the Octagon. However, Sonnen believes that is going to be “a tough sell,” as he explained in a new video. As far as Sonnen goes, there is no reason to book this fight.
Daniel Cormier wants fighters to choose championship opportunities over money fights: “What happened to the title being the most important thing?”
Harry Kettle - November 23, 2021
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has questioned the debate between fighters choosing money fights over title opportunities. Cormier, a former two-weight UFC champion, is one of many to pose this question in the mixed martial arts sphere. While some understand the allure behind fighters wanting to chase big paydays, others believe the championship is what everyone on the roster should be pushing for.
Muhammad Mokaev plans to confront Conor McGregor about his comments on Dagestan: “He has to apologize about this”
Harry Kettle - November 23, 2021
UFC newcomer Muhammad Mokaev wants to speak with Conor McGregor about some of his comments regarding Dagestan. Mokaev was recently signed by the UFC as one of the most exciting prospects in British MMA. Now, fans are eagerly anticipating his debut after rave reviews regarding what he can do inside the cage.
Gabi Garcia believes 'There’s no way' Kayla Harrison fights Cris Cyborg
Drake Riggs - November 22, 2021
Gabi Garcia isn’t buying the Kayla Harrison hype. The 31-year old two-time Olympic Judo gold medalist in Harrison is currently testing the free agency waters after an 11-0 career in the PFL (12-0 overall). When it comes to likely options, the UFC, Bellator, or returning to the promotion where she’s won two million-dollar titles seem most likely
Dan Hooker makes featherweight in test cut to signal move down: '45 look alive'
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2021
Dan Hooker will be returning to featherweight. Hooker, who entered the UFC as a featherweight, has been competing as lightweight and has been a perennial contender. Yet, after a 1-3 skid, he recently revealed he would be working with the PI to possibly get back to down to 145lbs.
Stipe Miocic disappointed he wasn't asked to fight for interim title, wants Ngannou trilogy or Jones next
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2021
Stipe Miocic was disappointed he wasn’t asked to fight for the interim heavyweight title. Miocic said after his KO loss to Francis Ngannou at UFC 260 to lose his heavyweight title, he would take the rest of the year off. With that, the promotion decided to book Ciryl Gane vs. Derrick Lewis for the interim title, which Miocic is upset he wasn’t asked to fight either one of them.
Colby Covington says Jorge Masvidal will 'get dumped on his head and knocked the f**k out' when they fight
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2021
Colby Covington has made it clear he wants to fight Jorge Masvidal and he has violent plans for his former teammate. .@ColbyCovMMA tells Jorge Masvidal to put his “BMF belt back on the fucking line” and “show up or just shut your fucking mouth”:
Ben Askren admits Jake Paul 'is kind of good' at boxing
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2021
Ben Askren, who was considered Jake Paul’s first real test, admits the brash YouTuber turned boxer is pretty good at boxing. Askren ended his retirement to box Paul and in the lead-up to the fight, he made it clear he didn’t think the Disney actor turned Youtuber turned boxer was good. He was just 2-0 with knockout wins over former NBA player Nate Robinson, and YouTuber, AnEsonGib. However, Paul scored a vicious first-round KO over Askren in their boxing match back in April.
Colby Covington reveals Jorge Masvidal pulled out of UFC 269 due to broken ribs
Adam D Martin - November 22, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington revealed that Jorge Masvidal pulled out of the upcoming UFC 269 card due to broken ribs. Masvidal was set to take on Leon Edwards on the UFC 269 main card, but “Gamebred” pulled out of the fight due to an undisclosed injury. According to Covington, however, he knows what the injury was that forced Masvidal out of the fight. Based on what Covington’s sources at American Top Team told him, Masvidal pulled out of the fight due to broken ribs.
Marcus Davis wins return to MMA after seven-year layoff
Adam D Martin - November 22, 2021
Former UFC fighter Marcus Davis, who was active as a pro between 2003 and 2014, recently won his return to MMA after a seven-year layoff. Davis was a former Ultimate Fighter contestant as well as a longtime veteran of the UFC who had memorable fights against the likes of Nate Diaz and Chris Lytle, among others. Now 48 years old, Davis had not competed in the cage since February 2014 when he lost via doctor stoppage TKO on the northeast United States regional circuit. After taking over seven years off of active competition, Davis returned to the cage this past weekend at Premier FC 32 when he fought Stephen Stengel. Watch the video of the finish below.