MMA News
Marlon Vera calls for fight against Merab Dvalishvili after KOing Frankie Edgar at UFC 268
Adam D Martin - November 9, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Marlon Vera called for a fight against divisional rival Merab Dvalishvili after KOing Frankie Edgar at UFC 268. Vera finished Edgar with a devastating front kick in the third round of their main card bantamweight bout at this past weekend’s UFC 268 pay-per-view event. It was an absolutely phenomenal victory by Vera, who will now be ranked in the top-10 after taking out Edgar in such an impressive fashion. Now that he’s in the top-10 of the UFC bantamweight division, Vera can now start calling out the top guys in the division. By beating Edgar, Vera now has the ability to call out some big names, and he has one in mind in particular in Dvalishvili, who Vera believes he has the style to potentially defeat.
Max Holloway slams the ‘elevator divas’ of the UFC: “A lot of these guys, they’re just waiting at the elevator”
Harry Kettle - November 9, 2021
UFC featherweight contender Max Holloway has criticized some fighters for “waiting” to be handed an opportunity. This Saturday night, Max Holloway steps back into the Octagon for the first time since January as he prepares to take on top contender Yair Rodriguez. While many believe Holloway has already earned the right to battle Alexander Volkanovski in a trilogy fight for the UFC featherweight championship, Holloway just wants to get back in there and remind fans why he’s considered to be one of the best fighters in the world.
Henry Cejudo wants Kamaru Usman to drop the ‘African pride’ and fight Israel Adesanya: “I just believe he has a perfect style to be Izzy”
Harry Kettle - November 9, 2021
Henry Cejudo has urged Kamaru Usman to put his friendship with Israel Adesanya aside and fight him at middleweight. At UFC 268, Kamaru Usman seemingly put an end to his rivalry with Colby Covington by beating “Chaos” for the second time. In early 2022, Israel Adesanya will attempt to successfully defend his UFC middleweight crown once again when he goes up against rival Robert Whittaker.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 58 with Felicia Spencer, Thiago Moises, Sean Woodson, and Leah Letson
Cole Shelton - November 9, 2021
The 58th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 42. We’re first joined by UFC featherweight, Felicia Spencer (2:16). Next, 15th-ranked UFC lightweight, Thiago Moises (14:23) comes on. UFC featherweight, Sean Woodson (24:46) then joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC featherweight, Leah Letson (37:55).
Ryan Benoit suspended for 10 months by USADA after testing positive for banned substance
Adam D Martin - November 9, 2021
Former UFC flyweight contender Ryan Benoit has been suspended for 10 months by USADA after testing positive for a banned substance. USADA announced in a press release that Benoit tested positive for modafinil, which is a sleep disorder drug, following his decision loss to Zarrukh Adashev at a UFC Fight Night card back in July. Not only did Benoit lose that fight, but the UFC later cut him from the roster, and now he has been hit with the news that he has been suspended for 10 months.
Marvin Vettori believes there is one lightweight fighter who could give Islam Makhachev “a lot of problems”
Adam D Martin - November 9, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori believes there is one lightweight fighter who could give Islam Makhachev “a lot of problems.” Vettori trains at Kings MMA alongside Beneil Dariush, who is one of the top-ranked lightweights in the sport. Speaking to Mike Swick recently on his podcast, Vettori said that he believes Dariush is the one man who can give Makhachev problems. Although Vettori admitted that Makhachev is a great fighter, he believes Dariush has the style to beat him.
Israel Adesanya reacts after former opponent Alex Pereira scores a knockout in his UFC debut
Christopher Taylor - November 8, 2021
Israel Adesanya tuned in to watch his former kickboxing opponent Alex Pereira make his Octagon debut Saturday night at UFC 268. Pereira (4-1 MMA), a former Glory Kickboxing champion, made his highly anticipated UFC debut last weekend at MSG against Andreas Michailidis.
Jake Paul thanks 'control freak' Dana White for promoting his fights: 'You literally tee up every single fight for me perfectly'
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2021
Jake Paul knows his feud with UFC president, Dana White has only helped him. Ever since Paul has turned pro and started to call out and fight UFC fighters, White has trash-talked him. He thought Ben Askren would beat him but after Paul beat him and Tyron Woodley, the UFC boss still criticized him for not fighting real boxers.
Islam Makhachev could beat Khabib Nurmagomedov, says Mike Swick
Adam D Martin - November 8, 2021
UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev could beat former divisional kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov, says former UFC fighter Mike Swick. Swick competed in the UFC for many years but these days he lives in Thailand and own and operates AKA Thailand. In the United States, Makhachev and Nurmagomedov train at AKA San Jose, so Swick is well versed in both men and their skills. While Nurmagomedov was for many years the best lightweight in the UFC, he retired from the sport earlier this year and now the other lightweight fighters have the opportunity to win the title. One of those fighters is Makhachev, who recently defeated Dan Hooker for his ninth straight win.
Alex Pereira releases statement following flying knee KO win at UFC 268
Adam D Martin - November 8, 2021
UFC middleweight fighter Alex Pereira released a statement following his incredible flying knee KO win over Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268. Pereira is a former GLORY kickboxing champion who made his UFC debut this past Saturday at UFC 268. The only man to ever KO current UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in combat sports, there was a ton of hype behind Pereira entering the UFC, and he made good on it with the spectacular knockout win over Michailidis. After losing the first round by getting controlled on the ground, Pereira landed the insane flying knee KO in the second round to collect the first win in his UFC career, as well as a $50k bonus.
Michael Chandler calls out Conor McGregor, McGregor says "I'm down"
Adam D Martin - November 8, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler called out Conor McGregor, and McGregor replied by saying that “I’m down” to fight at some point. Chandler fought three hard rounds with Justin Gaethje at this past Saturday’s UFC 268 pay-per-view card. Although Chandler lost the unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards, his stock arguably went up despite the loss just because it was such an incredible fight. Importantly, Chandler’s durability allowed him to stay in the fight despite Gaethje throwing everything that he had at him. It was an amazing fight and it looks like the performance of Chandler caught the eye of the sport’s biggest star in McGregor.
What's next for the stars of UFC 268?
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2021
The UFC returned to Madison Square Garden for the first time since November of 2019 for a stacked UFC 268 card. The event saw two titles on the line as Kamaru Usman was looking to defend his welterweight title in a rematch against Colby Covington. Rose Namajunas and Weili Zhang were also running it back from their fight in April for the strawweight strap. UFC 268 ended up being one of the best cards in recent memory as in the main event, Usman edged out Covington in a super close fight. Namajunas, meanwhile, went up 2-0 on Zhang as she defended her belt with a split decision win. Now, after UFC 268, here’s what I think should be next for the four fighters involved in the title fights.
Dana White praises Kamaru Usman following UFC 268 win: "I think he's the greatest welterweight of all time"
Adam D Martin - November 8, 2021
UFC president Dana White praised Kamaru Usman following his UFC 268 win, saying that “I think he’s the greatest welterweight of all time.” Usman defeated archrival Colby Covington via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 268 this past Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was a phenomenal fight by both men, but particularly by Usman, who once again showed Covington that he’s the best welterweight in the world. By beating his rival for a second time, Usman improved to a perfect 15-0 in the UFC. He either holds or is chasing most of the key records in the UFC welterweight division occupied by former longtime champion Georges St-Pierre. But if you ask White, even if Usman still has a ways to go to catch GSP in terms of title defenses and overall wins, White thinks Usman has surpassed him.
Carla Esparza respectfully requests rematch with Rose Namajunas for UFC women's title
Adam D Martin - November 8, 2021
Former champion Carla Esparza respectfully requested a rematch with current champ Rose Namajunas for the UFC women’s strawweight title. Esparza is arguably the No. 1 contender in the UFC women’s strawweight division, so she watched anxiously this past Saturday night as Namajunas duked it out with former champ Weili Zhang at UFC 268. It was a hard-fought fight between the two women, but it was Namajunas who earned the split decision win on the judges’ scorecards to defend her belt.
Kamaru Usman open to Colby Covington trilogy down the road
Adam D Martin - November 8, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says he is open to a Colby Covington trilogy fight down the road if his rival works his way back up. Usman defeated Covington via unanimous decision in the main event of this past Saturday’s UFC 268 pay-per-view card. Just like their first meeting at UFC 245 in December 2019, which came down to the wire before a late stoppage in the fifth round. the rematch was a close fight, with Usman edging out a tight decision on the judges’ scorecards. It was an excellent matchup and even though he lost, Covington showed once again that he is the second-best welterweight in the division. It just so happens that Usman is the best fighter in the weight class and he has now beaten Covington twice.
Derek Brunson doesn’t want to see Frankie Edgar compete in MMA anymore following UFC 268
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2021
UFC middleweight Derek Brunson has joined those calling for Frankie Edgar to consider retiring from mixed martial arts. At UFC 268 on Saturday night, Frankie Edgar was knocked out by Marlon Vera in their bantamweight clash – marking the fourth time he’s been KO’d in the last four years. It was another worrying sign for a veteran who, in the eyes of many, has the potential to become a UFC Hall of Famer one day.
Marlon Vera explains why he flipped off Frankie Edgar at UFC 268
Christopher Taylor - November 7, 2021
Marlon Vera picked up the biggest win of his career last night at MSG, finishing Frankie Edgar in the third round of their fight at UFC 268. The victory came by way of a stunning front kick, a strike which sent the former lightweight champion crashing to the Octagon canvas (see that here).
Dana White not ready to give Carla Esparza a title shot following UFC 268: "We have an option"
Christopher Taylor - November 7, 2021
Dana White is not ready to proclaim Carla Esparza as the next strawweight title challenger, this despite Rose Namajunas’ win at UFC 268. Esparza (18-6 MMA), the promotions former strawweight champion, is currently on a five-fight winning streak and seemingly has the best case for a title shot when compared to any of the other divisions contenders.