MMA News
UFC Vegas 41 rankings update: Jon Jones slips in men's P4P ranks
Adam D Martin - October 26, 2021
The UFC rankings have been updated following this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 41 card, and Jon Jones has slipped in the men’s P4P rankings. Jones did not fight at UFC Vegas 41, but he was recently in the news for a legal issue. Jones also hasn’t fought since he defeated Dominick Reyes via unanimous decision at UFC 257 in February 2020. With Jones being so inactive, the UFC rankings panelists have decided that he should be moved down in the rankings. In the latest edition of the UFC’s P4P rankings, Jones has slipped down to No. 4 behind Kamaru Usman, Alexander Volkanovski, and Israel Adesanya. Jones could always move back up in the rankings, but he would have to take a fight first, and that won’t be happening until his legal issues are all cleared up. So for now, Jones is the No. 4 P4P men’s UFC fighter.
Corey Anderson explains how using MMA math will prove he's the best light heavyweight in the world
Adam D Martin - October 26, 2021
Bellator light heavyweight contender Corey Anderson explained how using MMA math will prove he’s the best light heavyweight in the world. Anderson recently knocked out Ryan Bader in the semifinals of the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix. Following the fight, he proclaimed himself as the best light heavyweight in the world despite the fact that Blachowicz KOed him just last year in the UFC. While it’s true that Anderson did beat Blachowicz the first time they met at UFC 191 in 2015, Blachowicz has since gone on to become the UFC light heavyweight champion. Since he is the champion, you have to give him the credit he deserves.
Jiri Prochazka eager to be the backup fighter for the UFC 267 main event, so he 'can smell the energy of my opponents and their power'
Cole Shelton - October 26, 2021
Jiri Prochazka is excited to possibly be fighting for UFC gold on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. In the main event of UFC 267, Jan Blachowicz is set to defend his light heavyweight title against Glover Teixeira. When the fight was announced, it was rumored Prochazka would serve as the backup fighter, which he says he confirmed right away.
Jan Blachowicz expects Glover Teixeira to wrestle him but confident he'll KO him to defend his belt
Cole Shelton - October 26, 2021
Jan Blachowicz is confident he will score another KO win to defend his light heavyweight for the second time. After Blachowicz defeated Israel Adesanya back in March to defend his belt for the first time, he knew his next fight would be against Glover Teixeira. The two will meet in the main event of UFC 267, and the Pole knows this will be the best Teixeira ever, due to the fact this is his final title shot.
Mason Jones calls for UFC to cut Alan Patrick following scratched rematch at UFC Vegas 41
Adam D Martin - October 26, 2021
UFC lightweight fighter Mason Jones called for UFC to cut Alan Patrick following their scratched rematch at UFC Vegas 41. Jones and Patrick met earlier this year and Jones was completely dominating the fight before it was stopped due to an accidental eye poke that left Patrick unable to continue. The UFC wasted no time booking the immediate rematch due to the circumstances of the stoppage, and the fight was supposed to take place last weekend at UFC Vegas 41. But Patrick pulled out of the fight with just over a week to go, and he was replaced on short notice by UFC newcomer David Onama. Although Onama fought very well in his UFC debut, it was ultimately Jones who won the decision.
Paulo Costa says he is going back to middleweight following UFC Vegas 41 weight miss debacle
Adam D Martin - October 26, 2021
UFC contender Paulo Costa says he is going back to middleweight following this past weekend’s UFC Vegas 41 weight miss debacle. Costa was supposed to fight Marvin Vettori in the middleweight main event of this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 41 card, but the fight was shifted to light heavyweight after Costa showed up heavy to fight week and did not make weight. Following the event, UFC president Dana White confirmed that he and the matchmakers would tell Costa that his next fight in the promotion must be at 205lbs rather than at 185lbs. But if you ask Costa, he believes that his next fight is actually going to be at middleweight.
Dan Hooker blasts Paulo Costa over giant weight miss: "That is just a massive 'F you' to the fans"
Adam D Martin - October 26, 2021
UFC lightweight Dan Hooker blasted middleweight Paulo Costa over his giant weight miss, saying “that is just a massive ‘F you’ to the fans.” Costa was set to fight Marvin Vettori in a middleweight bout that served as the main event of UFC Vegas 41, but Costa showed up heavy to fight week. Because he couldn’t make the 185lbs limit, the fight was then moved to a 195lbs catchweight, and then to the 205lbs light heavyweight limit. Costa was fined 30% of his purse and the fight went on at 205, with Vettori winning a unanimous decision in a back-and-forth fight.
Kevin Lee "less embarrassed" now after being suspended for Adderall
Adam D Martin - October 26, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Kevin Lee admitted that he is “less embarrassed” now after being suspended for using Adderall. Lee recently revealed that he had failed his post-fight drug test following his fight this summer against Daniel Rodriguez. The reason he failed was due to testing positive for Adderall without having a therapeutic use exemption. The Nevada Athletic Commission then flagged Lee and he is currently in the process of figuring out the length of his suspension. But while Lee is still overall embarrassed by how the whole situation has played out, there is one thing that is making him feel better, and that’s seeing fans reaching out to him and actually giving him support rather than kicking him down.
Derek Brunson continues to troll Paulo Costa over his UFC Vegas 41 weight debacle
Harry Kettle - October 26, 2021
Derek Brunson is one of many UFC fighters who continues to tease Paulo Costa over his weight issues at UFC Vegas 41. In one of the most bizarre weight cut situations in the recent history of the UFC, Paulo Costa announced during a fight week interview that he wouldn’t be able to make it down to the middleweight limit. Instead, he wound up fighting Marvin Vettori at light heavyweight – 20 pounds higher.
PFL star Kayla Harrison details previous run-in with Dillon Danis: “I slapped him, I think”
Harry Kettle - October 26, 2021
PFL star Kayla Harrison has spoken about the time she had a run-in with notorious Bellator fighter Dillon Danis. As Harrison attempts to continue her phenomenal run in PFL, many folks who are on the outside looking in have been talking about her potential and where she may go from here. After all, she’s had an incredibly dominant MMA career up to this point and she’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Rich Franklin prefers more permissive ONE Championship ruleset
Andrew Whitelaw - October 25, 2021
When it comes to the various rulesets in MMA, Rich Franklin is a man whose opinion should carry plenty of weight. The former UFC middleweight champion and Hall-of-Famer has fought under the unified rules, competed in Japan, and since 2014 – he’s been the vice president at ONE Championship. Rulesets have been a hot topic in MMA recently, particularly after Petr Yan lost the UFC bantamweight title via DQ for kneeing Aljamain Sterling when he was grounded. In contrast, Adriano Moraes retained his ONE flyweight title in April by knocking out Demetrious Johnson with a knee when DJ was grounded.
Daniel Cormier responds to backlash from Fedor Emelianenko comments: "I don’t understand how this ruffled so many people’s feathers"
Christopher Taylor - October 25, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier has responded after receiving a ton of backlash for his comments about Fedor Emelianenko. Prior to ‘The Last Emperor’ earning a stunning knockout over Tim Johnson at last weekend’s Bellator 268 event, Cormier had suggested that Fedor would have been “average at best” in the UFC.
John McCarthy rips Daniel Cormier for his comments on Fedor Emelianenko: 'You’re sounding like you're being a homer for the UFC'
Cole Shelton - October 25, 2021
John McCarthy has ripped Daniel Cormier over his comments about Fedor Emelianenko. The former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, Cormier, recently said on his YouTube channel that he thought had Emelianenko signed with the UFC, he would’ve been average at best. Those comments took many by surprise, including John McCarthy, who proceeded to rip ‘DC’ for for his controversial take.
Israel Adesanya reacts after Marvin Vettori defeats Paulo Costa at UFC Vegas 41
Christopher Taylor - October 25, 2021
Israel Adesanya clearly tuned in to watch his former opponents Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori square off at last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 41 event. The former middleweight title challengers, Costa and Vettori, were originally supposed to collide at their natural fighting weight of 185lbs. However, earlier in the fight week ‘The Eraser’ revealed he would not be able to make weight for the contest and thus the bout was moved to light heavyweight.
Chase Sherman returns in January on Fight Night card opposite Jake Collier
Cole Shelton - October 25, 2021
Chase Sherman and Jake Collier will be looking to get back into the win column in January. Multiple sources informed BJPENN.com that Sherman and Collier have been agreed to for the first card of 2022 on January 15 at a location TBD. Contracts have also been issued for the fight, with one side having already signed, the sources said. The main event of the card will see Calvin Kattar take on Giga Chikadze at featherweight.
Bellator 268 salaries: Corey Anderson nets $200k but Vadim Nemkov leads payroll
Cole Shelton - October 25, 2021
Bellator 268 went down on October 16 in Arizona and the salaries for the fight card have now been released. In the main event of Bellator 268, Vadim Nemkov defended his light heavyweight title against Julius Anglickas with a submission win. The co-main event saw Corey Anderson TKO Ryan Bader in under a minute as Nemkov and Anderson will now fight one another in the grand prix finals. The date of the finals has not been announced by Bellator but will likely happen sometime early in 2022.
PFL Founder Donn Davis fires back at Dana White for comments about Kayla Harrison
Drake Riggs - October 25, 2021
FORT LAUDERDALE — Kayla Harrison will be a free agent after this Wednesday’s PFL 2021 Championship. Appearing during the fight week’s media day, Harrison answered the usual round of questions – lastly focusing on comments from Dana White earlier in the day.
Dana White attempts to lure Nate Diaz into signing a new UFC contract with cryptic message
Christopher Taylor - October 25, 2021
UFC President Dana White is doing his best to try and persuade superstar Nate Diaz into signing a new contract with the promotion. Diaz (20-13 MMA) was last seen in action at June’s UFC 263 event, where despite mounting a late comeback, he ultimately suffered a unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards. The setback marked Nate’s second in a row and put him on the final fight of his current contract with the UFC.