MMA News
Dana White shares his thoughts on Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder 3: "It was exactly what boxing needed"
Christopher Taylor - October 12, 2021
UFC President Dana White shared his thoughts on last weekend’s Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder trilogy following tonight’s Contender Series event. Fury put his WBO and The Ring heavyweight titles on the line last Saturday in Las Vegas, when he squared off with Wilder for a third time.
Benson Henderson touts BJ Penn as GOAT lightweight over Khabib Nurmagomedov
Drake Riggs - October 12, 2021
Benson Henderson knows a thing or two about being a champion in the 155-pound lightweight division. The former WEC and UFC titleholder secured four total title defenses throughout his illustrious career which puts him right in the mix with some of his fellow greats such as BJ Penn and Khabib Nurmagomedov. When it comes to who deserves the top spot as all-time best, “Smooth” has some thoughts.
Luis Pena released from UFC following his arrest for domestic violence
Cole Shelton - October 12, 2021
Luis Pena is no longer a member of the UFC’s roster. Pena was arrested for the second time this year as on Saturday he was arrested and jailed in Deerfield Beach, Florida on misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and battery. He has been booked at the Broward County Jail in Fort Lauderdale. Back in June, he was arrested on felony charges of robbery, battery, and criminal mischief.
Sean Strickland blasts Belal Muhammad for running his mouth after callout: 'I'm going to smack you'
Cole Shelton - October 12, 2021
Sean Strickland is not a fan of Belal Muhammad and he says he wants to smack him. After Luke Rockhold was forced out of his UFC 268 fight against Strickland, several fighters including Muhammad called him out. Although Muhammad competes at welterweight he said Strickland isn’t a big middleweight and wants to beat him up as he “hates that piece of trash.” To no surprise, that did not sit well for the seventh-ranked middleweight.
UFC Vegas 39 rankings update: Joanna Jedrzejczyk moves up women's P4P rankings
Adam D Martin - October 12, 2021
The UFC rankings have been updated following UFC Vegas 39, and notably, Joanna Jedrzejczyk moved up women’s P4P rankings. Notably, Jedrzejczyk didn’t even compete at UFC Vegas 39. In fact, the main event saw fellow strawweight contender Marina Rodriguez fight against Mackenzie Dern in the main event and defeat her via unanimous decision in a breakthrough performance. As expected, Rodriguez moved up in the 115lbs rankings. She moved from No. 6 to No. 4, with Dern dropping down to No. 6 and with Yan Xiaonan at No. 5. As well, Rodriguez debuted at No. 10 overall in the women’s P4P rankings. It is a well-deserved ranking given how good she has looked in her last three fights, wins over Dern, Michelle Waterson, and Amanda Ribas.
Dan Hooker only showing up for the paycheck against Islam Makhachev, says Ali Abdelaziz
Adam D Martin - October 12, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker is only showing up for the paycheck against Islam Makhachev, says manager Ali Abdelaziz. Hooker filled in on short notice against Makhachev at UFC 267 later this month after Rafael dos Anjos pulled out with an injury. Hooker admitted that the UFC paid him a lot of money in order to take the fight, and as far as Abdelaziz goes, that’s the only reason why he took the fight. Speaking to MMAjunkie.com, Abdelaziz accused Hooker of taking the fight with Makhachev only because he will get paid hadnsomely not because he can actually win it.
Casey O'Neill says Antonina Shevchenko win 'was a big improvement from my last fights,' didn't expect to get ranked
Cole Shelton - October 12, 2021
Casey O’Neill knew she would be able to finish Antonina Shevchenko in their UFC Vegas 38 fight. O’Neill was 2-0 in the UFC with two finishes but early on, Shevchenko had success. She had O’Neill in a troubling spot but the 24-year-old was able to get out of it and then take over the round. In the second round, she dominated it and eventually got the stoppage win.
Dustin Poirier is the best lightweight in the world, not Charles Oliveira, says coach
Adam D Martin - October 12, 2021
Dustin Poirier is the best lightweight in the world, not UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, says his coach Mike Brown. Poirier takes on Oliveira at UFC 269 in December with the 155lbs belt on the line. Oliveira won the vacant title when he knocked out Michael Chandler back at UFC 262 in May. But despite being the UFC lightweight champion and holding the belt, there are still a number of people in the MMA community who think that he isn’t the best lightweight in the sport. After all, Poirier turned down the title shot to fight Conor McGregor in a trilogy match. So it’s the opinion of some, including Brown, that Poirier is actually the true No. 1 lightweight.
Demetrious Johnson plans to 'go out there and compete and not be afraid' in special rules fight against Rodtang
Cole Shelton - October 12, 2021
Demetrious Johnson didn’t have any hesitation when he got the call to have a special rules fight against Rodtang. At ONE X in December, Johnson and Rodtang will fight in a special rules bout. The first and third rounds will be muay Thai will the second and fourth will be MMA. The rounds will also be three minutes and for Johnson, he’s super excited for the fight.
Geoff Neal vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio added to UFC 269
Adam D Martin - October 12, 2021
An excellent matchup between two of the best welterweights in the UFC is booked as Geoff Neal vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio was added to UFC 269. ESPN first revealed the news that Neal vs. Ponzinibbio is set for UFC 269, which takes place on December 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. UFC 269 is a stacked pay-per-view card that is headlined by UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier vs. Charles Oliveira. As well, the co-main event features UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes against Julianna Pena. Additionally, there is a welterweight grudge match between Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards also on the card. And now we have Neal vs. Ponzinibbio, too.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 54 with Demetrious Johnson, Casey O'Neill, Brent Primus, and Bibiano Fernandes
Cole Shelton - October 12, 2021
The 54th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is here ahead of Bellator 268 and ONE X in December. We’re first joined by former UFC flyweight champion and current ONE Championship fighter, Demetrious Johnson (2:23). Next, 14th-ranked UFC flyweight, Casey O’Neill (15:10) comes on. Bellator lightweight, Brent Primus (25:26) then joins the program. Closing out the show is ONE Championship bantamweight champion, Bibiano Fernandes (40:56).
Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards react to their upcoming fight booking at UFC 269
Adam D Martin - October 12, 2021
Top-ranked UFC welterweight contenders Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards reacted to their upcoming fight booking at UFC 269. It was revealed on Monday that the grudge match between Masvidal and Edwards will finally be happening at UFC 269, which takes place on December 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a grudge match nearly three years in the making, ever since the “three-piece and a soda” incident at UFC London back in March 2019. Both Masvidal and Edwards do not like each other and this should be one of the most exciting fights of the year when it finally goes down in December. Now that the fight is official, both men took to their social media to react to the fight booking. Take a look at what both men said below.
Demetrious Johnson responds to Aljamain Sterling’s “karma” remarks
Harry Kettle - October 12, 2021
Demetrious Johnson stands by his thoughts on the “downed opponent” rule despite Aljamain Sterling’s karma remarks. We’ve over six months removed from Aljamain Sterling’s DQ win over Petr Yan that had many questioning Sterling as he went on to claim the UFC bantamweight title. Demetrious Johnson, in the immediate aftermath, said that the knee Yan struck Sterling with should’ve been deemed legal, suggesting Sterling knew where to put his hands as he could feel the momentum of the fight shifting.
Sean Strickland reacts after Luke Rockhold pulls out of UFC 268
Harry Kettle - October 12, 2021
UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has reacted to the news that Luke Rockhold has pulled out of UFC 268. It’s public knowledge that UFC 268 is shaping up to be one of the most stacked cards of the year for the UFC but unfortunately, a grudge match at 185 pounds has been lost after Luke Rockhold revealed a herniated disk will ensure he does not fight Sean Strickland at Madison Square Garden.
Luke Rockhold forced out of UFC 268 due to injury
Andrew Whitelaw - October 11, 2021
Luke Rockhold’s return to action will have to wait after the middleweight star announced that injury has ruled im out of his UFC 268 clash wish Sean Strickland. “There’s no easy way to really say it, but the fight is off in New York,” Rockhold said on his Instagram story. “I ended up herniating a disc in my back. L4, L5. The docs say it’s nothing I can play with. I need to do some treatment and recovery time.”
Lauren Murphy equates Valentina Shevchenko to Michael Jordan after UFC 266 loss
Drake Riggs - October 11, 2021
Lauren Murphy has high praise for Valentina Shevchenko after challenging for the UFC flyweight crown at UFC 266. The former Invicta FC bantamweight champion in Murphy rode her best winning streak since her days as a titleholder heading into UFC 266’s co-main event on Sept. 25. Unfortunately for her, “The Bullet” continued her dominant ways by outperforming “Lucky” en route to a fourth-round TKO victory – her first time being finished.
Chuck Liddell releases statement after allegedly being arrested for domestic violence: 'I was the victim'
Cole Shelton - October 11, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Chuck Liddell has released a statement after allegedly being arrested for domestic violence. On Monday morning, TMZ Sports reported that the “L.A. Sherriff’s Department received a call about a fight at a Liddell’s San Fernando Valley home. When cops arrived, they investigated, and determined the 51-year-old former fighter was involved in a verbal argument that turned physical.”
Justin Gaethje explains why he thinks Charles Oliveira is not the best lightweight in the UFC: 'He still has quit'
Cole Shelton - October 11, 2021
Justin Gaethje doesn’t think Charles Oliveira is the best lightweight in the UFC, despite being the champion. Oliveira won the vacant lightweight title at UFC 262 as he knocked out Michael Chandler in the second round. However, for Gaethje, despite the Brazilian being the champ, “The Highlight” says Oliveira is not the best lightweight.