MMA News
Dana White responds to Henry Cejudo’s request for a UFC featherweight title shot: “You want to come back and fight Volkanovski and jump the line?”
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
UFC president Dana White responded to Henry Cejudo’s recent request for a UFC featherweight title shot against Alexander Volkanovski. Volkanovski defeated Brian Ortega at UFC 266 last month to mark his latest title defense at 145lbs. Following the fight, Cejudo made it clear that he wants a piece of the champ. “The Messenger” has called out “The Great” in the past for a fight, but until now, White hasn’t taken his calls for the fight seriously. However, Cejudo said that he has a meeting with White this week to talk about the fight, and the UFC president admitted that the two will have a chat about the Volkanovski fight. However, White calls it “a tough conversation.”
Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov squares off with football icon Cristiano Ronaldo
Harry Kettle - October 6, 2021
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov entertained fans this week by squaring off with close friend Cristiano Ronaldo during a recent trip to Manchester, England. Khabib, who has been in the UK for a series of different appearances in the last week or so, spent time at Old Trafford on Saturday to watch his friend Ronaldo play for Manchester United against Everton. While CR7 wasn’t quite able to score the winner, it did give them a chance to reconnect after the game.
Dana White reacts to the tragic death of BKFC fighter Justin Thornton: “First of all, is anybody shocked?”
Harry Kettle - October 6, 2021
UFC president Dana White has given his thoughts on the recent passing of BKFC fighter Justin Thornton. It was confirmed just a few days ago that Thornton had died due to injuries sustained following his 20-second knockout defeat at BKFC 20. There’s been an outpouring of support from the mixed martial arts community ever since then with many paying tribute to the 38-year-old and what he achieved in the sport.
Dana White calls exhibition matches 'bullsh*t loophole' for 'guys who shouldn't be fighting'
Drake Riggs - October 5, 2021
Dana White is not a fan of exhibition matches. The UFC boss recently shared his lack of interest in mixed rules bouts after the announcement of ONE Championship matching Demetrious Johnson against Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Well, with the continuing trend of old legends like Vitor Belfort and Evander Holyfield squaring off in boxing exhibitions, White’s not a fan of those either.
Cody Garbrandt admits flyweight moves 'scares' him but expects to make a 'statement' against Kai Kara-France
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
Cody Garbrandt says all the unanswered questions around his flyweight move are scaring him but also motivating him. Garbrandt is the former UFC bantamweight champion but has struggled as of late and decided to drop down to flyweight. He will make his flyweight debut at UFC 269 on December 11 against Kai Kara-France and Garbrandt says he’s ready to make a statement.
Robbie Lawler checks in on Nick Diaz after UFC 266 loss, asks if he's 'good in life' and if he needs help
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
Robbie Lawler and Nick Diaz had their highly-anticipated rematch and after the fight, Lawler made sure to check in on the Stockton, native. In the lead-up to their rematch at UFC 266, Diaz was vocal that he didn’t know why he was fighting or why this was the fight. It was troubling comments and he echoed that after the fight as well.
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Islam Makhachev 'mauls' Dan Hooker: 'Only thing he has is a lucky punch'
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes the only way Dan Hooker beats Islam Makhachev is by a lucky punch. Makhachev is a pupil of Nurmagomedov and was supposed to fight Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 267 in October. Yet, the Brazilian was forced out of the fight and Hooker took the fight on short notice and for Nurmagomedov, he expects Makhachev to maul Hooker.
BJ Penn announces run for Governor of Hawaii
Adam D Martin - October 5, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn announced that he is running for Governor of Hawaii in a social media post where he explained his decision in full. Penn, one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, made the announcement this week that he is running for the role of Hawaiian Governor. As part of his campaign, Penn promised that he will get rid of vaccine passports. He is running on a campaign of getting freedom back for the people of Hawaii. Take a look at the full statement that Penn posted below.
Kevin Holland vs. Kyle Daukaus rematch rebooked for upcoming UFC Fight Night card
Adam D Martin - October 5, 2021
The Kevin Holland vs. Kyle Daukaus middleweight rematch has been rebooked for an upcoming UFC Fight Night card after their recent No Contest. Holland and Daukaus fought to a No Contest last weekend at UFC Vegas 38. Early in the first round, Holland and Daukaus clashed heads and it dropped Holland to the mat. He woke back up a split second later but Daukaus was able to get him into a rear-naked choke soon afterward and the fight was stopped due to a submission victory. However, the instant reply was used immediately afterward and the fight was quickly reversed to a No Contest. Thankfully, the UFC has been able to rebook the rematch in short order. According to Brett Okamoto, the rematch will take place on November 13 (via Marcel Dorff).
Herb Dean explains why he did not stop Brian Ortega vs. Alexander Volkanovski fight at UFC 266
Adam D Martin - October 5, 2021
MMA referee Herb Dean explained why he did not stop the recent Brian Ortega vs. Alexander Volkanovski featherweight title fight at UFC 266. During the Ortega vs. Volkanovski fight, Ortega appeared to have trouble making it to his stool, and he also appeared to have vision issues. However, Dean let the fight continue. Speaking to Helen Yee in a recent interview, Dean defended not stopping the fight.
Mackenzie Dern expects to finish Marina Rodriguez and leapfrog Carla Esparza to earn the next title shot
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
Mackenzie Dern had a feeling her next fight would be a main event. Dern submitted Nina Nunes in the first round back in April. After that, she was offered two short-notice main event fights. However, they never came to fruition but Dern had a feeling once Rodriguez beat Waterson she would headline a card opposite the Brazilian.
Randy Brown believes he's better everywhere than Jared Gooden, confident he can get a finish
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
Randy Brown wanted to get another fight in this year and he jumped at the chance to take a fight at UFC Vegas 39 against Jared Gooden. Brown is coming off a submission win over Alex Oliveira at UFC 261 and many thought he would get another high-profile name. Yet, that isn’t the case as he will battle Jared Gooden in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 39. For Brown, he says he just wanted to fight and this was a chance to get back in there.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 53 with Mackenzie Dern, Randy Brown, Tim Elliott, Charles Rosa, and Jared Vanderaa
Cole Shelton - October 5, 2021
The 53rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 39. We’re first joined by one-half of the main event in fourth-ranked strawweight, Mackenzie Dern (2:34). Next, UFC welterweight, Randy Brown (18:3) comes on. Ninth-ranked flyweight, Tim Elliott (33:47) then joins the program. UFC featherweight, Charles Rosa (46:57) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC heavyweight, Jared Vanderaa (1:03:11).
Cory Sandhagen says he would absolutely feel like the champ if he beats Petr Yan at UFC 267: “I think everyone sees Yan as the champ of the division”
Harry Kettle - October 5, 2021
Cory Sandhagen has said he would feel like the undisputed bantamweight champion if he can beat Petr Yan at UFC 267. It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Cory Sandhagen in recent months in the wake of his controversial decision loss to the returning TJ Dillashaw. Some felt he won it and others thought he lost but either way, he now has the chance to ascend to the top of the division in a short notice interim title showdown with Petr Yan.
Henry Cejudo on callout of UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski: “I ain’t no Georges St-Pierre”
Harry Kettle - October 5, 2021
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo has explained why he’s taking more of a risk by potentially challenging Alexander Volkanovski than when Georges St-Pierre went to middleweight. Cejudo is best known as “Triple C” thanks to his Olympic gold medal, bantamweight title and flyweight title successes throughout his combat sports career. Now, however, he wants to turn his nickname into “C4” by taking the 145-pound belt from current champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Henry Cejudo says 'Zhang Weili 2.0 is coming' ahead of UFC 268
Drake Riggs - October 4, 2021
Henry Cejudo is feeling rather confident in his new training partner. Ahead of her upcoming title fight rematch with Rose Namajunas, former champion Zhang Weili has taken her talents to the U.S. where she’s training in Scottsdale. Aiding “Magnum” at the Fight Ready team along the way is none other than the former dual-division titlist in Cejudo.
Justin Thornton dies after KO loss at BKFC 20
Cole Shelton - October 4, 2021
Justin Thornton, who fought 24 times in MMA and was 0-1 in BKFC, died following his knockout loss at BKFC 20 in August. He was 38-years-old. Thornton, who was making his Bare Knuckle debut at BKFC 20 on August 20 in Mississippi, took on Dillon Cleckler, who was 2-0 in BKFC in a heavyweight bout. Both men also had MMA experience as Thornton was 6-18 and Cleckler was 11-1. It seemed like a mismatch on paper and it was exactly that as Cleckler KO’d Thornton in just 19 seconds and Thornton left the ring on a stretcher and immediately was taken to the hospital.
Conor McGregor reveals UFC 257 sold over 1.5 million pay-per-views
Adam D Martin - October 4, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor revealed that the UFC 257 sold over 1.5 million pay-per-views for his rematch with his rival Dustin Poirier. UFC 257 took place in January of this year in Abu Dhabi. It was the rematch between McGregor and Poirier, and “The Diamond” knocked out “Notorious” in the second round in what was a big upset at the time. Six months later, they rematched at UFC 264, and Poirier defeated McGregor via first-round TKO when his leg broke. While we are still waiting for the PPV numbers from UFC 264 to come in, McGregor had no problem sharing the numbers for UFC 257. According to McGregor, who posted a legal document from Zuffa, the UFC 257 card sold over 1.5 million PPVs. Check out what McGregor shared on his Twitter below.