MMA News
Michael Bisping reacts to "insanely strange" trend of fight fans knocking Joe Rogan: "I watch him and learn every time"
Christopher Taylor - September 29, 2021
Former middleweight champion Michael Bisping is perplexed by the trend of fight fans knocking Joe Rogan over his UFC commentating. Rogan has been criticized for is fight commentating, or lack their of, during his recent stints behind the booth. While some fight fans believe the longtime UFC commentator is no longer a valuable asset on the broadcast, Michael Bisping believes otherwise.
Dominick Cruz returns at UFC 269 against top-10 bantamweight Pedro Munhoz
Cole Shelton - September 29, 2021
Dominick Cruz will be returning to the Octagon in December but not against Sean O’Malley. O’Malley has been hinting that he will be fighting in December and called out Cruz but according to MMAFighting, the former bantamweight champion will return on December 11 at UFC 269 against Pedro Munhoz. The event is expected to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Valentina Shevchenko claims Amanda Nunes doesn't want trilogy fight
Cole Shelton - September 29, 2021
As Valentina Shevchenko and Amanda Nunes continue to dominate their divisions, the call for the trilogy has only increased, yet for Shevchenko, she says the Brazilian doesn’t want it. Shevchenko and Nunes first fought back at UFC 196 where the Brazilian won a decision. They then had their rematch at UFC 215 as Nunes was defending her bantamweight title and once again the Brazilian got her hand raised, yet this time was by a controversial split decision. Since then, Shevchenko went down to flyweight and has gone 8-0 including defending her belt six times. With that, many are calling for the trilogy to happen, however, Shevchenko claims Nunes isn’t interested in it.
Aljamain Sterling blasts 'moron' Petr Yan, plans to 'slap the f**k out of him' if they rematch
Cole Shelton - September 29, 2021
Aljamain Sterling wants it known that the bantamweight division is in this mess because of Petr Yan. At UFC 259 in March, Yan was looking to defend the belt for the first time when he took on Sterling. Early on, Sterling had success but after that, the Russian began to take over and was on his way to winning the fight. Yet, in the fourth round, he threw an illegal knee and Sterling couldn’t continue so the fight was ruled a DQ and Sterling became the champ.
Daniel Cormier reacts to Jon Jones' recent arrest: "Reminds me why I felt so strong about disliking him"
Adam Martin - September 29, 2021
UFC analyst Daniel Cormier reacted to Jon Jones’ recent arrest, saying that it “reminds me why I felt so strong about disliking him.” Cormier and Jones were bitter rivals for many years and the two fought in a pair of memorable fights in 2015 and 2017, which Jones won both times. However, the second fight was overturned to a No Contest after Jones tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, and Cormier has held a grudge against Jones ever since. But since retiring from active competition, Cormier has slowly become more accepting and understanding of his longtime rival. Following his latest arrest, though, Cormier is just at a loss for words.
Jared Gordon plans to make Joe Solecki fight 'as dirty as possible' to secure the win: 'I would like to hurt him on the feet'
Cole Shelton - September 29, 2021
Jared Gordon wanted to make a run at featherweight but will be moving back up to lightweight at UFC Vegas 38. Gordon dropped down on Fight Island last summer and beat Chris Fishgold by decision. He then beat Danny Chavez by decision in a fight he missed weight so the UFC told him he had to move back up to lightweight.
Jake Paul "absolutely has a chance" of beating Conor McGregor in boxing, says Javier Mendez
Adam Martin - September 29, 2021
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul “absolutely has a chance” of beating Conor McGregor in a boxing match, says rival coach Javier Mendez. Mendez is the longtime coach of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomeov and other top fighters at American Kickboxing Academy, so he knows combat sports inside out. In a recent interview with BetWay, Mendez was asked how he believes a boxing match between McGregor and Paul would go. According to the longtime coach, he believes Paul has several advantages in a boxing match against McGregor, and he explained why.
Aljamain Sterling shares prediction for Petr Yan vs. Cory Sandhagen interim title fight
Adam Martin - September 29, 2021
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling shared his prediction for the upcoming interim title fight between Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen. Sterling defeated Yan via fourth-round DQ at UFC 259 earlier this year to become the undisputed 135lbs champion, but with the stoppage being so controversial, the UFC had no choice but to book an immediate rematch. Sterling and Yan were supposed to fight at UFC 267 in October, but the rematch was scrapped last week when Sterling was forced to withdraw due to lingering injuries. The UFC was adamant that Yan stays on the card and the promotion booked him against one of the division’s other top contenders in Sandhagen for an interim title fight. The two will now meet at UFC 267 for the interim 135lbs belt.
Douglas Lima promising another knockout over Michael Page at Bellator 267
Adam Martin - September 29, 2021
Former Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima is promising another knockout victory over rival Michael Page at Bellator 267. Lima and Page rematch in the headliner of this Friday’s Bellator 267 card. The two first met in May 2019, with Lima knocking Page out in brutal fashion as part of the Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix, which Lima won over Rory MacDonald in the finals. Since then, Lima has lost both of his fights to Gegard Mousasi and Yaroslav Amosov, while Page has won his last five fights over lower-ranked opponents. Bellator decided that now is the time to book the rematch, and the two rivals will square off this Friday night in London.
Pro fighters make their picks for Thiago Santos vs. Johnny Walker
Cole Shelton - September 29, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 38, Thiago Santos looks to snap his losing streak when he battles Johnny Walker. Ahead of the fight, Santos is a -160 favorite while the comeback on the Brazilian is +140. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe Santos will get back into the win column in a big way as he will KO Walker.
Nate Diaz hints at December return to the Octagon
Adam D Martin - September 29, 2021
UFC superstar Nate Diaz is hinting at a December return to the Octagon, though UFC president Dana White wouldn’t confirm he is fighting. Diaz last competed at UFC 263 in June when he went five rounds with Leon Edwards in a welterweight contest. After dropping the first four rounds of the fight, Diaz came on strong in the fifth and final round and nearly knocked Edwards out with strikes. In the end, it was Edwards who won the decision and Diaz dropped another fight on his record, but as far as the fans go, Diaz was a winner that night just for the way that he ended the fight strong.
Cory Sandhagen and Petr Yan react to newly announced interim title fight at UFC 267
Adam D Martin - September 29, 2021
Cory Sandhagen and Petr Yan reacted to the newly-announced interim title fight at UFC 267 that features them throwing down for five rounds. With UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling out with an injury and not yet cleared to fight by the doctors, the promotion was forced to create an interim title for next month’s UFC 267 card. Instead of Sterling vs. Yan 2 for the undisputed belt, Yan will now fight Sandhagen for the interim title, with the winner being in line to unify the belt with Sterling next year. On Tuesday, the UFC officially announced that Yan vs. Sandhagen is the fight that is happening, and shortly after that, both fighters decided to react to the big news.
Dana White says Jon Jones is “10 years late” on his vow to stop drinking
Harry Kettle - September 29, 2021
UFC president Dana White has questioned Jon Jones and his recent vow to quit drinking after his recent domestic arrest. After yet another incident last week involving the authorities, Jon Jones has seemingly decided to move forward in a new direction in his life. It’s not yet known what sentence he’ll be giving for seemingly pulling his partner’s hair and headbutting a police car, but given his priors, we can’t imagine he’s going to get away with it.
Brian Ortega reveals multiple injuries suffered in UFC 266 loss to Alex Volkanovski
Christopher Taylor - September 28, 2021
Brian Ortega suffered multiple injuries including a fractured orbital during his UFC 266 loss to featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski. Ortega and Volkanovski squared off in the headliner of Saturday’s pay-per-view event in Las Vegas. The featherweight title fight proved to be a thrilling five-round affair. Alex Volkanovski was able to get the better of Brian Ortega in rounds one and two. However, in round three, ‘T-City’ stormed back and nearly finished the fight with a pair of submission attempts. ‘The Great’ would ultimately escape both of Ortega’s choke hold threats and went on to score a dominant decision victory.
Dana White shares his thoughts on the performance of Nick Diaz at UFC 266
Christopher Taylor - September 28, 2021
UFC President Dana White shared his thoughts on the performance of Nick Diaz at UFC 266 during a media scrum on Tuesday afternoon. Diaz (26-10 MMA) returned from a six year hiatus on Saturday night when he returned to the Octagon for a middleweight bout with former opponent Robbie Lawler. The pair had initially collided 17 years ago in a welterweight bout at UFC 47, with the Stockton Slugger emerging victorious by way of second round knockout.
Jon Jones vows to leave alcohol in his past forever following latest arrest
Cole Shelton - September 28, 2021
Jon Jones has posted a video of him working out on his Instagram story with several messages on the video. It’s the first time Jones has posted or said anything since his release on Friday. On Friday morning in Las Vegas, just hours after he was being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his fight against Alexander Gustafsson, Jones was arrested. The news surprised many, due to the fact just hours before, Jones said he’s staying out of trouble and was preparing for his move to heavyweight. However, he was charged with misdemeanor battery domestic violence and felony injuring and tampering with a vehicle. The news was disappointing for many and now “Bones” has opened up on it.
Israel Adesanya blasts Jon Jones after recent arrest: 'He’s gonna f**k up again, he can’t help it'
Cole Shelton - September 28, 2021
Israel Adesanya has taken a shot at Jon Jones after his recent arrest. On Friday morning in Las Vegas, just hours after he was being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his fight against Alexander Gustafsson, Jones was arrested. The news surprised many, due to the fact just hours before, Jones said he’s staying out of trouble and was preparing for his move to heavyweight. However, he was charged with misdemeanor battery domestic violence and felony injuring and tampering with a vehicle. For Adesanya, he says he wasn’t surprised to hear the news of “Bones” being arrested.
Petr Yan vs. Cory Sandhagen for interim bantamweight title set for UFC 267
Cole Shelton - September 28, 2021
Petr Yan will be remaining on UFC 267 and he will still be fighting for UFC gold. Yan was supposed to rematch Aljamain Sterling in a highly-anticipated fight, however, on Saturday it was revealed the champ was out of the fight due to lingering issues with his neck. To no surprise, the Russian blasted Sterling for pulling out of the fight.