MMA News
Dana White explains why Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler 2 will now take place at 185lbs
Adam D Martin - September 22, 2021
UFC president Dana White explained why this weekend’s highly-anticipated Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler 2 fight will now take place at 185lbs. Diaz and Lawler will meet in a rematch 17 years after they first fought at UFC 47 in 2004, where Diaz scored a KO over a young Lawler. All these years later and these two are now set to rematch this Saturday night at UFC 266 in Las Vegas. Originally, the fight was set to take place in the welterweight division. But as we draw closer to the fight, Diaz now wants the fight to take place in the middleweight division. Remember, Diaz hasn’t fought since 2015 against Anderson Silva and that fight was at middleweight. The last time that Diaz fought at welterweight was way back in 2013 and he apparently doesn’t want to cut weight again, according to UFC president Dana White when speaking to reporters this week.
Nick Diaz will be in welterweight title contention with win at UFC 266, says teammate
Adam D Martin - September 22, 2021
UFC fan-favorite Nick Diaz will be in welterweight title contention with a big win at UFC 266, says his longtime teammate, Gilbert Melendez. Diaz takes on Robbie Lawler in a five-round, non-title welterweight rematch at UFC 266 this Saturday night. The two rivals previously met way back in 2004 at UFC 47, with Diaz knocking Lawler out 17 years ago. All these years later and the two will now rematch. While neither man is ranked right now, it’s a big enough fight that Diaz’s teammate believes that “The Stockton Bad Boy” will move into title contention at 170lbs with a win.
Cynthia Calvillo plans to finish Jessica Andrade at UFC 266: 'If I see the opening for the kill, I'll take it'
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2021
Cynthia Calvillo did something not many people do, call out Jessica Andrade and she got her wish. On the main card of UFC 266, Calvillo is set to return to the Octagon for the first time since she lost to Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 255 last year. When she does step into the Octagon on Saturday she’ll be facing Andrade who she called out as Calvillo says she wants to fight the best.
Joe Rogan explains how Nick Diaz changed the sport of MMA
Adam D Martin - September 22, 2021
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan explained how welterweight fan-favorite Nick Diaz changed the sport of MMA during his recent podcast. Due to a previous engagement, Rogan will not be sitting at the commentary booth this weekend for UFC 266 when Diaz rematches Robbie Lawler 17 years after they first met, but he’s still very intrigued with the matchup just like the rest of the MMA world. Speaking on his “Joe Rogan Podcast,” Rogan praised Diaz ahead of his comeback. As far as Rogan goes, Diaz changed the sport because he showed that cardio was one of the most important elements of the game. By having elite cardio on top of his other skills, Nick Diaz and his younger brother Nate Diaz have both achieved an incredible amount of success in MMA.
Modestas Bukauskas provides positive health update following recent knee injury
Adam D Martin - September 22, 2021
UFC light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas provided a positive health update following the recent knee injury he suffered inside the Octagon. Bukauskas was the victim of one of the most brutal side kicks that we have ever seen in MMA after Khalil Rountree Jr. finished him with an oblique kick. It was initially feared that Bukauskas could have broken his leg, but ultimately it was determined that it was a knee injury. Still, it was a tough thing to watch, and for Bukauskas, he know that he will now be on the sidelines for at least several months recovering from the devastating injury. However, he is optimistic that he will be able to return and make a spectacular comeback.
Alistair Overeem admits that he wanted to finish his career in the UFC
Adam D Martin - September 22, 2021
Heavyweight MMA legend Alistair Overeem admitted that he wanted to finish his career in the UFC, but he won’t be getting that opportunity. Following a knockout loss to Alexander Volkov earlier this year, the UFC decided to release Overeem from its roster. At age 41, he is getting up there in age, and with a big salary as well, the UFC decided to let him go. Overeem ended up signing with GLORY kickboxing and he will fight Rico Verhoeven next. However, he wishes that he was still in the UFC.
UFC Rankings Update: Anthony Smith jumps two spots following win over Ryan Spann
Harry Kettle - September 22, 2021
Anthony Smith has jumped up two spots in the UFC’s light heavyweight rankings after his win over Ryan Spann last weekend. Despite being seen as the favourite by many heading into Saturday night, Anthony Smith still managed to exceed expectations with a nasty submission win over Ryan Spann – followed by one of the best UFC promos of the year.
Alana McLaughlin claims she has received death threats on social media following recent MMA win
Harry Kettle - September 22, 2021
Transgender fighter Alana McLaughlin claims she has been receiving death threats on social media after her MMA debut. Ever since winning her professional mixed martial arts debut against Celine Provost, McLaughlin has been under a great deal of scrutiny with many questioning whether it was fair for her to compete as a transgender woman.
Nick Diaz vs. Robbie Lawler 2 at UFC 266 now a middleweight fight
Cole Shelton - September 21, 2021
Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler 2 will now be a middleweight fight. According to MMA journalist, Ariel Helwani, the rematch at UFC 266 on Saturday between the two fan favorites has been changed from a welterweight scrap to a middleweight bout. The specific reason for the late change wasn’t revealed but the fight will still be a five-round non-title fight. Although there has been no reason for the move, both Diaz and Lawler have expressed a desire to cut less weight these days.
Canelo Alvarez, Caleb Plant exchange punches at press conference, Plant cut below eye (Video)
Cole Shelton - September 21, 2021
Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant had their first press conference for their fight on November 6 and it ended with the two throwing punches at one another. After the press conference, the two had a faceoff where they were exchanging words and Alvarez pushed Plant. When they got close to each other the two then threw punches which Alvarez says was due to Plant saying stuff about his mom.
Matt Brown returns to the Octagon against Bryan Barberena
Adam D Martin - September 21, 2021
Veteran UFC welterweight fan-favorite Matt Brown returns to the Octagon against Bryan Barberena in a fan-friendly matchup later this year. MMADNA’s Marcel Dorff was the first to break the news of Brown vs. Barberena. The fight is set to take place on December 4. There is no location or venue currently set for this event, though the UFC has held most of its events at the Apex in Las Vegas since the COVID-19 pandemic started, so there seems to be a good chance the event takes place in Vegas. Also on the card is a light heavyweight bout between Jamahal Hill and Jimmy Crute as well as a lightweight bout between Brad Riddell and Rafael Fiziev, in addition to several other bouts.
Joe Rogan to miss commentary duties for UFC 266, Paul Felder takes his spot in the booth
Adam D Martin - September 21, 2021
UFC analyst Joe Rogan will miss his commentary duties for UFC 266, with former lightweight fighter Paul Felder taking his spot in the booth. Rogan typically is the color commentator for UFC pay-per-view cards, alongside play-by-play announcer Jon Anik and fellow analyst, former UFC champion Daniel Cormier. However, Rogan will not be in the booth for UFC 266 this weekend. According to MMAjunkie.com, Rogan has his annual hunting trip this weekend which caused a conflict in his schedule. Because of that hunting trip, Rogan will not be able to make it to Las Vegas to commentate UFC 266 alongside Anik and Cormier. However, the UFC was able to get an excellent replacement in the form of Felder to slide into the commentary booth at UFC 266.
Dan Hooker excited for 'a crazy fight' with Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266: 'It's the perfect fight'
Cole Shelton - September 21, 2021
Dan Hooker finally has a fight after months of pleading with the UFC to get him one. Due to how New Zealand is doing their quarantine, Hooker says if he didn’t fight at UFC 266 he likely wouldn’t have been able to fight for another six months to a year. With that, he knew UFC 266 was his last shot to fight this year. So, after months of asking for a fight, he finally got one as he will face Nasrat Haqparast on the prelims of the card which surprised many. Yet, for “The Hangman” he has no problem with it.
Leon Edwards believes the UFC is trying to get him beat
Adam D Martin - September 21, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards believes that the UFC is trying to get him beat, but the Brit says that he won’t lose. Edwards is coming off of a unanimous decision win over Nate Diaz at UFC 263 and he is unbeaten over his last 10 fights overall. Despite that impressive unbeaten streak, the UFC decided not to give Edwards the next title shot against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Instead, Colby Covington was given the rematch and he will fight Usman at UFC 266, a decision that Edwards does not agree with as he believes he deserved it instead.
Nick Diaz reveals why he was freaked out by Robbie Lawler before their first fight at UFC 47
Adam D Martin - September 21, 2021
UFC welterweight superstar Nick Diaz revealed why he was freaked out by Robbie Lawler before their first fight at UFC 47 back in 2004. 17 years ago, Diaz and Lawler met inside the Octagon at UFC 47, and Diaz scored a first-round KO on his rival. All these years later and now these two are set to rematch at UFC 266 this Saturday night in Las Vegas. It’s a rivalry almost 20 years in the making and the rematch is one of the most highly-anticipated fights of the rest of the year for MMA fans.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 51 with Dan Hooker, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Cynthia Calvillo, Martin Sano Jr., and Jalin Turner
Cole Shelton - September 21, 2021
The 51st episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 266. We’re first joined by the eighth-ranked lightweight Dan Hooker (2:01). Next, sixth-ranked heavyweight, Jairzinho Rozenstruik (24:54) joins the show. Fifth-ranked flyweight, Cynthia Calvillo (39:44) then comes on. UFC welterweight, Martin Sano Jr. (54:32) joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC lightweight, Jalin Turner (1:04:31).
Triller aims to rebook Oscar De La Hoya vs Vitor Belfort in a event called “The Revenge”
Harry Kettle - September 21, 2021
Triller’s Ryan Kavanaugh has confirmed that they are in talks to rebook Oscar De La Hoya vs Vitor Belfort for Thanksgiving weekend. De La Hoya was initially supposed to take on Belfort earlier this month instead of Evander Holyfield, but was forced to pull out of the contest after coming down with a serious case of COVID-19. Belfort went on to demolish Holyfield inside the first round in what many called a “sideshow” fight that never should’ve taken place.
Derek Brunson responds to callout from Jake Paul: “This isn’t Disney, I’d cook you’”
Harry Kettle - September 21, 2021
UFC middleweight Derek Brunson has given his thoughts, in no uncertain terms, on what would happen if he fought Jake Paul. It’s another day in the workroom and another mixed martial artist has opted to call out Jake Paul. It’s become a pretty regular occurrence in the last few months after Paul managed to beat both Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley, two former UFC welterweights, in his last two outings.