MMA News
Miesha Tate forced out of slated UFC main event with Ketlen Vieira
Christopher Taylor - September 22, 2021
Former women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate has been forced to withdraw from her slated UFC main event with Ketlen Vieira. Tate (19-7 MMA) and Vieira (11-2 MMA) were scheduled to clash in the headliner of UFC Fight Night 195 on October 16. However, according to a recent report from Sherdog, ‘Cupcake’ has been forced out of the contest after contracting Covid-19.
Nick Diaz unsure why he is rematching Robbie Lawler at UFC 266: "I don’t know why I’m doing this. This should not happen."
Christopher Taylor - September 22, 2021
Nick Diaz will make his highly anticipated return to the Octagon on Saturday when he squares off in a rematch with Robbie Lawler at UFC 266. The pair originally collided seventeen years ago in a welterweight bout at UFC 47, with the Stockton native emerging victorious by way of second round knockout. This time around Diaz and Lawler will compete at middleweight, a decision that was made earlier this week.
Video | Dillon Danis was subbed by a security guard prior to his arrest
Christopher Taylor - September 22, 2021
New footage has surfaced of Bellator fighter Dillon Danis being choked by security prior to his arrest in New Jersey. On Monday afternoon a video surfaced on social media (see that here) showing ‘El Jefe’ struggling with police officers before eventually being handcuffed and taken into custody.
Robbie Lawler says it's 'going to be nice' to KO Nick Diaz at UFC 266: 'I can't wait to go in there and do some damage'
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2021
Robbie Lawler not only expects to beat Nick Diaz but expects to finish him. In a five-round middleweight bout on the main card of UFC 266, Diaz is set to return to the Octagon for the first time since 2015 when he rematches Lawler. The two first met in 2004 with Diaz winning the fight by KO but this time, the former UFC welterweight champion is confident he will KO Diaz this time around.
Paige VanZant says she'd 'love to fight for Bellator'
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2021
Paige VanZant turned down a chance to fight for Bellator to sign with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship but she admits she’d love to fight for Bellator. VanZant has gone 0-2 in BKFC and her next fight could be do-or-die for her career with the sans gloves promotion. She says she only has one fight left on her deal and after that, she is open to signing with Bellator.
Canelo Alvarez shares his honest thoughts on Jake Paul: "Maybe it's good for boxing"
Adam D Martin - September 22, 2021
Pound-for-pound boxing great Canelo Alvarez shared his honest thoughts on YouTuber Jake Paul, suggesting that “maybe it’s good for boxing.” Alvarez is the top P4P boxer on the planet right now, and he next steps into the boxing ring when he fights the unbeaten Caleb Plant on November 6. Ahead of the fight, Alvarez and Plant took part in the pre-fight press conference. Following the presser, Alvarez spoke to reporters and he was asked questions on a number of topics, including the YouTuber Paul.
UFC 266 | Pro fighters make their picks for Valentina Shevchenko vs. Lauren Murphy title fight
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2021
In the co-main event of UFC 266, Valentina Shevchenko is looking to defend her flyweight belt as she faces Lauren Murphy. Ahead of the fight, the champ is a massive -1250 favorite while the challenger is a +750 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. To no surprise, the pros are unanimous in thinking Shevchenko remains the flyweight champ, the bigger question for the pros was whether or not the champ finishes the fight.
UFC 266 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega title fight
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2021
In the main event of UFC 266, the featherweight title is on the line as Alexander Volkanovski looks to defend his belt for the second time when he battles Brian Ortega. Ahead of the fight, the champ is a -165 favorite while the American is a +145 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of pros expect Volkanovski to keep it standing and piece up Ortega to defend his belt.
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.
Dana White explains why the UFC booked Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo 3
Adam D Martin - September 22, 2021
UFC president Dana White explained why the UFC booked Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo 3 instead of Alexandre Pantoja instead. After Pantoja submitted Brandon Royval last month, he was fully expected to get the next title shot against Moreno. After all, Pantoja has two previous wins over Moreno — one in TUF, and one in the UFC — and after submitting Royval in devastating fashion, he deserved the chance to fight for the belt. However, the UFC chose to go a different route as the promotion recently announced that Moreno will not be fighting Pantoja next. Instead, Moreno will be fighting Figueiredo, and the two will meet at UFC 269 in a trilogy fight.
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.
Conor McGregor throws terrible first pitch at Chicago Cubs game (Video)
Cole Shelton - September 21, 2021
Conor McGregor threw out the first pitch at the Chicago Cubs game on Tuesday and didn’t have much success. McGregor was at the Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday in Los Angeles as he is rehabbing his knee but took a trip to Chicago on Tuesday as the Cubs hosted the Minnesota Twins. He threw out the first pitch and given he is a professional athlete many expected him to have success throwing the ball but that is far from the case.
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.