MMA News
Alistair Overeem says Fedor Emelianenko declined to fight him in Bellator and Strikeforce
Adam D Martin - August 25, 2021
Heavyweight great Alistair Overeem says that fellow legend Fedor Emelianenko declined to fight him in Bellator not to mention in Strikeforce. Overeem became a free agent following a knockout loss to Alexander Volkov earlier this year in the UFC. “The Demolition Man” was open to signing with different promotions and had talks with Bellator about potentially fighting Emelianenko, but the fight didn’t end up getting booked, and Emelianenko instead chose Tim Johnson to fight. For his part, Overeem decided that he will take a break from MMA for now and re-joined GLORY.
Dustin Poirier coach says Nate Diaz fight would be 'monster' but lightweight title first
Drake Riggs - August 24, 2021
Dustin Poirier is in the perfect position to get his second career undisputed UFC title shot. “The Diamond” is fresh off of back-to-back finishes of former lightweight and featherweight titleholder Conor McGregor with a fight of 2020 opposite Dan Hooker preceding.
Kevin Lee suggests that a lack of "challenges" prevent Khabib Nurmagomedov from being "an all time great"
Joe McDonagh - August 24, 2021
Former UFC interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee had plenty to say about the legacy of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Lee spoke to Ariel Helwani of the MMA Hour, showcasing his distain of the fact the always rumored battles between Lee and Nurmagomedov never became a reality. Lee puts blame on Dominance MMA head hancho, and Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz.
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes ring girls are 'useless' in MMA
Drake Riggs - August 24, 2021
Don’t expect to see any ring girls in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC any time soon. The former UFC lightweight king has been making the media rounds in recent weeks after signing a big $7 million deal with Gorilla Energy. Ring girls just so happened to be among the many topics that Nurmagomedov has discussed.
Jacare Souza reveals the main "mistake" he made during his UFC career
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021
Jacare Souza admits he made one big mistake during his UFC run. After Souza suffered a submission loss to Andre Muniz at UFC 262, the Brazilian was released from the promotion. He ended his UFC tenure on a four-fight losing skid and during that run, he dropped a split decision to Jan Blachowicz. Despite his losing streak, Souza was also a top middleweight contender and the former Strikeforce middleweight champion admits he should’ve waited for a title shot.
Jake Paul convinced he is in Dana White's head over fighter pay remarks
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is convinced that he is in UFC president Dana White’s head over the fighter pay remarks he recently made. Paul has been at the forefront of the fighter pay movement for UFC fighters. The boxing star wants White to pay his fighters more, and with Paul being so vocal about the low fighter pay in the UFC, it’s led to a number of MMA fighters speaking out recently about their pay, including middleweight contender Jared Cannonier, and women’s strawweight Cheyanne Buys. However, despite the increased talk about fighter pay, there haven’t been any changes to the way UFC fighters are paid in regards to giving them a bump in pay.
Kris Moutinho set to return to the UFC this fall against Aaron Phillips
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
Following his war with Sean O’Malley at UFC 264, UFC bantamweight Kris Moutinho is set to return to the UFC this fall against Aaron Phillips. Moutinho vs. Phillips will take place on a UFC Fight Night card that is set for October 23. Nolan King of MMAjunkie.com was the first to report the news on Mountinho’s next fight.
Anthony Taylor confident he will "shock the world" with a win over Tommy Fury: "The only thing special he has is the last name Fury"
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021
Anthony Taylor is glad he called out Jake Paul as the brash YouTuber turned boxer has given him a massive opportunity. Before Paul was set to fight Ben Askren, Taylor admits he wasn’t believing his skill and talked crap about him on social media. Paul’s coach then messaged Taylor to come and train and he impressed Paul and he has since been a main training partner of Paul and “The Problem Child” was the one who got him this boxing match against Tommy Fury on his undercard.
Demian Maia still hopeful to get one last fight in the UFC
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
Despite being removed from the rankings after his contract with the UFC recently expired, Demian Maia wants one more fight in the Octagon. Maia lost a unanimous decision to Belal Muhammad at UFC 263 in June, and after the fight, UFC president Dana White hinted it would likely be the 43-year-old Brazilian’s last fight in the UFC. However, Maia said that he was hoping the UFC would give him one more fight, and he called upon fellow legends such as Nate Diaz for his final farewell fight. Ultimately, it appears as though the UFC has made the decision to sever ties with Maia following his recent contract expiration. However, Maia tells MMAFighting.com he is still hopeful that he will get one last fight in the Octagon, and ideally that fight would take place in Brazil.
Kevin Lee believes he is already a top-five fighter in the UFC welterweight division
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee believes that he is already a top-five fighter in the UFC welterweight division. Lee makes his return to the Octagon after nearly 18 months away from the cage when he fights Daniel Rodriguez this Saturday night at UFC Vegas 35. After losing by submission to current UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in his last fight, Lee decided that he will be moving back up to 170lbs. He fought in the welterweight division back in 2019 when he lost via submission to Rafael dos Anjos. Despite not having a win in the division, however, Lee believes that he is already one of the top-five fighters in the UFC welterweight division.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 48 with Kevin Lee, Anthony Taylor, Sam Alvey, Bryan Battle, and Andre Petroski
Cole Shelton - August 24, 2021
The 48th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 35 and Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley. We’re first joined by the 11th-ranked lightweight and now welterweight contender, Kevin Lee (3:05). Next, former Bellator fighter and now professional boxer, Anthony Taylor (17:20) joins the program. UFC middleweight, Sam Alvey (41:20) comes on. Then, TUF 29 finalist Bryan Battle (54:35) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC middleweight, Andre Petroski (1:12:41).
Henry Cejudo explains why Gable Steveson is a legitimate threat to Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo explained why wrestling stud Gable Steveson is a legitimate threat to beat Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. Steveson won the Gold medal at the Olympics this summer in men’s freestyle wrestling in the 125kgs category. It was a phenomenal run by the Minnesota Golden Gophers product, who appears to have a bright future in sports regardless of what he does with the rest of his life. Following his big win at the Olympics, there have been rumors that Steveson will be pursued by both the WWE and the UFC. If you ask Cejudo, who is one of the most successful wrestlers-turned-MMA fighters in UFC history, Steveson would be a fantastic MMA fighter and he believes he could be a champion with a few years of training.
Brian Kelleher wants Sean O'Malley next: "He says he doesn’t want to fight ranked guys. I’m not ranked right now"
Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021
UFC bantamweight Brian Kelleher wants Sean O’Malley next, saying “he says he doesn’t want to fight ranked guys. I’m not ranked right now.” Kelleher defeated Domingo Pilarte via dominant unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 34 this past weekend. Since joining the UFC back in 2017, Kelleher is 7-5 overall in the Octagon. While he has yet to break through and become a top-15 ranked fighter, he has proven himself to be quite the gatekeeper into the rankings, and with O’Malley recently suggesting he has no interest in fighting ranked opponents for the same pay, Kelleher called him out.
Demian Maia and Jimmie Rivera are no longer under contract with the UFC
Harry Kettle - August 24, 2021
Demian Maia and Jimmie Rivera are reportedly no longer under contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Both men have had solid stints in the promotion with Rivera being a former bantamweight contender and Maia challenging for both the middleweight and welterweight titles, often being recognized as one of the most elite submission artists of his generation.
Artem Lobov set to compete in charity wheelchair boxing match opposite Paddy Holohan
Harry Kettle - August 24, 2021
Artem Lobov is set to take on Paddy Holohan in a charity wheelchair boxing match in Dublin, Ireland. It’s safe to say that “The Russian Hammer” is easily one of the most popular cult hero fighters in recent memory. From his never say die attitude to how he carries himself, it was always exciting when Lobov got into the cage or ring – regardless of whether it was for mixed martial arts or boxing.
Dan Hardy keen to face Eddie Alvarez & Shinya Aoki after John Wayne Parr fight in ONE Championship
Andrew Whitelaw - August 23, 2021
Dan Hardy has been itching to lace up the gloves again for a long time. Having been released from his UFC contract earlier this year, it looks like ‘the Outlaw’ may be about to get his wish in ONE Championship. Having last competed in MMA in 2012, the 39 year old is looking to make a comeback out in Asia – starting with a caged Muay Thai bout against John Wayne Parr. The Brit says that he and JWP have been exchanging messages and that the fight is ‘verbally agreed.’
Volkan Oezdemir returns after year-long layoff to face Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 267
Drake Riggs - August 23, 2021
Volkan Oezdemir is ready to make up for some lost time. On Monday, MMA DNA’s Marcel Dorff revealed that a bout between top light heavyweight contenders in the No. 8 ranked Oezdemir and No. 7 Magomed Ankalaev is on. The two are set to compete in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 30 at UFC 267.
Alistair Overeem weighs in on the pro wrestling returns of Brock Lesnar and CM Punk: 'It’s fake. It’s lame. It’s stupid. It’s gay'
Drake Riggs - August 23, 2021
Alistair Overeem is not a fan of professional wrestling. On Monday, the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion and UFC title challenger shared his thoughts on the pro wrestling returns of crossover stars Phil “CM Punk” Brooks and past opponent, Brock Lesnar.