MMA News
Rory MacDonald issues statement following PFL loss to Ray Cooper lll
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2021
Rory MacDonald has issued a statement following his PFL semi-final defeat to Ray Cooper III last week. MacDonald, who was also beaten by Gleison Tibau in a controversial split decision defeat just two months ago, has been on quite the rollercoaster ride ever since leaving the UFC and joining Bellator – and then PFL.
JayJay Wilson misses weight for 3rd time in 4 fights, forced off Bellator 265 card
Joe McDonagh - August 19, 2021
This weekend was set to feature a probable number one contenders match for who would challenge new champion AJ McKee Jr. in the near future. Adam Borics (17-1) currently ranked #3 vs. JayJay Wilson (8-0) at #5 in the division. The fight is now off due to a major weight miss by the undefeated Wilson this morning. Wilson missed weight by over 4lbs. Now missing weight is never ideal, or professional, but at times it happens in this gruesome sport. Missing weight twice is a problem, but 3 times in your last 4 appearances is more than alarming for the Bellator product.
PFL 8 Results: Kayla Harrison advances to 2021 finals with TKO over Genah Fabian (Highlights)
Drake Riggs - August 19, 2021
Lightweights Kayla Harrison and Genah Fabian battled it out in the main event of PFL 8 to advance to the finals and a shot at a million dollars. To reach the semifinals, the former two-time Olympic Judo gold medalist and PFL champion in Harrison dispatched of Mariana Morais and Cindy Dandois in effortless fashion. New Zealand’s Fabian, on the other hand, picked up a unanimous decision win over Laura Sanchez before finishing Julija Pajic via strikes in round two.
Miesha Tate discusses comeback fight payout after expenses, 'You cannot set out to do this for the money'
Drake Riggs - August 19, 2021
Miesha Tate needed to make a successful comeback in July – not only for her title hopes but her bank account. The former UFC bantamweight champion returned after a five-year retirement to take on Marion Reneau. Looking sharper than ever, Tate managed to outstrike and outgrapple her opponent en route to a third-round TKO and earn a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Khabib Nurmagomedov not convinced Jose Aldo is having a UFC career revival
Adam D Martin - August 19, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is not convinced that MMA legend Jose Aldo is having a UFC career revival at age 34. After losing three straight fights to Alexander Volkanovski, Marlon Moraes, and Petr Yan in 2019 and 2020, there were many observers of the sport who felt that “Junior” was on the decline in his career. However, to the astonishment of many, Aldo has bounced back from those three losses with back-to-back wins over top bantamweight contenders Pedro Munhoz and Marlon Vera. It’s why Aldo is now back to wanting a title fight down at 135lbs.
Ramiz Brahimaj says there's no pressure on him after eventful UFC debut, confident he will finish Sasha Palatnikov
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2021
Ramiz Brahimaj had a memorable UFC debut, although it didn’t go the way he wanted. Brahimaj finally made his Octagon debut against Max Griffin in November and lost the fight by TKO due to his ear nearly falling off. Despite the ending of the fight, Brahimaj says the way he fought Griffin and how it was competitive, proves he belongs in the UFC.
Pro fighters make their picks for Jared Cannonier vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 34, top-10 middleweights collide as Jared Cannonier takes on Kelvin Gastelum. Ahead of the fight, Cannonier is a -150 favorite while Gastelum is a +130 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe Gastelum will pull off the upset and get back in the win column.
Anthony Smith explains how Conor McGregor has gone "way too far" with his social media antics
Adam D Martin - August 19, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith explained how superstar Conor McGregor has gone “way too far” with his social media antics. McGregor has been taking to his social media as of late to make numerous vulgar comments about the likes of Dustin Poirier, Daniel Cormier, and Michael Bisping, plus of course all the things he said about Khabib Nurmagomedov in the past. It’s gotten to the point where his UFC peers, like Smith, are getting tired of his antics. Speaking to LowKickMMA’s James Lynch, Smith explained why McGregor has gone “way too far.”
Nina Nunes returns to the Octagon in December against rising contender Amanda Lemos
Adam D Martin - August 19, 2021
UFC women’s strawweight contender Nina Nunes returns to the Octagon in December when she faces off against rising contender Amanda Lemos. Combate’s Raphael Marinho was the first to report that Nunes — the No. 7 ranked fighter in the UFC women’s strawweight division — will square off with the No. 13 ranked Lemos at a UFC event set for December 18. There are no other details currently available about this event, but the addition of Nunes vs. Lemos is certainly a nice start to building up the card.
Francis Ngannou opens up on contract negotiations with the UFC: "There’s a lot going on behind the scenes"
Adam D Martin - August 19, 2021
Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou opened up on contract negotiations with the UFC, saying “there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.” Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic back in March to become the new UFC heavyweight champion. Initially, the fight to make was Ngannou against Jon Jones, but Jones and the UFC couldn’t come to financial terms and that fight was called off. Instead, the UFC wanted to book Ngannou against Derrick Lewis at UFC 265. However, Ngannou couldn’t fight on that date and the UFC instead brought in Ciryl Gane, who knocked out Lewis to become the new interim UFC heavyweight champion — just three months after Ngannou won the belt.
Colby Covington says he would verbally submit Dustin Poirier: "It wouldn't be competitive"
Adam D Martin - August 19, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington says he would verbally submit Dustin Poirier in a fight, suggesting “it wouldn’t be competitive.” Covington and Poirier are former teammates at American Top Team who are now heated rivals. Poirier is one of the best lightweights in the world, while Covington has established himself as a welterweight contender, so a fight on paper doesn’t seem like one that would happen anytime soon. But “The Diamond” has mentioned in the past that he would be interested in moving up to 170lbs, and if that’s the case, then Covington would welcome it.
Mauricio Rua names the three toughest opponents he ever fought in the UFC
Adam D Martin - August 19, 2021
Mixed martial arts legend Mauricio Rua aka “Shogun” named the three toughest opponents he ever fought in the UFC in a recent interview. Rua is one of the most legendary MMA fighters of all time, having been a former PRIDE and UFC champion. Now 39 years old, Shoun has spoken openly about retiring in the next year or two. He is coming off of a brutal TKO loss to Paul Craig in his last outing and considering he turns 40 years of age later this year, the future UFC Hall of Famer knows that his time in the sport is nearing its end. Although he still has another fight or two in him, it’s starting to become the time where Shogun is looking back at his MMA career and reminiscing on it.
Tresean Gore forced to withdraw from TUF 29 finale fight with Bryan Battle
Harry Kettle - August 19, 2021
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Tresean Gore has been ruled out of his Ultimate Fighter 29 finale fight against Bryan Battle due to an unfortunate knee injury. Gore was tipped to be the big star coming out of the 29th edition of the show and had managed to make it all the way through to the final of the middleweight bracket. Alas, such is the unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts, we will now not see him go up against the last pick Bryan Battle for the right to win the contract.
Georges St-Pierre reveals how Dana White tried to make up for blocking Oscar De La Hoya boxing match
Drake Riggs - August 18, 2021
Georges St-Pierre was open to the idea of yet another comeback — just not in an MMA cage. Widely considered one of the greatest fighters of all time, if not the greatest, St-Pierre is now 40-years old and hasn’t fought since his middleweight title capturing against Michael Bisping at UFC 217 in 2017. However, when boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya announced his comeback, “GSP” was looked at as the first opponent before the eventual Vitor Belfort matchup was finalized.
Francis Ngannou says old coach 'wants to be famous,' feels disrespected by UFC
Drake Riggs - August 18, 2021
Francis Ngannou has already had a unique title reign despite its youth. The undisputed UFC heavyweight champion captured the crown in his rematch with Stipe Miocic in March at UFC 260. Knocking the Ohio native out cold in the second round, Ngannou seemed destined for a mega-fight with former light heavyweight titleholder and all-time great, Jon Jones.
Anthony Smith "would love" to fight Jiri Prochazka: "It just looks like it’s so much fun"
Cole Shelton - August 18, 2021
Anthony Smith thinks fighting Jiri Prochazka would be a ton of fun. Prochazka is the former RIZIN light heavyweight champion and has made good so far in his UFC career. In his debut, he knocked out Volkan Oezdemir and followed that up with a highlight-reel KO over Dominick Reyes. He will now serve as the backup for the title fight, but Smith says that is a fight he would like to have.
Dustin Poirier won't wait for Conor McGregor but not ruling out a fourth fight: "If it makes sense, we’ll do it again"
Cole Shelton - August 18, 2021
Dustin Poirier wouldn’t be surprised if he faces Conor McGregor again. At UFC 264 in July, Poirier and McGregor had their highly-anticipated trilogy and Poirier won the fight after the Irishman broke his leg at the end of the first round. It was a disappointing ending and for Poirier, he says the second fight back at UFC 257 was much better for him as it was a definitive ending.
Sean O'Malley won't become a UFC champion, says TJ Dillashaw: "He's got too many holes"
Adam D Martin - August 18, 2021
Bantamweight prospect Sean O’Malley won’t become a UFC champion, said former 135lbs champ TJ Dillashaw, who thinks “he’s got too many holes.” Dillashaw knows what it takes to be a UFC champion because he was the promotion’s 135lbs champion on two separate occasions. Speaking to Submission Radio in a recent interview, Dillashaw was asked what he thinks about O’Malley, who is quickly rising up the ranks and is turning into a household name. When asked if he thinks “Suga” has what it takes to be a UFC champion, Dillashaw said that he doesn’t have the complete MMA game.