MMA News

Cole Shelton - August 17, 2021

The 47th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 34. We’re first joined by sixth-ranked flyweight, Brandon Royval (2:54) Next, UFC heavyweight, Chase Sherman (16:52) joins the show. UFC bantamweight, Brian Kelleher (30:36) then comes on. Next, UFC lightweight, Vinc Pichel (47:50) comes on the program. Closing out the show, is UFC welterweight, Ramiz Brahimaj (1:02:59).

Adam D Martin - August 17, 2021

Former UFC champion Weili Zhang explained how Chris Weidman’s leg injury factored into her performance against Rose Namajunas at UFC 261. Zhang was starched with a high kick in the first round of her first UFC women’s strawweight title defense in the co-main event of UFC 261. It was a quick and brutal ending to Zhang’s short-lived reign as the champion, but according to “Magnum,” there are more reasons why she lost than just Namajunas being the better fighter that night. According to Zhang in a recent interview in the documentary “My Bronze Age,” she lost focus on her fight with Namajunas because, just two fights earlier, Weidman snapped his leg against Uriah Hall. According to the former champ, she couldn’t remain focused after that incident.

Adam D Martin - August 17, 2021

Michael Bisping urged Dustin Poirier to fight Charles Oliveira and not Nate Diaz, telling him to “keep your eye on the prize baby boy.” Poirier is currently the No. 1 contender in the UFC lightweight division and is next in line to fight the champion, Charles Oliveira, hopefully at the end of the year. However, “The Diamond” has recently been going back-and-forth with Diaz on social media, leading to speculation that he could be pursuing a fight with the Stockton native instead. However, if you ask Bisping, Poirier would be making a mistake if he chooses to fight Diaz next instead.

Harry Kettle - August 17, 2021

Stephen Thompson has said he’s open to the idea of a future match-up with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Thompson, better known to the masses as “Wonderboy”, has had his fair share of ups and downs throughout the course of his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s come within touching distance of the UFC welterweight title on multiple occasions only to fall short, and after his recent defeat to Gilbert Burns, many wonder whether or not he can ever challenge for the belt again.

Andrew Whitelaw - August 16, 2021

Dustin Poirier has put himself in the perfect position to name his next opponent. The Louisiana-native has amassed one of the most impressive records in the game including back-to-back stoppage wins against Conor McGregor in his last two fights. With two clashes in their trilogy currently standing in the top-5 highest-selling UFC pay-per-views ever; there will always be an argument for Poirier and McGregor running the fight back for a fourth time.

Andrew Whitelaw - August 16, 2021

As one of the first major crossover stars in MMA, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson knows what it’s like to be under the constant glare of public scrutiny. Accordingly, he’s in a good position to empathise with the sport’s current biggest star – Conor McGregor. The former UFC and Pride champion appeared on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Hour this week and gave his opinion on the Irishman and some of his past incidents.

Drake Riggs - August 16, 2021

Yana Kunitskaya is going to be taking some time away from the octagon. The No. 6 ranked UFC bantamweight contender teased her pregnancy on Sunday. On April 1, Kunitskaya and her partner, UFC light heavyweight Thiago Santos, announced a fake pregnancy for April Fool’s Day. MMA Fighting has confirmed that this time the announcement is legitimate.

Drake Riggs - August 16, 2021

Kayla Harrison calls it as she sees it. The PFL held a media call over Zoom on Monday to promote this weekend’s upcoming event headlined by Harrison and New Zealand’s Genah Fabian. The winner will advance to the playoff finals for their opportunity at 1 million dollars against either Larissa Pacheco or Taylor Guardado.

Cole Shelton - August 16, 2021

Dan Hooker will be making his return to the Octagon at UFC 266 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Multiple sources have informed BJPENN.com that Hooker will face Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266 on September 25 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Contracts have already been sent out for the fight, the sources said.

Cole Shelton - August 16, 2021

Kalyl Silva, the son of former UFC middleweight champion, Anderson Silva had a phenomenal kickboxing debut. Kalyl, who is 22-years-old and used to play soccer in the United Premier Soccer League, made his kickboxing debut at FightersRep 10 over the weekend in California. He was fighting Anthony Reynaga in a 159-pound fight and Silva scored an eight-second KO win. He recorded the knockout on the first kick he threw.

Adam D Martin - August 16, 2021

UFC featherweight fighter Justin Jaynes was cut by the UFC on his birthday, says his coach at Xtreme Couture, Eric Nicksick. Jaynes most recently made headlines when he admitted he bet his entire $25,000 purse on himself in June for his fight against Charles Rosa. Although Jaynes put up a valiant effort and nearly had a third-round comeback submission win, he ultimately came up short and lost a split decision. The loss to Rosa dropped Jaynes’ UFC record to 1-4 with a four-fight losing skid. Typically, when a fighter loses four in a row, they will be released by the promotion, so it’s not surprising that he was released considering his record. However, what is especially odd about this cut is that the UFC allegedly waited until his 32nd birthday on August 10 to inform Jaynes that he was cut for a fight that took place back on June 26.

Adam D Martin - August 16, 2021

UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira says he is open to a future boxing match, saying that “I want to test myself” in the ring. Oliveira is the best lightweight fighter in MMA right now and the UFC champion, so he has plenty of opponents to face in the Octagon — including UFC superstar Dustin Poirier — before he even thinks about making a move to boxing. But in a recent interview with AG Fight, Oliveira admitted that he is interested in making the move to the sport of boxing in the future. According to “Do Bronx,” he is intrigued by participating in a boxing match.

Cole Shelton - August 16, 2021

Cheick Kongo still believes he should’ve gotten an immediate rematch against Ryan Bader. At Bellator 226 in September of 2019, Kongo fought Bader for the heavyweight title and the fight ended in a No Contest due to an eye poke. Since then, Kongo has only competed once losing a split decision to Tim Johnson last October.

Adam D Martin - August 16, 2021

UFC champ Kamaru Usman fired back at Conor McGregor, telling him to “be quiet before I call Poirier or Khabib or Diaz to finish you again.” McGregor did a Q&A with fans this weekend and during one point in the conversation, he said that he will go up to 170lbs and spark the champ, Usman. “The Nigerian Nightmare” saw the comments from McGregor and fired back at him in a tweet of his own.

Adam D Martin - August 16, 2021

Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub defended youngster Sean O’Malley, telling matchmaker Sean Shelby to treat UFC fighters like “human beings.” O’Malley is one of the biggest young stars in the UFC right now, and the promotion reportedly wants him to fight veteran Frankie Edgar at UFC 268 in November at Madison Square Garden in New York City. However, “Suga” reportedly turned the fight down, citing his desire to fight in Las Vegas instead of New York due to tax reasons. As well, O’Malley said his coach, Tim Welch, will not be available to corner him the week of UFC 268. In response to O’Malley turning down the fight, the UFC matchmaker Shelby apparently had some strong words for O’Malley, including taking a shot at his friendship with 6ix9ine.

Harry Kettle - August 16, 2021

Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor has given his thoughts on what he believes to be the most effective martial art. “The Notorious” has had many great successes throughout the years in his mixed martial arts career, and while he may seemingly be on the downward turn after consecutive losses to Dustin Poirier as well as a broken leg, he still has the kind of spirit that will lead anyone to believe he can rise back to the top once again.

Adam D Martin - August 16, 2021

UFC superstar Conor McGregor says that he will be “walking straight into a title shot” in his return to the Octagon next year. Bisping suffered a broken leg and lost via first-round TKO (doctor stoppage) to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July. He has had surgery on his leg and is expected to return to active competition in 2022. During a recent Q&A session with fans on his Twitter, McGregor was asked by a fan if he would consider coming into boxing instead when he returns, presumably because he wouldn’t have to throw leg kicks like in MMA. McGregor, however, is convinced that his leg is going to be stronger than ever for kicking, and so a return to MMA is in the cards for him, and he also believes he will walk right into a title shot.

Harry Kettle - August 16, 2021

Ali Abdelaziz has claimed the reports linking Khabib Nurmagomedov with a move to a Russian football club are “fake news”. Over the course of the last few days there have been rumblings that Khabib, who retired from professional mixed martial arts last year, has formally signed a contract with Russian third division side FC Legion Dynamo.