MMA News
Matt Mitrione released by Bellator following third straight knockout loss
Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021
Heavyweight MMA fighter Matt Mitrione has been released by Bellator following his third straight knockout loss this past weekend. MMAFighting.com confirmed with promotional officials that Mitrione received his walking papers from Bellator after tapping out to strikes against Tyrell Fortune at last Friday’s Bellator 262 event. In addition to Mitrione, Bellator also confirmed that it has released Ronny Markes and Adil Benjilany. Markes was knocked out at Bellator 262, but Benjilany defeated Johnny Soto, marking his release as a strange one considering he just won.
Cory Sandhagen calls TJ Dillashaw's past PED use "gross" ahead of grudge match at UFC Vegas 32
Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen called rival TJ Dillashaw’s past PED use “gross” ahead of their grudge match at UFC Vegas 32. Sandhagen and Dillashaw meet in the five-round headliner of this Saturday’s UFC Vegas 32 card. They are former teammates in Denver, Colorado and with both men at the top of the UFC bantamweight division, there are some who believe the winner of this fight could get a title shot at 135lbs. It’s a huge fight for the bantamweight division and it’s a fight that is so much more intriguing just because of the fact that these two men used to train together.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 45 with Chris Daukaus, Kyler Phillips, Ian Heinisch, Randy Costa, and Adrian Yanez
Cole Shelton - July 20, 2021
The 45th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 32. We’re first joined by 10th-ranked UFC heavyweight, Chris Daukaus to preview his fight against Shamil Abdurakhimov (3:14). The fight has since been postponed one week to UFC Vegas 33. Next, 14th ranked bantamweight, Kyler Phillips (17:14) comes on. UFC middleweight contender, Ian Heinisch (34:36) then joins the show. Rising UFC bantamweight contender, Randy Costa (45:37) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight, Adrian Yanez (1:03:03).
Managers agree to Paulo Costa vs. Marvin Vettori matchup
Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021
Managers Ali Abdelaziz and Wallid Ismail have agreed for their clients in Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori to have an upcoming matchup. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto spoke to Ismail, Costa’s manager, who said that the fight that his team wants is against Vettori. Not long after the word emerged that Costa is looking to fight Vettori next, Vettori’s manager Abdelaziz responded and said they want the fight.
Michael Bisping explains why he respects TJ Dillashaw for admitting that he cheated
Adam D Martin - July 20, 2021
UFC analyst Michael Bisping explained why he respects former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw for admitting that he cheated. Dillashaw hasn’t fought in over two years since being handed a suspension in January 2019 after being caught with PEDs in his system following a knockout loss to Henry Cejudo. Dillashaw admitted that he cheated and was trying to gain an unfair advantage and he has served the suspension for the last two years on the sidelines. This Saturday night at UFC Vegas 32, Dillashaw finally returns to the cage when he takes on rival Cory Sandhagen.
Dan Hooker challenges “tickle party” fighter Islam Makhachev to throw down in September
Harry Kettle - July 20, 2021
UFC lightweight Dan Hooker has laid down a challenge to Islam Makhachev as their social media spat continues. This past Saturday night, Makhachev continued his rise up through the 155-pound ranks with a decisive win over Thiago Moises. He controlled the right all the way through until the fourth round when he was finally able to secure a strong submission victory, vaulting himself closer to a potential title shot in the near future.
WWE star Big E says not every wrestler would welcome Conor McGregor in potential crossover
Harry Kettle - July 20, 2021
WWE star Big E has said not every wrestler would welcome Conor McGregor with open arms in a possible crossover. Big E, who won the Money in the Bank contract on Sunday night, is known for being a big mixed martial arts fan. He regularly tweets about the latest goings-on in the UFC and beyond, keeping a close eye on the action alongside his busy WWE schedule.
Nate Diaz hints at headlining another UFC card at Madison Square Garden: "I might have to do that again soon"
Cole Shelton - July 19, 2021
Nate Diaz is looking to fight again and wants it to be at Madison Square Garden. Back at UFC 244 in November of 2019, Diaz headlined the pay-per-view card at MSG against Jorge Masvidal for the BMF belt. It was a big fight and massive event, and now the fan-favorite Stockton native says he might have to headline another card at MSG.
Mike Brown fires back after John Kavanagh says Conor McGregor was doing well against Dustin Poirier before injury
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
Mike Brown fired back after John Kavanagh said that Conor McGregor was doing well against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 before his injury. Poirier defeated McGregor via first-round TKO (doctor stoppage) after the Irishman suffered a broken leg that caused a stop to the contest. Even before the injury, however, Poirier was doing quite well in the fight and two of the three judges scoring the bout cage-side gave him the first round 10-8. So when Kavanagh recently came out and stated that he thought McGregor was doing well in the fight before the injury, there were a lot of fans who didn’t agree with his assessment of the fight, and Brown doesn’t agree with it, either.
Tai Tuivasa buries Greg Hardy on social media: "Don’t talk sh*t after I already f*cked you up!"
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
UFC heavyweight contender Tai Tuivasa buried Greg Hardy on social media, telling him “don’t talk sh*t after I already f*cked you up!” Tuivasa knocked out Hardy in a heavyweight bout that took place on last weekend’s UFC 264 pay-per-view card. Following the fight, Hardy shared a post on his own social media where he accepted the loss and congratulated Tuivasa on his win. Apparently, though, Hardy has been saying some negative remarks about the Aussie since then, and Tuivasa is having none of it. On Monday, the lovable heavyweight took to his Instagram where he posted a series of photos trashing Hardy and telling him to stop talking smack about him.
Deiveson Figueiredo calls for trilogy fight with Brandon Moreno next
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
The former kingpin of the 125lbs division, Deiveson Figueiredo called for the trilogy fight with UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno next. Figueiredo and Moreno have fought twice in the past year. The first time they met, the two rivals fought to a majority draw in the main event of UFC 256 last December in what was undoubtedly one of the best fights of 2020. Since the fight was declared a draw, the UFC matchmakers decided to run it back right away, and Figueiredo and Moreno met at UFC 263 back in June, this time with Moreno submitting Figueiredo to take home the title.
Colby Covington sends a message to Ali Abdelaziz: "You're not the matchmaker of the UFC"
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
UFC welterweight Colby Covington sent a message to Ali Abdelaziz, reminding him that “you’re not the matchmaker of the UFC.” Covington is expected to take on Abdelaziz’s client, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, later this year in a rematch of their “Fight of the Night” in 2019 that Usman won via fifth-round TKO. UFC president Dana White has remarked on numerous occasions that the first Usman vs. Covington fight was one of his personal favorite fights of all time, and he has already confirmed that “Chaos” is next in line to fight “The Nigerian Nightmare.”
Islam Makhachev pokes fun at fellow lightweight contenders following "radio silence" after callouts
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
Emerging title contender Islam Makhachev poked fun at his fellow lightweight contenders following their “radio silence” after his callouts. Makhachev defeated Thiago Moises via fourth-round submission in the main event of UFC Vegas 31 this past Saturday night to pick up his eighth straight win in the Octagon. With a 9-1 record now in the UFC, Makhachev has cemented himself as one of the elite lightweights in the sport. However, since he’s ranked No. 9 in the division, he needs to start fighting the fighters ranked higher than him if he wants to get a title shot. Some of those potential opponents include the likes of Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, and Rafael dos Anjos, all of who Makhachev called out following his big win over Moises on Saturday.
Marion Reneau issues statement following retirement from mixed martial arts
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
Former UFC women’s bantamweight contender Marion Reneau issued a statement following her retirement from mixed martial arts. Reneau lost via third-round TKO to Miesha Tate at this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 31 card, and following the event, she made her retirement from MMA official. The 44-year-old American officially ends her career with a 9-8-1 record, which includes notable wins over Jessica Andrade and Sara McMann. Check out the lengthy statement that Reneau shared on her social media following her official announcement that she has retired from MMA.
Dan Hooker says he "got bored" watching Islam Makhachev fight Thiago Moises at UFC Vegas 31
Adam D Martin - July 19, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker says he “got bored” watching Islam Makhachev fight Thiago Moises in the main event of UFC Vegas 31. Hooker is the No. 8 ranked lightweight in the UFC and right behind him at No. 9 is Makhachev, who defeated Moises via fourth-round submission in the headliner of this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 31 card. Speaking to Submission Radio following Makhachev’s win, Hooker was asked if he is interested in facing Makhachev next. While Hooker knows this fight is possible just based on the rankings, Hooker says he was “bored” watching Makhachev fight against Moises and can’t imagine what his New Zealand fans would think if they ever fought on his home soil, unlike someone who is a striker such as Paul Felder.
TJ Dillashaw claims he did not benefit from previous PED use, promises to be “a f*cking animal” in UFC return
Harry Kettle - July 19, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw has claimed he didn’t benefit from his previous PED use. Back in 2019, Dillashaw was stripped of his 135-pound title and suspended after testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO). It came in the midst of his UFC flyweight title defeat to Henry Cejudo, with many questioning whether Dillashaw would even return after his suspension was complete.
Gilbert Burns wants rematch with Kamaru Usman, will fight Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards to get there
Adam Martin - July 18, 2021
Gilbert Burns wants a rematch with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, and says will fight Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards to get there. Burns defeated Stephen Thompson at UFC 264 last weekend to bounce back into the win column following a knockout loss to Usman earlier this year at UFC 258. With the win over Thompson, Burns once again cemented himself as one of the elite welterweights in the sport, and following the fight, he called out Masvidal, Edwards, and Nate Diaz for fights.
Logan Paul reveals he had recent phone conversation with UFC president Dana White
Adam Martin - July 18, 2021
YouTuber-turned-boxer Logan Paul revealed that he had a recent phone conversation with UFC president Dana White ahead of last week’s UFC 264. Logan Paul and his brother Jake were both recently in attendance at UFC 264 and they had great seats to the event, thanks to White. Speaking on a recent edition of the IMPAULSIVE podcast, the older Paul revealed that he received a phone call from White the day of the Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 3 card that was quite surprising, to say the least.