MMA News

Christopher Taylor - July 1, 2021

Former lightweight kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov recently shared his thoughts on Aljamain Sterling’s bantamweight title win over Petr Yan at UFC 259. Sterling (20-3 MMA) captured the promotions bantamweight championship this past March after Petr Yan (15-2 MMA) was disqualified from their fight due to an illegal knee in round four.

Christopher Taylor - July 1, 2021

Dustin Poirier welcomes the idea of “crazy” Conor McGregor, similar to UFC 178, showing up for their trilogy fight on July 10 at UFC 264. McGregor (22-5 MMA) and Poirier (26-7 MMA) will collide in a highly anticipated rubber match next weekend in Las Vegas. The pair split their first two encounters, with the Irishman winning their featherweight fight at UFC 178, and ‘The Diamond’ emerging victorious in their lightweight rematch at UFC 257.

Christopher Taylor - July 1, 2021

Conor McGregor slammed Dustin Poirier over his ‘best boxer in MMA’ claims, which spawned fellow former UFC champion Max Holloway to chime in. McGregor (22-5 MMA) and Poirier (27-6 MMA) are set to collide for a third time on July 10, this after splitting their first two encounters.

Adam D Martin - July 1, 2021

Dustin Poirier responded after his rival Conor McGregor suggested that the first one to shoot for a takedown is a “dusty bitch.” Poirier clapped back at McGregor after he had choice words about whoever shoots the first takedown in their trilogy fight at UFC 264, which takes place on July 10 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Poirier responded with a comment to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto in return, saying that McGregor having those words about takedowns “reeks of insecurity.”

Alfredo Zullino - July 1, 2021

A bantamweight clash between Nathaniel Wood (17-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC) and Jonathan Martinez (13-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC) is in the works, sources with knowledge of the situation informed BJPENN.com. The sources asked for anonymity since the news hasn’t been officially confirmed yet. The contracts have not been signed, but it seems it’s in the promotion plans to book this fight in London, for September 4.

Adam D Martin - July 1, 2021

UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko explained how Julianna Pena can defeat women’s double champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 265. Shevchenko and Pena fought at UFC on FOX 23 and Shevchenko won the fight in the second round by armbar, so they are very familiar with one another. Pena will next step into the Octagon this summer when she fights Nunes for her UFC bantamweight championship. Not surprisingly, Pena is the underdog at the sportsbooks and very few fans are giving her a chance to pull off the upset against Nunes, who is universally regarded as the greatest women’s MMA fighter of all time. But Shevchenko thinks there’s a chance.

Adam D Martin - July 1, 2021

UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira shared his prediction for the upcoming trilogy fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. Oliveira became the new UFC 155lbs champion when he won the vacant title with a KO win over Michael Chandler at UFC 262 in May. For his first title defense, “Do Bronx” seems destined to fight the winner of the UFC 264 main event trilogy fight between McGregor and Poirier. The champion has been keeping a close eye on this blockbuster fight and is now ready to share his prediction.

Adam D Martin - July 1, 2021

Mixed martial arts legend Georges St-Pierre named his choice for the best active pound-for-pound fighter currently competing in the UFC. GSP was, for many years, considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport and one of the greatest mixed martial artists to ever step into the Octagon. The French Canadian has been happily retired since 2017, but he still watches the sport on the regular and keeps up to date with the fights that are going on. He is also keeping a close eye on the welterweight division that he once was the king of, and of its champion Kamaru Usman.

Adam D Martin - July 1, 2021

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov says Kamaru Usman would beat Georges St-Pierre in 2021, but 2010 was a different story. Nurmagomedov recently sat down with UFC Russia for an interview and was asked about a variety of different topics. One of the questions posed to “The Eagle” was about his stablemate at Dominance MMA, the UFC welterweight champion Usman, and who would win in a superfight against the legend GSP. As far as Nurmagomedov is concerned, Usman would be the one getting his hand raised in 2021, but he believes that if this fight took place back in GSP’s prime around 2010, that the result of the fight would likely be different.

Adam D Martin - July 1, 2021

UFC lightweight fighter Luis Pena reacted after his recent arrest, suggesting that “they talking like I’m the next OJ Simpson.” Pena is accused of a domestic violence incident that took place on June 14 where he allegedly struck his girlfriend and broke her phone after he got upset he said she was looking at other men on Instagram. Pena was charged with robbery by sudden snatching, battery, and criminal mischief for the incident. The former Ultimate Fighter competitor, who is nicknamed “Violent Bob Ross” due to his likeness to the famous painter, was released this weekend from jail after putting an $8000 bond in order to get him out. Pena is now potentially facing up to five years in prison, though of course, he will have his day in court.

Harry Kettle - July 1, 2021

Justin Balboa, who was knocked out by Joe Schilling in a recent barroom brawl, intends to prosecute Schilling in court. In recent days video footage has emerged of Balboa, who was clearly intoxicated, being knocked out cold by Schilling – a former GLORY and Bellator fighter. Schilling has claimed it was self defense, putting out the following now-deleted post on Instagram.

Harry Kettle - July 1, 2021

In the final UFC event of July, Uriah Hall and Sean Strickland will meet in a fascinating middleweight headliner at UFC Vegas 33. Event: UFC Vegas 33: Hall vs. Strickland Date: Saturday, 31st July 2021 Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Broadcast: ESPN+ – Time TBD

Andrew Whitelaw - June 30, 2021

Sarah Alpar has responded to Jake Paul’s generous contribution to her GoFundMePage. The YouTuber-turned-boxer showed his support this week by donating 5K USD to the UFC flyweight’s campaign.

Cole Shelton - June 30, 2021

Sean O’Malley says he agreed to fight Ricky Simon but the bantamweight contender declined because he couldn’t make weight. Simon was one of many bantamweights who called out O’Malley after the news that Louis Smolka was out of the fight. “Suga” then went on Instagram seemingly accepting the fight but just minutes later he took to Twitter to claim the 28-year-old couldn’t make weight.

Cole Shelton - June 30, 2021

Sean O’Malley will fight on UFC 264 next weekend after all. It was revealed on Tuesday that Louis Smolka was out of his fight against O’Malley due to a staph infection. After the news became public, several bantamweights began calling him out and O’Malley hinted on social media he agreed to face Ricky Simon. Unfortunately, Simon couldn’t make the weight and O’Malley revealed on his Twitch that he will now face UFC newcomer Kris Moutinho.

Adam D Martin - June 30, 2021

UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira says he is confident that he would knock out Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier if they fight. Oliveira won the vacant UFC lightweight title when he knocked out Michael Chandler at UFC 262 in May. The winner of his last nine fights in a row, “Do Bronx” seems poised to fight the winner of the UFC 264 trilogy fight between McGregor and Poirier next. Speaking to the media ahead of next weekend’s blockbuster event, Oliveira said that he is feeling good about the possibility of facing either “Notorious” or “The Diamond” and is predicting that he will knock out either man if they step foot into the Octagon with him.

Adam D Martin - June 30, 2021

Jake Paul donated $5000 to the GoFundMe for UFC fighter Sarah Alpar, adding “imagine a rookie in the NBA had to start a GoFundMe to play.” Earlier this week, Alpar let her fans know that she was starting a fundraiser in order to raise money for fight camp expenses. The 30-year-old Alpar fought on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019 and made it to the UFC with a submission win over Shanna Young. She then made her UFC debut in September 2020 and lost via third-round TKO to Jessica-Rose Clark. Alpar then had two fights fall apart for May 2021 against Stephanie Egger and Lupita Godinez, before finally being re-booked for her second UFC fight when she faces off against prospect Erin Blanchfield, but that won’t take place until Septmber.

Adam D Martin - June 30, 2021

UFC lightweight Jeremy Stephens says that YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul might knock out Tyron Woodley in their upcoming boxing match. Paul meets Woodley on August 28 in a professional boxing match promoted by Showtime PPV. For Paul, it’s his fourth pro boxing match and he earned the opportunity to fight a big name in the world of combat sports in Woodley after defeating his longtime friend and training partner Ben Askren in his last outing. For Woodley, after losing four straight fights in the UFC he was released and chose to fight Paul and earn a big payday in the process. This summer’s blockbuster PPV is expected to make both men several million dollars.