MMA News
Nate Diaz responds after Stephen Thompson suggests he should drop back down to lightweight
Harry Kettle - June 23, 2021
Nate Diaz has issued his response following a suggestion from Stephen Thompson that he should go back down to lightweight. It’s well known that “Wonderboy” is one of the nicest guys in mixed martial arts but beneath that exterior, he’s also one of the most dangerous welterweights on the planet – and he’s been proving that for years now.
Leon Edwards calls Belal Muhammad a “clown” for his rematch request, ‘Remember the Name’ returns fire with multiple insults
Harry Kettle - June 23, 2021
Belal Muhammad hasn’t taken kindly to being called a “clown” by Leon Edwards after Muhammad asked for a rematch. The two men squared off earlier this year with an unfortunate eye poke bringing proceedings to an early end. Ever since then, Edwards has been able to get in the win column against Nate Diaz with Muhammad also picking up a win against Demian Maia.
Coach: Nick Diaz return bout possibly wouldn't be in UFC, 'Nick is very open' to box
Drake Riggs - June 22, 2021
Nick Diaz has once again teased a potential comeback. The elder Diaz brother hasn’t fought since his no-contest with Anderson Silva at UFC 183 in 2015. Now 37, Diaz has an idea of when he’d like to return, according to his coach – and it’s not guaranteed to be in the UFC or MMA.
Stephen Thompson explains what Conor McGregor needs to do to beat Dustin Poirier at UFC 264
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2021
Stephen Thompson believes Conor McGregor has what it takes to beat Dustin Poirier. In the main event of UFC 264, McGregor and Poirier will have their highly-anticipated trilogy bout. It’s an intriguing matchup, but many believe McGregor won’t have the ability to change everything he needs to do to beat Poirier. Yet, for Thompson, he thinks the Irishman has what it takes to win this fight as long as he goes back to his karate style and uses his movement.
Kamaru Usman responds to criticism from Nate Diaz: “I see you 209. If you really want this 187 then call your boy Hunter”
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2021
Kamaru Usman has responded to Nate Diaz after his recent criticism. Diaz took to social media on Tuesday to blast the welterweight champ for only fighting opponents he already beat and knocked out. Usman was criticized for the rematch due to the fact he dominated Masvidal less than a year prior.
Nate Diaz criticizes Kamaru Usman's fight booking
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2021
Nate Diaz isn’t a fan of Kamaru Usman and the opponents he is facing. At UFC 261, Usman rematched Jorge Masvidal not even a year after dominating him on Fight Island to defend his belt. Yet, “Gamebred” took the fight on just six days’ notice and had to fly around the world. Usman wanted the chance to prove how much better he was and did so in dramatic fashion as he KO’d Masvidal out cold, yet for Diaz, he isn’t impressed.
Stephen Thompson says he's a "bad matchup" for Kamaru Usman
Adam D Martin - June 22, 2021
Stephen Thompson says he’s a “bad matchup” for UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman if the two ever end up fighting inside the Octagon. Thompson is the No. 4 ranked welterweight in the UFC and he returns to the cage this summer when he takes on Gilbert Burns in the co-main event of UFC 264 next month. Thompson has made it clear that he wants to fight for the belt should he get past Burns, and considering he’s the highest-ranked fighter who the champion hasn’t fought yet, there is certainly a good chance that “Wonderboy” could be fighting for the belt should he get past Burns in July. If Thompson gets his shot at Usman, he believes he can win the belt.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reaffirms decision to retire: "I have no desire to come back and I don't think I ever will"
Adam D Martin - June 22, 2021
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov reaffirmed his decision to retire, saying that “I have no desire to come back and I don’t think I ever will.” Nurmagomedov first revealed his intentions to step away from mixed martial arts following his submission win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 last October. That victory improved Nurmagomedov’s MMA record to a perfect 29-0, and UFC president Dana White was hoping the legend would come back for one final fight and try to make it an even 30-0. However, “The Eagle” decided that it was the right time to walk away and he vacated the UFC lightweight title and officially stepped away from the sport earlier this year.
Artem Lobov expecting a "Fight of the Year candidate" in bare-knuckle fight against Olympic silver medalist Denys Berinchyk
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2021
Artem Lobov is eager to face Denys Berinchyk on July 24. In the main event of Mahatch FC, Lobov will face the current undefeated WBO international lightweight champ boxer in Berinchyk. He’s also an Olympic silver medalist, winning the medal in 2012. His résumé speaks for itself which is why Lobov is excited about the fight.
Matt Brown pondering fighting future after KO win: "I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't fight again"
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2021
Matt Brown doesn’t know if he’ll make the walk to the Octagon again. At UFC Vegas 29, Brown returned to the win column in a big way as he scored a violent second-round KO over Dhiego Lima. The first round was a back-and-forth one, but after the round ended, Brown saw some tendencies that allowed him to land the big power punch.
Gleison Tibau vows to knock Rory MacDonald out in future PFL rematch: "He already wanted the fight to be over"
Adam D Martin - June 22, 2021
Veteran Gleison Tibau vowed to knock Rory MacDonald out in a future PFL rematch, saying that “he already wanted the fight to be over.” Tibau won a highly controversial split decision over MacDonald in the main event of PFL 5. Most fans and media believed that MacDonald did enough to win the decision, but two of the three judges gave the split nod to Tibau instead. Some fans have suggested it’s one of the worst decisions they have ever seen, but if you ask Tibau, he’s confident he won.
Gilbert Burns says Leon Edwards "wasn't hungry" enough against Nate Diaz to earn title shot
Adam D Martin - June 22, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns says that Leon Edwards “wasn’t hungry” enough against Nate Diaz to earn a title shot at 170lbs. Edwards won a unanimous decision over Diaz at UFC 263 earlier this month, but he was rocked badly in the fifth round of the fight and was nearly finished. Still, he got the win and now Edwards is on a 10-fight unbeaten streak. With that kind of a winning streak, there’s no surprise that Edwards is out there stumping for a title shot. But UFC president Dana White has already said that Colby Covington is next in line to fight UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who defeated Burns earlier this year at UFC 258 by knockout.
Khamzat Chimaev needs to get tested against the top dogs, says Ian Heinisch: "He's definitely got some lessons to learn"
Adam D Martin - June 22, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev needs to get tested against the top dogs, says Ian Heinisch, suggesting that “he’s definitely got some lessons to learn.” Heinisch has been in-and-out of the UFC middleweight top-15 over the last few years, a place which Chimaev occupied briefly following his quick KO win over Gerald Meerschaert last year. Heinisch, of course, also has a big KO win over Meerschaert, but unlike Chimaev, Heinisch never got the sort of hype that Chimaev got after he knocked Meerschaert out. And while Heinisch says he can’t hate on the “stud” Chimaev for getting the hype, he still believes that the young Swede has a lot to learn inside the Octagon.
Belal Muhammad rips Leon Edwards for Nate Diaz fight: "You probably lost more fans than you gained in that one"
Adam D Martin - June 22, 2021
Belal Muhammad ripped rival Leon Edwards for the Nate Diaz fight, saying that “you probably lost more fans than you gained in that one.” Muhammad is coming off of a unanimous decision win over Demian Maia at UFC 263, and Edwards defeated Diaz via decision on the same card. However, while Edwards got his hand raised in the fight, most people remember the fifth round where Diaz rocked Edwards badly. The Brit was able to hold on and survive, but it didn’t seem like the type of elite performance that will earn him a title shot, and that’s why Muhammad wants the rematch.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 42 with Artem Lobov, Tim Johnson, Renato Moicano, and Ike Villanueva
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2021
The 42nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 30 and Bellator 261. We’re first joined by former UFC featherweight and now BKFC fighter Artem Lobov (3:13). Next, Bellator heavyweight Tim Johnson (25:23) comes on. UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano (37:15) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC heavyweight Ike Villanueva (51:11).
Photo | Kanako Murata shares x-ray of nasty arm injury suffered at UFC Vegas 29
Harry Kettle - June 22, 2021
UFC strawweight Kanako Murata has shared an x-ray image of the horrific arm injury she suffered at UFC Vegas 29 last weekend. Murata, who is now 12-2 in her professional mixed martial arts career, was beaten by Virna Jandiroba via arm injury on a gruesome night at the office for the Japanese star. It brought a humbling end to an eight-fight win streak and, in the process, left her arm in tatters.
Belal Muhammad puts Colby Covington on blast: 'The hatred I have for that guy is levels above Leon Edwards'
Drake Riggs - June 21, 2021
Belal Muhammad is not at all a fan of former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington. UFC President Dana White has let it be known that “Chaos” is next in line to rematch current champion, Kamaru Usman. After seeing Covington lose via fifth-round TKO in their December 2019 clash, Muhammad believes he should be next for Covington instead.
Orlando Sanchez explains his side of the Sean Strickland scuffle
Drake Riggs - June 21, 2021
Rising UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland got into a bit of an altercation with BJJ world champion Orlando Sanchez this past week. Strickland and Sanchez were caught on video at RVCA in California practicing some grappling. Ultimately, it ended in less than a friendly manner as Strickland threw a spinning back fist and teep kick to Sanchez after Sanchez attempted an alleged “dirty” arm crank.