MMA News
Jon Jones responds to failed drug test accusations from former opponent Anthony Smith
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
Jon Jones has issued a fiery response to Anthony Smith after his former foe claimed he failed every drug test during their fight week. Jones and Smith fought at UFC 235 which was Bones’ first title defense since he reclaimed the belt at UFC 232. Smith, meanwhile, entered the fight undefeated at light heavyweight but throughout the bout, Jones dominated it and won a clear-cut decision aside from throwing an illegal knee and being deducted two points.
Dana White says Fight Island isn't going away and is "going to be even bigger"
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
Dana White says Fight Island is still a big part of the UFC. Last summer, White revealed Fight Island in Abu Dhabi that caught the attention of the sports world. They held several events there including pay-per-views in July, September, and October. However, since returning for three events in January, they haven’t gone back and there has been no talk of returning. Many have wondered if they will go back but according to White, Fight Island is only getting bigger and remains a big part of the UFC plans.
Kevin Lee wants Sean Brady fight rebooked for UFC 265 after pulling out of UFC 264 due to a "minor" rib injury
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
Kevin Lee is disappointed he won’t be making the walk to the Octagon on July 10 at UFC 264. Lee was set to move back up to welterweight to face Sean Brady in a highly-anticipated bout. Yet, on Thursday, Brady revealed Lee was out of the fight due to an injury which Lee confirmed to BJPENN.com.
Pro fighters make their picks for Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 30, Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov meet in a battle of top-five heavyweights. Gane is the -157 favorite while the Russian 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 of pros believe Volkov will pull off the upset as his striking and range will be too much for Gane.
UFC Vegas 29 rankings update: Marlon Vera moves up, Aleksei Oleinik falls off
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
The official UFC rankings have been updated following UFC Vegas 29, and Marlon Vera moved up the ranks while Aleksei Oleinik fell out. Vera beat up Davey Grant to pick up a unanimous decision win and bounce back into the win column after losing a decision to Jose Aldo in his last fight. With the impressive win over Grant, Vera moved up from No. 15 in the UFC bantamweight rankings to No. 13. In turn, Cody Stamann dropped two spots down to No. 15. For Vera, beating Grant this past weekend in a “Fight of the Night” performance and having a previous knockout win over Sean O’Malley from two fights ago puts him in a good position at 135lbs. Vera wants to fight former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz next, but we’ll see what happens.
Don Frye interested in making a comeback: “I’d love to fight Francis Ngannou”
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Don Frye says he wants to make a comeback in MMA, and he wants to fight UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou next. Frye, who is now 55 years old, has not competed in MMA since a KO loss to Ruben “Warpath” Villareal in December 2011. For the past decade, Frye has mostly spent it out of the limelight, but after taking 10 years away from the fighting, “The Predator” is now hoping to make a comeback in 2021, and he already has his next opponent in mind.
Fedor Emelianenko to return to the Bellator cage in October
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
One of the greatest MMA fighters of all time will fight once again this fall when Fedor Emelianenko makes his return to the Bellator cage. MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reports that Emelianenko will officially announce his return to the Bellator cage on Friday against an opponent that is still to be determined. The fight will take place in October at a location and venue that has yet to be revealed. It will be the first fight for the Russian legend since he defeated Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at Bellator 237.
Demian Maia wants one more UFC fight, told Dana White he wants Donald Cerrone or Nate Diaz
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
Welterweight veteran Demian Maia wants one more UFC fight, and he told UFC president Dana White that he wants Donald Cerrone or Nate Diaz. Maia lost a unanimous decision to Belal Muhammad at UFC 263 and, following the event, White hinted that it could be the last time we saw the Brazilian inside the Octagon. However, the 43-year-old Maia has made it clear since the fight with Muhammad that he is still interested in fighting one more time, and he’s hoping the UFC gives him the chance.
UFC fighter Luis Pena accused of punching his girlfriend and breaking her iPhone 11
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
UFC lightweight fighter Luis Pena has been accused of punching his girlfriend and breaking her iPhone 11 during a domestic violence incident. According to MMAFighting.com, Pena is accused of the domestic violence incident that allegedly took place on June 14. Police documents revealed that Pena’s girlfriend of one year called the police and said that “Violent Bob Ross” had gotten angry after accusing her of looking at other men’s photos on Instagram and decided to destroy her iPhone 11. According to the woman, whose name has not been made public, Pena also left her face with marks and bruises. She reportedly also had a lump on the top of her head as well.
Ike Villanueva expects to KO Marcin Prachnio at UFC Vegas 30: "If I touch that chin it will be a short night"
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2021
Ike Villanueva is glad to be fighting back at the UFC Apex as he’s looking for some redemption in Las Vegas. The last time Villanueva fought in Vegas was when he suffered a TKO loss to Jordan Wright which was stopped by cut. Now, he’ll return on Saturday at UFC Vegas 30 against Marcin Prachnio where Villanueva likes the style matchup.
Chris Weidman admits that leg amputation still a possibility
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman admitted that having a leg amputation is still a possibility as he recovers from his injury. Weidman broke his leg in a devastating fashion when he threw a low kick that Uriah Hall checked in their middleweight bout at UFC 261, an injury that left “The All-American” writhing in pain on the Octagon canvas. It was one of the worst injuries we have ever seen in the UFC, but Weidman has been making an incredibly fast recovery since then as he’s already gotten back into the gym to do some sparring and even went golfing.
Ovince Saint Preux will not be staying at heavyweight after training with UFC champ Francis Ngannou: “I know how to stay in my lane”
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
Ovince Saint Preux will not be staying at heavyweight after training with UFC champ Francis Ngannou, saying “I know how to stay in my lane.” Saint Preux returns to the Octagon on Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 30 when he takes on Tanner Boser in a short-notice heavyweight bout. Saint Preux was originally set to take on Maxim Grishin on this card at light heavyweight, but after Grishin pulled out of the fight with an injury, the UFC asked him to move up to heavyweight to take on Boser and stay on the card. Although Saint Preux only has one heavyweight bout in the UFC to his name, a split decision defeat to Ben Rothwell last year, he had no problem saying yes to the opportunity to move up and fight Boser in order to keep a fight booked.
Islam Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises promoted to UFC Vegas 31 main event after Holloway-Rodriguez scratched
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Islam Makhachev will get the chance to headline his first UFC card. According to John Morgan of MMAJunkie, Makhachev vs. Thiago Moises has been promoted to the main event of UFC Vegas 31 on July 17. The original main event saw Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez, yet Holloway was forced out of the fight due to an injury. Damon Martin of MMAFighting later reported that Giga Chikadze was offered and agreed to headline the card against Rodriguez but the fight was not made leaving Makhachev vs. Moises to be the main event.
Alexander Volkov believes Ciryl Gane fight will be "one of the best this year" as long as the Frenchman doesn't wrestle him
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Alexander Volkov hopes Ciryl Gane doesn’t try to wrestle him over and over again in the main event of UFC Vegas 30 on Saturday. Volkov enters the main event after back-to-back TKO wins over Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris. Prior to that, he suffered a decision loss to Curtis Blaydes in a fight he was taken down over and over again.
Julio Cesar Chavez says his son didn't prepare for Anderson Silva, calls for him to retire
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Julio Cesar Chavez doesn’t believe his son, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. prepared properly to fight Anderson Silva and now wants him to retire. On Saturday night, Chavez Sr. had an exhibition bout in his return to the ring while his two sons were also on the card. Unfortunately, Chavez Jr. lost a split decision to Anderson Silva while Omar Chavez lost a decision to Ramon Alvarez. It was a disappointing result for the family, and the legendary boxer believes it’s due to the fact his sons don’t prepare properly.
Gilbert Burns sends violent warning to Leon Edwards: "When my hands touch you, you going to wake up at ICU"
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Gilbert Burns has taken a shot at Leon Edwards over his recent performance against Nate Diaz. Although Edwards dominated 24 minutes of the fight at UFC 263, what many will remember is the final minute where Diaz rocked the Brit. He had Edwards on wobbly legs but Diaz didn’t capitalize and lost a clear-cut decision.
Tim Johnson passed up waiting for Ryan Bader for interim title fight, expects a decision win over Valentin Moldavsky
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Tim Johnson could’ve waited for a title shot against Ryan Bader. After Johnson earned a split decision win over Cheick Kongo last October he cemented himself as the number one contender at heavyweight. The plan was for the UFC veteran to face Ryan Bader in the first quarter of 2021 for the heavyweight title. Yet, Bader went into the light heavyweight grand prix and instead of waiting, Johnson will face Valentin Moldavsky in the main event of Bellator 261 for the interim heavyweight title.
Renato Moicano plans to prove he belongs among lightweight best with win over Jai Herbert
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2021
Renato Moicano was hoping to get some ranked opponents when he moved up to lightweight, but that hasn’t happened. The Brazilian was a top-10 featherweight but when he moved up he fought Damir Hadzovic and won by submission. In his next fight, he suffered a TKO loss to Rafael Fiziev. He will now face Jai Herbert at UFC Vegas 30.