MMA News
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.
Anthony Smith: 'Jon Jones failed every drug test the entire week leading up to our fight'
Drake Riggs - June 22, 2021
Anthony Smith and Jon Jones have had a more heated rivalry after their UFC 235 clash than they did before it. Smith rebounded from his unanimous decision title loss to Jones with a fourth-round submission of Alexander Gustafsson. Afterward, Smith came up short in a wild affair with Glover Teixeira. This ultimately led to some shots being taken by Jones as Smith was a victim of a home invasion incident and didn’t take too kindly to the then champion’s comments.
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.
Sean Strickland trashes keyboard warriors following incident with Orlando Sanchez
Adam D Martin - June 22, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland trashed keyboard warriors following his much-publicized incident in training with Orlando Sanchez. Strickland, one of the top-15 ranked middleweights in the UFC, is currently training for his fight this summer against Uriah Hall. As part of his camp, he was working pummel drills with Sanchez, a BJJ world champion who attempted a standing armlock on Strickland. “Tarzan” was not happy about it and the video of him arguing with Sanchez went viral.
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.
Chris Weidman confident he will fight again after breaking leg at UFC 261
Adam D Martin - June 22, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman says he is confident he will fight again after breaking his leg against Uriah Hall at UFC 261. Weidman snapped his leg on a kick that Hall checked in the opening moments of their fight at UFC 261. It was one of the most brutal injuries we have ever seen inside the Octagon, and at the moment it happened, many fans were wondering if Weidman would ever fight again. Incredibly, Weidman is already walking around less than two months after the incident took place. In fact, he’s already back in the gym doing some pad work and light sparring, and he even golfed a full 18 holes. “The All-American” might have broken his leg, but he’s not letting that injury stop him from continuing to be a tremendous athlete.
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.
Jake Paul wants to drag Tyron Woodley to the deep waters in their boxing match: "We will see how well Tyron can swim"
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2021
Jake Paul is hoping his upcoming boxing match against Tyron Woodley will last longer than his other pro bouts. Paul, who’s currently 3-0 as a pro and has two first-round TKO’s and one second-round KO, will have his toughest test on August 28 against Woodley. It’s an intriguing matchup and both men have promised fairly early KOs as the brash YouTuber doesn’t think Woodley will be able to handle his power. Yet, if he does, he says he’s excited for that as he knows he has what it takes to box eight hard rounds.
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.
Sean O'Malley unimpressed by Marlon Vera's win over Davey Grant: "He looked so slow"
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2021
Sean O’Malley didn’t think Marlon Vera looked all that good on Saturday night against Davey Grant. Vera returned at UFC Vegas 29 on the main card to rematch Grant in an anticipated bout. Ultimately, it was “Chito” who got his hand raised winning a clear-cut decision as he battered Grant for the final two rounds. Yet, for O’Malley, he says he didn’t think Vera looked that impressive.