MMA News
Curtis Blaydes vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik added to UFC 266
Adam D Martin - June 15, 2021
An important heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Jairzinho Rozenstruik has been added to this fall’s UFC 266 pay-per-view card. MMAFighting.com first reported that Blaydes vs. Rozenstruik will take place at UFC 266, which takes place on September 25 at a location that has yet to be determined. The main event for the card is scheduled to be UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz vs. Glover Teixeira for 205lbs gold. Also expected to take place on the card is a matchup between UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega.
Jamahal Hill doesn't blame referee Al Guinee for late stoppage in Paul Craig fight at UFC 263: "He gave me a chance to try to pull off something spectacular"
Adam D Martin - June 15, 2021
Jamahal Hill doesn’t blame referee Al Guinee at UFC 263, saying that “he gave me a chance to try to pull off something spectacular.” Hill had his arm dislocated by a first-round armbar by Craig in their UFC 263 pay-per-view opener. Craig pulled guard and was quickly able to get Hill into a vulnerable position with his limb, which led to it being dislocated. However, the referee didn’t see the injury and the fight continued, with Craig continuing to rain down blows on his opponent’s head while he was in his guard. The referee then finally stopped the fight due to TKO (punches).
Marvin Vettori explains why he thought he did enough to beat Israel Adesanya at UFC 263
Adam D Martin - June 15, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori explained why he thought he did enough to beat champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 263. Vettori lost a unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 263 in a failed bid to capture the UFC middleweight title. For Vettori, this is his second defeat to the champ after previously losing a split decision to Adesanya in 2018. In the first fight, Vettori is still convinced that he did enough to get his hand raised. And he also thought he did enough to win the rematch even though it was fairly evident that Adesanya did enough to get the win.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 41 with Anderson Silva, Dan Ige, Matt Brown, and Aleksei Oleinik
Cole Shelton - June 15, 2021
The 41st episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of Anderson Silva vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and UFC Vegas 29. We’re first joined by future UFC Hall of Famer and former UFC middleweight champ, Anderson Silva (2:36). Next, one-half of the UFC Vegas 29 main event and eighth-ranked featherweight, Dan Ige (14:07) comes on. UFC welterweight, Matt Brown (29:21) joins the show. Closing out the program is 15th-ranked UFC heavyweight and one-half of the UFC Vegas 29 co-main event, Aleksei Oleinik (43:15).
Giga Chikadze rips the judges scoring of UFC 263 main event, Marvin Vettori responds
Adam D Martin - June 15, 2021
UFC featherweight contender Giga Chikadze ripped the judges for their scoring of the UFC 263 main event, and Marvin Vettori responded to it. Adesanya defeated Vettori by scorecards of 50-45 in the main event of this past Saturday night’s UFC 263 event to defend the UFC middleweight title. Although Vettori had some success with his grappling at times throughout the contest, it was mostly Adesanya who had the upper hand both on the feet and on the mat. But as far as the judges went, the fight was a blowout for Adesanya, and they all thought he won every round of the fight.
Georges St-Pierre reveals the “big gamble” he made which resulted in million dollar payouts from the UFC
Harry Kettle - June 15, 2021
Georges St-Pierre has revealed what he did to create million-dollar payouts for himself during the height of his UFC run. Back in the noughties, the UFC was in the midst of an elite welterweight surge – and the one man who sat at the top of that mountain was GSP. He was able to see off the challenge of every competitor he fought, avenging his only two defeats to Matt Hughes and Matt Serra.
Deiveson Figueiredo considering a move to bantamweight if the UFC does not offer trilogy fight with Brandon Moreno
Harry Kettle - June 15, 2021
Deiveson Figueiredo is contemplating a move up to bantamweight if the UFC doesn’t offer him a trilogy bout against Brandon Moreno. After an enticing majority draw in their first fight last year, the two flyweights went to war over the belt once again last Saturday night at UFC 263. In what proved to be a fairly one-sided affair, Moreno submitted Figueiredo to become the new UFC flyweight champion.
Justin Gaethje refutes rumor that he's considering retirement
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2021
Justin Gaethje has refuted any rumors that he’s considering walking away from the UFC and mixed martial arts. After Gaethje suffered a submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title at UFC 254 he said he wanted a quick turnaround. However, that has yet to be the case as “The Highlight” is still sitting on the sidelines and a recent Instagram DM from a training partner of Gaethje hinted that the former interim champ was thinking about retirement.
Dana White on working with RIZIN in future: 'I'm not saying I would but I'm not saying I wouldn't'
Drake Riggs - June 14, 2021
UFC President Dana White and RIZIN FF Founder Nobuyuki Sakakibara go way back. During the rise of the UFC in the early 2000s, PRIDE FC was doing its thing over in Japan. 15 years later and two most prolific MMA bosses reunited recently.
Paulo Costa responds to Marvin Vettori's callout: "I could fight this Moron"
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2021
Paulo Costa seems open to fighting Marvin Vettori next time out. Costa was supposed to headline a Fight Night card on August 21 against Jared Cannonier. However, the Brazilain withdrew from the fight after he had concerns over his pay and claimed he never signed the contract. After that, many expected him to be away from the Octagon for quite some time but after UFC 263, Vettori called him out.
Eryk Anders says he's "not really" happy with his UFC 263 performance, wants Ed Herman next
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2021
Eryk Anders wasn’t thrilled with his UFC 263 win over Darren Stewart. On Saturday night, Anders and Stewart were running back their fight in March that ended in a No Contest. In the first bout, Anders nearly finished the Brit before throwing an illegal knee and entering the rematch, “Ya Boi” said the gameplan was very similar.
Askar Askarov vs. Alex Perez set for UFC Vegas 33
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2021
Askar Askarov will face Alex Perez in a potential number one contender bout at UFC Vegas 33. Multiple sources have informed BJPENN.com that Askarov and Perez will fight one another on July 31 at the UFC Apex in Nevada. Contracts for the fight have already been signed, the sources revealed.
Dana White comments on potential long-term health care for UFC fighters: "I don’t know about health care forever"
Adam D Martin - June 14, 2021
UFC president Dana White commented on potential long-term health care for UFC fighters, saying “I don’t know about health care forever.” White recently suggested on Instagram that the UFC would “soon” be introducing long-term health benefits to its fighters in a reply to a fan who asked him about it. However, White admitted this past week that he accidentally replied to the wrong fan, and he confirmed that nothing is imminent. It was disappointing news for the fighters, who seemed like they were about to get improved health care, but as of right now there is nothing new to report. However, White said the UFC is still working on other things.
Demian Maia calls out Nate Diaz for final fight of UFC career: "You’re a great fighter who also represents Jiu Jitsu and you’re real"
Adam D Martin - June 14, 2021
Demian Maia called out Nate Diaz for the final fight of his UFC career, telling Diaz “you’re a great fighter who also represents jiu-jitsu.” Maia lost a unanimous decision to Belal Muhammad on the UFC 263 main card, and Diaz lost a decision to Leon Edwards in the very next fight. Following the event, UFC president Dana White said that Maia’s UFC contract is up and he doesn’t see the legend fighting in the promotion anytime soon. But for the 43-year-old Maia, he says he still has one more fight left in him. And he says if he wants anyone for the final walk, he wants it to be Diaz.
Leon Edwards reveals the advice Nate Diaz gave him following their battle at UFC 263
Adam D Martin - June 14, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards revealed the advice that Nate Diaz gave him following their five-round battle at UFC 263. Edwards defeated Diaz via unanimous decision in the first five-round non-title, non-main event fight in promotional history this past weekend at UFC 263. It was a fantastic performance by Edwards, who was dominating the fight up until the final minute of the bout when Diaz rocked him with a straight left and had Edwards badly wobbled. Edwards was able to hang on and survive and make it to the final bell and was rewarded the decision. Although Edwards and Diaz had some words to say in the leadup to the fight, they were extremely respectful after going to battle with each other for 25 minutes.
What's next for the stars of UFC 263?
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2021
The UFC was back in front of a full capacity crowd in Glendale, Arizona for UFC 263. The card saw two titles on the line as Israel Adesanya fought Marvin Vettori, Deiveson Figueiredo rematched Brandon Moreno and Nate Diaz returned against Leon Edwards in a five-round non-title fight. The event ended up being a good one as Adesanya dominated the Italian in their rematch winning every round to defend his belt. Moreno, meanwhile, became the new flyweight champ as he submitted Figueiredo in a great performance. Finally, it was Edwards winning a clear-cut decision over Diaz but the final minute is what most will remember.
Marvin Vettori calls out Paulo Costa following loss at UFC 263: "I'd like to really destroy this drunk guy"
Adam D Martin - June 14, 2021
UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori called out Paulo Costa following his loss at UFC 263, saying “I’d like to really destroy this drunk guy.” Vettori lost a unanimous decision to UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in their rematch that served as the main event of UFC 263. For Vettori, this was a tough loss because it’s his second defeat to the champ, which means that he won’t be fighting for the title anytime soon unless Adesanya loses it to someone else or moves up to 205lbs permanently. With the belt not in his grasp anytime soon, Vettori is already looking ahead at some of the other top contenders in the UFC middleweight division for his next fight, and the one name who is has zeroed in on is Paulo Costa, the No. 2 ranked middleweight.
Video | Bigfoot Silva suffers TKO loss in return to MMA
Adam D Martin - June 14, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Bigfoot Silva suffered a TKO loss in his return to MMA this past weekend in Serbia. Silva traveled to Sabac, Serbia to take on Quentin Domingos at Megdan Fighting 9. For Silva, this was his first MMA fight since 2017 when he was knocked out by Vitaly Minakov in Russia. Since then, he has competed for GLORY kickboxing and BKFC, losing by knockout to Rico Verhoeven and Gabriel Gonzaga, respectively. But after taking the last two years off to rest up, Silva was feeling confident heading into this fight that he could get back into the win column. Unfortunately for Silva, the fight ended like many of his fights do, with him getting stopped with strikes by his opponent, though some have questioned this stoppage.