MMA News
Jared Cannonier understands why Paulo Costa withdrew from their fight: "I can't hate on him"
Adam D Martin - June 9, 2021
UFC middleweight Jared Cannonier understands why divisional rival Paulo Costa withdrew from their fight, saying that “I can’t hate on him.” Cannonier and Costa were expected to fight this summer in a high-profile middleweight bout that could have seen the winner get close to a title shot at 185lbs. However, Costa pulled out of the fight, and he later went on a rant about fighter pay in the UFC, which company president Dana White responded to in a negative fashion. While Costa pulled out and left Cannonier without an opponent, his rival can’t hate on him. In fact, Cannonier has a lot of respect for what Costa is doing by sticking to his guns.
Video | Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori exchange words following run-in at UFC 263 fighter hotel
Adam D Martin - June 9, 2021
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and rival Marvin Vettori exchanged words following their run-in at the UFC 263 fighter hotel. Adesanya and Vettori meet in the main event of UFC 263 this Saturday night in a rematch. The two previously met in April 2018, with Adesanya winning a split decision. They now meet again three years later, only this time with Adesanya’s gold on the line. Before their big fight this weekend, Adesanya and Vettori ran into each other at the UFC fighter hotel ahead of the card. Check out how the interaction between the bitter rivals went.
Eryk Anders expects to finish Darren Stewart at UFC 263 in their rematch: "It was pretty clear who was winning that fight"
Cole Shelton - June 9, 2021
Eryk Anders has all the confidence in the world when he rematches Darren Stewart at UFC 263. Anders and Stewart first met in a middleweight bout in March. Early on in the fight, Anders dropped Stewart and was landing heavy shots. However, as he was looking to finish the Englishman he threw an illegal knee and the fight was ruled a No Contest.
UFC 263 | Pro fighters make their picks for Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - June 9, 2021
In the co-main event of UFC 263, Deiveson Figueiredo looks to defend his flyweight title as he rematches Brandon Moreno. Heading into the fight, Figueiredo is a -230 favorite while the challenger is a +185 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believe it will be Figueiredo defending his belt this time around.
Dana White confirms winner of Nate Diaz vs. Leon Edwards gets title shot after Colby Covington
Adam D Martin - June 9, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the winner of Nate Diaz vs. Leon Edwards at UFC 263 gets the next title shot after Colby Covington. Diaz and Edwards go at it for five rounds or less this Saturday at UFC 263 in what is a huge fight in the UFC welterweight division. Coming off of a massive KO win over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 261, champion Kamaru Usman is currently awaiting his next challenger. We have heard several names mentioned, including Covington and Michael Chiesa, but the winner of the Diaz vs. Edwards fight would also be right up there when it comes to getting a title shot. In fact, according to White himself, the winner will be next up after Covington.
Vitor Belfort challenges both Jake Paul and Logan Paul to boxing matches on the same night
Adam D Martin - June 9, 2021
Mixed martial arts legend Vitor Belfort has issued a challenge to both Jake Paul and Logan Paul for boxing matches on the same night. Belfort, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, makes his return to boxing for the first time since 2006 when he takes on YouTuber Tarzann at the Triller Fight Club event on June 19. While Belfort is focused on his upcoming opponent, he can’t help but look ahead to more big paydays in boxing, and right now there isn’t a bigger payday than getting to fight the Paul brothers, Logan and Jake. Logan just had a big exhibition boxing match with Floyd Mayweather while Jake is lined up to fight Tyron Woodley next after beating Ben Askren in his last fight. As far as Belfort is concerned, he’s hoping to be next — for both.
Paul Felder replaces Daniel Cormier in commentary booth for UFC 263
Adam D Martin - June 9, 2021
Former UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder has replaced Daniel Cormier in the commentary booth for this weekend’s UFC 263 pay-per-view card. The typical commentary team for UFC pay-per-view cards features Cormier and Joe Rogan as analysts and Jon Anik as the play-by-play man. For UFC 263, however, the promotion has decided to make one change, as Cormier is out of the booth for this event and Felder is in. MMAjunkie.com first reported on the change in the booth. Cormier said earlier this week that he has a family commitment this weekend, which is why he is not working the event.
Amanda Nunes calls out Kim Kardashian, Cris Cyborg responds
Adam D Martin - June 9, 2021
UFC women’s bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes called out celebrity Kim Kardashian, and former Cris Cyborg responded to it. UFC president Dana White recently did an interview where he was asked about Jake Paul and Logan Paul fighting in the world’s leading MMA promotion, and he compared it to bringing in Kardashian to fight Nunes. It was a humourous comment from White and not designed to be taken seriously, but Nunes has decided to run with it and made a post on her social media where she jokingly called out the television personality for a future fight.
Ilir Latifi reveals he suffered multiple arm fractures in UFC win over Tanner Boser
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2021
UFC heavyweight Ilir Latifi has revealed he suffered multiple arm fractures during his UFC Vegas 28 win over Tanner Boser. Last Saturday night, Latifi was facing a possible release from the UFC off the back of three straight losses. However, instead of folding, he was able to dig deep and battle his way to a controversial split decision win over Boser.
Car crash forces alterations to UFC 263 lineup
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2021
A car crash has forced Frank Camacho off of this Saturday night’s UFC 263 card, as per reports. Camacho was initially scheduled to fight Matt Frevola in Glendale, Arizona as part of the UFC 263 event. Unfortunately, it’s now been revealed that a car crash has caused his withdrawal. While it doesn’t appear to have left him with serious injuries, it’s enough to get him off the card.
Leon Edwards believes Kamaru Usman has "fallen in love with his hands" which will be his downfall
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2021
Leon Edwards knows Kamaru Usman is a great fighter but thinks his newfound love for striking will be his downfall. Usman worked his way up the welterweight division with his dominant wrestling that got him a title shot and won him the title. However, he switched gyms to train under Trevor Wittman and has since then started to rely on his striking more and scored a highlight-reel KO win over Jorge Masvidal. However, according to Edwards, he believes that will be the downfall of Usman’s reign at the top.
Israel Adesanya guarantees the judges won't be needed for his rematch against Marvin Vettori
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2021
Israel Adesanya still doesn’t understand how Marvin Vettori thought he won the first fight, but he plans on putting an exclamation mark on it on Saturday. In the main event of UFC 263, Adesanya will look to defend his middleweight title against Vettori in a rematch of their 2018 bout. It was “The Last Stylebender’s” second UFC fight and he edged out a split decision. Since then, Vettori claimed he won that fight, but at UFC 263, Adesanya plans to prove he’s better and wants to finish the Italian.
Walt Harris issues statement following TKO loss to Marcin Tybura at UFC Vegas 28: "I strayed away from the game plan and it cost me"
Adam D Martin - June 8, 2021
Walt Harris issued a statement after his TKO loss to Marcin Tybura at UFC Vegas 28, saying “I strayed away from the game plan and it cost me.” Harris and Tybura met in the co-main event of this past Saturday night’s UFC Vegas 28 event. Harris started off strongly in the fight as he rocked Tybura with punches and nearly finished him with a barrage of strikes up against the fence. However, Tybura was able to survive the storm, and after Harris got tired from throwing so many punches, Tybura was able to get him down to the mat, move into a dominant position, and finish him via TKO.
Brandon Moreno expects to "bully" Deiveson Figueiredo now that he knows what his power is like
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2021
Brandon Moreno left UFC 256 without the belt, but he gained a ton of confidence for his rematch against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 263. In the main event of the pay-per-view card, Figueiredo and Moreno had one of the best fights of the year. It was a back-and-forth bout that ended in a draw and for Moreno, he says he feels much better now than he did back in December.
UFC 263 | Pro fighters make their picks for Israel Adesanya vs. Marvin Vettori 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2021
In the main event of UFC 263, Israel Adesanya looks to defend his middleweight title for the third time as he rematches Marvin Vettori. Heading into the fight, Adesanya is a -250 favorite while the challenger is a +200 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believe Israel Adesanya will get his hand raised again and likely do so by stoppage this time around.
Dana White calls recent comments about fighter benefits plan a misunderstanding: "I actually responded to the wrong guy"
Adam D Martin - June 8, 2021
UFC president Dana White says recent comments about fighter benefits were a misunderstanding, saying “I actually responded to the wrong guy.” White recently responded to a comment on an Instagram post where a fan asked him if the UFC was considering a full-time benefits package for its athletes, and the UFC president responded positively when asked the question. Here’s how that exchange went down.
Alistair Overeem shares cryptic video following release from the UFC, returns to kickboxing
Adam D Martin - June 8, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem shared a cryptic video following his release from the world’s leading MMA promotion. Overeem was released by the UFC in March following a knockout loss to Alexander Volkov. Along with his former rival Junior dos Santos, Overeem’s surprise cut saw the promotion lose one of the top-10 heavyweights on the roster. But given that he’s 41, coming off of a knockout loss, and makes a big salary, the UFC decided that the promotion was ready to move on from “The Reem” and it gave the MMA legend his release from his contract.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 40 with Brandon Moreno, Eryk Anders, Matt Frevola, Steven Peterson, and Frank Camacho
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2021
The 40th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 263. We’re first joined by one-half of the co-main event and UFC flyweight title challenger, Brandon Moreno (2:24). Next, UFC middleweight/light heavyweight, Eryk Anders (17:03) joins the show. UFC lightweight, Matt Frevola (31:04) comes on. UFC featherweight, Steven Peterson (45:51) then joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC lightweight, Frank Camacho (56:58).