MMA News
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.
Michael Bisping and Luke Rockhold grapple at RVCA Gym (Video)
Adam D Martin - June 8, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champions Michael Bisping and Luke Rockhold, once bitter rivals, posted a video of them grappling at the RVCA Gym. Bisping and Rockhold fought twice in the Octagon and had one of the most heated rivalries in the UFC during their primes. In November 2014, Bisping and Rockhold met for the first time, with Rockhold winning the fight via second-round submission. They then rematched in June 2016 at UFC 199 and, in one of the greatest upsets in MMA history, Bisping knocked out Rockhold in the first round to take home the UFC middleweight title. Both men were not friendly with each other for many years after that, but as of late they have become more cordial as both men are now training at Jason Parillo’s RVCA Gym.
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).
Nick Diaz "will fight this year," confirms Dana White: "It's looking promising"
Adam D Martin - June 8, 2021
UFC president Dana White says that fan-favorite Nick Diaz “will fight again” this year after recently revealing he wanted to make a comeback. Diaz was a guest at UFC 261 in Jacksonville in April and he made it known at that time that he was in discussions with the UFC about a potential comeback. The last time we saw Diaz fight was in 2015 when he fought to a No Contest against Anderson Silva. It’s now 2021 and Diaz is hoping to get back into the Octagon and fight for the first time in six years. However, while Diaz himself wants to come back, White was initially skeptical about it. In fact, the UFC president previously suggested that it might not be a good idea for his return.
Marvin Vettori scores sponsorship with Dolce & Gabbana ahead of UFC 263 title fight
Harry Kettle - June 8, 2021
Marvin Vettori has secured a sponsorship deal with Dolce & Gabbana heading into his UFC 263 main event this Saturday. The news comes courtesy of his manager Ali Abdelaziz as “The Italian Dream” gears up for the most important fight of his life. He’ll be taking on Israel Adesanya, the man who beat him via split decision in an intriguing bout back in 2018, with the UFC middleweight title being on the line.
Dan Hardy has an opponent in mind for Logan Paul’s potential Bellator debut: “Get it done, Scott Coker!”
Harry Kettle - June 8, 2021
Former UFC commentator Dan Hardy believes Logan Paul’s first opponent in a potential Bellator debut should be Michael “Venom” Page. Paul is coming off the back of an eight-round boxing exhibition against Floyd Mayweather this past weekend. While he didn’t quite blow the world away, he definitely proved that he has a whole lot of heart as he managed to avoid being stopped by the 50-0 veteran.
Dana White rips Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul: “That wasn’t a f*cking boxing match”
Christopher Taylor - June 7, 2021
UFC President Dana White slammed all of the “dummies” who paid money to watch Floyd Mayweather box Logan Paul. Last night in Miami, Mayweather (50-0) squared off with YouTube sensation Logan Paul (0-1) in an exhibition boxing match slated for eight rounds.
Dana White blasts Paulo Costa: "You’re in no position to be talking about crazy money after your last performance"
Cole Shelton - June 7, 2021
Dana White isn’t a fan of Paulo Costa demanding more money. After it was revealed Costa was out of his main event fight against Jared Cannonier on August 21, he took to social media to say the UFC needs to pay him as a main event fighter. He also says he never signed the contract which White says is not true as the UFC president blasted the Brazilian.
Colby Covington blasts "prick" Dustin Poirier for dropping and taunting an amateur in training
Cole Shelton - June 7, 2021
Colby Covington has blasted Dustin Poirier for allegedly dropping and taunting an amateur in training. Covington and Poirier used to train with each other at American Top Team. However, they had a big falling out after “Chaos” picked Khabib Nurmagomedov to beat him. After that, they then began taking shots at one another and now Covington claims Poirier taunted an amateur in training in the lead-up to the Nurmagomedov preparation.
Scott Coker "absolutely" would let Logan Paul fight in Bellator if he wanted
Cole Shelton - June 7, 2021
Scott Coker is open to having Logan Paul take an MMA fight in Bellator. Paul, the YouTube star turned pro boxer has mentioned he believes he would be better at MMA due to his wrestling background. After he went the distance with Floyd Mayweather on Showtime pay-per-view, he mentioned he would take an MMA fight.
After "hanging with" Khabib and Islam in training, Kyle Crutchmer has the confidence to make a Bellator title run
Cole Shelton - June 7, 2021
Kyle Crutchmer has all the confidence in the world to be a Bellator champion. Crutchmer is coming off his first career loss as he lost a hard-fought decision to Kemran Lachniov at Bellator 249 in October, who is on the newest season of TUF. Although it was Crutchmer’s first career loss, he says he took a lot from it as he learned how to mix in his striking and grappling.
Joe Rogan praises "freak show" boxing match between Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather: "It was pretty f*cking interesting"
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2021
UFC analyst Joe Rogan praised the “freak show” boxing match between Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather, calling it “pretty f*cking interesting.” Paul and Mayweather met on Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida in an eight-round exhibition boxing match. Though Mayweather landed the better shots throughout and would have won had there been judges scoring it, Paul proved his toughness and heart by going eight rounds with one of the greatest boxers in the world, and Rogan liked what he saw.
Claressa Shields calls teammate Holly Holm the "cheat code" ahead of PFL and MMA debut
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2021
Boxer-turned-MMA fighter Claressa Shields called teammate Holly Holm the “cheat code” ahead of her upcoming PFL and mixed martial arts debut. Shields makes her official professional MMA debut this Thursday at PFL 4 when she takes on Brittany Elkin in a non-tournament women’s lightweight bout. Shields is one of the best women’s boxers on the planet but she has said for a few years now that MMA was her goal, and she will finally make her debut in mixed martial arts later this week against Elkin.
Jake Paul "has a good chance" to beat Tyron Woodley, says Roy Jones Jr.: "He knows how to box"
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2021
Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. believes that YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul “has a good chance” to beat Tyron Woodley in their boxing match. Paul meets Woodley on August 28 in the biggest boxing match of Paul’s career to date. After knocking out Woodley’s teammate Ben Askren in his last fight, the matchup with Woodley became hotly rumored and it will now happen later this summer. Paul is the slight favorite to get the win in the fight according to the sportsbooks, although there are still many fans who believe that Woodley is going to smoke him. Regardless of what happens in this fight, it has all the makings of one of the most highly-anticipated fights of the summer.
Ariel Helwani leaves ESPN, reportedly in talks with Action Network
Harry Kettle - June 7, 2021
MMA reporter Ariel Helwani has confirmed that he will be leaving ESPN later this month after three successful years with the company. Helwani is one of the most famous mixed martial arts journalists of his generation and will continue to hold that title for as long as he decides to cover the sport. Prior to this he spent time with MMA Fighting, before making what he considered to be the dream move of his career by jumping ship to ESPN.
Eddie Alvarez shares prediction for tonight's Logan Paul vs. Floyd Mayweather boxing match
Adam Martin - June 6, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez shared his prediction for tonight’s big boxing match between Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather. Paul and Mayweather meet in an exhibition boxing match tonight live from the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. It’s an exhibition boxing match because of the massive weight difference in the fight. At the official weigh-ins on Saturday, Paul came in at 189.5lbs while Mayweather tipped the scales at 155lbs. The weight difference is the reason this fight is not a professional boxing match, but rather an exhibition fight. Because it’s an exhibition, there will be no official judges ringside to declare a winner, but the fighters can still go for a KO.