MMA News
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.
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).
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.
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.
Former TUF 12 contestant Dane Sayers confirmed dead after body is pulled from the Red River in Fargo
Christopher Taylor - June 7, 2021
Former TUF 12 contestant Dane Sayers has been confirmed dead after his body was pulled from the Red River in Fargo on Saturday. The cause of Sayer’s death remains unknown at this time, but local radio station WZFG released that Dane’s body had been pulled from the Red River in Fargo. Details from the autopsy have not been released to the public.
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.
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.
Colby Covington says he's "never even heard of" Khamzat Chimaev: "Does this guy have a ranked win yet?"
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington says he’s “never even heard of” Khamzat Chimaev, asking “does this guy have a ranked win yet?” Covington is one of the top-ranked welterweights in the world and he is hoping to get a rematch with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman for his next fight. However, one opponent Covington is not interested in is Chimaev, one of the welterweight division’s top prospects. Chimaev had an amazing UFC debut last summer when he finished three opponents in brutal fashion, but he has been dealing with health issues stemming from COVID-19 that have left him out of the Octagon since last September. Still, he says he is ready to get back into the cage this summer, and he wants to fight a top-15 opponent.
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.
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.
Henry Cejudo slams Floyd Mayweather for his performance against Logan Paul: “Imagine what an Olympic gold medalist would do to a guy who lost to a YouTuber”
Adam D Martin - June 7, 2021
Former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo slammed boxing legend Floyd Mayweather for his performance against Logan Paul. Mayweather went the full eight-round distance with Paul on Sunday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, during their special exhibition boxing match. It wasn’t the most exciting fight as there was a lot of hugging and Mayweather seemed to be almost playing with his food and carrying Paul instead of finishing him with punches. Indeed, Paul even admitted in his post-fight interview that he wondered if Mayweather carried him to the distance. Either way, it was far from the best performance we’ve seen from Mayweather, although it’s worth noting again that it was an exhibition fight that doesn’t really matter.
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.
Francisco Trinaldo issues statement following loss at UFC Vegas 28: "I'm not ashamed of my performance"
Adam Martin - June 6, 2021
UFC lightweight Francisco Trinaldo issued a statement following his loss at UFC Vegas 28, saying that “I’m not ashamed of my performance.” Trinaldo moved up to the welterweight division for the first time in his UFC career following a three-fight losing streak at lightweight with wins over Jai Herbert, John Makdessi, and Bobby Green. At age 42, Trinaldo is one of the oldest fighters in the UFC but he has continued to have plenty of success in the Octagon even given his elder status. On Saturday night, Trinaldo made his 170lbs debut when he took on Muslim Salikhov. Although Trinaldo fought hard for the full 15 minutes, Salikhov had the upper hand in the striking and grappling and was given the unanimous decision by the judges after the fight.
Augusto Sakai releases statement following KO loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Vegas 28: "My heart is broken, but physically I'm okay"
Adam Martin - June 6, 2021
UFC heavyweight Augusto Sakai released a statement following his KO loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik at Saturday night’s UFC Vegas 28 event. Sakai and Rozenstruik was a Pick ’em fight at the sportsbooks, but it turned out to be a blowout win for Rozenstruik after he knocked Sakai out with one second left to go in the first of five scheduled rounds. For Sakai, this is his second straight loss in the Octagon after getting stopped by former UFC fighter Alistair Overeem in his last outing. This loss to Rozenstruik was Sakai’s opportunity to emerge as a legitimate title contender in the UFC heavyweight division, but following the KO loss, it’s back to the drawing board for him.