MMA News
Deiveson Figueiredo sends warning to Henry Cejudo and Demetrious Johnson, promises he would finish them both
Adam D Martin - May 30, 2021
UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo sent a warning to Henry Cejudo and Demetrious Johnson, promising that he would finish them both. Figueiredo returns at UFC 263 next month when he takes on Brandon Moreno in a rematch for the UFC flyweight title. While his focus is solely on his opponent Moreno right now, Figueiredo can’t help but look forward should he get past his opponent. If that’s the case, then Figueiredo is hoping that he gets a fight with the former champ Cejduo at 135lbs.
Carla Esparza hopes UFC gives her next title shot against Rose Namajunas: "Come on Dana"
Adam D Martin - May 30, 2021
UFC women’s strawweight contender Carla Esparza hopes the UFC gives her the next title shot against Rose Namajunas, saying “Come on Dana.” Esparza is coming off of an incredible TKO win over Yan Xiaonan at UFC Vegas 27 last weekend that was the statement she needed to make in order to earn a title shot with Namajunas. Esparza has now won her last five fights in a row, including notable victories over the likes of Marina Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson during that stretch, and she’s hoping that the win over Yan in such devastating fashion will earn her the next title shot.
Sylvester Stallone believes Dustin Poirier has "big-time advantage" over Conor McGregor at UFC 264
Adam D Martin - May 30, 2021
Movie star Sylvester Stallone believes that Dustin Poirier has a “big-time advantage” over Conor McGregor in their trilogy fight at UFC 264. Stallone, the star of “Rocky,” spoke to TMZ Sports and was asked about who he believes will take the trilogy fight between Poirier and McGregor at UFC 264 in July. The two rivals are 1-1 so far in their first two fights, with McGregor knocking out Poirier at UFC 178 in September 2014, and Poirier returning the favor at UFC 257 with a knockout of his own. The two will now meet for the third and final time for all the marbles, but if you ask Stallone, one of the two fighters in this particular matchup has the upper hand in the fight.
Colby Covington says George St-Pierre would have been an "extremely easy fight" for him
Adam D Martin - May 30, 2021
UFC welterweight Colby Covington says that a potential matchup against George St-Pierre would have been an “extremely easy fight” for him. Covington is one of the best welterweight fighters in the UFC right now and GSP is, of course, one of the all-time greats ever in the 170lbs division. Although GSP is now 40 years old and retired, there have been rumors about him potentially fighting again for the last several years, with the most recent rumblings suggesting a matchup with former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at a 165lbs catchweight.
Michael Bisping says the Conor McGregor of old doesn't exist anymore: "Just like the me of old, it doesn't exist anymore"
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping says the Conor McGregor of old doesn’t exist anymore and won’t be seen again. According to Bisping (30-9 MMA) the Irishman has achieved far too much in life to ever revert back to the trash-talking version of ‘Mystic Mac‘ that UFC fans originally met back in 2013.
Chuck Liddell does not think Jake Paul will accept his challenge: "He’s going to risk getting hurt like that?"
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell does not expect that YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will respond his recent callout. Earlier this month, Liddell responded to a fan who had suggested that he should be the next man to square off with the younger Paul brother.
Colby Covington claims Jon Jones is trying to get one final cash grab with Francis Ngannou fight: "He’s done, he doesn’t have the right scientist, the right juice to do anymore."
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
Colby Covington believes Jon Jones as trying to get one final “cash grab” by securing a fight with current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Jones (26-1 MMA) vacated his light heavyweight title last summer in hopes of making a run at the promotions heavyweight championship. It was initially thought that ‘Bones’ would fight the winner of March’s rematch between Francis Ngannou and Stipe Miocic.
Brandon Moreno knows he can "support the damage" and "be more aggressive" in UFC 263 rematch with Deiveson Figueiredo
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
It is hard to imagine that June’s UFC 263 flyweight title fight rematch between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno could be any crazier than their first fight. Figueiredo (20-1-1 MMA) and Moreno (18-5-2 MMA) originally collided at December’s UFC 256 event, where the pair produced a fight for the ages.
Francis Ngannou reflects on title-earning knockout of Stipe Miocic at UFC 260
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou reflected on his title-earning knockout of Stipe Miocic earlier this afternoon. Ngannou (16-3 MMA) and Miocic ( MMA) squared off for a second time in the headliner of March’s UFC 260 event in Las Vegas. The pair had initially collided at UFC 220 in January of 2018, with Miocic retaining his heavyweight title by way of unanimous decision.
Previously quiet Israel Adesanya trolls Marvin Vettori ahead of UFC 263 rematch
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has been relatively quiet ahead of his UFC 263 rematch with Italian standout Marvin Vettori. Adesanya (20-1 MMA) and Vettori (17-4-1 MMA) originally collided in April of 2018, with the promotions reigning middleweight champion emerging victorious by way of split decision.
Alex Volkanovski dubs Brian Ortega "fake" and "awkward" following filming of TUF 29
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski has dubbed his upcoming opponent Brian Ortega “fake” and “awkward” following their filming of TUF 29. Volkanovski (22-1 MMA) and Ortega (15-1 MMA) just spent weeks in each others presence while serving as coaches of Season 29 of The Ultimate Fighter.
Brian Ortega responds after Colby Covington trashes his TUF 29 coaching gig: "I’m glad you ain’t get it B*tch."
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
Brian Ortega has responded after former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington trashed his TUF 29 coaching gig. Prior to Ortega and Volkanovski being announced as the coaches of the new season of The Ultimate Fighter, rumors were swirling that Colby Covington could be a part of TUF 29.
Shamil Abdurakhimov returns to action on July 24, faces Chris Daukaus
Alfredo Zullino - May 28, 2021
A heavyweight clash between Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC) and Chris Daukaus (11-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is slated for later this summer, on July 24, sources with knowledge of the situation told BJPENN.com. The sources asked for anonymity since the news hasn’t been officially announced yet. Las Vegas, Nevada has been targeted as a possible location, but it’s not official at the minute.
Charles Oliveira open to moving back to 145lbs, but only for title shot: "I would do well"
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira says he open to moving back to 145lbs, but only for a title shot, saying that he “would do well.” Oliveira knocked out Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 262 in Houston two weeks ago to become the new UFC lightweight champion. He has won his last nine fights in a row at 155lbs and overall looks like one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world while fighting in this division. However, “Do Bronx” admits a move back to 145lbs is possible.
TJ Dillashaw had spies in Cory Sandhagen's camp, says teammate
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
A teammate of Cory Sandhagen at Elevation Fight Team accused TJ Dillashaw of having spies in his rival’s training camp ahead of their fight. Justin Wetzell, a featherweight prospect who competes in LFA, recently spoke to James Lynch and spoke about his teammate Sandhagen’s training camp for the Dillashaw fight this summer. According to Wetzell, it was a peculiar training camp because he said that Dillashaw had Duane “Bang” Ludwig striking students come into the gym and spy on them.
Alexander Volkanovski leaks planned date for Brian Ortega TUF coaches fight
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has leaked the planned date for his upcoming TUF coaches’ fight against rival Brian Ortega. Volkanovski and Ortega will be the coaches of The Ultimate Fighter 29, which starts airing next week on June 1. The two featherweights were originally supposed to meet at UFC 260 in March but the fight was scrapped after Volkanovski tested positive for COVID-19. Following the cancelation of the fight, the UFC decided to book them as the TUF coaches and keep the matchup intact, and we now have a potential date for the re-booked bout.
Paige VanZant, Rachael Ostovich react after rematch booked in BKFC
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
Women’s bare-knuckle fighters Paige VanZant and Rachael Ostovich reacted after their rematch was officially booked in BKFC. BKFC announced this week that the VanZant vs. Ostovich rematch will take place on July 23 at BKFC 19. It’s a rematch of the pair’s fight at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in January 2019, which VanZant won via second-round tapout. This time around, the two will meet in the BKFC ring with no grappling involved. It’s a striking-only fight and considering the popularity of both women, it figures to be one of the biggest fights that BKFC will hold this summer.
Michael Bisping says Jan Blachowicz "set the tone" for how Marvin Vettori can beat Israel Adesanya
Adam D Martin - May 28, 2021
UFC commentator Michael Bisping says that Jan Blachowicz “set the tone” for how Marvin Vettori can beat Israel Adesanya at UFC 263. Back at UFC 259 in March, Blachowicz handed Adesanya his first loss in MMA when he was able to win a unanimous decision to defend the UFC light heavyweight title. Although Blachowicz held his own on the feet, the key to beating Adesanya was to take him down in open space. Other fighters saw that the blueprint to beat Adesanya is there, and according to Bisping, it’s a tactic that other fighters will use against the champion going forward.