MMA News
Rory MacDonald disputes the notion that all of the world’s top mixed martial artists are in the UFC
Adam D Martin - May 26, 2021
PFL welterweight contender Rory MacDonald has disputed the notion that all of the world’s top mixed martial artists are in the UFC. MacDonald was one of the UFC’s top welterweights from 2010 to 2016, going 9-4 in the Octagon during that stretch, even fighting Robbie Lawler for the belt at UFC 189 in 2015. Since leaving the UFC, MacDonald traveled to Bellator, where he became that promotion’s welterweight champion, and now he’s in PFL, where he is one of the favorites to take down the $1 million grand prize in the organization’s 170lbs tournament. MacDonald might not be in his prime anymore but he’s still a quality welterweight even though he’s in PFL.
MMA veteran Phil Baroni offers to fight Diego Sanchez following UFC release, requests Conor McGregor promote the bout
Harry Kettle - May 26, 2021
Phil Baroni has offered himself out for a fight with Diego Sanchez after his UFC release – and he wants Conor McGregor to promote it. Baroni is best known for his days in the UFC but he’s also been able to stay in the public eye fairly regularly in recent years, whether it be due to his exploits with Stephan Bonnar or his tenure in bare-knuckle boxing.
Dan Hardy hints that his first post-UFC bout will take place in the boxing ring
Harry Kettle - May 26, 2021
Former UFC fighter and commentator Dan Hardy has suggested his first post-UFC fight could take place inside a boxing ring. Hardy confirmed earlier this month that he’d been released from his UFC fighter contract in the wake of also being let go from his commentary duties. While Hardy has made it clear that he’d like to work with the promotion again, the 39-year-old isn’t going to waste any time in finding another place to compete.
Michael Venom Page says he wants to test himself in the UFC
Andrew Whitelaw - May 25, 2021
Michael Venom Page is keen to test his skills in the UFC. The 34 year old has spent the majority of his career competing at Bellator, but admitted that the prospect of fighting in the UFC is the reason he got into MMA. As reported by Adam Martin, Page spoke to Michael Bisping on his ‘Believe you me’ podcast, Page said,
Valerie Loureda remains ranked at No. 8 above Hannah Guy and Vanessa Porto in Bellator rankings after Bellator 259 loss
Drake Riggs - May 25, 2021
Valerie Loureda hasn’t gone up or down in the official Bellator rankings after suffering her first career defeat at Bellator 259 against Hannah Guy. The 22-year old Taekwondo specialist went into last Friday night’s Bellator 259 event with a perfect 3-0 record. Loureda once again welcomed a newcomer to the promotional in fellow prospect Hannah Guy.
Luke Rockhold appreciates Israel Adesanya’s style but says the UFC champ is “beatable in so many ways”
Cole Shelton - May 25, 2021
Luke Rockhold is confident he would beat Israel Adesanya if he gets the chance to face him. Rockhold has recently revealed he is looking to return to the middleweight but many of the divisions top-15 have turned him down. However, he is still eager to return and knows if he works his way to a title shot he would be able to beat Adesanya as he thinks the middleweight champ is beatable in so many ways.
Jon Jones suggests it will be another 12 months before he makes his UFC heavyweight debut
Cole Shelton - May 25, 2021
Jon Jones says he will be on the sidelines for at least another year. After Jones vacated his light heavyweight title last year, the plan was for him to move up to heavyweight and face the winner of Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2. However, ‘Bones’ wasn’t able to reach a deal with the UFC, and now suggests that he won’t be fighting again until 2022.
Khabib Nurmagomedov turned down lucrative offers to fight GSP and Floyd Mayweather, claims Ali Abdelaziz
Cole Shelton - May 25, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov appears to be sticking to his retirement. After Nurmagomedov submitted Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 he announced his retirement from the sport. UFC president, Dana White tried to convince him to stay and fight one more time, but ‘The Eagle’ ended up sticking to his retirement and vacated the belt.
Michael Bisping absolutely destroys "piece of sh*t" Joshua Fabia
Adam D Martin - May 25, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping absolutely destroyed Diego Sanchez’s former manager Joshua Fabia in the latest edition of his podcast. It was revealed last week that Sanchez had severed ties with Fabia just a few weeks after “The Nightmare” was cut by the UFC. With Sanchez letting go of Fabia, his former manager and coach went on another podcast and directed numerous shots at Sanchez, accusing him of using him for the past two years and suggesting that Sanchez is addicted to drugs.
Danny Sabatello expects bantamweights to duck him after his "dominant" win over Brett Johns
Cole Shelton - May 25, 2021
Danny Sabatello knew he would be able to beat Brett Johns and would do it with ease. At Bellator 259, Sabatello – a former Contender Series winner – stepped up on just five days’ notice to face Johns. Entering the fight, Sabatello told BJPENN.com he expected to dominate the fight and he believes he did just that.
Kevin Holland praised by Daniel Cormier for heading to AKA to work on his wrestling
Adam D Martin - May 25, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland was praised by former UFC champion Daniel Cormier for heading to AKA to work on his wrestling. Following his loss to Marvin Vettori, where he was taken down at will, Holland said he planned to get in some wrestling training with Cormier at American Kickboxing Academy. Taking to his social media on Tuesday, Cormier posted a video of Holland at AKA working on his wrestling and he posted a message where he praised Holland for putting the work in.
Charles Oliveira "happy" to be betting underdog against Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier
Adam D Martin - May 25, 2021
New UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira says he is “happy” to be the betting underdog against Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. Oliveira won the UFC’s vacant 155lbs belt when he knocked out Michael Chandler at UFC 262 in Houston, Texas. It was an incredible win by Oliveira, who has now won his last nine straight fights in the Octagon. After spending most of the first decade of his UFC career as essentially a gatekeeper at 145lbs and 155lbs, something changed with Oliveira over the last few years as he has transformed into one of the best lightweight fighters in the UFC.
Photo | Nate Diaz is taking full advantage of the UFC’s marijuana policy change
Adam D Martin - May 25, 2021
UFC welterweight superstar Nate Diaz has been taking full advantage of the UFC’s marijuana policy change ahead of his return to the Octagon. Diaz returns to the Octagon at UFC 263 on June 12 for a five-round welterweight bout against top contender Leon Edwards. The two were supposed to fight at UFC 262 last month, but the fight was forced back a month after Diaz suffered a minor injury during his training camp. Ahead of his fight with Edwards, Diaz has been taking full advantage of the UFC’s marijuana policy change, as weed is no longer something that will get fighters in trouble with the promotion or with USADA. With the fight against Edwards taking place in Arizona and not in Nevada, where they still test for marijuana, Diaz should be good to go.
Tyron Woodley heavily featured in Mai Lee’s sexy new music video
Adam D Martin - May 25, 2021
Former UFC champion Tyron Woodley is heavily featured in singer and recording artist Mai Lee’s sexy new music video for the song Redd (Swim). Lee is an R&B singer from St. Louis, which is of course Woodley’s hometown. The two starred together in a new music video, which you can watch below on Lee’s YouTube.
Chael Sonnen responds after Jon Jones claims he is “about to give birth to something big”
Adam D Martin - May 25, 2021
Former UFC and Bellator star Chael Sonnen responded after his former rival Jon Jones claimed he is “about to give birth to something big.” Jones recently tweeted out a cryptic message suggesting that some big news was on the way. Ever a jokester, Sonnen took to his social media to respond to Jones’ tweet and make a funny joke about it. Check out what Sonnen wrote in response to his former rival Jones.
Daniel Cormier reflects on his mauling of Dan Henderson at UFC 173: “I love my boy Hendo, but this was crazy”
Adam D Martin - May 25, 2021
UFC legend Daniel Cormier reflected on his mauling of Dan Henderson at UFC 173, saying that “I love my boy Hendo, but this was crazy.” In what was his fourth UFC bout at the time, and his second fight at 205lbs, Cormier took on Henderson in the co-main event of UFC 173: Barao vs. Dillashaw in May 2014. In what was a complete mauling, Cormier was able to throw Henderson to the floor with an incredible slam. Seven years after the fight and Cormier posted a throwback video on his social media where he reminisced about one of the best victories of his MMA career.
Carla Esparza sends respectful challenge to Rose Namajunas: “We started this division together... Round 2?”
Harry Kettle - May 25, 2021
Carla Esparza has issued a challenge to Rose Namajunas as she closes in on another shot at the UFC Strawweight Championship. Last Saturday night, Esparza firmly cemented her place as one of the division’s top contenders with a dominant TKO victory over Yan Xiaonan. It marked her fifth straight win and, in the eyes of many, has taken her to the doorstep of a title opportunity.
Eddie Alvarez explains why Justin Gaethje would be a 'terrible' matchup for Michael Chandler
Drake Riggs - May 24, 2021
Eddie Alvarez has gone to war on numerous occasions throughout his legendary career. It now looks like two of his most notable opponents could square off next. Both of Alvarez’s encounters with fellow former Bellator lightweight king Michael Chandler were instant classics. The same can be said for his UFC 218 bout against Justin Gaethje. Now that both have suffered losses in their most recent title opportunities, UFC President Dana White seemingly still likes the idea of matching the two together.