MMA News
Jake Paul slams Dana White over his boxing career: “In my 15 minutes of fame I’ve done more in boxing than you have your whole life”
Harry Kettle - May 12, 2021
YouTuber turned pro boxer Jake Paul has taken a shot at UFC president Dana White over his time in the world of boxing. Over the course of the last few weeks, White has been drawn into the Jake Paul circus as a result of fans and media members peppering him with questions on the subject. For the most part, he’s decided to take the high road, but that hasn’t prevented him from throwing a few shots here and there.
UFC 262: Oliveira vs. Chandler full betting odds
Cole Shelton - May 12, 2021
Check out the complete betting odds for this Saturday’s UFC 262 card featuring the vacant lightweight title fight between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler. The UFC 262 main event sees longtime contender, Charles Oliveira get his first UFC title shot against former Bellator champ, Michael Chandler. Oliveira is riding an eight-fight winning streak and coming off a decision win over Tony Ferguson and before that submitted Kevin Lee. Chandler, meanwhile, made good of his UFC debut as he scored a first-round TKO over Dan Hooker in January.
Dana White not convinced Kayla Harrison is ready for the UFC yet
Adam D Martin - May 12, 2021
UFC president Dana White says he is not convinced that PFL star Kayla Harrison is ready to fight in the world’s leading promotion just yet. Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, made her MMA debut in 2018 for PFL and has since racked up a perfect 9-0 record in MMA while fighting for both PFL and in Invicta FC. She has been absolutely destroying everyone in her path and no one has been even somewhat competitive with her. In her most recent outing, Harrison defeated Mariana Morais via first-round TKO at PFL 3 in a lightweight regular season bout. It was yet another easy win for Harrison and another fight where she was a massive betting favorite. It’s led to fans hoping that she can finally join the UFC and fight some tougher competition.
Paul Daley signs new contract with Bellator, fights Jason Jackson in potential No. 1 contender bout next
Adam D Martin - May 12, 2021
Welterweight KO artist Paul Daley has signed a new contract with Bellator and fights Jason Jackson in a potential No. 1 contender bout next. Daley is coming off of an incredible KO win over Sabah Homasi at Bellator 257 in one of the most exciting fights of the year. The win over Homasi gives Daley a three-fight win streak with other recent victories over Erick Silva and Saad Awad, and it has also earned him a new contract with Bellator under President Scott Coker, his old boss in his Strikeforce days.
UFC 262 | Pro fighters make their picks for Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler title fight
Cole Shelton - May 12, 2021
In the main event of UFC 262, Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler are set to fight for the vacant lightweight title. Heading into the fight, Oliveira is a -135 favorite while the former Bellator champ is a +115 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believe Charles Oliveira will claim gold, but as the odds suggest it is a very close fight.
Michael Chandler calls UFC 262 rival Charles Oliveira the "scariest" opponent he's ever faced
Adam D Martin - May 12, 2021
UFC lightweight Michael Chandler called his UFC 262 rival Charles Oliveira the “scariest” opponent he’s ever faced in his MMA career. Chandler and Oliveira meet this Saturday night in the main event of UFC 262 for the vacant lightweight strap. It’s an incredible matchup between the No. 3 ranked lightweight in the UFC in Oliveira, a BJJ wizard who has improved his standup skills, and Chandler, the No. 4 ranked lightweight who has huge knockout power and wrestling skills to boot. It’s a dream fight between two of the best lightweights in the world and the winner will be the champ.
Anderson Silva explains why he is done with MMA: "It's hard to stay training at a good level because you hurt yourself a lot"
Adam D Martin - May 12, 2021
Anderson Silva explained why he is done with MMA, saying that “it’s hard to stay training at a good level because you hurt yourself a lot.” Silva is one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time and was a huge star in the UFC for nearly 15 years. However, after losing by knockout to Uriah Hall last fall, he was released by UFC president Dana White. Silva has since resurfaced in boxing, and he will take on Julio Cesar Chavez this summer in a high-profile boxing match. Silva has had two professional boxing matches earlier in his career and he has always made it clear he wanted to box again. Now that he’s not under UFC contract, he can do just that.
Dan Hardy asks UFC to release Nick Diaz so he can fight him in RIZIN
Adam D Martin - May 12, 2021
Former UFC welterweight Dan Hardy asked the world’s leading MMA promotion to release Nick Diaz so he can fight the legend in RIZIN. Hardy requested his release from the UFC, where he had still been under an old contract, in order to take his talents to RIZIN in Japan. On Tuesday, Hardy posted on his Twitter that he was “free,” indicating that the UFC has likely given him his release as he requested.
Jon Jones is looking like an absolute behemoth in latest training photos
Christopher Taylor - May 11, 2021
Jon Jones may not have a fight booked for his heavyweight debut, but that hasn’t stopped him from making huge leaps in his physical transformation. It was originally thought that ‘Bones’ would make his heavyweight debut against the winner of March’s Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou rematch at UFC 260. However, after ‘The Predator’ dethroned the Cleveland native with a second round knockout, negotiations between Jon Jones and UFC officials quickly went south.
Diego Sanchez slams Donald Cerrone following knockout loss to Alex Morono
Christopher Taylor - May 11, 2021
Diego Sanchez did not hold back while addressing Donald Cerrone’s recent knockout loss to Alex Morono at UFC Vegas 26. Sanchez and Cerrone were originally slated to co-headline last weekend’s event in Las Vegas. However, following an altercation between Diego’s coach and mentor Joshua Fabia and UFC officials, ‘The Nightmare’ was handed his walking papers from the promotion.
Maurice Greene announces UFC release following UFC Vegas 26 loss
Drake Riggs - May 11, 2021
Maurice Greene now finds himself testing the waters of free agency after a tough loss on Saturday at UFC Vegas 26 to Marcos Rogerio de Lima. Greene and de Lima clashed directly in the middle of the event’s main card as the third fight. Unable to mount any effective offense, the 6-foot-7 heavyweight ultimately found himself shut down by his opponent’s strong clinch and grappling game.
UFC Vegas 26 comes in at No. 1 in Saturday ratings as Marina Rodriguez shines
Drake Riggs - May 11, 2021
UFC Vegas 26 drew in the best TV ratings on May 8. No. 6 ranked 115-pound strawweight contender Marina Rodriguez was later than usual for a typical trip to Las Vegas last week. After TJ Dillashaw was forced out of his highly-anticipated return bout against Cory Sandhagen, the promotion turned to make another top 10 fight.
Jon Jones shoots down the idea of fighting former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic
Cole Shelton - May 11, 2021
Jon Jones doesn’t seem to like the idea of fighting Stipe Miocic his next time out. With Francis Ngannou now slated to defend his title against Derrick Lewis, ‘Bones’ was left on the outside looking in. However, UFC President Dana White hinted that Jones could make his heavyweight debut against Stipe Miocic.
Anthony Johnson arrested for identity theft in Connecticut following Bellator 258
Adam D Martin - May 11, 2021
Bellator light heavyweight star Anthony Johnson was arrested for identity theft in Connecticut following his big win last weekend. The Daily Voice was the first to report the arrest of Johnson. According to police reports, Johnson illegally used a credit card in November 2019 in order to purchase a round-trip ticket from Newark, New Jersey, to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Johnson was named as the passenger of the ticket. New Canaan police obtained a warrant for Johnson’s arrest, and “Rumble” was taken into custody following his fight last weekend at Bellator 258 where he knocked out Jose Augusto in one of the most exciting MMA fights of the year.
Yan Xiaonan hopes for next title shot against Rose Namajunas with win over Carla Esparza at UFC Vegas 27
Adam D Martin - May 11, 2021
UFC women’s strawweight contender Yan Xiaonan is hoping to earn a title shot with a win over Carla Esparza next weekend at UFC Vegas 27. Xiaonan (13-1, 1 NC) has quickly emerged as one of the top strawweights on the UFC roster ever since making her promotional debut in 2017. Since then, she has won all six of her UFC fights, including notable wins over Claudia Gadelha, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Angela Hill. Many analysts of the sport believe that Xiaonan has all the makings of a future UFC champion and a win over Esparza at UFC Vegas 27 could very well get here there.
Misha Cirkunov and Gillian Robertson test positive for marijuana following recent UFC fights in Nevada
Adam D Martin - May 11, 2021
Misha Cirkunov and Gillian Robertson have both tested positive for marijuana following their recent UFC fights in Nevada. Cirkunov lost via first-round TKO to Ryan Spann at Vegas 21: Edwards vs. Muhammad, while Robertson dropped a decision to Miranda Maverick at UFC 260: Miocic vs. Ngannou 2. Unfortunately, not only did both fighters lose their fights, but they have both tested positive for marijuana and have been handed temporary suspensions by the Nevada Athletic Commission. It is worth noting that while many states don’t test for marijuana anymore, Nevada is a state that still does, and Cirkunov and Robertson were nabbed.
Beneil Dariush says he will match Tony Ferguson's craziness, eyes stoppage win: "It's going to be a spectacular 15 minutes or a finish"
Cole Shelton - May 11, 2021
Beneil Dariush didn’t expect Tony Ferguson to accept the fight. Every since Dariush scored a highlight-reel KO win over Drakkar Klose, he has been calling to face a top-ranked opponent. Unfortunately, that did not go his way as he ended up facing Scott Holtzman and then Diego Ferreira. After two more wins, Dariush gets his shot against Tony Ferguson at UFC 262.
Scott Coker confirms Bellator considering bantamweight division for next Grand Prix
Adam D Martin - May 11, 2021
Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed that Bellator is considering the bantamweight division for the organization’s next Grand Prix. Coker is currently holding Bellator’s light heavyweight Grand Prix and featherweight Grand Prix, and two years ago held the welterweight Grand Prix. Coker is a big fan of the tournament format going back to his Strikeforce days and so he is already thinking about what the next tournament in Bellator would be, and it could very well be bantamweight.