MMA News
Paulo Costa set to return in August main event opposite Jared Cannonier
Drake Riggs - May 12, 2021
Two of the middleweight division’s top contenders are set to rebound off of recent losses against one another. It’s Paulo Costa vs. Jared Cannonier. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto confirmed the fight through UFC President Dana White on Wednesday. The tandem of top 5 ranked UFC middleweights will do battle in a five-round main event taking place on August 21. The fight night event’s location has yet to be determined.
Luke Rockhold suggests there are "multiple people in the top 10 making excuses" not to fight him
Christopher Taylor - May 12, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold (16-5 MMA) is having trouble booking an opponent for his return to the Octagon. Rockhold, who has not competed since suffering a knockout loss to Jan Blachowicz in July of 2019, announced his intentions of making a UFC comeback early last fall.
Uros Medic vs Jalin Turner verbally agreed to for a September UFC event
Alfredo Zullino - May 12, 2021
A lightweight clash between Uros Medic (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and Jalin Turner (10-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is in the works, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation informed BJPENN.com. The sources asked for anonymity since the news hasn’t been officially confirmed yet. The contracts have not been signed, but both fighters have verbally agreed to lock horns in September. No word yet on either the date and or the official location.
Thiago Santos looks to snap losing skid against fellow Brazilian Johnny Walker in September
Cole Shelton - May 12, 2021
A battle of Brazilians has been added to an upcoming Fight Night card as Thiago Santos will battle Johnny Walker. According to a report from Combate, Santos and Walker have agreed to fight one another on September 25 at a location TBD.
Conor McGregor named highest-paid athlete of 2021 according to Forbes, made $22 million for Dustin Poirier rematch at UFC 257
Adam D Martin - May 12, 2021
Conor McGregor has been named as the highest-paid athlete in 2021, and he made $22 million for the Dustin Poirier rematch at UFC 257. Forbes reported that in the last 12 months, McGregor has made $180 million total, which makes him the highest-paid athlete in the world. According to the report, McGregor made $150 million when he sold Proper No. Twelve to Proximo Spirits. In addition to that $150 million, McGregor also made $22 million for his rematch against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 earlier this year, a fight that he lost by knockout. The remaining $8 million that McGregor made came from a combination of his endorsements including Draft Kings, Roots of Fight, and Dystopia: Contest of Heroes. It’s fair to say it’s been a good 12 months for McGregor.
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.
Edson Barboza "very happy" with new UFC contract, excited for a "war" against Shane Burgos at UFC 262
Cole Shelton - May 12, 2021
Edson Barboza didn’t know what his future in the UFC was going to be like after he beat Makwan Amirkhani last time out. After Barboza won, he said he either wanted to be released from the UFC or sign a new contract. The Brazilian ended up working with the UFC to sign a new deal which he says is a very fair deal.
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.
Alexander Gustafsson announces summer comeback: “I’m coming back stronger than ever”
Harry Kettle - May 12, 2021
UFC heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson has announced that he plans to make his return to the Octagon this summer. The popular Swede hasn’t fought since last July when he was beaten by Fabricio Werdum in an upset submission defeat over on Fight Island. The loss marked his third in a row but his first at heavyweight after setbacks against Jon Jones and Anthony Smith at 205 pounds.
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.
Dana White says he won't loan a UFC fighter to box Jake Paul, questions legitimacy of Ben Askren fight
Cole Shelton - May 11, 2021
Dana White doesn’t have any interest in loaning a UFC fighter to box Jake Paul. After Paul knocked out Ben Askren, several UFC fighters have been calling him out. They have all said that they want to be the one to shut Jake up, but according to White, he says he will not loan any UFC fighter to box the brash YouTuber.
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.