MMA News
Tony Ferguson will be back in lightweight elite with win over Beneil Dariush at UFC 262, says Dana White
Adam D Martin - May 11, 2021
UFC president Dana White says that Tony Ferguson will be back in the lightweight elite with a win over Beneil Dariush at UFC 262. Ferguson is coming off of a rough 2020 that saw him lose via TKO to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 and then via unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira at UFC 256. Coming into the year, Ferguson was one of the top-three lightweights in the world, but after losing in such one-sided fashion to both Gaethje and Oliveira, it’s fair to question where he sits in the division now. At age 37, Ferguson is one of the oldest lightweights on the UFC roster and after seeing how poorly he performed, there are many fans who think he’s on a sharp decline.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 37 with Beneil Dariush, Edmen Shahbazyan, Edson Barboza, and Jack Hermansson
Cole Shelton - May 11, 2021
The 37th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 262 and UFC Vegas 27 next Saturday. We’re first joined by one-half of the UFC 262 co-main event in Beneil Dariush (2:48). Next, 10th-ranked middleweight, Edmen Shahbazyan joins the show (21:14). 13th-ranked UFC featherweight, Edson Barboza comes on (32:42). Closing out the program is seventh-ranked UFC middleweight, Jack Hermansson (48:42).
Dana White says he doesn't see the fire in Nick Diaz: "I just question how bad he really wants to fight"
Adam D Martin - May 11, 2021
UFC president Dana White says that he doesn’t see that fire in Nick Diaz and questioned how badly he really wants to fight again. Diaz was a guest at UFC 261 last month and reportedly had a meeting with White about a possible comeback. Diaz hasn’t fought since January 2015 when he fought Anderson Silva to a No Contest but he has been talking about a comeback for a few years now. With his brother Nate Diaz returning to the Octagon next month at UFC 263, the older Diaz brother is also hoping to make his return to the cage this year and he told White just as much.
Fabricio Werdum reacts after controversial fight with Renan Ferreira overturned to No Contest
Adam D Martin - May 11, 2021
PFL heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum reacted after his controversial TKO loss to Renan Ferreira was overturned to a No Contest. Werdum lost via first-round knockout to Ferreira last Thursday at PFL 3, but the finish was marred in controversy as it appeared as though Ferreira had tapped out seconds before he pounded Werdum out. Immediately, Werdum protested the stoppage and said that Ferreira had tapped out. Werdum’s manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed that Team Werdum would be filing an appeal and they did just that, and it was successful. On Monday, the result of the fight was overturned to a No Contest so Werdum had the loss removed from his record.
Conor McGregor reveals the easiest opponent of his career
Harry Kettle - May 11, 2021
UFC star Conor McGregor believes his first fight against Dustin Poirier was the easiest fight of his career thus far. McGregor is set to square off against Dustin Poirier for the third time in their trilogy bout at UFC 264 this summer. If Conor wins that contest, the expectation is that he’ll go on to face either Charles Oliveira or Michael Chandler for the UFC Lightweight Championship. If he loses, it’s anyone’s guess as to what he may have in store for us in the future.
Dan Hardy asks for release from UFC fighter contract, says 'I'd love to fight in Japan'
Drake Riggs - May 10, 2021
No longer under contract with the UFC as a commentator, former welterweight title challenger Dan Hardy now hopes to part ways as a fighter. Despite it nearly being 10 years since “The Outlaw” stepped foot inside the Octagon, Hardy still aims for a return to competition if possible. But first, he needs to be released from his UFC fighter contract.
UFC welterweight Alan Jouban announces his retirement
Drake Riggs - May 10, 2021
Alan Jouban announced Monday that his time as a fighter has come to an end. The UFC welterweight took to Twitter to share that he will be sticking to the analyst desk as he heads into retirement.
Dana White confirms Derrick Lewis is next for Francis Ngannou, provides update on Jon Jones
Christopher Taylor - May 10, 2021
UFC President Dana White confirmed on Monday that a rematch with Derrick Lewis will be next for Francis Ngannnou, this while providing an update on Jon Jones. Prior to March’s UFC 260 event, it was thought that the winner of Miocic vs. Ngannou 2 would be fighting ‘Bones’ in their next outing. However, shortly after ‘The Predator’ dethroned Stipe with a second round knockout, negotiations between Jones and the UFC quickly went south.
Zhang Weili details hostile Jacksonville territory and struggles landing Rose Namajunas fight
Drake Riggs - May 10, 2021
The build-up to the big strawweight title clash between Zhang Weili and Rose Namajunas culminated with some political integration. However, it was just a struggle to make the fight happen in the first place. Now the former champion, China’s Zhang (21-2) hadn’t fought in over a year before the Namajunas encounter in Jacksonville, Florida at UFC 261. “Magnum” ultimately found herself in enemy territory when once again making the walk.
Report | Billy Joe Saunders fighting career in jeopardy following loss to Canelo Alvarez
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
Billy Joe Saunders suffered a severe eye injury in his loss to Canelo Alvarez and his career is now in jeopardy, according to a recent report. On Saturday night, Saunders and Alvarez took one step closer to unifying the 168-pound division. It was a massive fight and early on, Saunders had success. Yet, as the fight wore on, Alvarez started to go to the body and then landed a beautifully timed uppercut that landed flush on the eye of Saunders.
Donald Cerrone will get one more UFC fight at lightweight, says Dana White
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
Donald Cerrone will get another shot to end his winless streak. On Saturday night in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 26, Cerrone suffered a first-round TKO loss to Alex Morono. “Cowboy” was supposed to face Diego Sanchez, but after the TUF 1 winner was released, Morono stepped up on short notice and got the win.
New Jersey commission overturns Renan Ferreira's controversial win over Fabricio Werdum
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
The New Jersey Athletic Control Board has overturned Renan Ferreira’s controversial win over Fabricio Werdum at PFL 3. Werdum headlined the card and just seconds into the fight, he got the fight to the ground. He then threatened a triangle choke and it looked like it was tight, but Ferreira landed ground and pound and got the first-round KO win over Werdum.
Michael Chandler shares prediction for Charles Oliveira fight at UFC 262: "He’s going to get his clock cleaned"
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
UFC lightweight Michael Chandler shared his prediction for the Charles Oliveira fight at UFC 262: “He’s going to get his clock cleaned.” Chandler steps into the Octagon for the second time this Saturday night when he fights Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title. For Chandler, he earned this title shot after being a champion in Bellator for the better part of 10 years and after scoring a knockout over Dan Hooker in his promotional debut at UFC 257. Although Oliveira is a tough matchup as the Brazilian is well-rounded and elite on the ground, Chandler is still confident that he will win this fight, and he’s excited to score another highlight-reel knockout.
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Jack Hermansson off UFC 262, rescheduled for UFC Vegas 27
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
A pivotal middleweight bout between Edmen Shahbazyan and Jack Hermansson will not happen this Saturday at UFC 262. Multiple sources informed BJPENN.com’s Cole Shelton and Adam Martin the fight is off UFC 262 and postponed one week to UFC Vegas 27 on May 22. It’s expected to serve as the co-main event. MMA reporter, Marcell Dorff was the first to report the news.
Gordon Ryan to face Shinya Aoki in ONE Championship grappling match
Andrew Whitelaw - May 10, 2021
Gordon Ryan has an opponent for his ONE Championship debut. According to a Facebook post from ONE CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, the BJJ star will take on JMMA lcon Shinya Aoki in “an openweight grappling super match on August 27!”
Jiri Prochazka praises "king of the light heavyweight division" Jon Jones
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender Jiri Prochazka says that he believes Jon Jones is still the “king of the light heavyweight division.” Prochazka is one of the hottest names at 205lbs these days after knocking out Dominick Reyes and Volkan Oezdemir in his first two Octagon appearances. UFC president Dana White has already said Prochazka is next in line to fight the winner of UFC 266’s main event between UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz and No. 1 contender Glover Teixeira, and that’s ideal because “Denisa” is hoping to win the belt. But if you ask Prochazka, the top opponent for him that he could choose would still be Jones.
What's next for Marina Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson after UFC Vegas 26?
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 26, Marian Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson stepped up on short notice to headline the card up a weight class at flyweight. Rodriguez entered the fight coming off the biggest win of her career as she TKO’d Amanda Ribas at UFC 257 in January. The Brazilian was 3-1-2 in the UFC and her lone loss was a controversial split decision to Carla Esparza. Waterson, meanwhile, returned to the win column last September with a split decision win over Angela Hill.
Michael Page could be next in line for Bellator title shot, confirms Scott Coker
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed that welterweight star Michael Page could be next in line to get a title shot at 170lbs. Page knocked out Derek Anderson in highlight-reel fashion at Bellator 258 this past Friday night, and overall he has won his last five fights in a row, with four of those wins coming by way of knockout. Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima is currently set to fight No. 1 contender Yaroslav Amosov, but Page has been vocal about wanting to fight the winner.