MMA News
Kamaru Usman says he's lapping the field right now, but walking away in the future an option
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman says he’s lapping the field right now, but he admitted walking away in the future is an option. With a perfect 13-0 record in the Octagon, Usman has been smoking everyone in the UFC welterweight division ever since winning TUF. Usman has shown exceptional skills in all areas of the game, especially with his trademark wrestling and improved striking. When he takes on Jorge Masvidal this weekend at UFC 261, Usman will look to continue making records in the promotion’s trademark division. Ever since Georges St-Pierre retired, Usman has been a tremendous heir replacement to the throne. But at some point, there comes a time when everyone walks away. GSP did it, and Usman knows he will one day, too.
Tristan Connelly ecstatic to finally make return and featherweight drop at UFC 261, expects a "three-round war" against Pat Sabatini
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2021
Tristan Connelly will finally make the walk to the Octagon at UFC 261 and will do so two weight classes lower than his debut fight. Connelly made his UFC debut on short notice against Michel Pereira at UFC Vancouver in 2019, he also moved up to welterweight for the fight. Connelly ended up pulling off a big upset and earned a decision win.
UFC 261: Usman vs. Masvidal 2 full betting odds
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2021
Check out the complete betting odds for this Saturday’s UFC 261 card featuring three title fights including Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal running it back. The UFC 261 main event sees Usman look to defend his welterweight title for the fourth time as he rematches Masvidal. The two fought back at UFC 251 last July with Usman winning the fight by decision, but “Gamebred” took it on six day’s notice. Since that fight, Usman TKO’d Gilbert Burns, while Masvidal has not fought since.
Drakkar Klose given show, but not win money, following canceled fight with Jeremy Stephens
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC lightweight Drakkar Klose has been given his show money, but not his win bonus, after his recent fight with Jeremy Stephens was canceled. Last Friday at the UFC Vegas 24 weigh-ins, Klose was shoved by Stephens. The shove came out of nowhere and startled Klose, who was already dehydrated from cutting weight. The next day, the fight was canceled just hours before the fighters were supposed to step into the cage. Klose later released a statement saying that he was injured from the shove and that he was dealing with whiplash-like symptoms. UFC president Dana White responded by saying that UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby was the one to blame since he should have prevented the shove from ever occurring between Klose and Stephens.
Conor McGregor reacts to UFC 264 being sold out
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC superstar Conor McGregor shared his reaction to UFC 264, which goes down this July in Las Vegas, being completely sold out. McGregor meets his rival Dustin Poirier for the third time on July 10 when he meets him in the main event of UFC 264. The two lightweights have previously met twice in the Octagon. The first meeting took place at UFC 178 in September 2014, with McGregor winning that fight via first-round TKO. Seven years later and they met again at UFC 257 in January 2021, with Poirier returning the favor with a second-round knockout of his own. Instead of booking Poirier for a title shot, the UFC decided to give him this money fight with McGregor. The two will now meet with a full arena of fans at the T-Mobile Arena in July.
Ronda Rousey announces pregnancy
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey has publicly announced that she is pregnant and she will have a child with Travis Browne in September. Rousey made the announcement in a YouTube video posted to her channel on Wednesday that she and her husband, Browne, are having a baby this fall. The UFC Hall of Famer said that she and Browne found out they were having a baby in January and the baby is due in September. Check out the official announcement that Rousey and Browne made below.
UFC 261 | Pro fighters make their picks for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2021
In the main event of UFC 261, Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal are running it back in front of a full capacity crowd in Jacksonville. Heading into the fight, Usman is a -400 favorite while “Gamebred” is a +300 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority believe Usman beats Masvidal just like he did at UFC 251 as he will defend his welterweight title again.
Cody Garbrandt unloads on Jake Paul for callout of Daniel Cormier, spawns beef with J’Leon Love
Adam D Martin - April 21, 2021
UFC bantamweight Cody Garbrandt unloaded on Jake Paul for his callout of Daniel Cormier and he spawned a beef with pro boxer J’Leon Love. Paul knocked out Ben Askren at this past Saturday night’s Triller Fight Club event, and ever since then, he has been taking to social media to talk trash about a number of MMA fighters, including Cormier. As well, there was an incident backstage between Team Paul and former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, where J’Leon Love — a pro boxer who is part of Paul’s squad — was seen talking some smack to “The Chosen One.”
UFC 261: ‘Usman vs Masvidal 2’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - April 21, 2021
The UFC returns to pay-per-view once again this weekend with an arena full of fans in Jacksonville at UFC 261, headlined by Kamaru Usman vs Jorge Masvidal 2. Event: UFC 261: Usman vs Masvidal 2 Date: Saturday, 24th April 2021 Location: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida Broadcast: ESPN+ – 5.45pm/8pm/10pm EST
Jake Paul no longer following through on wrestling match with Ben Askren: "I'm choosing not to do it anymore because he’s a f*cking loser"
Christopher Taylor - April 21, 2021
Jake Paul is no longer interested in having a pay-per-view wrestling match with his recent boxing opponent Ben Askren. Askren (19-2 MMA), a former MMA champion, made his boxing debut against Paul this past Saturday night in Atlanta. The fight itself did not last long, as the YouTuber turned boxer dropped ‘Funky’ with a big right hand early in round one. When Askren got to his feet he was still noticeably wobbled so the referee waved off the fight.
Conor McGregor expresses interest in buying Manchester United
Christopher Taylor - April 20, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has expressed interest in purchasing the football club Manchester United. On Tuesday the heavily scrutinized plans for a European Super League seemingly fell apart after football fans worldwide came together to protest the idea.
Corey Anderson claims his two fights with Bellator have paid him double what he made in 15 fights with the UFC
Christopher Taylor - April 20, 2021
Corey Anderson claims that six months of work with his new employer Bellator has resulted in double the money he made in 15 fights with the UFC. The light heavyweight standout, Anderson (15-5 MMA), earned his second consecutive finish under the Bellator banner this past Friday in Uncasville, stopping Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov with elbows in the third round.
Jorge Masvidal explains what went wrong in first fight with Kamaru Usman: "I didn't work on my tap dancing enough"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Jorge Masvidal is eager for the chance to rematch Kamaru Usman. On Saturday night in the main event of UFC 261, Masvidal and Usman are set to collide for a second time. The pair first met in the main event of UFC 251 in July on Fight Island where “The Nigerian Nightmare” won a clear-cut decision, but “Gamebred” took the fight on six day’s notice and since the fight, both men have shown interest in a rematch.
Ben Askren disagrees with ref stoppage but says he didn't take a dive as some suggest: "I got hit"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Ben Askren has put to bed any doubts that he took a dive against Jake Paul. In the first round of their highly-anticipated boxing match, both men were feeling each other out but after landing a jab, Paul followed it up with a big overhand right that dropped the UFC veteran. The fight was then waived off, and many wondered if the fight was fixed, which Askren says was not the case.
Jake Paul calls out Daniel Cormier: “I’ll beat the f**k out of your fat ass too, just like Stipe did"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Jake Paul has called out Daniel Cormier as he wants to beat him up just like his fellow Clevelander, Stipe Miocic did. In the lead-up to Paul’s boxing match against Ben Askren, Cormier was vocal about the fight. He had said after “Funky” pushed him at the press conference, Askren was going to win the fight, which is far from what happened.
Eddie Alvarez vs. Oscar de la Hoya "a real possibility," confirms Chatri Sityodtong
Adam D Martin - April 20, 2021
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong revealed that Eddie Alvarez vs. Oscar de la Hoya in a boxing match is “a real possibility.” Alvarez recently admitted that he was in “serious talks” to fight de la Hoya, the boxing legend who is also part of the commentary team the Triller Fight Club.
Clay Collard plans to have a "statement" win over Anthony Pettis to prove "he's one of the best"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Clay Collard is excited to get back into MMA. In 2019 and 2020, Collard had 14 boxing fights and he became a big boxing star for Top Rank. He was beating a ton of top prospects but his goal was to return to MMA and now that the PFL is back, Collard is eager for the chance to show off his complete skill set.
Randy Brown expects to TKO Alex Oliveira in a "banger" of a fight: "I'm preparing for war"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Randy Brown is excited to share the Octagon with Alex Oliveira. Brown and Oliveira were supposed to meet in February, but Brown got COVID-19. Yet, the good news was the fight was rebooked for a sold out crowd in Jacksonville at UFC 261, which Brown is excited about.