MMA News
Sodiq Yusuff expects to finish Arnold Allen and put the featherweight division on notice: "The winner is getting a top-five opponent"
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2021
Sodiq Yusuff is eager to get back into the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC on ABC 2. After Yusuff beat Andre Fili at UFC 246 in January of 2020, the Nigerian expected a big fight next time out. However, due to the pandemic, Yusuff couldn’t get a fight booked.
Video | Stephan Bonnar booted from gym on 44th birthday for refusing to wear mask
Adam D Martin - April 6, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar was booted from his gym for refusing to wear a mask as he cited a medical exemption to not wear one. Bonnar — one-half of one of the greatest MMA fights of all time with rival Forrest Griffin — posted a video of himself at his gym on Sunday, which was his 44th birthday. In the video, Bonnar claimed that fellow gym-goers ratted on him for not wearing a mask and the gym told him to leave. Bonnar, meanwhile, is claiming that he has a medical exemption for not wearing a mask due to asthma.
Austin Vanderford puts his undefeated record on the line against Fabian Edwards at Bellator 259
Harry Kettle - April 6, 2021
Austin Vanderford is set to fight Fabian Edwards in a fascinating middleweight bout on May 21 at Bellator 259, MMA Junkie reports. The two rising contenders have both been viewed as future title contenders in the past and in a division where everything is up for grabs, there’s a decent chance a win for either man could take them a lot closer to the top.
Demetrious Johnson scoffs at the idea of having anything left to prove to Dana White
Adam D Martin - April 6, 2021
ONE championship superstar Demetrious Johnson scoffed at the notion that he has anything left to prove to UFC president Dana White. Johnson returns on Wednesday night in the main event of the ONE on TNT 1 card when he takes on ONE flyweight champion Adriano Moraes. For Johnson, it’s been a successful run so far in ONE as “Mighty Mouse” has won three straight fights since joining the promotion following a trade with the UFC for Ben Askren in October 2018. He may no longer be the UFC flyweight champion and headlining pay-per-view cards inside the Octagon, but Johnson has proven during his run in ONE that he is still a top-notch talent.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 34 with Sodiq Yusuff, Jim Miller, Sam Alvey, and Joe Solecki
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2021
The 34th episode of Just Scrap Radio with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC on ABC 2. We’re first joined by 11th-ranked featherweight, Sodiq Yusuff (2:22). Next, UFC lightweight, Jim Miller (14:14) comes on. UFC middleweight, Sam Alvey (30:39) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC lightweight, Joe Solecki (43:45).
Beneil Dariush excited to "out-crazy" Tony Ferguson at UFC 262
Adam D Martin - April 6, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush is excited for his upcoming matchup with Tony Ferguson, who he wants to “out-crazy” at UFC 262. Dariush is the No. 9 ranked lightweight in the world and, on the heels of a six-fight win streak that included some insane wars with the likes of Scott Holtzman and Drakkar Klose, the UFC matchmakers are giving him a serious step up in competition. Standing across Dariush at UFC 262 on May 15 in Houston, Texas will be Ferguson, the No. 5 ranked lightweight and former interim champion. Though Ferguson is coming off of two straight losses to Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira, he is still one of the most dangerous lightweights the sport has ever seen, and this fight with Dariush promises to be a war.
Photos | UFC Venum fight kits now available for purchase
Adam D Martin - April 6, 2021
New photos of the UFC Venum fight kits have been released to the public as the promotion’s newest fight kits are now available for purchase. The UFC’s multi-year deal with Reebok recently came to an end at UFC 260. The promotion last year signed a new deal with the apparel company Venum that begins this weekend, as the company will be the promotion’s official uniform supplier starting this Saturday at UFC on ABC 2. In addition to the fighters themselves wearing the Venum gear, fans are now able to buy the fight kits for themselves. Take a look at the photos (via Aaron Bronsteter).
Photos | Jon Jones is looking like an absolute monster ahead of his proposed heavyweight debut
Adam D Martin - April 6, 2021
UFC superstar Jon Jones posted new photos of himself in his heavyweight form, and he looks absolutely massive ahead of his potential return. After dropping the UFC light heavyweight title last summer, Jones has spent the better part of the last year bulking up for his UFC heavyweight debut. The original plan was for Jones to take on the winner of Francis Ngannou vs. Stipe Miocic, which Ngannou ended up winning when he brutally knocked the former champion out at UFC 260. However, Jones and the UFC are now embroiled in a very public financial dispute relating to how much money “Bones” will get to fight Ngannou. At this point, we have no idea if the UFC and Jones will be able to come to a deal, as the two sides appear to be very far apart in money.
Leon Edwards shares prediction for Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal rematch at UFC 261
Christopher Taylor - April 5, 2021
Leon Edwards has shared his prediction for this months highly anticipated title fight rematch between Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. Usman (18-1 MMA) and Masvidal (35-14 MMA) are set to throw down for a second time in the headliner of UFC 261 on April 24. The pair initially collided at UFC 251 in July of 2020, with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ retaining his welterweight title by way of unanimous decision.
Pedro Rizzo shares his take on the "worst matchup" for UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou
Christopher Taylor - April 5, 2021
MMA legend Pedro Rizzo recently shared his take on who is the “worst matchup” for newly crowned UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Ngannou (16-3 MMA) captured the title of “baddest man on the planet” last month at UFC 260 when he defeated Stipe Miocic by way of second round knockout. The victory marked Ngannou’s fifth in a row, as he had previously scored first round stoppage wins over Junior dos Santos, Cain Velasquez, Curtis Blaydes and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
BKFC to begin creating pension accounts for fighters
Drake Riggs - April 5, 2021
The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) has powered on as a dominant force in the bare-knuckle boxing world. To give back to the athletes, they’re now working on pension plans. “Our fighters are the most important asset of the company.” ‘We want to ensure that they are compensated not only on the night of the fight but also looked after in retirement. For each BKFC fight, money will be placed in a pension account for them to draw on upon retirement.” pic.twitter.com/1F91VZpx3J
Cat Zingano reveals that ONE Championship approached her about grappling match vs. Miesha Tate
Drake Riggs - April 5, 2021
Cat Zingano and Miesha Tate are key pieces to the start of the UFC’s introduction to the women. Nearly a decade later and they’re both still competing – just under different roofs. While Zingano prepares to compete this Friday night, Tate is set to return to the UFC in July after a five-year retirement. In that time, Tate took up a position as a ONE Championship Vice President and according to Zingano, a potential grappler.
Marvin Vettori blasts media for paying attention to Jake Paul, says he will beat him up for free
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Marvin Vettori is not a fan of Jake Paul. Paul, the brash YouTube star, has turned to combat sports and is 2-0 as a professional boxer. He is set for a big fight against Ben Askren on April 17, which has the combat sports world very intrigued, but Vettori doesn’t like how much attention the media is giving him.
Leon Edwards plans to "put away" Nate Diaz and prove he's "levels above these guys" at UFC 262
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Leon Edwards is confident he will finish Nate Diaz at UFC 262. The two are set for the first-ever non-title fight five-round co-main event on May 15 and it’s a very intriguing matchup. Edwards is looking to cement himself as the next title challenger as well as become a bigger name if he beats Diaz. Although some were critical of the fight, Edwards is confident he will dominate the Stockton native and finish him.
Conor McGregor going back to his old approach of training when he became UFC featherweight champ
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Conor McGregor is going back to his roots ahead of his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. At UFC 257, McGregor suffered a second-round TKO loss to Dustin Poirier. Given they are 1-1 against one another, they both called for the trilogy to happen, which will happen in July.
Francis Ngannou opens up as huge betting favorite for potential rematch with Derrick Lewis
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has opened up as a massive betting favorite for a potential rematch against Derrick Lewis. Ngannou is currently involved in a very public fight negotiation with the UFC and former light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones. Both Jones and Ngannou want the fight, but the UFC is having trouble coming to financial terms with Jones. Instead, the promotion is now floating a potential rematch between Ngannou and Lewis instead. On Monday, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported that the UFC has offered Ngannou the rematch with Lewis for UFC 263 in June, but the heavyweight champion turned it down due to issues with timing. It also seems likely that he wants to see if the UFC can get the fight with Jones done first, as well.
Leon Edwards believes he's a tough matchup for Nate Diaz but expects it to be "an entertaining fight"
Cole Shelton - April 5, 2021
Leon Edwards knows he is a tough stylistic matchup for Nate Diaz. At UFC 262 on May 15, Edwards and Diaz will fight in the first-ever five-round, non-title fight co-main event. It’s an intriguing matchup where the winner seems to be in line for a title shot.
Khabib Nurmagomedov dubs Zabit Magomedsharipov "the best featherweight in the world"
Adam D Martin - April 5, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov dubbed fellow Russian Zabit Magomedsharipov as “the best featherweight in the world.” Nurmagomedov recently retired from mixed martial arts, giving up the UFC’s 155lbs belt in the process. Still, he’s one of the greatest fighters in the world, and his opinion matters a lot. When it comes to the best featherweights in the world, right now UFC champion Alex Volkanovski is at the top of the list and Max Holloway is right behind him. But if you ask “The Eagle,” it’s actually Magomedsharipov who is the best featherweight in the sport.