MMA News
Odds released for Jorge Masvidal vs. Kamaru Usman 2, ‘Gamebred’ offers unique angle for a prop bet
Adam D Martin - March 16, 2021
The opening betting odds have been released for the upcoming Jorge Masvidal vs. Kamaru 2 fight at next month’s UFC 261 pay-per-view. The world’s leading MMA promotion officially announced on Monday that UFC 261 — which takes place on April 24 in Jacksonville, Florida — will feature a full crowd for the first time in over a year. The PPV card is stacked with three title fights, including Masvidal vs. Usman in the main event for the UFC welterweight title, plus Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jessica Andrade for the UFC women’s flyweight title and Weili Zhang vs. Rose Namajunas for the UFC women’s strawweight belt. The UFC is coming back with a great card for the fans.
Robert Whittaker and team request title rematch with Israel Adesanya after Paulo Costa fight falls apart
Adam D Martin - March 16, 2021
Team Robert Whittaker has requested a title rematch with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya after the Paulo Costa fight fell apart. Whittaker was set to fight Costa in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on April 17, with the winner of that fight likely set to fight Adesanya for the belt. However, Costa was forced to pull out of the fight due to illness, which leaves Whittaker without an opponent. But if the Aussie’s team has their way, then they’ll be next for Adesanya either way.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 32 with Jan Blachowicz, Antonio Carlos Junior, Max Griffin, Grant Dawson, JP Buys, Adrian Yanez
Cole Shelton - March 16, 2021
The 32nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com is here ahead of UFC Vegas 22. var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_50564923", "obj": {"id":"22947","width":"100%","height":"","video":"741163"} });
Sam Alvey tells Leon Edwards to “gain some humility”
Harry Kettle - March 16, 2021
UFC fan favorite Sam Alvey has told Leon Edwards to gain some humility after the latter called for a title shot following his fight against Belal Muhammad. It’s safe to say that the MMA community has been mixed in reacting to Edwards’ no contest against Muhammad. While some will happily point out how good he looked in the first round, others note that the eye poke was a nasty one – even if it was a pretty unlucky way to end his first fight back in almost two years.
Jan Blachowicz reacts to Daniel Cormier’s scoring of his UFC 259 title fight with Israel Adesanya
Adam D Martin - March 16, 2021
UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz reacted to Daniel Cormier’s scoring of his UFC 259 title fight with Israel Adesanya. Blachowicz defeated Adesanya via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 259. The first couple of rounds were close, but most fans thought Blachowicz took at least or two of the first three rounds, and then he easily took the last two rounds universally. However, while most people scored the fight for Blachowicz, Cormier was criticized heavily because he did the commentary for the fight and seemed to ignore a lot of what Blachowicz did. It led to DC taking to social media, later on, to deny having any sort of bias during his call.
UFC expressed interest in Tenshin Nasukawa 'a few years ago' says longtime Japanese MMA manager Shu Hirata
Drake Riggs - March 16, 2021
Prodigy kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa is already one of the best ever in his sport despite his age. Apparently, there was a point where the world’s premier MMA promotion wanted to get their hands on the Chiba Prefecture native. 41-0 at just age 22, Nasukawa first stepped foot inside the RIZIN FF ring at RIZIN 9 in 2017. He’s fought under the banner 13 times overall and looked virtually flawless in all outings – excluding an exhibition boxing match vs. Floyd Mayweather.
Paulo Costa forced out of UFC fight with Robert Whittaker
Christopher Taylor - March 15, 2021
Paulo Costa will no longer be fighting former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker on April 17 as previously planned. After initial report from Ag.Fight suggested that the Costa vs. Whittaker bout was in jeopardy, MMAFighting has since confirmed that ‘The Eraser’ will no longer be competing at UFC Fight Night 188.
Fighters share mixed reactions after Dana White announces full attendance crowd for UFC 261
Christopher Taylor - March 15, 2021
Fighters shared mixed reactions after Dana White announced that next month’s UFC 261 event will feature a full attendance crowd. Earlier this evening, White took to Twitter where he proclaimed the UFC is “back” after securing a venue in Jacksonville, Florida for UFC 261. In addition to announcing that the event will showcase a full fan audience, the UFC boss also revealed that April’s pay-per-view event will be headlined by a welterweight title fight rematch between Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman.
Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman react after rematch is made official for UFC 261
Cole Shelton - March 15, 2021
Jorge Masvidal and Kamaru Usman have reacted after their rematch will headline UFC 261. On Monday, Dana White took to social media to announce Usman will defend his welterweight title against Masvidal at UFC 261. The fight will also take place in Jacksonville, Florida in a full capacity crowd.
Amanda Nunes on featherweight: 'They did not cut the division'
Drake Riggs - March 15, 2021
Following her successful seventh career title defense, Amanda Nunes appeared in jeopardy of losing a title. She now also disputes that notion. “They did not cut the [featherweight] division,” Nunes told FanSided. “Dana [White] and I have a great relationship, as long as I want to defend it he will find me opponents.”
Petr Yan vows to drown Aljamain Sterling after "Funkmaster" seemingly agrees to rematch
Cole Shelton - March 15, 2021
Petr Yan is confident he will get his belt back when he rematches Aljamain Sterling. At UFC 259, Yan was looking to defend his belt for the first time and after three rounds it appeared he would do just that. He had dropped Sterling in the first, stuffed 16 of 17 takedowns, and even took Sterling down on all seven attempts. The challenger was also fading, but in the fourth round, Yan threw an illegal knee and he was DQ’d meaning Sterling was the new champ.
Dana White announces the UFC is back with fans, Jorge Masvidal vs Kamaru Usman 2 set
Cole Shelton - March 15, 2021
The UFC will return to Jacksonville with a banger as Kamaru Usman will defend his title against Jorge Masvidal. UFC president, Dana White took to social media to announce the rematch between Usman and Masvidal will headline the stacked UFC 261 card. Also on the card will be Weili Zhang defending her strawweight title against Rose Namajunas and Valentina Shevchenko defending her flyweight title against Jessica Andrade. But, the big news White announced is the fact the event will take place in front of a full crowd in Jacksonville, Florida.
Report | Justin Gaethje returns to the Octagon against Michael Chandler
Alfredo Zullino - March 15, 2021
An unbelievably exciting clash is in the works for the lightweight division as former title contender Justin Gaethje is going to lock horns with newly-signed Michael Chandler. The news was originally reported by ESPN journalist Ariel Helwani on Monday, during his podcast with former light heavyweight and heavyweight belt-holder Daniel Cormier.
Colby Covington claims he didn’t scrap Leon Edwards because he was “balls deep” in a female UFC fighter
Cole Shelton - March 15, 2021
Colby Covington has an interesting reason as to why he never fought Leon Edwards on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 21. After Khamzat Chimaev pulled out of his fight against Edwards due to complications with the global virus, many thought Covington would step up to the plate. However, Colby turned the fight down and it was Belal Muhammad who took the fight on short notice.
Derrick Lewis believes he will fight Jon Jones one day, doesn't think "Bones" should bulk up as much as he thinks
Cole Shelton - March 15, 2021
Derrick Lewis believes he will eventually fight Jon Jones. Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, is moving up to heavyweight and will face the winner of Stipe Miocic vs Francis Ngannou 2 for the belt. With that said, Jones has made it clear he still needs to be paid what he is worth.
Stephen Thompson taunts Colby Covington for suggesting that he’s "not scary"
Adam D Martin - March 15, 2021
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson taunted divisional rival Colby Covington for suggesting that he’s “not scary.” Thompson has been hoping to land a title fight against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman on the heels of decisions wins over Geoff Neal and Vicente Luque. Since Thompson is one of the few welterweight contenders that the champ hasn’t fought yet, some believe Thompson has a good chance to get the title shot. But with Usman most likely set to rematch Jorge Masvidal next after they coach TUF against each other, Thompson is not turning his attention to another stud welterweight contender in the form of Covington.
What's next for Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad after UFC Vegas 21?
Cole Shelton - March 15, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 21, a pivotal welterweight bout headlined the card as Leon Edwards took on Belal Muhammad. Originally, Edwards was supposed to face Khamzat Chimaev, but complications from COVID-19 forced him out of the bout. Muhammad ended up taking the fight on short notice to attempt to become a legit welterweight title contender. However, the fight ended in the second round due to an accidental eye poke by Edwards and declare a No Contest.
Photo | Mirko Cro Cop reveals photos of 18-year-old son Ivan AKA "Cro Cop Junior"
Adam D Martin - March 15, 2021
MMA heavyweight legend Mirko Cro Cop revealed photos of his 18-year-old son Ivan, who the former PRIDE and UFC star calls “Cro Cop Junior.” Cro Cop was one of the most popular combat sports fighters during the 1990s and 2000s, fighting in kickboxing for K-1 and GLORY, while also competing in MMA for organizations such as PRIDE, the UFC, DREAM, RIZIN, and Bellator. He was known for his legendary high kicks and the infamous saying, “right leg, hospital, left leg, cemetery,” as his powerful kicks were what made him famous around the world. Cro Cop had incredible success in combat sports, going 26-8 in kickboxing and 38-11-2, 1 NC in the world of MMA.