MMA News
Jason Witt admits he never heard of Matthew Semelsberger, expects to earn second-round TKO
Cole Shelton - March 12, 2021
Jason Witt didn’t know who he would be fighting next but didn’t expect it to be Matthew Semelsberger. After Witt dominated Cole Williams to get his first UFC win, he was looking to return quickly. Although it is now five months later, Witt was just excited to get back in there despite not knowing who his opponent was.
Alexis Davis relieved to snap losing streak, knows rematch with Amanda Nunes makes sense down the line
Cole Shelton - March 12, 2021
Alexis Davis didn’t know if she would remain a UFC fighter. After the Canadian lost to Viviane Araujo at UFC 240, which was her third loss in a row, she wondered if she would be released. The UFC ended up deciding to keep her on, but a shoulder injury kept her out until 2021 where she fought Sabina Mazo.
Megan Anderson issues statement after conclusion of UFC contract: "Stay tuned!"
Tom Taylor - March 12, 2021
Recent UFC featherweight title challenger Megan Anderson has issued a statement after her contract with the promotion concluded. Anderson returned to the cage in the co-main event of UFC 259 last Saturday in Las Vegas, challenging featherweight champion Amanda Nunes for the division’s ultimate prize. Regrettably for the Aussie and her fans, she was submitted by Nunes in the fight’s opening round.
Tony Ferguson targeted to return opposite rising contender Beneil Dariush at UFC 262
Tom Taylor - March 12, 2021
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson is expected to return to the cage opposite rising contender Beneil Dariush at UFC 262. News of this planned matchup was first reported by MMA Junkie on Friday. The report notes that the fight has been verbally agreed to, but that contracts are not yet signed.
UFC Vegas 21 weigh-in results: Edwards, Muhammad hit marks
Tom Taylor - March 12, 2021
On Saturday night, the UFC will return to our screens with the anticipated UFC Vegas 21 card out of the promotion’s Apex facility. UFC Vegas 21 will be headlined by a dynamite welterweight scrap between the division’s No. 3-ranked contender, Leon Edwards, and its No. 13 contender, Belal Muhammad. Edwards was originally slated to fight the unranked Khamzat Chimaev in the card’s headliner, but accepted a short-notice fight with Muhammad when Chimaev was forced off the card with health issues.
Ilir Latifi vs. Tanner Boser targeted for June UFC Fight Night card
Adam Martin - March 12, 2021
A battle between heavyweights will take place at a UFC Fight Night event in June when Ilir Latifi meets Tanner Boser inside the Octagon. MMA Empire Canada first reported that Boser vs. Latifi will take place on the June 5 card that currently does not have a venue or location set for it.
Khabib Nurmagomedov congratulates Jan Blachowicz on UFC 259 victory: "You know why you won?"
Tom Taylor - March 12, 2021
UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz received some warm words from Khabib Nurmagomedov after his decision victory over Israel Adesanya. Blachowicz defended the light heavyweight belt against Adesanya, the promotion’s middleweight champion, in the main event of UFC 259 last weekend.
Darren Till targets "magician vs. magician" fight with Israel Adesanya
Tom Taylor - March 12, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Darren Till is hoping for a fight with the division’s reigning champ, Israel Adesanya, in the near future. Till is slated to battle Italy’s Marvin Vettori on April 17. While that contest is currently his sole focus, he admits he’s intrigued by the prospect of a fight with Adesanya further down the road.
Joseph Benavidez opens up on future after UFC 259 loss
Tom Taylor - March 12, 2021
Joseph Benavidez has opened up on his fighting future after a tough loss to Askar Askarov at last weekend’s UFC 259 card. Benavidez’s loss to Askarov, a unanimous decision, marked his third setback in a row, as he was also recently beaten in a pair of fights with Deiveson Figueiredo.
Anthony Smith believes Yan vs. Sterling outcome proves "referees need to take more responsibility”
Harry Kettle - March 12, 2021
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has called out referees for needing to take more responsibility after the Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling fight at UFC 259 last weekend. As most of us know by now the Yan vs. Sterling fight ended in controversial fashion when “Funk Master” won the UFC Bantamweight Championship due to Yan being disqualified. Sterling was clearly unable to continue and the knee was deemed to be intentional, which is why the decision was made.
UFC continues roster cuts, two more fighters released
Harry Kettle - March 12, 2021
The UFC has continued to make cuts to their roster with Jordan Espinosa and Shana Dobson both being released from the promotion, MMA Fighting reports. The Ultimate Fighting Championship has never been shy when it comes to releasing fighters from the roster and as we continue on through what has been a successful 2021 for the company thus far, it seems as if they aren’t slowing down.
Jonathan Martinez expects a "good fight" for the fans against Davey Grant, wants ranked opponent with a win
Cole Shelton - March 11, 2021
Jonathan Martinez is confident he will extend his winning streak to three on Saturday night. At UFC Vegas 21, Martinez is set to fight Davey Grant, in a fight that was a surprise to many. Martinez is coming off a decision win over Thomas Almeida on short notice. After the win, Martinez and many fans thought he would’ve gotten a ranked opponent next.
Cub Swanson explains comments saying MMA media should have '3 amateur fights'
Drake Riggs - March 11, 2021
Cub Swanson started one hell of a talking point this past month. Sharing his thoughts that MMA media should have “3 amateur fights,” the featherweight icon recently explained what he was getting at with his tweet.
ONE: Empower set as all-women's event, will kick off atomweight world grand prix
Drake Riggs - March 11, 2021
ONE Championship’s atomweight world grand prix is official. And to kick it off, ONE: Empower will be an all-women’s card. Announced on Thursday via ESPN, ONE: Empower goes down on May 28, and currently hosts five fights featuring some of the promotion’s best female competitors. Additionally, one more “major” bout will be added as well as tournament alternate bouts.
Former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao signs with EMC
Adam Martin - March 11, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao has decided to take his talents to German-based MMA promotion Elite MMA Championship (EMC). The 34-year-old Brazilian, who has a 34-9, 1 NC overall record in MMA, is now the latest member of EMC, a German-based promotion who made the announcement official on Thursday. Barao is now a member of the Elite MMA Championship bantamweight roster.
Marvin Vettori wants to take Darren Till's "soul" when they fight
Cole Shelton - March 11, 2021
Marvin Vettori is looking to cement his case as the top middleweight contender when he faces Darren Till on April 10. In the main event of the card on ABC, Vettori and Till will fight in a crucial middleweight bout. The winner could very well earn a title shot and in the lead-up to the scrap, the two have traded words with one another. Although Till appears to be jokingly trash-talking the Italian, Vettori is taking it much more seriously which the Englishman doesn’t understand.
Petr Yan claims Aljamain Sterling is "the real paper champ" after UFC 259
Cole Shelton - March 11, 2021
Petr Yan believes Aljamain Sterling is the real paper champion. In the lead-up to UFC 259 and Yan’s first title defense, Sterling was calling the Russian a paper champion. He didn’t think Yan had earned his way to the title as he did, and he planned on proving that inside the Octagon.
Pro fighters make their picks for Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad
Cole Shelton - March 11, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 21, Leon Edwards is making his return to the Octagon as he takes on Belal Muhammad. Heading into the fight, Edwards is a -275 favorite while the Palestinian-American is a +215 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. To no surprise, the majority of pros have Edwards extending his winning streak to nine.