MMA News
Aljamain Sterling says Henry Cejudo 'is like herpes,' sees fight 'potentially in the works' after Petr Yan rematch
Drake Riggs - March 9, 2021
As the new UFC bantamweight champion. Aljamain Sterling is already finding himself as a target for challengers – one of which is a former titleholder themselves. Capturing the title at UFC 259 via disqualification after Petr Yan landed an illegal knee, Sterling and the Russian former champ are expected to run things back as soon as possible. However, the man to hold the title prior to Yan, Henry Cejudo, appears to be seriously teasing a return to action.
Sam Stout sets up fundraiser for former UFC opponent Spencer Fisher
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2021
Sam Stout has set up a GoFundMe for his former opponent, Spencer Fisher. Recently, MMAFighting did a phenomenal story detailing Fisher’s symptoms consistent with a future diagnosis of CTE. He has also been declared permanently disabled and unable to work. The UFC had also paid Fisher $5000 a month for a PR job to help him out but after the company was sold, the promotion cut that money off.
Dan Ige knew Ryan Hall would pull out, expects to "put on a show" against Gavin Tucker
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2021
Dan Ige was preparing to face someone else besides Ryan Hall. Ige was originally supposed to face Hall at UFC Vegas 21 on March 13. However, even as the fight drew closer, he had a feeling the grappling wizard would pull out which would be the case. After Hall pulled out, Ige made it clear he wanted to be on this card and will now take on Gavin Tucker.
Coach: Israel Adesanya would've faced Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title next if he beat Jan Blachowicz
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2021
Israel Adesanya had plans to try and become the first-ever three-weight champion in the UFC. According to Adesanya’s coach, Eugene Bareman had Adesanya became a champ-champ on Saturday he would’ve moved up to heavyweight if Miocic defended his belt again.
John Kavanagh says Conor McGregor approaching Dustin Poirier trilogy "with an MMA mentality"
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2021
Conor McGregor is changing his approach and mentality ahead of his trilogy with Dustin Poirier. At UFC 257, Poirier evened the score as he earned a second-round knockout over the Irishman. Given the fact, they are now 1-1 against each other, with both wins coming by knockout, it makes sense to do the trilogy. According to Kavanagh, the goal remains the same of having that fight take place in the summer.
Holly Holm explains why Julianna Pena fight fell through
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm has shed some light why she was forced out of a planned fight with Julianna Pena. Holm and Pena were slated to collide on May 8, in a bout that could have earned the winner a crack at reigning bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes.
Fabricio Werdum headlines PFL 3, Kayla Harrison also slated for upcoming card
Adam Martin - March 9, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum and women’s champion Kayla Harrison are among those set to compete at the upcoming PFL 3 card. Werdum takes on Renan Ferreira in a heavyweight tournament bout that mark’s the former UFC champion’s PFL debut. Werdum is coming off of a submission win over Alexander Gustafsson in his last fight inside the Octagon, and he takes on Ferreira here, another PFL newcomer. A Team Nogueira member, Ferreira is coming off of a submission win over current UFC heavyweight Jared Vanderaa in LFA. You’d have to imagine that Werdum will be a big favorite to win the fight, but perhaps there’s more to Ferreira than meets the eye.
UFC rankings update: Aljamain Sterling forces Conor McGregor off pound-for-pound list
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last Saturday’s stacked UFC 259 card, and as expected, there have been some significant changes. The biggest chances to the UFC rankings concern the men’s pound-for-pound list.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 31 with Dan Ige, Eryk Anders, Jonathan Martinez and Jason Witt
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2021
The 31st episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 21. var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_50564942", "obj": {"id":"22947","width":"100%","height":"","video":"737270"} });
Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya "doesn't really need to happen," says Daniel Cormier
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is no longer interested in a potential super fight between Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya. Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, and Adesanya the reigning middleweight champion, are two of the fiercest rivals in MMA at present—to the point that a future fight between them seemed almost inevitable.
Drew Dober issues classy statement after submission loss to Islam Makhachev
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
UFC lightweight Drew Dober issued a classy statement after his submission loss to Dagestan’s Islam Makhachev. Dober and Makhachev, two talented lightweight contenders, met on the main card of Saturday’s UFC 259 card in Las Vegas. Despite his best efforts, Dober was repeatedly taken down and ultimately submitted by the Dagestani grappler in round three.
Kamaru Usman, Gilbert Burns cross paths at Sanford MMA: "We're going to see each other again soon, in the Octagon"
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and his latest opponent, Gilbert Burns, recently crossed paths at Sanford MMA in South Florida. For many years, Usman and Burns called themselves teammates at Sanford MMA. Eventually, however, Usman left the gym to train under Trevor Wittman in Colorado. Not long thereafter, he and Burns were booked to clash for the welterweight strap.
UFC Vegas 21: ‘Edwards vs. Muhammad’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - March 9, 2021
After the excitement of UFC 259, we return to another thrilling Fight Night full of potential as Leon Edwards attempts to earn himself a title shot when he meets Belal Muhammad at UFC Vegas 21. Event: UFC Vegas 21: Edwards vs Muhammad Date: Saturday, 13th March 2021 Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Broadcast: ESPN+ – 5pm/8pm EST
Coach Ray Longo on Aljamain Sterling winning the title at UFC 259: “It’s almost like it cursed him”
Harry Kettle - March 9, 2021
Aljamain Sterling coach Ray Longo has hit back at the trolls coming after the new champion in the wake of his win at UFC 259. Sterling captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship on Saturday night after Petr Yan was disqualified due to an illegal knee he threw. In the wake of the event, with photos of Sterling holding the belt being leaked onto social media, many fans decided to throw a whole lot of grief at him and his team.
Monster Energy looking into Hans Molenkamp situation following Dominick Cruz callout at UFC 259
Drake Riggs - March 8, 2021
After suffering back-to-back losses for the first time in his career, Dominick Cruz got back to his winning ways at UFC 259 — which led to an unexpected callout. When asked by Joe Rogan what was next for Cruz following a split decision nod against Casey Kenney, the former two-time bantamweight champion suggested a fight for charity with Monster Energy Executive, Hans Molenkamp.
Petr Yan fires back at Jon Jones after congratulating Aljamain Sterling on DQ win
Drake Riggs - March 8, 2021
Petr Yan lost his title at UFC 259 – but it came at his own doing rather than his opponent’s. Yan dropped his bantamweight crown after landing an illegal knee to incapacitate the downed challenger, Aljamain Sterling, this past Saturday night. Since then, the community has been buzzing with many a thought on the matter. Among the names was the former light heavyweight kingpin, Jon Jones.
Ray Rodriguez expects to KO Rani Yahya to prove he's "one of the best bantamweights in the world"
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2021
Ray Rodriguez is confident he will get his first UFC win. At UFC Vegas 21, Rodriguez is set to return to the Octagon against Rani Yahya. Rodriguez made his UFC debut last September and suffered a 39-second submission loss to Brian Kelleher on short notice. It was a disappointing result for Rodriguez but he knew he’d get another well-known name and he gets his wish against former WEC bantamweight title challenger in Yahya.
Leon Edwards on Colby Covington turning him down: "When it's time to fight real fighters he goes running and makes excuses"
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2021
Leon Edwards wasn’t too surprised when Colby Covington turned him down. After Khamzat Chimaev was forced out of his UFC Vegas 21 main event against Leon Edwards, many thought Covington would step up. Unfortunately, that did not come to fruition and instead, Edwards will now face Belal Muhammad.