MMA News
Ben Askren teams up with Freddie Roach: Beating Jake Paul "ain’t gonna be that hard"
Tom Taylor - March 10, 2021
Ben Askren has enlisted the help of legendary boxing coach Freddie Roach ahead of his anticipated showdown with YouTube celebrity Jake Paul. Askren, the former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight titleholder, will meet Paul in an eight-round pro boxing match on April 17. The bout will air on pay-per-view at a price of $49.99.
UFC Vegas 22 loses co-main event fight between Paul Craig and Jamahal Hill
Tom Taylor - March 10, 2021
The upcoming UFC Vegas 22 card has lost a light heavyweight fight between Scotland’s Paul Craig and American Jamahal Hill, which would have served as the evening’s co-main event. Craig announced this news on Instagram on Wednesday, claiming that Hill withdrew from the fight, and noting that the bout has already been rescheduled by the promotion.
Valerie Loureda launches subscription-based fan site
Tom Taylor - March 10, 2021
Bellator MMA star Valerie Loureda has launched a new fan site using the subscription-based platform FanTime.com. Loureda is one of the most promising prospects on the Bellator roster at present, and has quickly developed a significant following inside the mixed martial arts sphere.
Gina Carano not fired on political grounds, says Disney CEO
Tom Taylor - March 10, 2021
Disney CEO Bob Chapek denies that former MMA star Gina Carano was fired from her role on The Mandalorian on political grounds. Carano, a pioneer of women’s MMA, played the character Cara Dune on the popular Star Wars spinoff, but was bounced from the show after a number of controversial social media posts. The latest of those posts—and the straw that broke the camel’s back—compared the treatment of American conservatives to the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany.
UFC Vegas 21 loses Ben Rothwell vs Philipe Lins fight
Harry Kettle - March 10, 2021
According to a recent report from Fightful, UFC Vegas 21 has lost a heavyweight fight between Ben Rothwell and Philipe Lins. The two men had been set to throw down in what would’ve been one of the featured fights on the card outside of the Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad main event. The reason for the fight not taking place seems to be due to some kind of injury, although it isn’t noted who sustained the injury, with the expectation being that it’ll be rescheduled for a later date.
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.
Megan Anderson reveals that the UFC featherweight division is being dropped from the promotion
Drake Riggs - March 9, 2021
After suffering a loss in her first UFC title opportunity against Amanda Nunes at UFC 259, Megan Anderson has revealed that the featherweight division is no more. The Australian took to her Twitch on Tuesday to share that she will not be returning to the UFC for her next time out. Anderson says she was informed earlier in the day that the promotion was cutting the 145-pound weight class altogether.
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.
Rafael dos Anjos reacts to Islam Makhachev's UFC 259 win: "Stop this hype"
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos isn’t buying the hype surrounding rising contender Islam Makhachev. Makhachev, a long-time friend and training partner of Khabib Nurmagomedov, returned to the cage on the UFC 259 main card last Saturday in Las Vegas, where he picked up an impressive submission victory over Drew Dober.
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.
Joseph Benavidez issues statement after UFC 259 loss to Askar Askarov
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
UFC flyweight star Joseph Benavidez has issued a statement after his decision loss to rising Russian contender Askar Askarov. Benavidez and Askarov met on the undercard of Saturday’s UFC 259 card in Las Vegas. Despite a spirited effort, Benavidez lost by unanimous decision, marking his third defeat in as many fights.
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