MMA News
Dana White hoping for sold-out UFC events by the summer in Florida or Las Vegas
Adam Martin - February 16, 2021
UFC president Dana White said that the world’s leading MMA promotion is hoping to host sold-out arenas of MMA fans by the summer of 2021. The UFC has not been able to host a house full of fans since UFC 248 in March 2020. The coronavirus pandemic led to the promotion literally shutting its doors for two months only to return in May 2020 in Florida for a series of events. The promotion has been able to hold events back in Las Vegas and in Abu Dhabi for the last nine months, but for the most part, fans have not been allowed except for a select few who were allowed into Fight Island. The UFC has not held a sold-out show with fans in a year.
Alexa Grasso responds to Ronda Rousey comparison from UFC boss Dana White
Tom Taylor - February 16, 2021
UFC flyweight contender Alexa Grasso has responded after UFC President Dana White compared her to Ronda Rousey. Rousey, the former UFC bantamweight champion, is one of the biggest stars in MMA history, having parlayed her success in the Octagon into mainstream endorsement deals, Hollywood film roles and more.
Colby Covington responds to rumored Leon Edwards fight
Tom Taylor - February 16, 2021
Colby Covington has responded to the rumors about a potential welterweight contender fight with Leon Edwards. Edwards was slated to return to the cage against unranked prospect Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of a card on March 13. Regrettably, Chimaev was forced out of the fight due to health issues stemming from a previous COVID-19 infection, leaving Edwards without an opponent.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 28 with Alexey Oleynik, Chris Daukaus, Jared Gordon, and Drakkar Klose
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
The 28th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 19. var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_22657822", "obj": {"id":"22947","width":"100%","height":"","video":"720455"} });
Alexa Grasso could be the best boxer in women's MMA, says Daniel Cormier
Tom Taylor - February 16, 2021
UFC flyweight contender Alexa Grasso received some high praise from UFC commentator Daniel Cormier after her latest win. Grasso, 27, returned to action in the co-main event of UFC 258 last Saturday, picking up a clear-cut decision victory over highly regarded prospect Maycee Barber.
Colby Covington reacts to Kamaru Usman's win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 258
Tom Taylor - February 16, 2021
Outspoken UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington has shared his initial reaction to the recent Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns fight. Usman, the UFC welterweight champion, fought Burns, the No. 1-ranked welterweight contender in the main event of UFC 258 on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Usman was dropped early in the fight, but ultimately rallied for a third-round TKO win to defend his title.
ESPN issues statement after Dana White makes controversial comments about Ariel Helwani
Christopher Taylor - February 15, 2021
ESPN has issued a statement after UFC President Dana White made some controversial comments about journalist Ariel Helwani. The story starts with women’s mixed martial arts icon Gina Carano.
Photo | Yoel Romero in phenomenal shape ahead of Bellator light heavyweight debut against Anthony Johnson
Adam Martin - February 15, 2021
Yoel Romero looks to be in phenomenal shape ahead of his upcoming Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix fight against Anthony Johnson. Romero was a surprise cut by the UFC late last year and he soon afterward he signed a free-agent deal with Bellator. The organization last week announced that it will be holding an eight-man 205lbs tournament in 2021 and Romero will be a part of it. Though he competed as a middleweight in the UFC, Romero will be moving back up to light heavyweight in Bellator, a weight class that he used to fight at in Strikeforce. The hope is that the 43-year-old Cuban will have a fuller tank of gas now that he doesn’t have to cut a ton of weight at 205lbs.
GSP explains what makes Kamaru Usman so dominant: "He's the best at what he does"
Adam Martin - February 15, 2021
MMA legend Georges St-Pierre explained what makes UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman so good, saying “he’s the best at what he does.” GSP was a guest on Sportsnet’s “Good Show” and praised Usman for his incredible performance against Gilbert Burns at UFC 258, where he knocked out the No. 1 contender in the third round of their main event fight for his 13th straight win in the UFC. Although GSP admitted that he’s not interested in fighting Usman for a variety of reasons, he couldn’t help but be in awe of what Usman did to Burns. During the interview, “Rush” analyzed Usman’s performance against Burns and compared his own fighting style to the champ’s.
Jorge Masvidal responds to Kamaru Usman doing “big boy” business with Dana White: “I’m taking everything. What’s yours is mine.”
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2021
Jorge Masvidal is ready to rematch Kamaru Usman. After Usman scored a third-round TKO win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 258 to defend his belt he made a surprise callout of Masvidal. He already defeated “Gamebred” at UFC 251 but he wasn’t happy with his performance so he wants to run things back.
Charles Rosa expects to KO Darrick Minner: "There are levels to this and he will find that out"
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2021
Charles Rosa is expecting to put on a show for fight fans on Saturday night. On the main card of UFC Vegas 19, Rosa is set to return to the Octagon against Darrick Minner. It’s a very intriguing matchup between two submission specialists and a fight Rosa is looking forward to.
Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal rematch betting odds released
Adam Martin - February 15, 2021
The betting odds have been released for a potential upcoming rematch between UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. Following his impressive knockout win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 258, Usman called out Masvidal for a rematch. These two previously met at UFC 251 on Fight Island in July 2020, with Masvidal filling in on one week’s notice when Burns fell off the card due to illness. Though Masvidal was able to go the full 25 minutes with Usman, he dropped a unanimous decision on the scorecards. It wasn’t a particularly great fight, but the pay-per-view was still a big seller.
Anthony Hernandez reacts to upset over Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 258: "I love to beat people at their own game"
Adam Martin - February 15, 2021
UFC middleweight Anthony Hernandez reacted to his upset win over Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 258, saying “I love to beat people at their own game.” Hernandez picked up an amazing second-round guillotine choke win over Vieira in a massive upset on the UFC 258 undercard. In a back-and-forth fight between two talented grapplers, Hernandez was able to outlast Vieira, drag him into deep waters, and drown him in them. Vieira started off strong and had full mount a minute into the fight, but Hernandez showed incredible submission defense and was able to will his way out of it. He then picked apart a gassed-out Vieira on the feet before getting him to the ground and submitting him with a guillotine.
UFC's Daniel Cormier roasts Julian Marquez over Miley Cyrus blunder: "This is the action of a guy that's never had a girlfriend"
Tom Taylor - February 15, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier didn’t hold back when discussing Julian Marquez’s recent interactions with pop superstar Miley Cyrus. Marquez returned to action on the UFC 258 main card last weekend, defeating Maki Pitolo by third-round submission. In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, he asked Miley to be his Valentine.
Kelvin Gastelum praises Ian Heinisch in post-fight statement following UFC 258: "You inspire a lot of people"
Adam Martin - February 15, 2021
UFC welterweight Kelvin Gastelum praised Ian Heinisch in his post-fight statement following UFC 258, saying “you inspire a lot of people.” Following a hard-fought, 15-minute-fight between two top-15 middleweights, Gastelum earned a unanimous decision victory over Heinisch on the judges’ scorecards. For Gastelum, this was a much-needed victory after previously losing three straight fights to Israel Adesanya, Darren Till, and Jack Hermansson. This kind of quality win over a well-respected fighter in Heinisch solidifies Gastelum’s spot in the promotion’s top-15 and he will no doubt be once again aiming for a ranked opponent whenever he steps back into the Octagon.
Mariusz Pudzianowski to clash with Senegalese wrestler at KSW 59
Alfredo Zullino - February 15, 2021
If you liked Reug Reug‘s fights, you are going to love this. One of the most famous Senegalese wrestlers, Serigne Ousmane, is going to make his return to mixed martial arts against the five-time World Strongest Man and Polish superstar Mariusz Pudzianowski. The fight was hinted at on Monday morning by Polish MMA organization KSW, and later confirmed by the promotion.
Dana White shares take on Kamaru Usman's best attribute after UFC 258
Tom Taylor - February 15, 2021
Cody Garbrandt: "Mental state was not what it should have been" against TJ Dillashaw, but trilogy is "gonna happen"
Tom Taylor - February 15, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt says he wasn’t in a good headspace on the two occasions that he fought TJ Dillashaw. Garbrandt first met Dillashaw, his former training partner at Team Alpha Male, in 2017. Despite dropping Dillashaw in the first round, he was stopped in the second, marking the end of his reign as the bantamweight king.
Darren Till, Mike Perry bicker over sparring session in hilarious Instagram call
Tom Taylor - February 15, 2021
Fan favorite UFC fighters Darren Till and Mike Perry had a hilarious, profanity-riddled exchange on Instagram over the weekend. The main topic of conversation was their infamous sparring session. While the pair were all smiles throughout the call, they certainly seem to disagree on who had the upper hand when they shared the mats.