MMA News
Gilbert Burns issues positive statement after loss to Kamaru Usman: "I'll be back!"
Tom Taylor - February 16, 2021
Gilbert Burns has issued a statement after his loss to UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Burns, the UFC’s No. 1-ranked welterweight, challenged Usman for the welterweight strap in the main event of UFC 258 last weekend. Despite a strong start, he was ultimately stopped by the champion in round three.
Gina Carano says she found out about Lucasfilm firing on social media
Tom Taylor - February 16, 2021
Gina Carano says she found about her exit from Lucasilm’s popular Star Wars spinoff, The Mandalorian, on social media. Carano, who is widely credited as a pioneer of women’s mixed martial arts, lost her role on The Mandalorian after sharing a controversial social media post that compared the treatment of conservatives in the United States to the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany.
Colby Covington accuses Jorge Masvidal of turning down TUF gig, multiple fight dates
Tom Taylor - February 16, 2021
Colby Covington claims Jorge Masvidal turned down a coaching gig on The Ultimate Fighter and subsequent June fight. Covington and Masvidal were once close friends and training partners, but have since become two of the fiercest rivals in all of mixed martial arts.
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.
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"} });
Darren Till vs. Marvin Vettori betting odds released
Adam Martin - February 16, 2021
The opening betting odds have been released for the upcoming middleweight bout between top-ranked contenders Darren Till and Marvin Vettori. Till and Vettori will meet on April 10 at a UFC Fight Night card at a location that’s TBD. Till is ranked No. 4 and Vettori is ranked No. 5 in the UFC at 185lbs, so the winner of this bout will surely be in the conversation for a future title shot in the UFC middleweight division. With Till vs. Vettori now officially booked, the oddsmakers were quick to release the betting odds for this upcoming matchup. Check them out below (via BestFightOdds).
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.
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.
Dana White on Alexa Grasso: "We thought she was going to be the Ronda Rousey of Mexico"
Adam Martin - February 15, 2021
UFC president Dana White spoke highly about flyweight Alexa Grasso, saying that “we thought she was going to be the Ronda Rousey of Mexico.” Grasso had a phenomenal performance at UFC 258 this past Saturday as she was able to win a unanimous decision over Maycee Barber in the co-main event. With the win, Grasso improves to 5-3 overall in the UFC, including a perfect 2-0 mark since moving up to flyweight. After struggling to go on a winning streak while fighting at 115lbs, it appears the young Mexican fighter has figured out that her proper weight class is at 125lbs. If she looks as good as she did against Barber, the 27-year-old Grasso could make a run for the flyweight belt.
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.
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.
Julian Marquez responds to claims that he blew it with Miley Cyrus: "I didn't miss my chance, I can tell you that"
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2021
Julian Marquez had an interesting callout after his win at UFC 258, as he requested for Miley Cyrus to be his Valentine. To some surprise, Cyrus responded with intetest but Marquez then supplied her with an ultimatum. That decision caused Daniel Cormier and most of the MMA community to say Julian blew his chance. However, Marquez doesn’t think that is true.
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.
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.