MMA News
Alexey Oleynik expecting a tough fight against Chris Daukaus in his 75th professional MMA fight
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
Alexey Oleynik will make the walk for his 75th professional MMA fight on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 19. On the main card, the Russian is set to face unranked, Chris Daukaus in a very intriguing fight. Oleynik is coming off a second-round TKO loss to Derrick Lewis in August in the main event of the card. Although the Russian is not fighting a ranked opponent or another legend, Oleynik is still looking forward to the fight.
Leon Edwards believes Jorge Masvidal will "never" become UFC champion
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
Leon Edwards doesn’t like Jorge Masvidal’s chances to become UFC champion. Masvidal got his first UFC title shot on short notice at UFC 251 against Kamaru Usman and lost a decision. Since then, both men have hinted at a potential rematch. However, according to Leon Edwards, he believes Usman wins with ease every time.
Khamzat Chimaev flying to Las Vegas to receive medical care, hopes to fight by June
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev is en route to Las Vegas to receive medical care for his lingering effects from COVID-19. After Chimaev got COVID-19, his fight against Leon Edwards on January 20 was postponed until March 13. However, recently, it was revealed the fight was canceled again due to Chimaev still dealing with lingering effects from the virus.
Mike Perry set to return in April against Daniel Rodriguez
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
Mike Perry is set to return to the Octagon on April 10 against Daniel Rodriguez. FighterPath was the first to report the news of the booking and sources have confirmed to BJPENN.com that Perry vs. Rodriguez is set for April 10.
Jan Blachowicz says fan told him he won $50,000 for knocking out Luke Rockhold at UFC 239
Adam Martin - February 16, 2021
UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz said a fan told him that he won $50,000 when he knocked out Luke Rockhold at UFC 239. Blachowicz finds himself in a familiar position next month at UFC 259 when he defends his belt against Israel Adesanya. Despite being the champion, Blachowicz is once again the underdog in this fight. The oddsmakers opened him as a +210 betting underdog in this fight, and it’s up to +220 now. It’s a role the Pole has found himself used to over the course of his UFC career, but especially as of late, being named underdog in four straight bookings now. Even though Blachowicz is the 205lbs champion, he still has his doubters.
Jake Paul plans to lure Conor McGregor into fight by "embarrassing" Nate Diaz
Tom Taylor - February 16, 2021
Jake Paul plans to lure Conor McGregor into a boxing match by first “embarrassing” McGregor’s long-time rival Nate Diaz. Paul, who became a celebrity on YouTube, is gearing up for an eight-round professional boxing match with former ONE and Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren. While that challenge is currently occupying most of his focus, he’s made it very clear that he wants to fight McGregor down the road.
Maycee Barber says UFC 258 loss "was a bitter pill to swallow," eyes May return
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
Maycee Barber’s return to the Octagon did not go her way. In the co-main event of UFC 258, Barber fought Alexa Grasso in her first fight since she lost to Roxanne Modafferi at UFC 246 in a fight she also tore her ACL. Entering the scrap, Barber didn’t think ring rust would be a factor but admits she had a hard time finding her timing in the first two rounds.
Marcin Tybura returns to the Octagon at UFC 260 against Blagoy Ivanov
Adam Martin - February 16, 2021
A heavyweight bout between top-15 ranked contenders Marcin Tybura and Blagoy Ivanov is the latest addition to the UFC 260 pay-per-view card. Tybura and Ivanov will clash on the UFC 260 undercard and is a welcome addition to the event given it’s a battle between two ranked fighters. The event takes place on March 27 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is headlined by UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic’s rematch against Francis Ngannou. WP Sportowe Fakty broke the news.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.