MMA News
Gillian Robertson plans to go "straight for the throat" and submit Miranda Maverick at UFC 258
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Gillian Robertson is not hiding her gameplan for UFC 258. In the first fight of the night, Robertson is making the walk to the Octagon against Miranda Maverick. It’s a very intriguing matchup, but a fight many were surprised it is happening given the fact they are two of the up and coming prospects. However, the Canadian actually thought this would be her opponent.
Dustin Poirier awarded "key to the city" in Youngsville, Louisiana
Adam Martin - February 11, 2021
UFC lightweight superstar Dustin Poirier was awarded the “key to the city” by Youngsville, Louisiana, showing fans his award on social media. Poirier is coming off of an incredible knockout win over Conor McGregor at UFC 257. In addition to being a badass cage fighter, Poirier is also a model citizen outside of the Octagon. Poirier and his wife Jolie run the nonprofit “Good Fight Foundation” which has raised thousands of dollars for the local community and for underserved populations. With Poirier in the lead, the Good Fight Foundation has been able to help better the lives of many people in his local communities.
Stephen Thompson offers to replace Khamzat Chimaev and fight Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Stephen Thompson is hoping to finally fight Leon Edwards. Ever since Edwards lost his fight to Tyron Woodley in March of 2020 due to the pandemic, Thompson has been vocal about wanting to fight him. “Wonderboy,” thought it made sense but the Englishman didn’t like it and turned it down. Edwards was then forced to fight Khamzat Chimaev but after the fight was called off for the third time, Thompson believes the time is now for the fight to happen.
Ryan Hall details the injury that forced him out of Dan Ige fight, wants Jeremy Stephens in April
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Ryan Hall’s return to the Octagon will be delayed a few months. Earlier on Thursday, BJPENN.com broke the news that Hall was forced to withdraw from the fight due to an injury. Shortly after the news became public, Hall revealed to BJPENN.com that he tore his hip flexor.
Frankie Edgar recounts scary moments following KO loss to Cory Sandhagen: “For the life of me I couldn’t remember what day it was”
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Frankie Edgar doesn’t remember much from his KO loss to Cory Sandhagen last weekend. In the co-main event of the card, Edgar was looking to become the number one contender and beat Sandhagen. However, just 28 seconds in Sandhagen landed a perfectly timed flying knee that knocked Edgar out cold.
Breaking | Khamzat Chimaev out of scheduled UFC fight with Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Khamzat Chimaev has been forced to pull out of his fight with Leon Edwards on March 13. Chimaev and Edwards were scheduled to face one another on December 19 and January 20 but both fights were postponed due to both men getting COVID-19. They were then rescheduled for March 13 but UFC president, Dana White revealed to ESPN that Chimaev has been forced to pull out of the fight due to lingering effects of the virus. The promotion is now moving on from the fight and the UFC is searching for a new opponent to fight Edwards.
Dana White confirms TUF 29 coaches will be welterweights
Adam Martin - February 11, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the coaches of the upcoming TUF 29 reality show will be fighters from the welterweight division. After a three-year hiatus, The Ultimate Fighter franchise returns in 2021 on ESPN. White has promised the classic show will return with a bang and has been teasing its comeback for more than a year. COVID-19 pushed filming back, but the show is scheduled to get started taping in the next couple of months. The promotion is also close to making a decision on who the next coaches are.
Dominick Reyes returns to the Octagon against Jiri Prochazka on May 1st
Adam Martin - February 11, 2021
UFC light heavyweight Dominick Reyes returns to the Octagon against Jiri Prochazka on May 1st, in a fight originally booked for February. The UFC originally intended on Reyes vs. Prochazka headlining the Fight Night card planned for February 27, but the fight was scratched and replaced by a new main event featuring heavyweights Ciryl Gane and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Fortunately, Reyes vs. Prochazka has been quickly salvaged and re-booked for just two months later. It now takes place on May 1. Prochazka’s management team at Paradigm Sports was the first to reveal the new fight announcement. The fight will serve as the five-round main event.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is still the UFC lightweight champion, says Dana White
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
UFC President Dana White says Khabib Nurmagomedov is still the UFC lightweight champion, despite his retirement announcement. Nurmagomedov announced his retirement after an October submission victory over Justin Gaethje, citing a request from his mother that he cease fighting.
Breaking: Ryan Hall out of March 13 fight with Dan Ige
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2021
Ryan Hall will no longer be making his return to the Octagon on March 13 after all. Multiple sources have informed BJPENN.com that Hall has pulled out of the fight with an injury suffered in training. Sources say the UFC is looking for a replacement to fight Ige.
Charles Oliveira issues mocking response to Nate Diaz callout
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira has issued a response to a recent callout from returning fan favorite Nate Diaz. Diaz has not fought since a November, 2019 loss to Jorge Masvidal, but has recently been linked to a return to the cage. Speaking to ESPN, he called for a fight with Oliveira, but stipulated that he’s not interested in fighting the Brazilian at lightweight, and suggested they meet at welterweight.
Tyron Woodley makes his prediction for Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns at UFC 258
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has made his prediction for the upcoming fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. Usman, the UFC welterweight champion, is slated to defend his title against Burns in the main event of UFC 258 this weekend. The bout is plenty alluring on paper, but has amplified appeal given that Usman and Burns spent many years training together at Sanford MMA and are therefore very familiar with one another.
Joe Rogan joins Jon Anik, "DC" on UFC 258 commentary duties
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
Joe Rogan will call his first fights of the year at UFC 258 this Saturday in Las Vegas, according to MMA Junkie. Rogan will handle color commentary duties for the card alongside former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier, while Jon Anik will lead the commentary team.
Uriah Hall unloads on Scientologists: “Jump off a cliff and take your stupid ass friends with you”
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
UFC middleweight contender Uriah Hall has some choice words for the people who practice and support Scientology. Scientology has been classified as everything as a pseudo religion to a form of therapy, and has historically been popular among celebrities.
Zabit Magomedsharipov sees younger brother Khasan sign deal with Bellator
Adam Martin - February 11, 2021
The brother of UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov, Khasan Magomedsharipov, has signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA. MMAjunkie.com’s Nolan King was the first to break the news of the signing. Khasan Magomedsharipov (5-0) is just 20 years old and he trains alongside his big brother at Mark Henry’s gym in Tom’s River, New Jersey, putting in the reps along with other notable UFC fighters such as Frankie Edgar. Instead of joining Edgar and his big brother in the Octagon, however, the younger Magomedsharipov decided to take his talents to the Bellator cage instead.
Gilbert Burns describes "the difference between me and Kamaru Usman"
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
Gilbert Burns sees a key difference between himself and his upcoming opponent, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Burn will challenge Usman for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 258 this Saturday. The matchup features many interesting variables. Burns and Usman have trained together extensively at Sanford MMA, and also have many stylistic similarities as grappling specialists with well-rounded skillsets.
Eddie Alvarez believes "intangibles" will be key for Ben Askren against "better boxer" Jake Paul
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
Eddie Alvarez believes Jake Paul is a “better boxer” than Ben Askren, but the intangibles of the fight will be in Askren’s favor. Askren, who went 1-2 in the UFC and is the former ONE and Bellator welterweight champion, is slated to meet Paul, a YouTube star, in an eight-round pro boxing match in the UFC. While Askren has achieved some amazing things in MMA, the widespread feeling is that he’s actually out-matched in terms of boxing skill against Paul.
Kurt Angle says he received UFC offer, but the money "wasn't great"
Tom Taylor - February 11, 2021
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle says he received an offer from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but turned it down. Angle, an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, achieved superstardom as a member of the WWE roster. However, he says he had the opportunity to try his hand at mixed martial arts in the UFC.