MMA News

Drake Riggs - February 11, 2021

Josh Barnett has always been an entertainer whether it’s in the ring or the cage. When it comes to seeing YouTube stars like Jake and Logan Paul boxing, he’s not interested. With a combined three fights under their belts, the Paul’s appear to have no intention of slowing down their boxing antics as Jake is scheduled to face former MMA champion Ben Askren in April. Meanwhile, Logan has had his exhibition with Floyd Mayweather postponed.

Christopher Taylor - February 11, 2021

Tyron Woodley is perplexed by Israel Adesanya’s decision to move up to 205lbs immediately after Jon Jones left the division. Last summer it appeared that a potential showdown between Jones and Adesanya was a real possibility. However, the potential super-fight was shutdown after ‘Stylebender’ stated that he intended on clearing out the promotions middleweight division before making a move up to light heavyweight.

Chris Taylor - February 11, 2021

Jorge Masvidal has sent a message to Kamaru Usman ahead of his upcoming UFC 258 welterweight title fight with Gilbert Burns. Masvidal and Usman have a storied history, having squared off for the UFC welterweight title this past July in Abu Dhabi. ‘Gamebred’ had stepped on just six days notice for that championship contest and ultimately wound up suffering a unanimous decision setback as a result.

Chris Taylor - February 11, 2021

Gilbert Burns will challenge Kamaru Usman for the promotions welterweight championship in the headliner of this Saturday’s UFC 258 event. Burns and Usman have a storied history having trained together under coach Henri Hooft in South Florida for many years.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.