MMA News
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 27 with Maycee Barber, Ian Heinisch, Jim Miller, Julian Marquez, Gillian Robertson, and Anthony Hernandez
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2021
The 27th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 258. var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_22657878", "obj": {"id":"22947","width":"100%","height":"","video":"717044"} });
RIZIN boss responds to Spike Carlyle, lays out plans for featherweight GP
Tom Taylor - February 9, 2021
RIZIN CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara has responded to some recent comments from Spike Carlyle, and laid out plans for a Featherweight Grand Prix. Carlyle was recently released by the UFC after going 1-2 in the promotion’s featherweight division. After his release, he expressed interest in migrating to RIZIN because he’s always wanted to fight in Japan, where the promotion is based.
Nate Diaz explains what Conor McGregor did wrong against Dustin Poirier
Tom Taylor - February 9, 2021
Nate Diaz has shared his thoughts on what Conor McGregor did wrong in his recent TKO loss to Dustin Poirier. McGregor and Poirier met in the main event of UFC 257 last month, in a rematch of a 2014 featherweight fight that the former won by first-round knockout. In their UFC 257 rematch, Poirier evened the score, mangling McGregor’s lead leg with calf kicks, and stopping him with punches in round two.
Nate Diaz targets fight with Charles Oliveira—with a catch
Tom Taylor - February 9, 2021
Nate Diaz wants to fight the UFC’s No. 3-ranked lightweight contender Charles Oliveira—but he wants to fight him at 170 pounds. Diaz has not fought since November, 2019, when he was stopped by Jorge Masvidal in a welterweight fight. That being said, UFC President Dana White recently divulged that he is working on a lightweight fight for the fan favorite.
Diego Sanchez references UFC 107 loss to BJ Penn as defense for previous comments made about Calvin Kattar
Harry Kettle - February 9, 2021
UFC veteran Diego Sanchez has referenced his UFC 107 loss to BJ Penn as evidence for his recent comments about Calvin Kattar. Sanchez has always been fairly outspoken but in the last few years, has had no problem sharing his opinions on social media.
Jon Jones says there is one fighter who comes a "close second" in the MMA Goat conversation
Christopher Taylor - February 8, 2021
Jon Jones believes there is one fighter who comes a “close second” to him in the hotly debated MMA Goat conversation. Fans and analysts are always debating who is the greatest mixed martial artist of all time and the general consensus ends with either Khabib Nurmagomedov or Jon Jones. Many pundits consider ‘Bones’ to be at the top of the list because of his sensational record UFC in title fights. Jones is 14-0, with 1 no-contest, in his fifteen career UFC title fights.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals his all-time top fantasy fight
Drake Riggs - February 8, 2021
Everyone loves to fantasy matchmake. That includes lightweight icon Khabib Nurmagomedov who recently shared his all-time top fight to make. Given the possibility of unlimited resources to make any fight happen, “The Eagle” couldn’t help but answer with a fight that surely many others would choose as well.
Police report reveals former Bellator champ Daniel Straus was arrested for allegedly stabbing a female victim
Drake Riggs - February 8, 2021
Former two-time Bellator featherweight champion Daniel Straus was arrested last Friday for an incident that took place late last month. MMA Junkie confirmed on Monday after an initial report from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that Straus was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. The bond is currently $100,000.
Patricio Pitbull welcomes Max Holloway Bellator fight 'if he ever gets tired of making pennies in the UFC'
Andrew Whitelaw - February 8, 2021
Patricio Pitbull is enjoying a truly prolific faze in his career. He holds both the lightweight and featherweight titles in Bellator, and is riding a six-fight winning streak and there is a strong argument for the 33-year-old being the best 145-er in the world. Pitbull is often asked about a move to the UFC, but it doesn’t look like that will happen anytime soon. Instead, the Brazilian suggests that some of his counterparts would be better off coming over to join him in Bellator, namely, Max Holloway.
Jimmie Rivera explains why he wants to "beat the sh*t" out of Urijah Faber
Adam Martin - February 8, 2021
UFC bantamweight contender Jimmie Rivera explained why he wants to “beat the sh*t” out of his former opponent and rival Urijah Faber. Rivera and Faber first met back at UFC 203: Miocic vs. Overeem in September 2016. In a fight that marked his first true coming-out party in the UFC, Rivera won a unanimous decision over the legend Faber that night. However, he suffered a nasty eye poke during the fight and was also the victim of a low blow. Although that fight was five years ago, Rivera still holds a grudge, and of course, there is only one way to settle the score: a rematch between the two veterans.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals new meeting with Dana White, says lightweight division "needs to go on"
Adam Martin - February 8, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed he has a new meeting with Dana White, and suggested the lightweight division “needs to go on.” Nurmagomedov announced his retirement last fall following a submission win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, but he left open the door for a return pending the outcome of UFC 257’s main event between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. White was angling hard for Nurmagomedov to have a big-money rematch with McGregor, but once Poirier knocked him out and ended all hopes of it happening anytime soon, the Russian told White that he doesn’t see any challengers out there for him. As good as Poirier is, Nurmagomedov already finished him.
Kevin Lee claims he and Tony Ferguson are going to "run it back"
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2021
Kevin Lee appears interested in having a rematch with Tony Ferguson. With Tony Ferguson on a two-fight losing streak and frankly being dominated in both fights, many wondered what would be next for him. There is no question he will take a step down in terms of the rankings and Kevin Lee is interested in having the rematch.
Photo | Yoel Romero wears Bellator uniform for first time, promotional debut imminent
Adam Martin - February 8, 2021
Newly-signed Bellator light heavyweight Yoel Romero donned his new uniform for the first time in anticipation of his promotional debut. Romero was released by the UFC in late 2020 as part of its mass exodus of 60 fighters from the roster. It didn’t take long for Romero to find a new home and he signed a free-agent deal with Bellator. The promotion has been on a bit of a hiatus for the last several months but is set to return in April with a new set of events. Expected to fight on one of the promotion’s first cards back is Romero.
Shaquille O'Neal plans to become an investor in BKFC: "This is the future of fighting"
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2021
Shaquille O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion and a three-time Finals MVP, plans to become an investor in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. At KnuckleMania on Friday night, O’Neal was in attendance for the event. Not only was there watching as a fan, but it was also a business meeting as he revealed he plans to become an investor in the company.
Conor McGregor hints at return to old trash-talking self: "No more Mr. Nice Guy"
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2021
Conor McGregor appears ready to get back to his trash-talking self. In the lead-up to McGregor’s fights against Donald Cerrone and Dustin Poirier, the Irishman refrained from trash-talking. Instead, he complimented both men and appeared to turn a new leaf.
Report: UFC leaning toward Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor trilogy
Tom Taylor - February 8, 2021
The UFC is reportedly leaning toward a trilogy fight between lightweight stars Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. Poirier and McGregor have fought twice previously. Their first encounter in the cage occured in the featherweight division in 2014. On that night, McGregor picked up the victory via first-round knockout.
Spike Carlyle explains why he's "stoked" about UFC release
Tom Taylor - February 8, 2021
Former UFC featherweight Spike Carlyle says he’s “stoked” about his recent release from the Las Vegas-based promotion’s roster. Carlyle fought three times in the UFC, smashing Aalon Cruz to a first-round TKO win in his promotional debut, then losing a pair of unanimous decisions to Billy Quarantillo and Bill Algeo in his next two bouts.
Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje continued to trade shots on social media
Tom Taylor - February 8, 2021
Long time UFC lightweight contenders Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje are still trading shots on social media. Ferguson and Gaethje met in the main event of UFC 249 in May. Gaethje won that fight by fifth-round TKO, cashing as a noteworthy underdog and derailing Ferguson’s incredible 12-fight win streak.