MMA News
Sean O'Malley claims he knocked out Alexandre Pantoja in sparring
Tom Taylor - February 5, 2021
UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley claims he knocked out flyweight contender Alexandre Pantoja in a sparring session “back in the day.” O’Malley made this comment during a recent episode of his podcast. See what he had to say below.
Remembering Anderson Silva's front kick on Vitor Belfort 10 years later
Adam Martin - February 5, 2021
It was exactly 10 years ago today that Anderson Silva knocked out Vitor Belfort with a front kick in the main event of UFC 126. Silva and Belfort are two of the biggest stars in Brazilian MMA ever, and on February 5, 2011, they met in the main event of UFC 126. At the time, Silva was the UFC middleweight champion and was coming off of an incredible comeback win over Chael Sonnen. But before beating Sonnen he had a string of lackluster performances, and not everyone was sold on Silva. Belfort, who was coming off of a knockout win over Rich Franklin, was said to be the man that could finish Silva. But Silva wasn’t hearing it. Instead, he landed a front kick right to the jaw on Belfort, KOing him cold.
Joanne Calderwood calls for No. 1 contender fight with Lauren Murphy, gets quick response
Tom Taylor - February 5, 2021
UFC flyweight contender Joanne Calderwood called for a No. 1 contender fight with Lauren Murphy, and she received an immediate and affirmative response. Calderwood made her call for a fight with Murphy during an interview with SunSport, noting that it makes sense because flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is likely to defend her title against Jessica Andrade next.
Frankie Edgar "upset" he never got the chance to face Conor McGregor while he was at featherweight
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2021
Frankie Edgar and Conor McGregor were linked to one another a couple of times but for whatever reason, it never came to fruition. As McGregor was making his rise up the featherweight ranks, Edgar was a top contender and many figured they would fight. However, the Irishman faced Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo and then moved up in weight.
UFC 258: ‘Usman vs Burns’ Fight Card and Rumors
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2021
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to pay-per-view next weekend as Kamaru Usman prepares to defend his Welterweight Championship against rising contender and former teammate Gilbert Burns. Event: UFC 258: Usman vs. Burns Date: Saturday, 13th February 2021 Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Broadcast: ESPN+ – 8pm/10pm EST
Cris Cyborg responds after Kayla Harrison accuses her of not “signing on the dotted line”
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2021
Cris Cyborg has issued a response after potential opponent and PFL star Kayla Harrison claimed she didn’t “sign on the dotted line” when given the chance to fight her last year. In 2020 there was a great deal of speculation surrounding the future of Cyborg and where she’d end up going next, with PFL reportedly being in the running to secure her signature. In the end, though, Bellator was her chosen destination.
Michael Chandler reacts after Dustin Poirier rejects lightweight title fight: "He might end up just being a hot sauce salesman"
Christopher Taylor - February 4, 2021
Michael Chandler thinks it is “a little bit weird” that Dustin Poirier isn’t interested in fighting for the UFC lightweight championship next. Chandler and Poirier both earned sensational stoppage victories at last months UFC 257 pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi.
Dustin Poirier and Rose Namajunas highlighted in Super Bowl LV commercial
Drake Riggs - February 4, 2021
It’s Super Bowl weekend which aside from another NFL champion being crowned means another year of high-profile commercials. This year, former UFC titleholders Dustin Poirier and Rose Namajunas get some spotlight. https://youtu.be/Nf0QvCq3quk
UFC legends meet in potential retirement match as Diego Sanchez fights Donald Cerrone
Adam Martin - February 4, 2021
Two legends square off in a potential retirement bout as Octagon veterans Diego Sanchez and Donald Cerrone square off later this spring. MMAFighting.com reports that Sanchez vs. Cerrone will be added to a newly-unveiled UFC event on May 8. Details for this card are scarce, so no word yet on if this will be a five-round headliner or if it will be a three-round fight. Regardless, this is a big fight between two of the UFC’s all-time best. With both nearing 40, Sanchez and Cerrone are getting up there in age and both have openly spoken about retirement. There is a very real chance that this may be the final fighter of both fighters’ careers.
Alistair Overeem says Brock Lesnar knockout was best UFC debut ever
Adam Martin - February 4, 2021
UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem believes his knockout win over Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 was the best Octagon debut ever. It was back in December 2011 when Overeem made his UFC debut against the former champion Lesnar in the main event of UFC 141. Overeem was the reigning Strikeforce heavyweight champion and he had a UFC debut for the ages when he finishes Lesnar with a vicious body kick. Remember that knockout in the video below.
Stipe Miocic discusses his upcoming rematch with Francis Ngannou, predicts “the same outcome”
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2021
Stipe Miocic is expecting to hear “And Still” when he rematches Francis Ngannou at UFC 260. Miocic is set to defend his heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 260 on March 27. Although Miocic dominated the first fight at UFC 220 winning all five rounds including one round being a 10-8, many pundits believe the rematch will be different. Ngannou has looked improved but Miocic doesn’t think the result will change.
Ben Askren challenges Mario Lopez to wrestling match, "A.C. Slater" responds
Adam Martin - February 4, 2021
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren challenged television personality Mario Lopez to a wrestling match, and Lopez says he’s open to it. Askren currently has his hands full with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, facing his rival on April 17 in a boxing match that also marks Askren’s professional debut inside the ring. But that isn’t stopping Askren from already getting his next callout ready. Taking to his social media on Thursday, Askren continued to target celebrities. This time he turned his attention to the actor Mario Lopez, aka “A.C. Slater” from ‘Saved By The Bell.’ Check out Askren issuing his challenge to Lopez on his Instagram.
Floyd Mayweather reveals Logan Paul fight will take place in Japan, says he's boxing Jake Paul after
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2021
Floyd Mayweather has revealed his upcoming exhibition bout against Logan Paul will take place in Tokyo, Japan. Mayweather and Paul were supposed to fight on February 20 but the bout was officially postponed and many wondered if the fight would even happen. Yet, Mayweather took to Instagram to reveal the fight will take place in Tokyo.
Pro fighters make their picks for Cory Sandhagen vs Frankie Edgar
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2021
In the co-main event of UFC Vegas 18, Cory Sandhagen looks to continue his rise up the bantamweight ranks as he battles future Hall of Famer, Frankie Edgar. Heading into the fight, Sandhagen is a -450 favorite with the former lightweight champ being a +325 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority believe Sandhagen gets it done, but some think Edgar’s wrestling will be a difference-maker.
Video | Paige VanZant gets into heated shoving match at BKFC 16 weigh-ins
Adam Martin - February 4, 2021
Women’s superstar Paige VanZant got into a heated shoving match with rival Britain Hart at the BKFC 16 weigh-ins on Thursday night. VanZant, the former UFC women’s star, surprised combat sports fans when she decided to take her talents to BKFC. On Friday night, she takes on Hart in a fight that got very personal at the official weigh-ins. VanZant made weight, coming in at 126lbs, and Hart did, too, coming in at 124.4lbs. During the staredown, things got testy when the two rivals engaged in a shoving match. Check out the video below.
Cub Swanson returns to the Octagon on May 1 against Gavin Tucker
Adam Martin - February 4, 2021
UFC featherweight fan-favorite Cub Swanson returns to the Octagon on May 1 when he takes on Canadian Gavin Tucker. Marcel Dorff of MMA DNA broke the news that Swanson vs. Tucker will be on a UFC Fight Night card that is set to take place on May 1. So far, there are few other details known about that event, but it is likely going to be a Fight Night card in Las Vegas. In addition to Swanson vs. Tucker, featherweight bouts between TJ Laramie vs. Damon Jackson and Kai Kamaka III vs. TJ Brown were also added to that card.
Rory MacDonald, Tom Lawlor among additions to PFL welterweight and light heavyweight rosters
Adam Martin - February 4, 2021
Former UFC fighters Rory MacDonald and Tom Lawlor are among the latest additions to the PFL’s upcoming 170lbs and 205lbs tournaments. After announcing the promotion’s upcoming featherweight and lightweight rosters, PFL has now revealed what fighters will be involving in the promotion’s upcoming welterweight and light heavyweight tournaments. See the full list below via PFL.
Frank Mir trashes Stephen A. Smith for anti-women's MMA comments: "Send him back to the NBA"
Adam Martin - February 4, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir trashed ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith for the controversial comments he made about women competing in MMA. Mir was not happy with Smith’s recent anti-women’s MMA comments when the ESPN talking head controversially said that women had no business being in the Octagon. A number of fighters have since taken to social media to post their disagreements with Smith for his outlandish comments. One of those fighters is Mir, the former UFC heavyweight champion. Mir’s daughter Bella is one of the top women’s MMA prospects in the United States right now, so now wonder Mir wasn’t thrilled with what Smith had to say. Check out Mir trashing Smith today on his Twitter.