MMA News
Jake Paul says Ben Askren "fights and looks like a middle-aged Dutch woman"
Adam Martin - February 5, 2021
Jake Paul continued to ramp up the trash talk on rival Ben Askren, telling “Funky” that he “fights and looks like a middle-aged Dutch woman.” Paul and Askren meet on April 17 in the headliner of a professional boxing match on Triller PPV. Paul, a YouTube sensation who has picked up two dominant knockout wins as a boxer, has quickly bloomed into one of the biggest draws in combat sports. Askren, meanwhile, is one of the best trash talkers on social media and a former UFC star. Though this is his first pro boxing match, Askren has been doing a tremendous job of promoting the fight and making it interesting for fans. With over two months left before the fight takes place, both men are doing their part to up fan interest.
Stamp Fairtex issues classy statement after protesting submission loss to Alyona Rassohyna
Tom Taylor - February 5, 2021
Stamp Fairtex has issued a statement after her head-scratching submission loss to Alyona Rassohyna at ONE: Unbreakable III on Friday. Stamp, the former ONE atomweight kickboxing and Muay Thai champion, met Rassohyna, an amply more experienced fighter with an 83 percent submission rate, in the card’s main event.
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.
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.
ONE Championship results: Stamp Fairtex loses via submission, confusion ensues
Tom Taylor - February 5, 2021
On Friday, ONE Championship promoted its third exciting event in many weeks with ONE: Unbreakable 3 in Singapore. This ONE card was headlined by a mixed martial arts bout between former ONE atomweight Muay Thai and kickboxing champion Stamp Fairtex and debuting Ukrainian Alyona Rassohyna, an armbar specialist with an 83% submission rate.
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.
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
Video | Beneil Dariush brought to tears when receiving UFC comeback of 2020 award
Drake Riggs - February 4, 2021
Rising lightweight contender Beneil Dariush provided MMA fans with one of the craziest moments of 2020 in his win over Drakkar Klose at UFC 248. The second-round knockout finish came in an exciting enough fashion to earn the Kings MMA product the UFC’s comeback of the year honors.
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.
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.
Mike Rodriguez looking to move past Ed Herman controversy with KO win over Danilo Marques
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2021
Mike Rodriguez is looking forward to putting the Ed Herman controversy behind him. At UFC Vegas 10 in September, Rodriguez landed a knee to the body of Herman that dropped him. Rodriguez would’ve needed a few punches to finish the fight, but the ref called time for a groin strike. However, video replay wasn’t used and Herman got five minutes to recover from a body shot and ended up submitting Rodriguez in the third.
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.
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.
Tyson Fury shares thoughts on why Conor McGregor lost at UFC 257
Tom Taylor - February 4, 2021
Heavyweight boxing superstar Tyson Fury has shared his thoughts on why Conor McGregor came up short against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257. After being stopped by a volley of strikes in the second round of his UFC 257 fight with Poirier, McGregor was quick to blame his prolonged stretches of inactivity for his performance.