MMA News
Stephen A. Smith disapproves of women in MMA: "I don't want to see women fighting in the Octagon"
Tom Taylor - February 2, 2021
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith is back with another terrible take, this time expressing his disinterest in women competing in mixed martial arts. Smith, whose gimmick relies heavily on intentionally controversial sound bites, made his comments about women in combat sports during an appearance on the latest episode of the “Black on the Air” podcast.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 26 with Frankie Edgar, Diego Ferreira, Cody Stamann, Andre Ewell, and Mike Rodriguez
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2021
The 26th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 18. var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_22657921", "obj": {"id":"22947","width":"100%","height":"","video":"711792"} });
Jim Miller returns at UFC 258, takes on fellow veteran Bobby Green
Adam Martin - February 2, 2021
A lightweight bout between veterans Jim Miller and Bobby Green is the latest addition to the upcoming UFC 258 pay-per-view card. MMAjunkie.com was the first to report that UFC 258 will receive the Miller vs. Green bout. The card takes place on February 13 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is headlined by UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns. The co-main event was originally a middleweight rematch between Uriah Hall and Chris Weidman, and after that fight fell apart, the promotion scrambled to get a new addition added to the card, and the Miller vs. Green bout was the fight added.
Michael Chiesa still hoping for Colby Covington fight, also up for matchup with "Wonderboy"
Tom Taylor - February 2, 2021
Surging UFC welterweight contender Michael Chiesa is still hoping to fight Colby Covington next, but he’d also be up for a fight with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Chiesa last fought at UFC Fight Island 8 in January, when he picked up an impressive decision victory over Neil Magny. After that fight, he set his sights on Colby Covington, a dedicated Donald Trump supporter, with a politicized callout.
Darren Till refutes Uriah Hall's claim about Israel Adesanya's competition: "He's fought all killers"
Tom Taylor - February 2, 2021
Darren Till has gone to bat for UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya after a recent criticism from his fellow contender Uriah Hall. Hall, the UFC’s No. 8-ranked middleweight, recently expressed his belief that Adesanya has been competing against subpar opposition of his own volition.
Khabib Nurmagomedov should "hold out for GSP or retire," says coach
Tom Taylor - February 2, 2021
Javier Mendez says Khabib Nurmagomedov should hold out for a blockbuster fighter with Georges St-Pierre or retire from mixed martial arts. Nurmagomedov, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, announced his retirement from competition after choking out Justin Gaethje in October. Despite his retirement announcement, he still hasn’t vacated the lightweight throne, as UFC President Dana White has been attempting to convince him to fight one last time.
Calvin Kattar's head coach explains why he didn't throw in towel during Max Holloway fight
Tom Taylor - February 2, 2021
Tyson Chartier, the head coach behind UFC featherweight contender Calvin Kattar, has explained why he didn’t throw in the towel during his fighter’s lopsided decision loss to Max Holloway. Holloway and Kattar met in the main event of UFC Fight Island 7 on January 16. Though Kattar entered the matchup with quite a bit of hype attached to his name, he was soundly beaten by the former featherweight champion over five rounds, absorbing north of 400 strikes the in process.
Mike Perry issues apology for his previous use of the N-word
Harry Kettle - February 2, 2021
UFC star Mike Perry has issued an apology for ever using the N-word, indicating that he will never do so again. It’s safe to say that Perry is probably one of the most polarizing figures in all of mixed martial arts, and as we look ahead to the future, it doesn’t really feel like that trend is going to change anytime soon.
Justin Gaethje shares interesting theory as to why Dustin Poirier won't fight Michael Chandler
Christopher Taylor - February 1, 2021
Justin Gaethje has shared an interesting theory as to why Dustin Poirier won’t fight fellow UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler. The former interim UFC lightweight champion, Gaethje (22-3 MMA), believes ‘The Diamond’ is taking a stance against Dana White in order to bring integrity back to the sport.
Michael Chandler: 'Ben Askren knocks out Jake Paul, seventh round'
Drake Riggs - February 1, 2021
Michael Chandler will be aiding his fellow former Bellator champion Ben Askren in preparation for his Jake Paul boxing match — and the new UFC lightweight title contender is confident in how the contest will play out. “I’m telling you, Ben Askren’s gonna beat Jake Paul,” Chandler told ESPN. “Listen, you can say Ben Askren’s boxing isn’t that good, and it’s not, I will agree with you on that. But when it comes to dirty boxing, under hooks, pushing, pulling, grabbing heads. I mean, you’re gonna be in there for eight rounds straight, 16-24 minutes plus a minute in between, Jake Paul will get worn down, Ben Askren won’t. Depending on the ruleset, depending on the referee, depending on how quickly they’re going to break ’em up, Ben is gonna wear on ’em, close the distance, then it’s gonna be really hard to punch Ben Askren when he’s up in your face, pulling on you, punching you to the body, punching you to the head. Albeit, they may be pitter-patter… Ben Askren knocks out Jake Paul, seventh round.”
Ali Abdelaziz deletes tweet confirming Khabib vs GSP, shares another post denying rumor
Andrew Whitelaw - February 1, 2021
A super-fight fight between Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov has been mooted for a long time. Is something finally brewing? Judging by Ali Abdelaziz’s twitter feed, that could well be the case.
Georges St-Pierre 'might be getting ready for' Khabib Nurmagomedov fight, says Kenny Florian
Drake Riggs - February 1, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov has made it abundantly clear who the perfect man to get him to 30-0 would be, and that’s none other than Georges St-Pierre. On a recent episode of the Anik & Florian Podcast hosted by UFC commentator Jon Anik and retired UFC title challenger Kenny Florian, “KenFlo” shared some interesting insight.
Ali Abdelaziz confirms Justin Gaethje open to fighting Michael Chandler
Adam Martin - February 1, 2021
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed that Justin Gaethje is interested in fighting Michael Chandler for his next fight inside the Octagon. With UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov set to retire any day now and vacate his belt in the process, the race for the next lightweight title fight has become fierce. Dustin Poirier seems to be the heir to the throne following his knockout win over Conor McGregor, but he said this week that right now he is willing to sit back and wait for the right opportunity. That means fighters like Gaethje, Chandler, and Charles Oliveira are all in the mix for the next vacant lightweight title fight.
Mike Perry uses MMA math to explain why he is the GOAT
Adam Martin - February 1, 2021
UFC welterweight Mike Perry explained why is the current GOAT in a comical new video he posted where he uses MMA math to prove his point. Perry, the UFC welterweight fan favorite-turned-new dad, took to his Instagram to post a humorous clip of himself crunching numbers to show why he is superior to both UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and superstar Conor McGregor. Watch below as Perry explains why he is the UFC’s current GOAT.
Justin Gaethje believes Tony Ferguson was never an "elite lightweight"
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2021
Justin Gaethje doesn’t believe Tony Ferguson was ever an elite lightweight. At UFC 249, Gaethje took on Ferguson for the interim lightweight title. Ferguson entered the fight on a 12-fight winning streak and many thought “El Cucuy” would win. However, that was far from what happened as Gaethje pieced up Ferguson on the feet and won by TKO in the fifth round.
Michael Chandler wants Justin Gaethje next to prove who's the most violent fighter in the UFC
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2021
Michael Chandler is hoping to prove he’s the most violent fighter in the UFC and to do that he knows he needs to face Justin Gaethje. When Gaethje and Alvarez fought at UFC 218, many fans said the fight would determine who is the most violent fighter in the UFC. Alvarez ended up winning the fight by TKO, but after he left the promotion, and Gaethje went on a KO streak and many considered him the most violent man in the Las Vegas-based promotion.
Abu Azaitar suspended for seven months by USADA
Adam Martin - February 1, 2021
UFC middleweight Abu Azaitar was suspended for seven months by USADA after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. USADA announced the suspension on Monday. According to the drug-test organization, Azaitar failed four separate drug tests due to the banned substance tamoxifen. However, because he was forthcoming about the banned substances in his system and was able to prove that a doctor had prescribed the substance, USADA worked with him to lessen the sanction. In the end, USADA decided on a seven-month sanction, dating back to the date of the first positive test in August 2020. Therefore, Azaitar will be able to return to the Octagon in March.
Jessica Penne returns from four-year lay-off at UFC 260 against Hannah Goldy
Adam Martin - February 1, 2021
Former UFC women’s strawweight title contender Jessica Penne is set to return to the Octagon this March at UFC 260 against Hannah Goldy. Penne has not fought since April 2017, when she lost a unanimous decision to Danielle Taylor at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov. Since then, Penne has dealt with various USADA-related issues that have led to her being on the shelf that whole time. She is now ready to resume her career at age 38 and after four years away from the sport. The UFC matchmakers have booked Penne to take on Goldy at UFC 260, likely set to take place on March 27 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.