MMA News
Justin Gaethje feels he's in a position where he needs a win, 'I'm no fool'
Drake Riggs - February 2, 2021
Justin Gaethje (22-3) suffered his third career defeat in his last outing against Khabib Nurmagomedov (29-0). Now, “The Highlight” is ready to regroup. The encounter with “The Eagle” saw the 32-year-old Gaethje succumb to the lightweight king’s pressure thus leading to a second-round submission loss. When addressing the possibility of who could be next, Gaethje is aware of what would be most lucrative.
Alistair Overeem makes pick for Miocic vs Ngannou 2
Andrew Whitelaw - February 2, 2021
Alistair Overeem knows Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou well, having fought both of them. Ngannou will again look to wrench the UFC heavyweight title from Miocic when the pair meet at UFC 260 next month.
Sean O’Malley makes his return to the cage at UFC 260 against Thomas Almeida
Adam Martin - February 2, 2021
A bantamweight bout between Sean O’Malley and Thomas Almeida is the latest addition to the upcoming UFC 260 pay-per-view in March. UFC 260 takes place on March 27 and is headlined by a heavyweight title fight rematch between Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou. Also on the card is a co-main event featherweight title fight between champion Alexander Volkanvoski and challenger Brian Ortega. O’Malley vs. Almeida could open up the main card or it could be placed on the prelims for this event. Regardless of where it lands on the card, this is a very fun fight that is likely going to be a stand-up war based on their styles.
Diego Ferreira preparing for a "brawl" against Beneil Dariush, eyes Felder or RDA next
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2021
Diego Ferreira is excited to rematch Beneil Dariush. At UFC 179 in October of 2014, Dariush edged out a decision against Ferreira in a fight the Brazilian took on short notice. Since then, however, both men have become top-15 lightweights and the Fortis MMA product believes the rematch just makes sense.
Paige VanZant says the "door is open" for a return to MMA after BKFC
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2021
Frankie Edgar plans to "turn some heads" with a "stellar performance" over Cory Sandhagen
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2021
Frankie Edgar knew he would end up fighting Cory Sandhagen. At UFC Raleigh in January of 2020, Edgar was booked to make his bantamweight debut against Sandhagen. However, the former lightweight champion ended up accepting a short notice fight against Korean Zombie and the bout against Sandhagen was canceled.
James Vick announces his retirement after displacing his jaw in "the worst loss" of his career
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2021
James Vick has announced his retirement from MMA. After Vick lost four straight fights in the UFC and was released many wondered if he would fight again. Yet, after a year away from the sports, Vick returned to headline an XMMA event last Saturday night. Unfortunately for Vick, he suffered a second-round TKO loss to PFL veteran, Andre Fialho.
Nate Diaz tells Dustin Poirier "f*ck a weight class" following "fighting words" video
Adam Martin - February 2, 2021
UFC superstar Nate Diaz told Dustin Poirier to “f*ck a class” following a video showing “The Diamond” using some very strong “fighting words.” After Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor at UFC 257, one of the first fighters to call him out was Diaz, who took to social media to post a mock photo of the two in a staredown before UFC president Dana White. With Poirier currently on the sidelines and waiting for the right opportunity to come up before he jumps back into the Octagon, Diaz is once again putting his hand up and making sure Poirier knows that he wants the fight. He made that clear in a series of tweets posted on Tuesday.
Anthony Pettis and Lance Palmer among stars in upcoming PFL lightweight and featherweight tournaments
Adam Martin - February 2, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and PFL star Lance Palmer are among the class of the PFL season-three 155lbs and 145lbs roster. After taking 2020 off due to COVID-19 concerns, PFL is set to kick off its third season this April. The promotion promised that the roster would be completely overhauled heading into this new season, and they weren’t joking. There are plenty of fresh faces on this season’s upcoming lightweight and featherweight rosters, such as Pettis, in addition to PFL stalwarts like Palmer. Take a look at the rosters below.
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.”