MMA News
Joe Rogan lauds "excellent" Jake Paul ahead of fight with Ben Askren
Tom Taylor - February 3, 2021
Joe Rogan has some high praise for Jake Paul ahead of the YouTube star’s professional boxing match with former UFC fighter Ben Askren. Paul will meet Askren, who previously held the ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight titles, in an eight-round boxing match on April 17. The bout will be Paul’s third as a pro after stopping fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib and former NBA star Nate Robinson. Askren, meanwhile, will be making his pro boxing debut.
The Golden Cage looks to make MMA mainstream in Italy—starting Feb. 6 on UFC FIGHT PASS
Tom Taylor - February 3, 2021
Italy is as sports-crazed as any country on earth, but so far, mixed martial arts has not caught on inside its famous, boot-shaped border. The Golden Cage, an upstart MMA promotion based in Rome, is hoping to change that. TGC is the brainchild of President Luigi Perillo, a tax lawyer and the president of the Swiss MMA Federation, and Steve Dapper, a music industry executive and expert in linguistics. After two successful events in 2017 and 2018, the TGC team will promote its third this Saturday in Rome. The card, which will feature 10 pro bouts and 10 amateur bouts, will mark the promotion’s debut on UFC FIGHT PASS.
Chris Weidman opens up on battle with COVID-19: "I ended up losing 12 pounds"
Tom Taylor - February 3, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has opened up on his battle with COVID-19, and it does not sound fun. Weidman had been expected to rematch fellow middleweight contender Uriah Hall at UFC 258 next weekend, but was unfortunately forced out of the fight when he tested positive for COVID-19. The matchup has been rescheduled April 24, and it sounds like the new date was very necessary.
Victoria Lee, 16-year-old sister of champs Angela and Christian, booked for ONE debut
Tom Taylor - February 3, 2021
Victoria Lee, the 16-year-old sister of ONE lightweight champion Christian Lee and atomweight champion Angela Lee, is set for her pro debut. The prospect will battle Sunisa Srisen at ONE: Fists of Fury on February 26 in Singapore. ONE Championship announced this bout, along with appearances from striking stars Ilias Ennahachi, Giorgio Petrosyan and Rodtang Jitmuangnon, on Wednesday.
Pro fighters make their picks for Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 18, Alistair Overeem is looking to continue his final run to a heavyweight title shot as he battles Alexander Volkov. Heading into the fight, Overeem is a +155 underdog while the Russian is a -190 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. Maybe to some surprise, nearly all the pros have Overeem edging it out as he will mix in his striking and wrestling.
Raphael Assuncao forced out of UFC Vegas 20 fight with Raoni Barcelos
Harry Kettle - February 3, 2021
Raphael Assuncao has been forced out of his scheduled UFC Vegas 20 fight against fellow bantamweight Raoni Barcelos, MMA Junkie reports. The report in question indicates that Assuncao has withdrawn for unknown reasons, marking just the second time he has pulled out of a scheduled fight since 2013.
Petr Yan discusses his gameplan for upcoming fight with Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259
Harry Kettle - February 3, 2021
Petr Yan has discussed his planned strategy for his highly anticipated title fight against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259. The two men are set to meet for the UFC Bantamweight Championship in March on a card that will feature three title fights, although you could argue that this is the most personal out of the three.
Petr Yan: 'I don't know what happened to Aljamain Sterling's big mouth'
Drake Riggs - February 2, 2021
In the build-up to the long-awaited bantamweight showdown between champion Petr Yan and challenger Aljamain Sterling, there’s been no shortage of trash talk. However, things have gone a bit quieter on Sterling’s end in the eyes of Yan.
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
Paige VanZant is set to make her BKFC debut this Friday night but says she is open to a return to MMA. VanZant shocked many when she signed with BKFC after she fought out her contract with the UFC. Many thought she would sign with Bellator but she decided to go sans gloves. Although she will be the face of the promotion, VanZant revealed BKFC will allow her to take an MMA fight will under contract with them.
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.
Randy Couture explains why he's called "Captain America" and "The Natural"
Adam Martin - February 2, 2021
UFC legend Randy Couture explained why he’s called “Captain America” and “The Natural” in a new sit-down interview with Burt Watson. Couture, one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, was known by several nicknames throughout his career, but the two most commonly associated with him are “Captain America” and “The Natural,” which is also the title of his book written by Loretta Hunt. Speaking to former UFC staff member Burt Watson, Couture explained to MMAjunkie.com the origins of his two most popular nicknames. For “The Natural,” Couture opened up about how it was coined in Full Contact Fighter Magazine.
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.