MMA News
Cody Garbrandt names the three opponents on his hit list
Adam Martin - January 15, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt named the three fighters on his hit list, including the man who took his belt, TJ Dillashaw. Garbrandt is set to make his return to the Octagon in the next couple of months after missing the last six months of action due to injuries, not to mention a rough case of COVID-19. We last saw “No Love” at UFC 250, where he knocked out Raphael Assuncao. That win earned him a title shot at 125lbs, but he wasn’t able to make it to the fight, and the flyweight division looks very different now. That’s why Garbrandt has said that he plans on returning as a bantamweight in his comeback.
Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dana White sit down for meeting
Tom Taylor - January 15, 2021
UFC President Dana White and undefeated lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov finally sat down for a long-awaited meeting on Friday. See the pair sitting down for their talk below:
Rafael dos Anjos willing to offer Nate Diaz a handicap in order to secure rematch
Tom Taylor - January 15, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos wants a rematch with Nate Diaz, and he’s willing to offer his rival a handicap to make the fight happen. Generally speaking, fighters don’t angle for rematches with opponents they’ve already beaten, but that’s the case this time around.
MMA community reacts to UFC, USADA's new rules on marijuana
Tom Taylor - January 15, 2021
Yesterday afternoon, news surfaced that the UFC and the United States Anti-Doping Agency will no longer be penalizing fighters for marijuana use. While fighters are still subject to punishment from local athletic commissions, this news is widely viewed as a huge step in the right direction.
Video | Conor McGregor’s new diamond watch also showcases some R-rated content
Harry Kettle - January 15, 2021
UFC star Conor McGregor knows how to make a statement – and he’s certainly done just that with his new watch. Over the course of the last few years McGregor hasn’t been afraid to splash the cash, and it’s not exactly hard to understand why after the insane wealth he has been able to accumulate courtesy of his ventures and achievements both in and outside of the Octagon.
UFC Fight Island 7 weigh-in results: Headliners on point
Tom Taylor - January 15, 2021
On Saturday, the UFC will return to our screens for the first time this year with the stacked UFC Fight Island 7 card in Abu Dhabi. The card will be headlined by a compelling featherweight clash between the division’s former champion Max Holloway and No. 6-ranked contender Calvin Kattar. The bout will be Holloway’s opportunity to rebound from back-to-back losses to reigning featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski, while Kattar will look to burst into title contention with the biggest win of his career.
Video | Check out TJ Dillashaw slamming Stephen Thompson through a table in slo-mo
Drake Riggs - January 14, 2021
When being paired to shoot a commercial together, TJ Dillashaw and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson had to be on their best office behavior. In July 2018, men’s clothing company Van Heusen released a commercial displaying their new Flex Collection. Showing off the new wares were none other than UFC superstars Stephen Thompson and, at the time the UFC bantamweight champion, TJ Dillashaw.
Max Holloway: '80 to 90 percent of the world thought I won' the Alexander Volkanovski rematch
Drake Riggs - January 14, 2021
Max Holloway is set to fight in his first non-title fight since 2016. As he anticipates the bout, he’s not too upset about the result of his last fight. UFC 251 in July 2020 acted as the first UFC event to take place on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, UAE. In the co-main event of the evening, the former champ in Holloway attempted to reclaim his title against the man who dethroned him — Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski.
Georges St-Pierre says Khabib Nurmagomedov fight "freaking excites me"
Adam Martin - January 14, 2021
UFC legend Georges St-Pierre admitted in a new interview that a matchup against Khabib Nurmagomedov “freaking excites me.” Nurmagomedov will meet with UFC president Dana White this week in Abu Dhabi to talk about his fighting future. It’s expected that White will try and convince him to return to the Octagon fight Conor McGregor in a rematch should he beats Dustin Poirier at UFC 257. However, Nurmagomedov has said in the past that his one dream fight in MMA is a superfight with the legend GSP. White has also admitted that he likes that fight, though it ultimately comes down to both men signing the contract.
Jon Jones sends a warning to other fighters ahead of UFC heavyweight debut
Cole Shelton - January 14, 2021
Jon Jones has sent a warning to fighters ahead of his heavyweight debut. Jones vacated the light heavyweight title in the summer as “Bones” made it clear he wanted to move up to heavyweight. He has since been posting photos of him bulking up and waiting for the fight but now he has sent a message to future opponents.
Michael Chandler reveals "every single one of them in the top-five, besides Conor" turned him down
Cole Shelton - January 14, 2021
Michael Chandler had a hard time getting someone to fight him in his UFC debut. In the co-main event of UFC 257, Chandler will finally make the walk to the Octagon for the first time against Dan Hooker. It is a top-10 opponent for the former Bellator lightweight champion, but not a top-five guy he wanted.
Tyson Nam expects to KO Matt Schnell to become a top-10 flyweight
Cole Shelton - January 14, 2021
Tyson Nam wasn’t surprised the UFC booked him against Matt Schnell for the third time. Nam and Schnell were supposed to fight on September 12 and December 19 but a botched weight cut by Schnell and Schnell pulling out canceled both of those fights. However, Nam knows the UFC likes the matchup and is eager to share the Octagon with him.
BREAKING: Ryan Hall to make return to the Octagon against Dan Ige on March 13
Cole Shelton - January 14, 2021
Ryan Hall is back. Multiple sources have confirmed to BJPENN.com that Ryan Hall and Dan Ige is agreed to for March 13 with contracts having already been sent out. The event currently does not have a location.
Conor McGregor explains how he's changed since MMA career began
Tom Taylor - January 14, 2021
Former two-division UFC Conor McGregor says he’s matured since he began his mixed martial arts journey back in 2007. McGregor is currently gearing up for a lightweight showdown with No. 2-ranked contender Dustin Poirier, which will headline the UFC 257 card on January 23.
Khamzat Chimaev re-opens as betting favorite for Leon Edwards fight
Adam Martin - January 14, 2021
The betting odds for the new booking between welterweights Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev features Chimaev opening as the favorite this time. Edwards and Chimaev were previously set to fight at UFC Vegas 17 in Las Vegas and then on January 20 in Fight Island. The first time the betting odds opened up, Edwards opened as the favorite with Chimaev as the underdog, but bettors quickly scooped up the plus-money on Chimaev and the line flipped the other way. With Edwards and Chimaev now re-booked to fight again on March 13, the oddsmakers were quick to re-open the line. Only this time, Chimaev opened up as the favorite.
Paul Felder down to fight "legend" Nate Diaz: "I would love that fight"
Adam Martin - January 14, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder says he would love to fight Nate Diaz and says he doesn’t care what weight class the fight is at. Felder is in Fight Island where he will be doing his usual commentary duties. The No. 8 fighter in the lightweight division, Felder is coming off of back-to-back losses to Dan Hooker and Rafael dos Anjos. However, both of those were competitive fights and there’s no shame in losing to either fighter. There was some talk that Felder could potentially hang up his gloves, but he ended up changing his mind. He then signed a contract extension with the UFC for several more fights. He is not done yet.
Conor McGregor: Manny Pacquiao talks "intensifying," fight could happen "this year"
Tom Taylor - January 14, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor believes he’ll meet Manny Pacquiao in the boxing ring before the year is over. McGregor is currently gearing up for a fight with the UFC’s No. 2-ranked lightweight contender, Dustin Poirier, which will headline the UFC 257 card on January 23.
Michael Bisping wants more accountability for MMA judges: "One judge’s decision can change your life"
Tom Taylor - January 14, 2021
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping wants MMA judges to be held accountable for their errors. The former champ weighed in on the topic on a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast, first criticizing the oft-used MMA adage “never leave it in the hands of judges.”