MMA News
Tony Ferguson compares fighting for UFC title to "a wet dream"
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2020
Tony Ferguson says the thought of fighting for an undisputed UFC title feels a bit like a “wet dream.” Ferguson is slated to return to the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 256 this Saturday, where he will take on streaking contender Charles Oliveira. The bout will mark his opportunity to rebound from a TKO loss to Justin Gaethje, which marked the end of an incredible, 12-fight win-streak.
Matt Wiman announces retirement after KO loss, UFC exit
Tom Taylor - December 10, 2020
Matt Wiman has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts after a tough, knockout loss and his exit from the UFC roster. Wiman, 37, returned to action at UFC Vegas 16 last Saturday, when he found himself on the wrong end of a viral, slam-induced knockout in a fight with rising prospect Jordan Leavitt. The loss pushed him onto a three-fight losing-streak, and also marked the final obligation on his latest UFC contract. He did not sign a new deal with the promotion, and will instead be hanging up his gloves for good.
Marvin Vettori says Darren Till being ranked No. 4 at middleweight is “a joke”
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori has voiced his concerns after Darren Till was promoted to No. 4 in the divisional rankings. Vettori was able to pick up the biggest win of his career so far this past weekend as he edged out Jack Hermansson with a strong decision win. The victory vaulted him into the top five at middleweight, situating him just behind his European counterpart.
Bellator president Scott Coker details his plans for newly signed Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker has laid out his plans in the wake of the announcement that they have signed Anthony Johnson. The world of mixed martial arts was stunned earlier this week by the news that Johnson had parted ways with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in favor of signing a contract with Bellator.
Diaz bros athletic recovery coach shares controversial post regarding Rachael Ostovich's UFC release
Christopher Taylor - December 9, 2020
The athletic recovery coach of the Diaz bros, Jose Garcia, recently weighed in on the UFC’s release of Rachael Ostovich. The women’s flyweight fighter, Ostovich (4-6 MMA), endured her third consecutive setback at last months UFC Vegas 15 event, suffering a TKO loss to Gina Mazany.
Combate Americas interested in booking Tito Ortiz vs. Yoel Romero
Adam Martin - December 9, 2020
Hispanic MMA promotion Combate Americas says it would be interested in booking a 205lbs matchup between Tito Ortiz and Yoel Romero. Romero was released by the UFC last week as part of the promotion’s plan to cut 60 fighters from the roster. Since becoming a free agent, Romero has surprisingly drawn little interest on the free-agent market. Bellator president Scott Coker said that his promotion isn’t interested in signing Romero, and we haven’t heard much from other MMA organizations such as PFL or ONE Championship, though BKFC has shown interest. Right now, it looks like Romero will have to consider all of his options.
Junior dos Santos not worried about being cut despite entering UFC 256 on a three-fight losing streak
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2020
Junior dos Santos doesn’t believe his job is on the line in his upcoming fight. On the main card of UFC 256, dos Santos is set to return to the Octagon against the undefeated prospect, Ciryl Gane. The former UFC heavyweight champion is on a three-fight losing streak. And, with the UFC is cutting 60 fighters by year’s end, losing four in a row could be the end of his tenure. But, JDS remains confident he will still be a UFC fighter in 2021.
Scott Coker explains why Bellator isn't interested in Yoel Romero
Adam Martin - December 9, 2020
Bellator president Scott Coker explained why Bellator isn’t interested in signing free-agent middleweight fighter Yoel Romero to a contract. The UFC cut Romero last week as part of its 60 roster cuts by the end of 2020. The move to release Romero came as a big surprise considering he had just fought Israel Adesanya in his last fight at UFC 248 for the middleweight belt. But with the UFC in roster-cutting mode, the 43-year-old Romero and his three straight losses were deemed expendable. UFC president Dana White said that the cuts are purely roster-space motivated and have nothing to do with cost-cutting measures due to COVID-19.
Tony Ferguson expects to beat Charles Oliveira "decisively" at UFC 256
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2020
Tony Ferguson expects to put on a show on Saturday night. In the co-main event of UFC 256, Ferguson is set to return to the Octagon against rising contender, Charles Oliveira. It is a very intriguing matchup and one many believe is a crossroads fight for “El Cucuy” if he wants to remain a top contender at 155lbs.
UFC 256 | Pro fighters make their picks for Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno title fight
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2020
In the main event of UFC 256, Deiveson Figueiredo is looking to defend his flyweight title for the second time against Brandon Moreno. Heading into the fight, the champ is a -325 favorite while the Mexican challenger is a +250 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. Nearly all the pros predict we hear ‘And Still’ as Deiveson Figueiredo will get his hand raised and likely does by stoppage.
Justin Gaethje eyes fighting the winner of McGregor vs. Poirier 2 for the lightweight title
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2020
Justin Gaethje will be paying close attention to the UFC 257 main event between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. After Khabib Nurmagomedov retired following his win over Gaethje, many wondered how the UFC would book the lightweight division. If the belt was vacated many pointed to the Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier rematch as the logical option for the vacant title.
Conor McGregor flaunts shredded physique ahead of UFC return
Tom Taylor - December 9, 2020
Conor McGregor is in fantastic shape ahead of his anticipated rematch with Dustin Poirier, which goes down at UFC 257 on January 23. This upcoming rematch with Poirier will be the Irishman’s first since he knocked out Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in just 40 seconds in January of 2020. Despite his long layoff, he’s evidently still in tremendous shape, as evidenced by his latest Instagram post. See it below:
John Kavanagh slams Claressa Shields for telling MMA fans to "bow down"
Tom Taylor - December 9, 2020
Famed MMA coach John Kavanagh has some choice words for boxing star Claressa Shields, who recently told MMA fans to “bow down” to her. Shields is widely regarded as the best female boxer in the world, and is slated to make her MMA debut in the PFL cage in 2021. Ahead of her debut, Shields is demanding respect from MMA fans for being bold enough to make the transition between sports.
Deiveson Figueiredo reveals his expected fight-day weight at UFC 256
Adam Martin - December 9, 2020
UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo has revealed what weight he expects to step into the Octagon at on Saturday night at UFC 256. Figueiredo is one of the biggest flyweights in the UFC and he has struggled to make the 125lbs mark in the past, most notably missing weight for his first fight against Joseph Benavidez back in February. Figueiredo ended up winning that fight and then took the rematch on Fight Island, this time making weight. He just made weight for his recent title defense against Alex Perez at UFC 255 and he expects to make weight again when he takes on Brandon Moreno at UFC 256 this Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane official for Bellator 254 title fight, but Goiti Yamauchi misses weight by huge margin
Adam Martin - December 9, 2020
Women’s flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane is official for her Bellator 254 title fight, but Goiti Yamauchi missed weight by six pounds. Macfarlane is looking to once again defend the Bellator women’s flyweight title and she puts it on the line Thursday night at Bellator 254 against Juliana Velasquez. These are actually two undefeated fighters so this is a very intriguing matchup. At the official weigh-ins ahead of the fights at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, both fighters made weight and this fight is official, with both fighters coming in just a hair under 125lbs.
Claressa Shields: "MMA fans need to bow down and kiss my feet"
Adam Martin - December 9, 2020
The No. 1 pound-for-pound female boxer in the world, Claressa Shields, says that “MMA fans need to bow down and kiss her feet” ahead of her pro debut. Shields, a former Olympic gold medalist in boxing, has been teasing a debut in mixed martial arts for a few years now. Many thought that she would sign with the UFC outright due to her name recognition in boxing, but Shields surprised the MMA world when she decided to sign with PFL, instead. The Flint, Michigan native will make her mixed martial arts debut sometime in 2021 in a non-tournament bout in PFL, and it’s a big deal.
Tony Ferguson responds to Ali Abdelaziz’s claim that his management pursued Justin Gaethje after UFC 249
Tom Taylor - December 9, 2020
Top-5 UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson has issued a response to a recent comment from Dominance MMA CEO Ali Abdelaziz. Earlier this week, Abdelaziz claimed that Ferguson’s management company, Ballangee Group, attempted to poach his client Justin Gaethje earlier this year. Gaethje, of course, derailed Ferguson’s 12-fight unbeaten streak in May.
Full betting odds released for UFC 256: Figueiredo vs. Moreno
Adam Martin - December 9, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the 11 fights scheduled to take place at Saturday’s UFC 256: Figueiredo vs. Moreno event. In the main event, UFC flyweight champion Deivieson Figueiredo makes a quick turnaround when he takes on top contender Brandon Moreno. Both men just fought less than three weeks ago at UFC 255, picking up impressive first-round finishes over Alex Perez and Brandon Royval, respectively. The UFC was able to get both men to quickly turn around and fight each other for flyweight supremacy in the main event of UFC 256.