MMA News
Jan Blachowicz lays out plans for move to heavyweight, Jon Jones fight
Tom Taylor - November 25, 2020
UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz has laid out plans for a move up to the heavyweight division and a fight with Jon Jones. Jones ruled over the UFC light heavyweight division for many years, but vacated his belt earlier in 2020 with ambitions to move up to the heavyweight division. Blachowicz then captured the division’s vacant title with a second-round knockout win over Dominick Reyes in September.
Tim Means: Mike Perry sent pictures of himself eating "cheeseburgers with onion rings on them" before UFC 255
Tom Taylor - November 25, 2020
Tim Means says Mike Perry was eating cheeseburgers and onion rings ahead of their UFC 255 fight—and sent him photo evidence to prove it. Means fought Perry in the middle bout of last weekend’s UFC 255 card. He stepped into replace Perry’s original opponent, former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, on just a few weeks’ notice.
Dustin Poirier on upcoming rematch with Conor McGregor: “This could be for the undisputed belt”
Harry Kettle - November 25, 2020
Dustin Poirier believes his upcoming fight against Conor McGregor could end up being for the undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship. The two former featherweight rivals are set to meet more than six years on from their first encounter, and while both men have been through a lot in that time, they seem to be as passionate and determined as they’ve ever been to win gold once again.
Daniel Cormier responds to recent backlash from Jon Jones: “They never ‘proved’ him innocent”
Harry Kettle - November 25, 2020
Former two-weight UFC champion Daniel Cormier has responded to the latest criticism he’s faced from rival Jon Jones. Despite the fact that these two men almost certainly won’t fight against one another inside the Octagon again, it seems as if they’re destined to bicker back and forth until the end of time.
Dan Hooker "would love the chance" to fight Justin Gaethje next
Cole Shelton - November 24, 2020
Dan Hooker is hoping he gets to fight Justin Gaethje next. Ever since Gaethje was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 for the lightweight title, many wondered what would be next for ‘The Highlight’. He is still a top-ranked lightweight and will likely fight someone in the top-five. So, Hooker has thrown his name in the hat to be his next opponent.
Justin Gaethje would "smash" Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Tony Ferguson claims manager
Cole Shelton - November 24, 2020
Ali Abdelaziz is confident his client, Justin Gaethje would smash Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Tony Ferguson. Ever since Khabib Nurmagomedov retired following his win over Gaethje at UFC 254 many wondered who would fight for the vacant belt. Many figured it would be McGregor and Poirier. But, Dana White has made it clear he believes Nurmagomedov will return. But, if he doesn’t, Abdelaziz believes Gaethje is no doubt the best lightweight on the roster.
Badou Jack expects to KO Blake McKernan: "You can’t go from club-level to fighting a world-class fighter"
Cole Shelton - November 24, 2020
Badou Jack is not impressed by his upcoming opponent, Blake McKernan. On the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. undercard, Jack is looking to get back into the win column against McKernan. Although his opponent is undefeated, he is not well-known in the boxing community and Jack says he is only fighting him to get paid to donate all the money to his charity.
Joaquin Buckley issues a warning to James Krause: "I'm gonna see him regardless if the UFC gives me the fight"
Cole Shelton - November 24, 2020
Joaquin Buckley and James Krause’s rivalry has gone up a notch. Ever since Buckley scored one of the best KO’s of all-time against Impa Kasanganay it was revealed he and Krause did not like each other. Krause told BJPENN.com’s Just Scrap Radio about their beef and made it clear he is open to making the fight happen.
Khabib Nurmagomedov to Dana White: "See you soon"
Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has sent a message to UFC President Dana White—and it’s going to send fans into a frenzy. Khabib last fought in the main event of UFC 254 in October, defending the lightweight belt with a second-round submission win, and improving his record to 29-0 in the process. After that victory, he shocked the MMA world by announcing his retirement from competition.
Cub Swanson open to cross-divisional fights with Anthony Pettis, Urijah Faber, and Jose Aldo
Adam Martin - November 24, 2020
Veteran UFC featherweight Cub Swanson says he is open to cross-divisional fights with Anthony Pettis, Urijah Faber, and Jose Aldo. Swanson’s return to the Octagon was recently announced as he will take on Daniel Pineda next month at UFC 256. Swanson has been a member of the UFC roster since 2011 and has been one of the top-15 ranked fighters in the division for most of that time. However, he suffered a four-fight losing skid between 2017 and 2019 before finally snapping it with a “Fight of the Night” decision win over Kron Gracie last fall.
ONE Championship uninterested in signing Anderson Silva
Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020
ONE Championship will not be pursuing the services of new free agent, former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Silva, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time, was released from his UFC contract after a loss to Uriah Hall on Halloween night. While he intends to continue fighting rather than hang up the gloves, his list of options in terms of his new home is growing shorter.
Alistair Overeem admits retirement is looming, but says he still has a couple UFC fights left in him
Adam Martin - November 24, 2020
UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem admits the end of his career is nearing, but the legend says he still has a couple more fights left. Overeem is now 40 years old, but he remains one of the top-10 heavyweights on the UFC roster. Following back-to-back stoppage wins over Augusto Sakai and Walt Harris, Overeem is now the No. 5 ranked heavyweight contender. On February 6, 2021, he will take on No. 6 ranked Alexander Volkov in what should be an important fight for both men as they look to get one step closer to earning a coveted heavyweight title shot.
Video | Relive the first time Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier ever crossed paths
Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020
Years ago, ahead of their UFC 178 fight in the featherweight division, Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier crossed paths for the very first time. You can relive their first-ever encounter, which occurred in the lobby of the UFC 178 fighter hotel, in a recent Instagram post from the UFC. See it below:
Israel Adesanya to serve as "ringside analyst" for Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. card
Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is slated to appear as a “ringside analyst” for the upcoming Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. boxing card. Tyson and Jones, two legends of the boxing ring, will meet in a special, eight-round exhibition bout this Saturday night. The undercard of the event will feature names like Jake Paul, Nate Robinson, Badou Jack, Rashad Coulter, and as it turns out, we’ll also be hearing from Adesanya during the broadcast.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 20 with Badou Jack, Viddal Riley, Gina Mazany & Parker Porter
Cole Shelton - November 24, 2020
The 20th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. and UFC Vegas 15. We’re first joined by former WBC super-middleweight and WBA light heavyweight champion, Badou Jack (2:43). Next, one of boxing’s top prospects, Viddal Riley (14:42) joins the show. Then, UFC flyweight, Gina Mazany (32:14) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC heavyweight, Parker Porter (47:10).
Ben Askren on potential MMA return: "Never say never"
Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020
Former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight titleholder Ben Askren isn’t ruling out a return to mixed martial arts. Askren retired from competition last year, after a knockout loss to Jorge Masvidal and a submission loss to Demian Maia in the UFC. Once his retirement was confirmed, he underwent a complete hip replacement.
Khabib Nurmagomedov awarded with ‘Best Mom’ medal in Dagestan
Harry Kettle - November 24, 2020
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has been awarded an amusing “Best Mom” medal in Dagestan following his retirement. “The Eagle” decided to hang up his gloves in the wake of his recent win over Justin Gaethje, taking his official record to 29-0. He did so after a discussion with his mother in which he promised to end his mixed martial arts career after the Gaethje bout.
Henry Cejudo takes aim at Ariel Helwani for suggesting Deiveson Figueiredo saved the flyweight division
Harry Kettle - November 24, 2020
Former UFC two-weight world champion Henry Cejudo has taken a shot at ESPN’s Ariel Helwani for comments he made about Deiveson Figueiredo. Figueiredo is coming off the back of a strong submission win against Alex Perez at UFC 255, and now, he’s already preparing to defend the Flyweight Championship once again next month when he locks horns with top contender Brandon Moreno.