MMA News
Full betting odds released for UFC on ESPN 18: Blaydes vs. Lewis
Adam Martin - November 25, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the 11 fights scheduled to take place at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 18: Blaydes vs. Lewis event. In the main event, No. 2 ranked heavyweight Curtis Blaydes looks to continue his rise ascent towards the title when he takes on No. 4 ranked Derrick Lewis. Both men have been hot as of late, with Blaydes riding a four-fight win streak into this bout and Lewis currently riding a three-fight winning streak. Blaydes is an elite wrestler with improving striking abilities, while Lewis is always dangerous with his KO power. The winner of this fight couldn’t be more than one more win away from getting a heavyweight title shot.
Pro fighters make their picks for Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr.
Cole Shelton - November 25, 2020
On Saturday night, Mike Tyson will return to the ring to battle a fellow legend in Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition match. Heading into the fight, Tyson is the -185 favorite while the comeback on Jones Jr. is +158. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro boxers and MMA fighters to get their prediction for the bout. The majority of pros believe it will be Mike Tyson winning the fight but all are hoping both men come out of it safely.
Confident Arjan Bhullar wants "Buchecha" and Aliakbari after he takes out Brandon Vera
Tom Taylor - November 25, 2020
He’s expected to challenge ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera sometime in 2021, but already, former UFC star Arjan “Singh” Bhullar is salivating at the possible matchups to be had in the newly-revamped heavyweight division in ONE Championship. The 34-year-old is 10-1 overall in his career, with impressive wins over Marcelo Golm and Juan Adams, and a recent three-round unanimous decision victory over former ONE heavyweight title challenger and Cage Warriors heavyweight champ Mauro Cerilli.
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.
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.
Charles Oliveira plans to "shock the world" in war with Tony Ferguson at UFC 256
Adam Martin - November 24, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Charles Oliveira says he plans to “shock the world” in a war with Tony Ferguson at UFC 256. Oliveira is currently ranked No. 6 in the UFC lightweight division and, on the heels of an incredible seven-fight win streak, he has been asking the UFC for a top opponent. Enter No. 3 Ferguson, who is looking to get back in the cage and get a win following a TKO loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 249 in May. With the status of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov up in the air right now, the winner of Oliveira vs. Ferguson could be in line to fight for a vacant title should the champion decide to hang his gloves up.
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.
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.
Curtis Blaydes says UFC has to pay him more to fight Jon Jones: "I can fight a bum to make 200k"
Adam Martin - November 24, 2020
UFC heavyweight Curtis Blaydes says the promotion has to pay him more if it wants to book him against pound-for-pound great Jon Jones. Blaydes returns to the Octagon this weekend when he takes on Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC Vegas 15, with the winner of this fight closing in on title contention. In Blaydes’ last fight, he won a unanimous decision over Alexander Volkov and was criticized by UFC president Dana White for his cardio and for pre-fight comments where he suggested he deserved a raise. Blaydes, though, doesn’t care what White thinks.
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.
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.
Francis Ngannou "very interested" in a potential showdown with "Rumble"
Tom Taylor - November 24, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou says he’s “very interested” in a potential heavyweight fight with Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Johnson, who has competed as low as the welterweight division in the past, achieved his biggest successes in the UFC light heavyweight division, where he twice challenged for the title. While he announced his retirement from MMA in 2017, he is now plotting a return to the Octagon, perhaps to the heavyweight division.
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:
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.