MMA News
UFC submission specialist Ryan Hall receives medical clearance, promptly makes callout
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2020
UFC featherweight Ryan Hall has immediately issued a callout after being medically cleared to compete once again. Hall, who is considered to be one of the best submission specialists in all of mixed martial arts, hasn’t fought since back in July 2019 when he beat Darren Elkins via unanimous decision. He had, however, twice been booked to fight Ricardo Lamas, only for the bout to fall apart on two separate occasions – the latter being due to Hall sustaining an injury.
Robert Whittaker reacts to callout from Paulo Costa: “He just lost his contention to the title”
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2020
UFC middleweight Robert Whittaker has issued his response after a recent callout by divisional rival Paulo Costa. Whittaker seems to be the next man in line for a shot at Israel Adesanya’s Middleweight Championship after his two decision wins over fellow contenders Darren Till and Jared Cannonier. Costa, on the other hand, was decisively beaten by Adesanya in a one-sided title fight back at UFC 253.
Kevin Holland says coach Travis Lutter wants him to fight two more times in 2020
Adam Martin - November 3, 2020
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland says that his coach, former UFC fighter Travis Lutter, wants him to fight two more times in 2020. Holland has been one of the most active fighters on the UFC roster during the COVID-19 pandemic era. Dating back to May, Holland has fought four times and he’s won all four fights in impressive fashion. In May, Holland knocked out Anthony Hernandez in the first round at UFC Jacksonville. Holland then returned in August at UFC Vegas: Lewis vs. Overeem and defeated Joaquin Buckley via KO, winning a 50k bonus for his efforts.
Michael Chandler calls out Tony Ferguson or Justin Gaethje for UFC debut: "We're going to have a blast"
Adam Martin - November 3, 2020
Recent UFC free-agent signing Michael Chandler is requesting a matchup against either Tony Ferguson or Justin Gaethje for his Octagon debut. Chandler was the backup for the UFC 254 main event between UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Gaethje, but he wasn’t needed as both men made weight and made it to the fight unscathed. A former three-time lightweight champion in Bellator, Chandler ended up getting introduced on the UFC 254 pay-per-view broadcast to UFC fans for the first time. But he went to Fight Island with the hopes of stepping into the cage.
Israel Adesanya understands why Robert Whittaker didn't force rematch: "I’ll probably see him again in New Zealand"
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2020
Israel Adesanya knows he and Robert Whittaker will fight again in the near future. After Whittaker defeated Jared Cannonier at UFC 254 to become the No. 1 contender, many figured the rematch with Adesanya would be next. However, Whittaker made it clear he would not fight until March as he wanted to spend the holidays with his family.
Conor McGregor vents his frustration after being “ignored” by UFC officials
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2020
Conor McGregor is venting his frustration with the UFC. In November of last year, McGregor announced he would be returning to the Octagon in January. His goal was to fight three times, the first in January, one in the summer, and then the rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov in October. However, that did not happen for a variety of reasons.
Ian Heinisch believes Brendan Allen is a "stepping stone," confident he will finish him
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2020
Ian Heinisch and Brendan Allen have been talking about fighting one another for years now. Both Heinisch and Allen were fighting in LFA and Allen had been calling Heinisch out. But, “The Hurricane” went on to win the interim middleweight belt and get on the Contender Series and get a UFC contract. Allen, meanwhile, had to stay fighting in LFA for another year, but when he signed to the Las Vegas-based promotion, he started calling out Heinisch once more, and at UFC Vegas 13, they will finally fight.
Welterweight contender Santiago Ponzinibbio makes long-awaited UFC return against Muslim Salikhov
Adam Martin - November 3, 2020
Welterweight contender Santiago Ponzinibbio will make his long-awaited return to the UFC against Muslim Salikhov in January. Ponzinibbio vs. Salikhov is set to take place at a UFC event on January 16, one that will most likely take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Other fights that have been announced for the event include Ricky Simon vs. Brian Kelleher, Justin Tafa vs. Carlos Felipe, and Tim Elliott vs. Jordan Espinosa. There is no main event confirmed for this card just yet, though there remains the possibility the Ponzinibbio fight could headline the card.
Two MMA fighters saved a police officer's life during shooting in Vienna
Alfredo Zullino - November 3, 2020
The world is mourning the death of at least four people killed during a terrorist attack in Vienna, Austria on November 2. The number of casualties of this attack could have been higher, though, if it wasn’t for Mikail Özen and Recep Tayyip Gültekin, two Turkish-born, Vienna-based mixed martial arts fighters who risked their lives to rescue a police officer in need.
South Korea's Sung Bin Jo hopes to draw in Asian-American fans as he takes his talents to PFL
bjpenndotcom - November 3, 2020
In his home country of South Korea, Sung Bin Jo is already a pretty big deal. The dashing 28-year old has looks that can rival any K-Pop star, and that has translated to gigs as an image model on television and magazine ads, as well as appearances on shows such as “Bad Papa” and “Cash Back”.
Daniel Cormier: Dana White made "smart" decision not stripping Khabib Nurmagomedov of title
Tom Taylor - November 3, 2020
Former two-division UFC champ Daniel Cormier believes the UFC made the right move by allowing Khabib Nurmagomedov to keep his title. Nurmagomedov, the UFC lightweight champion and current pound-for-pound king of MMA, announced his retirement after he submitted Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Despite this announcement, UFC President Dana White expressed optimism that the lightweight star will fight again.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 17 with Ian Heinisch, Max Griffin & Ramiz Brahimaj
Cole Shelton - November 3, 2020
The 17th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 13. We’re first joined by UFC middleweight, Ian Heinisch (2:32). Next, UFC welterweight, Max Griffin (16:17) joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC welterweight, Ramiz Brahimaj (29:57).
Valentina Shevchenko calls for "logical" trilogy fight with Amanda Nunes
Tom Taylor - November 3, 2020
UFC flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko wants a third fight with Amanda Nunes, who holds the promotion’s bantamweight and featherweight belts. Shevchenko and Nunes, two of the greatest female fighters of all time, have fought twice previously. Nunes won both of those fights by decision, but both were extremely close—particularly the second.
UFC Vegas 12 medical suspensions: Uriah Hall facing six months out
Tom Taylor - November 3, 2020
The medical suspensions for last Saturday’s UFC Vegas 12 card have been revealed, and main event winner Uriah Hall could be out six months. Hall defeated former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva by fourth-round knockout. Despite coming out on top in the fight, he’s facing a long stint on the sidelines, pending an orthopedic doctor’s ruling. Silva could also be out six months due to a broken nose.
Israel Adesanya not planning on bulking up for light heavyweight title fight
Tom Taylor - November 3, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya isn’t planning to pack on any extra muscle for his upcoming light heavyweight title superfight with Jan Blachowicz. Adesanya and Blachowicz don’t yet have a date for their collision, but UFC President Dana White has confirmed the fight is happening, and it’s already generating massive buzz.
Tito Ortiz calls Joe Rogan a "quitter" for moving to Texas
Andrew Whitelaw - November 3, 2020
Tito Ortiz has called out Joe Rogan and others for leaving California. The UFC Hall of Famer is running for City Council in Huntington Beach.
Daniel Cormier on Anderson Silva: “I wouldn’t have wanted to see Michael Jordan playing in China”
Harry Kettle - November 3, 2020
UFC legend Daniel Cormier has praised former opponent Anderson Silva while suggesting he shouldn’t fight again. Silva was beaten in his final fight with the Ultimate Fighting Championship last Saturday night after a hard-fought affair against Uriah Hall. In the wake of the fight, many fans and pundits have been calling for Silva to outright retire from mixed martial arts – although the Brazilian continues to keep everyone guessing.
Robert Whittaker refutes Dana White’s claim, says he’s willing to fight Israel Adesanya at light heavyweight
Harry Kettle - November 3, 2020
UFC middleweight Robert Whittaker has questioned Dana White’s claim that he doesn’t want to fight Israel Adesanya. Whittaker, the former champion lost his title to “The Last Stylebender” last October, but since then, he’s been able to bounce back in style with decision wins over fellow contenders Darren Till and Jared Cannonier. It seemed as if he was destined to square off with Adesanya once again in a rematch, but White recently claimed that “The Reaper” turned the bout down.