MMA News
Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov rejects Stephen A. Smith’s question about Conor McGregor
Harry Kettle - October 21, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov rejected a question about Conor McGregor from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith ahead of UFC 254. Nurmagomedov is gearing up for one of the biggest fights of his career so far on Saturday night as he prepares to defend the UFC Lightweight Championship against Justin Gaethje. However, many fans and pundits can’t seem to stop talking about the Russian’s UFC 229 opponent Conor McGregor.
Anderson Silva confirms Uriah Hall fight will be his last
Adam Martin - October 20, 2020
UFC legend Anderson Silva confirmed that his upcoming middleweight fight on Halloween against Uriah Hall will be his last. Silva is the oldest fighter on the UFC roster at 45 years of age and he has really struggled in the latter stages of his legendary career, losing two straight bouts to Jared Cannonier, Israel Adesanya, and four of his last five overall. UFC president Dana White recently said that Silva would call it quits after the Hall fight on Halloween, but until now we haven’t had confirmation from “The Spider” himself about his retirement plans.
UFC heavyweight Chase Sherman suspended nine months by USADA
Adam Martin - October 20, 2020
UFC heavyweight Chase Sherman has accepted a suspension for nine months by USADA due to violating the UFC Anti-Doping Policy. According to a statement from the USADA website, Sherman “tested positive for anastrozole as the result of a sample collected in-competition at UFC Fight Night on May 13, 2020. Anastrozole is a Specified Substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators and is prohibited at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and UFC Prohibited List.”
Dana White interested in Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Georges St-Pierre, but unsure if GSP can make 155lbs
Adam Martin - October 20, 2020
UFC president Dana White is interested in Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Georges St-Pierre, but he’s unsure if GSP can actually make 155lbs. Nurmagomedov vs. GSP is a superfight that has been talked about for a few years now by both fighters, the fans, the media, and even White himself. It would be a massive superfight between two of the best MMA fighters of all time, especially if Nurmagomedov goes for a perfect 30-0 record in the fight. If “The Eagle” defeats Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, the calls for a fight with “Rush” will grow even louder.
Dana White says Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje is "trending to be the biggest fight" in UFC history
Cole Shelton - October 20, 2020
Dana White is expecting the UFC 254 pay-per-view headlined by a lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje to do big business. In the lead up to the PPV, it has felt like a big fight as Nurmagomedov is a massive star and many think Gaethje is the toughest challenge for the champ. According to White, the trends for the fight is better than any other event they have done.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's coach believes McGregor is a tougher overall test when compared to Gaethje
Cole Shelton - October 20, 2020
Javier Mendez believes Khabib Nurmagomedov has already fought the toughest challenge for his title and that was Conor McGregor. In the main event of UFC 254, Nurmagomedov is set to defend his lightweight title against the interim champion, Justin Gaethje. In the lead up to the fight, many pundits have said Gaethje will be Khabib Nurmagomedov’s toughest test, which Mendez disagrees with.
PFL announces date, broadcast details for start of 2021 season
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the first organization to present MMA through a Regular Season, Playoffs and Championship format, today announced that the 2021 PFL Season will begin April 23 on ESPN2 in primetime. The remaining Regular Season events will take place on April 29, May 6, June 10, June 17, and June 25. PFL will begin its 2021 season a month early as the league makes its anticipated return to action. “We’re thrilled to announce an early start date for the 2021 PFL Season and we look forward to building on the positive momentum experienced in a historic first season on ESPN,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “In 2021, the PFL will deliver an elevated, immersive, and interactive fan viewing experience incorporating expanded, real-time fighter data and analytics from our proprietary SmartCage technology, behind-the-scenes access, the return of ref cam, and more. Our champions return looking to earn another title, while a fresh crop of exciting new fighters will challenge for the top spot in MMA. Additional contenders will be unveiled in the lead-up to what we believe will be the biggest season in PFL history.”
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Islam Makhachev matchup rescheduled for UFC Vegas 15
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
A lightweight fight between Islam Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos has been rescheduled for UFC Vegas 15 on November 14. This news was first reported by MMADNA.nl.
Michael Chandler explains disinterest in short-notice Islam Makhachev fight
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler has explained why he wasn’t interested in fighting Islam Makhachev on short-notice. Chandler, who has yet to make his UFC debut, is on standby on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi in the event that Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje is unable to compete in the UFC 254 headliner this weekend. Makhachev, meanwhile, was scheduled to fight Rafael dos Anjos on the card, but was forced off the bill when the UFC couldn’t find him a replacement opponent after a dos Anjos injury.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 15 with Javier Mendez, Sam Alvey & Casey Kenney
Cole Shelton - October 20, 2020
The 15th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 254. We’re first joined by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s head coach, Javier Mendez (2:34). Next, UFC light heavyweight, Sam Alvey (16:27) joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC bantamweight, Casey Kenney (28:16).
Full betting odds released for UFC 254: Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje
Adam Martin - October 20, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the 12 fights scheduled to take place at Saturday’s UFC 254: Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje event. In the main event, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov looks to unify his belt against interim champion Justin Gaethje. Nurmagomedov is 28-0 and is unbeaten in the UFC with a 12-0 record, including a submission win over Dustin Poirier in his last fight. As for Gaethje, he is currently riding a four-fight win streak.
Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier get heated over respective interim title wins
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier had a heated exchange on Tuesday, getting into it over their respective interim title wins. Poirier and Gaethje fought in 2018, with the former winning by fourth-round TKO. Poirier later went on to capture the UFC’s interim lightweight title with a win over Max Holloway, but lost it when he came up short in a title-unifying showdown with undisputed lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Michael Chandler still believes Tony Ferguson is "the logical, best choice" for UFC debut
Andrew Whitelaw - October 20, 2020
Michael Chandler is still eyeing a dance with Tony Ferguson for his first fight in the UFC. The pair were briefly intended to be the co-main event at UFC 254, but an agreement could not be reached. Speaking at the UFC 254 virtual media day, Chandler admitted that provided he doesn’t fight this weekend, “El Cucuy” is his preferred next opponent.
Justin Gaethje highlights key area where Tony Ferguson trumps Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
Justin Gaethje has highlighted a key difference between his next opponent, Khabib Nurmagomedov and his last foe, Tony Ferguson. Gaethje captured the UFC’s interim lightweight with a defeat of Ferguson back at UFC 249 in May. Gaethje was the picture of dominance in that fight, but Ferguson’s heart and toughness allowed him to survive until the fifth round, when he finally wilted under a storm of strikes.
Breaking: Marlon Vera slated for return opposite featherweight legend Jose Aldo at UFC 255
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
Marlon Vera will reportedly return to the Octagon at UFC 255, where he’ll take on former UFC featherweight champion and MMA legend Jose Aldo. News of this matchup was first reported by Brazilian publication Combate.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says Dustin Poirier has shown “his weakness” by accepting rematch with Conor McGregor
Harry Kettle - October 20, 2020
UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Dustin Poirier has shown his weakness by considering a 170-pound fight with Conor McGregor. Poirier and McGregor seem to be on the verge of agreeing to a January 23 showdown, more than six years on from their featherweight encounter at UFC 178. Alas, while both men are aiming to get another shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship owned by Nurmagomedov, McGregor continues to flirt with the idea of another bout at welterweight.
Josh Barnett to fight former KSW champ in special rules bare-knuckle fight this Friday
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
This Friday, former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett will battle former KSW champion Marcin Rozalsk. The bout will headline the first event from Genesis, a new bare-knuckle promotion from KSW, a massively successful MMA promotion out of Poland.
Khamzat Chimaev throws out old school suggestion for Dana White: “Let’s piss everybody off”
Harry Kettle - October 20, 2020
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev has suggested the idea of fighting three times in one night to UFC president Dana White. After going 3-0 in 2020 with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Chimaev has quickly established himself as one to watch at both welterweight and middleweight. With a parade of fighters offering to take him on, it should come as no surprise that Chimaev is willing to go up against just about anyone the promotion puts in front of him.